The Role of Local and Regional Food in Destination Marketing

Summary

An analysis of the relevant tourism literature and the promotional material of various destinations indicate that the role of food in the marketing of destinations has until recently received very little attention globally and locally. All indications, however, are that local food holds much potential to enhance sustainability in tourism; contribute to the authenticity of the destination; strengthen the local economy; and provide for the environmentally friendly infrastructure. This paper will highlight the key findings of the preliminary study regarding the utilization of food as a key or supportive attraction by destination-marketing organizations in South Africa. Guidelines for the future development, packaging and marketing of local and regional foods will be postulated and proposals for future research will be outlined.     

Linking Website Interactivity to Consumer Behavioral Intention in an Online Travel Community: The Mediating Role of Utilitarian Value and Online Trust

Although prior studies have shown that perceived website interactivity plays an important role in positive behavioral intentions of online customers, the underlying psychological mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the mediating role of utilitarian value and online trust in relationship between perceived website interactivity and repurchase intention in an online travel community. Data were collected from 227 customers who had purchased travel-related products on any online travel website within the past 12 months. The empirical results supported all study hypotheses. As predicted, utilitarian value and online trust fully mediate the relationship between perceived website interactivity and repurchase intention. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.     

Mediating Perceived Travel Constraints: The Role of Destination Image

This study assessed the mediating effects of destination image on the relationship between travel constraints and intention to visit. Structural equation modeling identified that destination image mediates between travel constraints and intention to visit, and thereby the negative impact of perceived constraints on intention to visit could be alleviated through the mediating effect of destination image. Thus, travelers can find the means to alleviate travel constraints through a negotiation mechanism. The findings provide practical implications for effective destination marketing programs in that the negative impact from travel constraints can, to a great extent, be mitigated.     

The Symbolic Role of Postcards in Representing a Destination Image: The Case of Alanya,Turkey

The study adopted a qualitative approach to investigate the role of postcards in representing a destination image as evidence for their travel. A total of 15 postcard racks in Alanya, Turkey were sampled in a variety of sales outlets, using an observation and content photography techniques. The postcards were sorted into four groups according to their levels of authenticity and contextual representation of the tourist's experience at the destination. The analysis yielded a conceptual framework of four types of postcards: realistic, refurbished reality, misleading, and fantasy. The study concluded that only a small proportion of the postcards represented authentic and true images of Alanya, while the majority of the postcards provided ambiguous, unclear, and confusing images of the destination. Recommendations for developing more realistic images to be featured on postcards are discussed.     

The Effect of Psychological Climate on Job Outcomes: Evidence from the Airline Industry

This study develops and tests a research model that investigates whether psychological climate, as manifested through perceived management concern for frontline employees and passengers, influences creative performance and lateness attitude through career satisfaction. Data obtained from ground staff members with a one-week time lag in three waves and their supervisors in a low-cost airline company in Turkey were used to gauge these relationships. The results suggest that ground staff members are satisfied with their career in the current organization and therefore display creative performance and reduced lateness attitude. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed in the paper.     

Tourism,Marketing and Sustainable Development in the English National Parks: The Role of National Park Authorities

This paper examines the work of the English National Park Authorities (NPAs) in relation to aspects of the development of sustainable tourism. The NPAs have implicitly sought to achieve sustainable tourism development since the parks were first designated, striving to balance the needs of visitors and the environment within the context of living, working landscapes. Studies have revealed, however, that some NPAs are not fully championing sustainable tourism development. The paper examines the NPA's use of marketing and marketing perspectives in encouraging sustainable tourism, exploring attitudes, roles and activities. A diverse, piecemeal and sometimes underinformed approach is revealed. The paper concludes with ways forward for English NPAs and for other protected area management organisations.     

The Impact Of Business Intelligence Systems on an Organization’s Effectiveness: The Role of Metadata Quality From a Developing Country’S View

ABSTRACT

Business Intelligence (BI) systems are extensively used by large hotels in Jordan; however their effectiveness has not yet been researched. The aim of this research is to explore the relationships among definitional metadata quality, data quality metadata quality, navigational metadata quality, lineage metadata quality, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and system effectiveness in enhancing organizational effectiveness of five star hotels in Aqaba, Jordan. To test the research hypotheses, 225 usable responses containing 37 items were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) and a Machine Learning technique. Results suggest that organizational effectiveness was directly and positively affected by perceived usefulness and BI systems effectiveness. Nevertheless, perceived usefulness did not impact BI systems effectiveness.