INTERNET AND TOURISM—PART XXVII: TRAVEL BLOG

To date, Critical Success Factors (CSFs) for implementing Customer Relationship Management (CRM) have not been systematically investigated. Existing studies have derived their CSFs from different perspectives. However, it lacks scientifically developed and tested constructs that represent an integrative CRM philosophy. Through a detailed analysis of the literature, as well as adding new factors, this research identifies eight constructs for integrated CRM implementation in developing economies. The proposed CSFs are tested and validated through a sample of 162 Egyptian tourism organizations that utilize CRM systems, using Amos 19. The overall results from the empirical assessment were positive, reflecting the appropriateness of the proposed CSFs. This study is one of very few studies to provide an integrative perspective of CSFs for implementing CRM in the tourism sector and developing economies; it adds to the extremely limited number of empirical studies that have been conducted to investigate CRM implementation in developing countries.     

THE SOCIAL PRODUCTION OF SPACE IN TOURISM ENCLAVES: MAYAN CHILDREN’S PERCEPTIONS OF TOURISM BOUNDARIES

This paper adopts an interpretive approach to investigate children’s perceptions of their socio-spatial surroundings. It focuses on two tourism service towns, Akumal Pueblo and Chemuyil, and two major tourism centers, Akumal Playa and Bahia Principe, all located in the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula. Drawing on scholarship related to tourism’s role in demarcating and segregating space and Lefebvre’s trialectics of space production, this inquiry focuses on ways in which Mayan children residing in Akumal Pueblo and Chemuyil render their surrounding spaces intelligible, while reproducing or challenging the boundaries, symmetries and inclusions/exclusions created by the tourism industry. Tourism scholarship has tended to ignore children. By contrast this study engages the geographies of childhood to understand the lived socio-spatial experiences of this demographic group.     

WOMEN’S SEXUAL BEHAVIOR IN TOURISM: LOOSENING THE BRIDLE

This study explored the meanings, perceptions, and feelings assigned by women to their sexual behavior in tourism. The findings from 21 in-depth semi-structured interviews reveal that the tourist experiences were perceived as a liminoid and ‘chora’ time-space where women could explore sexual behavior either with steady or casual sexual partners, and recreate their selves through alternative sexual behavior. The changes in women’s sexual behavior were interpreted as resistance to gendered expectations of appropriate sexual behavior. Resistance gave rise to feelings of adventurousness, challenge, control, and empowerment. Post-structuralist lens of power relations, as well as the concepts of front and back regions, performativity, and existential authenticity were adopted to conceptualize the findings.     

AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF MULTI‐CULTURAL VIEWS ON THE DISNEY‐MCDONALD'S ALLIANCE

This article examines the effects of co‐branding on the brand equity of partner brands and the resultant co‐brand (brand alliance), taking the Disney‐McDonald's alliance as a real life example. The issue is examined from the perspectives of different geographies and cultures by surveying Western, Asia‐Pacific, and Chinese consumers. Findings indicate that co‐branding is not always a win‐win strategy for all partners regardless of how powerful each brand is separately. Results also show that respondents' attitudes toward individual brands also affect their attitudes toward the co‐brand; however, these attitudes vary from one market to another.     

A STUDY OF PERCEIVED RISK AND RISK REDUCTION OF PURCHASING AIR‐TICKETS ONLINE

The concept of perceived risk explains consumers' purchasing behavior that involves risk with unanticipated or uncertain consequences. Using perceived risk theory, this study explored customers' risk perceptions regarding online air‐ticket purchases. This study discovered that security risk was the most important predictor to overall risk regarding online air‐ticket purchases. In addition, nonpurchasers perceived a higher risk than online purchasers, in terms of performance, security, financial, psychological, and time risks. Regarding risk‐reduction strategies, shopping around over the web was more important to online purchasers than to non‐purchasers. In addition, reputation of web vendor, well‐known brand, symbol of security approval, and recommendation of family and friends were perceived as preferred risk‐reduction strategies when making online air‐ticket purchases. Further, this study's results revealed that respondents' perceived risks of online air‐ticket purchases differed according to demographic characteristics. The implications of the research findings for online marketing activities are discussed.     

EXPLORING EXPENDITURE‐BASED SEGMENTATION FOR RURAL TOURISM: OVERNIGHT STAY VISITORS VERSUS EXCURSIONISTS TO FEE‐FISHING SITES

About three fourths of new small tourism businesses fail within the first few years of operation mainly due to poor identification and lack of knowledge of their markets. While understanding visitor spending pattern is critical for the market to be economically viable and successful, research on rural tourist spending behavior is lacking in the literature. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore a visitor segmentation approach based on rural visitor spending behavior. Multiple regression analysis suggested accommodation attribute as the most useful predictor for visitor spending. Two subgroups were developed using accommodation type as a segmentation criterion—overnight stay visitors versus short excursionist. Comparative analyses were done using socio‐demographic variables, trip behavior, recreational motivation, and activity preferences. Overnight stay visitors and short excursion group showed significant differences on several behavioral and motivation variables. Practical suggestions are provided for attracting tourists to rural tourism destinations.     

TOURISTS' EVALUATIONS OF DESTINATION IMAGE,SATISFACTION, AND FUTURE BEHAVIORAL INTENTIONS—THE CASE OF MAURITIUS

Empirical studies have analyzed the relationship between destination image and other evaluative constructs such as perceived value and service quality. However, the role and influence of destination image on future behavioral intentions have been of lesser interest. Consequently, this article examines the relationship between destination image, satisfaction, and future behavioral intentions of visitors to the island of Mauritius. A theoretical model is tested on a sample of 705 international visitors using structural equations modeling. The results show that destination image has a direct and an indirect influence over future behavior. Satisfaction and overall image play a mediating role between destination image and future behavior. As a result, important theoretical and practical implications for destination image research and marketing are offered.     

Senior Travelers’ Motivations and Future Behavioral Intentions: THE CASE OF NICE

The push and pull framework was used to understand the motives of senior travelers and their future behavioral intentions to the city of Nice, France. The results, based on a convenience sample of 200 senior travelers, indicated that rest and relaxation, spend time with family, and being together as a family were the three most important motives for visiting the city. Pull attributes such as weather and climate, beaches and watersports, and beautiful scenery and attractions were the three most important pull factors. Significant correlations were found between some of the push and pull factors. Revisit intentions were predicted by the motive of escape and relaxation while recommendation intentions were predicted by the pull factor of cultural attractions and accommodation. Managerial implications for product development and marketing to the senior market are suggested.