Would a single regional visa encourage tourist arrivals in southern Africa?

Although many studies have been done of factors impeding Africa's development as a tourism destination, few have focused on southern Africa, and to date none have questioned whether the current visa requirements affect the region's tourism industry. This paper investigates the potential impact of the so-called Univisa, a single visa for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region proposed by SADC and the Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa. It examines the possible effect of visa requirements on a destination's accessibility and visitor numbers. Two surveys revealed that inbound and outbound tour operators were relatively positive about the benefits the proposed Univisa would bring, but were concerned about other factors hindering tourism development in the region. The study revealed the complexities of a regional visa and found that even though a regional visa might alleviate some problems, it cannot be seen as an answer to the slow development of tourism in this region.     

The Influence of Travel Motives on Visitor Happiness Attending a Wedding Expo

Events are an important motivator in travel and tourism, therefore contributing to related benefits at the tourism destination. This study presents the findings of a structural equation model used to investigate the factors that motivate visitors attending a Wedding Expo and how these travel motives influence their happiness. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to visitors attending the Wedding Expo in Johannesburg, South Africa. The data from 375 (N) eligible questionnaires was captured and analyzed using SPSS. From the study’s findings, managerial recommendations were made with the aim of maximising the happiness of visitors attending the Wedding Expo. The study found that satisfaction with life and happiness of visitors attending a Wedding Expo is enhanced more by the event’s attributes/attractiveness and enhancement of kinship/relationship than by the event’s novelty. The research contributes to the literature related to events management, happiness, and marketing management in tourism.     

A Motivation-Based Typology of Road Cyclists in the Cape Town Cycle Tour,South Africa

This research identified cyclists’ main motives for participating in the Cape Town Cycle Tour, and segmented them accordingly. Six distinct motives were identified (in order of importance): commitment and event affiliation, lifestyle, achievement and challenge, escape and socialization, international standing of event, and skill mastery and group affiliation. On the basis of these motives, two distinct national cycling segments and one international segment were identified: Regulars, Devotees, and Beginners. The findings confirm that event cyclists should not be regarded as homogeneous and that the type of sport and the nature of the event significantly influence the type of participant.     

Exploring consumers' preferences with regard to department and specialist food stores

Consumers' lifestyle changes and striving towards better time management have resulted in the greater choice they are offered with regard to store formats. Therefore, this study was undertaken to identify the factors that influence consumers in their patronage of a particular store format and to categorize department and specialist food store consumers according to their preferences in store layout and product range in a South African context. A qualitative research approach was used and data were collected using semi‐structured interviews with open‐ended questions. Purposive sampling recruited participants shopping for food in a department store in Johannesburg. Forty semi‐structured interviews were conducted before data saturation was reached. Store‐related factors such as store location, appearance and hygiene, service quality, convenience of trading hours, and consistency in store layout predominantly influenced participants in their patronage of a specific store format. Furthermore, product‐related factors such as quality, price, product range and convenient packaging enhanced consumers' store preference. Department store consumers were orientated towards one‐stop shopping and time‐saving strategies, while specialist food consumers were focused on food shopping and the trading hours of the store. Although similarities in participants' preferences with regard to department and specialist food store were found, different preferences were found regarding the placement of specific items within the store. Participants had similar preferences regarding the product range of a food store. However, department store participants emphasized the provision of convenience food and non‐food items. The findings of this study are valuable in providing department and specialist food store retailers with guideline recommendations regarding store layout and product range in order to effectively respond to the needs and preferences of consumers within an emerging economy.     

The value of stock analysts' recommendations: Evidence from emerging markets

This is the first study to empirically examine post-recommendation buy and hold abnormal returns in emerging markets. By analyzing a sample of 13 emerging countries over the decade from 1996 to 2005, we find that stock prices react strongly to stock analyst recommendations and revisions. We also find that there is a stronger positive bias in analyst recommendations and revisions in emerging markets compared with that in developed markets. In our cross-sectional analysis, we find that the Market-to-Book ratio is the primary indicator for Buy and Strong Buy recommendation regressions. This indicates that stock analysts in emerging markets prefer high growth stocks with attractive characteristics.     

What is the value of networking? An examination of trade show attendee outcomes

Business events have become a key sector of growth in the events industry. However, there is a paucity of empirical studies that examine the outcomes that participants derive from these events. This study aims to address this by specifically focusing on one objective of business events—networking. A case study approach was used to explore how organizers design events for networking and the outcomes that participants gain from events. Findings revealed that objectives differed based on the type of attendee and attendees typically followed up with 20–30% of contacts after the event, indicating that the use of networking technologies could enable more valuable connections to be made.     

The role of the revolutionary state in the Nicaraguan food system

The Nicaraguan state carried out a structural transformation of the food system within the context of a mixed economy. It simultaneously combined direct ownership with many forms of market regulation and supported a mass movement of peasant cooperatives. The Nicaraguan food system combined economic decision-making by the state, large and small individual producers, cooperatives and communities. Many difficulties were encountered and mistakes made and although many problems remain, significant production and consumption gains were achieved. After only 4 years of revolution, the Sandinista development model faced the challenge of coping with the costs of external economic and military aggression while maintaining its pragmatic approach.     

A system for evaluating social welfare programs and allocating contributed resources based on citizen input

This paper describes the development and implementation of a social welfare program evaluation system developed by a Community Council to aid the resource allocation decision process of a local United Way. The system assigns a “utility” measure to each program based on how the program satisfies the long-term social welfare goals of the community adjusted for the effect of short range, time dependent criteria affecting the region. Data for the processes described was obtained by quantifying the subjective feelings of the individual members of the Community Council. The results have been accepted by the United Way Organization and are currently being used to assist in the planning and resource allocation functions of the fund.     

专家点评汽车配件案 何为贵？“和”为贵

2005年7月，笔者在布鲁塞尔欧盟总部、国会访问。国会的官员透露，欧盟正准备和中国打两个贸易战，一个是针对中国鞋的反倾销，一个就是汽车配件的关税问题。2006年4月初，欧美共同把中国汽车关税案告到了WTO争端解决机制，汽车配件案急剧升级。该案更多具有官方性质，涉及的是关税政策，自然中国政府是案件的第一责任人，所以我们没有见到中国企业的积极反馈，案子一下子就走入了WTO似乎快了点。