Implications of Chinese Casino Visitor Characteristics in South Korea

ABSTRACT

This study employs logit analysis to investigate the socio-demographic characteristics and travel behavior patterns of Chinese casino visitors. This study presents the trends of China's outbound travel market. The findings show that a typical Chinese casino visitor to South Korea has a high income level; but a low level of education; has no religious preference or believes in the traditional Chinese religion; travels with friends and colleagues affiliated with an institution or organization; is in his/her 30s and 40s; and tends to have a prior overseas travel experience. This study will help tour operators, wholesalers, and casino operators to establish effective marketing strategies to better meet the needs of these Chinese casino visitors.     

Those who come to pray and those who come to look: interactions between visitors and congregations

Religious tourism is a phenomenon that includes many different types of activities, from pilgrimages to visits to Notre Dame in Paris. While much of the literature relating to religious tourism concentrates on pilgrimage and those with religious intentions, little has been written of those who visit for other reasons and how these two groups interact. The aim of this paper is to explore the relationship between the congregations and visitors at two major religious sites which receive significant numbers of visitors for other than religious reasons. This paper considers the views of visitors to two cathedrals in Australia who were surveyed to find out the reason for their visit and their feelings to the religious aspects of the cathedral and the congregation. Members of the congregations were similarly asked about their position in relation to the visitors. Another issue that was canvassed with both groups was that of entrance fees being charged at the cathedrals. It was found that the congregations are happy for the visitors to attend the cathedrals and participate in worship but that many dislike being observed. Neither group reacted positively in relation to the imposition of entrance fees.     

Welcome back: Repeat visitation and tourist wellbeing

Although repeat visitation is professed as a desirable phenomenon in studies on destination loyalty, there is limited explicit consideration of well-being as a psychological outcome for repeat visitors. Consequently, this research explores the intersection between repeat visitation and the well-being of repeat visitors to Fiji. Drawing from in-depth semi-structured interviews, findings highlight the fundamental importance of repeat visitation and familiarity in enhancing individual well-being. Consistent with the core tenets of the Self-Determination Theory, a conceptual framework is proposed that shows the contribution of autonomy, relatedness and competence to restorative tourism experiences for repeat travellers. Future research should draw on established well-being models in positive psychology to further elucidate the underlying dimensions contributing to repeat visitors' well-being.     

Japanese Tourists' Experience of the Natural Environments in North QLD Region— Great Barrier Reef Experience

Summary

The North Queensland (QLD) region has been one of the fastest growing tourist destination for the international travel markets and has been recognized as a significant tourism icon in Australia. Surrounded by World Heritage areas such as the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) and Wet Tropical Rainforest, the North QLD region offers a range of unique and distinctive natural tourist attractions. Although the North QLD region is being recognized as one of the fast growing tourist destinations for Japanese tourists, few studies have been conducted in terms of understanding Japanese tourists' experiences towards the natural environment.

With a focus on the GBR trip in the North QLD region this study determined the importance of the GBR in Japanese holiday choice and elicited opinions on some reef-related issues. This study also attempted to compare Japanese visitor activities and behavior with a previous sample of English speaking respondents who took part in a similar survey during 1996.

The results indicated that not only do Japanese Tourists see Australia as a great opportunity to experience a unique and different culture, but they also regard Australia as a stimulating destination where they can get involved in some adventurous activities

Focussing on the GBR as a major drawcard for Japanese visitors, it was found that the ‘Experiencing Nature’ in a very natural, unstructured way, was the most important motivational factor for a GBR trip. There is potential to improve the enjoyment levels of Japanese visitors to the GBR by providing more information on day activities of the reef tours, by providing more education and through improvement of service and facilities on the boats.     

Operational and Financial Characteristics of Convention and Visitors Bureaux

Abstract

Convention and visitors bureaux (CVBs) have become a dominant type of destination marketing organization since the very first bureau was founded in Detroit in 1895. Nowadays, about 1,000 CVBs are operating in major and secondary metropolitan and resort areas in the United States. Dozens of bureaux can be found in the rest of the world, as well. The aim of this paper is to gain a better understanding of the management and funding of CVBs especially from a European perspective. The paper is based on a benchmark survey conducted by the author among 100 bureaux throughout the world, with responses secured from 29 CVBs. The analysis of the questionnaire sheds light on several aspects of CVB operations, such as geographic scope, types of shareholders controlling the CVB, membership of individual tourist businesses in the CVB, annual budget, sources of income, main expense categories, target markets, and Staffing.     

A Closer Examination of the Impact of Zoo Visits on Visitor Behaviour

Zoos suggest that they can play a role in fostering conservation behaviour, but there is only limited research support for such claims. This article examines why there might be a difference between the stated potential for zoos to influence visitor behaviour and existing research findings. The present study utilises a research design, methods and instruments that provide more sensitive measures of conservation behaviour outcomes. In particular, a distinction is made between behaviours that were already known to visitors and new/unknown behaviours. Two behaviours communicated during a bird presentation at an Australian zoo (recycling and removing road kill from the road) were chosen to test. Results include that, 81% of the respondents recalled hearing the conservation actions during the presentation and 54% stated an intention to increase their commitment or start an action. In 38 follow-up telephone interviews six months after their visit, 26 stated that they had started or increased their commitment to an action. However, only three had started a new action and these were actions previously known to them. The results frame a discussion on actions that zoos may wish to target if they wish to communicate more successfully.     

The Perceived Destination Image of Hong Kong as Revealed in the Travel Blogs of Mainland Chinese Tourists

This study investigated travel blogs as a manifestation of the travel experience, along with the destination image of Hong Kong from the perspective of tourists from mainland China. Recently published blog entries were selected and analyzed using content analysis. Empirical results indicated that the overall perceived destination image of Hong Kong was positive, with particular strengths in transportation, the harbor, and outlying islands. The major weaknesses of Hong Kong as a travel destination were the price of meals outside hotels, rooms in five-star hotels, and the quality of cosmetics and skincare products. This article has implications for policymakers and practitioners with regard to making use of travel blogs to gather authentic visitor comments on Hong Kong.     

日本主要国际客源市场研究——以20世纪90年代访华国际客源市场为主

一般而言,主要客源市场,其最大的特征不仅仅是市场规模大,而是它能直接影响接待国的旅游发展。但对接待国而言,真正的客源市场则要看实际来访者占该国或该地区的比率而非来访者的总量。因此市场的动向是我们必须关注的焦点。本文想通过这个研究了解访华日本国际客源市场的真正面目,并借此提供中国在争取日本国际客源市场时的一个科学参考依据。     

Restaurant consumers repeat patronage: A service quality concern

Consumer satisfaction can predict repeat patronage leading to brand loyalty and new consumers. Consumers determine which restaurants meet their quality standards and ignoring this leads to consumers moving toward competing restaurants. Expectations are important; unfulfilled expectations create consumers who may spread negative word-of-mouth. So achieving consumer satisfaction is realized through the delivery of exceptional value.     

Pricing of collectibles: Baedeker guidebooks

We analyze the prices of Baedeker guidebooks issued between 1828 and 1945 in the English, French and German languages. We compile a repeat sales regression index of eBay hammer prices, which reveals a common factor in Baedeker guidebook prices. We find mixed evidence on the underperformance of masterpieces (defined as the most expensive guidebooks). No significant difference is found between the average returns of masters and those of non-masters; however, under a five-factor asset-pricing model consisting of Carhart's four factors and the Pástor–Stambaugh liquidity factor, only masterpieces exhibit significant underperformance. The average price levels of the US, UK and Continental European Baedeker markets do not differ significantly, indicating that the law of one price cannot be rejected. The Baedeker market posts significant negative abnormal returns between 2005 and 2009; however, this result is not found for returns of German-language and non-master guidebooks.