Understanding US Traveler Behavior to Asian Countries: A Secondary Analysis Approach

Over the last few decades, US travelers have taken an increasing number of trips to Asian countries. Considering the strong growth of the Asian tourism market and the consistent growth in numbers of US travelers to Asian countries, an examination of these travelers to identify meaningful market segments can benefit Asian destination marketers in developing better marketing strategies. This study aims to conduct a distinctive analysis for segmenting the US travelers to Asia market through empirical examination. The study data set, obtained from a Travel Activity and Motivation Survey, identified three lucrative segments: ProTravelers, Safety Conscious Travelers and Traditionalists. The study presents the distinctive characteristics of the three segments and discusses managerial recommendations.     

Deploying Self-Service Technology in Luxury Hotel Brands: Perceptions of Business Travelers

Traditional brick-and-mortar companies are embracing the use of self-service technology (SST) to enhance the services they offer and to gain customer loyalty. The objectives of doing so are to stay at the forefront of today’s marketplace and improve service, efficiency, and profitability. However, SST directly eliminates the traditional service encounter from which luxury hotels benefit. With the rising popularity of SST and benefits it brings to both hoteliers and customers contradicting the importance of the personal service encounter to luxury hotel brands, it is critical for hoteliers to learn about the importance of SST and luxury brand identity in order to bring the greatest satisfaction to both parties. This article examines business travelers’ perceptions of SST adoption by luxury hotel brands in Hong Kong. The results emphasize the importance of both personal service and SST in satisfying customer needs and in increasing profitability.     

AUSTRALIA'S DESTINATION IMAGE AMONG MAINLAND CHINESE TRAVELERS: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

This study employed a multi‐faceted image assessment (MIA) framework in exploring Australia's destination image among mainland Chinese travelers. In addition to cognitive and affective image features, multi‐sensory image features were also examined. Data were collected in Beijing using focus groups comprising both past visitors and nonvisitors to Australia. No significant differences were found between the past visitor and non‐visitor groups with regard to cognitive and affective image features. However, past visitors seemed to hold more multi‐sensory image clues than their non‐visitor counterparts based on previous visit experiences. Salient cognitive image features identified included kangaroos and koalas, Australia's natural environment, iconic attractions like the Sydney Opera House, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, vastness of the land, comfortable living conditions, and lack of cultural atmosphere and historical heritage. Affectively, participants viewed Australia as a “relaxing” holiday destination. Marketing implications were discussed based on the study findings.     

Multiple attributes of cycling tourism in travelers’ decision-making process

Despite the rapid growth in cycling tourism, few studies have been conducted on whether its distinctive attributes influence travelers’ decision-making process. Therefore, the current research aimed to identify the effects of the multiple attributes of cycling tourism on travelers’ decision-making process by considering cognitive evaluations, affective evaluations, satisfaction, and flow experience. The study results revealed that most of our hypothesized relationships within the framework are supported. Additionally, satisfaction and flow experience were verified as significant mediators. Finally, our study highlighted the significant role of distinctive attributes of cycling tourism in the formation of travelers’ favorable behavioral intentions for cycling tourism.     

First-class airline travelers’ tendency to seek uniqueness: how does it influence their purchase of expensive tickets?

This study explored first-class airline travelers’ need for uniqueness and its impact on their ticket purchase intentions. More specifically, the study investigated the roles of the three subdimensions of the need for uniqueness (i.e. creative choice, unpopular choice, and similarity avoidance) in the formation of travelers’ attitudes toward first-class flights. Consumer attitudes toward first-class flights are hypothesized to increase status value, first-class attachment, and willingness to pay a premium. Based on theoretical relationships between conceptual constructs, the study proposed and tested a model using data from 202 first-class passengers in the United States. The results indicated that all three dimensions of the need for uniqueness positively affect airline travelers’ attitudes toward first-class flights and thus enhanced outcome variables. Furthermore, it was found that materialism moderated the relationship between status value and first-class attachment.     

A study of pre-trip use of travel guidebooks by leisure travelers

Travel guidebooks are one of the information sources used by tourists. This study applies and extends the information needs model proposed by Vogt and Fesenmaier to examine what Hong Kong residents specifically required from their pre-trip use of guidebooks. In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 leisure travelers, and 402 questionnaires subsequently distributed. A factor analysis is employed to show that as well as the five original needs from the model (functional, hedonic, innovation, aesthetic and sign needs), five more needs can be identified. These are itinerary improvement, travel partner, quality information, personal interest, and security needs. Functional needs are found to be the dominant factor and sign needs the least significant. The results of independent t-test and one-way ANOVA reveal that the importance placed on different needs varies according to age, education, income, planned destination, mode of travel, length of trip, number of visits and travel companions. The study makes recommendations for how travel guidebooks can better appeal to these needs and capture the attention of potential users.     

台湾观光相关类股投资人对开放陆客团体行事件之反应

利用事件研究法考察2008年5月22日台湾"交通部"拟定之"两岸周末包机及大陆观光客来台方案"对台湾地区航空、观光及贸易百货上市、柜公司股票报酬率的冲击。实证结果表明:事件日前10日、前9日、前4日和前1日平均累积异常报酬率皆通过至少1%水平的显著性检验,表示在事件日前股市投资人对开放陆客团体行之预期已然形成;事件日后1日至后4日及后11日至后14日亦均通过至少5%水平的显著性检验,表示股市投资人对开放陆客团体行有相当强烈的正面响应。     

In-Flight Service Performance and Passenger Loyalty: A Cross-National (China/Korea) Study of Travelers Using Low-Cost Carriers

While a moderate amount of empirical research has been conducted on passenger loyalty in the low-cost airline industry, there has been no research on the impacts of in-flight core- and encounter-service performance, perceived value, satisfaction, trust, or cultural influences on passenger loyalty. This study looked at these impacts in cross-national field research involving China and Korea. A survey was conducted on international flights between Busan and Qingdao. A total of 346 cases were used in data analysis. Results of the structural model showed that the proposed theoretical relationships were all significant; in-flight encounter-service performance was prominent, and value, satisfaction, and trust had a significant mediating impact. In addition, findings from the metric invariance revealed that the strength of the relationships, particularly among service performances, value, and satisfaction in the proposed model, significantly differed across Chinese and Korean passenger groups. The authors highlight key practical and research implications.     

Determinants of destination choice by Japanese overseas travelers

Using the data from the Japanese Pleasure Travel Survey, this study developed a logistic regression model to analyze destination choices of Japanese outbound pleasure travelers. The analysis revealed the effects of a number of variables on the Japanese destination choices. These variables are demographic characteristics including age, marital status, education level, and income, as well as types and purposes of trip. Various motivational factors were also found to be significant in classifying the Japanese market by their destination choices. The findings of this study provide useful information for destination marketers in their efforts to segment and target the Japanese outbound pleasure travel market. They will have a better understanding of the characteristics of the Japanese market relative to the strengths and weaknesses of their respective destinations, thus allowing them to be more effective in their packaging and promotion.