Event loyalty as a key driver of destination strategy: A path analysis of tourist data

Research questions Sport management researchers have utilized the concept of brand image to understand sport consumers’ experiences. However, this concept has rarely been applied in a participatory sport event context. In this study, we proposed a conceptual framework of event brand image for distance running events, and explored how international sport tourists’ perceived event brand image generates event and destination loyalty. Research methods The data of the study were collected from international participants (N = 441) of 36th Reykjavik Marathon in 2019. Of the respondents, 52.6% were male, 73.3% aged between 30 and 59 years old, and 84.6% held a bachelor’s degree or higher. Most of the respondents (91.2%) came from Europe and North America. A behavioral profile revealed that 48.4% of respondents ran the full marathon, 36.3% the half marathon, 13.9% the 10 km, and 1.5% the 3 km. Results and findings The results indicate that three attributes (i.e. course, organization, and atmosphere) and two benefits (i.e. achievement and escape) were positively associated with participants’ event attitude. Event attitude was directly positively associated with event loyalty, destination image, and destination loyalty. Finally, destination image mediated the relationships between event attitude and event loyalty, and between event attitude and destination loyalty. Implications This study contributes to the literature by applying a conceptual framework of brand image in a participatory sport event context, and identifying the mediating role of the destination image.

The interest in tourism destination loyalty has increased in recent times. Although the recent literature has shown that a tourist’s loyalty to a destination is the direct result of quality service and the type of experiences, the correlation between service quality and customer loyalty has yet to be thoroughly researched within the tourist-destination context. Since these destinations are constantly changing, it requires further analysis and research. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between service quality performance and destination loyalty, as well as the mediation impact of destination image in Saudi Arabia for local tourist destination perspectives in Albaha region, while considering the attitudes towards service quality within three, four- and five-star hotels. The partial least square to structural equation modelling was used (PLS-SEM) to examine 298 local tourists from Saudi Arabia who took part in a survey. The results show a positive relationship between service quality performance and destination image, as well as a positive relationship between service quality performance and loyalty. The results also confirm that destination image mediated the relationship between service quality performance and destination loyalty. The results of this study contribute to knowledge by informing service managers in tourism sector about the perspectives of local tourists towards destination image and loyalty.

Making the right stopover destination choice: The effect of assessment orientation on attitudinal stopover destination loyalty

This study explores the relationship among sport spectator motivation, event experience, and event loyalty in 2009 Kaohsiung World Game. ”The Spectator Motivation, Event Experience, and Event Loyalty Questionnaire” was developed based on related literature. The effects of spectator motivation to event experience, and event experience to event loyalty were analyzed by Regression Analysis. In addition, Path Analysis was implemented to investigate the mediation effect of event experience between spectator motivation and event loyalty. 940 valid questionnaires were collected via purposive sampling and Descriptive Statistics were utilized to analyze the data. The results and conclusions indicated that: the majority of the spectators were female, at the age of 21-40, salary made less than $20,000 per month, college education, stayed above 6 days, visited Kaohsiung more than 3 times, participated in Kaohsiung World Game was the major point, and expected expenditure amount less than $15,000. Also, the spectator motivation influenced event experience significantly, and the event experience influenced event loyalty significantly, too. Besides, the event experience was mediating influence between spectator motivation and event loyalty. The spectator motivation influenced event loyalty directly by event experience.

ABSTRACTAn important form of economic sustainability for tourism businesses is customer loyalty. Using a sample of 387 active sport tourists, factors that influence destination and event tourism loyalty are reported on in this paper. Thirty-six per cent of destination loyalty’s variance was explained – operationalized as intentions of active sport tourists to revisit and recommend Banff National Park (NP). Thirty-one per cent of event loyalty’s variance was explained – operationalized as participation in future offerings of an annual small-scale running race, Melissa’s Road Race, located in the park. Destination loyalty was directly and positively predicted by park attachment and indirectly influenced by event attachment, followed by nature-related travel motives, frequency of visits to the park and history of engagement in the race. Event loyalty was directly and positively predicted by event attachment and racers’ views regarding the appropriateness of Banff NP as a race context and indirectly by history of race participation. Running travel motives, perceived value of park entry and event fees failed to predict loyalty intentions. Two models were used to explore the ‘correct’ conceptualization of relationships between event attachment and park attachment. The model that depicted event attachment as an antecedent to park attachment demonstrated better fit with the data, and thus suggests support for the proposition that attachments which develop for special events may in turn support the development of destination attachment.

Sport Tourist Event Brand Image, Event Loyalty, and Destination Loyalty--Measurement Model

This study explores the factors influencing Arab tourists’ intention to revisit Turkish destinations, contributing to the theoretical discourse on tourist behavior, destination loyalty, and sustainable tourism development. Over the past decade, Türkiye (Turkey) has experienced a steady increase in tourists, with Arab visitors forming a significant segment. This growing market segment presents unique opportunities and challenges that remain understudied in academic literature. Despite their prominence, limited research exists on Arab tourists’ behavior, needs, and experiences in Türkiye. This study employs a mixed-method approach, combining surveys and interviews conducted between July and December 2024. Data from 713 surveys and 14 interviews were analyzed, revealing that 72% of Arab tourists were satisfied with their current visit, 49% with previous visits, 57% indicated a strong intention to revisit, and 81% recommended Turkish destinations to others. The study identifies seven key dimensions of revisit intention through Exploratory Factor Analysis that collectively explain 79.841% of the variance in revisit intention. The regression analysis demonstrates how different factors contribute to revisit decisions, with overall satisfaction (β = 0.622), loyalty (β = 0.521), financial status (β = 0.507), behavior of staff and locals (β = 0.484), cultural and social appeal (β = 0.478), overall experiences (β = 0.329), educational level (β = 0.333), accessibility and convenience (β = 0.288), service quality (β = 0.216), and length of stay (β = 0.128) emerging as significant predictors. These findings underscore the complexity of the decision-making process, suggesting that no single theory can fully explain tourists’ behavior and the sustainability of their visits. The study recommends further exploration of the proposed model and investments in tourism staff training, particularly in foreign languages, to enhance service quality and encourage repeat visits. Addressing issues such as unprofessional behavior and language barriers can improve overall satisfaction and loyalty, increasing the likelihood of Arab tourists revisiting Türkiye. This research highlights the importance of sustainable tourism practices in fostering long-term economic and social benefits for Turkish destinations.

This research paper evaluates the experience of visitors on tourism and examines the impact of service quality and perceived value on tourist satisfaction which results in creating destination loyalty for a tourist. A total of 300 respondents completed the survey conducted at Sanasar, a tourist spot in Udhampur district of Jammu & Kashmir (North India). With the help of exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, the data has been analysed and the outcome showed that there is a direct impact of service quality and perceived value on tourist satisfaction. Further, it was seen that tourist satisfaction and quality positively impacts destination loyalty, whereas perceived value did not have any direct impact on destination loyalty. Thus, the present study has tried to show the impact of various factors on destination loyalty.

The paper examines the effect of local food on loyalty of tourists on a destination. The participants were identified using purposive method of sampling and these respondents comprised of local and foreign tourists who have visited Angeles City. The research design used was predictive-correlational method and partial least squares path modelling was utilized to gauge the parameter estimates. The results showed that food-related motivation positively affects local food involvement, destination loyalty, and food satisfaction. It was also found out that local food involvement is significantly and positively related to food satisfaction and destination loyalty. Moreover, relationship between food satisfaction and destination loyalty was found to be significant and positive. The mediation analysis revealed that food satisfaction is a mediator on the link between food-related motivation and destination loyalty and between local food involvement and destination loyalty.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between tourism service quality and destination loyalty through investigating the mediation effect of destination image in the Dead Sea tourism destination, Jordan, from international tourists perspectives. The paper also investigates the tourism service quality dimensions from international tourists’ viewpoints. Design/methodology/approach A structured and self-administered survey was used targeting international tourists who were visiting the Dead Sea tourism destination, Jordan. The authors delivered 300 questionnaires to international tourists from which 237 were retained and valid for the analysis. A series of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed to assess the research constructs dimensions, unidimensionality, validity and composite reliability. Structural path analysis was also used to test the hypothesised relationships of the research model. Findings The empirical findings indicate that tourism service quality is, in fact, a four-dimensional (4D) construct as opposed to five as proposed by the original hypothesised model. The 4D model consists of four facets: assurance-responsiveness, tangible facilities-empathy, reliability and reliability-quality of directions. Also, the results indicate that brand image loaded onto two dimensions named as “physical environment” and “people characteristics”. The structural findings indicate that the four dimensions of tourism service quality have positively and significantly affected destination image. Further, brand image has positively and significantly affected destination loyalty. Finally, destination image fully mediates the relationship between tourism service quality and destination loyalty. Research limitations/implications This paper has examined only five dimensions of tourism service quality that affected destination loyalty directly and indirectly; meanwhile, other service quality dimensions such as technical quality may affect both destination image and destination loyalty. Further, destination image is the only mediator investigated in this paper. Other consumer-based brand equity factors such as brand salience my act as another mediator. Also, this paper investigated international tourists’ perspectives in the Dead Sea tourism destination only, which means that its generalisation to other tourism destinations is limited. Therefore, comparative studies inside and outside Jordan’s tourism destinations are potential areas of future research. Other limitations and future research areas are also outlined. Practical implications The paper highlights the strategic importance of brand image on the relationship between tourism service quality and destination loyalty. Tourism service quality acts as an antecedent to brand image and the later is essential to destination loyalty. In other words, brand image of the physical environment and people friendless and kindness are the critical linkage that create destination loyalty. Further, an integrated model of tourism service quality, destination image and destination loyalty is required by tourism organisations operating in the Dead Sea destination to win international tourists again. Originality/value This paper represents one of the very few attempts that investigate tourism service quality and destination loyalty through understanding the mediating role of brand image in the Dead Sea destination. Accordingly, it should shed more light into the strategic role of brand image dimensions and how they affect destination loyalty. Further, the paper is the first of its kind to investigate an integrated model of tourism service quality and destination loyalty from international tourist perspectives in Jordan. The main issue here is that tourism organisations operating in the Dead Sea tourism destination have now valuable empirical evidence concerning the drivers of destination loyalty in an integrated manner.

Previous studies show that a superior tourist experience would lead to travel satisfaction and develop loyalty towards a destination. However, the role and influence of experience quality on tourist behavioural intentions have yet to be thoroughly scrutinized. This study aims at examining the experience quality of Pangkor Island tourists and its effect on their satisfaction and destination loyalty. This research applied the convenience sampling method whereby the survey data were collected conveniently from the tourists visiting Pangkor Island. The data obtained were examined via Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The structural model assessment proposed that the natural attraction of Pangkor Island, the local behaviour, destination value, safety and cleanliness influence the tourists' satisfaction and destination loyalty. This study contributes to a better understanding of how the quality of tourist experience affect their behavioural mechanisms: travel satisfaction and destination loyalty. The research findings contribute to the literature on island tourism and enrich the existing knowledge of experience quality components and their effect on tourists’ satisfaction and destination loyalty.Keywords: Destination loyalty, experience quality, Pangkor Island, satisfaction, Tourist. Cite as: Hanafiah, M. H., Jasmi, A. F., Razali, A. H. M., & Sulaiman, M. S. (2019). The structural relationships of experience quality, tourist satisfaction and destination loyalty: The case of Pangkor Island, Malaysia. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 4(1), 186-210. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol4iss1pp186-210

BackgroundWe aimed to determine (i) if other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) increase the risk of incident human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and (ii) if HPV infection predicts the incidence of other STIs.MethodsWomen aged 20–38 years were followed semi-annually for 18 months in Thailand (n=1200). Assessment was made on cervical HPV genotypes, cervical cytology, sexual behaviour, demographic factors and diagnoses of other STIs including chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, genital herpes and trichomoniasis. Incident detection was defined as any type-specific HPV or other STI which was detected at current visit but not at previous visit. Associations were measured by ORs with 95% CIs estimated in generalised estimating equation models.ResultsDuring follow-up, 241 new cases of HPV, 110 incident cases of high risk (HR)-HPV and 46 new cases of other STIs were observed. Diagnosis of other STIs at previous visit was statistically significantly associated with twofold increased odds of any new HPV detection after controlling for sexual behaviour, age, pap smear status and contraceptive use [adjusted OR (aOR): any HPV: 2.16 (95% CI: 1.08% to 4.34%)] (Abstract O1-S02.02 table 1). No significant association was found between diagnosis of other STIs and subsequent incident detection of HR-HPV [aOR: 2.01 (95% CI: 0.74% to 5.48%)] (Abstract O1-S02.02 table 1). Positive detection of any HPV or HR-HPV predicted nearly twofold increased odds of other STIs with the estimates bordering on statistical significance [aORs: any HPV: 1.81 (95% CI: 0.94% to 3.49%); HR-HPV: 2.00 (95% CI: 0.82% to 4.83%)] (Abstract O1-S02.02 table 2).Abstract O1-S02.02 Table 1Unadjusted and adjusted estimates of detection of other STIs on HPV incidence (total number of visit pairs=3221)Number of visit pairs N=3221Incident detection at current visitUnadjusted OR† (95% CI)Adjusted OR† (95% CI)Diagnosis of the following at previous visitN (col %)New cases of any HPV, n= 241(7.5%) n (row%)New detection of any HPV type across consecutive visitsSTIs other than HPV infection* No3158 (98.0)230 (7.3)1.01.0 Yes63 (2.0)11 (17.5)2.46 (1.31 to 4.62)2.16 (1.08 to 4.34)New cases of any HR-HPV, n=110 (3.4%) n (row%)New detection of any HR- HPV type across consecutive visitsSTIs other than HPV infection* No3158 (98.0)105 (3.3)1.01.0 Yes63 (2.0)5 (7.9)2.42 (0.93 to 6.27)2.01 (0.74 to 5.48)* STIs other than HPV infection included the following: laboratory diagnoses of genital chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, as well as clinical diagnoses of genital herpes or trichomoniasis.† Estimates adjusted for age and study site at enrolment, as well as the following covariates assessed at each follow-up visit: pap smear diagnosis at previous visit, contraceptive use in last 6 months, number of lifetime partners, partners having sex with others in last 6 months, having new partner in last 12 months, male partner using condom in last 6 months, number of partners in last 6 months.HPV, human papillomavirus; HR-HPV, High-risk HPV, defined as HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66 (IARC 2007); STIs, sexually transmitted infections.Abstract O1-S02.02 Table 2Unadjusted and adjusted estimates of HPV detection on incidence of other STIs (total number of visit pairs=3221)Detected with the following at previous visitNew cases of other STIs, n=46 (1.4%) n (row%)New detection of other STIs across consecutive visitsAny HPV No2590 (80.4)31 (1.2)1.01.0 Yes631 (19.6)15 (2.4)1.94 (1.05 to 3.58)1.81 (0.94 to 3.49)New cases of other STIs, n=46 (1.4%) n (row%)New detection of other STIs across consecutive visitsAny HR-HPV No2930 (91.0)38 (1.3)1.01.0 Yes291 (9.0)8 (2.7)2.14 (1.00 to 4.61)2.00 (0.82 to 4.83)Estimates adjusted for age and study site at enrolment, as well as the following covariates assessed at each follow-up visit: pap smear diagnosis at previous visit, contraceptive use in last 6 months, number of lifetime partners, partners having sex with others in last 6 months, having new partner in last 12 months, male partner using condom in last 6 months.Covariates that were found to be statistically significantly associated with the outcomes (p<0.05) and/or significantly influence the effect size of the primary association of interest (≥10%) were included in the final models for confounding control. Parity, smoking status, and other factors measured, such as age of sexual debut and frequency of sex in last 6 months,did notsatisfy these criteria in the data analyses and hence werenotincluded in the final models.HPV, human papillomavirus; HR-HPV, High-risk HPV, defined as HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66 (IARC 2007); STIs, sexually transmitted infections.ConclusionsWe show that other STIs increase the risk of HPV incidence after controlling for sexual behaviour. The data qualitatively suggest mutual associations of HPV with other STIs. Further studies are warranted to evaluate if these reflect true biologic interactions between HPV and other sexually transmitted microbial agents, or mere confounding from unmeasured sexual risks.

The objective of this study to identify the impact of culinary tourism on tourist satisfaction and destination loyalty. Respondents in this study are the tourists in Padang city, West Sumatra. The study utilized primary data which is obtained through the questionnaire. The respondents were selected by convenience sampling method. The number of respondents is 384 determined by using Lemeshow formula. Data were analyzed by Path Analysis. The result show that culinary tourism has a positive and significant effect both on destination loyalty and tourist satisfaction. Tourist satisfaction has a positive and significant effect on destination loyalty. Culinary tourism is one of the effective tools to increase tourism. Tourist satisfaction will be achieved with components of culinary tourism. Tourist satisfaction even though insufficient category, it will be able to increase loyalty.

Background:It is unknown whether in the disease course of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), inflammation recurs in the same joints over time or is more variable in joint locations. Joint involvement patterns over time might provide clues about the underlying mechanisms causing local joint inflammation.Objectives:The aim of this study is to assess if local joint inflammation at presentation of RA tends to recur or persist in the same joints.Methods:Data from the BeSt study were used, a treat-to-target (DAS≤2.4) trial in newly diagnosed RA (ACR 1987 criteria) patients. During 10 years, for each patient 68 joints were assessed three-monthly (41 visits) by trained nurses for swelling (yes/no) and tenderness.We analyzed the association between local joint swelling at baseline and later swelling of the same joint using a multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression model. Models were adjusted for joint location and for timepoint, with joints clustered within patients. A sensitivity analysis was done for the 25% most affected joints (MCP 1-3, PIP 2-3, wrists and MTP 2-4).To investigate whether later swelling of a joint is predicted by baseline swelling of that same joint specifically, rather than by baseline swelling in general, a permutation test with 1000 permutations was performed. A p-value <0.05 indicates that joint swelling is better predicted by its baseline swelling than by baseline swelling of randomly selected other joints.In a separate model, with an interaction term between baseline swelling and previous visit swelling (yes/no), we evaluated if the association between baseline swelling and later local swelling was influenced by whether later swelling was persistent (swelling at both the current and previous visit) or recurrent (swelling at current visit but not at the previous visit).Results:The 508 patients had a median (IQR) follow-up duration of 10 (6-10) years. At baseline, 8,137/34,423 (24%) assessed joints were scored as swollen. Baseline swelling was subsequently persistent in 21% of the joints with a median (IQR) duration of 1 (1-2) visit (± 3 months after baseline). In addition, after resolution of initial swelling, swelling recurred at least once in 46% of the joints with baseline swelling.Baseline swelling was significantly associated with swelling in the same joint during follow-up (OR 2.37, 95% CI 2.30-2.43). A sensitivity analysis of the most affected joints showed similar results (OR 2.10 [95% CI 2.03-2.19]).The permutation test showed a significant result with p<0.001, indicating that joint swelling is better predicted by baseline swelling of that same joint than by baseline swelling of other joints.The association between baseline swelling and later local swelling was weaker in case of persistent swelling than in case of recurrent swelling (interaction term baseline swelling * swelling at previous timepoint ‘yes’: OR 0.80 [95% CI 0.75-0.85]).Conclusion:In newly diagnosed RA, over median 10 years of treatment to target DAS≤2.4, baseline swelling persisted in 21% of the joints, for median 3 months after baseline. Local recurrence after initial resolution occurred in 46% of the joints. Baseline joint swelling was significantly associated with local joint swelling during follow-up, even when taking into account the higher a priori chance of swelling in the joints that are most often affected, and joint swelling during follow-up was better predicted by baseline swelling of that particular joint than by baseline swelling of other joints. Local persistence and recurrence of joint swelling despite DAS≤2.4 steered treatment adjustments suggest that local joint conditions or even joint memory play a role in mechanisms of joint inflammation.Acknowledgements:We would like to thank all patients for their contribution as well as the rheumatologists who participated in the BeSt study group. We would also like to thank all other rheumatologists and trainee rheumatologists who enrolled patients in these studies, and all research nurses for their contributions.Disclosure of Interests:Sascha Heckert: None declared, Sytske Anne Bergstra: None declared, Xanthe Matthijssen: None declared, Yvonne Goekoop-Ruiterman: None declared, F. Fodili: None declared, Cornelia Allaart Grant/research support from: The original BeSt study was supported by a government grant from the Dutch insurance companies, with additional funding from Schering-Plough B.V. and Janssen B.V., Thomas Huizinga: None declared

Destination food has been increasingly appealing to tourists within adjacent markets. This trend has been widely recognised by destination marketers; however, scholars have paid limited attention to tourists’ psychological and behavioural responses to destination food. Taking Shunde as the research site, using a questionnaire-based survey method equipped with the techniques of measurement modelling, path analysis, principal component analysis, and cluster analysis, this study explores how tourists’ food involvement affects their place attachment and destination loyalty, as well as the differentiation of tourists with different lifestyles. The results show that food involvement significantly affects place attachment and destination loyalty. These relationships are differentiated by tourists’ lifestyles. This study contributes to the psychological research of tourist behaviours and provides insights into destination marketing in the context of food tourism.