Destination Choice Research Articles

Sustainable Agritourism for Farm Profitability: Comprehensive Evaluation of Visitors’ Intrinsic Motivation, Environmental Behavior, and Satisfaction

Unstable farm income and the desire to diversify revenue sources have increased the significance of agritourism as an alternative economic opportunity for farmers and ranchers. Agritourism integrates the top economic drivers—agriculture and tourism—and has been identified as a highly effective complementary business for farmers to generate additional income and mitigate the financial uncertainties associated with traditional farming enterprises. Visitors’ satisfaction is critical for operating a successful agritourism business, as it influences destination choice, consumption of products and services, and the decision to return. This study examined the relationship between agritourism visitors’ intrinsic motivation, environmental behavior, satisfaction, and intentions to revisit and recommend. With a total of 615 survey responses, the study reveals a significant relationship between agritourism visitors’ intrinsic motivation, environmental behavior, and satisfaction related to destination, risk, and food attributes. Furthermore, visitors’ overall satisfaction with these three attributes significantly influences their intentions to revisit and recommend the destination. The findings of this study will enable agritourism operators and policymakers to formulate appropriate policies for the sustainable development of this sector. Future promotional and educational tools could be developed based on these findings.

Contribution of the English Language to Advancing Travel and Tourism

This article explores the intricate relationship between language and tourism, focusing on the role of English as a global lingua franca in facilitating communication and cultural exchange. While English is often viewed as a colonial language used for resource exploitation, its knowledge is a resource that attracts and facilitates tourists, enriching tourism. The research questions address how English has become integral to tourism and its impacts on tourist experiences and destination choices. The study employs a historical and sociolinguistic analysis, examining the historical, political and economic factors contributing to the globalization of English. The paper emphasizes the importance of effective communication in tourism, illustrating how language proficiency in English enhances tourist experiences and influences destination selection. Additionally, it highlights the significance of linguistic diversity in enriching the tourism experience and promoting inclusivity. Findings indicate that English proficiency significantly enhances tourist experiences while linguistic diversity adds value to tourism. The paper advocates for sustainable tourism practices that embrace cultural and linguistic diversity. Overall, it calls for a deeper understanding of the interplay between language and tourism to foster cultural appreciation and sustainable tourism practices globally.

Determinants of Intra-City Residential Migration Patterns of Older Adults: A GIS and Decision Tree Analysis of Yancheng City, China

This study investigates the spatial patterns of residential migration among older adults in the city center of Yancheng and the influencing factors using data on the home purchases of individuals aged 65 and older from 2016 to 2018, along with peripheral point of interest (POI) data, analyzed with ArcGIS and a decision tree model. The results indicated that persons aged 60–65 accounted for 42.8% of the total sample and primarily chose to migrate in the early stages of retirement. The intra-city migration of older adults exhibits both centripetal and centrifugal patterns, with a greater tendency toward the city center. House prices, floor levels, and commercial facilities significantly impact their choice of migration destinations. Among these, house prices were the most critical determinant, with the majority of older adults migrating to neighborhoods with lower house prices. This study contributes by integrating residential migration and location choice research and constructing an analytical framework based on facility accessibility. The findings provide insights into the key determinants of location choice for intra-city residential migration among older adults and the construction of livable neighborhoods for them.

Cinematic Influence: The Role of Film in Shaping Malaysians' Travel Intentions and Destination Choices

Film tourism has emerged as a significant factor in enhancing tourist numbers by drawing visitors to locations depicted in movies and dramas. This study explores films' influence on Malaysians' perceptions and intentions to travel to these destinations. Utilizing the push and pull theory, the research examines how movies affect Malaysians' travel motivations and destination choices. Data were gathered through an online survey involving 267 Malaysian moviegoers, selected via convenience sampling. The findings indicate that several factors, including the reflection of personal values and interests in movies, significantly influence the intention to travel. Respondents expressed a stronger connection and likelihood to visit destinations featured in films that resonate with their interests. The study suggests that future research could employ different methodologies further to explore the impact of movies on tourist perceptions globally. Additionally, the findings underscore the potential for filmmakers, destination marketing organizations (DMOs), and local authorities to leverage films as powerful marketing tools to enhance tourist demand for real-life film locations.

The social media usage and their effect on Tourism marketing behavior A Study among University International Students in Indonesia

This study investigates the impact of social media on tourism marketing behavior among international students in Indonesia. Employing a descriptive research method utilizing a qualitative approach, in some groups it was conducted with international students to explore their travel experiences and the influence of social media on their destination choices. The findings reveal that social media plays a significant role in shaping students' travel decisions, with a particular emphasis on the importance of visual platforms like Instagram and YouTube and their specific interests in how and where to visit with the help of these platforms. This research contributes to the existing literature on the role of social media in tourism marketing and provides insights into the preferences and behaviors of international students, a key demographic in the tourism industry. The discussion covers the range of interests that students have in artificial, cultural, and natural tourism as well as more niche types including MICE, health, and information tourism. Notably, participants stressed the need for thorough travel information, especially about lodging, meals, transportation, and guided tours information that is mostly found online. The study emphasizes how social media use and the diverse range of tourist experiences that foreign students in Indonesia are looking for are intricately related. Overall, this investigation clarifies the mutually beneficial relationship between social media dynamics and traveller behaviours, revealing information that is essential for academics and industry participants to comprehend in order to fully utilize digital platforms in modern tourism.

Internal Migration in the United States: Rates, Selection, and Destination Choice, 1850–1940

I study native-born white men’s internal migration in the United States over all possible 10- and 20-year periods between 1850 and 1940. Inter-county migration rates—after implementing a new method to correct for errors in linkage—were stable over time. Migrant selection on the basis of occupational status was neutral or slightly negative and also largely stable. But the orientation of internal migration changed over time, declining in distance and increasingly driving urbanization. In the 1930s, migration became less common and less urban oriented. These results provide a clearer understanding of historic U.S. internal migration than previously possible.

Factors Attracting International Students to Vietnamese Higher Education Institutions: The Case of Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh Cityy

This article investigates factors influencing international students’ decisions to study in member institutions of Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM). Employing qualitative data from interviews conducted with twenty international students from five Asian countries studying in four VNU-HCM’s member universities, the findings identify factors that attract the students to Vietnam and their host institutions. The data show that the students were “pulled” to Vietnam by various factors, among which access to scholarships and financial factors such as Vietnam’s bright economic prospects or job opportunities play crucial roles. Other than that, political and geographical proximity and fondness for Vietnamese language also have their say in international students’ destination choice of Vietnam. Regarding institutional pull factors, the reputation of the institutions in the students’ fields of demand is the most important, followed by influences from family, friends, and social media platforms. Against such findings, this article proposes several recommendations for VNU-HCM and its member institutions as well as other higher education institutions in Vietnam to attract more international students in the future.

Comparing discrete choice and machine learning models in predicting destination choice

Destination choice modeling has long been dominated by theory-based discrete choice models. Simultaneously, machine learning has demonstrated improved predictive performance to other fields of discrete choice modeling. The objective of this research was to compare machine learning models and a multinomial logit model in predicting destination choice. The models were assessed on their predictive performance using metrics for both binary classification and probabilistic classification. The results indicate that machine learning models, especially a random forest model, could bring improvements in prediction accuracy. The more data was used in training the models, the better the machine learning models tended to perform compared to the multinomial logit model. With less data, the multinomial logit model performed comparatively well. The findings are relevant for the field of destination choice modeling, where evidence on the use of machine learning models is very limited. In addition, the unbalanced choice sets of destination choice models with multiple non-chosen alternatives increases the need for further research in model fit and parameter tuning.

Foreign Language Skills in the Study Abroad Decision-Making Process and Destination Choices

Foreign Language Skills in the Study Abroad Decision-Making Process and Destination Choices

From destination choice to departure: analysing French tourists’ behaviours facing health risks from COVID-19

ABSTRACT During a pandemic, individuals react both cognitively and emotionally, leading them to adopt self-protective behaviours. Governments, meanwhile, face a delicate balancing act between safeguarding public health and mitigating the socioeconomic impact. In the tourism industry, this translates to reducing infection risk while minimizing mass cancellations. Past research suggests that providing updated information can help achieve these objectives. This study examines two pre-departure behaviours of French tourists in response to health risks from COVID-19: (1) seeking or not seeking information about COVID-19 indicators and protective measures at the chosen destination; (2) continuing with the planned stay or cancelling it. Seeking information and cancelling trips are voluntary actions driven by various factors, including tourists’ emotional state, particularly their worry about contracting and transmitting COVID-19. We find that worry motivates both behaviours, with worry about contracting exerting the strongest influence. Information-seeking, regardless of whether analysed as ordinal or nominal, tends to promote cancellations. This suggests a potential conflict between public health and tourism objectives. Our findings highlight the critical need for tourism managers to reassure tourists about health safety and tailor communication strategies accordingly. In this vein, we discuss some propositions that could be considered in the event of future pandemics.

Visual Analysis of Social Media Data on Experiences at a World Heritage Tourist Destination: Historic Centre of Macau

The burgeoning field of sustainable tourism in historically significant urban districts has derived increasing attention in tandem with broader urban economic development. The perceived image of a tourist destination significantly affects tourist consumption behaviors and destination choices, while negative evaluations provide destination managers with insights for targeted improvements to tourist amenities, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of these historically significant districts. This study leveraged Python 3.12.3 software to collect online textual data from popular tourism websites, specifically Ctrip 8.71.4 and Mafengwo 11.1.7. Then, ROST CM6.0 software facilitated high-frequency word analysis, network semantic analysis, and sentiment analysis to outline the perceived image and characteristics of the Macau Historic District, a UNESCO World Heritage site, from the perspective of tourists. The findings are as follows: (1) The image of the Historic Centre of Macao as a tourist destination comprises four primary dimensions: cultural (16.02%), landscape (30.85%), emotional (16.97%), and local (36.16%). (2) Tourists perceive the Historic Centre of Macao as a blend of dynamism and tranquility, tradition, and modernity. (3) Emotional evaluations of the Historic Centre of Macao as a tourist destination are primarily positive (85.45%), whereas negative sentiments constitute 5.76%, with recurring themes pertaining to overcrowding, high prices, a lack of interactive experiences at attractions, excessive commercialization, and insufficient public rest facilities. These findings offer valuable directives for the future planning and development of tourism in Macau, a city recognized for its World Heritage status. (4) In summary, the thematic image of the Historic Centre of Macao can be considered authentic, romantic, and commercialized.

Drivers of overseas labour migration, migration intensity, and destination choice among farming households in Nepal

ABSTRACT In recent years, overseas labour migration has become a lifeline for many households in Nepal. Using survey data from 465 randomly selected households and 227 overseas labour migrants, this paper examines the factors influencing overseas labour migration and migration intensity in farming households by employing a generalised two-part fractional regression model, and migrants’ destination choice by using the probit model. We find that a higher proportion of educated members in the household, along with household’s credit access, indebtedness, and contacts with manpower agencies significantly increase the likelihood of overseas labour migration and migration intensity in the households, whereas the presence of employed members in the household, larger farms, irrigation access, and higher asset index significantly lower such likelihood. We find a lower likelihood of migration to Malaysia and the Middle East countries among individuals with employed household members and a higher asset index, while those connected to manpower agencies are more likely to choose these countries as destinations. Our findings emphasise the significance of creating and providing decent economic opportunities, including strengthening the agriculture sector, to address the existing surge in overseas labour migration from farming households in Nepal.

Understanding changing patterns in travel behaviour to support domestic tourism recovery and resilience

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted the tourism sector, disrupting travel and centralising a shift towards domestic tourism. This study examines the changing preferences and demands of travellers to promote the recovery and sustainability of domestic tourism. The research conducted 1 034 online surveys with the general public to analyse their travel behaviours and preferences concerning domestic tourism activities willing to participate in. The findings indicate that despite limited disposable income, a significant portion of the South African population possesses discretionary income and is interested in participating in tourism activities. Travel preferences are influenced by various socio-economic and demographic factors. Changing patterns in destination choices and activities are also noted, which influence travel behaviour and related tourism consumption/ demand for products and experiences, marketing and impacts. Respondents are knowledgeable of and attracted to many domestic tourism products in South Africa, with social and nature-based tourism being prominent. Monitoring domestic tourism trends can inform marketing strategies and product development. Additionally, awareness and communication strategies should be improved, and incentives should be provided to encourage local travel.

A Qualitative Analysis of the Motivations for Chinese Gay Tourists Choosing Thailand as a Destination: A Grounded Theory Approach

Chinese gay tourists, as the largest segment of gay tourists in Thailand, significantly contribute to the development of the Thai pink tourism industry. However, there has been limited research focusing on the motivations of Chinese gay tourists in choosing Thailand as their tourism destination. Utilizing a qualitative approach, this study aims to understand the factors influencing the motivation of Chinese gay tourists in selecting Thailand as their travel destination. Through purposive and snowball sampling, 23 Chinese gays were recruited to participate in semi-structured interviews to gather data. The data were transcribed and analyzed using grounded theory methodology. This study identified six key factors: acceptance and freedom, community and belonging, personal and emotional well-being, accessibility and convenience, sexual freedom and entertainment, and influence of media and friends. These factors collectively influence the motivation of Chinese gay tourists in their choice of tourism destination. Moreover, this study develops a theoretical framework that encapsulates these motivational factors and their interrelations.

The Impact of Social Media on Tourist Destination Choices: A Quantitative Analysis

In the current travel environment, social media significantly influences how travelers discover and select destinations. Platforms like Instagram and YouTube serve as sources of inspiration, offering visually captivating content that encourages extensive travel. Increasingly, travelers rely on social media for trip planning, seeking reviews and tips from influencers and peers alike. Social proof, in the form of endorsements and user-generated content, reinforces destination choices and builds trust. Drawing on a literature review approach, this study examines existing research on the impact of social media on travel behavior. It synthesizes findings from various studies to explore how platforms shape travel decisions and consumer behavior. Gender-based analysis reveals that women tend to utilize social media more frequently than men for travel-related decisions. Understanding these patterns is crucial for effective destination marketing strategies. Despite inherent limitations in the literature reviewed, this study provides valuable insights for destination marketers and tourism professionals. Future research could delve deeper into additional variables to comprehensively understand the multifaceted effects of social media on travel behavior.

Can Thanksgiving Destinations Predict Climate Migration Patterns?

This research explores the relationship between climate-induced migration destination choice and social ties in the US, using anonymized smartphone data from SafeGraph. It shows that Thanksgiving travel patterns correlate with relocations following Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. Findings reveal a statistically significant positive correlation, suggesting that states with a greater change in visitors during Thanksgiving week compared to regular week are likelier destinations for post-disaster relocation, emphasizing social ties’ crucial role in such decisions. This research highlights the need for urban planning and emergency management to consider the spatial distribution of social networks, which could inform evacuation strategies and disaster recovery policies.

The Natural Landscape as A Strategic Element in Nature Tourism Management

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the role of the natural landscape as a strategic element in nature tourism management, in order to understand its conceptual evolution, analyze its relationship with tourism activities and explore the processes of valorization and stereotyping of landscapes in the context of sustainable tourism development. Method: The methodology adopted for the research includes an exhaustive bibliographic search in high-impact databases such as Scopus and Web of Science, complemented with a search in regional databases in Spanish such as Scielo and Redalyc. The selected documents were subjected to a process of critical reading and content analysis to extract key concepts, theories and findings relevant to the study. Results and Discussion: The results revealed that the concept of landscape has evolved from a purely aesthetic and visual perspective to a more holistic understanding that encompasses social, cultural and economic dimensions. The discussion highlights the close relationship between natural landscape and tourism, with landscape serving as a key resource and attraction for nature-based tourism activities. The processes of valorization and stereotyping of landscapes are also explored, emphasizing their influence on tourists' perceptions and destination choice. Research Implications: The findings of this study have implications for sustainable tourism planning and management, especially in areas with significant natural and cultural landscapes. The research emphasizes the need for a multidisciplinary approach to landscape conceptualization and management, as well as the importance of considering landscape as a central element in the development of sustainable tourism products and experiences. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by providing a comprehensive and up-to-date review of the relationship between natural landscape and nature tourism, bridging knowledge from diverse disciplines.

Choosing culture or nature: How temporal landmarks affect tourism destination preferences

Start and end temporal landmarks are powerful in altering individual perceptions and behavior. However, there has been little research on how temporal landmarks affect tourists' choice of destination. This paper draws on conservation of resources theory in analyzing how temporal landmarks influence tourists' choice of cultural vs. natural destinations. In four studies based on secondary data analyses and experiments, using different operationalizations of temporal landmarks and tourism destinations, and recruiting samples from distinct cultural backgrounds, we show that end temporal landmarks deplete tourists' perceived psychological resources and increase their preference for natural over cultural destinations. However, this effect is mitigated when a tourist has a circular time perspective. This paper contributes to the theoretical literature about temporal landmarks and destination decision-making by showing the effect of temporal landmarks on tourists’ destination preferences. It also provides useful insights for tourism marketers aiming to advertise cultural or natural destinations at the beginning or end of a period.

Healthcare Significance in Tourists’ Destination Choices: A Case Study of Polish Travelers

Abstract Introduction. The purpose of the research was to analyze what role the accessibility and quality of health care plays in the country chosen as a tourist destination. It also examined where tourists get their information about health care in the country they plan to go to and whether they had to use medical services at the place of their stay. Material and methods. An analysis of source materials was performed and a diagnostic survey was conducted. Results. While the quality and availability of health care at the destination is important to some respondents, the main factors related to location, tourist attractiveness (tourist attractions, tourist infrastructure) and price still determine the choice of destination. Only 4% of the respondents identified the availability and quality of healthcare services as key factors in their decision-making process. At the same time, 38.6% of the respondents considered the quality and availability of healthcare services when choosing a tourist destination. For longer trips, the quality and availability of health care at the destination is more important when choosing a destination. Conclusions. Healthcare facilities are part of the associated infrastructure in tourism. This type of infrastructure primarily serves the local population, but also conditions the proper organization and management of tourism at the destination. In addition, in the situation related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the role of health care in tourist destinations has increased. This also requires increased efforts toward ensuring access to medical services as well as information about them in tourist destinations.

Factors Affecting Tourist Destination Choice: The Case of Destinations in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Abstract This study identifies the determinants for tourists of Ho Chi Minh City (HCM City) as a travel destination. From a qualitative perspective, two groups (ten domestic and eight foreign tourists) were interviewed. Quantitatively, input data were obtained from 615 tourists who visited HCM City between October 2023 and February 2024. Factors affecting destination choice included tourism motivation, destination image, and information source. Destination image had the most significant influence followed by tourism motivation, while source of information had an important indirect impact. Based on the research findings policy implications are proposed to increase HCM City’s attractiveness as a tourist destination.