Destination Attractiveness Research Articles

Festival attractiveness and loyalty: mediating effects of festival attachment

ABSTRACT Festival loyalty is a crucial device for measuring the success of any festival. This study integrated destination attractiveness and place attachment theories to discover the dynamic relationship between festival attractiveness, attachment, and loyalty. Through mixed research, including analysis of 38 research studies, focus groups, interviews, and data from 346 festival attendees, the study utilized the partial least squares structural equation modeling PLS-SEM via SmartPLS-4. Results highlighted the significant impact of cultural attractions, recreation facilities, and novelty seeking on festival attachment and loyalty, except for novelty seeking's relation to festival loyalty. This research enhances the understanding of festival dynamics and loyalty.

Sport destination development—insights from alpine hikers

Abstract Nature-based-sports activities and hiking as a current trend have already been the focus of the management of sport destination development. However, there is a lack of research on what makes sport destinations attractive for hikers and how these aspects form destination attachment. This study thus contributes to previous research by examining hikers’ perceptions of factors relating to destination attractiveness and attachment of hiking destinations and by considering hikers’ destination-based emotions as an underlying mechanism. Two qualitative studies following an exploratory perspective show that scenery, amenities and sustainability are most relevant for a hiking destination’s attractiveness and attachment. The quantitative study confirms these factors being important for destination attractiveness and development and further shows that attractiveness drives hikers’ destination-based emotions and resultant destination attachment. Overall, this study contributes to the literature by considering sustainability scenery as relevant for attractive destination development. Resultant outcomes encourage hiking destinations to develop specific products for hikers and consider their needs in terms of nature-based and sustainable hiking products.

Visual dominance and sensory diversity: analysing tourist experiences at destination attractions through online reviews

ABSTRACT While sensory experiences are widely acknowledged as critical elements shaping tourists’ perceptions and satisfaction, research has primarily focused on traditional methods such as interviews and surveys, often neglecting the rich insights available from online reviews. Using Hainan Province, a renowned tourist city in China, this study collected approximately 110,000 review data from Ctrip. By employing computer-assisted content and compositional data analyses, the study investigated the sensory experience characteristics of tourists in attractions, extracted high-frequency words from different types of sensory experience reviews, and compared sensory experience differences among attractions of varying grades and types. Our findings reveal that visual experiences dominate tourists’ sensory engagement, while mentions of olfactory, gustatory, and auditory experiences are less frequent. Significant differences exist in sensory experiences across different types or grades of attractions, each exhibiting unique sensory characteristics. The findings provide a profound understanding of tourists’ sensory experiences at destination attractions and offer practical suggestions for attraction management and marketing strategies.

Examining the Structural Relationships of Destination Image towards Travel Intention to the Puncak Tourist Area: Mediating role of Perceived Risk, Destination Attractiveness and Perceived Value

Examining the Structural Relationships of Destination Image towards Travel Intention to the Puncak Tourist Area: Mediating role of Perceived Risk, Destination Attractiveness and Perceived Value

STRATEGI PENGEMBANGAN DESA WISATA BENGKEL, TABANAN

Bengkel Village is one of the pilot tourism villages in Tabanan Regency with potential in natural, cultural, and man-made tourism attractions, making it highly suitable for development. This research aims to assess the internal and external conditions of Bengkel Tourism Village and propose strategies for its sustainable tourism development in Tabanan Regency. Data collection methods include observation, in-depth interviews, documentation, and literature review. The study utilizes the AFITH concept (Attraction, Facilities, Infrastructure, Transportation, and Hospitality) and PEST analysis (Political, Economic, Social, and Technological). Informants were selected using purposive sampling, comprising key informants, primary informants, and additional informants. The findings identify four strategic points for Bengkel Tourism Village development: attraction and tourism destination enhancement strategy, comprehensive tourism program strategy, quality improvement strategy, and human resources development strategy.

Analisis Peran Digital Marketing terhadap Peningkatan Kunjungan Wisatawan di Pantai Bagedur Malingping

Bagedur beach in Malingping is one of the tourist destinations that has great potential to attract tourists. However, the lack of information makes tourist visits still a challenge. Digital marketing is now a strategic solution in promoting tourist destinations, including Bagedur Beach. This study aims to analyze the role of digital marketing applications in increasing tourist visits at Bagedur Beach. Through a qualitative method with a case study approach, data is collected through observation, interviews, and literature studies. The results of the study show that the use of digital marketing applications, such as social media and online booking platforms, contributes significantly to the increase in tourist visits. This application not only helps in wider promotions but also in making it easier to access information for prospective tourists. The recommendation of this study is that tourism managers need to be more active in utilizing digital marketing applications to increase the attractiveness of tourist destinations.

The Impact of Environmental Awareness, Service Quality, Destination Attractiveness, Visitor Satisfaction, and Behavioral Intention on the Sustainability of Marine Ecotourism: A Case Study of the South Coast of West Java

This study examines the impact of environmental awareness, service quality, destination attractiveness, visitor satisfaction, and behavioral intention on the sustainability of marine ecotourism in the South Coast of West Java. A quantitative approach was employed, using structured questionnaires distributed to 312 tourists at various marine ecotourism sites. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and structural equation modeling (SEM). The results revealed significant relationships between environmental awareness, service quality, and destination attractiveness with visitor satisfaction and behavioral intention, which, in turn, positively affected the sustainability of marine ecotourism. The study highlights the critical role of fostering environmental awareness and improving service quality and destination appeal in promoting sustainable tourism practices. These findings offer practical recommendations for stakeholders, including policymakers and tourism operators, aiming to enhance the sustainability of marine ecotourism in the region.

Bibliometric Trends in Social Media and Destination Marketing: Shaping Perceptions in the Tourism Industry

This study delves into the transformative role of social media in tourism marketing, examining how these digital platforms influence traveler engagement and destination branding. Drawing from a comprehensive bibliometric analysis, the research synthesizes findings from seminal studies to explore the utilization of social media by tourism organizations and the resultant impact on traveler behavior and decision-making processes. The analysis highlights the strategic use of social media for enhancing destination attractiveness, the integration of big data to optimize marketing strategies, and the pivotal role of user-generated content in shaping destination images. The study identifies key trends, including the shift towards more personalized, interactive marketing approaches and the increasing reliance on technological innovations to drive marketing efficiency and effectiveness. These findings provide actionable insights for tourism marketers aiming to leverage social media's full potential within the dynamic digital landscape.

Destination information coverage, richness of evaluation content, construction of marketing image and tourism destination impression: mediating role of consumer involvement

This paper takes destination information coverage, richness of evaluation content and construction of marketing image as independent variables, cognitive involvement and behavioral involvement as mediating variables, and tourism destination impression as dependent variables. This paper systematically discusses the multi-dimensional and multi-level relationships among destination information coverage, richness of evaluation content, construction of marketing image, cognitive involvement, behavioral involvement and tourism destination impression. This study provides theoretical support for the marketing strategies of emerging tourist destinations and emphasizes the importance of social image and consumer involvement in shaping the impression of tourist destinations. The research suggests that tourism managers should make full use of social imagery and emotional marketing strategies to enhance consumers' involvement, so as to enhance the market competitiveness and attractiveness of destinations.

ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM OFFERINGS IN RELATION TO ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY

<p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The circular economy, when applied to the development of tourism offerings, enhances sustainability through waste reduction, rational resource use, and innovative solutions such as electric carriages. This paper explores the impact of the circular economy on tourism, with a specific focus on sustainable practices such as recycling, the use of renewable energy sources, and the promotion of environmentally friendly modes of transport.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The key contribution of this work is the concept of developing electric carriages, which combine tradition, technology, and sustainability. The introduction of electric carriages into tourism offerings creates a synergy between historical heritage and contemporary ecological demands, thereby increasing the attractiveness and economic potential of tourist destinations.</span></p>

OPTIMIZING TOURISM PROMOTION THROUGH THE USE OF CULTURAL HERITAGE

This study aims to explore the optimization of tourism promotion through the utilization of cultural heritage by using the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach. The study was conducted by selecting literature from academic databases such as Scopus, DOAJ, and Google Scholar, using keywords such as “cultural heritage,” “tourism marketing strategy,” “cultural commodification,” and “smart technology” within the time span of 2014-2024. The results showed that although the integration of cultural heritage in tourism marketing strategies successfully increased destination attractiveness and visitor engagement, challenges such as cultural commodification, overtourism, and disagreements between stakeholders still need to be addressed. A balance between cultural conservation and tourism development is a key element in an effective strategy, where the preservation of local cultural identity must be considered. In addition, the use of smart technology in the promotion of local culture is proven to attract tourists, but there is a gap in understanding the impact of social media and other technologies on destination image. Therefore, future research is recommended to explore more deeply the factors that influence the success of heritage-based tourism marketing strategies and how technology can be effectively integrated in such contexts.

ASSESSMENT AND COMPARISON OF THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF THE CITYOF KATOWICE AND USTROŃ HEALTH RESORT IN THE OPINION OF TOURISTS

Purpose . The objective of the study is to assess and compare tourists’ perceptions of destination quality attractiveness and their quality of experience, satisfaction and behavioural intentions at two diverse tourism destinations (Katowice, an urban destination and Ustroń, a health resort).Method. The diagnostic survey method as well as a questionnaire were used to collect the data. A total of 400 tourists were surveyed, 200 in Katowice and 200 in Ustroń. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for statistical analysis.Findings. Higher ratings were observed in Ustroń (a health resort) than in Katowice (an urban destination) for all but one of the studied indicators. The only indicator in which Katowice scored higher than Ustroń was the destination’s variety of attractions and facilities. Statistically significant differences between the two destinations were found for all indicators studied except for two: tourist satisfaction and behavioural intentions.Research and conclusion limitations. The study was cross-sectional and only two diverse destinations were examined. Future longitudinal replication studies are needed for other types of tourism destinations.Practical implications. The research results may be useful in developing strategies for improving destination attractiveness and competitiveness.Originality. This is the first study in which two tourism destinations with different characteristics are compared in order to establish whether the type of destination may determine tourists’ perceptions of destination attractiveness, in terms of destination quality, as well as tourists’ perceptions regarding the quality of their experience, satisfaction and behavioural intentions. As such, the study contributes to extending knowledge on perceived destination attractiveness.Type of paper. An article presenting the results of empirical research.

Crafting food destination image in the social media age: dynamics of consumption, experience and culture differences

PurposeThis study investigates how tourists’ local food consumption value, local food experiential value and food culture differences influence food destination image, with food destination attractiveness acting as the mediator. The moderating role of social media influencers is also analysed within this interrelationship.Design/methodology/approachThis study employed a quantitative research design and purposive sampling to collect data. Partial least square-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was employed to test the research hypotheses, with 312 food tourists participating.FindingsThe results indicate that tourists’ local food consumption value, tourists’ local food experiential value and tourists’ food culture differences positively influence food destination attractiveness, which, in turn, mediates their impact on food destination image. However, the moderating role of social media influencers has a significant but negative effect on the relationship between food destination attractiveness and food destination image.Practical implicationsThe research findings indicate that, by considering factors such as overall consumption experiences, cultural differences and social media management, destination stakeholders can capitalise on local food to enhance destination attractiveness and image significantly.Originality/valueThis study provides new insights into the significance of food consumption experiences and their values in tourism while highlighting the critical role of local food culture differences in enhancing each destination’s attractiveness and image. Additionally, it emphasises the subtle influence of social media influencers in promoting destinations, particularly within the context of food tourism.

Manajemen Kebijakan Pemerintah dalam Mewujudkan Wisata Islami di Pantai Kabupaten Aceh Timur

Sharia Tourism refers to a form of tourism that adheres to Islamic principles, emphasizing not only the attractiveness of destinations but also ensuring management complies with Islamic guidelines. The development of sharia-based tourism has become an essential need for both national and global communities, significantly contributing to economic development. This study aims to analyze government policy management in developing Islamic tourism at the beaches of East Aceh Regency. A descriptive analytical method with a qualitative approach was employed to identify a model for local government policies. The findings reveal that while the cleanliness of the beaches is well-maintained, service management requires improvement, and visitors have not fully complied with sharia-based regulations. The East Aceh Regency Government has begun implementing regulations through the Islamic Law Office and Wilayatul Hisbah; however, a comprehensive policy framework is not yet established. Challenges include limited budgets, insufficient supervisory personnel, and low public awareness of Islamic tourism. Strategic efforts include socialization, evaluation, and strengthening collaboration among stakeholders to support the sustainable development of Islamic tourism.

Marketing Strategy of the Samosir Lake Toba Regency Culture and Tourism Office in Increasing the Number of Tourists

The urgency of this research is that this research is important because it can provide an in-depth look at the strategies implemented by the Samosir Regency Culture and Tourism Office, so that concrete recommendations can be made to increase the attractiveness and popularity of these tourist destinations. This research aims to provide a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by the Samosir Regency Culture and Tourism Office in expanding the number of tourists. The research methods used in this research are data collection obtained from observations, interviews with research subjects, and documentation studies, literature studies, identifying problems, preprocessing, analyzing data using SWOT analysis, BCG analysis, SPACE analysis, and QSPM analysis, data analysis results, final evaluation, research approach with mix method. The results of SWOT analysis on the evaluation of internal factors IFE and evaluation of external factors EFE show that the internal and external positions are in quadrant I, in a growing position and must continue to be improved. The results of the BCG matrix evaluation, Samosir Lake Toba Regency tourist destinations are classified in the Stars position. The results of the SPACE matrix calculation, the tourist position of Samosir Lake Toba Regency is in an aggressive position that occurs when all dimensions are positive. Based on the results of QSPM, 3 prioritized strategies can be taken and implemented as the main steps in developing tourist destinations.

Pengaruh Manajemen Pelayanan Pengunjung dalam Meningkatkan Kepuasan Pengunjung di Lembang Park & Zoo

Tourist attraction managers can improve visitor satisfaction by optimizing their human resources. This means that this study was conducted to determine how visiting tourists assess service management. The main factor in consumer satisfaction is their perception of the quality of service received. The expected results are to provide information about this service management process to help tourists assess staff performance during the operation of Lembang Park & Zoo. This study uses a quantitative approach design, using a descriptive method approach with a data collection technique, namely a survey. . By distributing questionnaires and google forms. Other populations are visitors who are active in the Lembang Park & Zoo area, which is 410,000. then the number of samples to be taken in this study is 100 tourists. The sampling technique in this study uses simple random sampling. Visitor service management has a strong correlation with visitor satisfaction at Lembang Park & Zoo, because the service provided by a destination is an effective thing that must ensure that the quality of service provided to visitors is consistent and satisfactory, including the speed in responding to complaints and the availability of friendly and trained staff to improve visitor satisfaction. Affirming that visitor service management is not only important in daily operations but is important in improving the image of a good destination and the attractiveness of a tourist destination. Visitor satisfaction has been shown to increase when their interactions with visitor service staff are positive and satisfying, meaning that this shows that in reliable service can bring benefits can greatly help tourist destinations by increasing visitor satisfaction and making tourists come back.

Multimodality at destination: A focus on domestic tourism

Multimodality at destination: A focus on domestic tourism

Tracing Geological Stories: A Geotrail Study in Purwodadi Village, Tirtoyudo District, Malang Regency

Abstract Purwodadi Village of the Tirtoyudo District, Malang Regency was recognized as one of the 75 recipients of the Indonesian Tourism Village Award (ADWI) in 2023. To identify tourism potential in this area, it is an important to develop geology-based tourism, or geotourism. The study area is located in the Southern Mountain Zone, which mainly consists of the Old Andesite Formation (OAF), Paleogene to Neogene Period in ages. The OAF has a unique features and diverse composition of geological elements, as well as their geological history. However, they were undergone erosion, making them vulnerable to degradation. The diverse geological features of the region provide a unique chance to establish geotrails, which could become a significant attraction for geotourism. Therefore, the aim of this research is to characterize and assess geosites and geotrails in Purwodadi Village. The methodology were followed the Technical Standards for Geological Diversity Inventory and Geological Heritage Identification issued by the Geological Agency in 2017, along with a 4A tourism development analysis (Attraction, Accessibility, Amenities, Ancillary) to evaluate key aspects that influence the attractiveness and success of a geotourism destination. The results indicate that nine geosites have been identified with moderate to outstanding values, namely, Watu Kuning, Kedung Paimo, Lenggoksono Beach, Banyu Anjlok, Kletakan Cove, Bolu-Bolu Beach, Wedi Putih Beach, Wedi Awu Beach, and Lowo Cave. The main theme of geotrails in Purwodadi Village is Ancient Volcanic Traces of The Old Andesite Formation, with divided into three routes, northern route, western route, and eastern route. This finding provide valuable insights for the sustainable management of geotrails, focusing on the development of geotourism and the conservation of geological heritage in Purwodadi Village and its surroundings.

Research on Relationship Between Image Perception, Place Attachment and Tourists' Pro-environment Behavior

Ice and snow tourism, as a special way of tourism, is booming with the continuous development and utilization of ice and snow tourism resources in the world. China is rich in ice and snow tourism resources. In recent years, the ice and snow tourism industry has developed rapidly. However, problems such as ecological destruction and over-exploitation of resources have become increasingly prominent. In this context, pro-environment behavior has become an important means to alleviate the environmental pressure of ice and snow tourism destinations; At the same time, research on the relationship between the perceived image of ice and snow tourism destination, place attachment and tourists' pro-environment behavior has important theoretical value and practical significance for promoting the sustainable development of ice and snow tourism, enhancing tourists' environmental awareness and responsibility, and improving the image and attractiveness of ice and snow tourism destination. Based on the cognitive affective theory, place attachment, etc., and on the basis of literature research, this thesis proposes several hypotheses, constructs conceptual models, develops or cites corresponding measurement scales for the relationship among the four variables of cognitive image, emotional image, place attachment and pro-environment behavior, and takes Chongli Ski Resort as a case for empirical research. Using questionnaire survey data, the structural equation model of 264 valid questionnaires was analyzed to suggest the influence mechanism of cognitive image, emotional image and place attachment on tourists' pro-environment behavior. The findings are as follows: (1) Cognitive image has significant positive effects on affective image, place attachment and pro-environment behavior, and affective image and place attachment can mediate this process; (2) Emotional image has a significant positive impact on place attachment and pro-environment behavior, and place attachment can be used as a mediator to have a positive impact on them; (3) Place attachment has a significant positive effect on pro-environment behavior. As an emotional bond, it connects the emotional connection between tourists and tourist destinations. Accordingly, this study also puts forward the strategy to promote the tourists' pro-environment behavior in Chongli ski Resort in order to promote the sustainable development of ice and snow tourism. Including: (1) to enhance the attractiveness of ice and snow tourism; (2) Enhance the emotional connection between places and tourists; (3) Strengthen environmental awareness education. It is hoped that this study will have some reference value for the improvement of pro-environment behavior of tourists in other similar ice and snow tourism destinations.

Analysis of Cultural Tourism Development, Accessibility, and Community Involvement on the Attractiveness of Tourism Destinations in Bali

Analysis of Cultural Tourism Development, Accessibility, and Community Involvement on the Attractiveness of Tourism Destinations in Bali