Tourist Destination Research Articles

Wellness tourism destination loyalty formation: the role of mental health and eudaimonic well-being

PurposeWellness tourism is growing in importance as increasing numbers of travelers place a priority on their health and well-being by traveling. This study examined the relationships between wellness tourism destination attributes, perceived quality, perceived mental health, eudaimonic well-being, overall satisfaction and behavioral loyalty to corroborate a model explaining wellness tourism destination loyalty in Thailand.Design/methodology/approachThe conceptual model of this study was examined using a survey research design. The survey questionnaire was distributed to Chinese tourists who had previously traveled to Thailand and engaged in wellness tourism activities during their trip.FindingsThe findings revealed that healthful food choices, core facilities and staff service significantly influenced perceived quality. This perceived quality was a crucial factor in determining perceived mental health, which in turn impacted eudaimonic well-being. Overall satisfaction was directly influenced by perceived quality, perceived mental health and eudaimonic well-being. Additionally, perceived quality had a direct effect on behavioral loyalty.Practical implicationsWith the growing global interest in wellness and travel, this study offers valuable insights for tourism marketers in Thailand to enhance their wellness tourism strategies. Tourism organizations should emphasize the quality of food, facilities and staff service to attract wellness-oriented travelers.Originality/valueThis study highlights the interconnectedness of perceived quality, good mental health and eudaimonic well-being. High-quality experiences contribute to improved mental health and in turn enhance eudaimonic well-being.

‘Dear guest, pay for your language’. How accommodation rating and ownership effect language presence on the Online Linguistic Landscape

Abstract The present paper draws on the concept of Online Linguistic Landscape (Kallen, Ní Dhonnacha & Wade, 2020) to explore code preference on hospitality websites at international tourist destinations. The analysis of a purpose-made database comprising the websites of all 254 accommodation establishments in Palma (Mallorca, Spain) reveals that although major tourist markets condition code presence on websites, the wide array of languages displayed does not correspond to the narrower catalogue of visiting nationalities. Beyond the strictly informative, websites have become effective promotion and sales tools, and marketability derived from vogue associations may mean that a language is listed on a website, even when other, more frequent guest languages are not. The scant online presence of Catalan, the autochthonous language of Mallorca, illustrates how, in mass tourism environments, minority languages are at the crossroads of succumbing to the demands of the market or submitting to processes of commodification of uncertain outcome.

Stakeholders’ Opinion on Geotourism Characteristics of Hummanaya Destination, Sri Lanka

Geotourism is a niche market that contributes to sustaining and even enhancing the geographical characteristics of a territory, including the abiotic, biotic, and cultural (ABC) attributes of destinations. It uplifts the living standards of local communities and provides opportunities for visitors to understand and appreciate the natural environment and the existing culture of the geosites. The aim of this research was to evaluate the geotourism characteristics of the Hummanaya tourism destination based on stakeholders’ opinions and to investigate the extent to which stakeholders are committed to adhering to geotourism principles. Primary and secondary data sources were utilized to collect the necessary data for this study. For gathering primary data, key informant interviews and participatory observations were conducted in the field using a semi-structured questionnaire, with purposive sampling employed. Unpublished documents served as secondary data. Descriptive statistical analysis and narrative interpretation methods were used to analyze the collected data. The study was able to identify the extent to which geotourism stakeholders adhere to geotourism principles. Specifically, regarding the principles of integrity, community involvement, community benefits, and tourist satisfaction, the informants provided positive responses. The findings reveal that the destination is perceived by tourists as a fascinating and unique tourist attraction in Sri Lanka. Most tourists reported being very satisfied or satisfied with the tourist attractions, facilities, and services provided by local facilitators, indicating that the destination meets tourists’ expectations. However, a significant issue is whether other stakeholders are satisfied with geotourism's contributions to protecting the destination's ABC attributes and improving the socio-economic status of local communities. Negative responses were noted concerning principles such as evolution, market selectivity, interactive interpretation, and market diversity. Therefore, necessary measures must be taken to conserve and develop the destination as a geosite and geotourism site.

Relationship between body involvement and post-trip behavioral intention in sports tourism: an embodied cognition perspective

PurposeBased on the theory of embodied cognition, this study uses the Mehrabian–Rusell model to explore the influence of tourists’ body involvement during sports vacations on their post-trip behavioral intention, as well as the regulatory role of tourism involvement in this process.Design/methodology/approachStructural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the hypotheses, mediating effects and moderating effects. The data were collected through an online survey of 631 visitors to sports tourism destinations in China.FindingsProprioception and kinesthesia in sports tourism activities can affect post-trip behavioral intention through body arousal and tourism satisfaction. Tourism involvement positively regulates the influence of body embeddedness and body arousal on tourism satisfaction. Furthermore, a “threshold effect” exists in the emotional effect of tourists’ body involvement.Practical implicationsTo develop sports tourism, it is important to take the following steps: create multi-sensory stimulation to improve the physical participation of tourists in sports tourism activities, design sports resorts that cater to people of different age groups, evaluate tourists’ satisfaction and use their feedback to make continuous improvements, improve the basic convenience services offered at sports resorts, use social media to display the unique physical environment and others characteristics of sports destinations to expand popularity.Originality/valueThis study constructs a conceptual model of the influence mechanism of tourists’ body involvement on post-trip behavioral intention to present valuable insights that could help promote the sustainable development of sports tourism.

COVID-19 Crisis Communication in Tourist Destinations in the Basque Country and Valencian Community

COVID-19 Crisis Communication in Tourist Destinations in the Basque Country and Valencian Community

Analyzing the impact of tourism on Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) in Central Java Province

Indonesia is rich in natural resources, culture, and diversity in its social activities. This makes tourism a sector with potential as an economic booster. Central Java Province, in particular, is one of the provinces with a diverse and numerous array of tourist destinations. This diversity attracts both local and international tourists. Therefore, this research was conducted to determine the extent of the impact of the tourism sector on the Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP). The analysis method used is multiple linear regression with a 25-year time series data covering the number of tourist attractions, number of tourists, number of hotel accommodations, number of restaurants and eateries, and tourism sector investments as independent variables, and GRDP as the dependent variable. The results show that the number of tourist attractions and tourists has a positive and significant impact, while the number of hotel accommodations, restaurants, and eateries has a positive but not significant impact. Additionally, investment in the tourism sector has a negative and significant impact.

Customer Relationship Management in the Hospitality Industry: An Empirical Study of Hotels in Agra

industry, significantly impacting customer satisfaction, loyalty, and business performance. This study aims to explore the implementation and effectiveness of CRM practices in the hotel sector of Agra, a prime tourist destination. Through empirical research, it investigates how hotels manage customer relationships to enhance repeat patronage and foster long-term relationships. The research utilizes quantitative and qualitative methodologies to assess the role of CRM systems in improving guest satisfaction and retention. The findings suggest that well-executed CRM strategies contribute to the growth of customer loyalty, brand reputation, and overall operational success in the hospitality industry

Weather conditions and tourism demand: A tested by threshold regression in 5 major tourism destinations in Thailand

The objective of this study is to explore the relationship between changing weather conditions and tourism demand in Thailand across five selected provinces: Chonburi (Pattaya), Surat Thani, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Bangkok. The annual data used in this study from 2012 to 2022. The estimation method is threshold regression (TR). The results indicate that weather conditions proxied by the Temperature Humidity Index (THI) significantly affect tourism demand in these five provinces. Specifically, changes in weather conditions, such as an increase in temperature, generally result in a decrease in tourism demand. However, the impact of weather conditions varies according to each province’s unique characteristics or highlights. For example, tourism demand in Bangkok is not significantly affected by weather conditions. In contrast, provinces that rely heavily on maritime tourism, such as Chonburi (Pattaya), Phuket, and Surat Thani, are notably affected by weather conditions. When the THI in each province rises beyond a certain threshold, the demand for tourism in these provinces by foreign tourists decreases significantly. Furthermore, economic factors, particularly tourists’ income, significantly impact tourism demand. An increase in the income of foreign tourists is associated with a decrease in tourism in Pattaya. This trend possibly occurs because higher-income tourists tend to upgrade their travel destinations from Pattaya to more upscale locations such as Phuket or Surat Thani. For Thai tourists, an increase in income leads to a decrease in domestic tourism, as higher incomes enable more frequent international travel, thereby reducing tourism in the five provinces. Additionally, the study found that the availability and convenience of accommodation and food services are critical factors influencing tourism demand in all the provinces studied.

PEMBERDAYAAN MASYARAKAT DALAM PERENCANAAN KAWASAN SOSIAL DAN KOMERSIAL BERBASIS EKOWISATA DI PANTAI MATAHARI TERBIT, DESA ADAT SANUR KAJA, DENPASAR, BALI

Matahari Terbit Beach in Sanur plays a vital role in the lives of the local community, both as a popular tourist destination and as a location for traditional ceremonies such as ngaben. However, zoning changes due to the relocation of the Sanur port have presented significant challenges, including a decline in revenue for vendors along the beach and a lack of nighttime tourist attractions. This community service project aims to develop a master plan that integrates the cultural, social, and economic needs of the local community with sustainable tourism potential. The methods used include field surveys, data analysis, and Focus Group Discussions (FGD) with the local community to produce environmentally friendly and sustainable area designs. The planning outcomes include the reorganization of the commercial area, the utilization of reclaimed land for social facilities, and the development of a multifunctional pavilion (wantilan). This concept is expected to improve the quality of life for the community, strengthen the local economy, and maintain the balance of the local ecosystem and culture. The more integrated area planning is intended to serve as a reference for sustainable development at Matahari Terbit Beach, ensuring that the area continues to function as a center for traditional activities and an attractive tourist destination.

Exploring tourist preferences for local food: a Best-Worst Scaling analysis and market segmentation approach

PurposeLocal food impacts tourist satisfaction and drives the choice of a tourist destination. However, it is not clear which attributes of local food products drive tourists’ preferences. More specifically, little is known about potential segments in the tourist market. Acknowledging consumers’ divergent inclinations, we explore tourist preferences toward local food attributes through a market segmentation approach.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses the Best-Worst Scaling method to examine the preferences of 311 tourists for attributes of local food products that are known to affect their choices. We employ a Latent Class Analysis to identify market segments with distinct preferences.FindingsResults indicate that tourists prioritize taste, quality, authenticity, healthiness, connection to local culture and tradition and environmental friendliness over price, appearance, enhancement of local economy, availability and packaging. We further identify three segments: Sensory Seekers, Cultural Experiencers, and Price Conscious. The largest segment, Sensory Seekers, is driven by taste and quality attributes, while Cultural Experiencers prioritize connection to local culture and authenticity. The Price Conscious segment places a greater emphasis on price than the other segments. Cultural Experiencers demonstrate the highest willingness to pay for local food products.Practical implicationsThe positioning of local products should target Cultural Experiencers. Agri-firms and state agencies promoting a tourist destination internationally can also use the connection to local culture and authenticity in their marketing campaigns.Originality/valueOur research contributes to food marketing literature by showing which local food attributes drive tourist preferences. Moreover, we uncover unobservable heterogeneous preferences among tourists.

Implementasi Algoritma A* (A-Star) untuk mencari Rute Tercepat dari Bandara Soekarno Hatta ke Destinasi Kota Tua Jakarta

The tourism sector is an economic sector that is growing rapidly. One of the best destinations that can be used as a tourist destination in DKI Jakarta is the Old City of Jakarta. The Old City of Jakarta has easy access and very affordable costs. There are many roads to the Old City of Jakarta, but the road to the Old City of Jakarta is very far away and has traffic congestion, especially towards the weekend, which could potentially make it difficult for tourists who want to visit. Therefore, we need an effective method that can help find the route with the shortest distance and fastest travel time. In this research, the method that can be used to find the fastest path or route is the A*Star algorithm. The results obtained after examining three routes (Jalan Kapuk Kamal Raya, Jalan Peta Barat and Jalan Raya Daan Mogot), obtained the fastest route with a distance of 5,881.5 KM, namely the Jalan Kapuk Kamal Raya route. By applying this method, it is hoped that it can solve the problem of determining the fastest route to the tourist location of the Old City of Jakarta.

Instagram Social Media Management Strategy @Disparbudpora_Bondowoso As A Communication Medium In Promoting Bondowoso District Tourism

This research is motivated by the concern of the Bondowoso Regency Government about falling behind Banyuwangi Regency in promoting one of their top tourist attractions, the Ijen Crater. The Ijen Crater has been recognized as part of the Global Geopark. Currently, many local and foreign tourists consider the Ijen Crater a Banyuwangi tourist destination because it spans two regions. The objectives of this research are first to understand the social media management by the @pariwisata_bondowoso account, and second to assess the impact and results of social media management in promoting tourism in Bondowoso Regency. This research employs a qualitative method. Data Data were collected using observation techniques, direct interviews, and documentation. The conclusion drawn is that the tourism promotion strategy implemented by Disparbudpora is quite good in providing informative and engaging content, but there are challenges in conducting evaluations, which have not been optimal. The impact of Disparbudpora Bondowoso's social media management in promoting tourism in Bondowoso Regency is evident from the followers' responses in the comment section, likes, and the reach achieved by the @pariwisata_bondowoso Instagram account. The result of the social media management by Disparbudpora is that followers receive relevant and high-quality information.

ISLAND TOURISM AND COVID-19: BUTLERS TOURISM AREA LIFE CYCLE, CULTURE, AND SWOT ANALYSIS

The purpose of this current research is to study island tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic. A unique island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in the Arctic region, was chosen to analyse island tourism. It is a European country, Iceland, located near the North Pole, at the "top of the world". In contrast to the well-known concept of sand island tourism, Iceland can be said to offer snow island tourism. In this remote area, the economic slowdown became noticeable somewhat later than in other regions of the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The methodology chosen to be presented in this study involves the use of a SWOT analysis to help clarify business strategy, applied to shed light on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to a small open economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on island tourism, with a tourist destination located in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, almost equidistant from the US and Europe. The tourism industry in Iceland has grown substantially in recent years and has become the most important sector of the Icelandic economy in recent years, generating significant foreign exchange earnings for the country. In this analysis, tourism exports are presented as a share of GDP in line with international economic theories. Additionally, the country case study is considered in conjunction with the Butlers Tourism Area life cycle and culture in the analysis. The results of the SWOT analysis indicate that, when considering the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats faced by the market, the overall growth potential of the market is significant. Practical implications include the need to strengthen the infrastructure further to best supply tourism opportunities. New opportunities are seen in online advertising, social media, digital marketing, food culture and historical culture, as well as sustainable and renewable resources. In addition, more attractions and pedestrian areas, as well as improved ski resorts. The value / originality of this study is somewhat unique, as it analyses island tourism, showing the successful development of tourism after the COVID-19 pandemic on remote islands in the North Atlantic Ocean. Ultimately, the summary and conclusions provide an overview and suggestions to consider when looking for ways to successfully promote tourism in the post-COVID crisis market.

Implementation of Halal Industry Policy as A Support for Halal Tourism In Lombok

In recent years, Lombok has emerged as a leading halal tourist destination in Indonesia and globally, supported by halal policies aimed at attracting Muslim and local tourists. These policies, including the Regional Regulation of West Nusa Tenggara Province Number 2 of 2016 on Halal Tourism and Law Number 33 of 2014 on Halal Product Guarantee, have positively impacted the tourism industry. This study addresses three main questions: (1) How are halal industry policies implemented to support halal tourism in Lombok? (2) How has the halal industry developed to support this tourism? (3) What are the supporting and inhibiting factors in implementing these policies?. The research is descriptive with a qualitative approach, using primary data from interviews and secondary data from relevant documents. Purposive sampling was employed, targeting officials from the West Nusa Tenggara Provincial Tourism and Industry Offices, the Indonesian Ulema Council of West Nusa Tenggara, tourism business actors, MSMEs, foreign and domestic tourists, and local communities. Data collection involved interviews, observation, and documentation, with data analysis through reduction, collection, and summarization. The study finds that implementing halal industrial policies has increased Muslim tourist numbers and strengthened Lombok's image as a halal destination. However, challenges remain, such as developing specialized halal tourism areas according to regional regulations without disrupting conventional tourism, improving services, providing halal facilities, and offering education and training for industry players.

The Effect of Memorable Tourism Experience on Storytelling Behavior and Revisit Intention in Jatiluwih Tourism Village

Memorable Tourism Experience is one of the sources that are an aspect of excellence for a tourist destination or tourist attraction because a memorable experience will have a long- term impact. Good storytelling behavior and getting satisfaction that is in accordance with expectations will have an impact on tourist behavior to do branding and the intention to revisit. This study was conducted to see how much influence an impressive tourism experience has on storytelling behavior and revisit intention in Jatiluwih Tourism Village. The phenomenon that drives this study is the large number of storytelling behaviors of tourists who upload and convey information about their experiences through social media. The gap in previous studies is used as a novelty in this study to test how much influence memorable tourism experience has on revisit intention through storytelling behavior in Jatiluwih Tourism Village. The sampling technique used purposive sampling with a questionnaire distribution of 210 respondents consisting of domestic and foreign tourists. The type of research uses a quantitative approach using a Likert scale and data analysis using SmartPLS. The results of this study indicate that there is a significant direct influence between the memorable tourism experience variable on revisit intention, there is a significant direct influence between memorable tourism experience on storytelling behavior, there is a significant direct influence on storytelling behavior on revisit intention and storytelling behavior has a significant direct influence. In fully mediating an impressive tourism experience on the intention to revisit in Jatiluwih Tourism Village.

Agent-based modelling of evacuation scenarios for a landslide-generated tsunami in Milford Sound, New Zealand

Agent-based modelling is a useful tool for evacuation planning as it can increase understanding of the factors affecting potential evacuation outcomes. In New Zealand, Milford Sound has been shown to have a high risk from landslide-generated tsunami, with an estimated 1-in-1000-year wave runup of ∼17 m arriving on shore within 2–7 min. With an annual average of >1500 people visiting a day, there is potential for widespread loss of life. However, the number of people present varies substantially with time of day and season, yet how this affects the ability to evacuate remains unknown. This research developed an agent-based model to understand how many people can be safely evacuated in Milford Sound and explored how the number of people initially exposed affected the evacuation outcome alongside the effect of potential changes to evacuation messaging. Assuming a 17 m wave, the results suggest that currently no one can safely evacuate before the shortest wave arrival time regardless of the number of people present. Altering evacuation messaging results in minimal gains, with only ∼5 % of the exposed population reaching safety in time. This work demonstrates the importance of evacuation modelling for understanding risk in isolated tourism destinations where the population exposure can fluctuate dramatically across multiple timescales. Accounting for changing population exposure is essential to understand whether evacuation is a suitable risk treatment and can provide valuable information for determining safe levels of population exposure in locations with high hazard but limited evacuation options.

Evaluasi Tata Kelola Destinasi Wisata Tebing Breksi di Yogyakarta: Analisis Berdasarkan Indikator Sapta Pesona

This research aims to evaluate the governance of the Breksi Cliff Tourism destination in Yogyakarta based on the Sapta Pesona indicators. Breksi Cliff, which was originally a mining site, has developed into an attractive geological tourism destination thanks to the creative efforts of the local community. This research used a survey method by distributing questionnaires to 170 tourists who visited Tebing Breksi. The analysis was carried out using Importance Performance Analysis (IPA) to identify gaps between the level of importance and performance of Sapta Pesona indicators consisting of security, order, cleanliness, coolness, beauty, friendliness and memories. The results of the analysis show that most of the indicators are in quadrants I and II, which means they are considered important by tourists but their performance varies. Indicators such as staff knowledge, cleanliness of toilets and environmental planning are considered important and have good performance, while road access and prompt service require improvement. Based on these results, it is recommended to maintain good performance and improve aspects that have not met tourist expectations in order to improve the quality of tourism and the competitiveness of Tebing Breksi as a geological tourism destination.

Resident Participation in Environmental Governance of Sustainable Tourism in Rural Destination

The rapid development of rural tourism has placed significant pressure on the rural environment, and relying solely on the government and market forces is insufficient for effective governance. It is urgent to integrate endogenous rural forces into environmental governance. The development of social behavior theory offers new insights into exploring sustainable approaches for resident participation in environmental governance in rural tourism areas. This paper, based on the Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) theoretical framework from social behavior theory, outlines the entire process of rural tourism residents transitioning from individual stimuli to psychological responses and ultimately to participation in environmental governance. This study combines the Motivation-Opportunity-Ability (MOA) model to analyze the stimulus factors affecting local residents and jointly constructs a path mechanism model for resident participation in environmental governance in rural tourism areas. A total of 462 valid questionnaires were collected through a survey, and the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) method was used for empirical testing to determine the path coefficients between variables. On this basis, a system dynamics model was constructed to simulate the dynamic evolution of the relationships between variables. This study found the following: (1) In the process of rural tourism, residents’ participation in environmental governance relies on motivational factors at the stimulus level to play a core leading role; opportunity factors act as catalysts, and ability factors serve as auxiliaries; participation willingness at the organism level plays a crucial role. (2) Material pursuit and formal institutions are the strongest single sustainable factors for residents’ participation in environmental governance in rural tourism areas; combinations of variables such as local attachment, governance knowledge, and governance identity have significant effects. It is recommended that future rural tourism leverage government guidance, coordinate interests, and adhere to a collaborative development approach to ensure the sustainable development of the rural tourism environment.

Reimagining Tourism Sustainability in the North-Western Himalayas: A Community-Based Perspective

ABSTRACT In contemporary times, the prominence of inclusive tourism participation is gaining traction worldwide. This research examines the residents’ perspectives on sustainable tourism development in the north-western Himalayas and determines the theoretical validity of the sustainable tourism attitude scale (SUS-TAS). For carrying out the study, a random survey technique with a structured questionnaire (N = 351) has been used at Sonamarg, which forms the ideal site for assessing community perceptions toward sustainable tourism. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with Varimax rotation was employed to identify the SUS-TAS dimensions. Our findings support the seven SAS-TAS dimensions with 42 items that maintained validity and reliability. Overall, the study findings infer that in six out of seven factors, residents’ level of agreement was above 70%. These insights highlight the quintessence of incorporating residents’ attitudes in the intersection of the decision-making process and tourism planning strategies. By quantifying residents’ perceptions of sustainable tourism, it becomes feasible to prioritize management measures in concert with the rights of the local community. Furthermore, this study forms the basis for a prospective sustainable tourism framework in mountain tourist destinations worldwide and in the Himalayan belt particularly owing to the growing tourist footprint in the region.

Popularity Paradox in Venice, Italy: A Battle of Priorities

Venice is facing significant challenges due to overtourism, with a high number of visitors straining local infrastructure and pushing residents out of their homes. To address this issue, local authorities are promoting longer-term visits to encourage tourists to adopt the local way of life. This case study aims to provide a detailed overview of the overtourism phenomenon in Venice and highlight the measures implemented to combat it. It emphasizes the global significance of Venice’s situation, illustrating the challenges faced by many tourist destinations worldwide. The study underscores the need for community-driven solutions to balance the economic benefits of tourism with the preservation of cultural and environmental heritage. Through exploring the issues, strategies, and lessons from Venice, other destinations can learn how to maintain their unique identities while meeting the demands of the tourism industry.