Destination Preferences Research Articles

Analysing bicycle-sharing system user destination choice preferences: Chicago’s Divvy system

In recent years, there has been increasing attention on bicycle-sharing systems (BSS) as a viable and sustainable mode of transportation for short trips. However, due to the relatively recent adoption of BSS, there is very little research exploring how people consider these systems within existing transportation options. Given recent BSS growth around the world, there is substantial interest in identifying contributing factors that encourage individuals to use these systems. The current study contributes to this growing literature by examining BSS behavior at the trip level to analyze bicyclists’ destination preferences. Specifically, we study the decision process involved in identifying destination locations after picking up a bicycle at a BSS station, using a random utility maximization approach in the form of a multinomial logit model (MNL). The quantitative frameworks developed have been estimated using 2013 data from the Chicago’s Divvy system. In our modeling effort, we distinguish between BSS users with annual membership and short-term customers with daily passes. The developed model should allow bicycle-sharing system operators to plan services more effectively by examining the impact of travel distance, land use, built environment, and access to public transportation infrastructure on users’ destination preferences. Using the estimated model, we generated utility profiles as a function of distance and various other attributes, allowing us to represent visually the trade-offs that individuals make in the decision process. To illustrate further the applicability of the proposed framework for planning purposes, destination station-choice probability prediction is undertaken.

Insights into the attributes of Pacific Island destinations that appeal to avitourists

Avitourism is a specific type of bird-focussed nature-based tourism that can potentially contribute to community development and avian conservation. The details of the most memorable as well as the most desired destinations for avitourists are relatively underexamined. To sample the global birding population, questionnaires were distributed electronically via birding forums, birder mailing lists and social media sites asking about birders’ destination preferences. A total of 303 respondents identified their most memorable destinations and 290 their most desired destinations. Among the destinations identified, Pacific Islands were stated as memorable (n = 23) and desired destinations (n = 55). New Zealand was the most memorable destination for 17 of the 23 respondents and the most desired was Papua New Guinea (33 of the 55 respondents). Key aspects that made New Zealand memorable were the presence of multiple endemic species and seabirds, while birds of paradise are the main attraction for birders wanting to visit Papua New Guinea. Understanding what biological attributes appeal to avitourists may help island destinations increase their market share in avitourism. Targeted marketing and management of the industry can bring benefits to Pacific Island communities, which in turn can enhance conservation.

“Foodies” and Their Travel Preferences

This articles examines the propensity of Australian food lovers, or “foodies,” to travel both domestically and internationally for food-related experiences. Data are analyzed from a survey of food lovers in Australia, profiling their characteristics, pertinent travel behavior, desired experiences, trip and destination preferences, with special attention given to isolating characteristics and preferences of those who had already traveled for food-related experiences. In the conclusions we make recommendations for destinations seeking to develop food tourism, in effect providing a demand-based planning and marketing approach. A principal conclusion is that they are highly involved with food, think of themselves as gourmets, and they desire a multifaceted holiday. Core experiences include consumption of authentic cuisine, learning about food/beverages and gastronomic traditions, and socializing. These must be augmented through opportunities for broader cultural, natural, touring, and shopping experiences. Recommendations are made for extending this line of research and theory development.

Destination Loyalty and preference to Oman: Examining the Influences of Tourists’ Demographics

The aim of this study was threefold: 1) to investigate the tourists’ loyalty and preference towards Oman tourism destination; 2) to assess the impact of destination preference on destination loyalty; and 3) to examine the potential differences in tourists’ loyalty and preference across different demographic groups. A self-administered questionnaire was developed and a sample of 300 inbound tourists in Oman was targeted. The descriptive analysis findings revealed that inbound tourists have high loyalty to Omani tourism destination through appearing high revisit intentions and high recommend intentions. In addition, Oman tourism destination is highly preferred by inbound tourists. The findings of regression analysis argued that destination preference has a positive and significant impact on destination loyalty. The findings of ANOVA analysis and Independent Samples T-Test concluded that tourists’ demographics (gender, age, marital status and education) have no significant influences over their perceptions towards both destination loyalty and preference. The theoretical and managerial implications were drawn based on the study findings and recommendations for future researchers were presented.

TOURISM MANAGEMENT AND DESTINATION IMAGE

Destination marketing is the process of communication with potential visitors to influence their destination preferences intention to travel their final destination. The information intensive nature of tourism industry suggests an important role for the internet the web Technology in the promotion and marketing of destination. The marking strategies are considered within the context of prevailing images tourist sites and the important attachment to destination images and brands in general are also evaluated. The purpose of this paper is to identify destination features which contribute to build a positive destination image and factors influence the destination image.

The influence of political attitudes on the tourist destination preferences: A case study

This paper explores the relationship between geopolitics and tourism, and the asymmetric correlation between these two phenomena. First, a definition of geopolitics is given, as well as its classification: formal, practical and popular. Bearing in mind that popular geopolitical representations in the collective consciousness of the people are formed mainly under the influence of media, the mass media impact on the formation of national and ethnic stereotypes and prejudices, as well as cross-cultural misunderstandings, is discussed. Then the relationship between popular geopolitics and tourism is examined, that is between 'geopolitical knowledge' that people possess of different countries and their consequent tourist attraction or repulsion. The main part of the work is a case study: a survey of attitudes of 60 first year students of the College of Hotel Management in Belgrade to a selected group of 13 countries. The qualitative part of the research is related to the spontaneous association of three words related to each country. The quantitative part is the evaluation of friendship/hostility of each of the selected countries to Serbia, and the successive evaluation of their tourist attraction/repulsion. Based on the processed data, the correlation between the geopolitical attitudes and travel preferences of students is calculated and appropriate conclusions drawn.

Learners' attitudes toward regional dialects and destination preferences in study abroad

AbstractThis study explored the impact of short‐term study abroad on the language attitudes of college‐level learners of Arabic in the United States. It investigated students' destination preferences in various Arabic‐speaking countries, their attitudes toward learning Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and regional dialects, and the factors that they perceived as influencing their attitudes. Survey responses from 371 participants indicated that learning Arabic in the Arab world favorably impacted students' attitudes toward dialect learning and sociolinguistic awareness. Students in this sample rejected learning MSA exclusively, believed that learning any dialect was important, and they became open to learning multiple dialects, including those that are less commonly taught. Respondents attributed this attitude shift to the change in their learning context, i.e., learning Arabic in an Arab country.

Traveling Patterns of Chinese Immigrants Living in Budapest

The leisure behavior of Chinese immigrants, with a focus on their participation in tourism in the host country, has been evidenced in this research. The aim of this study is to identify the behavioral characteristics and traveling patterns of Chinese immigrants living in Budapest, Hungary. It also attempts to explore the role of kinship and friendships in tourism and their relationship with Chinese mobility in Hungary. Seventy semistructured in-depth interviews were performed through field visits in order to understand Chinese travel motivations and destination preferences in domestic tourism within Hungary. The sample for this study included Chinese immigrants settled in Budapest with an acceptable command of the Hungarian language and with a certain disposition to travel for holiday purposes. The research findings on traveling habits and leisure activities reveal that the Chinese interviewees are interested in visiting thermal spas and historical cities in Hungary and these recreational activities might enhance their cultural assimilation to the dominant group. Furthermore, this study presents a new approach to exploring Chinese tourists’ preferences in this geographical area, which has been neglected by researchers despite its important Chinese migrant settlements.

Social and psychological factors influencing destination preferences of domestic tourists in India

This paper presents the results of a leisure study conducted in Indian domestic sector. Nineteen dimensions related to social, travel, destination and miscellaneous aspects were considered to identify their influence on leisure destination choices. These dimensions were administered in a questionnaire form to domestic tourists at two cities in India, Tirupati and Hyderabad. Tirupati has a distinct religious value and Hyderabad has a historical and cultural heritage character. Preliminary data analysis indicated that tourists’ decisions were generally influenced by aspects relating to safety, economics and comfort. However, factor analysis identified three significant factors for each destination. It was observed that factors ‘pre-decision’ and ‘destination-specific’ were influencing tourists’ preferences at both the destinations. In addition, factors ‘safety and comfort’ and ‘comfort and economics’ were found influencing the choices of tourists at religious destination and historical and cultural heritage destination, respectively. Statistical tests indicated that there was significant difference between the mean scores for all the identified factors at the two destinations. Therefore, implementation of a general strategy for tourism promotion will not be effective. The results of the present study can be extended to other destination values and to identify the decision-making path of domestic tourists using structural equation modelling.

The application of generational theory to tourism consumer behavior: An American perspective

The purpose of this study was to examine the attitudes and behaviors of American international travelers using a generational analysis. Based on Woodside and Dubelaar (2002)'s theory of tourism consumption systems (TCS), five hypotheses were proposed regarding tourists' information source preferences, destination visitation history, future destination preferences, destination evaluation criteria, and travel activity preferences. The study utilized Chi-square and ANOVA tests to detect statistically significant differences among generations. Additionally, two perceptual mapping techniques (correspondence analysis and multidimensional scaling analysis) were employed to graphically discern the relationships between generations and the variables of interest. The results support all five hypotheses, revealing not only a number of significant differences among generations, but also some important similarities. The study provides important empirical support for the theory of TCS, whilst showing the value of generational analysis as a commonsense segmentation criterion in travel market research.

The Role of Heritage and Cultural Elements in Coastal Tourism Destination Preferences

Despite the shifting demands of coastal tourists, little information exists on the consumer demand for cultural or heritage elements in coastal destinations.This study examines tourists' demand for regional character when vacationing on the South Carolina coast. Preferences for authentic trip elements such as the destination's local character and the local ownership of restaurants were measured using stated preference choice modeling. This method forces individuals to make choices between hypothetical trips based on tradeoffs of attributes such as number of activities, amount of locally owned restaurants, degree of local character, and trip cost. The results of a survey with South Carolina Coastal Tourists ( N = 697) indicate significant preferences for local character and local restaurant ownership, suggesting that tourists likely have a considerable desire for regional character in their vacations. However this desire was lower than the desire for other attributes that did not involve cultural or heritage elements.

A Preference Analysis Model for Selecting Tourist Destinations based on Motivational Factors: A Case Study in Kedah, Malaysia

This paper presents an evaluation of the critical factors influencing local tourists choice of destinations in Kedah and determination of the tourists preference for destinations with respect to these factors using Fuzzy Hierarchical TOPSIS (FHTOPSIS) method. This study focuses on the internal factors that motivate tourists to choose their preference of destination. The result shows the purpose of visiting friends and relatives is the most important factors that motivate their visit to Kedah, while novelty seeking is the least motivating factors influencing the choice of destinations. The best destination to be selected among five destinations under consideration in this study is Langkawi, followed by Alor Setar, Sedim River, Bujang Valley and Bukit Kayu Hitam. This study can assist relevant authorities and travel agencies to plan and promote the places of attraction in Kedah with effective marketing strategies besides assisting tourists to decide where to go to main attractions in Kedah.

Customer‐based Brand Equity for a Destination: the Effect of Destination Image on Preference for Products Associated with a Destination Brand

ABSTRACTThis study investigated how destination image of customer‐based brand equity for a tourist destination can be transferred to products associated with a destination brand. The effect of destination image on preference for products associated with a destination brand (PPADB) and the relationship between tourists’ destination preference and PPADB were investigated. Two hundred and ninety six individuals replied to a self‐administered questionnaire distributed to 318 students at a major US university. The results revealed that both cognitive and affective image of a destination are positively related to PPADB; preference for a destination is also positively related to PPADB. Suggestions are provided for a successful destination brand extension strategy. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Structural Relationships among Destination Preference, Satisfaction and Loyalty in Chinese Tourists to Australia

This study quantifies the relationship among destination preference, destination satisfaction and destination loyalty. Destination loyalty consists of two dimensions: word-of-mouth (WOM) and destination attachment (DA). It is found that WOM is directly affected by destination satisfaction, whereas DA is predetermined by the destination preference of tourists before a visit. Thus, the destination experience is the crucial factor in the spread of positive WOM about a destination. Nevertheless, to develop tourists' DA, effective loyalty schemes should be implemented through marketing efforts before they visit a destination. The findings of this study can be used by destinations to analyze and evaluate their loyalty-building process and marketing strategy. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Surf travel behavior and destination preferences: An application of the Serious Leisure Inventory and Measure

Surfers are characterized by the time and effort they invest in surfing and their propensity to travel in search for the perfect wave. In spite of such characteristics and the economic significance of surf tourism, little is known about surfing as serious leisure and its implications in surf tourism. Thus, a study was conducted using a convenient sample of 126 surfers to examine whether the six serious leisure qualities (Effort, Ethos, Career, Identity, Perseverance, Benefits) are associated with surf travel behavior and destination preferences. Results confirmed that surfers have a strong disposition for surf tourism and that they show high levels of serious leisure in their six qualities. Statistical tests also revealed that although serious leisure qualities are not associated with surf travel behavior, they do predict destination preferences especially related to the overall surfing appeal of the destination, the variety of waves, and the quality of the natural environment. Management and marketing implications for surf tourism operators and destinations are discussed. Besides filing a gap in the literature, this study augments the marketing intelligence for owners and managers of surf-related business as well agencies and organizations promoting surf tourism.

Route choice in pedestrian evacuation under conditions of good and zero visibility: Experimental and simulation results

The route choice of pedestrians during evacuation under conditions of both good and zero visibility is investigated using a group of experiments conducted in a classroom, and a microscopic pedestrian model with discrete space representation. Observation of the video recordings made during the experiments reveals several typical forms of behavior related to preference for destination, effect of capacity, interaction between pedestrians, following behavior and evacuation efficiency. Based on these forms of behavior, a microscopic pedestrian model with discrete space representation is developed. In the model, two algorithms are proposed to describe the movement of pedestrians to a destination under conditions of both good and zero visibility, respectively. Through numerical simulations, the ability of the model to reproduce the behavior observed in the experiments is verified. The study is helpful for devising evacuation schemes and in the design of internal layouts and exit arrangements in buildings that are similar to the classroom.

Emergent Vulnerability in Attracting Foreign Direct Investment in Latin America: The Case of Mexico

AbstractOver recent decades, Latin America has seen its position in the world order erode. Its share of total world exports has significantly declined. A broad opening to foreign investment has economically depressed many local initiatives, and the region’s economic growth is now largely dependent upon foreign capital. Nevertheless, an incipient trend has become established that reflects a change in preference for foreign capital destinations, shaped by the degree to which a science-technology base is present. This draws attention to the fact that tax facilities, proximity to markets, and cheap labor are insufficient factors to guarantee the cycle of capital, since what stands out is the outgoing transfer of the innovation activity itself. Latin American governments have done little to build an attractive science-technology platform that could allow our countries to join these rapidly growing chains of commodity production. This ultimately suggests that greater exclusion is to be expected. In this article, the case of Mexico is highlighted as an example of these trends.

Stepwise International Migration: A Multistage Migration Pattern for the Aspiring Migrant

High cost barriers and immigration policy restrictions prevent many low-capital migrants from realizing their destination preferences. However, interviews with 95 Filipino domestic workers in the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Singapore reveal how these low-capital migrants can intentionally follow a stepwise international migration trajectory, working their way up a hierarchy of destination countries and accumulating sufficient migrant capital in the process so as to eventually gain legal entry into their preferred destinations, often in the West. Such a trajectory differs from more frequently studied migration patterns in its number of stages, duration, intentionality, hierarchical progression, and dynamic nature.

Social Structure and Psychographic Explanations of Destination Preference of Australians' Travel to South-East Asia

This research explores the relationships between social structural variables, psychographic variables and preference for travel to Asia by Australians. Differences in preference for travel to specific South-East Asian destinations, namely, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, are explained using psychographic explanatory variables and combinations of the social structural variables (also known as socio-demographic variables) of age, income and life stage. A large representative sample of 49,105 Australian respondents is utilized. Binary logistic regression is used to profile respondents who prefer to take a holiday in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand for more than 3 days. This research found that age, income and life stage have significant differential and interactive effects on travel preference. The results show that social structural and psychographic variables act in different ways to constrain/enable travel preference for Asia. This means there are differences in the socio-demographic and psychographic profiles of travelers who prefer specific destinations within Asia. This information is useful for market segmentation and the development of destination marketing plans. Destination and tourism marketing managers can utilize such results to minimize the barriers to travel by particular groups. Future research directions are outlined.

Cruise Line Industry and Caribbean Tourism: Guests' Motivations, Activities, and Destination Preference

This study examines passengers' motivations for taking a cruise vacation, their travel-related activities while on vacation, and their preferences to return to each destination for a land-based vacation. The study is based on a survey of cruise passengers on a 10-day itinerary with six ports-of-call from Miami, Florida to the Caribbean. Five underlying dimensions of cruise passengers' motivations were found: Convenience/Ship Based, Exploration, Escape and Relaxation, Social, and Climate. The findings of the study indicate that while the majority of respondents participated in shore excursions and a diverse range of activities in port, they had mixed rankings of destinations on the itinerary. Generally, passengers ranked the more developed destinations higher, spent more money in port, and traveled further from the port area. Furthermore, destinations that were ranked high were also those that respondents indicated preference to return for land-based holidays, suggesting that the satisfaction with a port destination and the activities participated in could influence passengers' intent to return.