Domestic Visitors Research Articles

Statistical analysis of the type and seasonality of tourist arrivals at a UNESCO sightseeing tourism site: the example of Chernivtsi, Ukraine

In this research paper, a statistical analysis of the type and seasonality of arrivals to the former Residence of the Bukovina Metropolitans in Chernivtsi (Ukraine) was carried out. Based on a time series for 2000–2023, types were considered according to such categories as adults, pupils/students and domestic visitors or inbound tourists by country of origin. Each of them was considered over the time series. The results of the analysis allow us to establish the effects of the factors influencing tourist flows on ‘calm’ Chernivtsi in a country at war. Thus, it is possible to see nuances to the influence of threats and dangers on domestic and inbound tourism in Ukraine. The analysis of seasonality, thanks to the location in the mid‑latitudes, has made it possible to establish the influence of climate on the distribution of tourism throughout the year. The UNESCO status of the former Residence of the Bukovina Metropolitans increases the value of the research not only due to the analysis, but also due to the primary data to which the authors had exclusive access, as university teachers located on the site. This research paper is a follow‑up to that presented in “Methodical approaches and statistical analysis of tourist arrivals to centers of sightseeing tourism (based on the example of Chernivtsi, Ukraine)” (Korol, Krul, Zayachuk & Kostash, 2023).

Making history, making place—contextualising the built heritage of world expos 2010 and 2015

Be it the 1873 World’s Fair in Vienna, which established the city's status as a link between the Occident and Orient, or the very first Great Exhibition in 1851 in London, which showcased the then British empire to a global public and the world to its domestic visitors. World’s fairs have been and are still an indispensable part of a shared human history as well as an indicator of a country's economic and cultural relevance on a global scale. They are undoubtedly politically motivated drivers of collective memories and, in turn, nation-building processes. This is why they are not only publicly discussed and thoroughly documented in archives but also often manifested in buildings that long outlast these events and themes but continue to tell their tales. This article elaborates on the ways in which world’s fairs (or expos) have been used as catalysts to develop cities and how they themselves – though ephemeral phenomena – ultimately found their way into urban landscapes and historiography. Moreover, based on his own empirical studies on the last two expos of Shanghai (2010) and Milan (2015), the author elaborates on the placemaking procedures that precede and follow these mega-events, reflecting on the ensuing public discourse to (de)legitimate them, its limitations, and effects on the urban legacy of the aforementioned expos. He then presents an overarching discussion on their built heritage.

Visitors Support for Komodo Dragon Conservation Fund

The designation of Komodo National Park as one of the New 7 Wonders in 2012 sparked increased tourism, resulting in growth in Labuan Bajo's hospitality sector, with low entry fees and stakeholders advocating for Komodo dragon conservation. Determining an appropriate entrance fee is crucial for park maintenance and Komodo dragon conservation. This study aims to analyze tourism trends, willingness to pay (WTP) for entrance fees, and willingness to contribute (WTC) to conservation funds. The analysis reveals a consistent rise in visitor numbers from 2015 to 2019, along with significant growth in non-tax revenue, hotel accommodation, and bed capacity from 2010 to 2019. Tourists exhibit strong support for Komodo conservation with a notable USD 25.573 in WTP for domestic visitors and 39.4 for foreign tourists. Respondents express readiness to contribute to conservation funds. Government agencies, local communities, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are favored to manage the conservation fund. The preservation of Komodo dragons has a positive impact on ecosystem balance and economic improvement from tourism.

Paradiplomacy and Its Influence on Visitor Trends at Twin World Heritage Sites: A Case Study of Borobudur Temple 2018-2019

Indonesia, recognized for its substantial tourism potential, has leveraged the iconic Borobudur Temple, a premier cultural heritage site, to bolster its international cultural diplomacy and marketing efforts. This study examines the impact of the Twin World Heritage cooperation program implemented by the Indonesian government through PT. Taman Wisata Candi, on visitor numbers at Borobudur Temple during 2018-2019. The program epitomizes a strategic approach to enhancing cultural relations by facilitating cross-border collaborations and the exchange of expertise in cultural preservation and promotion. Situated in Magelang, Central Java, the Twin World Heritage Program at Borobudur Temple has not only elevated the temple's global profile but has also served as a pivotal instrument in strengthening international cultural ties and fostering mutual appreciation and understanding across nations. The empirical data from this study reveal a notable increase in visitor attendance: domestic visitor figures rose from 3,663,054 in 2018 to 3,747,757 in 2019, while foreign visitor numbers increased from 192,231 to 242,082 over the same period. These findings affirm the program's efficacy in harnessing Borobudur's potential and generating significant socio-economic benefits across multiple sectors.

Gastronomic image of Turkish baklava: analyzing user reviews on TripAdvisor

This study aims to determine the gastronomic image of Turkish baklava based on user reviews on the TripAdvisor review website. In this context, the adequacy and quality of the products and services offered by the restaurants producing and selling baklava in Türkiye, as well as the salient positive and negative aspects, were evaluated using the content analysis method. The data are based on the reviews made by users on the TripAdvisor user review website about restaurants in 2022 and 2023. The results of the research are presented by visualizing them with the word cloud method. As a result of the research, it was found that domestic visitors rate Turkish baklava as excellent, delicious, and expensive. Foreign visitors mainly evaluated Turkish baklava as the best, most delicious, and most expensive compared to its counterparts. The study suggests that restaurants, especially those operating in Gaziantep, should increase their promotional activities for Turkish baklava at national and international levels show more sensitivity to service quality, and production standards, and maintain the balance between price and quality.

관광지 선택속성이 지역브랜드 이미지와 재방문의도에 미치는 영향

Zhoushan City, a prominent tourism destination in China, has witnessed the continued growth of its tourism industry, making the city and the industry a pivotal part of the national economy. However, the rapid expansion of tourism has brought to light several issues that the city faces as a tourism destination, such as bland and monotonous cultural images, outdated tourist facilities, inhospitable residents, and mediocre food quality. These issues point to the critical tasks in need of urgent resolution, as they are associated with destination selection attributes that can influence destination brand images and revisit intentions. Therefore, this study aims to elucidate the impacts that destination selection attributes have on local brand images and intentions to revisit among domestic visitors to Zhoushan City. Empirical analysis reveals the following findings. Firstly, all destination selection attributes, including cultural images, facility convenience, local hospitality, and food quality, significantly influence local brand images. Secondly, all destination selection attributes also significantly influence revisit intentions. Thirdly, local brand images exert a significant impact on revisit intentions. Lastly, mediation effects of local brand images between destination selection attributes and revisit intentions are observed, with partial mediation effects in facility convenience, cultural images, and local hospitality, and a full mediation effect in food quality. These findings provide insights for devising practical strategies to enhance Zhoushan City's local brand images and attract more tourists to the city.

Place Attachment, Awareness of Environmental Responsibility and Pro-Environmental Behaviour of Visitors in Protected Natural Areas

ABSTRACT This study explores the effects of domestic visitors’ place attachment and environmental responsibility awareness on pro-environmental behaviors at Biokovo Nature Park, Croatia. Leveraging the Norm Activation Model (NAM), it identifies essential mechanisms by which emotional and cognitive connections with nature drive sustainable action. Findings reveal that place attachment influences awareness of environmental responsibility, which in turn shapes pro-environmental behaviors. The investigation underscores the critical role of environmental responsibility awareness in mediating the relationship between place attachment and pro-environmental behaviors, suggesting that omitting this factor could lead to overestimating the influence of place attachment. By illuminating the psychological processes underpinning conservation-oriented actions in protected areas, the research advocates for management strategies prioritizing visitor engagement in environmental responsibility, thereby enhancing sustainability efforts.

Past Niche Tourism: The First Chapter of Mountain Tourism in South Africa

Mountain tourism enjoys a long history in many countries, much of which is unrecorded. This paper addresses one dimension of the neglected past of recreation and tourism in the Global South. The focus is on the development of mountain tourism as a form of niche tourism in South Africa. The paper contributes to the limited international historical scholarship on niche tourism. In addition, it extends the literature in South African tourism scholarship on tourism’s past, tourism history and the historical geographies of tourism. Using the limited extant literature and with primary archival sources the early development of mountain tourism in South Africa is investigated. The time period covered is from the mid-19th century to the early 1950s. Arguably, the initial origins of mountain tourism in South Africa must be situated at Table Mountain in Cape Town. The focus shifts subsequently to the growth of mountain tourism in the high Drakensberg range. Although mountain tourism is dominated by domestic visitors it is argued that the South African Railways played a vital role in exposing South Africa — and especially the Drakensberg — as a potential destination for international mountain tourists.

Antecedents of domestic visitor’s memorable experiences and gender difference: a heritage tourism context

ABSTRACT This study explores the interplay between visitor engagement, authenticity, and destination image in shaping memorable tourism experiences (MTE) within the realm of domestic heritage tourism, as well as the potential moderating role of gender in these relationships. Data were collected in the historic city of Kashan, Iran through a self-administered questionnaire and a combination of Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and multi-group analysis was employed to test the hypotheses. The results strongly support the influence of visitor engagement, authenticity, and destination image on various dimensions of MTE. Additionally, noteworthy gender differences emerged, revealing that authenticity has a more pronounced impact on meaningfulness, knowledge, and involvement for female tourists. Moreover, distinct gender disparities were observed in the effects of destination image on these three dimensions. These findings make a valuable contribution to the tourism and MTE literature by emphasizing the significance of gender-specific perceptions and attitudes within the context of heritage tourism.

Strategi Mengatasi Aksesibilitas Destinasi Pulau Kecil Dengan Penyesuaian Segmentasi Wisatawan Kepulauan Riau

A prevalent challenge encountered by small islands pertains to accessibility. Nevertheless, numerous ostensibly isolated islands attract a substantial number of tourists. This article examines the relationship between accessibility and tourism development on small islands to understand the two better. Qualitative data collection methods were utilized for this study, including in-depth interviews, the collection of pertinent secondary data, and field observations. Following analysis, the collected data were presented in a comparative descriptive fashion. A discussion of the island approach (islands and archipelagos) is undertaken to comprehend the interconnections between minor islands and other locations within the larger region. Field research indicates that despite possessing the aesthetic appeal of beaches and sea, many small islands still need to exploit their tourism potential fully. This is primarily due to the exorbitant transportation expenses for domestic visitors and the need for adequate tourism infrastructure, including resorts and hotels of international caliber catering to affluent-class tourists (middle and above). Conversely, despite being classified as remote islands, the Riau Archipelago maintains strong diplomatic relations with neighboring nations. It can attract international visitors for cultural tourism, beach activities, and scuba diving. Small islands may benefit from a strategy targeting affluent classes and foreign tourists. In order to develop the tourist experience on small islands by expectations, it is necessary to enhance tourism infrastructure and services for tourists and tourism investors as a result of targeting the tourist segment.

Exploring Tourist Behavior towards Bali Wellness Tourism Visits

The COVID-19 epidemic has caused a significant shift in people’s lifestyles, resulting in a new trend called wellness tourism, in which people come to tourist locations to enhance their physical and psychological health using a holistic approach. The purpose of this article is to investigate the factors that influence domestic visitors’ decisions to visit wellness sites in Bali, using the extended theory of planned behaviour model, which incorporates numerous critical components such as wellness motivation, pull motivation, and tourist value. Online surveys were utilised to collect empirical data. The use of purposive sampling resulted in the identification of 323 domestic tourists. The data was analysed using the structural equation model technique (PLS-SEM). Pull motivation, tourist value, perceived behavioural control, and wellness motivation were all strong predictors of tourists’ intentions to visit wellness places. Furthermore, pull motivation and tourist value have a significant influence on tourist perceptions. The data also showed that subjective norms, one of the main components of TPB, were ineffective in predicting tourists’ intention to visit. A broader understanding of the extent of intention to visit Bali for wellness tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings are critical for assessing the impact of motivations, values, and behaviour on domestic visitors’ intentions to visit wellness places.

Giresun ilinde Covid-19 pandemisinin ekoturizmi nasıl etkilediğinin belirlenmesi

Ecotourism is a type of activity in which people spend time in natural environments having fun and admiring nature's wonders. One of the most important characteristics of natural beauty is its potential to foster social and cultural calm. The Covid 19 pandemic outbreak began in Turkey in March 2020. The purpose of this research was to find out how many individuals visited Giresun's ecotourism destinations between 2018 and 2021. The number of tourists to the area had decreased, particularly in 2020. Visitors to Giresun Province are registered at the city's entrance by the Provincial Directorate of Tourism. The existence of tourism agencies facilitates the identification of both domestic and foreign tourists. In 2018 there were 182313 tourists; in 2020 there would be only 105064. There were 77249 fewer tourists in just two years. Despite pandemic restrictions, local tourists prefer ecological places because they provide clean air and a nice way of life. Domestic visitors to the remote Giresun province stayed in ecotourism zones. Despite the fact that our region has several ecotourism destinations, it is obvious that many visitors are leaving for adjacent provinces owing to a lack of infrastructure, transit alternatives, and lodging options.

Domestic leisure tourism destination choice and who do we trust-the case of Bulgaria

Destination marketing and branding are key factors that considerably influence the destination choices for both domestic and international visitors. Understanding the dynamics of how tourists select which destination to visit is crucial for destination planners, tourism organizations, and businesses. This is particularly so in the context of domestic tourism, in which it is imperative to study the factors that influence consumer choices and more specifically, the factors that influence domestic destination choices. This paper explores the influence of different information sources when choosing a destination in the context of the domestic tourism market in Bulgaria. The study is based on the data collected from a national representative survey (N = 1,003) which utilizes a two-staged random sample stratified by districts and the residence place type. The findings suggest that the most influential information source for destination choice for domestic visitors is the opinions/suggestions of friends and relatives. This is the case for all age groups, regardless of their gender, marital status, number of children, education levels, income, or place of residence. The findings of the study provide valuable insights into the existent literature on domestic tourism and destination marketing. Although particularly focused on the unique dynamics of domestic tourism in Bulgaria, the findings of the study can be useful to tourism stakeholders at destinations with a developed domestic market, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe.

Analysis of Indonesian Domestic Tourist Quality

Domestic tourism is being the main focus of the government strategy to revitalize the tourism sector. It is then crucial to consider elements that can raise the quality of tourism, in terms of domestic tourists and increase the added value rather than merely number of trips. The analysis of quality is important in tourism to support the idea of sustainable tourism, which is promoted in the 8th agenda of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Quality analysis must be done in micro modelling that takes into account tourist characteristics and particular travel-related features because this sector depends on tourism demand and tourist expenditure in tourist locations. Thus, the goal of this study is to give a general overview of the qualities and characteristics of domestic tourists and to examine how these attributes affect their quality. The results of descriptive analysis method indicate that Indonesian domestic visitors’ quality remains poor. Age, genders, education level, employment status, transportation mode, accommodation type and travel companion affect the quality of domestic tourists.

How Ghãtu Folk Dance Performance Promotes Tourism Industry in Nepal

This paper analyzes how Ghā̃tu promotes the tourism industry in Nepal. For conservation, the Nepal government does not seem to have promoted such cultural activities of the indigenous people that they are on the verge of extinction. Ghā̃tu, the nation’s cultural heritage, has several miraculous performances based on spiritual practices that attract tourists. The study attempts to make this Ghā̃tu folk dance performance one of the best sources of entertainment for tourists and domestic visitors to enhance the nation's economy. The shaman tradition followed by this cultural activity, as the severing of the dancing girls, is another exciting activity that attracts the audience. So, every tourist should visit Nepal mostly to see such a performance once. The study’s findings show that many Ghãtu villages have not been considered tourist spots. And Nepal is not a popular tourist destination like France and Germany. Therefore, this paper proposes to make the Ghā̃tu village’s one of the most unavoidable tourist spots, which help sprout the tourism industry and help enhance the sustainable development of the nation. I have employed performance and semiotic theories developed by Schechner and Chandler and ritual theory.

DOMESTIC VISITORS’ TRAVEL INTENTION TO SABAH POST COVID-19 TRAVEL RESTRICTION

This study aimed to study the intentions of Malaysian domestic travellers to visit Sabah after the COVID-19 travel restrictions were lifted by exploring the variables of fear of COVID-19, travel anxiety, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control, and risk attitude. This study utilizes the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to explore factors impacting travel intentions in a post-pandemic context. SPSS and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) were used to analyse the 303 online survey respondents. The study reveals diverse perceptions among Malaysian domestic visitors regarding travel to Sabah after COVID-19 travel restrictions. Fear of COVID-19 and risk attitude were found to have no significant impact on travel intentions. However, perceived behavioural control, subjective norms, and travel anxiety showed significant relationships with travel intention. The findings offer practical implications for tourism stakeholders to develop targeted strategies for attracting and accommodating domestic travellers in Sabah while contributing to existing knowledge in the tourism and educational field. This study incorporated the TPB model by adding more variables, resulting in a more powerful explanation of post-pandemic travel intentions.

Applying Push and Pull Theory to Determine Domestic Visitors’ Tourism Motivations

The purpose of the study was to determine the motivations driving domestic tourists’ travel decisions to Vietnam’s Central Highlands. These motivations are categorized as originating from within the tourists themselves (push) and as being shaped by the attractiveness and external attributes of the tourist destination in the Central Highlands (pull). Additionally, the study aimed to examine how demographic factors such as gender and age influence these motives. To conduct this research, the authors gathered relevant studies and expert opinions to construct a research model. A total of 745 visitors were surveyed over a period of more than two months. The collected data was quantitatively analyzed using two tools: SPSS and AMOS. The findings indicated that three factors impact push motivation: personal factors, escapism, and knowledge and cultural experiences. Furthermore, three elements influence pull motivation: destination information and accessibility, the destination’s unique image, and personal factors. Gender and age exhibited significant effects on these aspects at various levels, except for males, who had no influence on the escapism factor. These findings provide valuable insights for the Central Highlands tourism sector, enabling tourism managers and stakeholders to adjust their services and marketing strategies to better cater to the preferences and demands of domestic visitors. Moreover, the outcomes of this study could be applied to other regions with similarities, such as the Northwest region of Vietnam, the mountainous areas of the central provinces of Vietnam (challenging regions with diverse ethnic minorities), or analogous areas worldwide.

Tourists’ (mis)understandings of nature: international and domestic visitors’ perceptions of invasive alien plants in New Zealand

AbstractTourism, one of the world largest economic sectors, moves a substantial body of individuals and materials about the world and is implicated in the spread of invasive plants and is itself impacted by biological invasions that can degrade touristic landscapes and affect destination communities. Tourists constitute not only an immediate biological threat, but through their landscape and biota preferences also constitute a substantial economic and ecological force that has implications for invasive plant management in destinations. Tourists and the tourism industry are therefore significant stakeholders in invasive plant introduction, spread, and management. This paper discusses an onsite survey (n = 231) of domestic and international visitors in New Zealand, a destination where invasive species are an important ecological and economic issue. Findings show that visitors have a low understanding of the presence and level of threat of invasive plants and express preferences for some plants that are highly invasive. However, there were substantial variations across the international sample, with visitors from Asian and European ethnicities expressing significantly different attitudes toward a range of invasive plants. Asian visitors were more likely to show preferences for some plants that were seriously invasive and to be more accepting in general of invasive plants within landscapes and less supportive of invasive species eradication. These findings suggest that attitudes toward invasive plants and their management may be culturally determined, which poses challenges for managers aiming to generate awareness and support from across diverse tourist cohorts for invasive species control. There are also challenges for gaining support from the tourism industry for invasive plant control programs where particular “charismatic” or attractive invasive plants may contribute to touristic landscapes and visitor itineraries.

Developing Tourism in Hoa Binh Province in the Context of International Economic Integration

According to a report from the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in the first 6 months of 2023, the total number of tourists coming to Hoa Binh is about 2,360,000, increasing by 28.8% compared to the same period last year, reaching 67.4% of the year plan. Of which, there were 240,000 international visitors, an increase of 336% compared to the same period last year, reaching 53.3% of the year's plan; 2,120,000 domestic visitors, an increase of 19.3% compared to the same period last year, reaching 69.5% of the year's plan. Total revenue from tourists reached 2,300 billion VND, an increase of 16.2% compared to the same period last year, reaching 59% of the year plan. The above impressive recovery results after the COVID-19 pandemic are thanks to the province's tourism industry having synchronously deployed many groups of tasks and solutions to develop destinations, building tours, and attractive tourism product groups and organize a variety of activities to attract the attention of domestic and foreign tourists, creating a premise for tourism to recover and maintain operations in the last months of the year and the following years. The article focuses on analyzing and evaluating the current status of Hoa Binh tourism development in the period 2018 - 2022 and proposes some solutions to promote the development of the province's tourism industry in the context of international economic integration.

Destination image and loyalty: examining satisfaction, place attachment, and perceived safety

ABSTRACT This study examines the complex connections between destination image, overall satisfaction, place attachment, perceived safety, and destination loyalty among Vietnamese domestic visitors. The study collected data from 626 participants. The results indicate that destination image positively influences overall satisfaction, place attachment, and destination loyalty and that overall satisfaction and place attachment mediate the relationship between destination image and destination loyalty. In addition, the study highlights the crucial moderating effect of perceived safety on domestic travelers’ destination loyalty. These findings have important implications for tourism marketing strategies that seek to increase the attachment of domestic tourists to the destination, their overall satisfaction, and their loyalty.