Holiday Destination Choice Research Articles

Competitiveness of the Azores Destination in the Scandinavian Market

Tourist destinations spend a considerable amount of energy attempting to understand their market, their competitive position, and how they can use this knowledge to successfully attract tourists. In order to understand how the Azores destination competes in the Scandinavian market, we developed a binary logistics model in which the dependent variable is 1 if the Azores was a tourist's first holiday destination choice and zero otherwise. For cases in which the Azores was not the first choice, we developed a binomial probit with the selection model to explain the reasons for a secondary choice. The formulation developed in this paper is innovative regarding two aspects: it considers two levels of tourism destination choice (first or second destination choice) and it includes the main regions competing with that destination (as perceived by tourists) as explanatory variables for a destination choice.

Analysis of long-distance vacation travel demand in the United States: a multiple discrete–continuous choice framework

This study analyzes the annual vacation destination choices and related time allocation patterns of American households. More specifically, an annual vacation destination choice and time allocation model is formulated to simultaneously predict the different vacation destinations that a household visits in a year, and the time (no. of days) it allocates to each of the visited destinations. The model takes the form of a multiple discrete–continuous extreme value (MDCEV) structure. Further, a variant of the MDCEV model is proposed to reduce the prediction of unrealistically small amounts of vacation time allocation to the chosen destinations. To do so, the continuously non-linear utility functional form in the MDCEV framework is replaced with a combination of a linear and non-linear form. The empirical analysis was performed using the 1995 American Travel Survey data, with the United States divided into 210 alternative destinations. The model estimation results provide several insights into the determinants of households’ vacation destination choice and time allocation patterns. Results suggest that travel times and travel costs to the destinations, and lodging costs, leisure activity opportunities (measured by employment in the leisure industry), length of coastline, and weather conditions at the destinations influence households’ destination choices for vacations. The annual vacation destination choice model developed in this study can be incorporated into a larger national travel modeling framework for predicting the national-level, origin–destination flows for vacation travel.

The influence of hurricane risk on tourist destination choice in the Caribbean

Climate change could have major implications for the global tourism industry if changing environmental conditions alter the attractiveness of holiday destinations. Countries with economies dependent on tourism and with tourism industries reliant on vulnerable natural resources are likely to be particularly at risk. We investigate the implications that climate-induced variations in Atlantic hurricane activity may have for the tourism-dependent Caribbean island of Anguilla. Three hundred tourists completed standardised questionnaires and participated in a choice experiment to determine the influence hurricane risk has on their risk perceptions and decisions regarding holiday preferences. The hurricane season had been considered by 40 % of respondents when making their holiday choice, and the beaches, climate and tranquility of the island were more important than coral reef-based recreational activities in determining holiday destination choice. Choice models demonstrated that respondents were significantly less likely to choose holiday options where hurricane risk is perceived to increase, and significantly more likely to choose options that offered financial compensation for increased risk. However, these choices and decisions varied among demographic groups, with older visitors, Americans, and people who prioritize beach-based activities tending to be most concerned about hurricanes. These groups comprise a significant component of the island’s current clientele, suggesting that perceived increases in hurricane risk may have important implications for the tourism economy of Anguilla and similar destinations. Improved protection of key environmental features (e.g. beaches) may be necessary to enhance resilience to potential future climate impacts.

Behavior of Serbian tourists during economic crisis: Two empirical researches

Tourist’s behavior research is focused on understanding and explaining the factors that affect tourist’s preferences and holiday destination choice. In this paper is analyzed the impact of the global economic crisis on the preferences toward leisure travels of the residents from Serbia. The paper is based on researches conducted in 2006-2009, through travel agencies and in 2011 on the general population major of age with support of TNS Medium Gallupa. Better understanding of the perception process and how tourists react to certain factor can give more accurate information on the dynamics of tourism demand and its dependence on tourist’s perception.

Traveler Behavior and Values Analysis in the Context of Vacation Destination and Travel Mode Choices

The tourism industry has a dramatic impact on the world's economy and development. For this reason, it is important to study vacation traveler behavior, including where individuals travel on vacation and what travel mode they use to get there. This study uses the unique Eurobarometer vacation travel survey to model jointly travelers’ choice of holiday destination and travel mode while also considering an extensive array of stated motivation-based preference and value factors. The study further builds on the existing literature by applying the model to a large-scale travel market characterized by multiple origins and destinations within the European Union. The empirical results indicate the important effects of nationality, traveler demographics, travel companionship arrangement, traveler preferences and values, and trip and destination characteristics on holiday destination and travel mode choice. These results have important policy implications not only for each country within the European Union but also for countries and regions around the world.

Climate in the region of origin and destination choice in outbound tourism demand

This paper describes the relationship between regional climate in the home area and the choice of taking holidays in the region of origin or abroad. This decision is simultaneously estimated with a bivariate probit model. The study combines the socioeconomic characteristics of European households with information on the region of residence, such as climate, which is defined according to a new annualized climate index. The estimated probabilities are analysed using GIS and nonparametric techniques. The results of modelling support the hypothesis that the climate in the region of residence is a strong determinant of holiday destination choice. They show that residents in regions with better climate indices have a higher probability of travelling domestically and a lower probability of travelling abroad.

Holiday destinations: Understanding the travel choices of Irish tourists

This paper uses a McFadden choice model to measure the importance of destination, household and seasonal characteristics to the tourism destination choices of Irish households. The analysis is based on quarterly survey data of Irish households' travel destinations between 2000 and 2006. In total, some 55,000 holiday trips were observed. Destination characteristics such as temperature, GDP and coastline are found to positively influence choice probabilities, while population density and distance have a negative effect on choice. Household-specific characteristics such as the number of children and people over 60 in a household are found to be important. We also identify differences in preferences across seasons and a change over time of the effect of destination country GDP on Irish holiday destination choices.

Geographical Information and Landscape History in Tourism Communication in the Age of Web 2.0. The Case of the Salt River Bay National Park in St. Croix of the U.S. Virgin Islands

Maps and other location‐based information have traditionally played an important role in the choice of holiday destination and the selection of sites to visit. Recently new technologies have changed the pattern of tourist information search and use, notably the Internet, mobile communications—foremost cellular telephony—and Global Positioning System (GPS). Focusing on a national park in the U.S. Virgin Islands, we take stock of available geographic data and their potential use in tourist communication. It is argued that Internet‐based neogeography offers strong potential for multilayered interpretation and dissemination to specific visitor groups. Due to a contested history and controversial designation of the area as a national park it is argued that caution must be taken in the interpretation and communication of especially historical maps and population data. Three possible user scenarios centered on visitor activities and information needs are presented. Finally, we conclude that there is a compelling need to develop quality content to satisfy visitor demands and thereby enable competitive advantage. This article results from the Danish Galathea 3 project “St. Croix in Past and Present” and has number P10 in the Galathea publication series.

The influence of human values on holiday destination choice in Australia and Brazil

Allen and Ng (1999a) proposed a conceptual framework of how consumers' choice of services may be influenced by the human values that they endorse. The aim of this study is to observe which implications cultural differences had on holiday destination choice. The sample consisted of 793 participants (52% Brazilians, 48% Australians; 51% Male; average age = 25y; Education 52% High School), who answered a questionnaire containing: the vertical-horizontal individualism-collectivism Values Scale, the Meaning and Judgment Scale, a Holiday Destination Measure, a Consumption Behavior Measure, and demographics page. The main effect of the country on cultural patterns between Brazil and Australia was observed. The individualist Australians preferred a piecemeal judgment and placed more importance on tangible attributes. Brazilians, who scored higher on collectivism, used affective judgment more. These and other results are discussed in terms of the validity of the model for individuals who endorse cultural values other than individualism.

Destination decision sets: A longitudinal comparison of stated destination preferences and actual travel

There have only been a small number of applications of consumer decision set theory to holiday destination choice, and these studies have tended to rely on a single cross-sectional snapshot of research participants’ stated preferences. Very little has been reported on the relationship between stated destination preferences and actual travel. To what degree then can marketers rely on consumers’ stated attitudes if there is no supporting measure of actual behaviour? The article presents a rare longitudinal examination of destination decision sets, and the first in the context of short break holidays by car in Queensland, Australia. Two questionnaires were administered, three months apart. The first identified destination preferences while the second examined actual travel and revisited destination preferences. The findings indicate a general consistency between attitude and behaviour in the short term. The results support the proposition that the positioning of a destination into a consumer’s decision set represents a source of competitive advantage. A key implication for the destination of interest, which launched a new brand campaign during the period of the project, is that a long-term investment in a clearly differentiated brand message will be required to improve awareness and intent to travel by consumers in the region’s most important market. It is recommended that monitoring decision set composition represents an important and practical indicator of future performance for destination marketers.

The Impact of Climate on Holiday Destination Choice

The holiday destination choice is analysed for tourists from 45 countries, representing all continents and all climates. Tourists are deterred by distance, political instability and poverty, and attracted to coasts. Tourists prefer countries with a sunny yet mild climate, shun climates that are too hot or too cold. A country's tourists' aversion for poverty and distance can be predicted by that country's average per capita income. The preferred holiday climate is the same for all tourists, independent of the home climate. However, tourists from hotter climates have more pronounced preferences.

Destination Choice Modelling: What's in a Name?

Discrete choice modelling can be employed to analyse tourists' holiday destination choices. The data for a destination choice modelling analysis are often obtained from a survey in which prospective tourists indicate their choices in a series of hypothetical scenarios. In that context, an issue deserving investigation is the use of destination names in the stated choice task. Using the names of destinations to label the alternatives in a choice scenario would be expected to enhance the predictive validity of the choice model. On the other hand, the experimental design of the choice scenarios may yield destination descriptions that appear unrealistic to survey respondents. In this paper, the labelling issue is investigated using a choice modelling study of short-break destination choices by residents from Melbourne, Australia. The multinomial logit model is used to compare the results of labelled and unlabelled stated choice tasks. The comparative results are reported and discussed and implications for destination choice modelling applications are drawn.

Island-specific preferences of tourists for environmental features: implications of climate change for tourism-dependent states

Climate change may affect important environmental components of holiday destinations, which might have repercussions for tourism-dependent economies. This study documents the importance of environmental attributes in determining the choice and holiday enjoyment of tourists visiting Bonaire and Barbados, two Caribbean islands with markedly different tourism markets and infrastructure. Three hundred and sixteen and 338 participants from Bonaire and Barbados, respectively, completed standardized questionnaires. Warm temperatures, clear waters and low health risks were the most important environmental features determining holiday destination choice. However, tourists in Bonaire thereafter prioritized marine wildlife attributes (i.e. coral and fish diversity and abundance) over other environmental features, whereas tourists in Barbados exhibited stronger preferences for terrestrial features, particularly beach characteristics. The willingness of tourists to revisit these islands was strongly linked to the state of the preferred environmental attributes. More than 80% of tourists in Bonaire and Barbados would be unwilling to return for the same holiday price in the event, respectively, of coral bleaching as a result of elevated sea surface temperatures and reduced beach area as a result of sea level rise. Climate change might have a significant impact on Caribbean tourism economy through alteration of environmental features important to destination selection. Island-specific management strategies, such as focusing resources on the protection of key marine or terrestrial features, may provide a means of reducing the environmental and economic impacts of climate change.

The Impact of Climate on Holiday Destination Choice

The holiday destination choice is analysed for tourists from 45 countries, representing all continents and all climates. Tourists are deterred by distance, political instability and poverty, and attracted to coasts. Tourists prefer countries with a sunny yet mild climate, shun climates that are too hot or too cold. A country's tourists' aversion for poverty and distance can be predicted by that country's average per capita income. The preferred holiday climate is the same for all tourists, independent of the home climate. However, tourists from hotter climates have more pronounced preferences.

Destination loyalty and repeat behaviour: an application of optimum stimulation measurement

AbstractThis paper reports on a study of consumer loyalty in the holiday destination selection process. The study does not define loyalty, but attempts to contribute to an understanding of the concept by applying a psychological measure of variety seeking directly to patterns of holiday destination choice. The measure used is based on the optimum stimulation level (OSL) concept. The guiding proposition in this study was that tourists with a high need for variety would display a varied pattern in their vacation destination selection and this assumption is modestly supported by the empirical findings. The results suggest that further experimentation with the OSL would be fruitful when combined with attitudinal measures and with precisely defined sets of tourist behaviours. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Modelling Short-Break Holiday Destination Choices

This paper presents the results of a stated choice modelling study of the factors underlying holiday destination choices. The study comprises the analysis of short-break holiday choices by tourists from Sydney, Australia in the context of six destination regions. The response data reflect the way the attributes of competing destinations influence Sydney residents' destination choices. The modelling of these choices enables estimation of the trade-offs between varying levels of destination attributes. This includes estimation of the implicit prices of attribute changes, which are reported in this paper. The simulated market share effects of selected changes in destination attributes and respondent characteristics are also presented.

Domestic tourism destination choices — a choice modelling analysis

Tourism destinations compete with each other to attract visitors. Although international tourism has received a lot of attention, domestic tourism remains the mainstay for many destinations. To inform the basis on which destinations compete, an understanding of the determinants of destination choices is required. In this paper, the discrete choice modelling method is applied to investigate the determining factors underlying the short‐break holiday destination choices of prospective tourists from Melbourne, Australia. The results from an estimated nested logit model indicate the relative importance of a number of destination and trip attributes and respondent characteristics. The model results are used to simulate the effects on destinations' market shares resulting from various changes in attributes and tourist characteristics. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Gay men's holiday destination choice: a case of risk and avoidance

AbstractGay men are subject to discrimination and social disapproval in many parts of the world. This paper examines the possible impact of this on choice of holiday destination, drawing on the concepts of risk and destination avoidance. A number of interviews were held with gay men and it was concluded that risk of adverse reactions and of the need to modify behaviour were significant issues in destination avoidance and choice. It is possible, as a consequence, to classify holiday‐taking by gay men into a typology including gay‐centric and gay‐related. In addition, it is appropriate to modify existing models of risk‐avoidance through the addition of the risks that are more applicable to gay men than to other tourists. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Impact of Climate on Tourist Demand

Tourism, being volatile and situation-specific, is responsive to climate change. A cross-section analysis is conducted on destinations of OECD tourists and a factor and regression analysis on holiday activities of Dutch tourists, to find optimal temperatures at travel destination for different tourists and different tourist activities. Globally, OECD tourists prefer a temperature of 21 deg.C (average of the hottest month of the year) at their choice of holiday destination. This indicates that, under a scenario of gradual warming, tourists would spend their holidays in different places than they currently do. The factor and regression analysis suggests that preferences for climates at tourist destinations differ among age and income groups.

Impact of the Environment on Holiday Destination Choices of Prospective UK Tourists: Implications for Tropical North Queensland

In this article, the findings of a choice modelling study of prospective tourists from the UK are reported. The study is focused on the relative importance of the natural environment on the choices made by prospective UK tourists regarding their overseas holiday destination. The study data are used to analyse the impacts on destination choices of changes in a range of features that describe the holiday locations included in the study. The willingness to pay for changes in the condition of the natural environment – and other destination features – is estimated. The study findings are relevant to the development of the competitive strategy of the nature-based holiday destination of Tropical North Queensland.