International Tourism Research Articles

A study of tourist behaviour for the development of Lanna wellness tourism in Thailand

ABSTRACT This investigation studies the behaviours of wellness tourists in Northern Thailand with a view to summarising their collective preferences and expectations and addressing a significant gap in research on Thai wellness tourism. This will enable tourism businesses to begin tailoring their offerings to meet the specific needs of this market segment. 643 foreign tourists in Northern Thailand responded to a questionnaire concerning their motivations and preferences for wellness tourism activities. The findings reveal that there are clear differences between the behaviours of different nationalities that can be used to inform wellness tourism development in Thailand. This research uniquely contributes to literature in the field of wellness tourism by identifying and analysing the specific preferences and expectations of international wellness tourists in Northern Thailand, a previously underexplored demographic in the context of regional wellness tourism studies. Furthermore, it introduces a comparative analysis of national differences in wellness tourism behaviours, offering insights that can directly influence the strategic development of localised wellness tourism offerings.

Souvenir practices of domestic tourists

ABSTRACT Although souvenirs have received considerable academic attention, their role and significance for domestic tourists are less researched. This paper focuses on the souvenir-purchasing practices of domestic tourists, and the post-holiday role of their souvenirs. Interviews were undertaken with 49 tourists in Romania at the point of souvenir purchase, and 12 follow-up interviews were conducted to explore the role of their souvenirs after the holiday. Purchasing souvenirs appears to be a habit of travel and in some ways the souvenir practices of domestic tourists mirror those of international tourists. Souvenirs are purchased as mementos of place and as gifts for others. They can play an important role after the holiday in stimulating memories. However, there were also distinctive characteristics of domestic souvenirs. There was a preference for items that were inexpensive, small, and familiar, and for objects which had post-holiday usability within the home. Furthermore, both the purchase and subsequent display of souvenirs in the home were used as expressions of religious and/or national identity, so that domestic souvenirs are implicated in practices of everyday nationalism. In this way, domestic souvenirs are both objects for personal use and a way of making a statement to others.

Destination image and revisit intentions: a mediation-moderation study through tourist satisfaction and place attachment

Purpose The purpose of this study is to test the relationship of cognitive destination image and affective destination image with tourist satisfaction and revisit intention. This study also tested the mediation effect of tourist satisfaction between cognitive destination image and affective destination image with revisit intention. Furthermore, place attachment is aimed to test as a moderator between tourist satisfaction and revisit intention. Design/methodology/approach Participants in this study are international visitors who were visiting different tourist places in Pakistan. A total of 340 tourists participated in the data collection process, and subsequent data analysis was performed using SPSS and smart-PLS. Findings The results confirmed a significant effect of affective destination image on revisit intention, whilst’ cognitive destination image does not signify a significant influence on revisit intention for international tourists; however, tourist satisfaction confirmed the mediation effect between cognitive-affective destination image and revisit intention. Furthermore, the place attachment confirmed significant moderation with revisit intention. Originality/value This study provides valuable insights into the context of tourist revisit intention in Pakistan. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the model tested in this study (affective destination image and cognitive destination image > tourists’ satisfaction > place attachment > revisit intention) is developed for the first time and is the first of its kind to test the moderation effect of place attachment with revisit intention. This study is supported by the Oliver expectancy disconfirmation theory and the Bowlby theory, which is another novelty of this study.

A novel central bank digital currency framework design for offline and foreign transactions based on blockchain

Purpose Fiat money production necessitates physical commodities, increasing costs and its flow is challenging to monitor, making it vulnerable to criminal exploitation. Cryptocurrencies offer decentralized solutions, but their decentralization has led to illegal activities. Current cross-border transactions face high costs, resource intensity and lack of instant currency transfers. Offline transactions are essential in unreliable networks. Design/methodology/approach Here, the authors proposed the methodology to perform offline transactions based on card, quick response (QR) code and a foreign transaction framework with universal identification (UID) to perform cross-border transactions using blockchain-dependent central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). Implications for the financial system are also analyzed. Findings The proposed CBDC framework reduces illegal transactions, corruption and the cost of producing fiat money; eases overseas transactions; and eventually increases international tourism, trade and business between countries. It also reduces the processing fees. Offline framework found useful for performing retail-level transactions. Research limitations/implications The research methodology may face limitations due to diplomatic relations, political instability, sanctions and the need for robust offline transaction infrastructure. Practical implications The proposed CBDC framework simplifies debt and insurance management, tax collection, international trade, tourism and global stock market participation. However, implementing CBDCs in low-income countries presents challenges like extensive training, infrastructure and user acceptance issues. Social implications The adoption of CBDCs can enhance financial stability by reducing corruption and illegal transactions through improved traceability and monitoring, thereby curbing activities like terrorism. Originality/value Common framework for foreign transactions is based on the UID, and offline transaction framework is based on the sender’s QR code for multiple user applications.

Methodological approaches to the functioning of the passenger transportation market: Airline, road and railway segments

Passenger transportation plays a critical role in ensuring efficient functioning of the economy, as it provides labour mobility, access to markets, cultural, and social services, and promotes the development of international tourism and social integration. Thus, the purpose of the research was to analyse methodological foundations of the functioning of the passenger transportation market and to assess the war impact on the condition and development of air, bus, and rail passenger transportation. With the help of the bibliographic method, key scientific papers have been analysed in the article to study the theoretical foundation and identify problematic issues, calling for improvement and development. Using the generalisation method, leading organisations, ensuring the functioning of the passenger transportation market, have been identified and summarised, and the general principles of its functioning have been formulated. Using comparative and grouping methods, methodological approaches to air, bus, and rail passenger transportation in the context of economic, regulatory, technological, ecological, and social foundations have been proposed. The necessary prerequisites for the effective functioning of the passenger transportation market have been determined by grouping the most significant aspects, such as liberalisation and competition, state regulation and standardisation, investments and innovations, as well as effective cooperation between stakeholders in the field of passenger transportation. Using tabular and graphical methods, the war impact on air, bus, and rail passenger transportation has been considered through the lens of the caused damage, the amount of destruction, and the necessary restoration and reduction of passenger traffic. The peculiarities of enterprise operation in wartime have been identified with the emphasis on strategically important features of functioning and development, and patterns in passenger transportation have been revealed with the help of the content analysis method. The results of the research can be useful for specialists in the field of passenger transportation and tourism when analysing the passenger transportation market, forming strategies, and considering development trends

FORECASTING NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL TOURIST ARRIVALS USING MULTI INPUT INTERVENTION ARIMA MODEL

In 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic caused a very significant impact resulting in the drastic decline in the number of international tourist visits. As the Covid-19 pandemic ends, the government reopen international flight to Indonesia in early 2022 to remark the revival of the tourism industry. To determine how big the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic as well as the recovery process on international tourist visits through Soekarno-Hatta, Ngurah-Rai, and Kualanamu airports in the coming period, forecasting is needed. The forecasting method utilized in this study is multi-input intervention analysis. The first input is caused by the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, while the second input is due to the international flight reopening. The type of intervention variable chosen is a step function because both inputs give permanent effect to the international tourist arrivals. The data used in this study are monthly international tourist arrivals based on the entrances to Soekarno-Hatta, Ngurah-Rai, and Kualanamu International Airports from January 2008 to September 2023, taken from the Central Bureau of Statistics website. Based on the results, it was found that the number of international tourist arrivals entering Soekarno-Hatta airport can be modelled using SARIMA (0,1,1)(0,1,0)12 with (b=2, s=1, r=0) and (b=2, s=[3], r=0) for first and second input of intervention variable, respectively. Furthermore, the number of international tourist visits through Ngurah-Rai airport was more appropriate to be modelled using SARIMA (1,1,1)(0,1,1)12 with intervention inputs (b=1, s=[2], r=0) and (b=4, s=0, r=1). In Kualanamu airport, the first intervention order is equal to that in Ngurah-Rai airport, with (b=3, s=[3], r=0) for second intervention input and SARIMA (0,1,1)(1,1,1)12 for pre-intervention data. The forecast results show that the number of international tourist arrivals entering Soekarno-Hatta, Ngurah-Rai, and Kualanamu international airports are already recovered to pre-pandemic conditions at a quick pace

Analyzing the causal relationship between exchange rate and international tourism in Vietnam

The impact of tourism on exchange rates, and vice versa, varies from country to country. This study empirically explores the causal relationship between exchange rates and international tourism in Vietnam. To examine this relationship, data on real exchange rates, foreign tourist arrivals, and real tourism revenue were extracted from the general statistical yearbook from 2000 to 2019. This paper explicitly highlights how exchange rates impact tourism under a government-controlled exchange rate regime. The results indicate a weak unidirectional causal relationship between foreign tourist arrival and real exchange rates. An increase in the real exchange rate increases short-term income but has a negative impact on long-term tourism revenue, while an increase in real tourism revenue reduces the real exchange rate in the short run but is stable in the long run. The research supports the perspective that maintaining a stable exchange rate attracts international tourists in the long term. Based on these findings, the Vietnamese government should adopt a cautious approach to price stabilization policies and encourage export-oriented industries to attract international tourists and promote tourism.

SUSTAINING THE MALAYSIAN MONARCHY’S HERITAGE: HOW SHOULD IT BE POSITIONED TO INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS?

Tourism industry relies heavily on good marketing strategy, which becomes imperative for destination marketers to focus on when building long-term consumer engagement, loyalty, and relationships by adopting a sustainable marketing strategy and ultimately safeguard heritage sustainability. This study selects the Malaysian monarchy’s heritage as the research subject and positions strategy as a method to segment and profile international tourists to the said heritage. Respondents were surveyed in July and August 2022, at a museum in Malaysia. Using the Ward method, the clustering analysis identified three clusters, i.e., ‘the royal enthusiast’, ‘the apathetic tourists’, and ‘the inclined royalist’. The main benefits sought by respondents were ‘accessibility’, ‘quality of facilities’, and ‘an increase of knowledge’. Respondents viewed that there should be a focus on ‘representation of the monarchy’s heritage to the Malaysian people and identity’, highlighting that it is ‘a country with nine royal states’, and is therefore unique. Since positioning is about the intention to highlight strengths and distinctiveness in the marketplace, the Malaysian monarchy’s heritage should therefore be positioned in the minds of international tourists as ‘a rich heritage destination with nine royal states’, which is uniquely Malaysia. The clustering of tourists may enhance the consumption intention and achieve continuous sustainable strategic orientation in preserving the Malaysian monarchy’s heritage.

Unlocking the sustainable tourism development in the USA: what are the effects of carbon emission?

PurposeThis study is carried out to investigate the effects of tourism expenditure, technological development and foreign direct investment on tourism development in the United States of America, a top international tourism destination in the world, from 1995 to 2021.Design/methodology/approachTo this end we use the Autoregressive Distributive Lag method which captures short and long run effects. This method is also fundamental in presenting robust results when time series data with short time periods is used. The FMOLS and DOLS methods are used to ensure the robustness of the findings.FindingsThe results of the Autoregressive Distributive Lag indicate that spending on tourism contributes to the growth of the tourist industry in the country. The study reveals that economic growth has a detrimental impact on the development of tourism. Furthermore, carbon emissions are exclusively impeding the long-term progress of tourism development. The country's prioritization of economic growth has led to a rise in carbon emissions, disregarding the desire of tourists to experience a pollution-free and natural environment. Moreover, foreign direct investment exerts a beneficial impact on the advancement of tourism.Originality/valueAlthough there has been numerous research on the factors that influence tourism, there is less documentation on the specific factors affecting tourism development. The research examines the effect of carbon emission of tourism development of United States, the World's top tourism destinations. Few studies have attempted to unlock this association in the United States; hence, the research originality.

Tourist acceptance of using ride-sharing services in a tourism destination: hedonia vs eudaimonia and technophilia vs technophobia

Purpose This study aims to examine how affective and technological attitudes influence tourists’ intentions to use ride-sharing services. The authors also explore the moderating effects of perceived freedom and digital literacy on these relationships. Design/methodology/approach The sample consisted of local and international tourists using ride-sharing services in Bali, Indonesia. The authors used convenience sampling to distribute questionnaires to the respondents, collecting 258 responses. Out of these, 222 responses were fully completed and suitable for analysis. Findings The results revealed that hedonia, eudaimonia, technophilia and technophobia each differently influence tourists’ intentions to use ride-sharing services. Perceived freedom and digital literacy moderate the strength of these relationships. Research limitations/implications This research builds on previous studies by investigating how various aspects of happiness affect tourists' intentions to use ride-sharing services. It also emphasizes the role of perceived freedom and digital literacy in moderating the relationship between happiness, technology adoption attitudes and ride-sharing intentions. Originality/value This study contributes to the existing ride-sharing literature by integrating two dimensions of affective attitude (hedonia and eudaimonia) and technology adoption attitude (technophilia and technophobia) to examine their effects on tourists’ intentions to use ride-sharing services.

Paris 2024 Olympic Games: A risk enhancer for autochthonous arboviral diseases epidemics?

ObjectivesThe anticipated increase in international tourist flows and the first locally acquired dengue cases in the Paris region in October 2023 have raised concerns about potential arbovirus outbreaks during the 2024 Olympics. Unlike previous mass sporting events at risk of arbovirus outbreaks, Paris is a nonendemic arbovirus area, requiring a unique investigation. MethodsTherefore, we analyzed factors conducive to possible arbovirus epidemics in temperate regions: vector distribution in the Paris area, seasonal global arboviral disease patterns, projected visitor demographics, and international flight bookings. Results and conclusionOur results suggest that the expected visitors’ profile for the summer of 2024 should not increase the risk of arbovirus importation into the Paris region compared to a typical year. Conversely, the primary risk of arbovirus outbreaks is likely to come from within France, particularly from the French West Indies, where a notable, albeit declining, dengue outbreak is underway. Vigilant surveillance by French health authorities will ensure that this trend continues.

Problems and perspective of developing insurance in the international tourism business

An increasing number of tourists face risks and unforeseen situations while travelling: the limited availability of insurance products, deficiencies in risk coverage, and the failure to meet individual needs make relevant the issue of insurance in the international tourism business. The purpose of the article was to analyse current problems in the field of insurance at the international level and to highlight possible ways to solve them, as well as to determine the prospects for the development of this segment aimed at ensuring maximum safety and convenience for tourists. The article examines the state and prospects for the development of the international market of travel insurance services. With the application of the analysis method, a thorough review of the shortcomings in the activities of insurance companies was carried out, which made it possible to clearly determine the level of importance and provide practical recommendations for their solution. The abstract-logical method was applied to make conclusions based on the study of policyholders’ behaviour, their tendency to risk, and the choice of insurance products. The increase in the volume of tourist trips in the world is accompanied by the increase in appropriate insurance. It causes insurance companies and tour operators a number of problems, such as insufficient adaptation of insurance products to the needs and risks of tourists, limited geographical coverage, and complex registration and compensation procedures. However, there are also prospects for the development: new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, which can contribute to the automation and facilitation of insurance processes. Expanding geographic coverage and adapting insurance products to the specific needs of tourists can also ensure the growth of the insurance market in international tourism. The practical value of the conducted research is determined by the development of recommendations for international insurance companies aimed at overcoming problems and reducing risks in the field of travel insurance, both for representatives of the insurance business and for travellers

Is there a conservation relationship between tourism, economic output, and forest areas?

AbstractThis study employed advanced panel data analysis, accounting for cross‐sectional dependence and heterogeneity, to investigate the impact of tourism development and economic output on forest areas in major international tourist markets. The research was guided by forest transformation hypothesis (FTH). The study assessed the validity of FTH, examined the influence of tourism, and identified the income level at which a turning point occurs. The results revealed a heterogeneous impact of tourism on forested areas across major international tourist markets. Specifically, tourism development encouraged afforestation in Germany, Italy, Mexico, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States, but led to deforestation in China. In contrast, no significant relationship was observed between the tourism‐forest area nexus in Türkiye and Thailand. Additionally, the study provided evidence supporting FTH in the relationship between economic growth and forested areas in Italy, Spain, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Given these findings, the paper underscores the strong heterogeneity among the individual countries and their tourism, economic development, and forest areas. Consequently, country‐specific sustainable policies are advocated over generic approaches in the fight against deforestation.

Beyond fear and safety: revenge travel and international tourists’ intentions in the post-crisis era

Purpose This study aims to investigate the evolving travel intentions of tourists in the aftermath of the relaxation of international mobility restrictions in 2022. It aims to understand how the concept of “revenge travel” – travelling with the intent to make up for lost time during crisis periods – impacts tourists' travel intentions in the post-crisis era. Design/methodology/approach Employing a quantitative approach, the study uses Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). Data were collected through a survey of 320 respondents in 2022. This methodology enables a comprehensive understanding of travel intentions, including motivations, perceptions of destination safety and the influence of revenge travel. Findings The findings reveal that revenge travel is a significant predictor of travel intentions post-crisis. The results indicate that tourists are less concerned with health and safety and are more driven by the desire to compensate for lost travel opportunities. This shift suggests that travel intentions in the post-crisis era are not predominantly fear-induced. The study also offers insights into how these intentions can inform the recovery and sustainable planning of the tourism industry. Originality/value This paper recognises the impact of revenge travel on travel intentions following the lifting of crisis-related mobility restrictions. It provides novel insights into tourists' post-crisis travel behaviour, extending the understanding of travel motivations in extraordinary circumstances. The findings are valuable for tourism practitioners and researchers, offering guidance for future tourism development and marketing strategies within a post-crisis context.

Evaluation of the Coupling and Coordination Degree of the Wellness Tourism Industry in Panxi Area

The party's 20th report points out that green and healthy development is an extremely important part of the China's modernization drive, an important guarantee for the sustainable development of the country, and a basic means to realize that "clear waters and green mountains are gold and silver mountains". Sichuan province actively promotes the construction of a strong wellness industry, and strives to build Panxi region into an international sunshine wellness tourism destination. In recent years, the mass tourism market demand escalating, promote the tourism market emerging industry development, wellness industry, in response to the mass tourism market development status, this paper built covers two evaluation dimensions eight elements 16 evaluation index wellness brigade industry coupling coordinated development index system, using the entropy method and coupling coordination model in panxi area wellness industry and tourism industry coupling coordinated development level, based on the evaluation results. The study results show that: (1) with good coupling development degree and strong interaction; (2) the coordinated development level of wellness tourism industry in Panzhihua is low, Panzhihua is in moderate imbalance, Liangshan Prefecture is on the verge of imbalance, with large development space; (3) from 2017 to 2021 is wellness lag type, Liangshan Prefecture is tourism lag type in 2020 alone. Through the research and analysis of the coordinated development of wellness tourism in Panxi region, the comprehensive level of coordinated development of wellness tourism in Panzhihua is revealed, and then three suggestions are put forward: (1) improve the construction of wellness facilities and enhance the coordinated development level of wellness tourism; (2) build the integrated development mechanism of wellness tourism and tourism and promote the coordinated development of wellness tourism industry; (3) optimize the wellness tourism environment and promote the sustainable development of wellness tourism.

A comprehensive understanding of memorable experiences in food tourism

PurposeMore specifically, the research identifies the determinants of positive and negative memorable experiences in different contexts of food tourism.Design/methodology/approachQualitative data were collected from domestic and international tourists visiting New Zealand. Using an in-person, self-administered, electronic survey, 374 complete surveys were gathered in Christchurch City.FindingsThe findings reveal 25 factors contributing to positive memorable experiences, whereas the lack of seven of them leads to negative memorable experiences. Food quality is the most dominant determinant of both positive and negative memorable experiences.Originality/valueDespite existing various types of food and drink experiences, the literature largely focused on the consumption part. The negative memorable experience has also been neglected. To expand the knowledge of the determinants of memorable food/drink experiences, this research focuses on all types of such experiences including positive and negative ones to provide a comprehensive understanding of memorable experiences within food tourism.

Tourists’ Littering Behavior and Feeling of Guilt: Implications for Sustainable Coastal Destination Management

Though tourists have long been acknowledged to litter beaches during their holidays, there is little empirical focus on understanding the characteristics of tourists who litter beaches. Based on data obtained from 843 international tourists who visited two main coastal destinations in Ghana and analyzed with binary logistic regression and chi-square test of independence, it is revealed that close to half of the tourists admitted to littering beaches during their holiday in Ghana. Further, male tourists, younger adults, high school leavers, those who traveled to Ghana in the company of others, as well as those who visited for the purpose of leisure have the highest probability of littering beaches. Among those who littered, females, older adults, bachelors and postgraduate qualification holders, and those who visited for the sake of seeing friends and family and business felt guilty for their littering behavior. The implications of these findings in the context of promoting sustainable tourist behavior at coastal destinations are discussed.

Coral reef fish density at a tourist destination responded rapidly to COVID-19 restrictions.

Throughout the world, anthropogenic pressure on natural ecosystems is intensifying, notably through urbanisation, economic development, and tourism. Coral reefs have become exposed to stressors related to tourism. To reveal the impact of human activities on fish communities, we used COVID-19-related social restrictions in 2021. In French Polynesia, from February to December 2021, there was a series of restrictions on local activities and international tourism. We assessed the response of fish populations in terms of changes in the species richness and density of fish in the lagoon of Bora-Bora (French Polynesia). We selected sites with varying human pressures-some dedicated to tourism activities, others affected by boat traffic, and control sites with little human presence. Underwater visual surveys demonstrated that fish density and richness differed spatially and temporally. They were lowest on sites affected by boat traffic regardless of pandemic-related restrictions, and when activities were authorised; they were highest during lockdowns. Adult fish density increased threefold on sites usually affected by boat traffic during lockdowns and increased 2.7-fold on eco-tourism sites during international travel bans. Human activities are major drivers of fish density and species richness spatially across the lagoon of Bora-Bora but also temporally across pandemic-related restrictions, with dynamic responses to different restrictions. These results highlight the opportunity provided by pauses in human activities to assess their impact on the environment and confirm the need for sustainable lagoon management in Bora-Bora and similar coral reef settings affected by tourism and boat traffic.

Impacts of the terrorist attacks and political incidents in major cities on tourism industry: Evidence from the tourism managers in Turkey

Tourism crises caused by terrorism are characterised by a sharp decline in inbound tourism and a severe deterioration of destination image. Between 2015 and 2017, Turkey suffered terrorist attacks and political incidents in major cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, Gaziantep, and Şanlıurfa. This paper explores crisis-related factors and their influence on destination image and tourism demand with a series of three studies adopting both primary data collected from tourism managers and secondary data analysis of tourism statistics. Study A explored the adapted measurement tool's reliability and validity to define the factors related to crisis impacts. Study B involved CFA to validate the dimensions of measurement tools and regression analyses to examine their influence on destination image and tourism demand. Study C included a comparison of the tourist arrival and expenditure statistics from 2014 to 2019 with a secondary data analysis. Study A showed that the long-term effects of crises caused by terrorism must be evaluated in structural and political dimensions. Study B indicated that both factors affected destination image negatively, while only structural problems influenced international and domestic tourism demand. Study C supported the effect of both factors on tourist arrivals and tourism income, involving the analysis of tourism statistics.

Impact of information provision on tsunami evacuation behavior of residents and international tourists in Japan

Effective disaster management can help mitigate both human and financial damage. However, the absence of appropriate disaster preparedness and management efforts can increase the vulnerability of international tourists to natural disasters. International tourists differ from residents and local tourists in various ways, including limited knowledge of disasters and disaster responses, use of different languages, limited access to signs, and shelter locations and evacuation routes. This study developed an agent-based evacuation model to determine the differences in evacuation behaviors among international tourists, residents, and local tourists during a tsunami. Further, it clarified the impact of both soft and hard countermeasures such as information provision and shelter capacity expansion. Our case study was conducted in the Minato Bay area in Osaka, Japan. The simulation results revealed disparities in the evacuation behaviors between international tourists and residents in the arrival times at shelters. The enhanced sign accessibility and provision of signs in multiple languages significantly reduced the arrival time of international tourists at shelters. Consequently, it is necessary to improve disaster management plans that ensure information provision in multiple languages and the establishment of temporary shelters near tourism spots to support international tourists during disaster evacuation.