Travel Experience Research Articles

Flavors of Fusion: The Role of Thai Street Food in Shaping Culinary Experiences for Chinese Tourists

This study investigated the significance of Thai street food in shaping the cultural and gastronomic experiences of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand. As culinary tourism gains global traction, street food has emerged as a key aspect of authentic cultural immersion, particularly in Thailand, where it is deeply embedded in daily life and national identity. This study employs a qualitative approach, using semi-structured interviews with 25 Chinese tourists in central Bangkok, to explore their perceptions and experiences with Thai street food. The findings indicate that the unique flavors, affordability, and convenience of street food are major attractions for Chinese tourists. Moreover, street food offers tourists direct interaction with local culture, allowing them to experience Thai customs and social dynamics in an informal, everyday setting. The study also uncovers that while tourists appreciate the variety and accessibility of Thai street food, some concerns persist, particularly regarding hygiene and the impact of weather conditions on the dining experience. Despite these challenges, Thai street food remains an essential and enjoyable component of the overall travel experience for Chinese visitors. The research contributes to the growing body of literature on gastronomy tourism by emphasizing the role of street food as both a cultural symbol and a tourism attraction. This study highlights the importance of supporting street vendors and maintaining high standards of food safety to enhance the street food experience for international tourists, making it a sustainable and competitive element of Thailand’s tourism industry.

The Metaverse In Tourism

Purpose of the study: This study evaluates the metaverse and the technologies used within the tourism and hospitality sectors. Additionally, it provides an in-depth analysis of the areas in which these technologies are applied in tourism, as well as their contributions to the field. Methodology: To evaluate the role and effects of metaverse technology in the tourism sector, qualitative methods are utilized. A literature review was conducted as a data collection tool, and the information obtained from the literature review was interpreted in accordance with the purpose of the research. Main Findings: The main conclusion of this study is that the effective use of the metaverse in tourism will provide significant benefits for both businesses and tourists. This technology, with its potential to enhance the travel experience, is expected to become increasingly common in the future, offering a promising future for the tourism sector. Applications of the study: The adoption and integration of technological innovations are expected to significantly impact the dynamics of the tourism industry. Studies emphasize that metaverse innovations have not yet reached sufficient mass. However, there are also concerns that, in some cases, the metaverse could hinder the physical travel industry. Tourists experiencing a destination or even an airplane in a virtual environment may reduce their motivation to travel physically. In conclusion, technological innovations such as virtual reality and the metaverse present opportunities and threats for the tourism industry. Novelty/Originality of the study: The research's originality lies in its detailed exploration of the use of metaverse in the tourism sector. In addition, detailed evaluations of the usage areas and contributions of metaverse-related technologies in tourism are included. Therefore, it is thought that this study will not only contribute to the related literature but also guide researchers, sector employees, and other interested parties.

A research need: exploring the experiences and behaviours of veiled Muslim female tourists in Western destinations

ABSTRACT Previous research has explored the dress code, behaviour, motivations, and experiences of Western and Asian female tourists during their visits to Western, Asian, and Islamic destinations. However, there is a paucity of research that explores the behaviour and perspectives of hijab-wearing female Muslim tourists when visiting Western destinations for tourism purposes. Furthermore, despite the fact that some studies have explored the experiences of Muslim women in Islamic destinations (i.e. Malysia and Turkey) there remains a significant research gap in examining the travel experiences and behaviours of veiled female Muslim tourists who visit Western destinations. This is surprising considering the significant market potential presented by Muslim women who travel to Western destinations and their patterns of consumption. This research note serves to encourage scholarly inquiry into the experiences, coping mechanisms, spatial and socio-contextual factors, and constraints faced by veiled Muslim female tourists in Western countries, while advocating for a comparative analysis with Asian and Western counterparts to facilitate a holistic comprehension of their travel experiences.

What Makes Domestic Tourists Satisfied with Shopping in Bali? The Influence of Place Attachment, Shopping Motivation, and Shopping Experience

Shopping for souvenirs is often considered an essential part of the travel experience for many tourists. This study examines the relationship between place attachment and shopping motivation as independent variables, shopping satisfaction as a dependent variable, and shopping experience as a mediator. The findings indicate that place attachment may influence shopping pleasure indirectly, through the mediating role of shopping experience. In contrast, shopping satisfaction is affected by shopping motivation both directly and indirectly. A sample size of 308 respondents who had participated in tourism shopping at Sukawati Art Market, Gianyar, Bali, was used to validate the proposed model. The validation was conducted using PLS-SEM through outer and inner models with SmartPLS 4, using a 1-tailed test. The study employed a quantitative approach and collected data through a survey questionnaire. The results of this research hold theoretical and practical implications for increasing the understanding of shopping satisfaction of domestic tourists.

Unlocking Loyalty: The Power of Local Culture in Bali Tourism

This article examines the influence of local culture on tourist loyalty, focusing on a case study in Bali, Indonesia. Through a quantitative approach, this study uses structural equation modelling (SEM) with smart partial least squares (PLS) to analyse data from a survey involving 276 tourists. This study identifies and measures the direct impact of two independent variables, namely local ‘cultural richness’, and ‘cultural interaction’, on destination loyalty, with ‘tourist satisfaction’ as the mediating variable and ‘previous travel experience’ as the moderating variable. The results show that local cultural richness and cultural interaction have a significant influence on tourist satisfaction, which in turn affects destination loyalty. Nonetheless, previous travel experience has proven not to moderate the relationship between tourist satisfaction towards destination loyalty (? = -0.021). These findings provide valuable insights for destination managers and policymakers in developing marketing strategies that focus on local culture to increase tourist loyalty.

Optimization of the age of correlated information in V2X networks with edge computing

Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication has the potential to revolutionize the travel experience in intelligent transportation, which has received the great attention recently. However, ensuring the freshness of information from multiple sources is critical for the real-time and reliable communication in vehicular networks, especially for timely updates of service centers. To address this issue, we use a promising metric called Age of Correlated Information (AoCI), which can characterize the freshness of multi-source information. Therefore, we propose a novel model that can dynamically regulate the channel activation matching and edge computing collaboration strategy to minimize AoCI in V2X vehicular networks. Firstly, we describe the system model of a V2X network with edge computing, including definitions and assumptions for freshness of information, edge co-computing, etc. Secondly, we formulate the joint optimization problem as a source-related age minimization (SRAM) problem, which is NP-complete. A heuristic algorithm is proposed to solve it under fast-fading channel. Finally, since traditional graph models cannot capture the changing correlation between nodes in dynamic networks, we use graph convolutional networks(GCN) to extract the features of multi-source correlation. The features extracted by GCN include relevant attributes of the sources and its communication links. The features are provided as input to a double deep Q network (DDQN) for training the model that can adapt to a dynamic network environment. Extensive simulation experiments in different network scenarios validate that our proposed method can effectively and efficiently reduce the average AoCI and the computational resources.

Sojourning and Being Well Among Contemporary Chinese Gay Men in a Tourism Destination: An Extension of Dynamic Equilibrium Theory

This study proposes an extension of the dynamic equilibrium model to investigate the intrinsic mechanisms underlying the well-being experiences of Chinese gay tourists visiting Thailand. The enhanced model incorporates elements such as stock-challenge, flow-resource, and self-concept clarity, which illuminate the intrinsic dynamics of the inner well-being framework. Findings were derived from a video ethnography conducted collaboratively by researchers and participants. The results demonstrate that the impact of sojourning on well-being among gay Chinese travelers is influenced by their typical life and travel experiences, as well as the personalized meanings they associate with tourism and well-being. These responses are intricately shaped by their personal, social, and cultural contexts. This research provides rich insights into the holiday experiences and behaviors of contemporary Chinese gay adults, emphasizing the need for the development of tailored tourism policies and marketing strategies to cultivate gay-friendly destinations within the Asia region.

THE IMPACT OF PERSONAL INNOVATIVENESS ON THE BEHAVIORAL INTENTION TO USING TOURISM MOBILE APPLICATIONS OF GENERATION Z IN HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM

The advancement of technology has significantly transformed various activities in human life, including tourism. Mobile technology, especially mobile applications, has become an integral part of users’ travel experiences. Generation Z, with their natural and proficient access to technology, has become one of the primary user groups of mobile applications in the tourism industry. Recognizing the lack of research on the intention to use mobile applications in tourism, particularly of Generation Z in Vietnam, a generation expected to reshape the tourism industry in the future, this study aims to investigate how personal innovativeness influences the intention to use mobile applications in tourism among Generation Z and mediation of attitudes. To test the proposed hypotheses, the study conducted an online survey using Google Forms targeting Generation Z individuals living and working in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. A total of 318 participants took part in the survey. The collected data were analyzed using the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) method. Based on the research findings, the study proposed potential solutions for mobile application development businesses, destination management organizations, tourism businesses to enhance the intention to use mobile applications in tourism among Generation Z in Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam as a whole.

Indang Konektayo Kiosk: An Interactive Menu System for Tourists

Every traveler wants to experience hassle-free and safe travel while maintaining an enjoyable journey with the help of user-friendly interfaces and an innovative technological menu system. An interactive information menu system that improves the traveler experience, commercial operations, and tourism information at the Municipality of Indang. It is a technological solution that is relevant to today's demand and interest, and that is readily available data sources and information, which benefit. Specifically, it possesses the following characteristics, including: (1) a place finder that provides registered places in Indang with the right information and allows users to discover new established places in Indang; (2) mapping routes that provide directions and generate routes; and (3) sending the Google Maps URL through a short messaging system (SMS) to the mobile phone of the user, which can be opened in digital maps such as Google Maps. The descriptive method of research was used in this study and was created with Cascading Style Sheet (CSS), Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Hypertext Processor (PHP), JavaScript (JS) in web development, MySQL for its database, as well as an SMS API for sending map URLs based on the queries. The Agile software model was used, which was composed of sprints, each of which was meant to focus on the developmental adjustments as interactive kiosks were prone to updates and ran into serious changes. Using ISO 9126 software product quality standards, the system received an average rating of 4.71 from respondents, indicating excellent quality and that it served its functions properly and met all of the required requirements.

Developing A Tourism Information Portal Using Web Technologies and Database Management

The quality and variety of the infrastructure at a place has a big impact on tourism. An essential component of the tourism sector, infrastructure has a unique influence on the growth of this rapidly developing sector. Many nations have realised how important infrastructure is to the travel and tourist sector, and as a result, their governments have partnered with the sector to provide infrastructure that is specifically needed for travel. The sites that draw tourists in the first place, where tourism is delivered, where businesses are located, and where tourists consume the product are all considered destinations. The design and implementation of a tourism information portal using web technologies and database administration is presented in this study. The portal's goal is to give travellers a thorough and intuitive way to get information about travel destinations, lodging options, and activities. Database design, web application development, and the integration of pertinent technologies like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP are all part of the development process. User testing and feedback are used to assess the portal's usability and functionality. The outcomes show how successful the portal is at delivering precise and current information, improving the traveler experience, and encouraging destination management. The study emphasises the use of web technologies and database management in tourism marketing and management, and it advances the development of tourism information systems.

SEGMENTATION OF YOUNG ADULT TOURISTS VISITING CROATIAN CITIES: A HUNGARIAN CASE STUDY

Croatia's allure as a cultural, natural, and historical destination in the global tourism landscape has garnered increasing interest from international travelers, including Hungarian tourists. This study addresses the research gap in demographic segmentation and destination preference among Hungarian adults aged 18-34, a crucial yet understudied market segment within Croatian tourism. Our analysis integrates descriptive statistics and ordinal regression to assess how tourism preferences influence satisfaction. A two-step clustering method identifies demographic clusters, further analyzed to determine their visitation patterns to 11 Croatian cities, revealing significant travel behaviour insights. The findings reveal distinctive clusters with varied travel behaviours and preferences, indicating that tailored marketing strategies could significantly enhance the tourism experience. The travel patterns suggest a move towards personalized travel experiences and an inclination towards autonomy and comfort in accommodation choices. The study enriches the discourse in tourism segmentation and destination analysis, suggesting that understanding the intricate preferences of demographic segments can lead to more effective marketing approaches. Practically, it offers actionable insights for tourism operators, marketers, and policymakers to fine-tune their strategies to cater to this demographic, potentially leading to increased visitation and deeper engagement with Croatian tourism offerings.

다문화 배경 교사의 교직 경험에 대한 자서전적 성찰

This study aims to understand the life and teaching experiences of a biracial elementary school teacher using autobiographical narrative inquiry. Data was collected through the teacher's recollections, life records related to her multicultural background, and reflective journals. What the teacher has experienced before and during her teaching career, and how these experiences are intertwined has been explored based on the data. The findings revealed that, in her pre-teaching life, based on her self-identity as a Korean, the teacher sought to challenge the social framework of a “multicultural person” that was imposed on her, and found the Korean society’s awareness of multiculturalism problematic. Her travel experiences led her to develop a new perspective on her identity, encompassing extra-racial and multiracial aspects. In the course of her teaching career, she realizes that she had internalized societal prejudices about the so-called “Damunhwa” (the Korean term referring to multicultural people and phenomena), and thus experiences negative emotions. The teacher makes pedagogical decisions based on her experiences of being “othered” in Korean society, as she actively builds relationships with multicultural students. She experiences being “othered” within the peer teachers and shows little response to it. Based on these findings, the research discusses the implications and limitations, offering suggestions for further study.

Assessment of the Transportation and Mobility Impacts of Santa Rosa Bridge Rehabilitation on Student Commuters

This study assessed the transportation and mobility impacts of the Santa Rosa Bridge rehabilitation on student commuters, focusing on how this infrastructure project affects their daily travel experiences. The study employs a descriptive-comparative methodology, gathering data from 117 student commuters through a researcher-made questionnaire distributed online. Results reveal a significant increase in travel time, with more students experiencing delays of 1-2 hours or more. Additionally, the rehabilitation has led to decreased satisfaction with available transportation options and overall commuting experiences, as evidenced by a decline in weighted mean scores across all transportation and mobility constructs. The study concludes that the rehabilitation project has adversely affected student commuters, disrupting their routines and reducing the reliability of their commutes. These findings highlights the need for proactive measures, such as alternative transportation options or temporary shuttle services, to mitigate the impact on student mobility during infrastructure projects.

Experience identification: connecting online engagement to offline loyalty

Purpose This paper aims to examine the transformative role of experience identification in connecting online communities to offline experiences. This study also aims to understand if consumers in the pre-experience stage can identify with an experience and how this influences their subsequent evaluations, focusing on the impact of online community participation. Design/methodology/approach A theoretical model, based on social identity theory, is tested using a two-study approach. Study 1 involves first-time cruisers in an online cruise community. Study 2 extends the findings to a broader range of travel experiences, including both first-time and repeat travelers. Findings Results suggest that experiential consumers can identify with an experience in the pre-experience stage through two key community participation variables – experience imagination and emotional significance. Experience identification directly influences loyalty, which subsequently impacts word-of-mouth and satisfaction post-experience. Practical implications Service providers should leverage forums, brand communities and social media platforms to enhance interactivity between experienced and first-time customers. Strategies are presented to foster user interaction and interconnectedness, boosting consumer satisfaction and loyalty and providing a competitive advantage from the outset of the customer journey. Originality/value Despite the recognized importance of experiential consumption, the marketing literature has largely focused on the actual consumption experience, overlooking the pre-experience stage. This research highlights the critical role of the pre-experience stage, showing that the value of an experience begins before the service encounter and continues after it ends.

Do we pay based on our past travel experience? A moderated mediation model of tourists’ willingness to pay

PurposeThis study aims to test the first and second-stage moderating effects of tourists’ past travel experiences on the relationships between national responses, destination trust and tourists’ willingness to pay in the post-pandemic recovery era.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed model was tested with a sample of 398 tourists in Vietnam. The path analysis was applied to investigate the mediating and moderating effects.FindingsThe findings emphasise the mediating effect of destination trust in the relationships between national responses and tourists’ willingness to pay. With the moderating effect of past travel experience, all the first-stage indirect effects are significant, but the second-stage indirect effects are significant only at a high level of past travel experience.Originality/valueThis study provides theoretical implications for solving the puzzle about the paradox of trust in the government’s responses in the post-pandemic era. Practical implications for destination marketing organisations in the post-pandemic recovery era are then discussed.

Enhancing Road Traffic Prediction Using Data Preprocessing Optimization

Traffic prediction is essential for transportation planning, resource allocation, congestion management and enhancing travel experiences. This study optimizes data preprocessing techniques to improve machine learning-based traffic prediction models. Data preprocessing is critical in preparing the data for machine learning models. This study proposes an approach that optimizes data preprocessing techniques, focusing on flow-based analysis and optimization, to enhance traffic prediction models. The proposed approach explores fixed and variable orders of data preprocessing using a genetic algorithm across five diverse datasets. Evaluation metrics such as root mean squared error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE) and R-squared error assess model performance. The results indicate that the genetic algorithm’s variable order achieves the best performance for the ArcGIS Hub and Frementon Bridge Cycle datasets, fixed order one preprocessing for the Traffic Prediction dataset and variable order using the genetic algorithm for the PeMS08 dataset. Fixed order 2 preprocessing yields the best performance for the XI AN Traffic dataset. These findings highlight the importance of selecting the appropriate data preprocessing flow order for each dataset, improving traffic prediction accuracy and reliability. The proposed approach advances traffic prediction methodologies, enabling more precise and reliable traffic forecasts for transportation planning and management applications.

The psychophysiological effects of travel: a horizon 2050 paper

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the state of the literature related to the psychophysiological effects of travel, to identify gaps in the literature and to propose a vision to guide research between now and 2050. Design/methodology/approach The study was guided by a systematic literature review which started with more than 2,100 papers. The extant review and its findings are written in a conceptual nature with the concluding propositions, for the year 2050, guided by the systematic review and the authors’ personal knowledge. Findings It was found that research related to the psychophysiological effects of travel has greatly progressed over the past two decades. Findings include evidence that travel reduces both perceived and actual stresses and that taking more vacations has the ability to make people healthier. The study also revealed that travel can have negative effects on physiological health. The overall results led to a call for research on the psychophysiological benefits of travel between now and 2050. Research limitations/implications The systematic review of literature was limited to studies conducted in English and to studies that included the words “travel” or “tourism” and “benefits”, stress, “health” and “wellness”. Results provide a discussion of theories that should guide the research agenda. Practical implications The review and proposed vision for research provide a detailed guide for researchers to follow. Should the proposed research come to fruition, tourism practitioners globally will have results to aid in engineering tourism experiences that could provide health benefits to visitors. Social implications The proposed vision could have profound social implications, as the understanding of the positive and negative effects of travel should make travel experiences healthier for all. The study also proposes a call for research to determine ways to make the benefits of travel available to both the “haves” and “have nots” so that the benefits of travel can be more inclusive. Originality/value The main contribution of this manuscript is that it proposes 11 propositions for research between now and 2050 based on a thorough review of gaps related to the psychophysiological benefits of travel. The resultant propositions provide a clear and unique call for research in this area of inquiry.

All-round robots inherited from intangible cultural heritage

This study aims to deeply explore the application and impact of the intangible cultural heritage all-purpose robot and its supporting APP in rural tourism. Through case analysis, theoretical discussion and data statistical analysis, it is expected that the smooth implementation of this project can bring significant economic benefits to rural residents. Increase revenue while promoting and inheriting intangible cultural heritage, improving tourists’ travel experience, and thereby enhancing the reputation of the local tourism industry. This study will provide useful reference and reference for the innovative development of rural tourism.

Mobility of non-binary and gender nonconforming individuals: A systematic literature review

The gendered nature of travel behaviours and experiences have long been recognised in research and policy making. However, research on non-binary people and their mobility is scarce, as is the acknowledgement of a spectrum nature of gender within the transportation discipline. This paper presents the first systematic literature review, using PRISMA guidelines, of the mobility and travel experiences of non-binary people. The review identified that to date the main research domains for non-binary people's mobility considered issues of harassment and violence on public transit, fear, security measures, intersectionality, and strategies to deal with discrimination. The paper highlights spatial and geographical constraints, such as immobility and inaccessibility, that non-binary people face when interacting with public transportation system. Strategies to improve mobility for the gender nonconforming community included upgrading public transport stations, increasing funding for public transportation, and providing gender diversity training for transit workers. The findings draw attention to the need for substantial further transportation research into the field. By including non-binary perspectives in transport research, a unique range of insights and experiences can be unlocked, while increasing inclusivity in transport research.

Travelling together: exploring the impact of support and service animals on travel experiences

ABSTRACT The phenomenon of multi-species families is increasingly linked to the growing awareness of the benefits of emotional support and service animals. As more people adopt various animals into their homes, it becomes crucial to understand how these family arrangements influence travel experiences. The presence of these animals during travel directly impacts the well-being and safety of travellers, contributing to the emotional and behavioural dynamics of multi-species families in transit. Consequently, the hospitality, tourism, and transportation industries must adapt to accommodate the growing number of tourists travelling with their animals, whether for work or leisure. The United States is the focus of this research due to its significant role in regulating emotional support and service animals, allowing for comparisons with the diverse regulations across European countries. This study aims to: (1) investigate current U.S. legislation regarding emotional support and service animals; (2) explore the challenges faced by owners of these animals during travel; and (3) highlight the practical experiences of owners travelling with emotional support and service animals. The methodology used is an exploratory qualitative review. The research highlights the experiences of Em and Jennifer, Brazilian students who travelled to the USA with their animals, illustrating the variations in travel experiences with emotional support and service animals. In conclusion, while acceptance and accommodation of these animals are evolving, particularly in the US hospitality industry and tourist attractions, challenges and a lack of understanding still exist in some establishments. This underscores the importance of studies like this to raise awareness and educate about the needs of families that rely on their animals. The increasing prevalence of multi-species families positively influences the availability of pet-friendly services, which can significantly impact travellers’ choice of accommodation when accompanied by their pets.