Destination Management Research Articles

TRAVEL MOTIVATIONS OF DOMESTIC TOURISTS TO PENANG, MALAYSIA

The services provided by those operating in the tourism industry, including destination managers, tourism strategists and tourism distributors, can be improved through a good understanding of the factors which prompt tourists to travel, or to opt for particular destinations. This study delves into the push and pull (P&P) theory, to identify the travel motivations (TMs) of domestic tourists, who visit the Malaysian state of Penang. A survey involving the participation of 504 domestic tourists, revealed these TMs as: (a) the natural sights and cultural experiences presented, (b) the gourmet dining and shopping attractions available, as well as (c) the quality tourist support infrastructure and services provided. It is our recommendation, that the findings derived through this investigation, be taken into consideration by local government officials and players in the Penang tourism industry, to enhance the quality of the tourism products available, as well as to promote the tourism products deemed most attractive to visitors.

Analysis of the Role of Tourism Awareness Group Communication in Developing Tourism Destinations Based on Local Wisdom in Tipang Village, Baktiraja District, Humbang Hasundutan Regency, North Sumatra Province

This research aims to analyze the communication role of the tourism awareness group in Tipang village by prioritizing local wisdom in developing tourism destinations, analyzing the strategies of tourism awareness groups applied in developing tourism destinations, and finding the obstacles experienced by tourism awareness groups in developing tourism destinations based on local wisdom. This research uses a descriptive qualitative approach with a phenomenological paradigm. Data collection techniques were carried out through observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation studies. The validity of the data was checked by triangulating interviews with the Lake Toba Authority Implementing Agency (BPODT) and academics who had carried out tourism development activities at the research location. This research found that 1) The communication role of the Tipang village tourism awareness group has three types of roles: active role, participatory role, and passive role.2) Strategy of tourism awareness groups in developing tourism destinations based on local wisdomTipang village implements an integration strategy by involving other tourism destination managers, utilizing information dissemination through social media and print media distributed in strategic areas or places

Governance and Development of Tourism in Rural Areas through the Lens of Media in South Bukovina (Romania)

Agritourism and rural tourism represent an essential growing sector in certain EU regions, particularly in restructured and rebranded Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs) like Romania that display important rural areas and face important societal and economic changes. The rapid growth of rural tourism activities in the South Bukovina region (historically overlapping most of Suceava County) led, in the new legislative frame, to the establishment of the first regional Destination Management Organization (DMO) in Romania. By an exploratory qualitative, mixed-method case study approach, this study underscores important factors for tourism development in the region, outlining rural and agritourism variables integrated into the public authorities’ discourse. The paper innovatively focuses on the semantic analysis of online newspaper media texts and videos, complementarily analyzed by appropriate software solutions. The main results emphasize the factors for tourism development in the area through a dual cluster centered around the multilevel governance and tourism management structures represented by public authorities on the one hand and the projects, investments, and EU funding on the other. Key stakeholders’ opinion underscored public–private partnerships, supportive administrative structures, tourism events and various natural and cultural resources as sustainable elements that contribute to the successful development of tourism in the region.

Empirical Review on User Created Contents and the Online Reputation: Implications for Destination Management Companies in Sri Lanka and General Conceptual Framework

Empirical Review on User Created Contents and the Online Reputation: Implications for Destination Management Companies in Sri Lanka and General Conceptual Framework

How emotions catalyse learning through study tours: Evidence from Panda Ambassador

Emotions are critical antecedents to learning in the academic education context. However, how emotions flow, and how emotions affect learning in study tours remains unclear. This case study focused on a UNESCO study tour program, the Panda ambassador 2023, to address the gap. A mixed-method approach was applied, collecting data through daily questionnaires, written diaries, and interviews. A wide spectrum of emotions was identified throughout the study tour. Both emotional valence and intensity affect learning outcomes. Motivations, embodiment, peer interactions, tutorial instructions, itineraries, and contextual stimuli affect how emotions stimulate learning outcomes. Theoretically, our work presents a framework explicating how emotions affect tourist learning. Practically, implications are made for destination managers and study tour practitioners on experience and product design.

Pathway to ‘creating shared value’ in destination management organizations: Insights from literature review

Responsible tourism development has become a critical component of destination governance. Creating Shared Value (CSV) has demonstrated enormous potential for enhancing the value propositions of several industries by creating sustainable and socially responsible value for stakeholders. However, its effective implementation in the tourism industry has made little progress primarily due to the lack of information supporting its implementation and outcomes. Reflecting on how CSV is implemented across industries, the present study seeks to develop a framework for Destination Management Organizations (DMOs). We identify the building blocks of CSV through a systematic literature review and arrange them to create a conceptual framework. The findings demonstrate that a DMO-specific CSV framework is a powerful differentiator and offers several economic, social, and environmental benefits for society, the tourism industry, and stakeholders. The study extends the application of CSV to the tourism and hospitality industry and provides tourism managers and practitioners with guidelines for developing shared value-creation strategies.

Exploring the spiritual well-being experiences of transnational religious festival attendees: A grounded theory approach

This study aimed to examine the spiritual well-being outcomes that encompass eudemonic well-being elements within transnational religious festivals. Employing a constructivist grounded theory method, the study focused on two UNESCO inscribed transnational religious festivals attended by an Ethiopian diaspora community. Through this research, six dimensions of spirituality were identified: attachment to God, spiritual reward, spiritual growth, self-transcendence, religious knowledge, and sense of meaning. Each of these dimensions contributed to various domains of well-being, such as personal growth, environmental mastery, engagement, and positive relationships. The study also discovered that the experience of spirituality is influenced by individuals' roles and levels of engagement within the festivals. Key activities such as prayer, attending mass services, baptism, participating in religious programs, singing, and volunteering, are instrumental in yielding spiritual well-being outcomes. The findings offer valuable insights for event organizers and destination managers seeking effective strategies for marketing and managing religious-themed migrant festivals.

Framework to Development of Disaster Mitigation Model in Mountain Tourism Destination

The geographic position of Indonesia provides both disaster threat and natural resources potential. Indonesia is an archipelagic country located between three major tectonic plates, namely Indo-Australia; Pacific; and Eurasia. Consequently, numerous of active volcanoes and faults are spread across the islands. Indonesia’s unique landforms are often utilized as a unique tourism spot. Along the mountain ranges of Bogor and Cianjur, Bandung, and Garut to Tasikmalaya, various volcanic tourism spots exist side-by-side with the threat of volcanic eruption, mass movements, and earthquake. Therefore, disaster mitigation had to be properly planned to guarantee the sustainability of businesses and investments, as well as for tourists’ safety. This research aims to develop the mitigation model for mountain tourism destinations in West Java Province. Three of currently developing mountain tourism spots are Gede-Pangrango Mountain, Tangkuban Parahu Mountain, and Guntur Mountain. Design of this research is R&D through the 4-D model, consists of Define, Design, Develop, and Disseminate. Disaster mitigation model planning involves research subjects consisting of tourism destination management and local communities. Research instruments used include interviews and observations. The data obtained consists of information regarding disaster perceptions and severity measurements through observations. The developed mitigation model is subsequently validated by experts and research subjects to assess its suitability. The output of the development is a “Conceptual Model”, which is a participative mitigation strategy between tourism destination management and local communities. This conceptual mitigation model can be utilized by policymakers as a foundation for monitoring the spread of tourist destinations in facing natural disaster threats.

The Territorialization of Cultural Heritage as an Opportunity for Its Adaptive Reuse From the Tourist Management

ABSTRACT Considering the territory as an expansive dimension of heritage offers a unique opportunity to promote both the conservation of assets and the development of the surrounding area. However, heritage often remains isolated from the holistic management of tourist destinations, failing to integrate as a “living” element. To address this issue, the study proposes a conceptual delimitation that takes into account the services provided by various facilities within the space and their uses. By analyzing the interdependencies between heritage and the territorial system, inspired by ecosystem service evaluation, a methodology is applied to the sculpture “Elogio del Horizonte” in Gijón, Spain. The results establish an initial delimitation for the case study, providing a foundation for identifying needs and generating proposals. This method aims to guide decision-making in heritage management in the tourism sector, going beyond mere economic profitability and prioritizing the community's needs.

Why and when physical cleanliness increases tourists’ payments under pay-what-you-want pricing: the mediating role of moral self-regard and the moderating role of regulatory focus

The pay-what-you-want pricing scheme has been frequently employed by nonprofit and for-profit tourism organizations. While this voluntary payment format can foster inclusivity by making tourism accessible to a larger population, one urgent challenge these institutions face is how to increase consumer payment to sustain both social and economic sustainability. The present work proposes a novel solution, that is, leveraging consumers’ actual or vicarious experience of physical cleanliness. Through two questionnaires and three experiments, this work demonstrates that physical cleanliness significantly boosts payment magnitude under pay-what-you-want. Importantly, this research identifies consumers’ regulatory focus as a vital boundary condition. Specifically, the positive cleanliness effect occurs among promotion-focused people but disappears among prevention-focused individuals. Besides, this study reveals that moral self-regard is the underlying mechanism driving the positive cleanliness effect. Theoretically, the current study presents a new perspective to understanding determinants of tourists’ voluntary payment decisions by investigating their embodied experience of physical cleanliness. It adds new insights to the sustainable tourism literature by addressing both social and economic sustainability through increased payments under pay-what-you-want pricing. Practically, the research findings provide destination managers and tourism providers with valuable guidance on how to boost people’s voluntary payments.

The Role of Virtual Reality in Tourism Marketing: Virtual Destination Image Formation and Behavioral Intentions

ABSTRACT This research investigates the impact of Virtual Reality (VR) as a tourism marketing tool on forming virtual destination image and behavioral intentions among potential outbound Iranian tourists. With limited empirical studies on this topic, the study bridges the research gap by exploring the role of VR in shaping tourists’ perceptions and intentions. The applied quantitative research involves 302 participants, and the data is analyzed using the structural equation method in Smart PLS Software. The findings reveal that the sense of presence in the VR environment directly influences virtual cognitive and affective images, which affect the overall virtual image and subsequently behavioral intentions. This study provides valuable insights for marketers and destination managers to utilize VR for enhanced tourism marketing strategies.

Beyond static rankings: A tourist experience-driven approach to measure destination competitiveness

In the dynamic field of destination management, maintaining a destination's competitiveness requires understanding the evolving preferences of tourists. However, current research often adopts a static approach, failing to capture the dynamic nature of tourist needs and the evolving competitiveness of a destination. To address this, we introduce a novel approach using user-generated content from various social media platforms over a six-year period to assess key attributes that influence destination competitiveness. The results indicate that attributes in deciding destination competitiveness are not fixed, with some remaining stable factors in competitiveness, while others fluctuate over time. Attributes that even alter their competitive standing could significantly impact overall destination competitiveness. This research contributes a dynamic model that allows destination managers to adapt strategies in real time, aligning with current market conditions and enhancing competitiveness in the tourism industry.

Antecedents of Destination Image and Revisitation Intentions Post COVID-19: a Study in Indonesia

Objective: This research aims to explore the dynamics of destination image on the tourism landscape of Berau Regency, East Kalimantan Province, focusing on cultural, socio-economic, and environmental dimensions. A survey was conducted from November 2022 to June 2023 Theoretical Framework: consumer behavior theory, tourism, destination image, cultural image, socio-economic image, environmental image and tourist satisfaction Method: The survey was conducted from November 2022 to June 2023 by collecting data from 135 tourists in Indonesia through purposive random sampling. Variance-based Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the data. Results and Discussion: These results emphasize the important role of cultural preservation, socio-economic development, and environmental management in optimizing tourist experiences and promoting destination sustainability, offering valuable insights for stakeholders and policymakers in destination management and tourism policymaking. Research Implications: This research aims to explore the dynamics of destination image in the tourism landscape of Berau Regency, East Kalimantan Province, with a focus on cultural, socio-economic, and environmental dimensions. Originality/Value: these findings offer valuable insights for stakeholders and policymakers to optimize tourist experiences, promote destination sustainability, and foster the growth of Berau Regency's tourism industry post-pandemic. Keywords: Destination Image Cultural Image, Socio-Economic Image, Environmental Image, Memorable Tourism Experience, Tourist Satisfaction, Interest in Returning, Tourism.

From bite to byte: decoding the motivations fueling social media's culinary heritage stories

ABSTRACT Although tourists are increasingly seeking to actively engage in culinary heritage experiences, empirical knowledge about the culinary tourist remains limited, encompassing not only the desire to live these experiences but also a growing inclination to share related stories on social networks. This research aims to characterize the profile of culinary heritage storytellers through their motivations. Understanding motivations is crucial for destination management organizations (DMOs) and culinary tourism operators, as it enables them to effectively engage consumers (tourists) in active participation within value co-creation processes. Furthermore, this understanding allows for the proposal of innovative strategies aimed at making destinations more appealing to visitors seeking unique travel experiences. The data for this study were collected through netnography, involving participants in culinary tourism activities. Using content analysis of 50 posts, five profiles were found: gastro-nationalist, time traveler, epicurean seeker, culinary mentor, and sensory visualist.

The Pentahelix Role in Tourism Destination Management Sebangau National Park Palangka Raya City

The existence of Sebangau National Park in Central Kalimantan is a government effort to save and protect ecosystems that have started to deteriorate in the Sebagau area due to logging, poaching, and forest burning for land clearing conducted illegally by the community. In addition to these problems, the existence of Sebangau National Park is also to minimize the impact caused by global warming in the form of high air temperatures, which can trigger forest and peatland fires which occur almost every year in Palangka Raya City. Forest fires can damage ecosystems, releasing carbon and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere so that they can pollute water, soil and air. In addition, the smoke produced can also interfere with public health. The involvement of Pentahelix actors in the management of the Sebangau National Park tourism destination in Palangka Raya City is to make tourism at this destination sustainable. This research is designed as qualitative research supported by quantitative data, often referred to as a mixed method. Data collection was conducted through observation, semi-structured interviews, document studies, and questionnaires. The analysis method used in this study is Interpretative Structural Modeling (ISM) to map the role of Pentahelix with three elements consisting of: actor elements, need elements, and constraint elements. The ISM analysis results identified the main actors in the management of the Sebangau National Park tourism destination in Palangka Raya City as the Sebangau National Park Office in Palangka Raya City (government) and the Getek Maju Mandiri Group (community). The primary need in management is the Pentahelix collaboration and sustainable ecotourism. The main constraints in management are the incomplete availability of facilities and infrastructure and the lack of coordination between the government, private sector, and community.

Impact of Tourist Experiences in Tour Packages on Intention to Repeat

This study quantitatively examines to identify the relationship between the overall tour package experience and repeat visitation and to analyse how specific components of a tour package influence tourists’ intentions to revisit. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire from 653 tourists who had previously travelled with tour packages, focusing on experience, perceived value, and overall experience. Statistical analyses, including correlation, regression, and factor analysis, revealed a significant relationship between tour package experience and intention to revisit. Key predictors of repeat visitation included the quality of accommodation, various activities, customer service, and perceived value. Correlation analysis showed that educational level, aesthetic appreciation, and prior experiences significantly influence repeat visit intentions. The regression model highlighted the positive impact of education (β = .339, p < .000), aesthetics (β = .434, p < .000), and repeat experiences (β = .114, p < .002) on the overall tour package experience, whereas entertainment and escapism had a negative impact. Factor analysis indicated that the tourist experience is multifaceted, with educational, aesthetic, and experiential factors contributing uniquely to overall satisfaction and repeat visitation. Tour operators and destination managers should enhance their packages’ educational and aesthetic aspects while ensuring high customer service and value for money to foster customer loyalty and encourage repeat visitation. This research provides valuable insights into the critical components of tour packages that drive repeat visitation and underscores the significance of comprehensive packages in promoting sustainable tourism development. Future research could explore the impact of digital and personalised tour packages on repeat visitation.

Exploring the Role of Destination Resilience Plans in Promoting Tourism: A Literature Review

The study investigates the critical importance of destination resilience in enhancing tourism, particularly in the wake of challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary aim of the research is to analyze how effective governance, stakeholder engagement, resource management, and risk assessment contribute to the resilience of tourist destinations and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). To achieve this, the study employs a comprehensive literature review methodology, synthesizing existing research on destination resilience strategies and their implications for tourism promotion. The findings reveal that destination resilience plans significantly impact tourism performance, stakeholder participation, and sustainable development. Additionally, the study highlights the necessity of integrating innovative practices and technology to bolster the resilience of tourism sectors. In conclusion, this research provides valuable insights for destination management organizations, policymakers, and industry researchers, emphasizing the need for strategic planning and collaboration to foster long-term sustainability and resilience in tourism. The study serves as a foundation for future investigations and policy-making in the realm of sustainable tourism, addressing existing gaps in the literature and offering practical recommendations for enhancing destination resilience.

Marine Tourism Potential of Jikomalamo Beach Ternate, North Maluku Province

This research aims to assess the potential and governance of tourism to formulate participation management strategies for the marine touris attraction of Jikomalamo Beach in Ternate. Data for this research were obtained through observation methods, focus group discussions, and in-depth interviews. The data were analyzed using qualitative descriptive analysis, IFAS, EFAS analysis, and SWOT analysis, which resulted in participation management strategies. The results of this research shows that the strengths of Jikomalamo management include community participation in destination management, potential for underwater tourism, management of water sport facilities, and the existence of a dive center management. Meanwhile, the weaknesses of Jikomalamo Ternate include the absence of a tourism management organization (pokdarwis), lack of management of human resources quality, lack of stakeholder involvement, and the absence of a tourist information center. Based on the Internal External (IE) matrix, it is known that the position of Jikomalamo Beach management is in quadrant one which is strong. where the strategy used is Growth strategy. Based on the SWOT analysis, it is known that there are six alternative participatory management strategies to be applied, namely community engagement strategy, human resource development, establishment of management organizations, collaboration among stakeholders, and improvement of tour packages.

Inclusion of people with disability (PWD) in the tourism workforce: a critical discourse analysis of policies and plans

Purpose This paper aims to critically examine the discourse on the disability workforce in Australian tourism policy and planning documents. Design/methodology/approach This research draws on a database of 490 Australian tourism policy and planning documents, across national, state, regional and local levels of governments, destination management organisations and peak industry bodies, to systematically examine the issues pertaining to disability workforce over the ten-year policy cycle (2013–2023), through critical discourse analysis. Findings Analysis revealed 20 of the existing 490 documents had mentions of the inclusion of people with disability (PWD) in the tourism workforce. Through critical discourse analysis, the nuances of political attitudes are evident. Tourism policies tend to exert a cautious approach towards the inclusion of PWD employment. PWD do not have a strong voice when it comes to the formation of tourism policy, especially not as members of the tourism workforce. Practical implications This research underscores an emerging call for the government’s commitment to considering the underrepresented social group of PWD in the tourism workforce. By shedding light on critical discourse analysis of the disability workforce, tourism scholars and practitioners understand the current challenges and explore opportunities to implement tangible actions for an inclusive work environment for all. Originality/value The research is novel and innovative as it critically examines the discourse of the disability workforce in the tourism sector through an institutional theory perspective. The limited emphasis of government policies on the disability workforce may result in missed opportunities to encourage meaningful employment engagement of PWD in tourism organisations. Consequently, this research contributes a tripartite model of policy recommendations that explicitly articulates the mechanisms for change that are tailored to tourism workforce and advocates for the active voices of PWD community in the policy formation process.

A technology‐enabled framework for stakeholder engagement in a destination management system: Evidence from DMS Puglia

AbstractIn tourism, the presence of different stakeholders, sometimes with conflicting interests, requires a clear understanding of how to manage and engage them effectively. Despite the importance of this topic, tourism studies lack a univocal framework for destinations aiming to develop a destination management system (DMS) focused on empowering stakeholder engagement. To fill this gap, this study aims to identify the key dimensions that can strengthen stakeholder engagement in the tourism sector. Particular attention is given to the role of technology in mediating relationships among DMS participants and to the role of ‘intermediary’ stakeholders in facilitating collaboration and engagement. By adopting a cross‐disciplinary approach that integrates stakeholder theory, stakeholder engagement and destination management, and by examining a case study of an Italian best practice, DMS Puglia, a technology‐enabled framework for stakeholder engagement in a DMS was elaborated. This study contributes to the advancement of the literature on stakeholder engagement in tourism by demonstrating that the structure and composition of a DMS, and the communication methods it enables, along with the role of the destination management organisation and the preparedness of stakeholders to participate in a DMS, significantly influence stakeholder engagement and can strengthen relationships among participants in a technologically advanced tourism system. This study also provides directions to stakeholder bridges about how to effectively improve stakeholder engagement through technology‐focused tools and strategies.