Regular Tourist Research Articles

Anthropomorphic chatbots as a catalyst for marketing brand experience: evidence from online travel agencies

ABSTRACTThis study examines the impact of anthropomorphic chatbots and virtual reality experiences on the brand experience of online travel agencies. The study targeted three different online travel agencies (OTAs) and collected data from participants who had experience of using OTA chatbots; a total of 449 tourists filled in a questionnaire about their chatbot experience. The results showed that the perceived anthropomorphism of chatbots and virtual reality technology affects the perceived functional benefits of tourism products. Stickiness and trustworthiness supplement the role of parasocial relationships in such agencies’ service strategies. Marketers’ use of anthropomorphic chatbots also encourages the understanding of regular tourists’ perceived anthropomorphism. Our rational analysis and emotional interaction design revealed that such perceived anthropomorphism affects chatbots’ trustworthiness, thus influencing tourists’ sensory brand experience.

Digitalized Tourism Practices of Selected Entrepreneurial Hotels in the Philippines Towards a Safe Travel Experience

The development and use of digital technologies are fundamentally altering how people live, work, travel, and conduct business, and they are also reshaping and revolutionizing the tourism industry. This study aimed to assess the digitalized footprint practices of selected hotels in the Philippines towards the implementation of a safe travel experience among prospective and regular tourists in the city and country. Moreover, it sought to determine whether there is a significant relationship between the perceived digitalized tourism experience and the commonness of availing services in the selected establishment in implementing a safe travel experience. The researchers used the Quantitative method to quantify data and generalize results from a sample of a target population. It involved one hundred (100) respondents consisting of customers and employees of the selected hotels in Taguig City. Convenience Sampling was used on this research; therefore, participants were chosen based on their availability and willingness to participate. The statistical test that was used in this research is Pearson Correlation Coefficient. This test was designed to determine the relationship or association between an independent variable (categorical data – Frequency of availing services in the establishment) and dependent variable/s (3 digitalized tourism experiences). Based on the result, it is concluded that there is a significant relationship between the respondents’ perceived digitalized tourism experience and the commonness of availing services in the selected establishment in implementing safe travel experience.

Scheduling Closure Periods Is Not an Effective Management Strategy to Reduce Lampenflora in Show Caves

The conversion of wild caves into tourist sites poses serious threats to the conservation of subterranean environments. Among them, the extensive growth of photosynthetic biofilms induced by artificial lighting—the so-called lampenflora—is of particular concern for cave managers. The identification of cost-effective management actions controlling the growth of lampenflora is therefore required to preserve the environmental and touristic values of show caves. By taking advantage of the closure period imposed to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, we tested whether 6 months of cave closure could be an effective strategy to reduce the concentration of photosynthetic biofilms on speleothems in four geographically close Italian show caves. We compared the concentration of the three main microorganism groups composing lampenflora, i.e., cyanobacteria, diatoms, and green algae, measured in September 2020 with values recorded 6 months after the closure, in May 2021. Although slight variations have been observed across the different sampling sessions, we did not detect any significant effect of the closure period on the overall concentration values of lampenflora. Also, we recorded no significant differences in lampenflora concentration after 4 months of regular tourist use, in September 2021. Our results suggest that management practices based on regulating visits to show caves are not effective strategies to reduce lampenflora. Therefore, management practices aiming at a sustainable use of show caves should focus on the active removal of photosynthetic biofilms.

THE ROLE OF INCOMING TOURISM IN SOCIAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

In the article, the main factors of inbound tourism, the role of inbound tourism in social economic development, the main directions in Azerbaijan and the importance of its development, etc. is explained. In addition, the study of inbound tourism in Azerbaijan plays an important role in the development of tourism. The increase in the number of tourists as a result of the investigation of the problems and the measures taken to eliminate them, the recognition of the country by other developed countries is important in all spheres of the economy in Azerbaijan, as well as in increasing the level of the people’s well-being. Methodology – analysis, synthesis, statistical, economic and comparative analysis methods were used in the research work. Results of the research – The research work allows to obtain the following results:  Some evidence-based recommendations are aimed at further developing tourism industry infrastructure in Azerbaijan:  Currently, there are stages of formation of the tourist market in the republic. It is necessary to look for a new form of business of regular tourists.  In my opinion, the main tasks of travel companies should be as follows: – full and wide range of leisure and travel opportunities, all available tours, vacations to tourist centers, etc.; – promotion of this information through advertising; – modern trade methods typical of the market economy in accordance with the sale of tourist products; – search proposals for resources for the development of new types of tourism.  Association of young Azerbaijani tourist companies should implement measures aimed at maximizing efficiency, effectiveness of events, profit, and professionalism.  In the future, in order to solve problems in the field of tourism infrastructure development, the following areas should be involved: resort business, hotel business, new tourist complexes.

Tourists Becoming Involved: The Influence of Pro-Environmental Voluntourism on Destination Image Formation

The purpose of this research was to explore the realization of the pro-environmental initiative in the Faroe Islands in which tourists were involved as volunteers. The research was aimed at understanding how this influences tourists’ perceptions of a destination. We were interested in filling the research gap regarding the importance of tourists’ direct involvement in pro-environmental initiatives in terms of how this experience stimulates their perceptions of a destination image. The quantitative research method was adopted, whereby surveys were conducted among volunteering tourists and regular tourists visiting the Faroe Islands archipelago. The latter group was divided into two subsamples of arriving and departing tourists to understand how their perception changed after the visit. This study challenges the assumptions of the destination image theory, according to which only “accidental” information can affect the organic image of a destination within the mind of a tourist. The study reveals that tourists who tangibly experience a green marketing initiative have a positive opinion about the destination in terms of environmental protection. The organic image itself can be changed through purposeful action on the part of destination managers. We show the importance of the direct involvement of tourists in a volunteering project that is considered valuable in promoting the destination’s environmental image.

Balinese Calonarang in Performance

Balinese <i>Calonarang</i> in Performance

Artificial Intelligence based Intelligent Tourism System-Go My Way

At the moment, we find that tourists usually spend more time planning their trip because they need to spend every minute. In this context, this application aims to identify the main computer needs to support the improvement of the tourist promotion point, using the mobile application proposal. Currently, for regular tourists and travelers they spend a lot of time planning and deciding on their trip to achieve maximum satisfaction. In this case, the app aims to identify the main computer needs to support the development of the tourist promotion point. This paper suggests a model for use in an intelligent visitor information system. It uses the concept of knowledge-base. The model will be based on a study of human behavior as a tourism guide. It builds a relationship between an information-based system and a guide, to provide a service to any visitor who meets their needs and the purpose of obtaining location information. There are different modules, different methods of acquisition methods and a shorter way to acquire the ingenuity of the artificial intelligence in this thesis. The proposed system should be designed in such a way that it works on most devices namely palmtop and mobiles. So it can be helpful when visiting new places. This application will find the route using user terms. The short-term method of finding an algorithm should work well and in the right way in most cases. The system must find a method that fulfills the user's terms, indicating the name of the item, images related to a brief description of the location. It should also be able to find the distance, time and travel costs to your destination and over time the user can also make bookings using the app interface only.

Gastronomi Turist Taksonomisi

Gastronomy tourism has been a rising trend as a way to experience destination culture and taste food and beverages incidental to destination. The aim of this study is using taxonomy to group the tourists who visit Gaziantep come here and whose primary purpose is gastronomic tourism. For this purpose, based on the subjective ideas and perceptions of tourists, it is aimed to reveal groups with similar ideas through the Q method. The valid data obtained from 36 participants constituting the research sample was analyzed through the Q methodology, which allows the combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. Based on the information obtained as a result of the study, four different gastro-tourists have been introduced: “regular tourist, local seekers, genuine tourist and novelty seekers”. Regular tourists seek food and beverages which are familiar to them whereas local seekers are gastronomy tourists who look for local foods and introductory information about them. While genuine tourists give importance to food and beverages as a cultural feature of the destination, novelty seekers see gastronomy as an escape from daily routines.

Conflicts of Traditional Norms in the Packaging of Ikom Monolith for Tourism in Cross River State

The Ikom Monoliths represent one of the masterpieces of Nigerian Arts and a perfect tourism Showcase for tourists. Unfortunately, some locals or Tour Guides have continuously or erroneously projected the monoliths according to their subjective mythological beliefs as warriors, deities, or gods of Stone with powers to cure ailments like barrenness, epilepsy, and madness. This subjective point of view is neither scientific nor marketable to critical global minds. Rather, the Monoliths should be promoted or marketed as efforts of early settlers with astronomical awareness and capability for iron works and Artistry as depictions of these stone works range from noteworthy effigies or representations of village beauties, cultural emissaries, gifted farmers, shrewd hunters, wise chiefs and prominent dignitaries and positional astronomy. Furthermore, the astronomical angle when verified can make it an exciting visit for adventure Tourists. As a Tour Guide, the content of the packaging can make or mar a Cultural Product depending on the information you set out to transmit or dish out to your Regular and Potential Tourists. This paper intends to highlight the beliefs or myths that have either rebuffed or attracted Tourists, or Researchers, and the curious public to the Ikom Monoliths.

Potencijali kulturno-istorijskog i turističkog nasleđa za razvoj turizma u Timočkom regionu

In recent years, the term "industrial tourism" has been increasingly used in the literature. It describes an area that includes industrial monuments and abandoned buildings, and above all rare ones that are still in function. Industrial tourism includes all plants used for food processing, wood processing and textile industry, there are also mills, ports, mines, car and aviation industry, shipyards, etc. Within the doctoral dissertation entitled "Potentials of cultural-historical and economic heritage for the development of industrial tourism in the Timok region", a research was conducted that deals with the growing interest of industrial tourism in Eastern Serbia, more precisely in the Timok region. This branch of tourism is no longer a sphere of interest only for certain groups of technical experts, but also for regular tourists who are interested in touring certain regions. The aim of the research is to present the possibilities for the development of industrial tourism in the Timok region, as well as to obtain data on the current situation. The research is based on the experiential information of tourism workers who, due to the nature of their work and interests, are relevant to the proposed topic. The surveyed respondents are employed in the field of tourism in various positions, as well as students who are educated in the field of tourism. The data obtained during the research indicate respondents believe that the media do not sufficiently inform potential tourists about industrial tourism attractions, the potential of the tourist offer, but also about the Timok region itself, both locally and beyond, in Serbia and abroad. Such data indicate the possibility of improvement through the application of an adequate strategy to promote and inform potential users, as well as the insufficient usage of the industrial potential of the region itself. Investing certain resources in the marketing and development of industrial tourism would create additional demand, and this would result in the improvement of the tourist offer. Valorization of industrial heritage in Eastern Serbia can stimulate regional identity, revitalize the area and create additional tourist attractions. Plans and results from certain projects of this type are very important for the region, but also for the state.

REGULARITY AND INTENSITY OF TOURIST FLOWS IN INTERNATIONAL TOURISM IN THE PERIOD 2005-2018 (ON THE EXAMPLE OF CHERNIVTSI OBLAST)

Problem Statement and Purpose However, quantitative (number of tourists, cost of tourist trips) indicators do not fully reflect the formation of international tourist flows. Therefore, in this work it is proposed to investigate the regularity and intensity of tourist flows between Chernivtsi oblast and countries of the world. It is suggested to use appropriate coefficients to estimate these indicators.Data &amp; Methods. By regularity of tourist flows we mean that there are certain tourist connections during the period under study. In order to determine this indicator, it is proposed to use the coefficient of regularity of international tourist exchanges (Кs).One of the most important aspects of international tourism development between the countries of the world is the study of the intensity of tourist exchanges. It is under­stood as the number of tourist trips made between counties during some time (for this study, 1 day). To determine the intensity of tourist exchanges, we propose to calculate the intensity index of international tourist exchanges (Іі).Results The calculation of the indicators of the coefficient of regularity of internation­al tourist connections (Кs) shows that during the years 2005-2018, various indicators of the regularity of tourist exchanges can be traced. The regular tourist connections between Chernivtsi oblast and the countries of the world are characteristic for 35 countries, that makes 30.95% of the total number of countries with which internation­al tourist exchanges are registered in the oblast.An important aspect of the study of international tourism is the study of the intensity of tourist flows between countries. According to the intensity index of international tourist exchanges, all countries of the world are divided into 9 groups.

Factors Influencing Yoga Tourism in Bali: Conceptual Framework Model

&lt;p&gt;With the increasing trend of wellness tourism, as one branch of it, yoga tourism has become new opportunity that should be anticipated for tourism in Bali. Yoga tourism attempts to preserve or promote their tourist health, additionally to its regular tourist comforts. The aim this research is to develop a conceptual model of factors that influencing yoga tourism. By this study, some aspects of yoga tourism research are reviewed to summarize the factors that influencing yoga tourism in Bali based earlier literature. The factors divided to push factor and pull factor. Existing studies are largely limited to secondary research works in yoga tourism. It is recommended that future studies should be empirically study the conceptual model offers by this research.&lt;/p&gt;

Investment aspects of event tourism development: national and regional dimension

The aim of the article is to formulate the investment aspects of event tourism development in national and regional areas. Methodology. In the research general science methods such as generalization and comparison were used. It was made for analyzing scientists’ views in connection with event tourism. Results. In the article theoretical essence of event tourism was analyzed. Also interrelation between event tourism and event management including a complex of actions such as planning, organization, control and realization of different events and activities for the purpose of popularization of the specific event and territory was highlighted. The basic specific features of event tourism were identified. The necessity of establishing a system of constant monitoring of the situation and introduction of measures to form preconditions for reducing the negative factors influence were substantiated. The value of market research connected with the changes in geospatial vectors of tourist flows to respond quickly to customers’ needs and in order to meet an effective consumer demand, the development of strategic measures to restore and evolve tourism were justified. Practical meaning. It is determined that event tourism is an important element of the tourism services structure. The novelties always have the biggest demand in every area of human activity. Accordingly, event tourism can become the main feature of the region. It can provide a regular tourists flow and it means higher income, which fixes the base of its social and economic development. It was underlined that the main condition of the domestic tourism development in Ukraine is the creation of a favorable investment climate and transparent legislation. It was defined that nowadays Ukrainian tourist market is too chaotic. Because of the disorder of tourist market tour operators, hotels and tourists have many problems. They include invalid licenses, imperfect categorization of accommodation facilities, unsystematic activities of travel agencies and guides. It is necessary to install clear and easy working rules in order to act effectively in the tourist market. Prospects for further research. It is proved that the formation of effective legislation with changes in relevant laws has to become the basis for event tourism development in the country and the regions. And only after that it is possible to speak about infrastructure development and investment attraction to this sector of economy. It is necessary to form new tourist products in the regions. Only in one complex all these points will become the base of tourist territories development on the condition that local businesses and communities will be involved.

Cosmopolitanizing Colonial Memories in Germany

Cosmopolitanizing Colonial Memories in Germany

Short- and long-term changes in the intensity of responses of pinnipeds to tourist approaches in Cabo Polonio, Uruguay

Wildlife watching has become an important constituent of commercial tourism, and opportunities to encounter wildlife have proliferated and diversified. After regular tourist visits to a wildlife population, the intensity of behavioural responses to tourist approaches is expected to change due to diverse mechanisms, including habituation, sensitisation, social learning and population displacement. The village of Cabo Polonio (Uruguay, 34°24′S, 53°46′W) is small, but in summer, there is a massive influx of people, with more than 30 000 tourists entering Cabo Polonio in January alone. The rocky cape of Cabo Polonio is a haul-out site mainly occupied by South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis) males and South American sea lions (Otaria flavescens). No monitoring or guided tours occurred at this continental colony. We examined changes in the intensity of behavioural responses of pinnipeds to tourist approaches at two temporal scales: (i) throughout a season, by comparing results from spring 2014 and summer 2015, and (ii) throughout the years, by comparing data from spring 1996 with those from spring 2014. We found that peopleś attitude and distance of approach influenced the animals' behaviour. The responsiveness of the pinnipeds almost tripled after two decades. We propose that the fence built in 1997 to protect the colony produced a paradoxical effect: instead of reducing the disturbance produced by tourists, it appears to increase it. This decrease in tolerance of tourism throughout the years goes against the argument that animals habituate to human presence after long-term exposure.

Tourism and recurring sport events

PurposeBoth groups are profiled in terms of travel-related and socio-demographic characteristics. Furthermore, the purpose of this paper is to address determinants of spending for each spectator group. Data collection was conducted using an on-site questionnaire. Analysis of variance between profile characteristics is based on χ2 and Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney tests, whereas the analysis of determinants of spending builds on the Tobit model.Design/methodology/approachRecurring sport events that do not count among the mega sport event category have become a popular means of attracting tourists to a destination. Thus, research on different spectator groups attending such events is very relevant, yet surprisingly scarce. This study helps filling this void by a comparative analysis of two types of spectators present at the Professional Windsurf Association Windsurf World Cup on the German island of Sylt: travellers who come to Sylt solely for the event (event tourists) and travellers whose motivation to visit the island was not primarily driven by the event (regular tourists).FindingsThe results show that the two examined groups are clearly distinguishable, both in terms of profile characteristics and determinants of spending. This indicates that specific strategies seem advisable for sport event and tourism destination managers at mature tourist destinations.Originality/valueThe study’s major contribution to both tourism and event management literature is that it exposes key characteristics of and differences between both groups within a specific setting at a non-mega sport event at a mature tourist destination.

Wariness of reef fish to passive diver presence with varying dive gear type across a coral reef depth gradient

Both active and passive human interactions with reef fish communities are increasingly recognized to cause fish behavioural changes. However, few studies have considered how these behavioural adaptations impact standard reef survey techniques, particularly across natural gradients of interest to ecologists and reef managers. Here we measure fish abundance, biomass and minimum approach distance using stereo-video surveys to compare the effects of bubble-producing open-circuit scuba vs near-silent closed-circuit rebreathers. Surveys extended across a shallow to upper-mesophotic gradient on the fringing reefs of Utila, Honduras, to explore how the effects of diver gear choice vary with depth. For most fish families we recorded similar abundances and biomass with the two diving techniques, suggesting that open-circuit transects are generally appropriate for surveying western Atlantic reefs similar to Utila with regular tourist diving but no spearfishing. Despite no overall significant difference in fish abundance or biomass, we identified several fish families (Labridae, Pomacentridae, Scaridae) that allowed closed-circuit rebreather divers to approach more closely than open-circuit divers. In addition, smaller fish generally allowed divers to approach more closely than larger fish, and in most cases divers could approach fish more closely on mesophotic than shallow reefs. Despite these significant differences in approach distances, their magnitude suggest they are unlikely to affect reef fish detectability during normal fish surveys for most families. Our findings highlight the importance of considering variation in fish behavioural adaptations along natural gradients such as depth, which otherwise has the potential to cause biases when surveying by traditional monitoring programmes.

Assessment of the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) Industry in the Philippines

Assessment of the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) Industry in the Philippines

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae colonisation in long-term overseas business travellers.

International travel is considered a risk for colonisation with extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE). To our knowledge, no studies to date have focused on ESBL-PE colonisation among long-term business travellers. Therefore this study aimed to clarify the characteristics associated with ESBL-PE colonisation in Japanese long-term business travellers. Japanese business travellers planning to stay abroad for ≥6 months were enrolled. Of the 192 travellers, 135 provided only post-travel stool samples and 57 provided both pre- and post-travel stool samples. Additionally, microbiological analyses of ESBL-PE strains, including susceptibility tests and polymerase chain reaction amplification of CTX-M genes and their sequencing were performed. A post-travel survey showed that of the 55 travellers (40.7%) who tested positive for ESBL-PE after travel, the highest proportion was travellers returning from East and Central Asia. CTX-M gene analyses showed that CTX-M-15 was the most frequently observed (55.0%). A pre- and post-travel survey showed that of the 22 travellers (44.9%) acquired ESBL-PE during their travel, with acquisition most frequently observed in travellers returning from South Asia. Risk-based evaluations of ESBL-PE colonisation should be performed not only for regular tourists but also for long-term business travellers.

游客对低碳旅游的认知和意愿——以丽江市为例

In recent decades,the tourism industry has become one of the fastest growing industries in the world. The tourism industry's current contribution to global carbon emissions is 4% —6%,and it is estimated that carbon emissions from tourism will increase 1. 5 times from its current level by 2035. The emergence of low-carbon tourism represents a transformation in the traditional tourism industry. It is a new trend of sustainable tourism that is changing tourists' pattern of consumption and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This paper presents the results of a questionnaire survey conducted among tourists visiting Lijiang City,Yunnan Province,China regarding their cognition of and willingness to undertake lowcarbon tourism. We show the following:( 1) The cognition level of low-carbon tourism was high( 68. 5%) and showed a significant positive correlation with tourists' education level,hotel rating,and the average number of trips annually. Some tourists stayed in high-rate hotels regardless of energy-extensive consumption to ensure the best quality of their tourism experience,even though they had the highest cognition level. Ninety-one percent of respondents answered that publicawareness is the first factor that influences people to choose low-carbon tourism. The concept of low-carbon living,which played a positive role in China,has gradually penetrated into public life. Most respondents answered that a decrease of carbon dioxide emission in tourism could be realized by a change of travel modes( 87. 5%) and accommodation styles( 57.5%).( 2) Respondents were generally willing to try low-carbon tourism( 79. 5%). Willingness to try low-carbon tourism showed a significant negative correlation with hotel rating,the average number of trips annually,and per capita tourist spending. Regular tourists had the highest level of cognition of low-carbon tourism but the least intention to change their way of traveling. Tourists who traveled less often were more willing to try low-carbon tourism. This,however,does little to help effect a change in tourism without the participation of frequent travelers. Tourists' reactions to low-carbon tourism issues can be described as contradictory. Many tourists are aware of the negative impacts caused by traditional tourism and of the need to act. However,most people seem unwilling to sacrifice their personal benefits by voluntarily changing their original consumption patterns. The gap between cognition and action can be attributed to personal benefit.( 3) There are certain difficulties and problems involved in the promotion of low-carbon tourism. According to the results of the survey,46. 5% of the respondents believed that low-carbon tourism might just be a catch-phrase or slogan,and 76% of respondents thought that for the time being,tourists in China generally lack the good habits promoted by low-carbon tourism. Encouraging tourists to make voluntary changes in their tourism will be a long-term process in China. Steps to bring about change should focus less on increasing public cognition and more on convincing tourists that minimal changes in their behavior can make a meaningful contribution.( 4) Finally,the paper proposes corresponding suggestions to promote low-carbon development from three entities: the government,tourism enterprises and the tourists themselves.