Southeast Virginia Research Articles

U.S. Residents’ Current Attitudes toward Immigrants and Immigration

Abstract Immigration is a fiery topic in U.S. society, as it generally brings to a boil native-born citizens’ disparate attitudes toward immigrants and immigration. While immigration has its fierce supporters and opponents alike, the topic provides fodder for politicians who use it to stoke the fear of an impending “immigrant invasion” among citizens. This is why scholars must regularly undertake empirical studies to assess community members’ views about immigrants and immigration in U.S. society. To add to the contemporary immigration debate, I analyze data from a random sample of 610 respondents who reside in the seven cities that make up the Hampton Roads region of Southeast Virginia (this region has approximately 1.5 million people). The results show that younger people, the more highly educated, and males were of the opinion that immigration is generally good for the Hampton Roads economy. Moreover, participants who did not believe that immigration increased crimes rates or that recent immigrants will take jobs away from Hampton Roads residents agreed that immigration is generally good for the Hampton Roads economy. Finally, respondents who were pleased with the quality of life in both their neighborhood and city believed that immigration has a positive impact on Hampton Roads’ economy. The implications of my findings for scholars, elected officials, community members, public policy, and future research are discussed.

617-P: Impact of Culturally Sensitive, Mobile Health Based Nutrition Platform in Metabolic Health of African Americans in Southeast Virginia

617-P: Impact of Culturally Sensitive, Mobile Health Based Nutrition Platform in Metabolic Health of African Americans in Southeast Virginia

Examining the predictors of the public’s trust in the police using local data

ABSTRACT Assessing public attitudes toward the police is a mainstay of policing research because of the importance of police-community relations for the betterment of society. To have a better understanding of the antecedents of public trust in the police, we analyze data from residents of the Hampton Roads region of Southeast Virginia. Our findings indicate that older respondents, those who believe that the police treat racial and ethnic minorities equally as they do whites, and those who believe that the police protect people from crime expressed higher levels of trust in the police. Conversely, males, Blacks, and those who earned $50,000 or less expressed lower levels of trust in the police. To our surprise, we found that protection from crime appeared to matter more for community members than the police’s treatment of racial and ethnic minorities as far as trust in the police was concerned. This means that police effectiveness remains a crucial component of policing, even if the way the police treat minority community members is also very important for improving police-community relations. We point out the implications of our findings for police-community relations, public policy, and future research.

Molecular Insights into Dissolved Organic Matter in Natural Dew Water: Biogrime Films on Leaf Surfaces

Dew water serves as a temporary reservoir of dissolved organic molecules that are released in the morning when the dew evaporates. Many locations allow for direct sunlight on the dew water in the morning, raising the possibility for photolysis-driven chemical reactions. The majority of prior works looking at dew water chemical composition has targeted freshly deposited dew on clean surfaces like Teflon. However, the dissolved organic material in dew is a mixture of compounds deposited during the night, as well as water-soluble compounds already present on the surface. Here, we analyzed six separate dew or frost water samples collected off grass and bush leaf surfaces in Southeast Virginia in the fall of 2020 and found evidence for a water-soluble surface grime layer that we term biogrime. The chemical composition and photoactivity of the mixtures were probed using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry, offline-aerosol mass spectrometry, and UV/vis spectroscopy. Complex organic mixtures were found in all the samples with a total of ∼9600 identified molecular formulae containing C, H, N, O, S, and P. Many samples had strong absorption in the visible region, and all showed an initially rapid photodecay. The composition varied between samples with possible sources including plant guttation and microbial waste as well as deposition of atmospheric organic aerosol particles, soil particles, and fog droplets. The composition of organic molecules, combined with their photoactivity, suggests that dew water may be a complex source for water-soluble gases as it evaporates.

Race differences in public satisfaction with and trust in the local police in the context of george floyd protests: an analysis of residents’ experiences and attitudes

ABSTRACT Measuring public opinions about the police is a mainstay of police–community relations because the police need to know how well they are doing in the communities they serve. To understand public attitudes toward the police in the aftermath of George’s Floyd’s killing, we analyze data from residents across seven cities located in Southeast Virginia. We find that, compared to whites and other racial groups, blacks were more likely to report both personal and vicarious experiences and were less trusting of and satisfied with police. In addition, blacks were less likely than whites and other racial groups to support the police’s handling of peaceful protests in the wake of George Floyd’s death. Other demographic differences are found and presented in light of prior research on public attitudes toward the police. The implications of our findings for improved police–community interactions, policy, and future research are discussed.

Prediction of Daily Photovoltaic Energy Production Using Weather Data and Regression

Abstract This paper presents linear regression models to predict the daily energy production of three photovoltaic (PV) systems located in southeast Virginia. The prediction is based on daylight duration, sky index, average relative humidity, and the presence of fog or mist. No other daily weather report components were statistically significant. The proposed method is easy to implement, and it can be used in conjunction with other advanced methods in estimating any given future day’s energy production if weather prediction is available. Data from 2013 to 2015 were used in the model construction. Model validation was performed using newer (2016, 2017, 2020, and 2021) data not used in the model construction. Results show good prediction accuracy for a simple methodology, free of system parameters, that can be utilized by ordinary photovoltaic energy users. The majority of the data was collected at the Old Dominion University. The entire data set can be downloaded using the link provided.

Host interactions of Aedes albopictus, an invasive vector of arboviruses, in Virginia, USA.

BackgroundAs an invasive mosquito species in the United States, Aedes albopictus is a potential vector of arboviruses including dengue, chikungunya, and Zika, and may also be involved in occasional transmission of other arboviruses such as West Nile, Saint Louis encephalitis, eastern equine encephalitis, and La Crosse viruses. Aedes albopictus feeds on a wide variety of vertebrate hosts, wild and domestic, as well as humans.Methodology/Principal findingsIn order to investigate blood feeding patterns of Ae. albopictus, engorged specimens were collected from a variety of habitat types using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention light traps, Biogents Sentinel 2 traps, and modified Reiter gravid traps in southeast Virginia. Sources of blood meals were determined by the analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequences amplified in PCR assays. Our aims were to quantify degrees of Ae. albopictus interactions with vertebrate hosts as sources of blood meals, investigate arboviral infection status, assess the influence of key socioecological conditions on spatial variability in blood feeding, and investigate temporal differences in blood feeding by season. Analysis of 961 engorged specimens of Ae. albopictus sampled between 2017–2019 indicated that 96%, 4%, and less than 1% obtained blood meals from mammalian, reptilian, and avian hosts, respectively. Domestic cats were the most frequently identified (50.5%) hosts followed by Virginia opossums (17.1%), white-tailed deer (12.2%), and humans (7.3%), together representing 87.1% of all identified blood hosts. We found spatial patterns in blood feeding linked to socioecological conditions and seasonal shifts in Ae. albopictus blood feeding with implications for understanding human biting and disease risk. In Suffolk Virginia in areas of lower human development, the likelihood of human blood feeding increased as median household income increased and human blood feeding was more likely early in the season (May-June) compared to later (July-October). Screening of the head and thorax of engorged Ae. albopictus mosquitoes by cell culture and RT-PCR resulted in a single isolate of Potosi virus.Conclusion and significanceUnderstanding mosquito-host interactions in nature is vital for evaluating vectorial capacity of mosquitoes. These interactions with competent reservoir hosts support transmission, maintenance, and amplification of zoonotic agents of human diseases. Results of our study in conjunction with abundance in urban/suburban settings, virus isolation from field-collected mosquitoes, and vector competence of Ae. albopictus, highlight the potential involvement of this species in the transmission of a number of arboviruses such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika to humans. Limited interaction with avian hosts suggests that Ae. albopictus is unlikely to serve as a bridge vector of arboviruses such as West Nile and eastern equine encephalitis in the study region, but that possibility cannot be entirely ruled out.

Aggregations of Polistes Wasps Over-Wintering in Artificial Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Cavities

We document blockage of artificial Dryobates borealis (Red-cockaded Woodpecker) cavities by family Sphecidae (mud daubers) and large mixed-species aggregations of wintering Polistes (paper wasps) in cavity inserts at Great Dismal Swamp NWR in southeast Virginia. The large aggregations that we encountered are the only known cases of more than 2 paper wasp species cohabitating. Activity of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers within a cluster lessened the likelihood that paper wasps will aggregate in cavities, but not the likelihood that mud daubers will nest in cavities. The moist and saturated soils that predominate our field site may explain why these insects are more abundant compared to drier, upland habitats. Additionally, removal of hardwood trees may increase the breeding season habitat quality for paper wasps that hunt and nest in areas that are more open, while simultaneously limiting potential winter hibernacula habitat, typically found in mature hardwood tree cavities for Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. Common cavity management and translocation techniques may need to be altered to mitigate greater paper wasp and mud dauber activity at Red-cockaded Woodpecker cavity inserts in Pinus serotina (Pond Pine) pocosin habitat. We suggest using graduated rubber stoppers rather than screens that fail to exclude insect taxa or conducting translocations prior to the formation of winter aggregations of paper wasps.

Borderline: The Role of Virginia's Independent Cities in Preserving Structural Racism after Desegregation in Hampton Roads

Research on race and racism in the United States increasingly has emphasized the need for examination of structural racism – the myriad path-dependent legacy effects of which have been ignored by the Supreme Court. This paper takes a new approach to understanding how structural racism has affected generations of Southern black communities by looking at the physical transformations of municipal governments in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Virginia, unlike other states, has a unique form of municipal jurisdiction, the independent city. Separate from their surrounding counties, Virginia’s independent cities encompass both traditional county-level governmental functions as well as routine city services in one. These cities have existed since the early 1900s, but experienced a vast proliferation from the 1950s through the 1970s amid significant legal reforms and the faltering “massive resistance” to desegregation across the South. Thus, this paper examines the ways in which race and racism were linked inextricably to these changes, focusing on the independent cities and outlying counties of the Hampton Roads metropolitan region of Southeast Virginia. There, several of the largest cities in the region and the Commonwealth overall – including Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Suffolk – emerged during the desegregation era, with lasting effects upon the socioeconomic conditions of different racial groups preventing wholesale progress. In more-recent times, moreover, these and other independent cities have subtly reinforced racial hierarchies through numerous specific policies, long after the end of “massive resistance.” The paper concludes with suggestions for remedying the built-in disparities of Virginia’s independent cities across multiple dimensions of socioeconomic concern.

Relative Sea Level Rise Impacts on Storm Surge Flooding of Transportation Infrastructure

Relative sea level rise increases the vulnerability of coastal infrastructure to storm surge flooding. In this study, we develop, validate, and apply a coupled hydrodynamic and wave model to simulate storm surge inundation under different local sea level projections to quantitatively assess some of these vulnerabilities. Our study area is located in southeast Virginia, where the rate of relative sea level rise is the highest in the US East Coast. The model is developed in two levels of nesting in which a region-scale model with relatively low resolution provides boundary conditions for a high-resolution city-scale model. The model is first validated with documented water levels in water and over land during Hurricane Irene (2011). It is then applied to investigate changes in vulnerability of transportation infrastructure to relative sea level rise by quantifying changes in flood intensity and duration over access roads to critical bridges that are identified based on elevation and traffic volume. Furthermore, the length of flooded roadways as well as the extent and volume of inundation is quantified under different combinations of relative sea level rise and storm return periods. With a 1.8-m sea level rise, an upper bound of sea level projections in the study area in 2070, and under 10- and 50-year storms, collective flood intensity and duration increase by factors of 23 and 51, respectively, and the length of flooded roadways increase by factors of 9 and 7 from their present values, respectively. Variations in flood intensity, duration, area, and volume under storm and sea level rise combinations indicate that storm surge response to relative sea level rise is generally nonlinear, and linear superposition of these factors mostly overestimates inundation intensity while consistently overestimating inundation volume. Variation of rate of change in total inundation volume is more complex and suggests that the linear summation overestimates flood volume for small to moderate rates of sea level rise while it underpredicts flood volume for high sea level projections. This suggests that nonlinear effects act to intensify flood vulnerability at an accelerated rate as sea level rises.

Mapping forest height using photon-counting LiDAR data and Landsat 8 OLI data: A case study in Virginia and North Carolina, USA

• Mapping forest height by combining photon-counting LiDAR data and Landsat OLI data. • Douglas-Peucker algorithm can solve the large turns in photon-counting LiDAR data. • The filtering of forest heights can improve the accuracy of forest height map. Large-scale, accurate and detailed forest height map is worthwhile and necessary for understanding and assessing global carbon cycle and biodiversity. The Ice, Cloud and Land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2) mission, employing a photon-counting LiDAR (PCL) system, offers an opportunity to map global forest height with high resolution. This study aimed to map forest height at a spatial resolution of 30 m by combining Multiple Altimeter Beam Experimental Lidar (MABEL) data with Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) data. There are four key steps to accomplish this goal. First, a segmentation method based on the Douglas-Peucker algorithm was proposed to solve the problem of large turns or calibration maneuvers in MABEL data. Second, we estimated forest height and selected the forest height samples with high accuracy and reliability by developing three filters including signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) filter, slope filter, and canopy photons density (CPD) filter. Third, forest height models based on both random forest (RF) and stepwise multiple regression algorithms were developed to establish relationships between the selected forest height samples and predicator variables of Landsat-derived spectral indices, topographic variables and geographic coordinates. Finally, a wall-to-wall forest height map was generated by applying the developed forest height models to predicator variables, and the accuracy of forest height map was validated using airborne LiDAR-derived forest heights. An area of 160, 000 km 2 in southeast Virginia and east North Carolina was chosen for testing the methods proposed in this study. The results demonstrated that the Douglas-Peucker algorithm can effectively solve the MABEL data overlapping issues caused by large turns and calibration maneuvers in flight lines. The suitable filters for selecting forest heights are SNR > 6, terrain slope < 25°, and 40 < CPD < 170. These developed filters can substantially increase the accuracies of forest height models. The results also indicated that RF-derived forest height models achieved higher modeling accuracy than stepwise regression-derived forest height models. RF-derived forest height models yielded coefficient of determination (R 2 ) values of 0.59, 0.68 and 0.62 and RMSE values of 4.55 m, 3.41 m and 4.08 m for deciduous forest, evergreen forest and mixed forest, respectively. Compared to LiDAR-derived forest height, the forest height map produced in this study has a R 2 value of 0.54 and a RMSE value of 6.85 m, which demonstrates that combination of MABEL data and Landsat 8 OLI data can be used to generate forest height maps with a spatial resolution of 30 m.

Waiting after the storm: the effect of flooding on time on the housing market in coastal Virginia

ABSTRACTFlooding is the most common natural disaster experienced by many households and rising sea levels have made recurrent flooding events common in many coastal cities. This study uses a difference-in-differences model to estimate how the residential real estate market responds to significant flooding events. The analysis examines time-on-market for 137,348 residential property sales between 2007 and 2016 in southeast Virginia. This timeframe includes a Nor’easter, referred to as Nor’Ida, and Hurricane Irene. Results differentiate between high-risk (100-year flood plain) and low-risk (500-year flood plain) areas, and show that homes in the high-risk flood zones remain on the market 5–7 days longer. Our results suggest that the housing market cools down at a localized level after a severe weather event.

Leech (Myzobdella lugubris) infestations in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in Back Bay, Virginia, USA.

Back Bay is an oligohaline, coastal bay in southeast Virginia, USA. Since 2004, leeches have been observed in the oral cavities of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in this body of water. Leeches (Myzobdella lugubris) have previously been documented in the oral cavities of largemouth bass in the Currituck Sound, which is confluent with Back Bay on its southern border. Supplemental stocking of largemouth bass in Back Bay since 2009 has resulted in an increasing population; however, concern exists that leech infestation may be negatively affecting health of larger fish, which are still less abundant than expected. Despite the wide distribution of this leech, there is little available literature regarding its health impacts on hosts. In this study, we examine potential impacts of oral leech infestations on stress markers and haematological parameters of largemouth bass in Back Bay. No significant changes in plasma glucose or cortisol were observed between leech-infested and uninfested fish, and haematological parameters were not significantly different between the groups. Further, there was no evidence of systemic infections associated with leech infestation.

Aeromedical Ultrasound: The Evaluation of Point-of-care Ultrasound During Helicopter Transport

IntroductionThis study correlated the eFAST findings performed in-flight by the flight crew with the findings obtained by the trauma team upon initial evaluation at a level 1 trauma center and with the subsequent CT scans that were performed or the surgeon's operative note. We hypothesize that aeromedical eFAST examinations are highly correlated with the trauma teams findings. MethodsThis prospective, observational study evaluated 190 traumatically injured patients from June 2014 to December 2015 in Southeast Virginia and Northeast North Carolina. ResultsFor 190 trauma patients the Flight Crew POCUS examinations obtained a Positive Predictive Value (PPV) of 100% and a Negative Predictive Value (NPV) of 98.3% for the identification of pneumothorax, hemothorax, and free abdominal fluid, which is equivalent to that of the Trauma Team's POCUS studies on the same group of patients. DiscussionBecause the early recognition of potentially life-threatening conditions is critical to providing appropriate care to the traumatically injured patient this study provides solid statistical data that flight crews can adequately perform and interpret POCUS results as well as out trauma team colleagues. This study could lead to a reduction of iatrogenic injuries from unnecessary invasive prehospital procedures, allow for early initiation of Massive Transfusion Protocols (MTP) prior to the patient's arrival at the Trauma Center, and potentially develop a change in trauma systems notification and transportation directly to the operating room. ConclusionDespite this study developing a very positive outlook on performing aeromedical POCUS for the evaluation and care of trauma patients additional research will be required to better understand the potential impact on trauma activation protocols and activation of in-hospital resources.

Interactive effects of climate change with nutrients, mercury, and freshwater acidification on key taxa in the North Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative region.

The North Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative LCC (NA LCC) is a public-private partnership that provides information to support conservation decisions that may be affected by global climate change (GCC) and other threats. The NA LCC region extends from southeast Virginia to the Canadian Maritime Provinces. Within this region, the US National Climate Assessment documented increases in air temperature, total precipitation, frequency of heavy precipitation events, and rising sea level, and predicted more drastic changes. Here, we synthesize literature on the effects of GCC interacting with selected contaminant, nutrient, and environmental processes to adversely affect natural resources within this region. Using a case study approach, we focused on 3 stressors with sufficient NA LCC region-specific information for an informed discussion. We describe GCC interactions with a contaminant (Hg) and 2 complex environmental phenomena-freshwater acidification and eutrophication. We also prepared taxa case studies on GCC- and GCC-contaminant/nutrient/process effects on amphibians and freshwater mussels. Several avian species of high conservation concern have blood Hg concentrations that have been associated with reduced nesting success. Freshwater acidification has adversely affected terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in the Adirondacks and other areas of the region that are slowly recovering due to decreased emissions of N and sulfur oxides. Eutrophication in many estuaries within the region is projected to increase from greater storm runoff and less denitrification in riparian wetlands. Estuarine hypoxia may be exacerbated by increased stratification. Elevated water temperature favors algal species that produce harmful algal blooms (HABs). In several of the region's estuaries, HABs have been associated with bird die-offs. In the NA LCC region, amphibian populations appear to be declining. Some species may be adversely affected by GCC through higher temperatures and more frequent droughts. GCC may affect freshwater mussel populations via altered stream temperatures and increased sediment loading during heavy storms. Freshwater mussels are sensitive to un-ionized ammonia that more toxic at higher temperatures. We recommend studying the interactive effects of GCC on generation and bioavailability of methylmercury and how GCC-driven shifts in bird species distributions will affect avian exposure to methylmercury. Research is needed on how decreases in acid deposition concurrent with GCC will alter the structure and function of sensitive watersheds and surface waters. Studies are needed to determine how GCC will affect HABs and avian disease, and how more severe and extensive hypoxia will affect fish and shellfish populations. Regarding amphibians, we suggest research on 1) thermal tolerance and moisture requirements of species of concern, 2) effects of multiple stressors (temperature, desiccation, contaminants, nutrients), and 3) approaches to mitigate impacts of increased temperature and seasonal drought. We recommend studies to assess which mussel species and populations are vulnerable and which are resilient to rising stream temperatures, hydrological shifts, and ionic pollutants, all of which are influenced by GCC.

Risk-informed assessment of regional preparedness: A case study of emergency potable water for hurricane response in Southeast Virginia

Decisionmakers need to understand the degree to which information-based decision processes affect the capabilities of a region to absorb the impact of a disaster and to respond and recover within an acceptable envelope of time and cost. This paper explores the modeling of a region as a system that has imperfect information about itself and an imperfect ability to discern its future infrastructure conditions. The paper illustrates this system-modeling paradigm with a data-based example of how emergency potable water was supplied as part of hurricane response in Southeastern Virginia. In this example, results indicate that prepositioning potable water supplies can result in savings in excess of one million dollars per forecast and can affect as much as one-third of the regional population. Moreover, the capacity of the region to respond to imperfect information and to reduce risk of both response costs and persons impacted can be achieved through strategic preparedness methods that change the decision-processing capability of the region. The major purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the importance of information and information processes in evaluating regional risk and capability and to emphasize the need for simultaneous evaluation of response and preparedness.

Risk factors for victimization of younger and older persons: Assessing differences in isolation, intra-individual characteristics, and health factors

Researchers have examined whether different risk factors predict elder abuse and victimization. Among the more commonly cited risk factors are social isolation, intra-individual characteristics, and various health factors. While some studies confirmed that certain risk factors help to explain elder abuse, few researchers have compared how these risk factors address the victimization of older and younger persons. To fill this void, the current study surveyed 746 residents of southeast Virginia by telephone. Measures assessing isolation, health, and intra-individual characteristics were included on the survey. Results of bivariate and multivariate analyses showed that different risk factors exist for younger and older persons.

Survey of Stink Bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Egg Parasitoids in Wheat, Soybean, and Vegetable Crops in Southeast Virginia

Stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) cause significant damage to many different crops and horticultural commodities in Virginia. However, little is known about the species diversity or impact of stink bug egg parasitoids in the state. A survey was conducted in 2005 and 2006 (May through September) in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), soybean (Glycine max L.), and several vegetable crops by collecting natural egg masses of various stink bug species and by monitoring sentinel egg masses. A total of 570 Euschistus servus (Say) eggs in 26 egg masses, 11,197 Murgantia histrionica (Hahn) eggs in 939 egg masses, 15 Podisus maculiventris (Say) eggs in 2 egg masses, and 546 Acrosternum hilare (Say) eggs in 18 egg masses were field collected and returned to the laboratory, where emerging parasitoids were identified to species. In addition, 2,512 laboratory-reared E. servus eggs and 230 P. maculiventris eggs were placed as sentinels into crop fields and collected after 7 d, and parasitoid or stink bug emergence was recorded. Four species of hymenopteran parasitoids in the family Scelionidae were recovered from stink bug eggs: Telenomus podisi Ashmead, Trissolcus basalis Wollaston, Trissolcus edessae Fouts, and Trissolcus euschisti Ashmead. In addition, one parasitoid in the family Mymaridae (Hymenoptera) was recovered. Parasitism rates were highest in E. servus with 89.7 and 49.2% of egg masses and individual eggs parasitized, respectively. The predominant parasitoid species was T. podisi.

Differential Predictors of Persistence Between Community College Adult and Traditional-Aged Students

This study examined the differential predictors of institutional persistence between adult and traditional-aged degree-seeking, first-time enrollees at a public, multicampus 2-year community college in southeast Virginia. Differential predictors of institutional persistence were found between the traditional-aged and adult students. For traditional-aged students, encouragement and support, academic integration, fall grade-point average, and an expressed intent to leave were most predictive of institutional persistence. Chief among the predictors of persistence for adult students were social integration, institutional commitment, degree utility, encouragement and support, finances, an expressed intent to leave, and academic integration.

Measuring tourist satisfaction by attribute and motivation: The case of a nature-based resort

Measuring tourist satisfaction plays an important role in marketing tourism products and services. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between destination attribute importance and performance, travel motivation, and satisfaction. It is hypothesized that tourist satisfaction of a destination is a function of attribute importance, performance, and travel motivation. A nature-based resort, serving as a short-term family vacation destination in South-east Virginia, was used as the study site for this research. Factor analyses were employed to identify the dimensions of the destination attributes on importance and performance, as well as tourist motivations. The composite delineated factors were used as indicators to measure the overall tourist satisfaction in the regression analysis. The results revealed that friendly/quality services and lodging performance are significant factors in determining the overall satisfaction, whereas food and location are of significant importance in the satisfaction evaluation. Travel motivation, `family/friend togetherness' in particular, although not a statistical significant factor, practically explains its influence on the overall tourist satisfaction of a resort destination.