Tourist Behavior Research Articles

Research on Mixed Education Teaching Reform in the Era of Internet plus

Nowadays, the technology of "Internet plus" is developing very rapidly. Its cooperation with education promotes the innovative development of educational reform practice, improves the vitality of education. The cooperation of online and offline education has innovated teaching ideas and changed the teaching situation. It fully enhances students' proactive practical skills, thereby improving their comprehensive quality level, developing new educational concepts, and promoting innovation in new teaching models. Tourism behavior prediction based on social network analysis employs social network analysis techniques to predict the behavior patterns of tourists in different stages of their travel, such as destination selection, itinerary planning, and activity participation. By analyzing the behavior patterns of tourists on social media platforms, social network analysis algorithms can identify the factors that influence their decision-making, such as personal preferences, social influence, and situational context, and generate personalized recommendations to improve their travel experience. For example, if a tourist has shown a preference for outdoor activities on social media, tourism behavior prediction systems can recommend relevant activities and destinations that match their interests. These systems can also incorporate real-time data, such as weather forecasts and traffic conditions, to adjust recommendations accordingly. Overall, tourism behavior prediction based on social network analysis can provide tourists with more personalized and satisfactory travel experiences, while also promoting the development of local tourism industries.

A Study on the Effect of the MZ Generation's Risk Perception of Climate Change on the Eco-Friendly Tourism Behavior Intention: Applying the Norm Activation Model

A Study on the Effect of the MZ Generation's Risk Perception of Climate Change on the Eco-Friendly Tourism Behavior Intention: Applying the Norm Activation Model

Integrating tourists’ walk and talk: a methodological approach for tracking and analysing tourists’ real behaviours for more sustainable destinations

This study provides a methodological contribution in the analysis of tourists’ sustainable behaviour. Traditional methods encounter challenges in addressing the attitude-behaviour gap, prompting the need for new approaches. Using diverse big data sources, the paper introduces a novel methodology for analysing real behaviour patterns, extending Social Network Analysis techniques. The aim is to identify sustainable behaviours that ease overcrowding, distribute visitor flows, and optimize economic diversification. The methodology is valuable for local authorities in monitoring tourist behaviours, aiding in informed decision-making for a more sustainable approach to tourism.

Investigating the Formation of Ethical Animal-Related Tourism Behaviors: A Self-Interest and Pro-Social Theoretic Approach

Grounded in the theory of reasoned action, this research aims to integrate self-interest and pro-social motive variables to identify the effective conditions that influence tourists’ ethical behaviors when participating in animal-related tourism activities. Innovative statistical methods, specifically Generalized Structured Component Analysis Measurement Errors Incorporated and Necessary Condition Analysis, were used to verify a theoretical framework and identify necessary and/or sufficient conditions that contribute to tourists’ behavioral intentions (BIs) for ethical animal tourism. To provide a comprehensive understanding, this study considered animal welfare literacy and concern for animal abuse in tourism as moderators. A subgroup analysis was conducted using a rigorous methodological procedure, revealing four categories of predictive variables: necessary and sufficient, necessary but insufficient, unnecessary but sufficient, and unnecessary and insufficient. The results of the study demonstrated that a sense of moral obligation to engage in ethical animal-related tourism was a necessary and sufficient condition for BI among tourists.

Exploring the Role of Determinants Affecting Responsible Underwater Behaviour of Marine-Based Tourists.

This study utilised divers' demographic characteristics, diving experience, and attitudes to analyse the association between these factors and divers' responsible underwater behaviour among Chinese scuba divers in Hong Kong. More innovatively, the measurement construct of diving attitude was further employed as a mediator to investigate its influence on the relationship between divers' diving experience and responsible underwater behaviours based on the conceptual framework of previous works in the literature. The questionnaire data for this study were collected at four of the most popular dive sites among the marine protected areas in Hong Kong, with 398 valid samples after eliminating incomplete questionnaires. Regression results demonstrated that divers' demographic characteristics could significantly predict their responsible underwater behaviour, with age (b = 0.10, p < 0.05) and education (b = 0.15, p < 0.05) being found to be positively associated with their diving behaviour. In addition, path analysis demonstrated that divers' diving experience and attitude could explain 13.6% and 22.6% of the variance in predicting their responsible diving behaviour, respectively. However, no mediation effect was found on the relationship between diving experience and responsible underwater behaviour relative to diving attitude, given the absence of statistical effects regarding the positive impact of divers' diving experience on their attitude (β = 0.024, se = 0.022, t = 1.085, p = 0.279). Based on the research findings, theoretical and practical implications were discussed correspondingly, which are believed to be beneficial in promoting marine conservation and the sustainable development of marine-based nature tourism in Hong Kong.

Exploring Tourist Flow Patterns through Geotagged Social Media Data: A Case Study from Sri Lanka

Tourism studies often rely on conventional methods such as interviews and site-specific surveys to collect data on tourist behaviour, mobility patterns, and preferences. However, these methods can be expensive, time-consuming, and limited in scope. Additionally, accurately tracing tourist travel paths can be challenging due to recall bias. Recently, user generated content on social media platforms have emerged as an alternative data source in tourism studies. In this study, we used geotagged posts on Flickr to understand the dominant paths taken by inbound tourists in Sri Lanka. The methodology consisted of three steps. First, geotagged photographs were collected from the Flickr API spanning a ten-year period, from 2012 to 2022. These photographs included metadata such as user ID, the timestamp of photo capture, and geo coordinates indicating where the photo was taken. Second, a density-based clustering algorithm was utilized to identify tourist hotspots. Finally, the Markov Chain model was employed to calculate transition probabilities among different attractions, revealing dominant travel routes within the country. Study’s findings indicate that Cultural heritage attractions were the most popular, comprising 55% of all attractions identified by the algorithm, and are particularly popular in districts such as Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Matale, Kandy, and Galle. Nature-based attractions, constituting 37% of the total, were mainly located in Nuwara Eliya and Badulla Districts, as well as Yala National Park in Hambantota District. For coastal tourism, Galle and Matara Districts were the top preferences. The analysis confirms dominant travel patterns between North Central, Central, and Southwest coast regions. Notably, Galle, Kandy, Matale, Matara, Nuwara Eliya, and Colombo attract tourists from a more diverse array of regions compared to other districts in the country, showcasing their significance as tourist hubs. The study findings highlight opportunities in Jaffna for cultural-heritage tourism, the Eastern coast for coastal tourism, and the central highlands for tea tourism. It also emphasizes the need to develop the less-visited natural sites to ease pressure on popular National Parks. This research's significance lies in its contribution to informed decision-making and the sustainable management of tourist destinations. By understanding tourist mobility patterns and identifying popular attractions through social media data, policymakers can effectively manipulate visitor flows and mitigate excessive tourist pressure, while preserving the authenticity and allure of these destinations.&#x0D; &#x0D; Keywords: Sustainable tourism, Geotagged photographs, Social media, Tourist mobility, Flickr

The experiences of nomadic sex worker tourists

ABSTRACT Practices of sex tourism are more diverse than the stereotype of ‘foreign man pays local woman for sex while on holiday abroad’. There has been little research into sex workers who travel to countries with visa-free policies to provide sex services to other tourists or locals at these destinations. The research explores the experiences of these nomadic sex workers. Twenty in-depth interviews conducted in Hong Kong captured data on their motivations, economics, and behaviour of the sex worker tourists. Driven by a desire to make a better life for themselves and their families, these nomadic sex worker tourists negotiate and control their potential for self-determination, to attain economic benefits, support their families, and increase self-awareness, confidence, and general knowledge.

Resurgence and transformation: the impact of COVID-19 on Myanmar’s tourism industry and future trends

PurposeThis paper analyses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Myanmar’s tourism industry, identifying challenges and innovations, and predicting future trends to foster a resilient and sustainable sector.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses a comprehensive analysis of tourism trends, government and private sector responses and changes in tourist behaviour, employing data, case studies and policy reviews.FindingsThe pandemic significantly disrupted Myanmar’s tourism, causing economic losses and shifts towards sustainable, outdoor and cultural experiences. Effective strategies by the government and private sector are aiding recovery and suggesting a more diverse and resilient future.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is limited by the availability of data during the pandemic, highlighting the need for ongoing strategy adaptation.Practical implicationsThe study recommends digitalization, health protocols, domestic tourism focus and sustainable practices for a robust post-pandemic industry.Social implicationsThe study emphasizes the pandemic’s social impact on tourism-dependent communities and the need for inclusive, sustainable tourism practices.Originality/valueItprovides unique insights into COVID-19’s multifaceted impact on Myanmar’s tourism, offering valuable information for future sector strategies.

The influence of technology adoption and social media branding on green tourism in Zimbabwe: exploring the intermediary role of tourists’ behaviour

ABSTRACT In the contemporary landscape of Zimbabwe’s tourism industry, the convergence of social media branding, technology adoption, and the promotion of green tourism practices has emerged as a pivotal force shaping the trajectory of the country’s tourism sector. This article aims to explore the impact of social media branding and technology adoption on green tourism in developing countries, particularly Zimbabwe, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. These factors have emerged as powerful elements in the tourism industry. Employing a quantitative methodology, data were gathered from 335 tourism supply chain representatives using simple random sampling and the Krejcie and Morgan approach. Questionnaires were administered through Google Forms, and data analysis was performed using smart pls 3 software. The results reveal that social media branding and technology adoption have a positive influence on green tourism, with tourist behavior acting as a mediator in this relationship. This study can provide valuable insights to policymakers, green tourism supply chain, and environmentalists in devising strategies to promote green tourism in Zimbabwe and other developing countries.

Emotional Intelligence: How it Impacts on Environmentally Responsible Behavior of Tourists

Emotional Intelligence: How it Impacts on Environmentally Responsible Behavior of Tourists

A Study on the Impact of Destination Image on Customer Value, Tourism Satisfaction, and Behavioral Intention in Jatim Park 2

Tourism has an important role in global economic development because it contributes through foreign exchange earnings, employment, transactions of goods and services. One sector that is the focus of development in various countries is the tourism sector. This also creates challenges for the tourism business industry to be able to develop the advantages of tourist destinations to the maximum. A good understanding of tourist behavior is important in the tourism development process. In this case, destination image can be used as a predictor of tourist behavior both before and after visiting a destination. This study aims to analyze and explain the influence of destination Images on customer value, tourist satisfaction and tourist behavioral intentions.

From Authenticity to Perceived Value: Role of Souvenir Image and Place Identity on Ceramic Souvenir-Repurchasing Intention

Souvenirs are regarded as an integral part of the tourist experience, serving as a tangible reminiscence of a journey. Ceramic souvenirs of China reflect its rich cultural heritage and therefore, tourists tend to purchase these ceramics. The present study seeks to provide empirical evidence of the impact of authenticity and perceived value on the ceramic souvenir-repurchasing intention of tourists in China. A survey was designed to collect data from the tourist population in Hangzhou, China. The study focuses on the direct effects of authenticity, perceived value, along with the mediating effect of souvenir image and the moderating role of place identity on the ceramic souvenir-repurchasing intention. The data was analyzed through the application of SEM and CFA for evaluation of the structural relationships among the variables. The data was statistically analyzed, and the findings affirmed a significant impact of authenticity and perceived value on the ceramic souvenir-repurchasing intention of the tourists. The impact of ceramic souvenir-repurchasing intention is found to be significant on authenticity. Moreover, mediation and moderation are also proposed to be significant, showing that place identity plays an important role in developing the purchase intention of consumers. Thus, the present study provides a valuable understanding of tourist behavior and marketing strategies for the tourist industry.

Exploring the effect of destination social responsibility on responsible tourist behavior: symmetric and asymmetric analysis

ABSTRACT Cultivating responsible tourist behavior (RTB) is critical for promoting sustainable development in tourism destinations. This study explored the symmetric and asymmetric effects of causal antecedents on RTB through the lens of the cognitive–affective model and complexity theory. Survey data from 566 Chinese tourists were analyzed using PLS-SEM (symmetric method) and fsQCA (asymmetric method). The PLS-SEM results indicated that perceived DSR enhanced tourists’ destination attachment, thus facilitating low-effort and high-effort RTB. The fsQCA results substantiated and refined these findings by providing particular antecedent configurations for the outcomes. This study concluded by discussing the theoretical and practical implications arising from these findings.

The Effect of Halal Destination Image and Tourist Motivation on Revisit Intention: The Role of Halal Experience Satisfaction

Revisit intention is interesting to be studied because it relates to the behavior of tourists to revisit, particularly during the post-covid-19 pandemic that has limited tourist visits to a destination for quite a long time. Experience, in the hospitality and tourism context, is a significant concept used to understand consumer behavior. The travel experience begins before arriving at the destination, ends with memories of the experience, and plans to revisit it in the future. This study aims to investigate the effect of halal destination image and tourist motivation on the speed of deciding to revisit halal tourism destinations through halal experience satisfaction tourism destinations in Lombok Island. This study used a quantitative method with 200 domestic and foreign tourists as respondents. The results of the study showed that halal destination image and tourist motivation could not directly accelerate the tourists' decision to revisit, but they had to go through halal experience satisfaction.

Understanding the behaviour of medical tourists: implications for strategy development

ABSTRACT Strategy and policy development for medical tourism largely depends on knowledge and understanding of the behavioral intentions of patients for cross-border travel to seek healthcare services. This study utilizes the Extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) and decision tree models to explore the behavioral intentions of medical tourists and identify key factors for predicting medical tourism adoption decisions by patients. Safety expectancy and waiting time are found to be the most influential features for the prediction of behavioral intention and adoption behavior. Though social influence and price-value are found to be very important in predicting behavioral intentions, these features become redundant in predicting medical tourism adoption behavior. This study also reveals that medical tourists rarely consider recreational benefits as a supplementary service besides health services; rather, they decide to pursue medical services based on the primary healthcare service itself. This finding can provide deep knowledge to develop policies and strategies for medical tourism. Highlights An expanded conceptual framework is proposed to explore medical tourism. Six major factors emerged as determinants of tourists’ behavioral intentions. Impact of effort expectancy on behavioral intention is insignificant. Safety expectancy and waiting time are dominant predictors of behavioral intention. No significant impact of hedonic urge on medical tourism adoption behaviour.

Responsible Behaviour and Psychological Well-being in Tourism: The Triple Helix Model

While the conceptually related fields of sustainability and psychological well-being have been informed by extensive research in recent years, efforts to integrate these fields are yet to be systematically advanced. This lack of integration has left the nexus between sustainability and well-being largely underexplored and conceptually underdeveloped. Tourism offers a novel context within which to explore the intersection. Consequently, this paper critically assesses the relationship between sustainability-related decisions and tourist well-being. It is informed by the analysis of thirty semi-structured in-depth interviews that critically explored the holiday experiences of tourists while travelling internationally. Analysis revealed that both responsible and irresponsible tourist behaviours are interconnected with tourists’ psychological well-being and are influenced by external barriers and internal conflicts. Responsible behaviours were found to contribute to eudaimonic well-being through a heightened sense of perceived integrity. Conversely, irresponsible behaviours trigger negative self-appraisals, enacting coping mechanisms and generating guilt. This manuscript presents the triple helix model detailing the complex and interconnected relationship between (ir)responsible behaviour and psychological well-being in tourism experiences. Future research should consider the intricate connections between tourists’ sustainability-related decisions and psychological well-being as central to the developing sustainable tourism research agendas.

Analysis factors of Tourist Decisions’ on Melukat Tradition as a Spiritual Tourism

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; The creativity of the Balinese people who combined new tourism trends with Balinese traditions, a new habit was formed, namely Melukat tradition. Currently, Melukat tradition has become an interfaith tourism trend in Bali, many non-Hindu tourists believe in what Hindus believe, by following the procession of the Melukat tradition itself. This phenomenon are based on the data from visitors who follow the Melukat tradition which has increased from year to year. This research aims to find out what factors influence tourists' decisions to follow the Melukat tradition as a spiritual tourism attraction. These factors are based on the theory of Kotler and Keller (2009), factors including culture, social factors, personal factors and psychological factors which become benchmarks for tourist behavior or decisions. The research method used is quantitative. The data collection techniques used were questionnaires and observation. The sampling technique used was Accidental Sampling, with a sample size of 100 respondents. The data analysis techniques used are simple regression, partial test (t test), simultaneous test (f statistical test). The results show the factors that influence tourists' decisions to carry out the melukat tradition or ceremony are cultural factors, social factors, personal factors, and psychological factors. The most dominant factors are influenced by psychological factors and those that are not dominant are cultural factors.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Information sources and tourism heritage: a sustainable economy perspective

PurposeConserving appropriately the culture and heritage of a city through sustainable tourism is a key element for its economic development. Heritage cities generate economic, social and environmental benefits through tourism management. This study aims to intend, in the context of economic sustainability of the territory and promotion, to improve the understanding of the relationship between the sources of information of tourists and their motivations, with satisfaction and future behaviour intentions. For this, a study has been carried out in the Old Town of Cáceres (Spain), a city recognised as a world heritage property by UNESCO.Design/methodology/approachThis study applies a descriptive analysis, based on frequencies. For data collection, a structured questionnaire has been used to identify the opinion of tourists during their visit to the heritage city of Cáceres.FindingsThis study demonstrates the existence of a positive relationship between the sources of information and the tourist experience with their future behavioural intentions and satisfaction of their visit. All this in the global context of the destination for sustainable economy and the UN Agenda 2030 for sustainable development. Furthermore, the results of the study suggest that the motivations of tourists are the most important factor in explaining the overall experience and loyalty of tourists to a city.Research limitations/implicationsA limitation of this study is the data set used. The results must be contextualised at the time and place when the questionnaire was conducted.Practical implicationsThe proposed model makes it possible to advance future heritage tourism strategies, in terms of planning and communication of the heritage resources of a destination. Tourism heritage institutions should increasingly invest in communication improvements based on new technologies and social media. At the same time, integrated planning with special policies for the sustainable protection of heritage can make important progress in the tourist and cultural development of the destination.Originality/valueThis article tests for the first time within the context of heritage cities in Spain and in the context of a sustainable economy and cultural heritage for destination, the relationship between different sources of site promotion information and future tourist behaviour intentions. It provides original evidence of the value of applying the underlying theory of the proposed model in a world heritage tourist destination.

Is seniors' tourism behavior related to sustainable tourism?

The article addresses two global challenges in the realm of tourism participation: sustainable development and an ageing society. Our research aimed to determine whether European seniors engage in tourism and whether the factors influencing tourist destinations are related to sustainable tourism. To achieve this, we utilized correspondence analysis with representative Eurobarometer data. Our findings confirm that seniors actively participate in tourism. The majority of seniors in the European Union frequently express their heightened concern for health and safety measures when travelling in the post-COVID-19 era.Moreover, the analysis identified the countries where seniors actively pursue sustainable development goals during their tourism activities. Future research should focus on understanding the decision-making processes of seniors when choosing tourist destinations and accessing tourism offers. These results provide a foundation for designing tourism offerings that cater to the current and future needs of seniors.

Resilience dynamics and their determinants: the transition to coronavirus pandemic recovery

Purpose This study aims to introduce a dynamic perspective of tourism resilience by analyzing tourism demand in Spain during the 2020 and 2021 summers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach This study uses regression and Lasso-type methods to demonstrate a great explanatory capacity of past determinants to explain the tourism demand of the Spanish provinces. Findings Results show how the previous specialization of the domestic market, the density and the geographic location related to the type of product are behind the bulk of the territorial differences in demand resilience, although in 2021 there has been a process of adaptation to the new context. Research limitations/implications This study contributes to the theoretical understanding of tourist behavior and tourism destination management by introducing the concept of resilience dynamics of destinations. Practical implications The results are useful, on the one hand, for tourist destinations to understand the different stages of recovery from a shock, and on the other hand, to go in deep in consumer behavior after a shock. Originality/value These findings represent a paradigm shift in the static conception of resilience in tourism.