The use of websites by Mediterranean tourist ports

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the use of websites by tourist ports to assess whether they support ports in communicating their image and provide information and services to actual and potential customers.

Design/methodology/approach

An analysis of 129 tourist ports websites from ten Mediterranean countries was conducted using the 2QCV3Q model, a multi-purpose qualitative evaluation tool based on experts’ judgments.

Findings

The findings show that tourist ports’ websites are typically beautiful and well-managed, give ports a clear image and link them with the local territory; however, sample websites are only partially user-friendly, offer limited room for interaction and fail to provide all the expected information and services to the visitors.

Originality/value

This research provides an unprecedented picture of the use and quality of websites by tourist ports located in the Mediterranean Sea and offers a robust and exhaustive assessment tool that might be of interest to researchers. The tool might also help managers of tourist ports to improve their websites by making them more business- and customer-oriented.

摘要

研究目的

本论文旨在研究旅游港口网站, 以评估其宣传港口形象和为现有和未来游客提供信息和服务的支持。

研究设计/方法/途径

研究样本是来自10个地中海国家的129家旅游港口网站。本论文以专家评估为依据, 采用2QCV3Q模型和多目的定性评估工具来进行样本分析。

研究结果

研究结果表明旅游港口网站一般都具有美丽和规范管理的特点, 为旅游港口树立一个清洁形象, 并展示当地地理环境；然而, 样本网站只是具备些许用户友好界面, 很少有很好的交互特性, 因此不能很好地为游客提供所需的信息和服务。

研究原创性/价值

本论文提供了一个前所未有在地中海区域旅游港口网站使用和质量评估报告, 并且提出了一个强有力的评估工具, 这对于学术研究有着显著意义。这个评估工具还能帮助旅游港口经营者通过改善网站的商业体验和消费者体验来提高其网站的各种特性。

关键词

海洋旅游, 旅游港口, 海洋管理, 网站营销, 网站评估, 网站质量

纸张类型

研究论文

Citation

Benevolo, C. and Spinelli, R. (2019), "The use of websites by Mediterranean tourist ports", Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, Vol. 10 No. 2, pp. 190-204. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHTT-09-2017-0097