Search results

1 – 10 of 22
Article
Publication date: 6 July 2020

Hanh Song Thi Pham and Chi Nguyen Thi Khanh

This study aims to examine the decisive factors that affect travellers’ intention to visit ecotourism destinations.

1685

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the decisive factors that affect travellers’ intention to visit ecotourism destinations.

Design/methodology/approach

Convenience sampling method was used to develop a research sample. The research sample includes visitors at eight ecotourism destinations in Vietnam who were randomly approached and agreed to participate in a structured questionnaire survey. The data set consists of 431 valid responses. A multivariate analysis method was used to analyse the data.

Findings

This study finds strong correlations between three factors that are important in determining the Vietnamese travellers’ intention to visit ecotourism locations. These are environmental concern, future time perspective (defined as individual views towards the importance of future time) and eco-destinations image (understood as individual perceptions of an ecotourism place). This study also reports robust associations between eco-destination image, future time perspective and environmental concern.

Practical implications

This study suggests policymakers in an emerging economy such as Vietnam to use efficient regulations on protecting the natural environment in tourism locations while tourism providers and marketers should invest in building eco-image of travel locations. This study also recommends public organisations to encourage greater awareness of the importance of environmental protection through education, propaganda and media as this will foster the demand for ecotourism. Last but not least, this study advises tourism marketers to develop marketing materials emphasising future time perspective and eco-destination images if they wish to promote ecotourism.

Originality/value

This study highlights the influential role of travellers’ future time perspective and eco-destination image in their travel intention. The existing literature does not pay sufficient attention to the impacts that these two considerations have on travellers’ environmental concerns and consequently stimulate their intention to visit ecotourism destinations. This study suggests relevant management strategies for the development of ecotourism in emerging economies.

Propósito

este estudio tiene como objetivo examinar los factores decisivos que afectan la intención de los viajeros de visitar destinos de ecoturismo.

Metodología

se empleó un método de muestreo conveniente para desarrollar una muestra de investigación. La muestra de investigación incluye visitantes en ocho destinos de ecoturismo en Vietnam que fueron abordados al azar y aceptaron participar en una encuesta estructurada de cuestionarios. El conjunto de datos consta de 431 respuestas válidas. Se empleó un método de análisis multivariado para analizar los datos.

Hallazgo

el estudio encuentra fuertes correlaciones entre tres factores que son importantes para determinar la intención de los viajeros vietnamitas de visitar lugares de ecoturismo. Estas son preocupaciones ambientales, la perspectiva del tiempo futuro (definida como puntos de vista individuales hacia la importancia del tiempo futuro) e imágenes de destinos ecológicos (entendidas como percepciones individuales de un lugar). El estudio también informa asociaciones sólidas entre imágenes de eco-destinos, perspectivas de tiempo futuro y preocupaciones ambientales.

Valor original

la importancia de la perspectiva del tiempo futuro y las percepciones del destino ecológico tienden a pasarse por alto en la literatura existente, que no presta suficiente atención al impacto que estas dos consideraciones tienen en la mediación de las preocupaciones ambientales de los viajeros y, en consecuencia, estimulan su intención de Visitar destinos de ecoturismo. El estudio sugiere estrategias de gestión relevantes para el desarrollo del ecoturismo en las economías emergentes.

题目:生态旅游意愿:环境关注, 时间观点和目的地形象的作用方法

采用便利抽样方法来收集研究样本。该研究样本包括在越南初始生态旅游目的地的访客, 他们被随机采访并同意参加问卷调查。数据集包含431个有效问卷。采用多元分析方法分析数据。

目的

这项研究旨在探索影响旅行者访问生态旅游目的地意愿的决定性因素。

发现

这项研究表明, 像越南这样的新兴经济体, 政策制定者采取了有效的法规来保护旅游地点的自然环境, 而旅游提供者和营销者应投资于建立旅游地点的生态形象。 这项研究还建议公共机构通过教育, 宣传和媒体鼓励人们更多地意识到环境保护的重要性, 因为这将促进对生态旅游的需求。 最后, 本研究建议旅游营销人员在开发营销材料时, 应强调未来时间观点和生态目的地形象, 从而促进生态旅游。

价值

这项研究强调了旅行者未来时间的观点和生态目的地形象对他们旅行意愿的影响。 现有文献没有充分注意这两种考虑因素对旅行者环境关注的影响, 以及对他们前往生态旅游目的地的意愿的影响。该研究提出了新兴经济体发展生态旅游的相关管理策略。

Article
Publication date: 6 August 2020

Chi Nguyen Thi Khanh and Le Thai Phong

This study examines the direct and indirect impact of environmental belief, nature-based destination image and time perspective on tourist attitude towards ecotourism.

1237

Abstract

Purpose

This study examines the direct and indirect impact of environmental belief, nature-based destination image and time perspective on tourist attitude towards ecotourism.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected through a structured questionnaire survey conducted in Vietnam. The dataset consists of 479 valid responses by Vietnamese tourists. Correlation analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to test the causal relationships among time perspective, environmental belief, nature-based destination and ecotourism attitude. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) is conducted to verify the reliability and validity of each latent construct, and to evaluate the discriminant validity, convergent validity, composition reliability and average variance extracted (AVE) for the latent constructs.

Findings

This study finds statistically significant and positive effects of time perspective, environmental belief and nature-based destination image on ecotourism attitude. The results also indicate that environmental belief is found to have statistically significant effects both direct and indirect on ecotourism attitude; its indirect effect is transmitted through nature-based destination image. Our findings demonstrate empirically that tourists are mainly attracted by natural environment sites and that tourists having environmental beliefs are likely to engage in ecotourism than other types of tourism by first influencing their attitude.

Research limitations/implications

One limitation is associated with our measurement method, which relies on respondents’ self-ratings of their activities. Second, our study is based on internal consistency assessments for establishing construct reliability and validity, which might be the problem of measurement misspecification in tourism research and hinder us to adequately capture the dynamic nature of the variables and the underlying relationships. Third, the survey is conducted in one specific ecotourism nation like Vietnam, and thus, the findings must also be explained in this case.

Practical implications

Policymakers need to pay careful attention to the planning and conservation of local resources, as well as infrastructure, for ecotourism development. Moreover, the management of eco-site needs to maintain ecology properly, provide an authentic ecotourism experience to improve ecotourism destination. Otherwise, ecotourism operators should focus on marketing strategies to increase traditional and natural values and promote eco-friendly social standards for fostering demand.

Originality/value

This study examines an integrated model analyzing the impact of time perspective, environmental belief and nature-based destination on tourist attitude towards ecotourism. This study reveals the understanding of how individuals’ view towards belief in environment and location image, influences their attitude to engage in ecotourism. The study provides several implications for practice.

Details

Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, vol. 3 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9792

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 22 August 2022

Nguyen Thi Khanh Chi and Hanh Pham

This study investigates the moderating effect of eco-destination image on the relationships between travel motivations and ecotourism intention.

4183

Abstract

Purpose

This study investigates the moderating effect of eco-destination image on the relationships between travel motivations and ecotourism intention.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs the convenience sampling method to develop a research sample, and the multivariate data analysis method to analyse the data of 435 valid observations collected in the structured questionnaire survey conducted in Vietnam.

Findings

The paper reports that the eco-destination image significantly strengthens the effects of four travel motives (i.e. excitement, escape, knowledge-seeking and self-development) on ecotourism intention. However, the moderating impact of eco-destination image on the link between socialising motive and ecotourism intention is insignificant.

Originality/value

This study is the first to shed light on the role of eco-destination image in strengthening the effects of travel motivations on ecotourism demand. The study provides a framework for segmenting promotion materials associated with destination image based on different types of customers' internal travel motivations. The framework includes four dimensions: (1) destination image reflecting enablers of excitement, (2) destination image reflecting enablers of escaping from daily life routine, (3) destination image reflecting enablers of knowledge-seeking and (4) destination image reflecting enablers of personal development.

Details

Journal of Tourism Futures, vol. 10 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2055-5911

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 September 2024

Long Cuu Hoang and Ha Duy Nguyen

This study aims to examine the determinants of Generation Z's intention to support sustainable development in tourism, with a focus on Nha Trang, Vietnam (a coastal city with…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the determinants of Generation Z's intention to support sustainable development in tourism, with a focus on Nha Trang, Vietnam (a coastal city with famous tourism activities).

Design/methodology/approach

The study was conducted with an aid of SPSS 20.0 and SmartPLS 4.0 softwares to analyze the data collected from 394 valid respondents in Ho Chi Minh City through a cross-sectional method with a self-administered survey.

Findings

Empirical evidence revealed that sustainable tourism attitude, sustainable tourism belief and perceived sustainable destination image positively influenced Generation Z's support intentions toward sustainable tourism. In addition, perceived sustainable destination image also indirectly impacted intention to support sustainable tourism through the sustainable tourism attitude and/or belief (both single and sequential mediations).

Originality/value

This is among pioneering studies to figure out that knowledge negatively moderated the relationship between sustainable tourism attitude and intention to support sustainable tourism.

Details

Journal of Global Responsibility, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2041-2568

Keywords

Open Access

Abstract

Details

Journal of Tourism Futures, vol. 10 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2055-5911

Article
Publication date: 17 May 2021

Asli D.A. Tasci, Alan Fyall and Kyle Maurice Woosnam

This study aims to uncover socio-demographic, psychographic and behavioral characteristics of sustainable consumers as a means to advance the demand for sustainability practices…

2062

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to uncover socio-demographic, psychographic and behavioral characteristics of sustainable consumers as a means to advance the demand for sustainability practices by the tourism and hospitality industry. Socio-demographic and psychographic variables were tested for their influence on an individual’s self-assessment as a sustainable consumer, which was then tested for its influence on behavioral outcomes in the form of environmental and social sustainability concerns, objects of sustainability concerns, subjects considered responsible for sustainability and tourism choice vis-à-vis mass vs alternative forms of tourism.

Design/methodology/approach

Because of the paucity of a well-established and robust theory on the characteristics of sustainable consumers, both content analysis of the literature and quantitative analysis of survey data were used to identify the socio-demographic, psychographic and behavioral characteristics of consumers. Plausible variables identified in the literature were filtered through principal component analysis and ordinary least squares regression analysis to fine-tune the variables a priori to develop a suitable model, which was subjected to partial least squares-structural equation modeling to further trim variables a posteriori by testing their reliability and validity.

Findings

Understanding who sustainable consumers are and what they are likely to believe and do is imperative for increasing sustainable practices by the industry. The study shows that people who consider themselves to be sustainable consumers are likely to have higher levels of ethical views, be more feminine and more liberal in personality, demonstrate concern with environmental and social sustainability issues, consider all pertinent parties responsible for sustainability and chose alternative forms of tourism over mass tourism. The study implies that general American consumers have the potential to buy into sustainability practices.

Originality/value

Despite researchers’ sporadic attempts to describe different characteristics of sustainable consumers and sustainable tourism consumers, past research has not substantiated a comprehensive description of who is a sustainable consumer in terms of socio-demographics, psychographics and behavioral characteristics. The literature on sustainable consumer characteristics is scarce and atheoretical; thus, the current study sets the stage for the development of this area of work across all sectors of the global tourism and hospitality industry. The model test results provide a clear profile of sustainable tourism consumers in socio-demographic, psychographic and behavioral domains for the industry to respond to.

可持续旅游消费者:社会人口学, 心理变数, 以及行为的特征

摘要

研究目的

本研究旨在揭示可持续消费者的社会人口学, 心理变数, 以及行为的特征, 并以此作为推动旅游业和款待业对可持续发展实践需求的一种手段。本研究首先测试了两个变量:社会人口学特征和心理变数特征对个人作为可持续消费者的自我评估的影响; 然后测试了其对消费者行为性后果的影响, 包括对环境和社会可持续性问题的关注, 关注的主题, 对可持续性问题责任性的关注, 以及针对大众和其他旅游形式选择的比较。

研究设计/方法论/方案

由于缺乏关于可持续消费者特征的公认理论, 本研究采用了对相关文献内容的定性分析和对调查数据的定量分析来识别消费者的社会人口学, 心理变数, 以及行为特征。在建立合适的模型之前, 研究通过采用主成分分析(PCA)和普通最小二乘法(OLS)回归分析, 首先对文献中已识别的合理变量进行过滤和调整。继而基于偏最小二乘-结构方程建模(PLS- SEM)对可靠性和有效性的测试, 来进一步确定后验变量。

研究发现

了解可持续消费者的界定, 以及他们的信念和行为对于行业增加可持续性实践至关重要。该研究表明, 当人们认为自己是可持续消费者时, 他们便可能具有更高水平的道德观念, 具有更加女性化和自由的个性, 表现出对环境和社会可持续性问题的关注, 对可持续发展责任性的考虑更全面, 以及对其他旅游形式选择的偏爱。本篇研究的结果显示出普通美国消费者具有实践可持续性行为的潜力。

独创性/价值

尽管以往的研究曾零星地尝试描述可持续消费者和可持续旅游消费者的不同特征, 但并未从社会人口学, 心理变数, 以及行为特征这几个方面去全面地界定和证明可持续消费者。文献中依然缺乏关于对可持续消费者特征更加理论性地讨论。因此, 本研究旨在为全球旅游业和款待业的各个领域对于可持续旅游的讨论和发展奠定基础。模型测试的结果也为行业提供了一个关于可持续旅游消费者的社会人口学, 心理变数, 以及行为特征的理论框架, 以供行业响应。

El consumidor de turismo sostenible: Características sociodemográficas, psicográficas, y de comportamiento

Propósito

Este estudio busca revelar las características sociodemográficas, psicográficas, y de comportamiento de los consumidores responsables para promover la demanda de prácticas de sostenibilidad en la industria del turismo y la hospitalidad. Se evaluaron variables sociodemográficas y psicográficas para determinar su influencia sobre la autoevaluación de un individuo como consumidor responsable, que después se evaluó para determinar su influencia en resultados conductuales, específicamente preocupaciones de sostenibilidad medioambiental y social, objectos de preocupaciones de sostenibilidad, sujetos considerados responsables de la sostenibilidad, y la elección de turismo de masas versus turismo alternativo.

Diseño/metodología/método

Debido a la falta de teoría robusta y bien establecida sobre las características de los consumidores responsables, un análisis de contenidos de la literatura y un análisis cuantitativo de datos obtenidos a través de una encuesta se utilizaron para identificar las características sociodemográficas, psicográficas, y de comportamiento de los consumidores. Las variables plausibles identificadas en la literatura fueron filtradas a través de un análisis de componentes principales (ACP) y un análisis de regresión por mínimos cuadrados ordinarios (MCO) para afinar a priori las variables para el desarrollo de un modelo adecuado, el cual fue evaluado utilizando un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales por el método de mínimos cuadrados parciales (PLS-SEM por sus siglas en inglés) que permitió seguir afinando las variables a posteriori por medio de la evaluación de su confiabilidad y validez.

Resultados

Entender quiénes son los consumidores responsables y qué son propensos a creer y hacer es imperativo para aumentar las prácticas sostenibles en la industria. El estudio demuestra que las personas que se consideran consumidores responsables son más propensas a tener niveles más altos de opiniones éticas, a tener personalidades más femeninas y liberales, a demostrar preocupación por los problemas de sostenibilidad medioambiental y social, a considerar a todas las partes pertinentes como responsables de la sostenibilidad, y a escoger formas alternativas de turismo en vez de turismo de masas. El estudio sugiere que los consumidores americanos en general tienen el potencial de apoyar prácticas sostenibles.

Originalidad/valor

A pesar de los intentos esporádicos de otros investigadores para describir las diferentes características del consumidor responsable y de los consumidores de turismo sostenible, las investigaciones anteriores no han generado una descripción completa de quién es un consumidor responsable en términos de sus características sociodemográficas, psicográficas, y de comportamiento. La literatura sobre las características del consumidor responsable es escasa y sin bases teóricas; por lo tanto, este estudio sienta las bases para el desarrollo de esta área de investigación en todos los sectores de la industria global del turismo y la hospitalidad. Los resultados de la evaluación del modelo proporcionan un perfil claro de los consumidores de turismo sostenible en los ámbitos sociodemográficos, psicográficos, y de comportamiento para que la industria responda.

Article
Publication date: 24 September 2021

Nhung Thi Hoai Duong, Nguyen Khanh Chi, Hanh Thi Nguyen, Ngan Thi Kim Nguyen, Chi Phuong Nguyen and Uyen Thi To Nguyen

This study examines the impact of perceived value, materialism and tourist intention on willingness to pay a premium for ecotourism (WTPP).

Abstract

Purpose

This study examines the impact of perceived value, materialism and tourist intention on willingness to pay a premium for ecotourism (WTPP).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected and conducted in Vietnamese National Parks. The dataset consists of 927 valid responses by domestic travelers. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the proposed relationships among perceived value, materialism, tourist intention and tourists' WTPP.

Findings

This study found a significant positive effect of perceived value on both tourist intention and their WTPP. The results also indicated that materialism is revealed to have a totally negative influence on WTPP for ecotourism; its indirect effect is transmitted through tourist intention. These findings highlight that tourists are mainly attracted when they received unique information about eco-destination. Therefore, they tend to participate in ecotourism and decide to pay for ecotourism.

Research limitations/implications

First, the study findings contribute strategies for tourism providers in their marketing activities by segmenting the target market which can be based on tourists with materialistic and nonmaterialistic. Second, ecotourism marketers need to focus on increasing the unique image of ecological sites. These efforts will create a favorable action for tourists. Third, ecotourism providers might increase the prospective customer base among consumers who have materialistic behaviors. Furthermore, they can provide ecotourism promotion materials for targeting customers. Finally, government needs to consider strategies designed to enhance the eco-destination places and environmental intention.

Practical implications

First, the study has not compared the efficacy of two different measures which are affective and cognitive items in perceived value construct. Second, this research does not discuss about the interrelationships among other factors influencing tourists' WTPP. Third, the customers' demographic characteristics in this study did not explore because the difference on gender may be perceived differently in analyzing advertising. Fourth, this study was conducted in Vietnam, not in different countries and other different cultures.

Originality/value

This study investigates the impact of perceived value and materialism on ecotourism intention and tourists' WTPP for ecotourism. This study reveals the understanding of how individuals' concern about the value of ecological sites and influences their intention to actual behavior in engaging ecotourism. Significant practical implications are also provided for ecotourism providers, marketers and government. In general, government needs to consider strategies designed to enhance the eco-destination places and environmental intention. Ecotourism marketers need to focus on increasing the unique image of ecological sites. These efforts will create a favorable action for tourists. Otherwise, ecotourism providers might increase the prospective customer base among consumers who have materialistic behaviors. Furthermore, they can provide ecotourism promotion materials for targeting customers.

Details

Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, vol. 5 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9792

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 30 July 2021

NgoHai Quynh, Nguyen Thanh Hoai and Nguyen Van Loi

The purpose of this study is to analyze the influence of the emotional experience (EE) and the image of the tourist destination on the satisfaction of the domestic tourist and his…

5855

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the influence of the emotional experience (EE) and the image of the tourist destination on the satisfaction of the domestic tourist and his behavioral intentions, represented through the word of mouth (WOM) and his revisit intention.

Design/methodology/approach

The information obtained through a personal survey to 382 local tourists was refined and subjected to structural equation analysis. Analyses conducted with SPSS 20.0 and AMOS 20 software confirmed the existence of interesting significant relationships.

Findings

The results show that positive destination image and different experiences are considered to be the main elements that promote positive emotions and satisfaction for tourists, leading to a higher eagerness to spread WOM recommendations and to revisit a destination. The results also verify that interactions with the difficult-replacement services and with residents create strong positive EEs for female visitors, so that they are more willing to revisit a destination than males.

Research limitations/implications

Eco-destination managers should provide more difficult-replacement services and create an enjoyable and unique experience for tourists to enhance their satisfaction and positive behavioral intentions.

Originality/value

The results provide some important implications and insights about the marketing theory groundwork of EE and satisfaction, such as how they are to be conceptualized and established and how interactive relationships are formed among them in the ecotourism context.

Objectivos

El propósito del estudio es analizar la influencia de la experiencia emocional y la imagen del destino turístico sobre la satisfacción del turista nacional y sus intenciones de comportamiento, representadas a través del WOM y su intención de reinterpretación.

Metodología

La información obtenida a través de una encuesta personal a 382 turistas locales fue refinada y sometida a análisis de ecuaciones estructurales. Los análisis realizados con el software SPSS 20.0 y AMOS 20 confirmaron la existencia de interesantes relaciones significativas.

Resultados

Los resultados exponen que la imagen positiva de los destinos y las experiencias varias se consideraron como los elementos principales que les promocionan las emociones y satisfaciones positivas a los turistas, lo que llevan a un gran deseo de difundir boca a boca y de volver a visitar. Además, verifican los resultados que las interacciones de turistas con los servicios de reemplazo diferente y con los residentos locales les han creado las experiencias de emoción fuerte a los visitantes femeninas, entonces desean que vuelven a visitar los destinos que los masculinos.

Implicaciones practicas

Los directores de eco-destino deben proveer más servicios disponibles de reemplazo diferente a los turistas lo que les generan maravillosa diversa experiencia a ellos, así empodean la satisfaction y intenciones de conducta.

Originalidad/Valor

Los resultados proveen algunas implicaciones importantes y visiones del fundamento de la teoría del marketing de la experiencia emocional y la satisfacción como en cuál manera que se establecen o conceptualizan y como las relacciones interactivas son formada en el contexto de eco-turismo.

目的

本研究旨在分析情感体验和旅游目的地形象对国内游客满意度及其行为意向的影响, 行为意向通过口碑推荐和目的地重游意向来表示。

研究方法

通过调研382名当地游客, 对获取得信息进行提炼, 进行了结构方程分析。使用SPSS 20.0和AMOS 20软件进行分析, 证实了存在着有趣的显著关系。

研究结果

结果显示, 积极的目的地形象和不同的体验被认为是促进游客积极情绪和满意度的主要因素, 从而使游客更热衷于传播口碑、推荐和重游目的地。结果还表明, 与困难置换服务机构的互动, 以及与居民的互动会为女性游客带来强烈的正向情感体验, 使得女性游客相比于男性更愿意重游目的地。

实践意义

生态旅游目的地管理者应提供更多的困难置换服务, 并为游客创造愉快、独特的体验, 以提高游客的满意度和积极的行为意向。

原创性/价值

研究结果为情感体验和满意度的营销理论基础工作提供了一些重要的启示, 例如, 在生态旅游背景下, 如何对它们进行概念化和建立, 以及它们之间如何形成互动关系。

Article
Publication date: 18 July 2024

Van Thi Hong Do and Long Thanh Do

While consumers are increasingly concerned about the environment and commit themselves to environmental protection, they are still reluctant to act. This phenomenon, to date, has…

Abstract

Purpose

While consumers are increasingly concerned about the environment and commit themselves to environmental protection, they are still reluctant to act. This phenomenon, to date, has remained a puzzle and gained much attention from practitioners and researchers. As a contribution to the understanding of the phenomenon, this study aims to examine the role of downward social comparison as an explanation for the inconsistency of the relationships between two types of pro-environmental attitudes, namely attitudes toward the environment and attitudes toward sustainable consumption, and two sustainable consumption behaviors including electricity-saving behavior and unneeded consumption reduction.

Design/methodology/approach

Hierarchical multiple regressions were employed to test the hypotheses with survey data from 381 consumers in a large city in a Southeast Asian country.

Findings

The regression results support our expectation that downward social comparison negatively moderates the relationships between the two attitude variables and the two sustainable consumption behaviors.

Originality/value

Our findings provide some insights into the complexity of the attitude-behavior relationship and offer some practical recommendations for governments and policymakers in designing more effective behavioral interventions for the sustainability of human society.

Details

Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-5855

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 January 2022

Chee Hua Chin

Following COVID-19, the emphasis on tourism development has shifted to rural tourism and eco-destinations for preventive practice of the three Cs – confined spaces, close contact…

Abstract

Purpose

Following COVID-19, the emphasis on tourism development has shifted to rural tourism and eco-destinations for preventive practice of the three Cs – confined spaces, close contact and crowded spaces. Given the potential growth of rural tourism destinations, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is conceivably the first to provide empirical evidence for rural tourism development post-COVID-19, and this study aims to examine the relationship between the potential development of rural tourism destination competitiveness alongside the inherited, created and supporting resources as perceived by domestic tourists.

Design/methodology/approach

This study sampled 172 respondents who were all domestic tourists in Malaysia. A partial least square (PLS)-structural equation modeling approach was used to evaluate the developed model, with PLS estimation and hypothesis testing performed using WarpPLS software.

Findings

Interestingly, the findings indicate that rural tourism destinations in Sarawak derive competitive advantage from factors that are closely associated with urban destinations (i.e. created and supporting resources), whereas rural-related factors (i.e. inherited resources) are not perceived as a contributor to their competitive advantage.

Practical implications

The findings will assist tourism planners in constructing a deployable rural tourism destination competency index to develop policies and programmes that address specific tourism or rural development objectives in Malaysia and beyond.

Originality/value

The value of present study lies in its examination of the tourists’ perspectives on the factors that provides addition to rural competitive advantage, with an emphasis on a relatively new and contentious post-COVID-19 topic, namely, rural tourism destinations.

Details

Consumer Behavior in Tourism and Hospitality, vol. 17 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2752-6666

Keywords

1 – 10 of 22