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The present work assesses destination and service quality attributes, in terms of exploring the stronger and weaker points within these entities. In addition, it explores the relative effect of holistic experiences of destinations and the service-specific attributes on tourists’ overall satisfaction with destinations. Building on the perception, performance, and service quality literature a survey is carried out at 5 different tourist attractions among 701 tourists from over 15 countries worldwide visiting Northern Norway. The results divulge that many destination attributes are important; however, tourists find that the destination performs correspondingly with the perceived importance of destinations. The service quality attributes are also important, but reveal a perceptual gap between importance and performance. The study finds that Northern Norway as a tourist destination should concentrate on “uniqueness” and “novelty” to enhance tourist satisfaction. Service providers are advised to keep up the good work on “giving a good impression and a nice welcome” to enhance tourist satisfaction.

This article highlights a new research theme on how a no-escape natural disaster (NEND), such as Taiwan's earthquake of September 21, 1999 (dubbed as 921), impacts tourists’ trip decision. Nearly four years after the 921 event, a survey investigated the changes of tourists’ decision-making to the area mostly affected by the disaster. Expected negative effects on travel decisions were found. Surprisingly, a tourism boom in the affected destinations was documented. The possible reasons for recovery are discussed. Furthermore, comparing the consequences of another NEND event – December 2004 tsunami, the study suggests practical research agendas in rejuvenating NEND-impacted tourism destinations. Lastly, it is recommended that future research might center on the safety issues of travel destinations.

A special event requiring little capital for development is regarded as a unique type of attractions. Art festival is a popular form among all special events, famous example including Edinburgh Festival in England. However, the literature on the measurement of successful factors of art festivals is limited. This study uses Chiayi International Band Festival for a case study to evaluate performance factors of art festivals. The performance attributes are developed based on Kotler's Three Levels of Product framework. Importance–Performance Analysis (IPA) is used to evaluate the performance attributes perceived by the visitors. Further, a SWOT analysis is deployed to provide managerial strategies and implications.

An accurate tourism forecast is critical to destination countries as a foundation for tourism-related decision making and efficient tourism planning. The purpose of this study is to evaluate how Taiwan's inbound tourism was affected by the September 21st Earthquake in 1999 and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003, one of the mega earthquakes in the 20th century and most catastrophic health hazard in the past hundred years in Taiwan, respectively. According to the empirical findings, Taiwan's inbound tourism was brutally devastated by the two calamities, particularly during the SARS outbreak. The inbound tourism was more heavily influenced by the SARS epidemic and recovered from the SARS shadow was greater compared with the recovery after the September 21st Earthquake.