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1 – 10 of 424Jack S. Tillotson, Vito Tassiello, Alexandra S. Rome and Katariina Helaniemi
The purpose of this paper is to investigate inhabitants of Finland and their continuing efforts to narrate a national identity within the constraints imposed by discursive…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate inhabitants of Finland and their continuing efforts to narrate a national identity within the constraints imposed by discursive meanings of Finnish culture through the experience of sauna.
Design/methodology/approach
Data collection comprised semi-structured interviews with Finnish local residents and entrepreneurs; these were supplemented with secondary data including books, articles, advertisements and documents referencing sauna in the context of Finland.
Findings
The analysis and interpretation by the authors show that the symbolic resource of sauna constitutes the legitimation of Finnish nation branding discourses at three levels: regulative, normative and cultural-cognitive; we label these sauna governance, communal identity creation and mythmaking, respectively.
Originality/value
The research contribution reveals that nation branding discourses are also forms of legitimation work. Finnish nation branding discourses are interwoven with sauna as the symbolic resource of “Finnishness” and become conduits for the expression of discursive meanings. This demonstrates that institutional legitimacy is an intrinsic aspect of the ways place branding discourses can be used as a mode of governance (i.e. a policy instrument).
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Johari Hussein Nassor Amar and Tanja Tyvimaa
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact of beneficial externality generated by the World Heritage List (WHL) on residential property values in order to offer new…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact of beneficial externality generated by the World Heritage List (WHL) on residential property values in order to offer new insights into heritage discourses.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses the hedonic price model to estimate empirically the difference in prices for residential properties located in the Old Rauma World Heritage. The study uses residential sales transaction data from the City of Rauma from January 2005 to September 2012 drawn from an online database called KVKL Hintaseurantapalvelu managed by the Central Federation of Finnish Real Estate Agencies.
Findings
The research results indicate a positive, but insignificant, relationship between the property sale prices (euros/sqm) and heritage designation. However, the total sale prices are higher in Old Rauma as the properties are significantly larger in Old Rauma compared to other properties in Rauma.
Originality/value
Studies in heritage economics have assessed the influence of the property market on heritage listing and designation at either the national level, the local level or a mix of national/local levels. This paper contributes to the literature by analysing the impact of a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) world heritage designation on residential property values. UNESCO is the leading global institution which deals with the protection of heritage sites that transcend national and local boundaries.
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Reports the results of a survey of the service encounters in sauna and massage parlours in the UK offering sex for sale. Draws evidence from a customer generated World Wide Web…
Abstract
Reports the results of a survey of the service encounters in sauna and massage parlours in the UK offering sex for sale. Draws evidence from a customer generated World Wide Web site and a case study of a small massage parlour in a small town in the north west of England. Concludes that the initial contact with the reception and the working girl is crucial to success together with the physical environment. Suggests that the woner’s ability to manage these in ways that recognize the client’s sensitivities and emotional needs will be vital for future sustainability.
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In the UK the indoor sexual marketplace of brothels, saunas and massage parlours has historically been left to manage itself, with limited regulation from policing agencies. This…
Abstract
In the UK the indoor sexual marketplace of brothels, saunas and massage parlours has historically been left to manage itself, with limited regulation from policing agencies. This paper examines the current nature of the indoor sex markets in light of the Home Office's co‐ordinated prostitution strategy. It looks critically at the impact of ‘disrupting sex markets’, and examines the arguments for rejecting a system that regulates the indoor sex venues. It also discusses the proposal to change the law to enable ‘two (or three)’ women to work together indoors and plans to minimise exploitation through an action plan on trafficking and the implications for practitioners and policy are assessed.
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Tak-Kee Hui, Weerapon Thomgma, Kuan-Ying Chen and Huai-Chen Wang
Medical tourism has started to receive more attention from tourism marketers and researchers but wellness tourism remains relatively unfamiliar to most people. This concept of…
Abstract
Medical tourism has started to receive more attention from tourism marketers and researchers but wellness tourism remains relatively unfamiliar to most people. This concept of wellness tourism has bred a special niche of hotels – wellness hotels. Such hotels are specialized hotels which provide professional health know-how and health packages/services to their guests. This paper therefore seeks to conduct an exploratory study in wellness-hotel visitors by performing a market segmentation analysis. By identifying the different market segments existing in this industry, marketing strategies can be made more focused, further refined, and consequently, more effective. Based on the systematic random sample of size 184 and the 10 identified variables, the result of the cluster analysis reveals that there are three clusters, namely, independent, undemanding, and demanding guests. Managerial implications are also discussed.
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Linda Sherman, Candice Clemenz and Steven Philipp
An emerging male market within the spa industry is causing practitioners to consider if men and women differ in their service preferences at spas. This study explored the question…
Abstract
An emerging male market within the spa industry is causing practitioners to consider if men and women differ in their service preferences at spas. This study explored the question via a self-administered survey instrument distributed to individuals located in resort communities along the Gulf Coast of the Florida panhandle. Analysis of the responses of 107 subjects indicated significant gender differences on the importance ratings of 12 out of 18 common spa services: aromatherapy, body scrub and exfoliation, facial, fitness facilities, lymph drainage, manicure, mud or seaweed wrap, pedicure, Pilates, Shiatsu, sport massage, and yoga. The services that men and women rated similarly in decreasing order of importance were Swedish massage, nutritional counseling, steam and sauna, hydrotherapy, spa cuisine, and reflexology.
Antti Tapio Kurvinen and Tanja Tyvimaa
Even as many countries are facing changes in demographic profile and new types of senior housing developments are becoming more important, there is limited evidence for the…
Abstract
Purpose
Even as many countries are facing changes in demographic profile and new types of senior housing developments are becoming more important, there is limited evidence for the development impact of a senior house on surrounding residential property values. The purpose of this paper is to address the void in knowledge, investigating the impact of senior house developments on apartment values in Tampere, Finland.
Design/methodology/approach
To specify valuation effects of proximate senior house development projects, advanced research design combining propensity score matching procedure and hedonic pricing models is used.
Findings
The results show that a senior house development has a significant positive impact on proximate residential property values within a 500 metre radius. The impact is found to be the highest in underdeveloped neighbourhoods. Nevertheless, in neighbourhoods where property values and demand for housing units are higher and senior house developments fall into the criteria of infill development, a premium is lower, but still statistically significant and notable in magnitude.
Research limitations/implications
This paper studies apartment values only in Tampere, Finland, and it is important to notice that local regulations and market conditions may have a notable impact on the outcomes from senior house developments.
Originality/value
This study is the first of its kind to address a number of empirical issues and provide with statistically significant evidence for positive impacts from senior house developments – encouraging investors and developers to build senior houses.
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As head of the European bureau of Meeting Planners International and marketing director of the European Federation of Conference Towns, Geoffrey Smith has checklists galore for…
Abstract
As head of the European bureau of Meeting Planners International and marketing director of the European Federation of Conference Towns, Geoffrey Smith has checklists galore for assessing conference facilities and services. For selecting a hotel, he asks such questions as: How handy is it for airport transfers and road and rail arrivals? Is the car parking accommodation satisfactory? How many spaces are there? What public transport and taxi services are available? How many function rooms and sleeping rooms are there? How attractive is the price? What can be negotiated? Is it possible to benefit from seasonal and group rates? What other meetings are scheduled at the venue at the same time? (An overworked and exhausted staff is not desirable). Which hotel executive will be responsible for the event? Will he be easy to work with? Is the property handy for places which delegates or accompanying persons may want to visit — shops, entertainment, cultural attractions, restaurants, etc? Does it have a pool, gymnasium, sauna, nearby jogging, tennis, golf? Are the bar prices and hours acceptable? Will the hotel provide a special check‐in desk for your delegates, with quick service or pre‐booking? Will the meeting registration desk be well sited? What about in‐house restaurants, coffee shop, menus and prices? Does it cater for handicapped people? Are the halls and public rooms fresh and clean? Is the front office a cheerful place? Is the surrounding area safe at night? If the conference includes overseas delegates, do some staff speak their languages?
This volume is aimed at instructors in schools of education and those who support them. It is meant to be a window by which the decisions, experiences, and evaluations of your…
Abstract
This volume is aimed at instructors in schools of education and those who support them. It is meant to be a window by which the decisions, experiences, and evaluations of your colleagues’ use of social media in teaching can be examined. Rather than a recipe book with specific steps, it is meant to be a sauna that gets your creative juices flowing. Social media are used by people of all ages in the second decade of the 21st century, so having your learners get involved in using Facebook events for service learning projects in your town can be applicable for when they move onto teaching learners at other levels.
Melanie Kay Smith, Sonia Ferrari and László Puczkó
The main purpose of this chapter is to analyze the relationship between service innovation and experience creation in the context of spas, wellness and medical tourism. The…
Abstract
Purpose
The main purpose of this chapter is to analyze the relationship between service innovation and experience creation in the context of spas, wellness and medical tourism. The objectives include providing an overview of service innovation theory and models and applying them to the spa, wellness and medical tourism sectors.
Methodology/approach
Primary research was undertaken with the purpose of identifying the most important elements in the experiences of spa and wellness guests and tourists. An online questionnaire was collected from 17 different types of spa and wellness facilities from 56 countries including all kinds of spa, wellness hotels, and retreats. Information given was based on three major demand segments: local customers, domestic tourists, and international tourists. A case study is also given of Pärnu hospital in Estonia, where innovative practices are being implemented to enhance the patient experience.
Findings
Findings suggested that some aspects of innovation (e.g., design and technology) are not as important as expected, but evidence-based treatments, medical services, and natural and local resources are.
Research limitations/implications
The research gives important insights into customer preferences and current and future trends; however, the research only focused on operator rather than consumer perspectives. This would require further research.
Practical implications
The research findings provide useful information to operators who are trying to create innovative, unique, and competitive customer services.
Originality/value
Existing service innovation models are applied to new sectors (spa, wellness and medical tourism) and new insights are given into how these sectors can increase innovation and enhance customer experiences.
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