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Open Access
Article
Publication date: 23 February 2024

Erdim Kul, Bekir Bora Dedeoğlu, Fulden Nuray Küçükergin, Marcella De Martino and Fevzi Okumus

This study investigates to what extent the values perceived by tourists throughout cultural tours impact their overall satisfaction levels and behavioral intentions related to the…

Abstract

Purpose

This study investigates to what extent the values perceived by tourists throughout cultural tours impact their overall satisfaction levels and behavioral intentions related to the destination. This study further examines the moderating role of tour guide competency in the relationship patterns concerned.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical data were collected via a survey from 420 foreign tourists who visited Cappadocia and participated in guided cultural tours. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling was used for data analysis.

Findings

Study results reveal that the effects of quality, emotional, monetary and social value perceptions of tourists gained through cultural tour experiences on their overall satisfaction levels and the effects of overall satisfaction on recommendation and revisit intention are positive and significant. Furthermore, the moderating role of tour guide competency is significant and positive in the relationships between quality value and satisfaction and between satisfaction and revisit intention.

Originality/value

This study offers a critical analysis of discoveries concerning the pivotal role of tour guide competency within the cultural tour experience.

Details

International Hospitality Review, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2516-8142

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 October 2019

Alexander Kofi Preko

The purpose of this paper is to present specific tour services that influence international tourist satisfaction (ITS) and behavioural intentions (BIs) utilising…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present specific tour services that influence international tourist satisfaction (ITS) and behavioural intentions (BIs) utilising transaction-specific customer satisfaction theory in a developing country. Identified factors will help stakeholders to plan, market and brand Elmina, Ghana, as a viable tourism destination to attract more tourists.

Design/methodology/approach

Structural equation modelling was used to test the proposed conceptual model of seven hypotheses based on validated survey data gathered from 432 international tourists in Elmina, Ghana.

Findings

Empirical results revealed that food services, transportation, tour guide performance and community interactions had positive effects, whereas accommodation had a negative effect on ITS. However, tourist satisfaction had a positive effect on BIs.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are limited to this sample and cannot be projected to other destinations. Future studies can examine other tour services like tourism information centres and retail travel agents in Elmina.

Practical implications

International tourists’ stay in Elmina could be improved by providing competitive, insightful and memorable tours. Management of Elmina should constantly investigate the quality of tour services available to meet emerging needs of tourists.

Originality/value

To date, research into tour services, satisfaction and intentions of international tourists within city tourism as a foundation for future tourism development in Ghana has been overlooked. The findings provide an improved understanding of tour services, which will help Elmina’s tourism management to design and offer innovative and quality tour services to tourists.

Details

International Journal of Tourism Cities, vol. 6 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2056-5607

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 June 2019

Jinsoo Hwang and JungHoon (Jay) Lee

As the elderly population in Korea grows, sales of travel packages for elderly people are also increasing. Senior tourists should spend much time with other tourists because of…

Abstract

Purpose

As the elderly population in Korea grows, sales of travel packages for elderly people are also increasing. Senior tourists should spend much time with other tourists because of the nature of package travel. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the significance of rapport with other tourists in the elderly tourist context. Specifically, the current study examined the relationship between other customer perceptions and rapport with other tourists. In addition, this study investigated the influences of rapport with other tourists on tour quality, tour satisfaction and word-of-mouth.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper collected data from 411 elderly tourists in Korea and conducted a structural equation modeling analysis to test nine hypotheses.

Findings

Physical appearance and suitable behavior positively affect rapport with other tourists and thus aid in increasing tour quality, tour satisfaction and word-of-mouth.

Originality/value

In service marketing, there is a general consensus that customers are influenced by other customers who use the same service facility because they recognize other customers as the environment of the service facility. The concept of other customer perceptions was applied to tourism marketing in this study in combination with another understudied concept, rapport. This study is one of the first, as per the authors’ knowledge, to apply those important concepts to the tourism industry in particular, although there has been a considerable body of research in the service marketing field. Consequently, the findings of this paper would be meaningful and useful for travel agencies when developing a marketing strategy to enhance rapport between tourists.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 31 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 August 2015

Cheng-Fei Lee

The purposes of this study were to identify the sector-specific destination attributes as antecedents of tourism satisfaction in the context of industrial tourism and examine…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purposes of this study were to identify the sector-specific destination attributes as antecedents of tourism satisfaction in the context of industrial tourism and examine their relative impact on intentions to recommend and re-participate in factory tour activities as consequences of tourist satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

The 26 sector-specific destination attributes ranging from the diversity of on-site and nearby tourism resources, the ease of internal and external accessibility, the availability of lodging and dining facilities to the provision of information services and safety and emergency systems were drawn from the relevant literature. Data were collected with 222 on-site visitors using convenient sampling on three separate weekends in August 2014.

Findings

The results showed that tourist satisfaction with factory tour experience is composed of seven dimensions, namely, lodging and dining facilities, internal accessibility, nearby attractions, external accessibility, provision of safety and emergency systems, on-site attractions and provision of information services. While satisfaction with the provision of safety and emergency systems is the most important positive contributor to overall satisfaction, satisfaction with the on-site attractions exerts a negative effect on intention to recommend. Nevertheless, the higher overall satisfaction the visitors have, the more possibility they will recommend and re-participate in factory tour activities.

Research limitations/implications

There were three limitations to this study. First, this study was confined to Taiwan. The sector-specific destination attributes may be limited and only applicable to Taiwan. Second, this study was based on a convenience sample of 222 domestic tourists at the three selected tourism factory sites. The results may not be generalized beyond this population. Third, overall satisfaction, intention to re-participate and willingness to recommend were all measured by a single question. The use of a single-item measure may cause the measurement error inherent in any singular measure and weaken the reliability of findings.

Practical implications

This study is a step toward strengthening tourist satisfaction with factory tour experience. Ensuring on-site safety and security is listed as the top priority for both the government and industry sectors. The bad publicity arising from any accidents occurring on any tourism factory sties could seriously tarnish the overall factory tour experience, which, in turn, influences more significantly on intention to re-participation than on willingness to recommend. The second task is to diversify the on-site attractions, which enable the pursuit of learning as a type of leisure/entertainment, and promote the authentic aspects of these attractions through social media.

Originality/value

Previous studies have examined the antecedents and consequences of tourist satisfaction with the chosen destination; however, none has been undertaken in the context of industrial tourism. Moreover, the existing industrial tourism literature has mainly focused on the socio-demographic and traveling characteristics of industrial tourists as well as the conditions under which industrial tourism can be successfully developed in the Western context. The perceptions of industrial tourists toward the determinants of industrial tourism potential in the context of Asia generally and Taiwan in particular have been poorly under-researched. This study with an attempt to address these issues is, therefore, both timely and worthwhile.

Details

International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research, vol. 9 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6182

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 May 2023

Jingyi Tian, Ting (Tina) Li, Rui Chen, Kaining Yang, Ping Li and Si Wen

“Idol pilgrimage tour” is a popular trend among young Chinese fans who travel for idol-related purposes, engage in interactive events and have co-created experiences at…

Abstract

Purpose

“Idol pilgrimage tour” is a popular trend among young Chinese fans who travel for idol-related purposes, engage in interactive events and have co-created experiences at destinations. With the growing market size of fan economy, fan tourists generate significant revenue for the local. However, many destinations have not fully utilised this opportunity, and there is a lack of research on this niche form of tourism. This research was undertaken to address this research gap.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted an idol worship–motivation–co-created experience–tour satisfaction–destination loyalty framework in the context of idol pilgrimage tours. In addition, this study investigated the direct influence of idol worship on the other four constructs. Data were collected from 354 Chinese fans who had such experience through online questionnaires. The partial least squares–structural equation modelling technique was used to examine the research model.

Findings

It was demonstrated that idol worship has a direct influence on motivation, co-created experience, satisfaction and loyalty and that there is a positive relationship between motivation, co-created experience, satisfaction and loyalty. The results advance the brand sacralisation literature by studying worship in a tourism context and contribute to interactive marketing literature by clarifying the interactive mechanism between relationships among the idol, fans and destinations. The study suggests some practical implications for destination management organisations attempting to target tourist fans.

Originality/value

This is the first study introducing the concept of the idol pilgrimage tour. Empirical results of this study reveal the underlying mechanism of how idols influence fans' travel-related psychology and behaviour.

Details

Journal of Research in Interactive Marketing, vol. 18 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-7122

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 March 2024

Hande Akyurt Kurnaz, Onur Cüneyt Kahraman, Alper Kurnaz and Ozan Atsız

This study aims to examine how travellers’ non-immersive virtual heritage authenticity, sense of presence and virtual tour satisfaction stimulate their behavioural intentions…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine how travellers’ non-immersive virtual heritage authenticity, sense of presence and virtual tour satisfaction stimulate their behavioural intentions (continuance and travel intention) within the stimulus–organism–response model.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was designed to survey Turkish travellers (n = 275) participating in a virtual tour. A structural equation modelling method was used to estimate the model and test the research hypotheses.

Findings

Research findings revealed that four out of six hypotheses were supported. Based on the study outputs, authenticity and sense of presence impact overall travellers’ satisfaction. Furthermore, satisfaction influences continuance intention and travel intention.

Originality/value

The study presents a pioneering effort to investigate tourists’ non-immersive virtual heritage tour experiences in a developing destination context through a theoretical framework.

Details

Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-9880

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 February 2022

Yongrui Guo and Xinyi Hou

This study aims to examine the effects of job crafting on the work engagement of tour leaders mediated by person-job fit and the meaningfulness of work.

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effects of job crafting on the work engagement of tour leaders mediated by person-job fit and the meaningfulness of work.

Design/methodology/approach

Derived from a sample of 331 tour leaders in China, the data for this research were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling.

Findings

The findings revealed that job crafting increased tour leaders’ person-job fit and meaningfulness of work, which stimulated their work engagement. Tour leaders’ person-job fit also increased their work engagement and perceptions of the meaningfulness of work. Enhancing the work meaningfulness of tour leaders can significantly increase their work engagement. Person-job fit and meaningfulness of work had a significant mediating effect between job crafting and tour leaders’ work engagement.

Practical implications

Managers need to provide external conditions for tour leaders’ job crafting by expanding structural and social job resources and by creating more stimulating job environments. Managers can enhance tour leaders’ work engagement by shaping their work meaning and person-job fit.

Originality/value

First, this study empirically tested the effects of job crafting on tour leaders’ work engagement, thus directly addressed the lack of academic attention paid to this topic. Second, this study examines the mediating role of person-job fit and meaningfulness of work, with regard to tour leaders’ job crafting and work engagement, based on an integrative concept model.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 34 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 November 2020

Yilmaz Akgunduz and Seckin Eser

This empirical study explored how tourist incivility, job stress and job satisfaction affect tourist guides' vocational commitment.

Abstract

Purpose

This empirical study explored how tourist incivility, job stress and job satisfaction affect tourist guides' vocational commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected via a questionnaire on a convenience sample of tourist guides during February–March 2018. A total of 172 valid questionnaires were collected, of which 100 were online and 72 face-to-face. The hypotheses were tested through multiple regression analyses.

Findings

The results show that job stress reduces both the affective and normative commitment of tourist guides whereas tourist incivility only reduces their normative commitment. The results also show that job satisfaction increases their affective commitment.

Practical implications

The results show that vocational commitment of tourist guides can be strengthened when job stresses are reduced, they are faced with less incivil behaviors and job satisfaction increases. Tour operators and travel agency managers can implement managerial practices that will reduce the job stress of tourist guides and increase job satisfaction. At the same time, it can be ensured that tourist guides develop a positive attitude toward their profession by supporting the legalization and implementation of regulations that protect from incivil tourist behavior.

Originality/value

Although both job stress and job satisfaction have received past research attention, no research has studied them in an integrated form with tourist incivility and vocational commitments of tourist guides. In this study, it is predicted that tourist incivility and job stress both affect the job satisfaction and vocational commitment of tourist guides. Conducting such a study of tourist guiding is important because the literature survey reveals that only very limited research has been done into the work of this profession.

Details

Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, vol. 5 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9792

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 October 2022

Tianyu Fu, Shuhao Li, Jie XU, Min Liu and Guofu Chen

Tour guides often use humor to entertain tourists, but the process of tour guide humor (TGH) affecting tourists’ positive word of mouth (PWOM) remains unclear. To fill the gap…

Abstract

Purpose

Tour guides often use humor to entertain tourists, but the process of tour guide humor (TGH) affecting tourists’ positive word of mouth (PWOM) remains unclear. To fill the gap, this study aims to investigate how TGH enhances tourists’ PWOM through perceived relationship investment, perceived wellness value and trust in tour guides.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive mediation model was proposed based on social exchange theory (SET). Data were obtained from 335 tour group tourists and analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

Results present that TGH positively predicts tourists’ PWOM. Perceived relationship investment, perceived wellness value and trust in tour guides not only play mediating roles between TGH and tourists’ PWOM, respectively, but also jointly provide two sequential mediation paths (TGH → perceived relationship investment → trust in tour guides → tourists’ PWOM and TGH → perceived wellness value → trust in tour guides → tourists’ PWOM).

Research limitations/implications

The findings have practical value for tour guides and travel agencies to use TGH to improve tourists’ PWOM.

Originality/value

The major contribution is that a reciprocity-based framework rooted in SET was proposed to parse the complex process of TGH promoting tourists’ PWOM. Furthermore, this study enriches current knowledge by confirming that perceived wellness value is not only available in wellness tourism but can be experienced from TGH in mass tourism.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 35 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 October 2020

Shampy Kamboj and Richa Joshi

Tourists regularly make use of their smartphones while staying at tourist destinations. Several studies have studied the outcomes of smartphone use at travel destinations. The…

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Abstract

Purpose

Tourists regularly make use of their smartphones while staying at tourist destinations. Several studies have studied the outcomes of smartphone use at travel destinations. The current paper believes tourists’ use of their smartphone or its apps because of their contact with tour friends, social loneliness-related concerns or its aesthetic scope. The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors of continued use of smartphone apps via travelers during their stay at a tourism destination, framed within the UTAUT2 model (unified theory of acceptance and use of technology), given intrinsic user attributes (innovativeness), tourism destination aspect (aesthetic scope and social loneliness) and one of the key characteristics of mobile devices (portability).

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consists of 357 smartphone users who travelled to some tourist destinations and used some mobile apps during their stay. Data was analyzed using the structural equation modeling approach.

Findings

The findings of the study show that the UTAUT2 model can effectively explain the use of smartphone apps at tourism destinations and characteristics of the user and mobile device, does affect behaviour outcomes (smartphone, intention to reuse app, satisfaction towards trip and loyalty towards app).

Originality/value

This paper is mainly important due to its emphasis on smartphone apps’ use during the travel stay, as the majority of the existing literature focusses on prior steps ( service booking).

Details

International Journal of Tourism Cities, vol. 7 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2056-5607

Keywords

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