Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR) An International Journal of Akdeniz University,

Pages 17-25

Authors: Jing (Bill) XU and Pimtong TAVITIYAMAN

Few researchers have examined Japan’s inbound tourism and the youth market. This study examines factors that drive travelling youths from Hong Kong to Japan. Focus group interviews is the methodology used and the findings indicate that Hong Kong young people are motivated to travel to Japan mainly because of some pull factors (Japan’s “natural wonders, man-made attractions and events,” “traditional culture” and “the hospitality and shopping opportunities”) and some trip-related features and push factors. These findings pave the way for more effective marketing strategies that Japan can use to target Hong Kong’s youth market for its tourism industry.

Pages 32-51

Authors: Dipendra SINGH, Edwin N. TORRES, and April ROBERTSON-RING

Whereas past research studied the impact of online reviews on a hotel’s image, the present study analyzes the impact of various measures of customer engagement on the local market ranking of a hotel. For these purposes, the researchers collected data on a sample of hotels including the number of reviews, absolute rating (i.e. 1-5 stars), and market ranking (i.e. 1st, 2nd, 3rd place) on TripAdvisor. The authors tested the relationships between number of reviews, market ranking, overall rating and number of booking transactions. Results revealed that the absolute rating of the hotel was a significant factor in determining its market ranking, whereas other elements such as the number of reviews were not. Since the logarithm used by TripAdvisor and other review sites is of a proprietary nature, research that illuminates the relationships between overall rating, market ranking, and number of reviews, helps illuminate scholar’s and practitioner’s understanding of how to improve hotel performance and online image.

Pages 70-82

Authors: Roselyne N. OKECH

This study identifies the wine tourism product and the experience as well as factors that contribute to wine preferences and consumption. This is a case study of wine tourists’ visiting the Auk Island winery, Twillingate and Rodrigues winery, Markland both in Newfoundland Province. The research results reveal that most of the visitors came to the wineries because they were on vacation, wine tasting and wine purchasing. The study further revealed that quality of wines, wine taste tour and value for money influenced their decision to purchase the wines. Overall, there were significant relationships found in demographic characteristics and wine references and these findings, have an implication for wine tourism promotion in the Province in future.