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

Pages 89-115

Authors: Satish Chandra BAGRI and Devkant KALA

Satisfaction is an excellent predictor of tourist behaviour as it influences the choice of destination, consumption of products and services, the decision to return and maintain lasting relationships. This paper analyzes the level of tourist satisfaction with destination attributes using the Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA), based on the information obtained from 200 domestic tourists visiting Trijuginarayan, an emerging spiritual and adventure tourist destination located in Garhwal Himalaya in Uttarakhand state of India. The results obtained show that attributes related to tourism product of spiritual and cultural nature, atmosphere and climate, a variety of tourist activities, hospitality and safety are significant factors in determining tourist satisfaction, whereas basic facilities such as accommodation, transportation, tourism infrastructure and hygiene and sanitation at destination are of significant importance in satisfaction evaluation. Findings also reveal that tourists were satisfied with the core products, but were dissatisfied with basic tourist facilities offered at the destination. Based on the results, the paper concludes that tourism stakeholders must outline effective strategies for holistic development and improving performance of attributes in the given destination.

Pages 135-137

Authors: Maximiliano E. KORSTANJE

Book Review

Pages 141-164

Authors: Peter ROBINSON

Urban Exploration (U.E.), the activity of exploring hidden parts of the city, is increasingly discussed in a range of academic papers, yet the aspects of this activity which are associated with travel and consumption have not been explored. However, there have been a number of related calls for research. This paper identifies that U.E. requires greater critical inquiry. It is noted that U.E. draws common themes with heritage tourism, adventure tourism, otherness, authenticity and risk, yet is a contradiction to the homogenised tourist experience. It is suggested that U.E. can thus be interpreted as a form of tourism which is outside of accepted norms of behaviour, decision making and typologies and which has significant meaning for future research. Thus, the paper proposes a model which identifies opportunities for further research beyond the current spectrum of tourism academia.

Pages 1-17

Authors: Xuan V. TRAN

The purpose of this study is to estimate the effects of economic factors on the demand for luxury hotel rooms in the United States during the 16-year period (1998 - 2013). The average daily rate of six types of hotel rooms, gross domestic product and two recessions (2001 and 2007-2009) are considered as independent variables in the sample of the time series data set of 192 points to predict luxury room night stays of customers by ex-post data. Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model is employed to select the best model of luxury hotel demand on its determinants in the short and long run relationships. Findings indicate that in the long run, (1) the US residents would stay more nights in luxury hotels when their income increases; (2) the Canadian and UK might not visit or stay in the luxury hotels in the U.S. when their income or luxury hotel price increases; and (3) the German, Japanese, Korean and Chinese visitors would stay in the luxury hotels in the U.S. when their incomes increase no matter what the luxury hotel price increases. In the short run, the Chinese, Japanese, and Korean might not stay in the luxury hotels in the U.S. when their income or hotel price increases. The English would stay in the luxury hotels when their income or luxury hotel price increases. Finally, the two US economy recessions in 2001 and 2007-2009 do not affect the demand for luxury hotel rooms in the long run.

Pages 40-58

Authors: Maximiliano E. KORSTANJE

This text contains a set of personal experiences, product of my personal ethnographies in well-known airports, as well as a conceptual discussion around non-place´s theory. Marc Augé, a famous ethnographer, formulated this thesis to express a deep analysis about the philosophy of modernity and mobility. He is convinced that modernity has been changed into a new way, hyper-modernity, which is a producer of “non-places”, spaces of anonymity that effaces the attachment to past. This essay-review not only contradicts with such a radical idea, but also presents contrary evidence respecting to airports as disciplinary mechanism of control, oriented to disseminate to citizens, the main values of society.

Pages 62-87

Authors: Aíne CONAGHAN, James HANRAHAN, and Emmet McLOUGHLIN

Tourism destination management has significant importance in controlling many impacts of tourism, thus insuring its sustainability. Destination management requires the integration of different planning tools, approaches and concepts that help shape the management and daily operation of tourism related activities. This study examines the sustainable management of a tourism destination, focusing on County Clare, Ireland. Qualitative interviews were conducted with tourism stakeholders. Additionally a theoretical framework incorporating the various elements that emerged from the theory was also utilised to examine existing tourism strategies and plans. Stakeholders all agreed it would be an advantage to have a Destination Management Office (DMO) lead that would co-ordinate destination management. However, it was found many tourism visions lack consistency and a timeframe with only a few addressing sustainability itself. Also the multiple regulations and guidelines identified by the framework were not communicated effectively to both stakeholders and policy makers when managing tourism in County Clare.

Pages 1-23

Authors: Florian AUBKE

Hospitality businesses are first and foremost places of social interaction. This paper argues for an inclusion of network methodology into the tool kit of hospitality researchers. This methodology focuses on the interaction of people rather than applying an actor-focused view, which currently seems dominant in hospitality research. Outside the field, a solid research basis has been formed, upon which hospitality researchers can build. The paper introduces the foundations of network theory and its applicability to the study of organizations. A brief methodological introduction is provided and potential applications and research topics relevant to the hospitality field are suggested.

Pages 45 - 49

Authors: Arthur Asa BERGER

Opinion piece

Pages 54 - 78

Authors: Eduardo OLIVEIRA

The purpose of this article is to explore a potential regional branding strategy for the northern part of Portugal, emphasizing the regional tourism potential. Furthermore, it aims to clarify the answers of the following research questions: i) is tourism a strategic domain with the potential to integrate a branding strategy at the regional level? ii) is a regional branding strategy an engine by which to enable economic and social transformation in the region, thus responding to the contemporary challenges such as weak economic confidence and unemployment? To answer these questions, a content analysis on the policy documents: i) Northern Portugal Strategic Guidelines 2014-2020 and ii) National Strategic Plan for Tourism 2013-2015 has been performed. In addition, the article details the results of in-depth interviews conducted with two regional entities: i) Tourism of Porto and the North of Portugal (TPNP), in charge of national tourism planning and promotion and ii) North Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDRN), involved in regional planning and development. The findings reinforce the importance of tourism as a strategic domain to boost the economy and create momentum in Northern Portugal. Moreover, tourism is seen by the respondents as a key objective in a regional branding strategy.

Pages 1 - 15

Authors: Hesham Ezzat Saad, Badran Nabil Ali and Abdel- aleem Magdy Abdel-Ati

This study was undertaken to provide greater clearness for the meaning of the Sharia-Compliant Hotel (SCH) and identify the challenges facing the development of this type of hotels in Egypt. To fulfill these objectives, Delphi technique, as a method of refining group opinions, was used. The study used two rounds e-mailed questionnaires. Findings indicated that the most important defining features of SCH were; no alcohol or pork allowed, gender segregation was significant and halal food products are significant. Other important defining features included; Quran and prayer mats in each room, no nightclubs, disco or bars, and signs indicating the direction of Mecca in every room. The main SCH challenges cited by the respondents were deprivation of the insertion in the international or local hotel classifications; competition with other non-Islamic hotels, and need for specific criteria appropriated to the international hotel classifications.

Pages 30 - 53

Authors: Qingqing Tan, Ade Oriade and Paul Fallon

This study investigates customer’s perception of Chinese fast food restaurant service quality and its relationship with customer satisfaction. Employing modified DINESERV scale, the study uses both quantitative and qualitative research approaches. Qualitative data collection consisted of face-to-face interviews and group discussion. A questionnaire was developed using three sources: interview responses of the customers, the restaurant’s survey and the literature. A total of 205 completed questionnaires were used in the analysis. The new measurement scale, Chinese Fast Food Restaurants Service Quality Scale (CFFRSERV), contained 28 items across six dimensions: assurance and empathy, food, cleanliness, responsiveness, reliability and tangibles. The findings from the study revealed that service quality variables have positive influence on customer satisfaction except reliability dimension. The findings provided a useful tool for service quality improvement in Chinese fast food restaurants. Validating the scale in other restaurants in various cities in China is an area for further research.

Pages 1 - 16

Authors: Alfred W. Ogle and Stephen Fanning

This paper explores the traditional pen and paper hotel comment card (HCC) from the guests’ perspective to gain an insight and to improve its effectiveness. The HCC has long been the predominant method of soliciting guest feedback. Although electronic methods of collection are now available the HCC has a sense of familiarity, has general acceptance, and is widely employed. Initially, a literature review of the hotel comment card is provided. Then, the study explores how frequent guests categorize HCC attributes. These attributes are then extended to include evaluation criteria identified in the literature and desired by hotel managers. The extended evaluation criterion is then used to explore how frequent hotel guests believe that future HCCs may motivate guests to provide feedback and assist in the co-­‐‑creation of value. The overall finding is that the HCCs design and execution can be improved.

Pages 37 - 57

Authors: Damiannah M. Kieti and Kennedy O. Magio

Slum tourism is relatively a new phenomenon which has generated a considerable body of reactions from many commentators. Nevertheless, there are numerous research gaps within the existing literature, especially on slum residents’ attitudes towards its development, its ethical acceptability and the level of benefits accrued. This paper examines the attitudes of Kibera slum residents towards the development of slum tourism. Semi-­‐‑structured interviews and questionnaires were used to collect data from 13 key informants and 200 heads of households respectively. The research findings reveal that the residents of Kibera slums hold negative attitudes towards slum tourism as evidenced by low rating of the positive impact statements (Overall mean=2.43) and higher rating of negative impact statements (Overall mean=3.413). Both intrinsic factors and external factors, including the level of benefits and social impacts of slum tourism were found to shape the attitudes of the residents.