Alexandros Apostolakis

The convergence process in heritage tourism.

Abstract The theoretical background behind heritage tourism is conventionally categorized in terms of two stages: the demand and supply side approaches. This has resulted in a fragmented and usually conflicting framework. The purpose of this paper is to devise a model, which will substantiate the existence of both a continuum and a lateral relationship between the contrasting theoretical approaches to heritage tourism. The value added proffered here stems from the incorporation of authenticity as a linking device in each of the two approaches, unifying them into a single theoretical paradigm. The role of authenticity as a contemporary marketing tool, on tourism motivation and the image of the attraction is shown to be pivotal.

A Choice Modeling Application for Greek Heritage Attractions

The article adopts a discrete choice modeling methodology with a focus on capturing systematic heterogeneity to evaluate tourists’ preferences for two Greek heritage attractions. This methodology provides useful insights on the preferences of tourists belonging in different demand segments while also providing direction for future policy making in this area. The article presents empirical justification for the frequently cited argument for adopting a more customer-oriented rationale for the optimal use of heritage resources. Overall, the article supports the claim that tourists value positively the introduction of services and amenities that improve the quality of customer service. Thus, policy makers and heritage managers should pay more attention to visitors’ needs and their particular requirements.

Using data envelopment analysis to measure hotel efficiency in Crete

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to: study the relative efficiency between hotels operating under a brand and hotels operating independently, on the island of Crete, Greece; identify the inefficiency causes; and suggest managerial implications to relevant business experts and managers in order to increase hotel efficiency in Crete and in other tourism destinations with similar characteristics.Design/methodology/approach – The sample is constituted by 50 superior hotels (luxury and class A) operating in Crete in 2008: 25 hotels are operating as totally independent and 25 hotels are operating under a brand. The efficiency for the above hotels is estimated through the data envelopment analysis methodology.Findings – First, nationally branded hotels are relatively the most efficient; internationally branded are the least efficient, while those operating under a local brand and the independent ones lie in between. This efficiency ranking can be explained by the interplay between operating under a brand a...

Hedonic Price Analysis

Pricing is a strategic choice for all firms. It not only generates revenue for a company to survive but can also be used as a communicator, as a bargaining tool and a competitive weapon. The consumer can use price as a means of comparing products, judging relative value for money or product quality (Brassington and Pettitt, 2007). In tourism, pricing decisions are often complex. For example, the price of a hotel room is normally affected by seasonality, type of the room, facilities provided, or even attributes of the external environment such as noise, pollution, distance from a specific landmark, or outside views. From a managerial perspective, it is critically important to understand consumer perceptions of each of the attributes associated with the price: characteristics that a customer is willing to make an extra payment for and those which are irrelevant in the determination of consumer choices and preferences (Chen and Rothschild, 2010). Hedonic price analysis (HPA) makes it easier to discern which characteristics are valued by consumers and to what extent (Falk, 2008). In addition, HPA is also able to put a price estimate onto non–market product or service characteristics. For example, Mahan (1997) found that proximity to river streams had a significant influence on willingness to pay (i.e., respondents valued the proximity to river streams equal to

Analysing quits and separations from the Royal Navy

13.81 per foot). Hence, this technique is particularly useful for managerial decision making and evaluating individual preferences. In this chapter, we will explain the theory of HPA, followed by an illustration of its application in tourism research, and concluded by a discussion of managerial implications.

The role of uniqueness in destination branding: the case of historical Portsmouth harbor

Manning difficulties and retention of skilled personnel is a timely issue in the British armed forces, and especially in the all‐volunteer Royal Navy. Allied with difficulties of matching personnel numbers and posts, significant skill mismatches can take a long time to eradicate, with obvious financial and operational penalties. In the light of these factors, a holistic understanding of the exit behaviour of naval personnel is vital for naval manpower planners. This paper analyses ratings’ voluntary (quits) and involuntary (separation) exit patterns from the Royal Navy using an independent competing risks hazard regression analysis framework. The results show that both voluntary and involuntary exits are pro cyclical with respect to macroeconomic and labour market conditions for both male and female ratings. Male ratings are more likely to quit or separate due to a lack of promotion to higher ranks as compared with females. Male ratings are also more likely to quit as a result of a hectic operational tempo when compared with their female counterparts. Frequency of sea/shore deployments also seems to exert a significant effect with respect to quits and separation outcomes of both genders. In terms of marital status married males are less likely to quit compared with their unmarried male counterparts, whereas the opposite is the case for female ratings.

An analysis of monetary voluntary contributions for cultural resources: the case of the British Museum

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the potential for utilizing a unique resource, such as the Historic Portsmouth Harbor, in order to differentiate the local brand. Design/methodology/approach – The objective of the paper is to examine the role of unique local resources and attractions as a source of competitive advantage through destination branding. Findings – The main findings of the paper indicate that policy makers and destination managers should more proactively utilize the unique elements of the Historic Portsmouth Harbor “brand,” as opposed to the commonplace “waterfront city” brand. This could be achieved by staging events of international significance or through a bid for gaining world heritage status. In addition to that, the paper argues that in order for this branding initiative to have a higher impact, a prominent high profile individual should be appointed. This individual could act as a leader or “brand ambassador” in order to attract stakeholder interest and participation. ...

Job transitions in the British Royal Navy

The study considers the factors affecting the levels of individual voluntary contributions for cultural tourist not-for-profit resources. The paper takes the British Museum (BM), London, as an example. The BM is the leading free-entry cultural tourist attraction in London. However, funding for the BM has decreased by over 30% in the past 10 years. The results illustrate the effect of formal and informal ‘communities of participation’ that generate obligations for voluntary contributions towards arts and cultural resources. The BM, the authors argue, should try to invest in cultural network enhancing infrastructure that could potentially encourage visitors to contribute voluntarily. It should also influence trust levels among potential donors by becoming more accountable. The authors argue that these policy initiatives could lower the transaction costs of pro-social behaviour.

EXPLAINING EARLY EXIT RATES FROM THE ROYAL NAVY

Retention is a crucial issue in the Armed Forces, especially in the all‐volunteer Royal Navy. This is mainly due to a number of organisational challenges and changes in operational requirements and priorities. Naval manpower planners need to consider appropriate measures to improve retention in the service. The evidence gathered from the empirical investigation shows that external (pull) factors exert a significant effect on the early exit/quit rates from the RN. Key economic factors such as pay and employment opportunities in the civilian employment markets play an important role in the decisions that individual ratings make with regard to remaining in naval employment or leaving altogether. In particular, it was found that quit rates from the Navy are negatively associated with the claimant count (unemployment) rate (i.e. as the unemployment rate in the civilian economy increases, the early exit rate from the Navy decreases), whilst the overall increase in civilian wages bears a positive relationship on quitting behaviour. The analysis provides further evidence to support the need for policies that are tailor‐made to cater for different ratings’ specialisations within the Royal Navy.

Cultural tourism policy in Greece: a focus on Crete

The Royal Navy (RN) is striving to achieve the right manpower mix through improved retention levels. This paper analyses the ratings’ exit patterns from the RN using a hazard regression framework. We hypothesise that similar to civilian workers, job transition decisions of the RN ratings are dependent upon alternative job availability and macroeconomic conditions. In addition, working conditions, gender and skill mix, family commitments and promotion prospects in the Navy influence their decisions to leave early. We estimate the unemployment elasticity for males to be −0.65 (female −0.51), which is high, compared to the elasticity reported for the US Navy. The civilian wage is positively related to exit probability from the RN. Overall, married ratings are less likely to exit as compared to their unmarried counterparts, but married female ratings are 88% more likely to leave early as compared to unmarried females in the Navy. Promotion to higher ranks reduces the probability of early exists.