Aliza Fleischer

Tourism constraints among Israeli seniors

Abstract A survey of Israeli senior citizens was conducted for the purpose of identifying factors which affect their decision to take vacations for differing lengths of time. Their tourism motivation was found to be a function of income and health, but their trip duration changes with age. Between the age of 55 to 65 expanding leisure time and increased household income cause an increase in the number of vacation days taken. In the older age group (65+) declining incomes and deterioration of health cause a decrease in the number of vacation days taken. The study results confirm the hypothesis that this market segment is not heterogeneous in its vacation-taking behavior.

Support for rural tourism: Does it make a difference?

The promotion of small-scale tourism is intuitively perceived as a suitable form of economic development for rural areas. However, its impact is controversial and not always obvious. To examine these issues, this paper presents an empirical analysis of public support to small-scale tourism enterprises in rural areas in Israel. Using the tools of cost- effectiveness and cost-benefit analysis, public assistance for this type of activity is shown to be able to generate considerable returns. Methodological issues in this kind of analysis are also discussed and the policy implications arising with respect to the suitability of different forms of tourism activity in rural areas are presented. Keywords: rural tourism, public sup- port, small-scale enterprises, rural development. 7 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Local Festivals and Tourism Promotion: The Role of Public Assistance and Visitor Expenditure

Local festivals are increasingly being used as instruments for promoting tourism and boosting the regional economy. This is often reflected in the level of public assistance made available to them. However, it is difficult to assess the extent of the contribution of the festival to local economic growth, and most studies do not examine this issue beyond standard multiplier impacts. This study looks at two local festivals that take place annually in northern Israel. On the basis of detailed data on public assistance and visitor expenditure patterns, it goes beyond the basic impact analysis framework. A method is presented that accounts for net local income increase induced by the festival. The results show modest but positive local growth, suggesting some justification for public assistance for local festivals as a tourism strategy. Policy implications related to increasing the volume of visitors and their spending are discussed.

Rural tourism in Israel.

Abstract A national census of bed and breakfast (B&B) operations in the rural regions of Israel identified the characteristics of the operators and guests. By comparing the results of this study with those conducted in Europe and North America, it was possible to conclude that rural tourism is, in many but not all respects, similar throughout the world. Like rural tourism businesses in other parts of the world, most Israeli operators went into the business in order to supplement their income and enable them to stay on the farm. The typical B&B operation was found to be a small business that operates only during a short season, and generates a relatively low income. The market segment attracted to these type of vacations were domestic young families with children living at home, possessing college education and earning above-average incomes.

Severity versus Frequency of Acts of Terrorism: Which Has a Larger Impact on Tourism Demand?

The results of a study conducted on the impact of acts of terrorism on tourism demand in Israel during the period of May 1991 to May 2001 confirmed the hypothesis that the frequency of acts of terrorism had caused a larger decline in international tourist arrivals than the severity of these acts. The implications of this study are that in cases similar to Israel, tourist destinations can recover from even severe acts of terrorism, as long as the terrorist acts are not repeated. However, when acts of terrorism—whether of high or low severity—occur at high frequency and regular intervals, tourism demand will constantly decrease, and eventually the destination’s tourism industry will come to a standstill.

The Role of Cybermediaries in Reputation Building and Price Premiums in the Online Hotel Market

The advent of the Internet has changed the way in which buyers and sellers interact. Although access to information seems unlimited, nonexpert agents find it difficult to identify the information they can use with confidence. A third-party expert, or cybermediary (online intermediary), can help sort out the information for the potential buyers. In this article, we study the case of the online hotel market. We claim that online travel agents (OTAs) such as Booking.com play an important role in building hotel reputation and encourage hoteliers to put effort into service quality. We provide empirical evidence that information supplied by past guests through the OTA generates a price premium for hotels with good reputations.

The tourist behind the pilgrim in the Holy Land

Abstract Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land have evolved over the years into tourists. The behavior of the pilgrims as tourists has never been researched and in light of the large influx of pilgrims expected in the new Millennium to Mediterranean countries, it should be addressed. This paper compares the characteristics, behavior and expenditure patterns of tourists to Israel defining themselves as pilgrims to other tourists. The formers were found to differ in many aspects from other tourists. Moreover, within the pilgrims group Catholics and Protestants were found to differ in their patterns of behavior as tourists.

Segmentation of Visitors to a Heritage Site Using High-resolution Time-space Data:

A novel method of data collection based on high-resolution time-space data recorded by global positioning system units was used to segment visitors to the Old City of Acre heritage site in Israel. This technique of accurately tracking the temporal and spatial behavior of visitors carrying the global positioning system units overcomes the well-known limitations of traditional data collection methods. Discrete-choice methods and a system of censored regressions were used to identify the decision-making process at each stage of the visit. The segmentation of the visitors was based on these decisions. It was found that different attributes associate the visitors with different segments at each level. Although the findings might be site specific, the data collection and the segmentation method could be used by tourism planners and decision makers at other sites.

Determinants of vacation travel among Israeli seniors Theory and evidence

This study investigates determinants of vacation travel among seniors. A consumer choice model is developed that incorporates effects of retirement and health on available leisure time, and effects of age and education on disposable income. The empirical implications of the model depend on leisure and income patterns, that in turn determine if time and budget constraints are binding. The model is illustrated using data collected from Israeli seniors. Results confirm theoretical predictions regarding the changing effectiveness of constraints as seniors grow older.

The Impact of Fear of Flying on Travelers’ Flight Choice: Choice Model with Latent Variables

Flying is an important part of the tourist experience and a substantial component of its cost. While travelers’ decision making regarding air travel has been studied, the role of fear of flying (FOF), a very common phenomenon among air passengers, in the process has not been explicitly addressed. Since airline safety levels are difficult to assess, passengers who have FOF employ other attributes of the itinerary as a means of alleviating their fear. Based on a stated preference experiment and accounting specifically for FOF as a latent variable, we established that the individuals’ level of FOF affects the value they place on attributes of flight itineraries. We show that home carriers, scheduled carriers, and nonstop flights are fear-alleviating attributes. We also show that the price elasticities of demand for flights are smaller in absolute terms among people with a high level of FOF compared to their counterparts with low FOF.