Fang Meng

Effects of Gender Differences on Perceptions of Destination Attributes, Motivations, and Travel Values: An Examination of a Nature-Based Resort Destination

This study examines the perceptions of the potential tourist market to a nature-based resort destination from the gendered perspective. The research reveals that significant gender differences exist about the perceived importance of destination attributes and travel values when potential nature tourists consider destination choices. After controlling for demographic and travel behaviour variables, such as age, marital status, education, household income, preference of price quote and length of stay, most gender differences remain significant. In addition, more significant distinctions between men and women are demonstrated after controlling for age and income level. The study provides insights into gendered perceptions of nature-based tourism settings. Specific marketing implications are discussed in an attempt to successfully attract nature tourists and provide a high-quality nature destination experience.

Individualism/collectivism and group travel behavior: a cross-cultural perspective.

Purpose – The article aims to discuss the relationship of culture and tourist behavior. The focus of the study is to propose an extended research framework related to individualism/collectivism culture and group travel intention. The article seeks to argue that group travel intention and behavior is not only influenced by the cultural background of individualism or collectivism, but also a function of several factors including social, political, and economic influence, as well as personal background of individual travelers.Design/methodology/approach – The article investigates the major current research and methodological issues in cross‐cultural tourist behavior studies. By reviewing and assessing important concepts related to this particular theoretical topic, the study proposes a conceptual framework based on the extensive literature review and discussion.Findings – The study proposes that personal background, as well as social, political, and economic factors all moderate the relationship between cult...

DANCE AS A TOURISM ACTIVITY: DEMOGRAPHICS, DEMAND CHARACTERISTICS, MOTIVATION, AND SEGMENTATION

With the increased popularity of ballroom dance as a recreational activity in the US, there is aneed to explore the different aspects associated with the participation in social and competitivedance events. This preliminary study examined the demographics, dance community involvement,travel-related activities, and the most important demand characteristics of the ballroom dance eventmarket. By employing factor-cluster analysis, six motivation dimensions for social dance participa-tion were identified: Escape & Relaxation, Socialization, Novelty, Dance Learning, (Dance) EventEnjoyment, and Excitement. Three cluster groups were identified based on the dance event motiva-tion dimensions: Multipurpose Dancers, Dance Learning and Enjoyment Seekers, and Socializationand Relaxation Seekers. It is hoped that the results of the study will contribute to the better under-standing of the dance event market and be helpful to those who organize and host dance events.Key words: Event tourism; Dance event motivation; Factor-cluster analysis

How Contextual Cues Impact Response and Conversion Rates of Online Surveys

This study investigates how three contextual cues—researcher identity, sponsor identity, and incentive type—affect response and conversion rates of online conversion surveys. Applying an experimental design via an online survey of information inquirers to a tourist destination, the study demonstrates that researcher identity and sponsor identity affect the response rates, and the specific arrangement can increase the response rate substantially. The three contextual cues do not affect conversion rates significantly.

Spatial Pattern of Tourist Flows Among the Asia-Pacific Countries: An Examination over a Decade

The spatial dimension of tourism provides insights about travel demands and travel flows and helps destinations in planning, development and management. The last decade has witnessed a steady and rapid growth in the Asia-Pacific regions tourism industry, in terms of both inbound and outbound travel. This particular study aimed to: (a) provide information and explore the changes on the nature of travel flows as measured by the tourist arrivals among the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) member countries for the years of 1995 and 2004; (b) assess general propensity to travel among PATA countries using the concepts of Country Potential Generation Index and Gross Travel Propensity; and (c) examine the shift in the past decade in terms of the relative tourism generation power of PATA countries by comparing and contrasting the 1995 and 2004 indices. The results of the study provide an overview of the spatial patterns of travel flows and travel propensity in Pacific Asia region over a 10-year period. The study demonstrates that the functions of travel flows and indices are complementary and provide an informative picture of spatial travel behavior and demand.

Effect of Tourism on Balanced Regional Development: A Dynamic Panel Data Analysis in Coastal and Inland China

This article aims to examine whether tourism can promote or hinder balanced regional development (BRD) in China. Unlike previous studies that mostly employ simple descriptive analysis, this study empirically analyzes the effects of tourism on BRD, especially on regional economic disparity within and between inland and coastal areas, by using the conditional convergence model of Barro and Sala-i-Martin. Results indicate that tourism development in China has a positive effect on BRD. Nevertheless, inland area (less developed region) has faster conditional convergence than coastal area (developed region) because of the tourism development. In addition, tourism has a stronger positive effect on economic growth in inland area than in coastal area, which denotes that tourism development can reduce regional inequality in China.

Publishing in the Journal of Travel Research An Assessment of Manuscript Acceptance and Rejection

This article reports on a study that examined manuscript and review data for the Journal of Travel Research (JTR). Two sets of data were examined to address the question “what are the key issues affecting acceptance and/or rejection of manuscripts submitted for publication in JTR?” Manuscripts reviewed for publication in JTR are sent to three editorial board members for review. Reviewers are asked to (a) quantitatively rate the manuscript on a review form and (b) provide qualitative comments to the authors articulating their perspectives of the manuscript along with concerns and constructive recommendations. Stratified, random samples of these quantitative ratings and qualitative comments for both manuscripts that were subsequently rejected and manuscripts that were ultimately accepted for publication provided the data for this study. The article presents these data and concludes with recommendations for authors.

Building a place brand from the bottom up: A case study from the United States

In an increasingly competitive global marketplace, the need for towns and cities to create a unique identity, to differentiate themselves from competitors, has become critical. Many places promote spectacular scenery, good quality of life, friendly people, and a sound business infrastructure. However, these factors are no longer differentiators, so places need a strong brand identity to stand out in order to attract people to live, work, and play. But brand development is often driven by short-term top-down approaches with limited community participation, where the primary tool of brand expression becomes the final marketing campaign. This article reports on a qualitative approach to build a place brand from the bottom up, with wide participation from all members of the community. With a methodology based on place brand-building theory, charettes and in-depth interviews were conducted with local stakeholders, resulting in a positioning statement that was used to develop brand communications materials. Based on the research process and results of the case study, the authors present a community-based place brand development model.

Wellness tourism: stress alleviation or indulging healthful habits?

Purpose This study aims to examine the direct relationships between behavioral intention and factors driving the growth of the wellness tourism industry in the USA. Relationships were hypothesized based on alternative explanations for the rise in popularity of wellness tourism in research streams. Design/methodology/approach Two models were estimated and tested using the theory of planned behavior (TPB), each incorporating two constructs – Life stress and involvement in health – in addition to theoretically stipulated precursors to Behavioral Intention. Findings Both constructs were found to be significant predictors of behavioral intention. However, involvement proved a much stronger predictor than life stress. Implications for the management and marketing of this subsector are discussed in the paper. Originality/value This study extends the understanding of travelers’ behavioral intentions in the context of wellness tourism by using an extended TPB, with life stress and involvement in health and wellness considered. The study compares general travelers with current/potential wellness travelers (excluding those whose sole purpose was wellness) and the factors that influence their travel behavior.

Racial discrimination in tourism: the case of African-American travellers in South Carolina

ABSTRACT African-American tourists are one of the fast-growing segments of the travel sector, but very little is known about this consumer group. What we do know from previous research is that African-American travellers are different to travellers in general, and their travel decisions are closely related with their feelings of welcome and racial acceptance. This study employed a mixed method approach in order to explore issues of racial acceptance in South Carolina, two years after removal of the Confederate flag from state capitol grounds. The results of both qualitative and quantitative research show that the fear of racial discrimination is still a key barrier preventing African-American tourists from visiting and enjoying their vacations in South Carolina. Eradicating such racial discrimination in tourism is a formidable task, but not unsurmountable, and the final section of the paper makes recommendations for establishing a programme to do so. Highlights African-American tourists are one of the fast-growing segments of the travel sector Their travel decisions are closely related with their feelings of welcome and racial acceptance The study employed a mixed method approach in order to explore issues of racial acceptance The results show that the fear of racial discrimination is still a key barrier preventing African-American tourists from visiting and enjoying their vacations Eradicating such racial discrimination in tourism is a formidable task but not unsurmountable