Hanqun Song

A Visual Analysis of Destinations in Travel Magazines

ABSTRACT This study presents a visual analysis of photographs of six destinations (Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and Taiwan) published in Chinese travel magazines. The object and subject categories, size, and providers of the photographs are content analyzed. The three most popular object categories were Culture, history, and art; Leisure and recreation; and Physical environment. The dominant subject category was No people. Multiple Correspondence Analysis showed that the different destinations correlated with diverse object and subject categories. All six destinations were portrayed differently in terms of the source and size of the photographs. These findings can be utilized by destination marketing organizations (DMOs) to devise positioning and promotion activities for implementation in the Chinese market.

Exploring Disagreement Prevention and Resolution in Travel Decision-Making of Young Chinese Travelers

ABSTRACT This study examines the decision-making processes of young Chinese travelers, with a particular interest in understanding points of disagreement and resolution processes. On the basis of interviews with 25 young Chinese travelers, this study found that while a small number of travelers did not perceive any disagreement, or did not voice their disagreement, the majority of interviewees described the decision-making process as being characterized by periods of disagreement. It was found that Chinese cultural values including “forbearance” and “authority” influence travelers’ disagreement prevention. The strategies for disagreement resolution were primarily influenced by two Chinese cultural values: “reciprocity” and “conformity”.

Understanding Mainland Chinese Tourists’ Motivation and Constraints of Visiting Taiwan

ABSTRACT China has been by far the fastest growing source market in recent years and is now the largest tourism source market in the world. Mainland Chinese travelers were permitted to directly visit Taiwan in 2008. Within a short period of time, the Mainland Chinese travel market has become the top source market for Taiwan’s tourism industry. However, limited attention has been paid to the travel behavior of this significant market, such as why Mainland Chinese travelers visit Taiwan and why do they not. Using interviews, this study identified a list of motivation factors and travel constraint factors. Three themes, intrapersonal, interpersonal, and contextual factors, influenced Mainland Chinese tourists’ intention to visit Taiwan. In particular, contextual factors, such as ‘the cross-strait relations’ between Mainland China and Taiwan, play a key role in influencing tourists’ visit intention. Like two sides of the same coin, ‘the cross-strait relations’ could be a facilitator to attract Mainland Chinese tourists or an inhibitor to stop Mainland Chinese visiting Taiwan.

The leading causes and consequences of citizenship pressure in the hotel industry

Purpose This study aims to examine the causes of citizenship pressure and to investigate the relationship between citizenship pressure, job stress and turnover intentions. Specifically, the current study examines the effects of the personality trait of neuroticism and the organizational cultures of bureaucracy and the market. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 224 hotel employees in the People’s Republic of China using a self-administered survey questionnaire. The participants completed measures examining citizenship pressure, personality, organizational culture, job stress and intention to quit. Structural equation modeling was used to test the research hypotheses. Findings The results showed that employees who are more neurotic are more likely to experience citizenship pressure. Moreover, citizenship pressure was found to increase job stress and turnover intentions. However, a bureaucratic culture, which prizes stability, was found to reduce citizenship pressure. Practical implications This study presents factors that may influence hotel employees’ perceptions of citizenship pressure and reveals the negative consequences of such pressure. Thus, the study results contribute to a better understanding of citizenship pressure and can be used to develop guidelines to reduce citizenship pressure in work environments. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the current study is the first empirical study to examine the antecedents and consequences of citizenship pressure in the hotel industry. Moreover, previous citizenship pressure studies have mainly been conducted in a Western cultural context; it is unclear whether citizenship pressure can be similarly observed in China, where the nature and form of employment relationships differ significantly from those in Western countries.

Theatrical performance in the tourism industry An importance–satisfaction analysis

Theatrical performances have been developed quickly in many tourism destinations in China; however, little research has been focused on this important area. This study examined tourists’ perceptions towards The Romance of the Song Dynasty, one of the most successful performances targeted at tourists in China. Using importance–satisfaction analysis, this study revealed that the most important and satisfied attributes by tourists were primarily associated with the core service attributes (i.e. performing art), whereas the most unimportant and dissatisfied attributes by tourists were mainly associated with the peripheral service attributes (i.e. venue environment, service and tourist management). Both theoretical and practical contributions were provided in this study.

How do young Chinese friendship groups make travel decisions? A content and interaction process analysis

ABSTRACT Young Chinese tourists form an increasingly important market and they tend to travel in small friendship or family groups. This study examines how young Chinese friendship groups (aged between 18 and 35 years) make travel decisions. Using the observation approach, this study observes the group travel decision-making process of 10 small groups. Issues such as activity, cost, travel timing, transportation, climate, safety, and distance, were found to determine destination choice. The role and function of verbal and non-verbal behaviors in influencing group decision-making were also investigated. This study contributes to both general group interaction literature and tourism literature.

Females and Tourism Activities: An Insight for All-female Tours in Hong Kong

ABSTRACT Although all-female tours have become popular in Western and Asian countries, until now researchers have not paid much attention to this niche but important market. This study aims to explore female tourists’ desired activities towards an ‘all-female activity-based outbound tour’ in Hong Kong. A survey was administered to tourists who joined short- and long-haul outbound packages in Hong Kong. Female’s preferred tourism activities can be grouped into: Sightseeing; Sports; Relaxation, and Entertainment. This study found that all-female tourists are not homogenous, and the group can be segmented into three clusters: Omnivores, Univores, and Sporadic. The similarity between these three clusters was the high interests in relaxation activities. There were significant differences between the three clusters in terms of age and marital status. The findings indicate directions for tourism marketers in formulating marketing strategies towards the Hong Kong market.