Ida Vajčnerová

Quality Management of the Tourist Destination in the Context of Visitors’ Satisfaction

The specificity of a tourist destination brings the necessity to apply integrated quality management that also includes evaluating the satisfaction of visitors to a destination with the key quality factors. The article deals with the determination of the most important factors which have the highest impact on the total satisfaction of visitors and the relations between the evaluation of particular factors, the overall visitorś satisfaction and their expectations. The data was obtained by means of a primary research enacted in the Czech Republic in the tourist destination of Brno and its surroundings. The method of regression analysis was used. As a result, the factors most influencing the overall visitorś satisfaction were identified; at the same time it was confirmed that the overall satisfaction of visitors is higher than the evaluation of individual quality factors which are influenced by expectations.

The Quality as a Competitive Factor of the Destination

Abstract The assessment of the significance of the individual factors making up the overall quality of the destination is a key objective of this article. Data were obtained by a primary research, asking residents of the Czech Republic, the sample of respondents was set as a quota sampling. Based on the obtained data authors evaluated the order of importance the most significant 19 factors influencing the perception of quality destinations. As the most significant factor determining quality destination has been found security issues, destination cleanliness, natural attractions etc. Using statistical methods were demonstrated differences in their perception based on gender and also the perception based on the age of the respondents. The rating of women is higher than men; rating of some factors varies significantly with age. Identified significant differences among different groups of respondents are described in the article in detail. The article also deals with the reasons for changes in the perception of the significance of these factors in recent years.

Destination Quality Perception in the Context of Different Behavioural Characteristics of Visitors

Abstract Visitors’ perceptions of the quality of a tourism destination are fundamental for effective destination management and marketing. This paper deals with the topic of destination quality from the viewpoint of demand, i.e. from the viewpoint of a destination visitor. The results of perceiving the destination quality partial factors in the context of different behavioural characteristics of a visitor are presented, particularly, the way how spending and organizing a holiday influences the perception of destination quality factors (Kruskal-Wallis test). The research nineteen factors were designed on the basis of contemporary theories and on qualitative research. Some important quality aspects related to tourism were identified and assessed for the Czech population. The primary data were obtained through a questionnaire survey with quota sampling (n = 1097). The dependence of destination quality perception on the way of spending the holiday was revealed in the case of 8 factors (e.g., Availability of transportation to the destination, Availability and quality of information; Additional infrastructure, Sense of security, Destination cleanliness, Uniqueness of destination, Price level in the destination, Cultural monuments). The significant differences identified among various groups of respondents are described in detail in this study. The research findings contribute to better understanding of the behavioural mechanism and can be used by destination managers to design communication strategies for different segments of consumers for individual destinations to improve their competiveness.

Are Inter-firm Networks Really Worth It?

Company networks represent the coordinating organisational form between the hierarchical structure of the conventional enterprise and the market. Company networks are to be understood as an answer to the development trends of the environment of the enterprise, particularly to increasing competition on the relevant dynamic markets. The goal of this paper is to supply evidence of their efficiency on the basis of an analysis of regional networks in the field of tourism, as shown by the mountain cable car companies in the region of Oberengadin/St. Moritz in Switzerland. The positive impact of this network cooperation is more evident amongst the group of small and medium enterprises (SME) operating cable/railways in the region than in larger enterprises. The SME which cooperated in networks generated an advantage of 15–20 % as regards revenues and approximately 20 % as regards long-term fixed assets. For the group of companies with revenues exceeding five million CHF, however, the cooperation did not bring about the benefits expected.