Jaume Rosselló

Towards a framework for the study of the neural correlates of aesthetic preference

Aiming to provide a tentative framework for the study of the neural correlates of aesthetic preference, we review three recent neuroimaging studies carried out with the purpose of locating brain activity associated with decisions about the beauty of visual stimuli (Cela-Conde et al., 2004; Kawabata and Zeki, 2004; Vartanian and Goel, 2004). We find that the results of the three studies are not in line with previous neuropsychological data. Moreover, there are no coincidences among their results. However, when they are mapped on to Chatterjees (2003) neuropsychological model of aesthetic preference it becomes clear that neuroimaging data are not contradictory, but complementary, and their interpretation is enriched. The results of these studies suggest that affective processes have an important role in aesthetic preference, and that they are integrated with cognitive processes to reach a decision regarding the beauty of visual stimuli. Future studies must aim to clarify whether certain methodological procedures are better suited to study any of the particular cognitive operations involved in aesthetic preference, and ascertain the extent to which the proposed framework is compatible with the aesthetic appreciation of musical stimuli.

Modeling Tourism Demand Dynamics

This article applies a combination of a diffusion model and a traditional tourism demand model for visitor demand estimation. The diffusion model assumes that information is transmitted to a society’s potential consumers through various different information channels. The traditional model suggests, however, that tourism, according to economic theory, depends mainly on fares, income, exchange rates, and dummy variables. Using data for tourists to the Balearic Islands, we found evidence that individuals undergo a prior process of acquiring information before deciding to visit a particular destination.

Climate change and summer mass tourism: the case of Spanish domestic tourism

This paper investigates the impact of climate change on destination choice decisions in a context of domestic coastal tourism in Spain. Destinations are characterized in terms of travel cost and coastal ‘attractors’, such as temperature and beach-related attributes. By means of a discrete choice model based on the random utility theory, these variables are used to explain the observed pattern of interprovincial domestic trips, showing trade-offs between temperature and attractiveness in the probability of a particular destination being chosen. The model is used to investigate the impact of two climate change scenarios on the allocation of domestic tourism within Spain. The findings show that while Spain’s northern colder provinces would benefit from rising temperatures, provinces in the south would experience a decrease in the frequency of trips.

Recent trends in international tourist climate preferences: a revised picture for climatic change scenarios

This paper investigates how the role of climate in tourist destination choice has changed over the last 15xa0years. To this end, a demand model for international tourism is estimated, including the main classic determinants but allowing a time-varying climatic sensitivity of tourists. Moreover, a complete database considering international tourism movement between 178 countries for the period 1995 to 2010 is used. Results show how turning point temperatures in origin and destination countries have changed over the period of analysis, evidencing a loss of competitiveness for traditional warm destinations. Additionally, using data for the projected growth of Gross Domestic Product per capita and climatic conditions within A2, B1 and B2 scenarios, an updated vision of their expected impact on international tourism flows is assessed, evaluating how climate change would imply a greater loss of attractiveness for traditional warm destinations around the world but would increase attractiveness for high latitude countries.

Pricing European Package Tours: The Impact of New Distribution Channels and Low-Cost Airlines:

The recent expansion of low-cost carriers and the increasing use of the Internet are bringing about a major transformation in the marketing of summer tourism products in Europe. This paper investigates differences in price levels and price dispersion across offline and online markets and across tour operators and new emerging Internet retailers, using microdata for individual tourist expenditure on travel and accommodation in the Balearic Islands, Spain. The results of the hedonic regression model suggest that the prices of transport, accommodation and board offered on the Internet are lower than those offered through other channels, whatever the quality and quantity.

The impact of climate change on domestic tourism: a gravity model for Spain

Climate conditions are recognised as an important determinant of tourism demand and consequently different pioneering studies have started to estimate the impact of climate change on tourism flows. However, the lack of data concerning domestic tourism demand has motivated that the majority of studies focuses on international tourism flows or considers domestic trips as the alternative to the international ones. This paper investigates the impact of temperature on destination choice decisions in the context of domestic tourism in Spain. Using a data set that comprises Spanish domestic trips from 2005 to 2007 and applying a gravity model for regional data, results confirm climate as an important factor in determining domestic tourism flows. Moreover, a simulation exercise concerning an increase in the mean temperatures of the Spanish provinces is undertaken. Findings show that while colder provinces in the north of Spain would benefit from rising temperatures, warmer provinces in the south would experience a decrease in the frequency of trips there.

Road Transport for Tourism: Evaluating Policy Measures from Consumer Profiles

A rise in the number of tourists at many destinations and their increased mobility in host countries or regions have led to a growth in tourism-associated externalities. Although there is a trend for governments to centre their transport policies on the supply side, promoting the development of different infrastructures and services or intervening in tourism markets, this paper presents an alternative way of thinking by analysing tourist demand profiles to detect those that tend to opt for private transport. The authors investigate different strategies in tourism policies designed to reduce the number of tourists using private motor vehicle transport and to promote public, group or charter transport at destinations. Taking the Balearic Islands as a case study, discrete choice models are employed to assess different ways of modelling the transport demand function for hire cars, other private cars, public buses and coaches, and thus to identify the corrective potential of the proposed policies.

Religion, Religious Diversity and Tourism

Religious beliefs influence many aspects of peoples’ daily lives, so it is plausible to argue that religion affects some of humanity’s most central endeavors, such as trade, migration, foreign investment and tourism. This paper investigates the role a country’s religious affiliation plays in destination choice for international tourism. To that end, a gravity model for international tourist arrivals is estimated by using a dataset of 164 countries for the period 1995-2010. Results provide evidence that religious similarity has significant explanatory power in global tourism flows even after controlling for other measures of cultural affinity. Moreover, the presence of common religious minorities in the country has a positive impact on tourism flows. However, although religious pluralism foster tourism flows between countries, religious similarity has a stronger positive effect.

Mediterranean Tourism and Climate Change: Identifying Future Demand and Assessing Destinations’ Vulnerability

This chapter estimates the trends, impacts and responses of Mediterranean tourism, with special emphasis on coastal areas. It presents some part of the work done by two research lines (Economic impacts, Induced policies), namely scenarios for future tourism flows (regional and national scales) and a method for assessing vulnerability of local destinations.

Research note: the new all-inclusive board formula in mature destinations - from motivation to satisfaction.

This study explores the all-inclusive board formula, recently expanded to traditional and mature destinations. Using a visitor survey conducted in Mallorca, Spain, tourists main motivations, characterization and spending are explored. In addition, the study analyses the relationship between the all-inclusive formula and loyalty, a key factor for traditional resorts in the Mediterranean that are located near their main origin markets and record high levels of repeat tourism. The statistical evidence suggests that all-inclusive tourists have a lower level of spending, a lower ratio of repeat visit intention and a lower level of satisfaction.