Jenny H. Panchal

Perceived Benefits of Spa Experiences: Tourist Insights from the Blogosphere

Abstract The Asian spa has seen considerable growth in recent years. Nonetheless, the dearth in the literature about the spa industry in Asia is evident. Tourist spa experiences are an intriguing aspect in this industry. In this study, blog analysis, which involved a progressive four-stage process, was employed to explore travel bloggers’ spa experiences in India, Thailand and the Philippines. More specifically, this paper presents overview of travel blogs that contain accounts of tourist spa experiences as well as bloggers’ perceived benefits from their spa experiences. The findings suggest that spa experiences are by and large positive experiences that benefit multiple dimensions of tourist well-being.

Singapore: international students' stepping stone to the world

The final chapter of this volume seeks to interpret and explain key dimensions of Asian outbound tourism. Initially the challenge of employing culturally sensitive theoretical lenses is tackled. Cautious and at times sceptical assessments of the mobilities paradigm, critical pragamatism and specific micro approaches are offered. A selection of key lenses for future study is made. Major forces affecting Asian outbound tourism such as the digital world and low-cost air carriers are reviewed. The strategic issues facing destination managers and communities are highlighted. Managing the adjustments for mutual well-being between tourists and the communities they visit are stressed and extracted from the chapters in this book.This introductory chapter defines and notes the development of tourism out of Asia as a new force in global human communication. The complexities and some efficiencies in defining Asia are reviewed. The chapter considers dispersal patterns from a number of Asian countries and notes the chief destinations as provided by current statistical counts. Key issues arising from attempts to interpret these data are noted. The importance of out of Asia tourists is confirmed through the material presented. The visibility of Asian tourists is considered and the subtleties of recognizing intra-Asian differences are noted. Some select theoretical approaches focussing on societies in contact are introduced. These theories offer pathways to bring academic and managerial insights to this evolving phenomenon.

Celebrity chefs and the enhancement of culinary tourism experiences in Singapore

In recent decades, food has emerged as an important lifestyle trend in tourism. This paper explores the role of celebrity chefs in enhancing culinary experiences in Singapore. More specifically, our work identifies thematic determinants of how world-renowned chefs and their signature restaurants in Singapore contribute to the country’s culinary scene. This study analyses 12 restaurant websites showcasing celebrity chefs. A range of themes such as the type of restaurant, cuisine, location, menu, length of time in business and promotional activities were examined to deduce the role and impact of celebrity chefs as an integral part of Singapore’s desire to be a food capital of Southeast Asia. Celebrity status works in tandem with a mix of local and global cuisines, physical location and ambiance to carve out a niche for particular eating establishments in the landscape of worldwide culinary tourism, leading to the conclusion that celebrity chefs play a significant role in tourism promotion.

Derawan Islands as a Domestic Destination: Insights of Young Indonesians Living in Singapore

Derawan Island in East Kalimantan, Indonesia has seen growth in recent times. The island is endowed with natural resources, particularly with marine biodiversity, which make them appealing to international and domestic tourists. This paper reports a part of the findings of a larger study that explored young Indonesians’ level of awareness and perceptions of domestic attractions in Indonesia. More specifically, this paper presents the insights of Indonesian students in Singapore about Derawan Island. The data collection involved an online survey which yielded 126 responses. The findings suggest that the respondents had low level of awareness of Derawan’s features and accolades as a destination. Additionally, the results imply that visiting Derawan with the intention to “see and experience” the island rather than “do to experience things there” is a common rationale for young Indonesians in visiting.

“Tourists’ ‘Me Time’ in Asian Spas”

The Asian spa is a rapidly growing segment in tourism, which has received much attention from various sectors. This paper focuses on tourist spa-goers in the South and Southeast Asian region. More specifically, it aims to profile spa-going tourists based on their previous spa-experience. In segmenting the spa-going tourists, concepts from the literature and an industry report were used. The second aim is concerned with identifying the benefits that tourists have achieved as a result of their spa experiences. The findings of the study of 137 tourists in South and Southeast Asian countries consist of establishing three distinct types of tourist spa-goers (high, moderate and low experience). Broadly, the findings also suggest that spa experiences are beneficial to tourists’ well-being and the travel experience as a whole.