Ken W. McCleary

Travel Motivations of Japanese Overseas Travelers: A Factor-Cluster Segmentation Approach

Using a factor-cluster market segmentation approach, this study attempted to delineate the motivations of Japanese travelers who travel abroad for pleasure. Based on six delineated push motivation factors, cluster analysis was employed to identify similar respondents based on their motivations. The findings show that there are three distinct groups: sports seekers, novelty seekers, and family/relaxation seekers. Age and education variables were shown to be statistically significant among the three groups. The article concludes with market ing implications of the study results and suggestions for future research.

U.S. International Pleasure Travelers’ Images of Four Mediterranean Destinations: A Comparison of Visitors and Nonvisitors

This study compares U.S. international pleasure travelers’ images of four Mediterranean destinations—Turkey, Egypt, Greece, and Italy—for both visitors and nonvisitors. The image construct was conceptualized as having three components: cognitive, affective, and overall image. MANOVA analysis indicated that significant differences exist in all image components between the four destination countries. The findings revealed strengths and weaknesses of the four competing destinations and implications for positioning in the U.S. international pleasure market as well as product development and promotion strategy for the destinations.

Hotel Selection Factors as They Relate to Business Travel Situations

A sample of the business travel market is analyzed to determine whether the importance placed on particular hotel product attributes varies by travel situation. Multiple discriminant analysis is used to see whether certain attributes are able to correctly discriminate among five travel situations.

Lodging preferences of the senior tourism market

Abstract A self-administered mail questionaire was sent to a random sample of 3,000 individuals in the United States who were 55 years or older. Questions were asked about the reasons for choosing a pleasure destination and lodging preferences. Three clusters were identified: novelty seekers, active enthusiasts , and reluctant tourists. Only active enthusiasts could be readily interpreted in terms of tourism motivation. This group participated in many activities with enthusiasm. Novelty seekers and reluctant tourists were less easily interpreted by their travel reasons using multiple discriminant analysis. Lodging preferences for all groups included eight levels of properties, but there were significant differences in preferences between the groups.

Gender-based Differences in Business Travelers' Lodging Preferences

Abstract With the amount of business travel increasing three time faster for businesswoman than the businessmen, hoteliers have an opportunity to design their services and facilities for this growing market segment.

An identification of the subject areas and research techniques used in five hospitality-related journals

Abstract This article reports on an analysis of 653 articles in five leading hospitality-related journals for the period 1983–1989. Objectives of the study are to determine (a) the nature of hospitality writing and research to date (qualitative or quantitative), (b) the focus of hospitality publications to date (marketing, finance, administration, human resources, operations, research and development, economics) and (c) the type of statistical analysis used in hospitality research to date, i.e. the use of descriptive or inferential multivariate statistics. Findings suggest the field of hospitality administration is lacking in rigorous and sophisticated quantitative research. Recommendations are offered for the future development of research in the field of hospitality.

Destination Evaluation: The Role of Previous Travel Experience and Trip Characteristics

This study uses canonical correlation analysis to examine the relationship between two sets of variables that can be used in evaluating a travel destination. The first set is composed of five variables that are referred to as previous travel experience and trip characteristics. These five variables include two measures of previous travel experience (number of countries visited, number of countries visited for pleasure) and three trip characteristics (length of stay, number of people in the travel party, and travel mode). The second set of variables consists of four criterion variables referred to as destination evaluation variables. These variables (satisfaction, service quality, value, and likelihood to return) are used to evaluate the travel destination. Results of the study indicated that a portion of the variance in destination evaluation can be attributed to previous travel experience and trip characteristics.

Travelers’ Prior Knowledge and its Impact on their Information Search Behavior:

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of prior knowledge on travelers’information search behavior. This study examined prior knowledge as having two dimensions: familiarity and expertise. The influence of familiarity and expertise on information search was examined utilizing a structural equation modeling approach. The results of this study provide support for multidimensional prior knowledge. The results also indicate that expertise is a function of familiarity and both familiarity and expertise affect travelers’information search behavior. However, the magnitude and direction of the effects of travelers’familiarity on their information search behavior are different from the effects of their expertise. Findings suggest that although the effect of familiarity on internal search is positive and on external search is negative, the effect of expertise on internal search is negative and on external search is positive.

Cultural/Heritage Destinations: Tourist Satisfaction and Market Segmentation

ABSTRACT This study assessed expectation and satisfaction with a cultural/heritage destination by using an expectation and satisfaction grid. It also segmented the cultural/heritage tourism market based on tourist satisfaction, and then examined the relationship between cultural/heritage destination attributes and the overall satisfaction of tourists in each segment. The findings indicated that there was a significant relationship between destination attributes and overall satisfaction with the cultural/heritage experience.

Consumer Complaint Behavior Manifestations for Table Service Restaurants: Identifying Sociodemographic Characteristics, Personality, and Behavioral Factors

For restaurants to be assured that they are achieving customer satisfaction, they need to receive feedback from their customers. One way customers give feedback is by complaining. Using the Adult Longitudinal Panel, three types of consumer complaint behavior for table service restaurant customers were determined: not likely to complain, complain-to-anyone complainers, and word-of-mouth (WOM) complainers. WOM complainers present the greatest challenge because management does not hear their complaints, but complainers spread negative WOM. Cross-tabs of sociodemographic characteristics differentiated these individuals as baby boomers with children. However, these characteristics do not provide the full profile. Further analysis using multiple discriminant analysis identified personality and behavioral factors that distinguish WOM complainers from other types of restaurant customers. The results show these individuals to be under greater psychological stress than those in the other two groups, as well as less price conscious and less susceptible to interpersonal influence than complain-to-anyone complainers.