Manuel Rivera

Testing the empirical link between tourism and competitiveness: evidence from Puerto Rico

This study examines the empirical relationship between tourism and the competitiveness of a destination. It uses the cointegration and error correction model (ECM) in a bivariate context as a precondition to apply the Granger causality test. This procedure was carried out in the case of Puerto Ricos tourism industry during 1960–2004. The study found cointegration in the intertemporal rather than the contemporaneous effects, as well as a one-directional causality running from changes in tourism spending to changes in competitiveness. This result highlights the long-run equilibrium spending behaviour of tourists as a major concern of destination managers.

Assessing the Viability of Repeat Visitors to Cultural Events: Evidence from the Zora! Festival

This study examines the value of repeat visitors to a cultural festival in terms of expenditures, behavioral intentions, length of stay, and visitation patterns. This analysis is based on an intercept survey that yielded a sample of 1110 visitors. The results confirm the greater viability of repeat visitors over first-timers in all of the aspects that were investigated, as well as identifying and distinguishing the profiles and festival-related characteristics for the two segments. This article discusses the findings and their implications for festival management and emphasizes the relevance in conducting similar marketing studies for cultural events.

Perceptions of service attributes in a religious theme site: an importance–satisfaction analysis

A growing number of commercial corporations have chosen to open visitor centers or company museums. This trend has not bypassed the religious not-for-profit sector. This study uses past literature, input from management, and importance–performance analysis (IPA) to investigate the visitor experience for a religious theme site in Orlando, Florida. A total of 176 visitor surveys collected in two phases were used to conduct the IPA for the 18 attributes identified. The data analysis revealed three attributes for management concentration, including spiritual activities, something for everyone, and inspirational experience. The remaining attributes were placed into areas of low priority, areas indicating a good job, and areas indicating possible overkill. The results of IPA considered along with the current challenges of management can provide useful insight into the decision-making of management. For the research stream related to the unique context of contrived themed religious visitor sites, this research provides additional support for the behavior of the traveler by identifying and measuring attributes of importance and the associated satisfaction with those attributes. By combining these results with future work, additional support for the testing of sound models of mixed visitor behavior applied to religious theme sites can be offered.

An Exploratory Case Study of Factors That Impact the Turnover Intentions and Job Satisfaction of Multi-Unit Managers in the Casual Theme Segment of the U.S. Restaurant Industry

Multi-unit restaurants or “chain” restaurants represent the largest portion of the

To bring God's word to all people: The case of a religious theme-site

537 billion U.S. foodservice industry (NRA, 2007). Turnover is the most serious issue facing these employers today; operators have consistently identified recruiting and retaining employees as their number one challenge. There is a need to identify the factors that impact turnover for a multi-unit manager (MUM) so employers can respond appropriately. Additionally, turnover factors must be identified in order to be able to develop human resources practices and policies that can help to prevent MUM turnover. This study investigated the factors that impact the turnover intentions and job satisfaction for MUMs in the U.S. casual restaurant. A survey was distributed to MUMs during their annual conference. The results indicated that MUMs needed training in the areas of human resources management, employee development, and leaders skills.