Sergio Moreno-Gil

A Comparison of Tourists’ Valuation of Climate Change Policy Using Different Pricing Frames

Tourism destinations are increasingly concerned about global climate change and considering to become involved in the adoption of mitigation policies that reduce global emissions. On the other hand, behavioral sciences have shown that consumers’ choices may be significantly influenced by the way that they are framed. In this article, we test the impact of alternative ways to frame the pricing of climate change policies on the values and preferences of tourists. The evidence comes from three different experiments on a proposal to mitigate climate change through a carbon offset program using both an opt-out pricing frame and in an opt-in pricing frame. The results show that the opt-out frame led to a larger probability of accepting to pay the price for a carbon offset policy proposal. The main implication is that destinations’ climate change policies should take into account the designs of the frame in which policies are posed.

Economic Valuation of Tourism Destination Image

This paper develops a novel methodology for estimating the value of destination image, which incorporates two principal advantages over the methods used to date. First, it allows tourism destination image to be assessed in economic terms, so a formal cost–benefit analysis can be executed to ascertain whether or not a specific marketing action should be implemented. Second, it enables a disentangling of the economic assessment of tourist destination image in terms of destination attributes. This can be used to design marketing actions aimed at optimizing marketing efforts to enhance a destinations image.

Understanding the Image of Self-Contained and Serviced Apartments The Case of Sun and Beach Destinations

Self-contained and serviced apartments (SCSAs) are a primary offering at some destinations. To improve offerings for this type of accommodation, and consequently the competitiveness of the destination, understanding the direct or composite variables (i.e., dimensions that determine the image of SCSAs and the variables’ effect on the overall image of the accommodation product) is important. However, despite the apparent importance for commercial success, no previous research analyzed the nature of this image. This study, conducted in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands (Spain), encompasses a sample of 271 tourists, lodged at SCSAs, who completed a questionnaire at the airport departure terminal. An exploratory factor analysis examined both dimensions (cognitive and affective) followed by a logistic regression to analyze the influence of the different dimensions on the overall image of SCSAs. The empirical results suggest that, indeed, both main dimensions influence SCSAs’ overall image. For SCSAs on the Canary Islands, affective image is the formation of one factor—“SCSA’s affective image”—whereas cognitive image forms from seven factors. The logistic regression of the data further revealed that “SCSA affective image” is the most influential factor on SCSAs’ overall image, followed by four cognitive factors: “Personnel and cleanliness,” “Primary services,” “Outdoor areas,” and “Kitchen.” Such prioritizing provides destination marketing organizations with detailed information for better integrating marketing initiatives and, for owners, measures directed toward improving SCSA services and facilities.

The influence of motivations on the image of non-hotel tourist accommodation offering

Accommodation image has been scarcely researched in the literature and is worthy of further investigation. Moreover, to date, no previous studies have analysed non-hotel accommodation image, even when this type of accommodation is the primary offer of some tourist destinations and plays a critical role in the overall perception of the destination. This research aims for a deeper understanding of accommodation image. Thus, after an extensive review of the literature, the aim is to obtain the main dimensions of cognitive image that characterise this product and to analyse how these dimensions affect the overall accommodation image. Finally, this research analyses the influence of motivations on the formation of accommodation image. Tourists motivated by ‘fun and prestige’ evaluate accommodation image more positively than tourists motivated by ‘relaxation, knowledge, and social interaction’. The study highlights the academic and practical implications of these findings.

Analysis of the projected image of tourism destinations on photographs: A literature review to prepare for the future

Making the right impression is paramount to succeed in today’s very competitive market, where photographs have acquired a prominent role in doing so. The evaluation and analysis of destination image have been tackled mainly from the perspective of the tourists’ perceptions. However, the projected image of destinations has received limited attention in the literature and the topic has not yet been successfully operationalized. Moreover, existing literature on the projected image on photographs (PIP) is scattered and lacking of an integral approach. Thus, the aim of this article is to fill this gap by carrying a comprehensive literature review on the destination’s PIP, covering information sources analyzed, destinations included, number of pictures, time framework, methodology, and specially categorization (people, activities represented, and tourism context) and specific attributes used. As a result, this article provides researchers with a reference guide to understand the current situation of the research on this topic, context, methods, and focus of previous studies. Finally, it identifies trends and reflections on future research.

Understanding tourists’ leisure expenditure at the destination: a social network analysis

ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to identify spending patterns of tourists in relation to the leisure activities performed throughout their day-by-day stay at the destination. Using the methodology of social network analysis (SNA), a tourists–activities bipartite network was identified following a pattern known as core–periphery. The effect of this structure (including typology, number, and timing of performing the activities) on tourism expenditure is analysed using a multiple regression model, to which were added different sociodemographic variables and other variables related to travel. In order to better understand the portfolio of activities, four examples of networks are studied and visually represented. This study reveals that through SNA between tourists and activities, we can study the behaviour of tourists in a novel way.

Understanding European tourists’ use of e-tourism platforms. Analysis of networks

This paper analyses the use of the main e-tourism platforms by European tourists. A computer-aided Web interview (CAWI) was used to conduct the research in 19 European countries: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, Luxemburg, Czech Republic, and the United Kingdom. The final sample consisted of 13,243 tourists. Through the methodology of Social Network Analysis (SNA), the study focuses on detecting key network players (social media, OTAs, etc.) in the e-tourism ecosystem. The network analysis reveals the structural characteristics of the network of networks in the European e-tourism ecosystem: number of platforms (473), centrality degree and betweenness, and the specific characteristics of the networks by country. The results show an e-tourism network of platforms following a pattern known as core-periphery. Four platforms show a predominant role: Facebook, TripAdvisor, Google, and Booking. These ‘big four’ ego-networks are graphically represented to better understand the e-tourism network. The results also show that different networks are formed by country according to the use of e-tourism platforms. This study helps understand in a novel way the behaviour of European tourists when using e-tourism platforms to choose their travel destination. The results obtained are useful for companies and Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs), understanding how e-tourism platforms are connected in order to design their segmentation and promotion strategy through e-tourism platforms in the European market.