Stefan Kruger

The Influence of Travel Motives on Visitor Happiness Attending a Wedding Expo

ABSTRACT Events are an important motivator in travel and tourism, therefore contributing to related benefits at the tourism destination. This study presents the findings of a structural equation model used to investigate the factors that motivate visitors attending a Wedding Expo and how these travel motives influence their happiness. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to visitors attending the Wedding Expo in Johannesburg, South Africa. The data from 375 (N) eligible questionnaires was captured and analyzed using SPSS. From the study’s findings, managerial recommendations were made with the aim of maximising the happiness of visitors attending the Wedding Expo. The study found that satisfaction with life and happiness of visitors attending a Wedding Expo is enhanced more by the event’s attributes/attractiveness and enhancement of kinship/relationship than by the event’s novelty. The research contributes to the literature related to events management, happiness, and marketing management in tourism.

Does Life Satisfaction of Tourists Increase if They Set Travel Goals That Have High Positive Valence

espanolEl ajuste de los objetivos de un viajero puede influir en la satisfaccion de la vida del viajero. El principio de valencia gol viajes afirma que la satisfaccion vital de los turistas es alta cuando sus objetivos de viaje se relacionan mas con (1) intrinseca de motivos extrinsecos, (2) resumen de los estados concretos deseada, (3) el crecimiento de las necesidades basicas, (4) Enfoque de los estados deseados que la evitacion de estados no deseados, (5) privados de necesidades nondeprived, y (6) el flujo de actividades sin flujo. El objetivo principal de este estudio es evaluar las proposiciones teoricas derivadas del principio de valencia gol viajes en el contexto de los viajes de placer a un parque nacional de vida silvestre (Estudio 1) y los viajes de placer experimentado recientemente (Estudio 2). En el Estudio 1 una tecnica de muestreo de conveniencia fue utilizado por medio de un cuestionario autoadministrado. Se recibieron un total de 228 cuestionarios completados en su totalidad. Estudio 2 hizo uso de una encuesta basada en la web y se utilizo una tecnica de muestreo aleatorio. Un total de 254 cuestionarios fueron utilizados en los calculos estadisticos de Estudio 2. Los resultados de ambos estudios indicaron satisfaccion con la vida que el viajero / turista se puede aumentar cuando tienen objetivos intrinsecos, metas basadas en el crecimiento, y los objetivos relacionados con el flujo de actividades. Para mejorar viajero / bienestar turistica, se recomienda que los vendedores en la industria del turismo implementar programas y servicios guiados por el modelo de valencia meta. EnglishThe setting of a travelers goals can influence the travelers life satisfaction. The travel goal valence principle states that life satisfaction of tourists is high when their travel goals are related more to (1) intrinsic than extrinsic motives, (2) abstract than concrete desired states, (3) growth than basic needs, (4) approach of desired states than avoidance of undesired states, (5) deprived than nondeprived needs, and (6) flow than nonflow activities. The main purpose of this study is to test the theoretical propositions stemming from the travel goal valence principle in the context of leisure travel to a national wildlife park (Study 1) and leisure travel experienced recently (Study 2). In Study 1 a convenience sampling technique was used by means of a self-administered questionnaire. A total of 228 fully completed questionnaires were received. Study 2 made use of a web-based survey and a random sample technique was used. A total of 254 questionnaires were used in the statistical calculations of Study 2. The results from both studies indicated that traveler/tourists life satisfaction can be increased when they have intrinsic goals, growth-based goals, and goals related to flow activities. To enhance traveler/tourist well-being, it is recommended that marketers in the tourism industry implement programs and services guided by the goal valence model.

Physical activity and psychosomatic-related health problems as correlates of quality of life among university students

This study aimed to investigate the role of psychosomatic problems in the relationship between physical activity and healthrelated quality of life. Participants were a convenience sample of 703 students from a South African university (males = 38.8%, females = 61.2%, mean age = 19.6 years, SD = 1.26 years). The students completed measures of physical activity, psychosomatic-related health problems and quality of life-related. The hypothesised model was tested using structural equation modelling (SEM). The empirical findings revealed that psychosomatic problems mediated the relationship between physical activity and quality of life. In fact, the mediation analyses showed a partial effect of physical activity on quality of life in that those students with less self-reported activity experienced several psychosomatic-related health problems.

A Benefits Theory of Leisure Well-Being

Leisure well-being is satisfaction in leisure life in a manner that contributes to subjective well-being. We develop a theory of leisure well-being that explains how leisure activities contribute to leisure well-being and ultimately quality of life. Leisure activity contributes to leisure well-being by satisfying a set of basic needs (benefits related to safety, health, economic, sensory, escape, and/or sensation/stimulation needs) and growth needs (benefits related to symbolic, aesthetic, moral, mastery, relatedness, and/or distinctiveness needs). These effects are further amplified when the benefits of leisure activities match corresponding personal characteristics, namely safety consciousness, health consciousness, price sensitivity, hedonism, escapism, sensation seeking, status consciousness, aestheticism, moral sensitivity, competitiveness, sociability, and need for distinctiveness, respectively (This chapter is adapted and modified from a forthcoming publication: Sirgy, M. J., Uysal, M., & Kruger, S. (2017). Towards a benefits theory of leisure well-being. Applied Research in Quality of Life 12(1), 205–228 ( https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-016-9482-7))

Soul searching on the wings of my wheels: motorcyclists’ happiness

This study aimed to investigate how personal characteristics of motorcyclists influenced their affect and sense of happiness with their motorcycles. Data on personal characteristics, motorcycle characteristics, feelings about owning a motorcycle, discreet emotions, and overall happiness were collected from 367 motorcyclists attending the annual charity run event (female = 29%, male = 71%, average age ranged between 40 and 49). Results, following Structural Equation Modelling, indicated male and younger motorcyclists to experience higher discreet positive emotions compared to females and those with a preference for outdoors lifestyle. Male motorcyclists reported being happier, overall, with their motorcycles compared to female motorcyclists. Amongst males, those reporting to be self-employed and with a social life involving drinking places, tended to report higher discreet negative emotions than other male motorcyclists. Lifestyle characteristics of motorcyclists appear to have a direct effect on their overall happiness.

Black Jack: Do company benefits and feelings have an impact on my happiness?

The aim of this study was to determine whether casino employees’ benefits and their feelings about the company influence their experienced happiness. A total of 1 502 casino employees were surveyed (females = 57%; males = 43%). They completed a company benefits, feelings and happiness questionnaire within the work context. Data were analysed to predict what company benefits and whether feelings about the company impact on the casino employees’ happiness; and also to test the mediation effects of company benefits on their happiness experienced through feelings about the company. In addition, structural relations between happiness and feelings about the company, and happiness and company benefits were tested. Findings from the regression analyses and structural equation modelling suggest that feelings about the company and company benefits such as staff meals and pension funds do predict personal happiness and positive feelings about the company where they are employed. Moreover, feelings about the company mediated the effect of stay-in facilities, staff meals and a bonus on happiness. Positive feelings about their company seem to explain employee happiness, particularly with the availability of company benefits such as stay-in facilities, staff meals and a bonus scheme.