Search

Using a theoretical foundation based on memory-dominant logic, this study aims to develop and test an integrative model of memorable wildlife tourism experiences (MWTEs). The study first considers the role of escapism, experiencescapes, experience co-creation and education as antecedents of MWTE. It then examines the relationship between MWTE, satisfaction and hedonic well-being. Data were gathered from 202 tourists over 18 years old who had been on a wildlife safari between September and December 2022. An online survey questionnaire was distributed via Amazon Mechanical Turk. The empirical results suggest that when the importance of escapism, experience co-creation and educational experiences in the experience sought is higher and when the experiencescape is more appealing, the memorability of the experience will be stronger. More memorable experiences are associated with greater tourist satisfaction and hedonic well-being. Furthermore, this study discusses theoretical and managerial implications along with recommendations for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wine tourism has several distinctive features that militate against using Kim et al.'s model of memorable tourism experiences to understand its antecedents and consequences. Accordingly, this study adopts an alternative theoretical framework—the stimulus–organism–response theory—to develop an alternative model. Data were collected from visitors to a well‐known vineyard in Yantai, China and structural equation modelling and multiple group analysis were used to analyse them. The results suggest that experience co‐creation, sensory experience, experiential satisfaction and appealing winescape are significant and positive antecedents of a memorable wine tourism experience, while eudaimonic well‐being and wine purchase intention are significant and positive outcome variables. Visit frequency was found to be a moderating variable linking the winescape to memorable wine tourism experiences. Those who travel to the region frequently form a bond with the winescape that not only contributes to their well‐being but also stimulates their future intentions to purchase its wine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study tests a new model for memorable nature-based tourism experiences by examining the effects of novelty, experiencescape, experience co-creation, experience intensification and satisfaction. The study also examines the relationship between memorable nature-based tourism experiences, place attachment and tourists' environmentally responsible behaviour. Data were gathered from tourists who visited a national park within the three months preceding the data collection period (January-March 2021) using an online survey questionnaire distributed through Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) in March 2021. This study's main contributions include the expansion of the memorable tourism experience construct and the inclusion of four key variables that influence place attachment in the formation of tourists' memorable nature-based tourism experiences. The relationship between place attachment and tourists' environmentally responsible behaviour was also shown to be significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the contingent valuation method, this study examines the determinants of German tourists' willingness to pay for accommodation in a Finnish holiday cottage. A particular focus is on the communication of credentials relating to three dimensions of sustainability (environmental, socio-cultural, and economic). The results suggest that there are significant differences in how tourists value the different sustainability attributes of their accommodation. The environmental dimension was the only sustainability dimension to have a positive and statistically significant effect on tourists' willingness to pay. In terms of tourists' demographic characteristics, meanwhile, employment status was the only socio-demographic factor to have a significant effect on the tourists' willingness to pay. The managerial implications include investing in, and actively communicating, environmental sustainability features as part of a successful business strategy for Finnish cottage service providers targeting German tourists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT) has the potential to reframe interactions among tourists, destinations, and service providers in multiple ways. Yet, there is scant empirical evidence on how individuals develop their relationships with IoT devices and how this technology can serve tourists in planning and deciding on particular destinations or services. Drawing on the assemblage theory, we investigated tourists' interactive experiences when planning trips with and without smart speakers. Methodologically, we employed an interactionist/performative approach that included three qualitative studies to examine tourists' information production, expressive roles, and information processing styles during interactions with smart speakers in the pre-visit stage. The analysis was driven by grounded theory and utilized computerized psycholinguistic techniques to enrich our research implications for theory, methodology, and tourism management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the similarities between leisure activities engaged in at home and those engaged in while at a vacation destination, as well as the relationships between leisure involvement, leisure habit, choice overload, regret and satisfaction. A post-holiday web-based survey was conducted among tourists in Rovaniemi, Finland, and a valid sample of 246 persons was used for the data analysis. The study indicates that some visitors might exhibit similar behaviours in both their home and holiday environments in terms of activity participation. The findings demonstrate the effect of high involvement (self-expression and centrality) and habits (resistance) in leisure activities at home on lower choice overload regarding vacation activities while at a destination. Lower choice overload also leads to less regret but is not associated with satisfaction. One of the managerial implications of this study is that to avoid choice overload tourism service providers should be aware of the activities that visitors do in their home environments when offering them activities. Moreover, different tiers of programmes targeting various visitor segments are critical in avoiding choice overload, eliminating regret and creating satisfactory experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For some tourists, shopping is a "must-do" activity, and many tourists' purchases can be classified as souvenirs. This study employs a grounded theory approach to explore the central elements of souvenirs that help tourists reminisce about their holiday experiences and encourage their intentions to revisit a place. Based on semi-structured interviews with visitors to Rovaniemi, Finland, from 14 different nationalities, uniqueness, usability and functionality emerged as central elements that prolonged memorability of the travel experience and encouraged revisit intention. This research contradicts studies indicating that a lack of authenticity is an attraction when buying souvenirs and that tourists purchase "genuine counterfeit products" while on holiday due to their lower prices. The managerial implications of this study are that tourism service providers who sell souvenirs in similar contexts should invest more resources on offering objects that represent uniqueness and on local food products and clothes, as well as kitchenware, which represent usability and functionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study utilized netnography to explore tourists’ memorable hotel experiences. Customer-generated content on TripAdvisor was analysed for identifying the components that contribute to tourists’ memorable hotel experiences in Helsinki and Rovaniemi, in Finland. Ten keywords “memorable”, “unforgettable”, “extraordinary”, “notable”, “enduring”, “decisive”, “out of the world”, “will never forget”, “once in a lifetime”, and “rememberable” were used to gather the online narratives. The data used in this study include 272 online narratives pertaining to tourists’ experiences of 47 different hotels. The study assumed a passive, covert lurker position to avoid interfering with the naturally ongoing discussion. A grounded theory approach was used to analyse the data. The findings reveal three components that contribute to tourists’ memorable hotel experiences: a comfortable bed, the friendly attitude of hotel staff, and a delicious breakfast with plenty of choice as well as a good restaurant service at the hotel. Tourists’ memorable hotel experiences can be linked to the novelty and refreshment dimensions of memorable tourism experience (MTE) scale. The study found evidence of negative MTEs and supports studies suggesting the need to be critical of the MTE scale dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examines the specific dimensions of Kim, Ritchie, and McCormick's [(2012). Development of a scale to measure memorable tourism experiences. Journal of Travel Research, 51(12), 12-25. doi:10.1177/0047287510385467] memorable tourism experience (MTE) scale that affects tourists' subjective well-being to a single destination. A web-based post-holiday survey was conducted among tourists to Rovaniemi, Finland, and a valid sample of 202 tourists was used for data analysis. Structural equation modeling was applied to investigate the relationships between MTE dimensions and subjective well-being. Although the measurement appears to be highly destination specific, the results show that tourists' subjective well-being is influenced by hedonism and meaningfulness. The moderating variables of gender, age and nationality have a significant effect on the link between most antecedent factors of MTE and subjective wellbeing. Managerial implications, limitations and future research directions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the growth of sharing economy. Topics discussed include the hospitality of Airbnb Inc.; sharing economy which refers to the forms of exchange of diverse for-profit and non-profit activities facilitated through online platforms; and the factors tourists consider for positive experiences in Airbnb accommodations.