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Abstract: This paper seeks to develop a full and more explicit account of what constitutes destination management by examining how a mature coastal resort, Pattaya in Thailand, is being managed. The paper addresses two key questions: what is destination management and is destination management being practised in Pattaya? Empirical research in Pattaya was guided by a conceptual framework incorporating three basic features of management: goals, activities and management structures. The research focussed on the management of three major features of the resort identified by public and private sector interviewees: the beach zone, nightlife and the Pattaya Music Festival. If the management of these features is assessed in terms of definitions stressing integration, coordination or collaboration then destination management is not being practised in Pattaya. Rather, many of the management activities being carried out are undertaken independently by a range of agencies in accordance with their broader institutional goals and responsibilities. Where complementary activities are co-ordinated, integrated or collaborative this is generally limited to a series of formal or informal dyadic relationships rather than a comprehensive destination-wide approach. These results raise questions about the scope of destination management and the need to consider its dimensions more closely. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Although tourists are frequently cited as the central focus of much destination management activity little is known about how they regard destination management. Through a series of focus groups with guests at youth hostels in three locations in New Zealand, this study provides empirical evidence as to whether tourists consider destinations need to be managed, why destination management is needed, what it should involve and what differentiates good destinations from poor ones. The tourists’ responses endorse the need for destination management and show a broad appreciation of why destinations should be managed. The participants see a need for destination marketing, value the provision of information and acknowledge the importance of visitor management. However they strongly expressed the view that destinations should not be over-managed, raising the question of where the boundaries lie between effective destination management and over-management. The factors which differentiate good destinations from poor ones might be grouped under two broad themes: those associated with tourists’ motivations and expectations and those related to a range of destination attributes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Copyright of Estudios y Perspectivas en Turismo is the property of Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios Turisticos and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We investigate minority access to small-business loans using a probit model of loan application denial that recognizes two loan types (line-of-credit loans and non-line-of-credit loans) made by two lender types (commercial banks and nonbank financial institutions). We estimate our model on data from the 1998 Survey of Small Business Finances. We find evidence consistent with minority equal access to bank credit lines and nonbank non-line-of-credit loans in highly competitive loan markets; in less competitive markets we find evidence consistent with unequal access to these loans. We also find evidence consistent with unequal minority access to bank non-line-of-credit loans, regardless of loan market competitiveness. Our findings differ from previous research which treats small-business loans as a homogenous product and finds evidence consistent with unequal minority access to small-business loans generally. We argue that the existence of multiple small-business lending technologies and loan specialization by lenders account for our findings and demonstrate the need to treat small-business loans as a heterogeneous product when investigating equal access to small-business credit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper seeks to analyze the extent to which New Zealand domestic and outbound travelers' book components of their trip in advance or at their destination and to explore the factors that influence this. Furthermore, the paper compares the distribution channels used by domestic and outbound travelers to purchase different travel products and to examine why these channels have been selected. Design/methodology/approach – The study involves the collection and analysis of data on the profiles, trip characteristics and distribution behavior of domestic and outbound travelers based on a nationwide telephone survey of 1,000 respondents. Findings – Little variation was found in the profile characteristics of domestic and outbound travelers but significant differences occurred in terms of the trip characteristics, the extent of booking in advance and at the destination, reasons why advance bookings were not made, how bookings were made and the channels used all exhibited significant differences according to domestic or outbound travel. This pattern was less consistent with regards to the factors influencing how the bookings were made and the factors affecting channel choice. Research and practical implications – The findings illustrate the complexity of travel decision-making issues, underline the need to take account of differences between domestic and outbound travel and across trip components, and to examine the factors that underlie distribution related behavior. Originality/value – The value and originality of this paper lie in the systematic comparison of the booking and channel choice behavior of domestic and outbound travelers, the search for factors influencing this behavior and a sectoral approach that differentiates transport to and at the destination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paradoxically, part of the appeal of Vietnam as an emerging destination lies in the commodification of images, artifacts, and battlefield sites of the Vietnam War. While studied from the supply-side, little research has been undertaken yet in terms of the patterns of demand for battlefield tourism. Based on a survey of 481 visitors to the former Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), this article uses factor analysis and cluster analysis to segment then profile battlefield visitors based on their motivations. Three groups of visitors to the DMZ were identified: the Battlefield Tourism Enthusiast, the Opportunist, and Passive Tourists. Significant differences were found between the three segments with regard to various sociodemographics and trip characteristics. However, results from the study also emphasize that analyses of demand based on site visits should be contextualized in terms of visits to the country as a whole and that care must be taken in distinguishing specialist visitors from generalists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We use data from the Wall Street Journal’s semi-annual survey of professional economists to test whether individual economists’ six-month-ahead predictions of real GDP growth, unemployment, short-term interest rates and inflation reflect Okun’s Law and the Taylor Rule. We conclude the economists believe real growth is less responsive to unemployment-rate changes than the textbook version of Okun’s Law; we also find the economists believe the Federal Reserve sets short-term interest rates by placing more weight on unemployment and less weight on inflation than the Taylor Rule prescribes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper reviews conceptualizations of nodal functions and presents a methodology for identifying and measuring the tourism functions of specific places with reference to place competitiveness. The methodology, which combines measures of length of stay and purpose of visit, is illustrated by a survey-based comparative analysis of ferry passengers traveling between two tourist nodes in New Zealand: Wellington and Picton. The results show distinctive differences between the two places in terms of their multiple functions expressed as origins, gateways, stopovers and destinations. Opportunities for modifying functions appear to be greatest amongst international travelers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article addresses the issue of channel performance in multichannel tourism distribution systems involving a mix of direct and indirect channels. It focuses on one major component of channel performance, net revenue generated. The article outlines a comprehensive and systematic methodology for measuring net revenues across multiple distribution channels, discusses the challenges involved and suggests how these might be overcome, The empirical results for a range of attractions and accommodation businesses in New Zealand are then analyzed. These show substantial variations may occur in net revenue across the different channels. Differences are found in the structure of channel costs with staff costs being particularly important. The managerial implications of the results obtained are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Annals of Tourism Research is the property of Pergamon Press - An Imprint of Elsevier Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper examines the concept of capital city tourism with reference to Wellington, the world's southernmost capital. Drawing on visitor survey data, interviews with providers, the analysis of marketing strategies and secondary statistics, the paper seeks to distinguish the 'capital' dimension from other aspects of tourism in the city and to consider this from the perspective of the visitors, providers and the destination marketing organization. Reflecting a range of functions-political, economic and symbolic-the 'capital' dimensions are shown to be multiple and often indirect. The capital city effect on the overall growth and nature of tourism in Wellington should not be overstated but scope exists to develop this unique selling point further. doi:10.1300/ J073v22n03_02 [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]