Empirically Mapping the Evolutionary Phases of Tourism Area Life Cycle (TALC): The Case of Goa, India

This paper aims to simulate the stages of the Tourism Area Life Cycle (TALC) in Goa, India, based on the number of tourist arrivals and tests whether the stages correspond with the stages of TALC as predicted in the theory. The graphs are plotted for total, foreign, and domestic tourists from 1962-2018. A compliance assessment of the indicators with the TALC stages is also done to ascertain the extent of development. The leading indicators of the exploration, stagnation, and decline stages are identified. The lagging indicator shows sluggish tourism planning initiatives. It is observed that the TALC differs for domestic and foreign tourists\u27 arrivals. The study provides an important historical perspective on the pattern of growth of tourism in Goa. The pattern can further be employed as a basis to guide the process of strategy formulation

Testing The Alcohol Consumption Experience Scale In A Touristic Environment.

This study examines how a tourist\u27s alcohol consumption is impacted by their choice of alcohol, drink environment, social context, and service experience. Employing the Alcohol Consumption Experience (ACE) scale, the study uses a quantitative research approach. This study attempted to gather tourists\u27 views and perceptions on the factors that influence the alcohol consumption experience and their behavioural intention based on their experiences in Goa. A total of 962 completed questionnaires were used in the analysis. The new measurement scale, the Alcohol Consumption Experience scale (ACE) scale, contained 52 items across six dimensions: Choice of alcohol, choice of drinkscapes, social setting, service experience, consumption experience and behavioural intentions. By testing the Alcohol Consumption Experience framework to gather tourists\u27 drinking behaviour and examine the views and perceptions on the factors that influence this experience, the study aims to understand better the impact of these factors on the alcohol consumption experience and its impact on future behavioural intentions. The findings from the study revealed a positive relationship between the choice of alcohol, choice of drinkscapes, social settings, and service experience with alcohol consumption experience and its significant impact of alcohol consumption experience on tourist revisit intention and willingness to recommend the alcohol consumption. This study provides major theoretical contributions to the gastronomic tourism literature, with an emphasis on alcotourism, that go beyond previous studies. The study\u27s findings imply important implications for drinkscapes seeking to balance or emphasize these components of service excellence

Factors Driving The Tourists Choice of Alcohol and Drinkscapes: An Exploratory Study

This study analyses the crucial dimension of variables influencing visitors\u27 choice of drinkscapes and alcohol among those who visited Goa. This research also aims to examine the influence of tourists\u27 knowledge and past experiences regarding alcohol consumption on the choice of alcoholic beverages and the choice of drinkscapes at tourist destinations. Respondents were asked to rate provided attributes on a 5-point Likert scale according to their preferences in selecting alcohol or drinkscapes. Four hundred and eighty-one questionnaires collected from a web-based survey at popular drinkscapes in Goa were analyzed. The research ranks attribute based on the mean values used by consumers when selecting a drinkscape or ordering alcohol. Based on the results of factor analysis, the study found that the most important factors influencing the choice of alcohol were taste, quality, quantity to be consumed, the brand of the alcoholic beverage and the level of intoxication desired. Whereas ambience, entertainment, safe environment, comfortable seating and clean surroundings were the critical factors indicating the choice of drinkscapes for the respondents. Regression analysis also suggested a significant impact of tourists\u27 knowledge and past experiences regarding alcohol consumption on the choice of alcoholic beverages and the choice of drinkscapes. Regarding the implications for drinkscape management, this study suggests placing a stronger emphasis on providing drinkscapes having a beverage list that stands out with good brands and a variety of quality alcoholic beverages, a good ambience that emphasized a safe and clean environment and good entertainment to attract customers to stand out in this competitive industry. This study also contributes to the field by providing practical information that will enable bar managers to facilitate memorable drinking experiences better

Dentists knowledge and awareness of different infant feeding practices and their implications: A cross-sectional observational study

Aim: To assess the knowledge and awareness of the benefits & risk of different infant feeding practices amongst dentists. Materials and methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted among 205 dentists by using convenience sampling method. Results: 79.8% of the participants responded that breastfeeding should be initiated within 1 hour of birth whereas only 3.8% reported it to be initiated within 24 hours of birth. Around 78.8% of the participants had the knowledge about commencement of exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months after birth. 51.4% participants knew that breastmilk can provide one third of energy between 12 and 24 months. We found that 51.0% participants responded that pumped breastmilk can be stored for 4 hours at room temperature. Conclusion: There is a generalized lack of awareness regarding infant feeding practices among general dentists and most of them are not updated about the latest recommendations