PLANIRANJE PROIZVODA DESTINACIJA KRUŽNIH PUTOVANJA POMOĆU PROSTORNE MATEMATIČKE ANALIZE

Mathematical models provide spatial analysis to help complex decision-making and can be successfully applied to product planning in tourism. This paper presents a case study, and suggests one process by which planning agencies may evaluate the railway stations in the Northern Greece network. Six geographical points of distinction are identified for promotion based on linear-nearest neighbor analysis and the connectivity index. A functional diagram evaluates each point based on infrastructure, natural and cultural attractions. Finally, these indicators suggest marketing considerations, which may lend support to Management or stakeholders’ discussions to maximize the geographic points.Matematički modeli omogućuju prostornu analizu kako bi se pomoglo složenom postupku odlučivanja i mogu se uspješno primjenjivati za planiranje proizvoda u turizmu. Ovaj rad prikazuje analizu pojedinog slučaja i predlaže proces pri čijem planiranju agencije mogu procjenjivati kolodvore u željezničkoj mreži sjeverne Grčke. Za promociju na bazi analize linearnog najbližeg susjedu i indeksa povezanosti utvrđeno je šest geografskih točaka razlikovanja. Funkcijska shema ocjenjuje svaku točku na temelju infrastrukture i prirodnih i kulturnih aktivnosti. Zaključno ti indikatori predlažu marketinško promišljanje što bi pružilo podršku menadžmentu ili nositelju interesa kod diskusija oko maksimiziranja geografskih točki

Gamification design:toward developing image perception scales for generation Z consumers

Purpose – Drawing from the Personal Construct Theory, this research study analyzes the impact of employing gamified apps on user behavior by investigating the service-related images and individual preferences of Generation Z (GenZ) consumers, as these emerge from gamified applications in a tourism context. Design/methodology/approach – The Repertory Grid Analysis (RGA) elicited the top elements that reflect GenZer perceptions in tourism from empirical studies in the United Kingdom and Greece. Generalized Procrustes Analysis (GPA) was used to investigate the structure of the data for the creation of representative Consensus Biplots of the most important conceptual constructs to advance consumer decision-making modelling via gamification. Findings – As per different gamified app best-practices considered, we extract common perceptual elements (e.g. place informative aspects, exploration, lodgings, food/catering), but also different image components (e.g. virtual/interactive, business vs. commercial traveling, entertainment, heritage/cultural informative aspects) from comparing UK with Greek GenZers’ responses. These extracted attributes are then presented in two dimensional charts, respectively, towards creating tourist perception scales. Research limitations/implications – Notwithstanding the wide availability of gamified apps, research on gamification design in tourism and hospitality is still in the early phase. This study demonstrates the need to identify and optimize the formation of different images among GenZers. It also highlights the advantageous nature of the proposed combination of Procrustes analysis with the RGA.Originality/value – This research is among the first empirical ones towards creating scales for measuring tourist perceptions of GenZers coming from different consumer markets. It responds to scholars’ recent calls for better informing gamification design and improving contemporary consumer experience.<br/

The preferences of participants in small-scale sport events: A conjoint analysis case study from Taiwan

The primary objective of this study was an investigation of participants\u27 preferences for a cycling orientated sport tourism event using conjoint analysis. Respondents in a survey were presented with a range of different event alternatives related to the characteristics of proposed small-scale cycling events to draw out useful conclusions about the ideal scenario of such a sporting event that would be the most attractive and desirable for those who compete. A questionnaire, in two parts, was developed and distributed to 195 bicyclers during an event in Kaohsiung, Taiwan and the data was analysed using SPSS Conjoint at the aggregate level (pooled data). Based on the preferences expressed by the athletes the three most important factors were: "preferred season to organizing the event", "parallel organised trade shows & exhibitions" and "entertainment & awards". The findings of this study provide event coordinators and sport marketers with practical insights into event planning and possibility of development of effective marketing strategies designed to reach and attract more participants to these types of activities. This investigation is unique since is one of the first to use a full design of seven parameters in the conjoint analysis model to comprehensively examine athlete\u27s preferences

Differences in Sustainable Management Between Four- and Five-Star Hotels Regarding the Perceptions of Three-Pillar Sustainability

Although there is a wealth of publications about sustainability in tourism destinations management literature, the concept has only recently started coming under examination within the area of hospitality management. This paper���s main focus is on capturing the perceptions and practices of hotel management in respect to the concept of three-dimensional sustainability. A literature based self-administered questionnaire was used and 423 hotels participated in the study. Logistic Regression was employed in order to examine four research hypotheses and extract useful findings. The findings suggest that hotel star ratings play a significant role in the perceived importance of financial measures of economic viability, as well as in the application of socially-responsible practices by hotel management; the same conclusion does not apply to environmental practices. Furthermore, it was found that hotel location does not play a significant role in shaping perceptions of sustainability dimensions

A comparative study of sustainable development in small and medium tourist hotel industry from Pieria (Greece) and Taiwan

This paper is exploring the relationship of the small hotel sector with the principles of sustainable tourism development. Main objective is to highlight the benefits expected to accrue to the hotel industry and examine the degree of awareness among owners of small and medium hotel units on issues related to sustainable tourism development. A questionnaire was distributed in Greece and Taiwan and a logit model was used, to examine the impact of the dichotomous dependent variable of nationality between Taiwanese and Greek SME hoteliers. Greeks and Taiwanese have remarkable differences on how they perceive sustainable tourism development and what impact that kind of development will have on their enterprises. Greeks seems to be much more optimistic than Taiwanese when it comes to environmental issues. For Greeks high investment costs are the most important reason for not implementing the adoption of sustainable development. The biggest problem for Taiwanese hoteliers is the lack of trained staff.Este artículo investiga la relación del pequeño sector hotelero con los principios del desarrollo del turismo sostenible. El objetivo principal es resaltar los beneficios que se esperan acumular para la industria hotelera y examinar el grado de conciencia entre los propietarios de pequeñas y medianas unidades hoteleras en temas relacionados con el desarrollo del turismo sostenible. Un cuestionario fue distribuido en Grecia y Taiwan y un modelo logit fue usado, para examinar el impacto de la variable dicotómica dependiente de la nacionalidad entre los hoteleros SME de Grecia y Taiwan. Griegos y Taiwaneses tienen grandes diferencias sobre como perciben el desarrollo del turismo sostenible y que impacto en sus empresas puede tener este tipo de desarrollo. Los griegos parecen ser mucho mas optimistas que los taiwaneses cuando se refiere a problemas medioambientales. Para los griegos, los altos costos de inversión son la razón más importante para no adoptar un desarrollo sostenible. El mayor problema para los hoteleros taiwaneses es la falta de personal cualificado

The effect of sport tourists\u27 travel style, destination and event choices, and motivation on their involvement in small-scale sports events

© 2018 Cognizant, LLC. This exploratory study investigates whether and in which way motivation and destination, travel, and event selection criteria influence sport tourists\u27 involvement in small-scale events. Thus, a model was developed and tested at a small-scale sport event in Sfendami, Greece. To test the six hypotheses of the proposed model a primary research study was conducted, which received responses from 181 participants. Implementation of the partial least square technique showed that changes in sport tourists\u27 travel style exert a direct and positive effect on involvement, as well as an indirect effect with motivation acting as a mediator; however, perception of destination and events characteristics does not exert a significant influence on participants\u27 involvement. Additionally, the model\u27s ability to predict the motivational aspects of sport tourists\u27 participation was demonstrated. Multidimensional scaling was employed to assist with event service design and improve organizers\u27 capabilities to develop effective promotional strategies

Branding in the New Museum Era

Undoubtedly, museums play a vital role in the economy and tourism constituting of a significant unit of cultural tourism. However, facing either rival competition within the leisure industry or funding cutbacks museums are now adopting for-profit strategies aligned with marketing principles. Today museums have redefined their role and activities to conclude newer and more active experiences and entertainment, shifting to experiential notions of “edutainment” and “artertainment”. This paper extends the current knowledge by drawing on a review of 40 papers. This study presents the fundamental components of brand concept within the museum industry. Precisely, essential elements of branding such as brand equity, brand loyalty, and brand resonance are discussed and set to museum sector. This study makes an important contribution to the field of tourist and cultural marketing by advancing our understanding of museum branding and by proposing both new research topics and valuable managerial implications to museums practitioners and scholars