Variable geometry for DMOs A principle for effective business development in tourist destinations

This paper proposes a new perspective of the role of DMOs in Europe, particularly in Switzerland, by bringing forward the concept of variable geometry with overlapping strategic business fields (sbf’s). In the past, local and regional DMOs have served the needs of the enterprises and the community from a purely territorial perspective. We suggest tracing tourist destination boundaries from the viewpoint of activities and attractions, visited by a strategically relevant and rather similar group of tourists. For three DMOs, we have carried out a series of workshops with the local tourist elite to identify the current and future strategic business fields (sbf’s). The resulting boundaries of the sbf’s were the basis for discussing (1) the future geographic area of responsibility for the DMOs, (2) the role of the DMO for the sbf’s, (3) future cooperative initiatives with neighboring DMOs, (4) alternative and specific approaches of financing and governing the DMO

Predicting Online Travel Purchases: The Case of Switzerland

This paper examines why and under what conditions prospective travelers complete their bookings through online services compared to other methods. The study is based on a representative survey within 1,898 Swiss households, recording their travel behavior during the entire year 2007. The results show that the likelihood of booking online increases if someone is drawn to a website to gather information in the first place, and if the product sold through the website is transparent and well-understood (either per se or because the customer is familiar with the product), or if any other booking-related communication would impose a financial charge, independent of the socio-demographic background of the prospective traveler

Tell me who you think you are and I tell you how you travel : Exploring the viability of market segmentation by means of travelers\u27 stated personality: Insights from a mature market (Switzerland)

People travel to different destinations for different reasons. In this study, we investigate the viability of market segmentation by personal traits (based on and exemplified by Jungian\u27s MBTI variables) of travelers from Switzerland, by performing a data-driven a posteriori segmentation by means of k-means clustering. To identify the segmentation power of personal traits, this analysis is complemented with a multiple discriminant analysis as well as a number of contingency tests to identify differences between the segments. We identified four clearly definable segments, which differ in terms of the psychographic traits of the segment members but also in terms of some sociodemographic characteristics as well as travel profiles. Despite a growing body of work on classical market segmentation, there is a growing but still limited number of works on potentialities of psychographic approaches relating to a traveler\u27s traits and/or peronality as a segmentation basis in tourism

Exploring the conditions for the effectiveness of DMO board of directors

This paper explores the conditions for DMO board effectiveness in destination management organizations (DMOs). First, three different measures for board effectiveness are identified: (1) good teamwork, (2) capability of realizing projects and initiatives, and (3) board strengthens the DMOs position in the destination. Second, a series of conditions as independent variables were selectively built from extant literature: (1) board size, (2) arguments, (3) dealing with crises, (4) mutual respect, (5) constructive discussions, and (6) taking the job seriously. Multiple regression results from 61 board members of 36 Swiss DMOs revealed that different conditions affect board effectiveness, depending on how the latter is identified. The paper concludes with indications for further research

Segmenting the senior travel market by means of travel motivation - Insights from a mature market (Switzerland)

The paper reports on the segmentation of Swiss senior travellers on the basis of their travel motivation. Switzerland is considered a mature market which is why this country serves as a role model for future travel behaviour. In contrast to previous studies, which identified up to six clusters, the results reveal that in the case analysed there are three clusters. Two of them partially represent a life cycle concept: TIME HONOURED BON VIVANTS (phase 1; towards the end of a professional life), and GRIZZLED EXPLORERS (phase 2; from the start of a retired life). These two segments are complemented by RETRO TRAVELLERS, which incor-porate many characteristics of the previous two but differentiate themselves in terms of educa-tion as well professional positions

SOLO TRAVEL - EXPLORATIVE INSIGHTS FROM A MATURE MARKET (SWITZERLAND)

This study examines solo travel, and offers a conceptual framework of solo travelers, a profile of these types of travelers (by socio-demographic characteristics), and a profile of travels (by specific descriptors). The data for this study emerged from a comprehensive survey of Swiss travel behavior conducted 2004 by the University of St. Gallen (Switzerland). The conceptual model proposes an a priori segmentation of four types of solo travel, delineated on the combination of the departure status (a single, one-person household, compared to a collective, multi-persons household) and arrival status (solo travel, compared to group travel), thus creating a two-by-two matrix with four segments overall. The results of the profiling reveal significant differences between the solo travel groups, as well as towards a control group incorporating all other travel. They include income, profession, and age, as well as familiarity with the destination, choice of type of accommodation, expenditures and various types of trips. However, no significant differences can be reported with regard to the choice of destination

PTX3 Polymorphisms and Invasive Mold Infections After Solid Organ Transplant

Donor PTX3 polymorphisms were shown to influence the risk of invasive aspergillosis among hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. Here, we show that PTX3 polymorphisms are independent risk factors for invasive mold infections among 1101 solid organ transplant recipients, thereby strengthening their role in mold infection pathogenesis and patients' risk stratificatio