A dynamic analysis of repeat visitors

This paper introduces the Dynamic Probit model to analyse the underlying reasons behind repeat visits to the Azores Islands. The advantage of the model is that it allows investigating for lags in the covariates as well as for endogeneity in the covariates enabling a more accurate view of the repeat visits phenomenon in a specific tourism island destination. From the model estimation it is clear that the number of visits to the Azores Islands is a time effect that should be analyzed only with dynamic models permitting to identify persistent variables that attract the repeat tourists. The repeat tourist is supported by multiple variables such as overall satisfaction with the destination and specific satisfaction with destination attributes. However, the most important covariates are the destination attributes that are the persistent attractors of the repeat visitor. Related policy implications are derived.N/

The determinants of length of stay in the Azores : a count model approach

This paper employs count data models to estimate the determinants of length of stay, as count data models naturally lend themselves to overcome the censoring and truncation data issues associated with the non-negative, integer nature of length of stay. This paper employs a rich micro data set gathered through questionnaires ministered to a representative sample of tourists departing from the Azores: the fastest growing touristic region in Portugal. It is found that sociodemographic profiles, such as nationality and Azorean ascendancy, and trip attributes, such as repeat visitation rates and type of flight, are important determinants of length of stay. In addition, it is found that destination image and attitudes regarding environmental initiatives, constructed from a factor analysis exercise, also influence length of stay. In particular, the results suggest that marketing strategies that promote the Azores for its nature, landscape, remoteness, weather and safety may increase length of stay, whereas cultural heritage has the opposite effect.N/

The determinants of length of stay in the Azores : a count model approach

This paper employs count data models to estimate the determinants of length of stay, as count models overcome censoring and truncation data issues associated with the positive integer nature of length of stay. Length of stay is critical to study consumption of local resources. This paper employs a rich micro dataset on tourists departing the Azores, a group of small Portuguese islands, widely perceived as a tourist destination with high growth potential due to its unique nature, which, hence, must be addressed with care given its small carrying capacity. This paper looks after the relationship between destination image and tourists’ behavior, focusing on the influence of destination image on length of stay. Environmental attitudes and destination image, constructed from a factor analysis exercise, also influence length of stay. It is found that sociodemographic profiles and trip attributes are important determinants of length of stay. The results suggest that promoting the Azores for its nature, landscape, remoteness, weather and safety may increase length of stay, unlike cultural heritage. Our framework provides an interesting tool for policymakers to analyse the determinants of length of stay, and, concomitantly, consumption of local resources. Policy implications are discussed

Determinants of length of stay : a parametric survival analysis

Length of stay is one of the most important decisions made by tourists as it conditions their overall expenditure and stress caused on local resources. This paper estimates survival analysis models to learn the determinants of length of stay as survival analysis naturally lends itself to study the time elapsed between arrival and departure at a destination. It is found that individual sociodemographic profiles, such as nationality and gender, and attributes of actual trip experiences, such as repeat visitor behavior and overall satisfaction, are important determinants of length of stay. Thus, this paper’s regression results can be used to estimate the probability that a given group of individuals experiences a stay longer than a given threshold. This is important to the design of marketing strategies that effectively influence length of stays

Determinants of Length of Stay: A Parametric Survival Analysis

Copyright © 2011 Cognizant Comm. Corp.Length of stay is one of the most important decisions made by tourists as it conditions their overall expenditure and stress caused on local resources. This article estimates survival analysis models to learn the determinants of length of stay as survival analysis naturally lends itself to study the time elapsed between arrival and departure. It is found that sociodemographic profiles, such as nationality and gender, and trip attributes, such as repeat behavior, travel motive, and type of flight, are important determinants of length of stay. This article's results are important to design marketing strategies that effectively influence length of stay

Tourist destination image and consumer behaviour : the case of the Azores

Nowadays places seek to become more distinctive in an increasingly competitive market and the image is a decisive element in the selection of a tourist destination. This research aims to understand the overall image of the Azores as a tourist destination from major source markets, and also aims to ascertain the level of satisfaction and future expectations of these markets concerning the region. The literature review addresses the definition of tourist destination image and the issue of satisfaction since these influences the intention to return and / or intention to recommend the tourist destination. The results indicate that: (1) the overall image influence satisfaction and intention to recommend and/or return to the tourist destination; (2) satisfaction influence the intention to recommend and/or return to the tourist destination. We also verified that most of the tourists are very satisfied with the destination in study, as well as a very positive overall image about the Azores.N/

Perceção da imagem do destino turístico Açores pelos principais mercados emissores : procedimentos metodológicos de uma investigação em curso

A imagem do destino turístico é um elemento decisivo no processo de seleção do destino e no respetivo posicionamento no mercado. A presente investigação tem como propósito compreender a imagem cognitiva, afetiva e global do destino turístico Açores por parte dos principais mercados emissores. Visa perceber a qualificação dos atributos, assim como o grau de importância que estes assumem na seleção do destino. Pretende igualmente identificar as motivações da visita, as fontes de informação mais utilizadas, bem como compreender o grau de satisfação e as expetativas futuras dos turistas em relação à região. Com base na revisão de literatura foram geradas nove hipóteses de trabalho que serão testadas com base em dados recolhidos através de um inquérito por questionário aos turistas provenientes dos principais mercados emissores. Os dados serão tratados recorrendo a métodos quantitativos com recurso ao SPSS. Neste artigo são apresentados os procedimentos metodológicos de uma investigação em curso.N/

Gay tourism : are you prepared?

Considerando o crescimento da visibilidade da comunidade LGBT e da discussão do seu impacto económico no turismo, este estudo pretende analisar as especificidades deste segmento e a aceitação do mesmo por parte das unidades hoteleiras açorianas, no processo de reserva de alojamento turístico. Para tal, foram criados casais fictícios (homossexuais e heterossexuais) e, a partir da listagem oficial de alojamentos, foi enviado um e-mail, redigido por um desses casais, requisitando informações e disponibilidade para uma estadia em lua-de-mel. Os resultados indicam que não foi oferecido mais alojamento aos heterossexuais do que aos homossexuais, que os homens gays receberam menos respostas positivas do que as mulheres gays e que grande parte das respostas positivas são dadas por mulheres. Constata-se que as características do alojamento não são determinantes na disponibilidade oferecida mediante a orientação sexual e que a resposta aos turistas gays foi tendencialmente mais demorada. Problemas de discriminação e falta de sensibilidade podem ter consequências prejudiciais para o destino. Esta investigação pretende contribuir para a melhoria contínua dos serviços prestados pelos diferentes stakeholders do setor do turismo.ABSTRACT: Considering the visible growth of the LGBT community and the discussion of its economical impact on tourism, and due to the recent increase of the touristic activity in the Azores, this study aims to analyze the gay tourist and the receptivity to this segment from the Azorean accommodation establishments at the booking process. The recent development of the touristic activity in the Azores and the quest for To do so, four fictional couples were created, two gay couples (man-man, woman-woman) and two heterosexual couples (woman-man, man-woman), so gender differences could be assessed. Via the official listing of accommodation establishments in the Azores, an e-mail was sent to 406 establishments, supposedly written by one of these couples, requesting information and availability for a honeymoon stay. This approach was employed so that it was as close as possible to a real life situation with less susceptibility to obtain answers influenced by social desirability. The results indicated that the number of accommodations offered to straight couples was not higher than the number offered to gay couples. More so, the characteristics of the establishments were not determinant of the type of answer, women gave the most answers, gay men received less positive responses than gay women, and gay tourists seemed to get slower responses. Discrimination problems and lack of sensibility might lead to negative consequences to a destination. This research aims to contribute to a continuous improvement of the services provided from the different Azorean tourism stakeholders.N/

The determinants of length of stay of tourists in the Azores

Copyright (c) 2008 IP Publishing Ltd. Reproduced by permission.This paper examines the determinants of the length of stay of tourists in the Azores. It is found that socio-demographic profiles, such as nationality and Azorean ascendancy, and trip attributes, such as repeat visitation rates and type of flight, are important determinants. In addition, destination image and attitudes regarding environmental initiatives, constructed from a factor analysis exercise, also influence the length of stay. In particular, the results suggest that marketing strategies which promote the Azores for its nature, landscape, remoteness and weather may increase length of stay, whereas cultural heritage has the opposite effect

A Influência das tecnologias self-service bancárias no comportamento dos clientes residentes nos Açores

Nos últimos anos tem-se assistido a uma significativa diversificação dos canais de distribuição e de comunicação do setor da banca mediante a introdução de tecnologias self-service, como as ATM’s, Internet Banking e Mobile Banking, que permitem aos clientes acederem às suas áreas financeiras de forma autónoma, intemporal e a partir de qualquer local. Nesta investigação analisa-se a influência da utilização frequente dessas tecnologias no comportamento dos seus utilizadores, com base numa amostra de 450 residentes nos Açores. Verifica-se que os utilizadores mais frequentes apresentam comportamentos mais positivos perante a instituição financeira relativamente aos utilizadores menos frequentes. As conclusões apontam para a importância da construção e aplicação de indicadores relevantes para as instituições financeiras locais, que possam contribuir para o desenvolvimento e aperfeiçoamento da qualidade dos serviços prestados e o aumento da satisfação dos clientes.ABSTRACT: Over the past few years there has been a significant diversification of the distribution and communication channels used within the banking sector, specifically induced by self-service technologies such as ATMs, Internet Banking, and Mobile Banking, which enable the clients to access their personal financial accounts at any location and at any time. This study investigates the influence of the frequent utilization of the three aforementioned self-service banking technologies on their users’ behaviour, considering the analysis of a sample comprising 450 respondents living in the Azores. The research reveals that more frequent users have more positive attitudes towards their banks compared with less frequent users of these technologies. This study recognizes the importance of constructing and using relevant indicators that can be used by local financial institutions in order to improve and develop service quality and consequent customer satisfaction.N/