Environmental management in the Caribbean accommodations sector

This study focused on the implementation of environmental management (EM) in the Caribbean accommodations sector based on diffusion of innovations theory. More specifically, it examined the status of EM and the differences between adopters and non-adopters in terms of hotel characteristics, attitudes to the natural environment, familiarity, and the constraints to implementation. This study was conducted among general managers and owners of various types of accommodations within the 19 English-speaking countries of the Caribbean. Data were collected via an online user-administered questionnaire due to the wide geographic range. There were 197 completed questionnaires with at least one respondent from each country. Based on the results, four different levels of EM have been implemented and have diffused to two thirds of the sector throughout the region, though some countries exhibited a higher proportion of adopters. Generally, adopters were small properties 75 rooms or less. Adopters and non-adopters were compared to determine differences and there were very few variations between adopters and non-adopters. However, given that adoption of EM is still in the growth segment of the diffusion curve, the number of non-adopters may decrease over time as some of the non-adopters have indicated that they were relatively new properties and/or intended to implement EM in the future. Overall, the results have implications for hoteliers, local and regional hotel associations, and policy makers

Seasonal spatial activity patterns of visitors with a mobile exercise application at Seoraksan National Park, South Korea

Visitors’ behavior in national parks can be influenced by seasonal variations in climate and preferred activities. Seasonality can produce different space consumption patterns, and impact visitor experience and natural resource use. The purpose of this study was to explore the seasonal spatial patterns of visitors’ activities using a mobile exercise application within the context of Seoraksan National Park in South Korea. A dataset composed of 5142 starting and ending points of 2639 activities (hiking and walking) created by 1206 mobile exercise application users (January–December 2015) were collected from a leading mobile exercise application operator. GIS-based spatial analytical techniques were used to analyze the spatial patterns of activity points across seasons and days (weekdays/weekends). Results indicated considerable seasonal and daily variations in activity distribution and hot spots (i.e., locations of potential congestion or crowding). The findings enable park managers to mitigate negative impacts to natural resources as well as enhance visitors’ experiences. Also, it allows potential visitors to decide when to visit certain sites via mobile application to ensure optimal conditions. Furthermore, the GPS-based exercise mobile application can be used as a new methodological approach to understand spatio-temporal patterns of visitors’ behavior within national parks and other natural protected areas

AN EXPLORATORY STUDY ABOUT SATISFACTION MEASURES IN AN ELECTRONIC ERA: GAP SCORES VS. SATISFACTION-ONLY MEASURES?

This study examined the nature of the relationships between customer e-service attributes and overall satisfaction. In particular, gap scores versus satisfaction-only measures were utilized to determine better predictor of overall satisfaction. Results identified that satisfaction-only measures explained significantly larger proportions of the variance in overall satisfaction (62.1% vs. 48.2%). Furthermore, satisfaction-only measures were significantly better indicators on overall satisfaction using Fisher’s Zscore

A Postcard from the Village: Using Reflexive Photography as a Means of Developing Tourism

This study employed reflexive photography to gain information about themes that residents desired to share with visitors as a component of planning tourism. The use of photographs was grounded in the reciprocal context in which photographs would reflect residents’ perceptions of their daily life. The study was conducted in the village of Sambi, Indonesia, in June-July, 2007. Twenty-eight residents were issued single use cameras and were asked to take pictures of things, places, people, or anything else that they deemed important to them in their village that they desired to share with visitors. The photographs were developed and interviews were conducted to elicit information about the pictures they took. Data analysis used both photographs and quotes from interviews. The study used an inductive thematic approach to analyze the data. The study found five major themes that participants desired to share with visitors. Those themes were rural way of life, environmental features, built structures, people, traditional ceremonies and arts. The study recommended that the development of tourism in the village of Sambi should be based on the identified themes as well as the operationalization of those themes. The application included designing routes to connect all themes. The method showed that photographs could facilitate to bridge the cultural distance between local communities and the tourism planners which often became an issue in tourism planning

Questioning the Validity of Race as a Social Construct: Examining Race and Ethnicity in the ‘Rainbow Nation’

Governments have historically classified their populations according to race and ethnicity, which has been done to either exert power over minority groups or ensure equality among these groups. However, viewing ones racial identity through a historical lens raises doubts about the validity of race as a social construct, since the concept has seldom served as a strong foundation for social identity formation. As such, we posit that ethnicity is a more accurate predictor of identification than race. Using South Africa as the research context, we examine whether within each race group ethnic differences exist on national identity and social capital measures. Data were collected on race, ethnic identity, national identity, and social capital. Significant differences between ethnic groups within one race group indicate that the current racial classification system in South Africa is open for distortions of how the South African people feel about their nation

Modeling Insect-Repellent Use for Chikungunya Disease Prevention Among US-Caribbean Travelers

Introduction: This study examined the relationship between specific psychosocial variables and the use of insect repellents on skin or clothing as a preventive behavior for Chikungunya fever among US travelers to Caribbean destinations. Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective online survey method was adopted. US residents who travelled to one of 34 Caribbean destinations within the past 12 months and expressed an awareness of Chikungunya fever were invited to participate in this study. Sociodemographic variables, perceived response efficacy, perceived self-efficacy, perceived Chikungunya severity and susceptibility, and self-reported use of insect repellents were investigated. Results: Results of direct logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between higher levels of education and the odds of self-reported use of insect repellent on skin or clothing among study participants. Among the proximal Chikungunya-related variables, hierarchical binary logistic regression revealed a significant association between scores on perceived response efficacy, perceived self-efficacy, and perceived severity of self-reported use of insect repellents. These results support the existence of a hierarchical relationship between the more proximal Chikungunya-related variables and self-reported use of insect repellents as a personal protective measure (PPM). Conclusion: The findings of the current study have important implications for health communication messaging aimed at reducing the spread of Chikungunya among US travelers to Caribbean destinations. It seems essential to establish the use of insect repellent on skin and clothing as a personal preventive measure against Chikungunya disease within an educational context, framed along the lines of Chikungunya severity, response efficacy, and self-efficacy, for US travelers to destinations with a high risk of exposure to Chikungunya disease-carrying mosquitoes

Segmenting Tourists’ Information Behavior in the Event of a Crisis

The study examined tourists’ information behavior in the event of a crisis using the Consumer Information Acquisition and Processing Model as a guideline. The data were gathered in June- July 2009, during the hurricane season. Cluster analysis and Discriminant analysis were employed to segment tourists based on personality traits. Three clusters emerged: complacent tourists, risk-adverse tourists, and happy-well informed tourists. The examination of clusters and likelihood of gathering information prior to travel, source information used, and knowledge of hurricanes indicated that the clusters were different with regard to which variables were utilized for information sources; newspapers and the radio, and two demographic variables: gender and ethnicity. Finally, application of the finding is presented

Capacity Building and Institutional Development Partnership: University of Florida and Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa

Capacity building and institutional development through training is a key component for the vitality and sustainability of the tourism industry in South Africa. The overall advancement of qualified, trained and skilled labor force is crucial, given the rate of growth and future trends. In order to address this major need, the University of Florida and Tshwane University of Technology have formulated a three-year partnership (2009-2012) to strengthen curriculum, research, and faculty enhancement initiatives in tourism management in South Africa. This presentation will outline and expand the partnership objectives and accomplishments. This example can be a model for international academic partnerships

Chikungunya Disease Awareness Among U.S. Travelers to Caribbean Destinations

Introduction: This study investigated chikungunya disease awareness and its predictors, the level of adoption of recommended personal protective behaviors against chikungunya, and the health information-seeking behavior of U.S. travelers to Caribbean destinations.Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective online survey of 653 adult U.S. international travelers who visited any one of 34 Caribbean destinations was conducted in October 2015. Study participants were recruited through Amazon® Mechanical Turk. Travelers who met the inclusion criteria and gave informed consent were subsequently redirected to complete the survey which was domiciled in Qualtrics®.Results: Results regarding health information-seeking behavior indicated that 51% of study participants had never sought information about chikungunya or any vector-borne illnesses. Only thirty percent of study participants reported having heard of chikungunya disease before participating in this study. After adjusting for the presence of other variables in a logistic regression model, gender of female, higher levels of education, more time spent at the destination, and a higher number of hours spent engaging in outdoor activities were factors significantly associated with chikungunya disease awareness. Study results also showed that twenty-two percent of study participants did not engage in any of the three recommended personal protective behaviors under investigation.Conclusion: Study findings highlighted a gap in existing approaches to health information dissemination vis-à-vis adoption of recommended personal protective behaviors, especially for U.S. travelers at risk for chikungunya and other emerging mosquito-borne infectious diseases in Caribbean destinations