Perceived value and its relationship to satisfaction and loyalty in cultural coastal destinations: a study in Huanchaco, Peru

Coastal tourism offers a wide variety of activities related to nature and culture in a sustainable environment. The present study in a coastal destination with cultural characteristics aims to (i) establish the dimensions of perceived value, (ii) determine the relationship between perceived value and satisfaction, and (iii) identify the relationship between perceived value and loyalty in variables such as return, recommendation, and word of mouth in a cultural coastal destination. This quantitative research used a sample of 384 valid questionnaires collected in Huanchaco, Peru, a city next to the Pacific Ocean, being a coastal destination with cultural potential. Factor analysis and multiple regression were applied for data analysis. The results show three dimensions of value perceived by tourists in coastal destinations: emotional and social value, economic value, and functional value. Of these, emotional and social value is the most salient predictor of tourist satisfaction and loyalty. These results will serve as management guides for cultural coastal destination managers and contribute to the academic literature

Market segmentation in urban tourism: a study in Latin America

This study aims to analyze the different segments of urban tourism demand. The data were collected in Mexico City, Lima, Buenos Aires, and Bogota, and a K-means clustering method was used to find the segments. The results showed three segments: the first cluster grouped tourists interested in enjoying lodging and restaurant services; the second included visitors seeking multiple attractions, who were the most willing to recommend the destinations; finally, the third was composed of passive tourists, not drawn to the attractions of these cities. This study contributes to the literature by offering evidence of urban tourism segmentation in Latin American cities, which has been scarcely researched. Furthermore, it sheds light on this topic by finding a segment not previously described in the literature ("multiple attractions"). Finally, this study offers practical implications for managers of tourism companies to plan and improve the competitiveness of destinations based on the different segments found

Urban turism perception and recommendation in Mexico City and Lima

Mexico City and Lima both have great cultural and historical value as they developed close to major pre-Columbian civilizations. When comparing their urban attractiveness factors, they present differences and similarities that need to be understood at a theoretical level. The study has practical implications as tourism officials and managers in each of these two cities can draw inspiration from the best practices of the other city. The method is quantitative, and the exploratory factorial analysis technique was used to reduce the variables in a group of factors. The results indicate that the different aspects of the cities? tourism attractiveness can be categorized into four factors: the nucleus, the tourist ecosystem, MICE & shows, and related services. A comparison of the two cities? Kruskal?Wallis test scores shows significant differences in terms of three variables: monuments and historic sites, museums and art galleries, and shops and commercial services

Perceived Value and Its Predictive Relationship with Satisfaction and Loyalty in Ecotourism: A Study in the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park in Spain

[EN] Ecotourism involves visiting natural areas to carry out environmentally friendly activities, contributing to environmental care. The present study aims to: (i) establish the dimensions of the perceived value in ecotourism applied to a natural park, (ii) analyze the dimensions of perceived value that predict ecotourism satisfaction, and (iii) identify the dimensions of perceived value that predict ecotourists' intentions to return, recommend, and provide positive word of mouth about the ecotourism destination as loyalty variables. The research was conducted in the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park in Spain. The sample taken in situ consisted of 341 questionnaires. For data analysis, factor analysis and the stepwise multiple regression method were used. The results showed three dimensions of perceived value: economic, functional, and social and emotional. The "functional" value was the most significant predictor of ecotourists' satisfaction, intentions to return, and to provide positive word of mouth. Likewise, the "functional" and the "social and emotional" dimensions were important predictors of tourists' intentions to recommend these places. These findings will serve as management guides for different institutions and tourism service providers of protected areas to develop products according to tourists' perceived value.Carrascosa López, C.; Carvache-Franco, M.; Carvache-Franco, W. (2021). Perceived Value and Its Predictive Relationship with Satisfaction and Loyalty in Ecotourism: A Study in the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park in Spain. Sustainability. 13(14):1-16. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13147860S116131

The Perceived Value and Future Behavioral Intentions in Ecotourism: A Study in the Mediterranean Natural Parks from Spain

[EN] Ecotourism is becoming increasingly important in natural parks because it raises the value of the environment for the visitor. The present study aimed to (i) establish the factors of the perceived value in ecotourism and (ii) analyze the predictive relationships of the dimensions of the perceived value with the satisfaction and loyalty of ecotourists. The study was carried out in the Albufera Natural Park and the Serranía de Cuenca Natural Park, two protected areas in the Mediterranean area of Spain. The sample collected in situ consisted of 349 valid questionnaires. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA), a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and multiple regression techniques were performed for data analysis. The results established three dimensions in the perceived value: functional and emotional, economic, and social, being the ¿functional and emotional¿ value the most significant predictor of satisfaction and loyalty of ecotourists. The findings will allow institutions to have a management guide for protected areas.Carvache-Franco, M.; Carrascosa López, C.; Carvache-Franco, W. (2021). The Perceived Value and Future Behavioral Intentions in Ecotourism: A Study in the Mediterranean Natural Parks from Spain. Land. 10(11):1-15. https://doi.org/10.3390/land10111133S115101

Segmentation by Motivations in Sustainable Coastal and Marine Destinations: A Study in Jacó, Costa Rica

Artículo. Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica. Escuela de Administración de Empresas, 2022Coastal and marine tourism offers a wide variety of activities that can be sustainable due to the characteristics of its natural and cultural attractions. The present study was carried out in Jacó, a sustainable destination with coastal and marine characteristics of Costa Rica, with the objectives (i) of identifying the motivations of tourist demand; (ii) segmenting the tourist demand; (iii) establishing a relationship between the segments and sociodemographic aspects; and (iv) determining the relationship between segments of demand and satisfaction and loyalty. This quantitative study collected a sample of 304 valid questionnaires on-site in June 2021. For data analysis, a factorial analysis and non-hierarchical K-means segmentation were performed. The results show five motivational dimensions: “Learning and coastal experience”; “Nature”; “Rest and safety”; “Water sports”; and “Nightlife”—and three segments of tourists: “Multiple motives”; “Passive tourists”; and “Eco-Coastal”. The “Eco-Coastal” segment was the most satisfied in terms of enjoying the coastal nature of the destination. The “Multiple motives” group showed the highest intentions to return, recommend, and spread positive word of mouth. These findings will serve as management guides for coastal and marine destination managers and will help adapt these tourism sites to the new demand instigated by the global health crisis

Understanding Motivations and Segmentation in Ecotourism Destinations. Application to Natural Parks in Spanish Mediterranean Area

[EN] Ecotourism is one of the tourism variants with more annual growth. Motivation has become a fundamental criterion for travel behavior. Segmentation is used to identify the market niches of different tourism products and services. This study collects these three elements and is designed to examine demand segmentation and motivations in ecotourism. The analysis was carried out in the Albufera and Serrania de Cuenca Natural Parks, both located in the Mediterranean area in Spain. The analysis sample consists in 349 surveys obtained in situ. For the data analysis, a factor analysis and nonhierarchical K-media segmentation were performed. The results show eight motivational dimensions: "Interpersonal relationships", "Self-development", "Escape", "Building personal relationships", "Nature", "Ego-defensive function", "Rewards", and "Fun". According to tourists' motivations, three ecotourist segments are obtained: "Nature", "Multiple motives", and "Reward and Escape". This research can assist companies and institutions to improve tourism service offers and perform efficient marketing planning.This work has been supported by Universitat Politecnica Valencia, the fieldwork has been done during the mobility stay at the Castilla la Mancha University (Cuenca) in summer 2019. (Programa de apoyo a la carrera del profesorado).Carrascosa López, C.; Carvache-Franco, M.; Mondéjar-Jiménez, J.; Carvache-Franco, W. (2021). Understanding Motivations and Segmentation in Ecotourism Destinations. Application to Natural Parks in Spanish Mediterranean Area. Sustainability. 13(9):1-16. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13094802S11613