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The purpose of this paper is twofold: to suggest a conceptual framework for linking intangible cultural heritage (ICH) to tourism for managerial actions at destination level; and to empirically investigate and validate the value of this framework.

The paper proposes a conceptual framework for pairing ICH with tourism. The utility of this framework was empirically investigated by means of case study (Cretan Diet Festival, Greece) using the technique of interview.

Findings suggest that: the proposed framework constitutes a good as a planning tool useful in achieving an integrated approach and as a management tool in assessing the effectiveness of ICH projects; the crucial success factors in this area; and culinary-based festival could be a constructive platform on certain conditions.

Because of its exploratory nature, the study has inherent drawbacks. The suggested framework should be finalised. Future studies could explore the perspective of visitors. More empirical studies are needed to provide further corroboration of the findings.

Practical implications of this is in the field of strategic management. It contributes to consider approach and adopt managerial action plans in the field of developing and implementing a mutually beneficial partnership between ICH and tourism.

It is the first study that suggests and empirically investigates a framework for linking ICH to tourism at destination level, taking a strategic management perspective. It provides an integrated approach incorporating the main issues.

The purpose of this paper is twofold: to perform a synthesis of academic research published between 2009 and 2016 regarding the changes in tourism consumer behavior brought about by the use of social media (SM); and to suggest a set of strategies for tourism businesses to seize opportunities and deal with resulting challenges.

A volume of 146 peer-reviewed journal articles were retrieved from two major databases. Content analysis of this academic research has been performed, exploring the effects of online reviews on tourism consumers and providers.

The content analysis identified three main research themes that were investigated by scholars and classified into two major categories, namely, consumer perspective and provider perspective: the antecedents (factors motivating and influencing tourists); the influence of online reviews on consumer behaviour; and the impact of these reviews on tourism businesses (providers’ perspective).

This study is based on a literature review and outcomes reported by previous studies; hence, the suggestions are indicative rather than conclusive. Some publication sources were not included.

This paper suggests a range of adequate strategies, along with operational actions, formulated for industry practitioners in the fields of management and marketing.

It provides an update of the state of published academic research into SM and an integrated set of management and marketing strategies for tourism providers in seizing the opportunities and dealing with the challenges raised in a digital context.

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of experience dimensions on the engagement in pro-environmental behaviour (PEB) within nature-based tourism in China. The focus was on sustainable/responsible consumer behaviour by the Chinese Gen Z (18–26 years).

Firstly, a conceptual model was suggested, drawn on experiential marketing approach. Secondly, an empirical study (online survey) with a sample of 580 young persons was conducted and data were analysed using structural equation modeling (SEM).

It was revealed that the act and feel dimensions significantly influence experiential value (EV), and EV positively affects satisfaction, significantly impacting arousal and memory. Positive outcomes of experience impact Gen Z members’ engagement in PEBs. Furthermore, arousal and memory play a similar and partial mediating role between satisfaction and engagement in PEB.

The insights gained give support and guidance to tourism destinations and suppliers to promote environmentally friendly behaviour among tourists. This understanding is valuable and useful to industry practitioners in elaborating and implementing the appropriate strategies to stimulate, motivate and promote tourists’ PEB.

This study elaborates an integrative framework, drawn on a marketing approach and establishing a relationship between experiential dimensions and engagement in PEB through the mediating factors of perceived EV, satisfaction, memory and arousal. It provides tourism researchers with new perspective and insights on tourism experience and consumption behaviour.

本研究证实了体验维度对于中国自然旅游地游客的亲环境旅游行为(PEB)的影响。研究对象聚焦于中国Z世代(18 至26 岁)游客的亲环境行为。

本研究基于体验营销, 提出了一个概念模型, 对580名Z世代游客进行了实证研究(在线调查), 并采用结构方程模型（SEM）对数据进行分析。

结果表明, 行动维度和情感维度显著影响体验价值, 体验价值正向影响满意度, 满意度显著影响唤醒度和记忆。体验后的积极结果会影响Z世代游客的亲环境行为的参与。此外, 唤醒度和记忆在满意度和亲环境行为参与之间起平行的部分中介作用。

研究结果可为旅游目的地的管理者和从业者提供借鉴和参考, 以促进游客的环保行为。这对于旅游业从业者制定和采取恰当的策略来促进和激励游客的亲环境行为也具有重要意义。

本研究基于营销方法, 构建了一个整合框架, 并通过体验价值、满意度, 记忆和唤醒度等中介, 建构了体验维度和参与亲环境行为之间的关系, 拓展了旅游体验及消费行为的研究视角。

El propósito de este estudio fue examinar el impacto de las dimensiones de la experiencia en el comportamiento turístico proambiental (CTP) en el turismo de naturaleza en China, centrándose en el comportamiento sostenible y responsable de la Generación Z china (entre 18 y 26 años).

Se propuso un modelo conceptual basado en el enfoque del marketing experiencial. Posteriormente, se llevó a cabo un estudio empírico mediante una encuesta en línea a 580 jóvenes, y los datos obtenidos se analizaron utilizando SEM (Modelado de Ecuaciones Estructurales).

Se encontró que las dimensiones “actuar” y “sentir” tienen una influencia significativa en el valor experiencial, y este último impacta positivamente en la satisfacción, lo cual a su vez influye en la excitación y la memoria. Los resultados positivos de la experiencia turística tienen un efecto en el compromiso de los miembros de la Generación Z con el comportamiento turístico proambiental. Además, tanto la excitación como la memoria desempeñan un papel parcialmente mediador entre la satisfacción y el compromiso en el CTP.

Los conocimientos obtenidos en este estudio brindan apoyo y orientación a los actores del sector turístico para fomentar un comportamiento respetuoso con el medio ambiente entre los turistas y visitantes. Esta comprensión es valiosa y útil para los profesionales del sector al diseñar e implementar estrategias adecuadas que estimulen, motiven y promuevan el comportamiento turístico proambiental.

Este estudio presenta un marco integrador basado en el enfoque del marketing experiencial, estableciendo una relación entre las dimensiones experienciales y el compromiso en el CTP a través de factores mediadores como el valor experiencial percibido, la satisfacción, la memoria y la excitación. Proporciona a los investigadores del turismo una nueva perspectiva y conocimientos sobre la experiencia turística y el comportamiento de consumo.

The purpose of this paper is to examine visitors’ perceptions and relevant importance of social media when choosing a Mediterranean destination and also to explore the extent in which they believe it is important for them to belong to an online community with shared characteristics among its members.

A stratified, based on nationality and gender, sample of 301 respondents of foreign arrivals of visitors in the Athens airport, Greece was collected in June and July 2014 based on the official Athens Airport Authorities Arrival Research. This is a partially exploratory research.

Differences between age groups as far as the importance attributed to social media as sources of information about a tourism destination were found. The respondents, when using the internet for gathering information about a tourism Mediterranean destination, consider different online channels. Facebook is among the most important sources of information for them associated with the tourism destinations. Official web sites/blogs of the destination are the first source and photo sharing sites are the second most preferred source; sharing aesthetics of photos was found to contribute to the feeling of belonging to an on line travel community.

Further research will contribute to the development of greater understanding of the strategic approaches to social media and their use to promote a destination. Greek diaspora would be interesting to examine and geographical differences among groups.

The paper denotes the importance for destination management organizations and companies, to fully employ the social media in their marketing efforts.

The present study increases our understanding of the adoption of online and traditional communications in the visitor’s process for Athens, Greece, shedding light to the literature existing on the significance attributed to the online travel community belonging from visitors through sharing aesthetics of photos and associations of ideas based on age differences.

The purpose of this paper is to take a holistic view of the body of knowledge of the second wave of Chinese outbound tourists so as to develop a strategic framework towards positioning Greece in the China outbound tourism market.

The survey adopted a perspective from knowledge management, investigating a deeper understanding of the knowledge about, from and for the Chinese tourists, and Greece was taken as a case study. An online survey with quantitative aspects was conducted from October 2013 to January 2014.

The knowledge about the Chinese tourists depicts a young, well-educated segment with a predominance of female and western China residents. The knowledge from the Chinese tourists reveals that they prefer: visiting islands and heritage sites; safety while travelling; a faster visa process; a direct flight between China and Greece; and making a trip combined with other Schengen countries. The knowledge for the Chinese tourists indicates that purchasing tourism products/services online provides better price, is enjoyable, convenient and time-saving; and the top five digital platforms often used are Ctrip, Qunar, QQ, Weibo and WeChat, which could be effective tools for the promotion of Greek tourism in China.

This research offers a first step to investigate the knowledge of Chinese tourists for the destination of Greece. The findings help to propose a strategic knowledge framework for the Greek tourism authorities so that Greece can become a more active player in the Chinese outbound tourism market.

The purpose of this paper is to provide a better understanding of golf tourism in a Mediterranean golf resort located in Italy. Based on a systematic literature review, this research develops and tests a context-specific “integrated model” in order to shed further light on the complex discordance in the literature with new empirical data. Furthermore, the present study attempts to establish a framework to provide a better understanding of golf tourism behavior in terms of specific segmentation profiles. This will contribute to a more targeted approach to marketing and promotional activities.

This study applied structural equation modeling to verify the path relationship of golf tourists quality, perceived value, satisfaction and behavioral intention. The final step was to include the suggested moderator variables (age and playing experience) into the model in order to gain further insights. Furthermore, multiple group analyses were calculated in comparing two sub-samples.

This study provides an improved understanding of the role of quality, perceived value, satisfaction on behavioral intentions in golf tourism. Four out of the six hypotheses of the study were confirmed. Precisely, perceived value did not have a direct significant effect on behavioral intentions and quality was not significantly related to overall satisfaction. The empirical results suggest that all three variables appear to have a direct effect on golf tourists’ behavioral intention. Satisfaction was determined to be the best predictor, followed by quality and perceived value. Furthermore, the moderating variables exert a significant influence on some of the proposed relationships.

First, the current model explores the impact of only two moderator variables of golf tourists such as age and years of playing experience. Second, the study is limited to a Mediterranean destination; the analysis and measurements should thus be replicated in different contexts to test their adaptability to different golf tourism destinations. Another important limitation is the cross-sectional nature of the data.

This research provides important insights the ability to generalize this chain of effects across golf tourists under significantly different conditions. Furthermore, it has important implications for managers of companies that have plans to implement adequate market segmentation strategies in order to expand their business. Based on the finding it is crucial for managers in the golf industry to focus on perceived value for young tourists golfers and on quality for experienced golfers. Managers should customize relationship management programs and develop promotional and pricing strategies for younger golf tourists and exclusive quality services for more experienced golfers.

As urban lifestyle life becomes more prevalent in modern society, golf tourism relaxes and gives back a sense of calm and peace of mind to the players. Escape from everyday demands and duties is another classic travel motive; many want to get away from the stress and boredom of their daily lives and fill their holidays with a range of exciting and new physically challenging experiences. Therefore, it can be seen that the term of environment conservation improve the sustainability of golf sport tourism in a Mediterranean destination.

The inclusion of moderating variables in the proposed model is one of the unique aspects of this research. Dealing with the different groups of golf tourists, the authors put the emphasize on the importance of using two types of appropriate tools: on the one hand, grouping tools which are appropriate to the tourism consumption (demographic variables), and on the other hand, grouping tools which are appropriate to the study of the sports market (years of a plying experience). Combining these two types of criteria will lead marketers to more accurate analysis of golf tourists’ behavior.

The purpose of this paper is to examine simultaneously all types of ethical tourism and investigate some of the factors able to affect it; and to explore the number and the size of green hotels’ customers segments.

A survey in the urban area Thessaloniki, Greece. Probability, large enough household sample. “Intentions to visit a green hotel”, “Boycotting” and “Discursive Activities” towards unethical hotels were investigated. External (EC)/Internal controls (IC) and past experience served as potential antecedents of behavioural intentions.

Intentions to visit a green hotel were found to correlate strongly both with other people’s impact (EC) and with respondents’ perceptions about their own means (IC); intentions are moderately influenced by previous experience. Clustering indicated that the “Willing” segment (26.6 per cent) gathered consumers, who obtained higher scores than their counterparts in the other two segments, namely “Hesitant” (40.4 per cent) and “Reluctant” (33 per cent).

Incomplete demographical analysis, limited geographical area, social desirability. Future research might consider the employment of Theory of Planned Behaviour.

Communication strategy of green hotels should utilize important people’s suggestions. Targets should be persuaded that green hotels are neither more expensive nor more difficult to find. Travel searching engines should include the green key attribute. Need to create and promote the image of an ethical hotel being a concept beyond a green hotel.

All types of ethical tourism simultaneously examined. EC/IC provided significant evidence of impact on intentions. Cluster analysis of the ethical tourism market.

The purpose of this paper is to examine Chinese tourists’ experience of Britain based on a conceptual model of tourist satisfaction and destination loyalty, and to identify key issues that tourism organisations could address to provide an excellent experience for Chinese tourists.

Data were collected in collaboration with a tour operator; and 275 valid responses were received. Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling was used for data analysis.

The key destination attributes of Britain such as heritage sites, natural scenery and customer service provide an excellent experience for Chinese tourists. Other British destination attributes such as shopping facilities, food, accommodation, entertainment and night life are less impressive.

The sample was drawn from Chinese tourists visiting Britain on package tours, which limits the generalisation of results to other Chinese tourists and other European/Mediterranean destinations.

There are two key challenges for British destination tourism managers: first, to maintain the current quality levels in the attributes that generate tourist satisfaction; and second, to concentrate on improving attributes with low performance ratings such as shopping, food and drink, accommodation, entertainment and night life. As the characteristics of Chinese tourists are culture-specific rather than destination-specific, tourism managers in other European destinations may find these recommendations useful too.

This is one of the first studies to examine Chinese tourists’ experience of a European destination. The results reveal unique characteristics of Chinese tourist requirements, which provide useful implications for tourism organisations to adapt their service strategies to better cater to this growing group of travellers.

The purpose of this paper is to examine quality of service experience as reported by tourists in seven northern and southern Mediterranean cities.

A self-report study was used to gather data from 1,362 tourists. Once validity of Otto and Ritchie’s (1996) scale had been confirmed, ANOVA and the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test were used to analyse the data.

Tourists in all destinations highlighted the importance of the dimension peace of mind. Significant differences between tourists in the northern Mediterranean and those in the southern Mediterranean were observed in two quality of service experience dimensions: hedonics and involvement.

Although the sample was large, this study’s scope was limited to seven Mediterranean tourist cities. Further research is therefore required to generalize findings to other Mediterranean tourist destinations.

Knowledge about quality of service experience dimensions may help tourism managers innovate and improve services. Tourists perceive northern Mediterranean destinations differently from destinations in the southern Mediterranean. Tourists report high tourist involvement in northern destinations, whereas in the south, tourists emphasize destinations’ hedonic features. These implications are also valuable for European policymakers.

The study compared quality of service experience in northern and southern Mediterranean tourist destinations. To do so, it analysed a sample of 1,362 tourists from seven Mediterranean cities. This research is the first to analyse quality of service experience in the Mediterranean.