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Article
Publication date: 7 January 2020

Bob McKercher

This paper aims to discuss the evolution of the cultural tourism market and what its future may be.

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the evolution of the cultural tourism market and what its future may be.

Design/methodology/approach

Instead of seeing the cultural tourism market as homogeneous, a segmentation model was developed based on the centrality of culture in the overall decision to travel and the depth of experience sought.

Findings

The model verified five segments, including: the purposeful cultural tourist, the sightseeing cultural tourist, the serendipitous cultural tourist, the casual cultural tourist and the incidental cultural tourist.

Originality/value

This framework has transformed how we think about cultural tourists, as it provides a better understanding of the differences in behavior and preferences for certain types of experiences. It is also a tool to develop more effective marketing communication strategies and serves as the basis to evaluate the market significance of this activity.

Details

Tourism Review, vol. 75 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1660-5373

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 31 December 2024

Bob McKercher

This paper proposes that much innovation in tourism research can come from freeing ourselves from traditional deductive methodological dogma and instead adopting the less popular…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper proposes that much innovation in tourism research can come from freeing ourselves from traditional deductive methodological dogma and instead adopting the less popular inductive research approach that focusses on asking and answering questions without forcing the data to fit into an arbitrary and artificial framework. The paper aims to argue that letting the information gathered tell a story and then seeking a framework in an a posteriori model is the key to gaining new insights into what tourism is and how it works, all the while maintaining a high degree of rigor. While such an approach may be an anathema to purist deductive methodologists, it provides a great deal of flexibility to play with ideas.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual paper explaining the benefits of an inductive research approach adopted by a senior tourism academic.

Findings

Inductive researchers adopt a pragmatic approach to tourism scholarship by playing with ideas, rather than being constrained artificially by constructs, frameworks and models. This approach provides great scope to challenge tourism orthodoxy and gain innovative insights into our field.

Research limitations/implications

This approach requires a great deal of rigor and does not infer a haphazard research approach.

Practical implications

Adopting an inductive approach can free scholars to explore ideas and, in doing so, gain new insights that will drive our field forward.

Social implications

This is a freeing approach to tourism.

Originality/value

This issue has yet to be discussed formally in our literature, yet most academics participate in this type of research from time to time.

目的

本文提出, 旅游研究的许多创新可以来自于摆脱传统的演绎方法的固定框架, 转而采用不太流行的归纳研究方法, 这种方法侧重于提出和回答问题, 而不是强迫数据适应任意和人为的框架。本文认为, 让收集到的信息讲述一个故事, 然后在后验模型中寻找一个框架, 是获得有关旅游业是什么以及它如何运作的新见解的关键。同时保持高度的严谨性。虽然这种方法可能与纯粹的演绎方法论者格格不入, 但它提供了很大的灵活性来发挥想法。

设计/方法论/方法

一篇概念论文, 解释资深旅游学者采用的归纳研究方法的好处。

发现

归纳研究人员采用务实的方法进行旅游学术研究, 通过尝试各种想法, 而不是被结构、框架和模型人为地限制。这种方法为挑战旅游正统观念和获得对我们领域的创新见解提供了巨大的空间。

研究局限性/含义

这种方法需要非常严谨, 并不意味着是一种随意的研究方法。

实际意义

采用归纳方法可以让学者自由地探索想法, 从而获得推动我们领域前进的新见解。

社会意义

这是一种自由探索的旅游研究方法。

原创性/价值

这个问题尚未在我们的文献中正式讨论, 但大多数学者时不时参与此类研究。

Objetivo

Este artículo propone que gran parte de la innovación en la investigación turística puede venir de liberarnos del dogma metodológico deductivo tradicional y adoptar en su lugar el enfoque de investigación inductiva, menos popular, que se centra en plantear y responder preguntas sin forzar los datos para que encajen en un marco arbitrario y artificial. El artículo sostiene que dejar que la información recopilada cuente una historia y luego buscar un marco en un modelo a posteriori es la clave para obtener nuevos conocimientos sobre qué es el turismo y cómo funciona. Todo ello manteniendo un alto grado de rigor. Aunque este enfoque puede ser un anatema para los metodólogos deductivos puristas, proporciona una gran flexibilidad para jugar con las ideas.

Diseño/metodología/enfoque

Documento conceptual en el que se explican las ventajas de un enfoque de investigación inductivo adoptado por un académico superior de turismo.

Resultados

Los investigadores inductivos adoptan un enfoque pragmático de la investigación turística, jugando con las ideas en lugar de dejarse constreñir artificialmente por constructos, marcos y modelos. Este enfoque ofrece grandes posibilidades de cuestionar la ortodoxia del turismo y obtener ideas innovadoras en nuestro campo.

Limitaciones/implicaciones de la investigación

Este enfoque requiere un gran rigor y no infiere un enfoque de investigación fortuito.

Implicaciones prácticas

Adoptar un enfoque inductivo puede liberar a los investigadores para que exploren ideas y, al hacerlo, obtengan nuevos conocimientos que impulsen nuestro campo.

Implicaciones sociales

Se trata de un enfoque liberador del turismo.

Originalidad/valor

Este tema aún no se ha tratado formalmente en nuestra bibliografía, aunque la mayoría de los académicos participan de vez en cuando en este tipo de investigación.

Article
Publication date: 25 March 2020

Bob McKercher

Overview of the future of our journals.

Abstract

Purpose

Overview of the future of our journals.

Design/methodology/approach

Descriptive.

Findings

The future is unsure but it is likely that journals will remain the key outlet for authors’ work.

Research limitations/implications

None.

Practical implications

Applicable to academics.

Originality/value

Original.

Details

Tourism Review, vol. 75 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1660-5373

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 February 2020

Simon Darcy, Bob McKercher and Stephen Schweinsberg

This paper aims to examine the development of disability and tourism to the conceptualising and defining of accessible tourism.

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the development of disability and tourism to the conceptualising and defining of accessible tourism.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a limited review of the literature as its main approach.

Findings

In reviewing the development of the field from disability and tourism to accessible tourism, it became apparent that there has been a change in focus on the accessibility of the key sectors of tourism (e.g. transport, accommodation and attractions) to incorporating an embodied understanding of tourism in developing accessible destination experiences that provide an equality of offering to that of nondisabled tourists.

Originality/value

This paper makes a contribution by clearly following the development of the field from papers that only considered tourism and disability to conceptualise and define the accessible tourism field. It then goes on to identify a significant challenge due to an underlying empirical data gap through a lack of nationally and regionally collected tourism data that incorporates disability questions.

Details

Tourism Review, vol. 75 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1660-5373

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 January 2020

Sandra Navarro-Ruiz and Bob McKercher

Visitor attractions constitute the essence of the tourism phenomenon. However, management techniques that are expressly designed for tourism and develop different uses/activities…

Abstract

Purpose

Visitor attractions constitute the essence of the tourism phenomenon. However, management techniques that are expressly designed for tourism and develop different uses/activities and subsequently influence visitor experiences are under-researched. Hence, the purpose of this study is to develop a conceptual framework that provides a bridge between on-site management, visitor attraction development and visitor experience by introducing a novel concept: “usability of visitor attractions.” This new concept captures how managers can develop uses for visitors to experience the attraction. Thus, this study explores this concept and serves as the foundation for further research on this topic.

Design/methodology/approach

The systematization of the state of the art is based on an exhaustive desk research review of both academic and grey literature to endorse the “usability of visitor attractions” concept.

Findings

The literature review reveals that visitor attraction management affects visitor experience. To succeed, managers should consider the ease of use and the design of activities. Therefore, an innovative conceptual model is built to explore how on-site management techniques based on this new concept impact on visitor’s experience.

Originality/value

Research on visitor experience in attractions has neglected the impact of on-site management tools hitherto. Therefore, the originality of the study lies on providing a robust framework that enlightens how visitor attraction management affects visitor experience by developing the usability. The study proposes a novel concept and an original model that will be of a critical interest to tourism academia and will serve as practical guidance for attraction managers.

目的

旅游景点构成了旅游现象的本质。然而, 专门为其开发不同用途/活动并随后影响游客体验的管理技术仍处于起步阶段。因此, 本文的目的是通过引入一个新的概念:旅游景点的可用性来建立一个概念框架, 搭建现场管理、旅游景点开发和游客体验之间的关系桥梁。这一新概念描述了管理者如何开发游客体验景点的可用性。因此, 本文探讨了这一概念并以为未来旅游学术界对本主题感兴趣的相关研究奠定基础。

设计/方法/途径

研究前沿的分类是基于详尽学朮和灰色文献的书面材料审查来背书 “旅游景点的可用性” 这一概念。

结果

文献综述表明, 旅游景点管理影响游客体验。为达成这一目的, 管理者应该考虑景点使用的便利性和活动的设计。因此, 我们建立了一个创新的概念模型来探讨基于这一新概念的现场管理技术对游客体验的影响。

创新/价值

本文的创新之处在于提供了一个稳健的框架, 揭示旅游景点可用性通过景点管理进而影响游客体验。本文建议一个新的概念和原本的模型将为旅游景点管理者提供实际指导。

Propósito

Los atractivos turísticos constituyen la esencia del fenómeno turístico. No obstante, las técnicas de gestión y planificación diseñadas expresamente para desarrollar diferentes usos/actividades en los atractivos, que posteriormente influyen en la experiencia de los visitantes, han sido escasamente investigadas. Por ello, el propósito de esta investigación radica en elaborar un marco conceptual que integre la gestión del atractivo, el progreso del mismo y la experiencia del visitante mediante la introducción de un concepto novedoso: “la usabilidad de los atractivos turísticos”. Este nuevo concepto enfatiza la manera en que los gestores pueden implementar diferentes usos en los atractivos, proporcionando a los visitantes diversas experiencias. Por tanto, esta investigación explora el concepto y sirve como fundamento para futuras investigaciones.

Diseño/metodología/enfoque

La metodología se basa en una exhaustiva revisión de la producción científica y de informes de organismos públicos para respaldar el concepto de “usabilidad de los atractivos turísticos”.

Resultados

La literatura examinada revela que la gestión de los atractivos afecta en la experiencia de los visitantes. Así pues, los gestores deben considerar en concreto la facilidad de uso y el diseño de actividades. De este modo, un modelo conceptual innovador ha sido construido para explorar cómo las técnicas de gestión basadas en este nuevo concepto tienen un impacto en la experiencia del visitante.

Originalidad

La investigación sobre la experiencia del visitante en los atractivos ha descuidado el impacto de las herramientas de gestión y planificación hasta ahora. Consecuentemente, la originalidad de esta investigación radica en proporcionar un marco robusto que señala cómo la gestión de los atractivos afecta en la experiencia del visitante mediante el desarrollo de la usabilidad. El estudio propone un concepto novedoso y un modelo original que se considera de gran interés para el ámbito científico, y al mismo tiempo, puede servir de guía práctica para los gestores de los atractivos turísticos.

Article
Publication date: 24 June 2020

Bob Mckercher

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the factors that make tourist shopping districts successful.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the factors that make tourist shopping districts successful.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 12 sets of face-to-face interviews were conducted in 7 cities on 4 continents in September and October, 2019. In total, 21 individuals participated in the interviews. Interviews were conducted in Bangkok Thailand, Singapore, Melbourne and Brisbane Australia, Ottawa Canada, New York USA (three sets of interviews) and London England (four sets of interviews).

Findings

The literature focusses on operational issues, while respondents highlighted higher order issues relating primarily to organisational structure, governance and funding.

Research limitations/implications

The study focusses primarily on English speaking jurisdictions, with the exception of Bangkok. As such, the results may not be generalisable to non-English speaking economies.

Practical implications

Insights into factors influencing the success of tourism retail shopping districts are highlighted, especially the role of governance and creativity.

Social implications

The paper indicates that local stakeholders also play a key role in the success of such districts.

Originality/value

This is the first comprehensive, global study of the factors that make tourism shopping districts successful.

Details

International Journal of Tourism Cities, vol. 6 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2056-5607

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 March 2024

Elizabeth Agyeiwaah and Bob McKercher

The purpose of this paper is to argue for the development of a vibrant domestic tourism sector in emerging economies as a means of moving towards a more sustainable tourism sector…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to argue for the development of a vibrant domestic tourism sector in emerging economies as a means of moving towards a more sustainable tourism sector and achieving many of the goals outlined in the UNWTO’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Design/methodology/approach

It uses a perspective approach through a critical state-of-the-art review of selected domestic and international tourism studies.

Findings

This paper illustrates how developing such a sector will provide a range of economic and social benefits to emerging economies and their residents, as well as lowering the per-capita tourism carbon footprint of destination areas.

Practical implications

This study identifies policy initiatives that can be developed to help emerging economies transition from an international tourism focus to a more balanced focus.

Social implications

This study indicates the social benefits of developing a domestic tourism sector in emerging economies.

Originality/value

It equips national tourism organisations and small and medium tourism enterprises with specific actions for the use of tourism as a prosperity tool in the pursuance of these benefits. It, further, calls for a research agenda on investigating how emerging economies are uniquely progressing towards this global goal through thriving domestic tourism recognising that each economy is culturally different.

目的

本文主张在新兴经济体发展充满活力的国内旅游业, 以此作为迈向更可持续的旅游业和实现联合国世界旅游组织《2030 年可持续发展议程》中概述的许多目标的手段。

设计/方法

通过对选定的国内和国际旅游研究进行批判性的最新文献回顾, 采用了前瞻性的方法。

研究结果

本文阐述了发展这样一个产业将如何为新兴经济体及其居民提供一系列经济和社会效益, 并降低目的地的人均旅游碳足迹。

实践意义

确定可以制定的政策举措, 以帮助新兴经济体从国际旅游业向更平衡的旅游业转型

社会影响

展现了新兴经济体发展国内旅游业的社会效益。

原创/价值

为国家旅游组织和中小型旅游企业提供了将旅游业作为繁荣工具以实现上文提到的这些利益的具体方向。此外, 论文还呼吁制定一项研究议程, 调查新兴经济体如何通过繁荣的国内旅游业独特地朝着这一全球目标前进, 也需要认识到每个经济体的文化都不同。

Objetivo

Este trabajo defiende el desarrollo de un sector turístico interno fuerte en las economías emergentes como medio para avanzar hacia un sector turístico más sostenible y alcanzar muchos de los objetivos esbozados en la Agenda 2030 para el Desarrollo Sostenible de la OMT.

Diseño/metodología/enfoque

Adopta un enfoque de perspectiva a través de una revisión crítica del estado del arte de estudios turísticos nacionales e internacionales seleccionados.

Resultados

El trabajo ilustra cómo el desarrollo de este sector aportará una serie de beneficios económicos y sociales a las economías emergentes y a sus residentes, así como la reducción de la huella de carbono per cápita del turismo en las zonas de destino.

Implicaciones prácticas

Identifica las iniciativas políticas que pueden desarrollarse para ayudar a las economías emergentes en la transición de un enfoque turístico internacional a un enfoque más equilibrado.

Implicaciones sociales

Se indican los beneficios sociales de un desarrollo del sector turístico interno en las economías emergentes.

Originalidad/valor

Proporciona a las organizaciones nacionales de turismo y a las pequeñas y medianas empresas turísticas acciones específicas para el uso del turismo como herramienta de bienestar en la consecución de estos beneficios. Además, propone un programa de investigación sobre el modo en que las economías emergentes avanzan hacia este objetivo global a través de un turismo interno floreciente, teniendo en cuenta que cada economía es culturalmente diferente.

Article
Publication date: 27 October 2023

Bob McKercher, Bruce Prideaux and Michelle Thompson

The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework that examines the impacts of changing seasons on tourism.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework that examines the impacts of changing seasons on tourism.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a conceptual process model of the impact of seasons on all aspects of in-destination tourist behaviour. The model is developed from the literature and is then tested using Cairns, Australia as a case study.

Findings

Seasons influence the actual and perceived range of products/experiences available, which dictate the pull features of a destination, that in turn, influence who comes and why they come. Combined the activity sets and visitor profile define in-destination behaviour and, ultimately, satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

The study fills a needed research gap in two ways. Firstly, it explains conceptually and then tests empirically how changes in seasons affect the delivery of tourism products and experiences. Secondly, it adds significantly to our understanding of the factors that influence in-destination behaviour.

Practical implications

Managerial implications for destination management organisations are identified.

Originality/value

This paper presents a new conceptual process model for a previously unexamined issue.

研究设计/方法论/方法

本文提出了一个季节影响目的地游客行为的过程的理论模型。该模型基于文献开发而成, 然后以澳大利亚凯恩斯作为案例进行测试。

研究目的

本文的目的是开发一个研究季节变化影响旅游的理论框架。

研究结果

研究发现季节会影响实际和感知的产品或体验的范围, 从而决定一个目的地的吸引力特征。他们反过来可以影响谁来旅游以及他们来旅游的原因。 结合活动和旅游者画像来定义其目的地行为。

理论意义

这项研究从两个方面填补了理论空白。 首先, 它从概念上解释, 然后实证检验了季节的变化如何影响旅游产品和体验的供应。 其次, 它极大地增强了我们对影响目的地行为的因素的理解。

实践意义

本文指出了对目的地管理的实践意义。

原创性/价值

本文针对先前未经考察的问题提出了一种新的理论过程模型。

Diseño/metodología/enfoque

El artículo presenta un modelo de proceso conceptual del impacto de las estaciones en todos los aspectos del comportamiento en en destino turístico. El modelo se desarrolla a partir de la literatura y luego se pone a prueba usando Cairns, Australia como estudio de caso.

Objetivo

El propósito de este artículo es desarrollar un marco conceptual que examine los impactos de los cambios de estación en el turismo.

Recomendaciones

Las estaciones influyen en la gama, real y percibida, de productos/experiencias disponibles que condicionan las características de atracción de un destino. Las estaciones, a su vez, influyen en quién viene y por qué viene. Los conjuntos de actividades combinadas y el perfil del visitante definen el comportamiento en el destino.

Trascendencia

El estudio llena un vacío de investigación necesario de dos maneras. Primero, explica conceptualmente y luego demuestra empíricamente cómo los cambios en las estaciones afectan la oferta de productos y experiencias turísticas. En segundo lugar, contribuye significativamente a la comprensión de los factores que influyen en el comportamiento en el destino.

Implicaciones prácticas

Se identifican las implicaciones de gestión para las organizaciones de gestión de destinos.

Originalidad/valor

Este artículo presenta un nuevo modelo de proceso conceptual para un tema no examinado previamente.

Article
Publication date: 19 March 2018

Bob McKercher

The purpose of this paper is to provide a personal view of the state of hospitality and tourism research as we enter 2018. It seeks to highlight a number of systemic issues that…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a personal view of the state of hospitality and tourism research as we enter 2018. It seeks to highlight a number of systemic issues that are affecting adversely the quality of research published.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an auto-ethnographic approach based on the author’s nearly 30 years of working and researching in the field of hospitality and tourism.

Findings

The paper begins by talking about many of the positive things that are occurring in this field, before raising five main issues of concern: the changing nature of academic research; our own lack of critical thinking; becoming method robots; publishing and authorship pressures that hinder career development and creativity; and whether our own lack of working experience hurts the academic development of the field.

Originality/value

The paper provides a list of five key issues all academics must be aware of to ensure both their own career progression and the continued development of the field.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 30 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 September 2023

Jamie Siu Kam Lo and Bob McKercher

This study aims to examine the process of tourism gentrification from China tourists, a major source market, in two neighbourhoods in Hong Kong: one that has been long exposed to…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the process of tourism gentrification from China tourists, a major source market, in two neighbourhoods in Hong Kong: one that has been long exposed to tourism and one that is just being discovered by tourists. Through a series of in-depth interviews with local residents and community leaders, complemented by non-participant observation, the paper tracks the commercial, social and cultural changes that have occurred or are occurring in these two places.

Design/methodology/approach

This study evaluates the process of place change through tourism gentrification in two neighbourhoods in Hong Kong that are at different stages of the process. An ontological approach is adopted using an interpretivist paradigm involving in-depth interviews and on-site observations, supplemented by secondary data. These data were complemented by non-participant observation.

Findings

Both the places have been transformed due to the influx of mainland Chinese tourists. Some impacts felt by both communities have much in common, such as congestion and shop dislocation, while others are more location specific. Even though the degree of tourism gentrification is different, locals from both locations tend to hold negative perceptions towards tourists, although of different strengths. All have also noted the traditional social cohesion is not as strong as before.

Originality/value

The paper argues that tourism gentrification exists on a continuum as neighbourhoods move seemingly inextricably from local-centric nodes to tourist-centric nodes. Apart from enlightening the theory of tourism gentrification, it provides insights to the local leaders on proper tourism development by balancing the social and economic benefits.

Details

International Journal of Tourism Cities, vol. 9 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2056-5607

Keywords

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