Mujde Bideci and Caglar Bideci
Although tourist experience has been considerably studied, there is a dearth of research on spiritual cognitive stages in tourism literature. Therefore, this paper aims to reveal…
Abstract
Purpose
Although tourist experience has been considerably studied, there is a dearth of research on spiritual cognitive stages in tourism literature. Therefore, this paper aims to reveal the dimensions of the tourist experience based on numinosity context.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative method is used by the etic and emic approach with an ethnographic background. After observation and active participation in the field, data was collected from 44 participants with semi-structured interviews to reveal their numinous experiences dimensions.
Findings
The results show that numinous experience in three categories (mysterium, tremendum and fascinans) can be evaluated in seven dimensions including history, story, awe, reverence, atmosphere, place-based and nature-based dimensions.
Practical implications
This study provides managerial and practical implications for tourism stakeholders to be aware of numinous experiences and to better manage sacred places.
Originality/value
This paper offers a novel tourist experience design in the numinous context to the best of the authors’ knowledge.
Details
Keywords
Mujde Bideci and Caglar Bideci
The purpose of this study is to explore the dimensional structure of visitor experience in a sacred place based on the framing process.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore the dimensional structure of visitor experience in a sacred place based on the framing process.
Design/methodology/approach
Mix-method research was conducted in Turkey–Virgin Mary House which featured a sacred and popular tourist destination. Qualitative research, including interviews and expert panels, was used to create a set of knowledge for further analysis. Quantitative research, including two field studies comprising 842 participants, was used to validate the framing of visitor experiences in a sacred place providing reliability and construct validity.
Findings
The six dimensions were found within three framing axes of religious, environmental and organizational: inner experience; religious experience; physical environment; history; tour organization and service experience.
Originality/value
Current studies on visitor experience in a sacred place have mainly focused on emotions, motivations or physical dimensions. By synthesising the framing process and theoretical approaches, this study contributes to the literature by analysing the unique characteristics of visitors' experiences in sacred places, regardless of their religious identities.
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Mujde Bideci and Tahir Albayrak
The purpose of this paper is to identify the main factors contributing to museum experience and assess the differences in museum experience perceptions of domestic and foreign…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the main factors contributing to museum experience and assess the differences in museum experience perceptions of domestic and foreign tourists. Furthermore, examining the relationship between museum visit experience and overall satisfaction for the domestic and foreign tourists is another purpose of the paper.
Design/methodology/approach
Data collection was conducted using the convenience sampling method. The on-site survey was carried out with the participation of domestic and foreign tourists visiting Antalya Historical and Archaeological Museum in Turkey.
Findings
Analysis of data from 151 domestic and 151 foreign tourists visiting to Antalya Historical and Archaeological Museum indicated that edutainment, comfort, escape and aesthetic are the underlying dimensions of museum experience. The aesthetic dimension was identified as the most important aspect of the museum visit experience. In addition, museum visit perceptions of the domestic and foreign tourists and overall satisfactions with their visit were found to be different from each other.
Originality/value
The findings of this study provide a better understanding of the museum experience from the domestic and foreign tourists’ perspectives. Furthermore, the paper presents a novel and integrated approach to investigate tourist experiences in the extending museum experience literature.