This thesis examines the similarities and differences between northern and southern Chinese markets (in this case, the Beijing and Guangdong markets) in relation to New Zealand's destination image, from both visitors' and tour guides' perspectives. Destination image issues focused on information source and cultural factors, as well as their interrelationships. The purpose of this research is to achieve a better understanding of the Chinese outbound market as well as the heterogeneous market characteristics in order to provide insight for the New Zealand tourism industry. This research involves both interviews with visitors and tour guides based on a grounded theory methodology. Analysis of the interviews was based on two research themes: factors influence New Zealand's destination image at different stages, as well as the Chinese regional market difference in relation to destination image. Interviews were also focused on two stages of destination image formation: pre-visit images and in-destination images. Difference between Beijing and Guangdong markets on the research themes during the different stages were explored and analyzed. Research findings showed that destination image is influenced by both the information source and the cultural factors for Chinese tourists. Moreover, regional difference existed in China in particular their perceptions about New Zealand, preferences and personal values. Most tourists consider pre-visit image is essential; however, New Zealand's image in China was not very impressive and effective. Before visitation, New Zealand's destination image is influenced heavily by information available in China. The way tourists search for information and the image they were attracted for coming to New Zealand between Beijing and Guangdong were different. During-visit impressions of New Zealand were considered by majority of the tourists to be better than their expectations. However, due to their different cultural backgrounds, Beijing and Guangdong tourists have different reactions to New Zealand's products, which can be reflected through different shopping behaviours, and different demands and satisfaction levels. Overall, segmenting the Chinese outbound market into regions is recommended for future marketing, in order to attract more visitors by providing more suitable products.

In 2004, the Brazilian Ministry of Tourism launched the Tourism Regionalization Program (Roteiros do Brasil), which presented new prospects for Brazilian tourism through decentralized management. One of the goals of this program was to disperse Brazil’s tourism supply, predominantly located along the coast, and bring tourism to the interior of the country. Brazil’s formal recognition of the need for diversification of its tourist destinations was a positive step toward the development of a thriving Brazilian tourism market, but in the global tourism market, Brazil continues to be associated with a limited number of stereotypical attractions. Despite the advances achieved by the Tourism Regionalization Program, tourism remains geographically concentrated in cities such as Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. This research serves as an analysis of the lesser-known tourism market in the Serra Gaúcha region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Through the use of fundamental qualitative research methods, namely semi-structure interviews and questionnaires completed by students and professionals involved with tourism—both in the Serra Gaúcha as well as outside of Brazil—I assess the current state of tourism to the region in order to formulate key recommendations for the development and improvement of the industry there. From the results, I conclude that the tourism boards of the municipalities throughout the Serra Gaúcha should join together to function regionally in order to more effectively market themselves as a desirable tourist destination and to compete on a national scale for tourists’ attention. In light of the magnified attention Brazil is enjoying due to its selection as the host for both the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics, now is an optimal time for competitive touristic regions, such as the Serra Gaúcha, throughout Brazil to actively build their brand and pursue tourism development strategies tailored to their unique regional strengths and weaknesses. / text

This thesis examines the similarities and differences between northern and southern Chinese markets (in this case, the Beijing and Guangdong markets) in relation to New Zealand's destination image, from both visitors' and tour guides' perspectives. Destination image issues focused on information source and cultural factors, as well as their interrelationships. The purpose of this research is to achieve a better understanding of the Chinese outbound market as well as the heterogeneous market characteristics in order to provide insight for the New Zealand tourism industry. This research involves both interviews with visitors and tour guides based on a grounded theory methodology. Analysis of the interviews was based on two research themes: factors influence New Zealand's destination image at different stages, as well as the Chinese regional market difference in relation to destination image. Interviews were also focused on two stages of destination image formation: pre-visit images and in-destination images. Difference between Beijing and Guangdong markets on the research themes during the different stages were explored and analyzed. Research findings showed that destination image is influenced by both the information source and the cultural factors for Chinese tourists. Moreover, regional difference existed in China in particular their perceptions about New Zealand, preferences and personal values. Most tourists consider pre-visit image is essential; however, New Zealand's image in China was not very impressive and effective. Before visitation, New Zealand's destination image is influenced heavily by information available in China. The way tourists search for information and the image they were attracted for coming to New Zealand between Beijing and Guangdong were different. During-visit impressions of New Zealand were considered by majority of the tourists to be better than their expectations. However, due to their different cultural backgrounds, Beijing and Guangdong tourists have different reactions to New Zealand's products, which can be reflected through different shopping behaviours, and different demands and satisfaction levels. Overall, segmenting the Chinese outbound market into regions is recommended for future marketing, in order to attract more visitors by providing more suitable products.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--York University, 2004. Graduate Programme in Social Anthropology. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 253-257). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:MR38753

Thesis (M.A.)--Carleton University, 1999. / Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--York University, 2003. Graduate Programme in / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 291-316). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/yorku/fullcit?pNQ99252

M.A. / Integrated marketing communications has developed . in response to the fragmentation of old rules and realities within global marketing. Client sovereignty rules the marketplace of the nineties and coupled with this, we are entering into an information era where technology is the buzz word. The need for dialogue between organisations and their customers, in order to realise customer needs, resulted in the development of relationship marketing. Through this, organisations created added-value for their products and services to establish product differentiation within a product parity environment. One of the best means whereby an organisation can create product differentiation and positioning, is by establishing perceived service quality. South Africa wants to ensure a more stable economy. For this reason the successful functioning of the tourism industry in South Africa is of the utmost importance in order to stimulate the influx of foreign exchange and to create more job opportunities. The best way to create this is to institute a more sensitive service orientation and therefore this study examines the client services of the South-African tourism industry, with specific reference to the Kruger National Park. Due to the technology explosion and the information era that currently being experienced, terms such as niche marketing and mass-customisation are of paramount importance. Customers personal needs are being recorded and their products and services designed accordingly. This progression produced a strong competitive edge for organisations because of the higher perceived service quality. An organisation's quality image is the function of its ability to consistently meet or conform with their customer's expectations. Consistent quality could lead to customer loyalty that is essential for a service suppliers long-term profitability and survival. For the purposes of this study the SERVQUAL-instrument was used, to measure service quality. Although there are various other instruments to measure service quality, the author noticed that the complexity of the term service quality is causing a lot of problems and many a researcher is still struggling to conceptualise and operationalise it. In the search for the best suited measuringinstrument, the researcher realised the importance of defining service quality in the most understanding and measurable ways possible. Considering this knowledge the author is of the opinion that the SERVQUAL-instrument would describe service quality the best within this context. Within the context of this study the SERVQUAL was used to determine the service quality of the Kruger National Park as perceived by their foreign visitors. The results of the research suggested that die service quality of the Kruger National Park did not meet their customer's expectations.

Published Article / Sustainability is a global concern for any organisation seeking to remain relevant and in business. In a developing country like South Africa, tourism has the potential to stimulate the economy and create jobs. The Free State and Northern Cape provinces are generally not at the top of the list for national and international tourists, although they are regions of great natural beauty and splendour. These provinces have many small towns and farming communities and thus extensive areas of rural land. This paper interrogates the sustainability issues related to tourism and reflect on the Volksblad Tourism Town of the Year Competition as a means of stimulating sustainable tourism in Free State and Northern Cape provinces.

This thesis is intended to be a contribution to the history of tourism. It examines the Grand Tour from the perspective of tourism studies. The primary source material was a sample of Grand Tour diaries and journals and a range of contemporary guidebooks and periodicals. A series of historical time divisions was taken and the tour itineraries in each division were mapped. Secondary source material provided information on the social, cultural, economic and technological background to the tour. The research method was directed towards the five main elements of the tourist system: the tourists, the generating region, the transit routes, the destination region and the tourist industry. Key questions posed centred on the origins, development and decline of the tour, the tourists, spatial and temporal aspects, cultural tastes and the tourist industry. The scope of the investigation was constrained by a definition of the Grand Tour as a distinct circuit of Europe not exclusive to one social class. The main findings of the research are: 1. It is suggested that the origins of the Grand Tour can be traced to the I sixteenth century, when there was an interaction between the spread of the ideals of Renaissance humanism from Europe and an increase in social mobility within English society. 2. Distinct spatial and temporal patterns in touring were established by the early seventeenth century and many of them persisted until the early nineteenth century when the tour. evolved into a summer excursion abroad. 3. In the later eighteenth century there was a shift from the landed classes to the middle classes as the dominant group on the tour. Many aspects of the tour.were affected by this change. 4. From the 1760's there was a change in the cultural tastes of the tourists towards a general interest in scenic tourism. 5. The Grand Tourists used an extensive but informally organised range of services. These services became more formalised in the 1820's and 1830's, suggesting that this period marked an important transition in the development of the modern tourist industry.