The purpose of this study was to employ a network perspective to detect fluctuations in tourism (at the level of tourism areas and by inbound tourism markets) that co-occur with hazardous events. Specifically, the study focuses on the Air Travel Tourism (ATT) network of the Hawaiian Islands and its changes with the incidence of nine hazardous events from 2015 to 2021. The three main aspects of the ATT network, which include tourism connections, island preferences, and concentrations of inbound tourism markets were analyzed for a total of eighty-four monthly and seven annual network models. The results suggest that the network perspective provides insights that are especially applicable to the study of prolonged hazardous events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Among local hazardous events, the volcanic eruption and Hurricane Lane, both occurring in 2018, were associated with a decrease in visitors and preferences for Hawaii and Molokai Island. During the COVID-19 pandemic, uneven fluctuations were detected for all groups of the Hawaiian Islands. The peripheral islands had the most interrupted tourism connections during the pandemic period, while the core and semi-core islands had the most fluctuations in preference. International travel restrictions favored increases in concentrations of both domestic markets in Oahu Island, and only of the U.S. West market in the other islands. Interestingly, the mix of pandemic-related travel restrictions and recovery policies corresponded with asymmetrical tourism fluctuations for each island. The annual results suggested more stability in the aspects of the ATT network compared to the monthly results. The current study advances the tourism literature on hazardous events with insights from a network perspective. Additionally, the findings serve as a starting point for the development of new propositions and hypotheses to be tested in future research. In terms of practical implications, the results suggest that the network perspective may be beneficial for tourism practitioners to evaluate the differentiated results of policies issued in times of hazardous events. Furthermore, the unevenness of the detected fluctuations in the ATT network underscores the value of tailored planning, management, and marketing strategies in times of turbulence.

Hotel reward programs have been in existence for three decades. These programs were originally established as a customer relationship management tool to reward loyal guests for their patronage. Over time, there have been indications that the programs that are intended to inspire loyalty to the company have actually inspired loyalty to the program itself. The aim of this study was to analyze the antecedents of program satisfaction and program loyalty in hotels to determine the relationship between the program attributes and the impact on program loyalty. Switching costs were also analyzed to determine if they played a moderating role in the relationship between program satisfaction and program loyalty. Data was collected using an online questionnaire based upon measures from previous studies on the following variables: functional value, external value, utilitarian value, hedonic value, symbolic value, program satisfaction, switching costs, and program loyalty. Using the statistical software SPSS and SmartPLS, the data was empirically tested. The results indicated that program satisfaction is a driver of program loyalty. Switching costs did not have a statistically significant impact on the relationship between program satisfaction and program loyalty. Of great interest is the indicators of perceived value. As utilitarian value has been used as a dominant portion of reward programs in the past, in this study, it did not have a significant impact on the perceived value of the program. As the needs of customers change, it is necessary for industry to change as well. The research presented in this study has both theoretical and practical implications, as the results can provide a greater understanding of the value of hotel rewards from the customers viewpoint.

For years, thousands of trekkers have flocked to Nepal to enjoy the country's combination of spectacular mountain terrain and unique cultural practices. Unfortunately this influx of tourists has caused severe repercussions for the economic, environmental, social, and cultural integrity of the country. Sixty percent of tourism earnings are leaking out of the Nepalese economy. Deforestation, soil erosion, and inadequate sanitary practices are creating permanent changes to the physical environment and ecosystems in the area. Foreigners, who bring with them material wealth and apparent freedom, are influencing the younger members of Nepalese families. Tourism development and pressures are resulting in the erosion of cultural values and long-term damage to cultural traditions. The purpose of this study is to provide a sustainable model for trekking operations in Nepal. The proposed model includes a specific guideline of action for destination decision-makers. This guideline includes the planning process, determination of overall goals and objectives, funding, and logistics. This study gives a macro-overview of the current trekking situation in Nepal and offers and a better alternative for the future.

The Economist (2017) estimated that the last five decades witnessed a substantial increase in the number of crises occurring around the world each year. This increase makes effective crisis communication strategies critical for destination management and marketing, which is hinged on a sound understanding of how audience members interpret the meaning of and respond to media content in the news. Destination risk perception has been well documented in tourism literature; however, there is little research regarding the contingent effects of media. Therefore, the purpose of this dissertation is to identify how the media influences the direct and indirect relationships between destination risk perception, information-seeking and avoiding behaviors, and destination loyalty (the likelihood to recommend and likelihood to visit) with the conditional effect of optimism bias. This dissertation employed a 2 x 3 between-subjects factorial posttest-only quasi-experimental design with a randomized online sample, with six distinct conditions and a control group. A conceptual framework was developed to help explain the effect of the modeled relationships. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Findings showed that destination risk perception had a negative effect on destination loyalty, and information avoiding was found to partially mediate the effect of destination risk perception on destination loyalty. Also, the contingency effects of the risk type and crisis communication media effects each played a role in explaining the outcomes of destination risk perception. The present study offers important theoretical and practical implications. Theoretically, the current research adds to the limited knowledge of media effects on a tourist's destination risk perception and subsequent tourist behaviors, while also filling the gap for crisis communication media effects of news framing theory. Practically, DMOs must understand how tourists interpret and react to media; therefore, best practices and solutions to implement an adequate crisis communication plan are suggested.

[No abstract included]

The years since World War II have witnessed a rapid growth in International Tourism consequent on improved technologies, increased affluence and leisure time in developed nations. Many of the poorer third World Nations lacking major marketable resources have opted for tourism as a developmental strategy hoping to draw some of the "free-spending" visitors to their shores thereby reducing the World's unequal distribution of wealth. Tourism promises beneficial effects such as the generation of urgently needed foreign exchange, employment and promotes overall economic growth. The objective of this thesis is to present information on the contribution of tourism when compared to the other major industrial sectors in Jamaica, in order to assist the island's planners in the decision as to whether or not tourism can be relied on to provide the economic development needed. In addition, to suggest possible strategies and areas for improvement to derive increased benefits from tourism while minimizing the negative impacts. The data for this paper comes from primary sources such as government publications and secondary sources mainly hospitality industry literature. Tourism can be an effective method of earning foreign exchange with proper planning and foresight to reduce to minimum tourism's negative impacts. Jamaica should carefully choose between a mere quantitative market expansion, the "mass" market or a "fewer but better" tourist market, the "class" market. The specific market chosen will determine the economic and social implications on the country and the type of facility planning necessary. Jamaica needs also to revitalize the tourist industry to build on its uniqueness, improve services and employee attitudes while indulging in a balanced policy of import substitution.

Traffic congestion can incur serious costs on society, and reducing these costs is of high importance. This paper assesses the feasibility of a price change or other demand shift on the toll roads in Southern California in alleviating traffic on the public freeways, using California State Road 73 and Interstate 5 as a case study. State Road 73 is found to have the ability to take on additional traffic density, which would increase the flow for all drivers on both Interstate 5 and State Road 73. Alternatives to traditional tolls are also offered as potential solutions to congestion in Southern California.

This thesis, utilizing data obtained through the author's working experience and on extensive academic investigation, aims to establish and analyze the locational deficiency of some 100 foreign tourist hotels in Beijing and its origin. To do so, an optimal hotel location is first determined by analysis of social, economic, cultural and environmental features of Beijing in relation to the tourism industry.

Thesis--PlanA (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam, 2004. / Title from title screen (viewed on January 11, 2006).