The SAGE International Encyclopedia of Travel and Tourism
[Extract] Metropolitan Manila (also known as Metro Manila, or simply Manila), in the National Cap... more [Extract] Metropolitan Manila (also known as Metro Manila, or simply Manila), in the National Capital Region of the Republic of the Philippines, thrives as a shopping nucleus and as a hub for education, arts, culture, and sports in the country. Metro Manila (in this entry referred to as Manila) includes the city of Manila (the capital of the Philippines) and Quezon City, among other, smaller cities. Manila offers a variety of attractions and tourist activities. The key factors that pull tourists to Manila include the range of shopping opportunities from flea markets to designer brand outlets, the affordability and range of dining and accommodation options, and many historical and cultural attractions such as museums, galleries, and old churches
The SAGE International Encyclopedia of Travel and Tourism
[Extract] The tourism industry in the Maldives is a direct contributor to the country’s gross dom... more [Extract] The tourism industry in the Maldives is a direct contributor to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). As a key industry, tourism in the small island state has received a great deal of attention, especially in relation to economic impacts and politics. The topic of climate change, for example, has been discussed in relation to tourism development in the Maldives. The country remains popular among luxury tourists, but is also gradually receiving interest from budget travelers. This entry discusses the Maldives’ tourism policies and developments, top destinations, and future prospects
Although the boutique hotel segment started to catch tourism and hospitality researcher' atte... more Although the boutique hotel segment started to catch tourism and hospitality researcher' attention in Western countries over two decades ago, there remains a lack of consensus in the definition of a boutique hotel property. The overall dearth in the literature on boutique hotels suggests that despite their rapid expansion in Asia, very little is known about them especially in terms of their characteristics, guest motivation and guest satisfaction. Using 311 guest reviews of 12 boutique hotels in Singapore on TripAdvisor, this study attempted to understand guests' insights about boutique hotels in Singapore. It also aimed to identify key themes that guests notice in boutique hotels in the city-state. The reviews used in the analysis was delimited to those posted within a 6-week time frame, hence providing a mere snapshot of guests' impressions. The results suggest that guests' insights were mostly positive, and that satisfactory experiences in boutique hotels were mos...
From marketing to autonomous vehicles, big data analytics has quickly become prevalent in our dai... more From marketing to autonomous vehicles, big data analytics has quickly become prevalent in our daily lives, having moved from an emerging technology to an everyday technology. In light of the rapid growth in big data analytics, this study set out to understand the types of big data analytics skills and talents that employers are seeking by analysing 139 Singapore online job advertisements. Having performed text analysis on these job advertisements, the results showed that big data analytics required a wide variety of interdisciplinary skills and talents across three broad inter-related areas: big data skills (i.e. artificial intelligence (AI) skills, analytical skills, computing/information technology (IT) skills, and data presentation skills); tools-related skills (i.e. skills in using a variety of software tools); and soft skills (i.e. communication skills, interpersonal skills, problem-solving skills, and project management skills).
Many project management professionals would have read the Project Management Institute's A Gu... more Many project management professionals would have read the Project Management Institute's A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide). As a huge knowledge repository for project management processes, techniques, good practices, etc., it is a standard guide that project managers regularly refer to for pointers on meeting project performance objectives. Now in its 5th edition, the PMBOK Guide has been revised at regular intervals of about 4 years since its 1st edition in 1996 so as to keep it up to date with the latest developments in project management. The current PMBOK Guide prescribes that there are ten knowledge areas for project management. As the PMBOK Guide is currently being revised for its 6th edition, which is scheduled to be released in Q3 2017, it is timely to ask the question: Are the ten knowledge areas still relevant to today’s project managers? This study attempted to provide some insight into this question by analyzing 222 Singapore online jo...
Japanese culture is rich and diversified culture that has developed more than thousand years. In ... more Japanese culture is rich and diversified culture that has developed more than thousand years. In Japan, people can find a popular and special pub that has traditional red paper lanterns in front, which is called Izakaya. Izakaya is a place that represents Japanese culture where tourists can experience Japanese hospitality. The purpose of this study is to analyze the role of Izakaya in Japanese culture and society. More specifically, this paper investigates the role of Izakaya in in helping middle-aged and elderly men mitigate stress and improve mental health. Additionally, this review shows gastronomy and hospitality management in Izakayas; it also provides some analysis of how Izakaya culture shapes the future of Japanese hospitality and gastronomy.
[Extract] Recent developments in assessing human well-being in general provide some new pathways ... more [Extract] Recent developments in assessing human well-being in general provide some new pathways for understanding the Asian spa experience. Much of this work is implicitly covered by the label positive psychology, which is recognised as a new field of study that focuses on human thriving. Following Seligman and Csikszentmihalyi (2000), Pearce (2007) defines positive psychology as a 'scientific study of positive emotions, character strengths and positive institutions concerned with human happiness and well-being' (p. 3). This definition suggests that positive psychology is not just about the individual, but also about communities, institutions, organisations and industries. It is therefore surprising that the relationship between tourism and human thriving remains under-researched (Smith and Kelly, 2006; Gilbert and Abdullah, 2002, 2003; Hunter-Jones and Blackburn, 2007). The concept of wellness is an indispensable concept in the study of both tourism and positive psychology. Wellness is one of the facets of positive psychology that has received attention recently. Although the wellness-tourism interface has a long heritage (e.g. ancient pilgrimages, travels for health and wellness during the ancient Roman and Greek times), recent studies and the arguable pioneering literature on wellness tourism (for example the wellness issue of Tourism Recreation Research, 2006) tend to approach the topic as an exposition of an ostensibly brand new form of tourism. This chapter seeks to review and study spa tourism and interpret the scheme for spa-goers through the lens of positive psychology.
Slum tourism is one of the newest and fastest growing niche tourism markets in the world that has... more Slum tourism is one of the newest and fastest growing niche tourism markets in the world that has seen growth only in the past two decades, mostly because of exposure from a range of films and movies which have made slum tourism a popular topic for debate. Slum tourism is also an under-researched topic, but has started to catch the attention of researchers and scholars in recent years. A slum, as defined by the UN Human Settlements Programme (2003), is a 'heavily populated urban area characterised by substandard housing and squalor'. Similarly, Ma defines it as "a run-down area of a city characterized by substandard housing and squalor and lacking in tenure security" (2010, p.3).
Cross-cultural contact is an aspect of tourists' experiences at a destination. Contrasting cu... more Cross-cultural contact is an aspect of tourists' experiences at a destination. Contrasting cultures create pockets for tourists and/or locals to feel confused and even shocked. The term "culture shock" popularly describes the difficulties of operating in a foreign culture (Pearce, 2005). This original concept by Oberg (1960) was originally applicable to nurses, doctors and missionaries abroad. Today, the same concept applies to tourists. Moufakkir (2013) underpins this explaining that the term is widely used in tourism literature to explicate the difficulties encountered by international tourists visiting another country. Pearce (2005) suggests that culture shock can manifest in different components. He further argues, however, that the phenomenon is often linked to cultural values and communication component. While culture shock is seen in a negative light, it is also seen as an opportunity for personal growth and cultural learning (Adler, 1975; cited in Moufakkir, 20...
On-site experiences form a key phase in one's travel behaviour. These experiences, although o... more On-site experiences form a key phase in one's travel behaviour. These experiences, although often shared on social media by tourists, are less frequently, if not rarely, accessed by researchers. Travel blogs, however, are cost effective and readily available sources of rich accounts of tourists' experiences, thoughts and feelings. This abductive study analysed 40 travel blogs by local bloggers and foreign bloggers about Palawan (Philippines) and Ko Samui (Thailand). Anchored on van Dijk's (2001) critical discourse theory (CDA), the blogs were content analysed through thematic coding with the aid of Leximancer. Results revealed that local bloggers, in general, have a deeper sense of connection with and regard of local history and culture of the tourist destination rendering an ethnocentric attitude, while foreign bloggers were more attuned to the entertainment and aesthetic aspects of the destination. Analysis confirmed the significance of emic and etic ways of perceiving...
Balancing Development and Sustainability in Tourism Destinations, 2016
In recent decades, food has emerged as an important lifestyle trend in tourism. This paper explor... more In recent decades, food has emerged as an important lifestyle trend in tourism. This paper explores the role of celebrity chefs in enhancing culinary experiences in Singapore. More specifically, our work identifies thematic determinants of how world-renowned chefs and their signature restaurants in Singapore contribute to the country’s culinary scene. This study analyses 12 restaurant websites showcasing celebrity chefs. A range of themes such as the type of restaurant, cuisine, location, menu, length of time in business and promotional activities were examined to deduce the role and impact of celebrity chefs as an integral part of Singapore’s desire to be a food capital of Southeast Asia. Celebrity status works in tandem with a mix of local and global cuisines, physical location and ambiance to carve out a niche for particular eating establishments in the landscape of worldwide culinary tourism, leading to the conclusion that celebrity chefs play a significant role in tourism promotion.
Balancing Development and Sustainability in Tourism Destinations, 2016
Derawan Island in East Kalimantan, Indonesia has seen growth in recent times. The island is endow... more Derawan Island in East Kalimantan, Indonesia has seen growth in recent times. The island is endowed with natural resources, particularly with marine biodiversity, which make them appealing to international and domestic tourists. This paper reports a part of the findings of a larger study that explored young Indonesians’ level of awareness and perceptions of domestic attractions in Indonesia. More specifically, this paper presents the insights of Indonesian students in Singapore about Derawan Island. The data collection involved an online survey which yielded 126 responses. The findings suggest that the respondents had low level of awareness of Derawan’s features and accolades as a destination. Additionally, the results imply that visiting Derawan with the intention to “see and experience” the island rather than “do to experience things there” is a common rationale for young Indonesians in visiting.
The proposed research methodology received clearance from the James Cook University Experimentati... more The proposed research methodology received clearance from the James Cook University Experimentation Ethics Review Committee (Approval Numbers H3130 and H3668).
[Extract] Positive psychology is a new field of study that focuses on human thriving. Even though... more [Extract] Positive psychology is a new field of study that focuses on human thriving. Even though tourism businesses attempt to be profitable through serving happiness, satisfaction and wellness, it is surprising that the relationship between tourism and human thriving remains under-researched (Smith & Kelly, 2006a). One of the facets of wellbeing in the positive psychology field that has also received attention among tourism scholars is wellness. The wellness-tourism interface has long historical roots, but recent studies treat wellness tourism ostensibly as a new form of activity.
Proceedings of the International Conference on Managing the Asian Century, 2013
The Asian spa is a rapidly growing segment in tourism, which has received much attention from var... more The Asian spa is a rapidly growing segment in tourism, which has received much attention from various sectors. This paper focuses on tourist spa-goers in the South and Southeast Asian region. More specifically, it aims to profile spa-going tourists based on their previous spa-experience. In segmenting the spa-going tourists, concepts from the literature and an industry report were used. The second aim is concerned with identifying the benefits that tourists have achieved as a result of their spa experiences. The findings of the study of 137 tourists in South and Southeast Asian countries consist of establishing three distinct types of tourist spa-goers (high, moderate and low experience). Broadly, the findings also suggest that spa experiences are beneficial to tourists’ well-being and the travel experience as a whole.
The Asian spa has seen considerable growth in recent years. Nonetheless, the dearth in the litera... more The Asian spa has seen considerable growth in recent years. Nonetheless, the dearth in the literature about the spa industry in Asia is evident. Tourist spa experiences are an intriguing aspect in this industry. In this study, blog analysis, which involved a progressive four-stage process, was employed to explore travel bloggers' spa experiences in India, Thailand and the Philippines. More specifically, this paper presents overview of travel blogs that contain accounts of tourist spa experiences as well as bloggers' perceived benefits from their spa experiences. The findings suggest that spa experiences are by and large positive experiences that benefit multiple dimensions of tourist well-being.
The contemporary travel motivation approach known as the travel career pattern (TCP) was selected... more The contemporary travel motivation approach known as the travel career pattern (TCP) was selected as the broad based framework to guide the assessment of the importance of health motives compared to other factors. The first aim of this paper is to locate the importance of health as a travel motive in the TCP. A second aim of the work lies in assessing the role of varied levels of travel experience in modifying the importance of health as a travel motive. The context for this work lies in a study of travellers selected for their participation in at least some form of health related tourist behaviours in South East Asia, most particularly India, Thailand and the Philippines. The core findings of the study of 336 travellers consists of establishing health as motive of mid level importance in the travel career patterns and that like other middle level motives increasing travel experience tends to lessen the importance of this motive in travellers' overall tapestry of motivational drivers.
The first aim of this paper is to locate the importance of health as a travel motive within the b... more The first aim of this paper is to locate the importance of health as a travel motive within the broader framework of all travel motivation. The contemporary travel motivation approach known as the travel career pattern (TCP) was selected as the broad based framework to guide the assessment of the importance of health motives compared to other factors. A second aim of the work lies in assessing the role of varied levels of travel experience in modifying the importance of health as a travel motive. The context for this work lies in a study of travellers selected for their participation in at least some form of health related tourist behaviours in South East Asia, most particularly India, Thailand and the Philippines. This sample of travellers enables the researchers to add to the literature on both motivational patterns and health tourism since there is limited work developing an understanding of select travellers from these communities in motivational analysis pertaining to health. The core findings of the study of 336 travellers consists of establishing health as motive of mid level importance in the travel career patterns and that like other middle level motives increasing travel experience tends to lessen the importance of this motive in travellers' overall tapestry of motivational drivers.
The SAGE International Encyclopedia of Travel and Tourism
[Extract] Metropolitan Manila (also known as Metro Manila, or simply Manila), in the National Cap... more [Extract] Metropolitan Manila (also known as Metro Manila, or simply Manila), in the National Capital Region of the Republic of the Philippines, thrives as a shopping nucleus and as a hub for education, arts, culture, and sports in the country. Metro Manila (in this entry referred to as Manila) includes the city of Manila (the capital of the Philippines) and Quezon City, among other, smaller cities. Manila offers a variety of attractions and tourist activities. The key factors that pull tourists to Manila include the range of shopping opportunities from flea markets to designer brand outlets, the affordability and range of dining and accommodation options, and many historical and cultural attractions such as museums, galleries, and old churches
The SAGE International Encyclopedia of Travel and Tourism
[Extract] The tourism industry in the Maldives is a direct contributor to the country’s gross dom... more [Extract] The tourism industry in the Maldives is a direct contributor to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). As a key industry, tourism in the small island state has received a great deal of attention, especially in relation to economic impacts and politics. The topic of climate change, for example, has been discussed in relation to tourism development in the Maldives. The country remains popular among luxury tourists, but is also gradually receiving interest from budget travelers. This entry discusses the Maldives’ tourism policies and developments, top destinations, and future prospects
Although the boutique hotel segment started to catch tourism and hospitality researcher' atte... more Although the boutique hotel segment started to catch tourism and hospitality researcher' attention in Western countries over two decades ago, there remains a lack of consensus in the definition of a boutique hotel property. The overall dearth in the literature on boutique hotels suggests that despite their rapid expansion in Asia, very little is known about them especially in terms of their characteristics, guest motivation and guest satisfaction. Using 311 guest reviews of 12 boutique hotels in Singapore on TripAdvisor, this study attempted to understand guests' insights about boutique hotels in Singapore. It also aimed to identify key themes that guests notice in boutique hotels in the city-state. The reviews used in the analysis was delimited to those posted within a 6-week time frame, hence providing a mere snapshot of guests' impressions. The results suggest that guests' insights were mostly positive, and that satisfactory experiences in boutique hotels were mos...
From marketing to autonomous vehicles, big data analytics has quickly become prevalent in our dai... more From marketing to autonomous vehicles, big data analytics has quickly become prevalent in our daily lives, having moved from an emerging technology to an everyday technology. In light of the rapid growth in big data analytics, this study set out to understand the types of big data analytics skills and talents that employers are seeking by analysing 139 Singapore online job advertisements. Having performed text analysis on these job advertisements, the results showed that big data analytics required a wide variety of interdisciplinary skills and talents across three broad inter-related areas: big data skills (i.e. artificial intelligence (AI) skills, analytical skills, computing/information technology (IT) skills, and data presentation skills); tools-related skills (i.e. skills in using a variety of software tools); and soft skills (i.e. communication skills, interpersonal skills, problem-solving skills, and project management skills).
Many project management professionals would have read the Project Management Institute's A Gu... more Many project management professionals would have read the Project Management Institute's A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide). As a huge knowledge repository for project management processes, techniques, good practices, etc., it is a standard guide that project managers regularly refer to for pointers on meeting project performance objectives. Now in its 5th edition, the PMBOK Guide has been revised at regular intervals of about 4 years since its 1st edition in 1996 so as to keep it up to date with the latest developments in project management. The current PMBOK Guide prescribes that there are ten knowledge areas for project management. As the PMBOK Guide is currently being revised for its 6th edition, which is scheduled to be released in Q3 2017, it is timely to ask the question: Are the ten knowledge areas still relevant to today’s project managers? This study attempted to provide some insight into this question by analyzing 222 Singapore online jo...
Japanese culture is rich and diversified culture that has developed more than thousand years. In ... more Japanese culture is rich and diversified culture that has developed more than thousand years. In Japan, people can find a popular and special pub that has traditional red paper lanterns in front, which is called Izakaya. Izakaya is a place that represents Japanese culture where tourists can experience Japanese hospitality. The purpose of this study is to analyze the role of Izakaya in Japanese culture and society. More specifically, this paper investigates the role of Izakaya in in helping middle-aged and elderly men mitigate stress and improve mental health. Additionally, this review shows gastronomy and hospitality management in Izakayas; it also provides some analysis of how Izakaya culture shapes the future of Japanese hospitality and gastronomy.
[Extract] Recent developments in assessing human well-being in general provide some new pathways ... more [Extract] Recent developments in assessing human well-being in general provide some new pathways for understanding the Asian spa experience. Much of this work is implicitly covered by the label positive psychology, which is recognised as a new field of study that focuses on human thriving. Following Seligman and Csikszentmihalyi (2000), Pearce (2007) defines positive psychology as a 'scientific study of positive emotions, character strengths and positive institutions concerned with human happiness and well-being' (p. 3). This definition suggests that positive psychology is not just about the individual, but also about communities, institutions, organisations and industries. It is therefore surprising that the relationship between tourism and human thriving remains under-researched (Smith and Kelly, 2006; Gilbert and Abdullah, 2002, 2003; Hunter-Jones and Blackburn, 2007). The concept of wellness is an indispensable concept in the study of both tourism and positive psychology. Wellness is one of the facets of positive psychology that has received attention recently. Although the wellness-tourism interface has a long heritage (e.g. ancient pilgrimages, travels for health and wellness during the ancient Roman and Greek times), recent studies and the arguable pioneering literature on wellness tourism (for example the wellness issue of Tourism Recreation Research, 2006) tend to approach the topic as an exposition of an ostensibly brand new form of tourism. This chapter seeks to review and study spa tourism and interpret the scheme for spa-goers through the lens of positive psychology.
Slum tourism is one of the newest and fastest growing niche tourism markets in the world that has... more Slum tourism is one of the newest and fastest growing niche tourism markets in the world that has seen growth only in the past two decades, mostly because of exposure from a range of films and movies which have made slum tourism a popular topic for debate. Slum tourism is also an under-researched topic, but has started to catch the attention of researchers and scholars in recent years. A slum, as defined by the UN Human Settlements Programme (2003), is a 'heavily populated urban area characterised by substandard housing and squalor'. Similarly, Ma defines it as "a run-down area of a city characterized by substandard housing and squalor and lacking in tenure security" (2010, p.3).
Cross-cultural contact is an aspect of tourists' experiences at a destination. Contrasting cu... more Cross-cultural contact is an aspect of tourists' experiences at a destination. Contrasting cultures create pockets for tourists and/or locals to feel confused and even shocked. The term "culture shock" popularly describes the difficulties of operating in a foreign culture (Pearce, 2005). This original concept by Oberg (1960) was originally applicable to nurses, doctors and missionaries abroad. Today, the same concept applies to tourists. Moufakkir (2013) underpins this explaining that the term is widely used in tourism literature to explicate the difficulties encountered by international tourists visiting another country. Pearce (2005) suggests that culture shock can manifest in different components. He further argues, however, that the phenomenon is often linked to cultural values and communication component. While culture shock is seen in a negative light, it is also seen as an opportunity for personal growth and cultural learning (Adler, 1975; cited in Moufakkir, 20...
On-site experiences form a key phase in one's travel behaviour. These experiences, although o... more On-site experiences form a key phase in one's travel behaviour. These experiences, although often shared on social media by tourists, are less frequently, if not rarely, accessed by researchers. Travel blogs, however, are cost effective and readily available sources of rich accounts of tourists' experiences, thoughts and feelings. This abductive study analysed 40 travel blogs by local bloggers and foreign bloggers about Palawan (Philippines) and Ko Samui (Thailand). Anchored on van Dijk's (2001) critical discourse theory (CDA), the blogs were content analysed through thematic coding with the aid of Leximancer. Results revealed that local bloggers, in general, have a deeper sense of connection with and regard of local history and culture of the tourist destination rendering an ethnocentric attitude, while foreign bloggers were more attuned to the entertainment and aesthetic aspects of the destination. Analysis confirmed the significance of emic and etic ways of perceiving...
Balancing Development and Sustainability in Tourism Destinations, 2016
In recent decades, food has emerged as an important lifestyle trend in tourism. This paper explor... more In recent decades, food has emerged as an important lifestyle trend in tourism. This paper explores the role of celebrity chefs in enhancing culinary experiences in Singapore. More specifically, our work identifies thematic determinants of how world-renowned chefs and their signature restaurants in Singapore contribute to the country’s culinary scene. This study analyses 12 restaurant websites showcasing celebrity chefs. A range of themes such as the type of restaurant, cuisine, location, menu, length of time in business and promotional activities were examined to deduce the role and impact of celebrity chefs as an integral part of Singapore’s desire to be a food capital of Southeast Asia. Celebrity status works in tandem with a mix of local and global cuisines, physical location and ambiance to carve out a niche for particular eating establishments in the landscape of worldwide culinary tourism, leading to the conclusion that celebrity chefs play a significant role in tourism promotion.
Balancing Development and Sustainability in Tourism Destinations, 2016
Derawan Island in East Kalimantan, Indonesia has seen growth in recent times. The island is endow... more Derawan Island in East Kalimantan, Indonesia has seen growth in recent times. The island is endowed with natural resources, particularly with marine biodiversity, which make them appealing to international and domestic tourists. This paper reports a part of the findings of a larger study that explored young Indonesians’ level of awareness and perceptions of domestic attractions in Indonesia. More specifically, this paper presents the insights of Indonesian students in Singapore about Derawan Island. The data collection involved an online survey which yielded 126 responses. The findings suggest that the respondents had low level of awareness of Derawan’s features and accolades as a destination. Additionally, the results imply that visiting Derawan with the intention to “see and experience” the island rather than “do to experience things there” is a common rationale for young Indonesians in visiting.
The proposed research methodology received clearance from the James Cook University Experimentati... more The proposed research methodology received clearance from the James Cook University Experimentation Ethics Review Committee (Approval Numbers H3130 and H3668).
[Extract] Positive psychology is a new field of study that focuses on human thriving. Even though... more [Extract] Positive psychology is a new field of study that focuses on human thriving. Even though tourism businesses attempt to be profitable through serving happiness, satisfaction and wellness, it is surprising that the relationship between tourism and human thriving remains under-researched (Smith & Kelly, 2006a). One of the facets of wellbeing in the positive psychology field that has also received attention among tourism scholars is wellness. The wellness-tourism interface has long historical roots, but recent studies treat wellness tourism ostensibly as a new form of activity.
Proceedings of the International Conference on Managing the Asian Century, 2013
The Asian spa is a rapidly growing segment in tourism, which has received much attention from var... more The Asian spa is a rapidly growing segment in tourism, which has received much attention from various sectors. This paper focuses on tourist spa-goers in the South and Southeast Asian region. More specifically, it aims to profile spa-going tourists based on their previous spa-experience. In segmenting the spa-going tourists, concepts from the literature and an industry report were used. The second aim is concerned with identifying the benefits that tourists have achieved as a result of their spa experiences. The findings of the study of 137 tourists in South and Southeast Asian countries consist of establishing three distinct types of tourist spa-goers (high, moderate and low experience). Broadly, the findings also suggest that spa experiences are beneficial to tourists’ well-being and the travel experience as a whole.
The Asian spa has seen considerable growth in recent years. Nonetheless, the dearth in the litera... more The Asian spa has seen considerable growth in recent years. Nonetheless, the dearth in the literature about the spa industry in Asia is evident. Tourist spa experiences are an intriguing aspect in this industry. In this study, blog analysis, which involved a progressive four-stage process, was employed to explore travel bloggers' spa experiences in India, Thailand and the Philippines. More specifically, this paper presents overview of travel blogs that contain accounts of tourist spa experiences as well as bloggers' perceived benefits from their spa experiences. The findings suggest that spa experiences are by and large positive experiences that benefit multiple dimensions of tourist well-being.
The contemporary travel motivation approach known as the travel career pattern (TCP) was selected... more The contemporary travel motivation approach known as the travel career pattern (TCP) was selected as the broad based framework to guide the assessment of the importance of health motives compared to other factors. The first aim of this paper is to locate the importance of health as a travel motive in the TCP. A second aim of the work lies in assessing the role of varied levels of travel experience in modifying the importance of health as a travel motive. The context for this work lies in a study of travellers selected for their participation in at least some form of health related tourist behaviours in South East Asia, most particularly India, Thailand and the Philippines. The core findings of the study of 336 travellers consists of establishing health as motive of mid level importance in the travel career patterns and that like other middle level motives increasing travel experience tends to lessen the importance of this motive in travellers' overall tapestry of motivational drivers.
The first aim of this paper is to locate the importance of health as a travel motive within the b... more The first aim of this paper is to locate the importance of health as a travel motive within the broader framework of all travel motivation. The contemporary travel motivation approach known as the travel career pattern (TCP) was selected as the broad based framework to guide the assessment of the importance of health motives compared to other factors. A second aim of the work lies in assessing the role of varied levels of travel experience in modifying the importance of health as a travel motive. The context for this work lies in a study of travellers selected for their participation in at least some form of health related tourist behaviours in South East Asia, most particularly India, Thailand and the Philippines. This sample of travellers enables the researchers to add to the literature on both motivational patterns and health tourism since there is limited work developing an understanding of select travellers from these communities in motivational analysis pertaining to health. The core findings of the study of 336 travellers consists of establishing health as motive of mid level importance in the travel career patterns and that like other middle level motives increasing travel experience tends to lessen the importance of this motive in travellers' overall tapestry of motivational drivers.
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