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Haywantee Ramkissoon (PhD)

Monash University, Monash Business School, Adjunct

University of Johannesburg, South Africa, College of Business and Economics, Senior Research Associate

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Dr Haywantee (Rumi) Ramkissoon is Full Professor of Tourism Marketing. She is based in Europe and Australia. She is also a Senior Research Associate at the University of Johannesburg. Rumi was honored with the international prestigious global Emerging Scholar of Distinction award, from the International Academy for the study of tourism for her contribution to innovative, ground-breaking research in tourism. She is a double doctorate 1)Applied environmental psychology, (2) Tourism. She has been a visiting scholar/professor at several reputable state universities in USA, and Canada, Australasia, Asia, and Europe. She got 4 scholarships for her doctoral studies and 2 postdoctoral fellowships based on academic excellence. She holds a Masters of Science degree in Tourism, Conservation and Sustainable Development from University of Greenwich, UK and her Bachelors degree is in Philosophy from University of Pune, India. Rumi also holds a graduate certificate in classical Indian dance Kathak.

Rumi has taught on undergraduate and postgraduate tourism programs at accredited world renowned universities. She writes and publishes on a range of issues in Sustainable Tourism Development. Her research has been published in high quality tourism and hospitality journals such as Annals of Tourism Research, Tourism Management, Journal of Travel Research, Journal of Sustainable Tourism, Tourism Analysis, and Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research among others. She is the book review editor for Current Issues in Tourism and serves as Research Note Editor for the Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management. She serves on the Editorial (Advisory) Board of 15 prestigious journals. She is a reviewer for several Tier 1 tourism, hospitality and natural resources journals. She is a joint recipient of research grants and an executive member of tourism/marketing boards.
Supervisors: Prof Muzzo Uysal, Prof Betty Weiler, and Assoc. Pof. Liam Smith

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Noel B. Salazar

KU Leuven

University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP)

Professor Dimitrios Buhalis

Bournemouth University

Cristina Bicchieri

University of Pennsylvania

Texas A&M University

Central European University

Kansas State University

Armando Marques-Guedes

UNL - New University of Lisbon

Laurajane Smith

The Australian National University

Stephen Whittle

Manchester Metropolitan University

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Book chapters by Haywantee Ramkissoon (PhD)

Tourism institutions and agencies. The Sage Handbook of Tourism Management

Tourism institutions and agencies. The Sage Handbook of Tourism Management, 2018

Role of Ethnic Cultural Events to Build an Authentic Destination Image: A case of “Pohela Boishakh”. In A. Hassan & A. Sharma (eds) Tourism Events in Asia. Routledge: Oxon, UK.

by Haywantee Ramkissoon (PhD) and Afreen Choudhury

Local festivals are becoming increasingly important tourist attractions for the sophisticate... more Local festivals are becoming increasingly important tourist attractions for the sophisticated tourist in quest of new authentic experiences (Ramkissoon and Uysal, 2014, Ramkissoon, 2015; 2016). The extent to which local festivals can grow as a point of attraction for international tourists while fulﬁlling their social and cultural roles at the national level is an issue of immense importance to social and cultural policy makers and destination marketers. This chapter explores the local festival of ‘Pohela Boishakh’, which is the celebration of the Bengali New Year, ‘Pohela Boishakh’. It is recognized by UNESCO as ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’ and identified as the largest national event of Bangladesh, a developing economy with crucial geo-political importance in the South-Asian region, with substantial economic promises for the local population (UNESCO, 2016). This chapter draws on Getz, Andersson and Larson (2007)’s framework to explore festival stakeholder relationships, especially, resource dependency issues, with a view to advancing the application of stakeholder theory to festival tourism, festival management and marketing in an integrated manner. Implications for tourism and event management along with theoretical advances are discussed with suggestions for future research in the field.
Keyword: festival branding, stakeholder theory, cultural heritage, heritage tourism

Ramkissoon, H. & Uysal, M. (2018). Authenticity as a value co-creator of tourism experiences. In Prebensen, N. K., Chen, J. S. and Uysal, M.S. (eds.) Creating Experience Value in Tourism, 3rd Edition. CABI, Wallingford, UK, pp. 98 – 109.

Authenticity as a value co-creator of tourism experiences., 2018

Augmented Reality Application in Visitor Experiences

Chapter Synopsis Technology as Augmented Reality (AR) is applied in tourist destinations mainly m... more Chapter Synopsis Technology as Augmented Reality (AR) is applied in tourist destinations mainly museums across the world to enhance visitor experiences. AR is a technology that integrates digital information with live video displays in the user's real time environment. AR application in museums can add relative advantages in terms of visitor experience. AR technology evidently is in application in museums in countries of the world, those typically tagged as having improved technological structures. In these museums mostly in Europe, AR plays a crucial role in knowledge sharing allowing spaces for visitor experience generation. Also, AR technology application arguably supports marketing and branding of that particular destination either by word-of-mouth recommendation or by repeat visit. The competitive advantages of AR technology application in museums suggest that this technology can possibly be replicated in countries with emerging tourism economies. This envisages Bangladesh as the instance. The country as a promising tourist destination has a considerable number of museums. Epitomizing the Bangladesh National Museum, the chapter concludes that the replication of AR technology application is a possibility in Bangladesh requiring three initial facts namely (1) lack of experts with relevant expertise, (2) display space capacity enhancement and (3) interest creation within the visitors.

Impact of sustainability practices on hospitality consumers’ behaviors and attitudes: A Case of LUX* Resorts & Hotels

by Haywantee Ramkissoon (PhD), Vishnee Sowamber, and Felix Mavondo

In Dogan Gursoy (ed). Routledge Handbook of Hospitality Marketing.

Hospitality Consumers’ Information Search Behavior: Reinforcement and Displacement of Traditional Media, D. Gursoy (ed.) Routledge Handbook of Hospitality Marketing

There is a growing interest from researchers and hospitality providers to understand how consumer... more There is a growing interest from researchers and hospitality providers to understand how consumers look for various products and services provided by the hospitality industry. With consumers using different media technologies, hospitality providers are now accelerating the flow of information across different channels of communication. This chapter seeks to explore significant gaps on the role of online media referred to as the “new media” on hospitality consumers’ information search behavior. This chapter contributes to the theoretical advancement of knowledge by delving into the significance of current trends in hospitality consumers’ information search behavior through the lens of convergence culture.

Keywords: Information search behaviour; new media; convergence culture; reinforcement; displacement

Hospitality Consumers’ Decision Making

D. Gursoy (ed) Routledge Handbook of Hospitality Marketing

With growing insights and the call for more sustainable practices to contribute to the protection... more With growing insights and the call for more sustainable practices to contribute to the protection of the environment, consumers of tourism and hospitality are becoming more ecologically conscious, demanding for more sustainable products. This chapter provides a review of behavioral models most relevant to choice of hospitality products and services. It contributes to the existing repertoire of knowledge through an exploration of information processing, personal efficacy, innovation and image as important factors influencing hospitality consumers’ decision-making, and brings forward a range of theoretical and practical implications. It is expected to assist hospitality providers to understand consumers’ decision-making in choice of sustainable hospitality products and services. This will allow practitioners make informed decisions in provision of sustainable innovative hospitality products and services sought by the target audience.

Keywords: Decision-making; Information processing; personal efficacy; innovation; image

Therapeutic landscapes, restorative environments, place attachment and well-being (Published in Nature and Public Health, eds. William Bird and Maltilda Annerstedt vab den Bosch)

Hassan, A. & Ramkissoon, H. Augmented reality application for visitor experiences: Examples and replication. Visitor Management, eds. Julia N. Albrecht, CABI)

Technology as Augmented Reality (AR) is applied in tourist destinations mainly museums across the... more Technology as Augmented Reality (AR) is applied in tourist destinations mainly museums across the world to enhance visitor experiences. AR is a technology that integrates digital information with live video displays in the user’s real time environment. AR application in museums can add relative advantages in terms of visitor experience. AR technology evidently is in application in museums in countries of the world, those typically tagged as having improved technological structures. In these museums mostly in Europe, AR plays a crucial role in knowledge sharing allowing spaces for visitor experience generation. Also, AR technology application arguably supports marketing and branding of that particular destination either by word-of-mouth recommendation or by repeat visit. The competitive advantages of AR technology application in museums suggest that this technology can possibly be replicated in countries with emerging tourism economies. This envisages Bangladesh as the instance. The country as a promising tourist destination has a considerable number of museums. Epitomizing the Bangladesh National Museum, the chapter concludes that the replication of AR technology application is a possibility in Bangladesh requiring three initial facts namely (1) lack of experts with relevant expertise, (2) display space capacity enhancement and (3) interest creation within the visitors.

Keywords: Augmented Reality, visitor experiences, museum, Bangladesh, replication

Ramkissoon, H. (2016). Place satisfaction, place attachment and quality of life: development of a conceptual framework for island destinations. Sustainable island tourism: competitiveness and quality of life, 106-116.

Existing research in island destinations have focussed largely on perceived positive and negative... more Existing research in island destinations have focussed largely on perceived positive and negative environmental, social, cultural and economic impacts. Recognizing the contribution of these studies, this chapter delves into how visitors’ place satisfaction contributes to overall quality of life, without which the sustainability of the tourism industry in small island economies may be threatened. Adopting the attitude-behaviour framework, the objective of this study is to propose and develop a theoretical framework bridging the nexus between place satisfaction, place attachment, pro-environmental behavior and overall quality of life of local visitors at distinctive cultural and natural attractions in island destinations. The integrated model draws from the environmental psychology literature proposing the mediating effects of (1) place attachment on the relationship between local visitors’ place satisfaction and pro-environmental behavior (2) local visitors’ pro-environmental behavior on the relationship between place attachment and their overall quality of life. The main theoretical contribution relates to the development of a conceptual framework proposing place attachment with the inclusion of the four dimensions (affect, identity, dependence, social bonding) and pro-environmental behavior as a mediating constructs in a single model. Suggestions for the implementation of sustainable island tourism and quality of life and limitations of the study are discussed.
Key words: Place attachment; Place satisfaction; Pro-environmental behavior; Quality of life

Ramkissoon. H. & Mavondo, F. Managing Customer Relationships in Hotel Chains: A Comparison between Guest and Manager Perceptions (Published in Routledge Handbook of Hotel Chain Management, eds. Vince Magnini, Maya Ivanova and Stanislav Ivanov p. 295)

by Felix Mavondo and Haywantee Ramkissoon (PhD)

Hristov, D. & Ramkissoon, H. Bringing Cross-disciplinarity to the Fore: A Methodological Framework for Leadership in Destination Management Organisations (published in R. Nunkoo (ed). Handbook of Research Methods in Tourism and Hospitality Management)

by Dean Hristov and Haywantee Ramkissoon (PhD)

Grounded in three core paradigms from the mainstream organisational literature, namely DMOs and d... more Grounded in three core paradigms from the mainstream organisational literature, namely DMOs and destinations, leadership and DL and Network theory and SNA, this chapter puts forward and discusses a cross-disciplinary, three-phase methodological framework for the study of the enactment and practice of DL in contemporary DMOs.

Ramkissoon, H. Traditional cultural festivals: The development of a conceptual framework. In J. Laing, & W. Frost. Rituals and traditional events in a modern world. Routledge

Ramkissoon, H. & Uysal, M. Authenticity as a value co-creator of tourism experiences. In N. Prebensen, J. Chen, & M. Uysal (eds). Experience value in tourism. CABI.

Ramkissoon, H. Samadhi Spa & Wellness Retreat: An Australian Case Study in Jay Kandampully Service Management (pp. 394-397). Kendall Hunt Publishing Company.

How Consumption Values Influence Destination Image Formation. In: Arch G. Woodside, Carol M. Megehee, Alfred Ogle (Eds.) Advances in Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research: Perspectives on Cross-Cultural, Ethnographic, Brand Image, Storytelling, Unconscious Needs, and Hospitality Guest Research (pp. 143-168). Emerald.

by Haywantee Ramkissoon (PhD) and Robin Nunkoo, Ph.D

Papers by Haywantee Ramkissoon (PhD)

Sport tourists’ preferred event Attributes and MotiveS: A Case of Sepak Takraw, Malaysia

Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research, 2020

This study investigates differences in motives, event attributes, and information sources, which ... more This study investigates differences in motives, event attributes, and information sources, which influenced sport tourists’ decision and attendance at the Sepak Takraw event in Malaysia. Data were collected from 224 domestic sports tourists and 92 foreign sports tourists. Findings show that domestic and foreign sports tourists significantly differed in their motives and preferred event attributes. Domestic sports tourists indicate using mass communication items in their decision making to attend the event. Social networking was the most important information source for foreign sports tourists. Practical implications for local sports tourism marketers within small-scale sports events in Malaysia are discussed.

Online Tourism Information and Tourist Behavior: A Structural Equation Modeling Analysis Based on a Self-Administered Survey

Frontiers in Psychology, 2020

This study presents the interacting phenomena of perceived tourist destination online content (TD... more This study presents the interacting phenomena of perceived tourist destination online content (TDOC) and tourists’ behavioral intentions with a mediating role of tourists’ satisfaction, which is as yet under-explored in hospitality and tourism research. A model based on three main constructs, namely TDOC (with sub-constructs of online information quality and user-friendly accessibility), satisfaction, and tourists’ behavioral intentions [with sub-constructs of intentions to visit a tourist destination and electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM)], is presented to determine the growth of tourism business with the internet. Data were collected via a questionnaire-based survey from 413 tourists staying at hotels in Lahore city in Pakistan. Partial least square structural equation modeling was used to statistically analyze the gathered data. The findings indicate that tourists’ perceived TDOC directly influences their behavioral intentions, while tourists’ satisfaction exerts a mediating influence between tourists’ perceived TDOC and their behavioral intentions. Taking advantage of an economical and widespread online environment, destination marketing organizations could attract more tourists by fostering confidence in TDOC and positive eWOM to remain competitive in the long run. Important theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Keywords: online tourism information, tourist perceptions, satisfaction, tourist behavior, electronic word-of-mouth, destination marketing

Industrialization of Nature in the Time of Complexity Unawareness, The Case of Chitgar Lake, Iran (forthcoming). Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research

by arash akhshik and Haywantee Ramkissoon (PhD)

Industrialization of Nature in the Time of Complexity Unawareness, The Case of Chitgar Lake, Iran (forthcoming). Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research, 2020

Employing a value-belief-norm framework to gauge Carthage residents’ intentions to support sustainable cultural heritage tourism. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, March 2020

by HUDA A . megeirhi, Haywantee Ramkissoon (PhD), and Tara Joyce Denley

Employing a value-belief-norm framework to gauge Carthage residents’ intentions to support sustainable cultural heritage tourism. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 2020

In light of the recent conflicts in Carthage over land use, Cultural heritage preservation, and s... more In light of the recent conflicts in Carthage over land use, Cultural heritage preservation, and sustainable tourism, this work utilized a value-belief-norm (VBN) theoretical framework to consider psychological antecedents of residents’ behavioral intentions to support Cultural heritage tourism. As such, personal values, cultural worldview, awareness of consequences, ascription of responsibility, and subjective norms were considered antecedents of intentions to support Cultural heritage tourism. Data were collected from 475 Carthage residents in nine neighborhoods adjacent to UNESCO World Heritage Sites using an on-site self-administered questionnaire. The proposed model was assessed through confirmatory factor analysis (to demonstrate sound psychometric properties across all 11 factors within the model), followed by structural equation modelling. Overall, 15 of the 19 proposed hypotheses were supported, ultimately contributing to 28% of the variance explained in residents’ behavioral intentions to support Cultural heritage tourism. This work not only provides support for the utilization of the VBN model within the context of cultural heritage tourism, it also deepens our understanding of the theoretical framework through the inclusion of the multi-dimensional construct cultural worldview.

Tourism institutions and agencies. The Sage Handbook of Tourism Management

Tourism institutions and agencies. The Sage Handbook of Tourism Management, 2018

Role of Ethnic Cultural Events to Build an Authentic Destination Image: A case of “Pohela Boishakh”. In A. Hassan & A. Sharma (eds) Tourism Events in Asia. Routledge: Oxon, UK.

by Haywantee Ramkissoon (PhD) and Afreen Choudhury

Local festivals are becoming increasingly important tourist attractions for the sophisticate... more Local festivals are becoming increasingly important tourist attractions for the sophisticated tourist in quest of new authentic experiences (Ramkissoon and Uysal, 2014, Ramkissoon, 2015; 2016). The extent to which local festivals can grow as a point of attraction for international tourists while fulﬁlling their social and cultural roles at the national level is an issue of immense importance to social and cultural policy makers and destination marketers. This chapter explores the local festival of ‘Pohela Boishakh’, which is the celebration of the Bengali New Year, ‘Pohela Boishakh’. It is recognized by UNESCO as ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’ and identified as the largest national event of Bangladesh, a developing economy with crucial geo-political importance in the South-Asian region, with substantial economic promises for the local population (UNESCO, 2016). This chapter draws on Getz, Andersson and Larson (2007)’s framework to explore festival stakeholder relationships, especially, resource dependency issues, with a view to advancing the application of stakeholder theory to festival tourism, festival management and marketing in an integrated manner. Implications for tourism and event management along with theoretical advances are discussed with suggestions for future research in the field.
Keyword: festival branding, stakeholder theory, cultural heritage, heritage tourism

Ramkissoon, H. & Uysal, M. (2018). Authenticity as a value co-creator of tourism experiences. In Prebensen, N. K., Chen, J. S. and Uysal, M.S. (eds.) Creating Experience Value in Tourism, 3rd Edition. CABI, Wallingford, UK, pp. 98 – 109.

Authenticity as a value co-creator of tourism experiences., 2018

Augmented Reality Application in Visitor Experiences

Chapter Synopsis Technology as Augmented Reality (AR) is applied in tourist destinations mainly m... more Chapter Synopsis Technology as Augmented Reality (AR) is applied in tourist destinations mainly museums across the world to enhance visitor experiences. AR is a technology that integrates digital information with live video displays in the user's real time environment. AR application in museums can add relative advantages in terms of visitor experience. AR technology evidently is in application in museums in countries of the world, those typically tagged as having improved technological structures. In these museums mostly in Europe, AR plays a crucial role in knowledge sharing allowing spaces for visitor experience generation. Also, AR technology application arguably supports marketing and branding of that particular destination either by word-of-mouth recommendation or by repeat visit. The competitive advantages of AR technology application in museums suggest that this technology can possibly be replicated in countries with emerging tourism economies. This envisages Bangladesh as the instance. The country as a promising tourist destination has a considerable number of museums. Epitomizing the Bangladesh National Museum, the chapter concludes that the replication of AR technology application is a possibility in Bangladesh requiring three initial facts namely (1) lack of experts with relevant expertise, (2) display space capacity enhancement and (3) interest creation within the visitors.

Impact of sustainability practices on hospitality consumers’ behaviors and attitudes: A Case of LUX* Resorts & Hotels

by Haywantee Ramkissoon (PhD), Vishnee Sowamber, and Felix Mavondo

In Dogan Gursoy (ed). Routledge Handbook of Hospitality Marketing.

Hospitality Consumers’ Information Search Behavior: Reinforcement and Displacement of Traditional Media, D. Gursoy (ed.) Routledge Handbook of Hospitality Marketing

There is a growing interest from researchers and hospitality providers to understand how consumer... more There is a growing interest from researchers and hospitality providers to understand how consumers look for various products and services provided by the hospitality industry. With consumers using different media technologies, hospitality providers are now accelerating the flow of information across different channels of communication. This chapter seeks to explore significant gaps on the role of online media referred to as the “new media” on hospitality consumers’ information search behavior. This chapter contributes to the theoretical advancement of knowledge by delving into the significance of current trends in hospitality consumers’ information search behavior through the lens of convergence culture.

Keywords: Information search behaviour; new media; convergence culture; reinforcement; displacement

Hospitality Consumers’ Decision Making

D. Gursoy (ed) Routledge Handbook of Hospitality Marketing

With growing insights and the call for more sustainable practices to contribute to the protection... more With growing insights and the call for more sustainable practices to contribute to the protection of the environment, consumers of tourism and hospitality are becoming more ecologically conscious, demanding for more sustainable products. This chapter provides a review of behavioral models most relevant to choice of hospitality products and services. It contributes to the existing repertoire of knowledge through an exploration of information processing, personal efficacy, innovation and image as important factors influencing hospitality consumers’ decision-making, and brings forward a range of theoretical and practical implications. It is expected to assist hospitality providers to understand consumers’ decision-making in choice of sustainable hospitality products and services. This will allow practitioners make informed decisions in provision of sustainable innovative hospitality products and services sought by the target audience.

Keywords: Decision-making; Information processing; personal efficacy; innovation; image

Therapeutic landscapes, restorative environments, place attachment and well-being (Published in Nature and Public Health, eds. William Bird and Maltilda Annerstedt vab den Bosch)

Hassan, A. & Ramkissoon, H. Augmented reality application for visitor experiences: Examples and replication. Visitor Management, eds. Julia N. Albrecht, CABI)

Technology as Augmented Reality (AR) is applied in tourist destinations mainly museums across the... more Technology as Augmented Reality (AR) is applied in tourist destinations mainly museums across the world to enhance visitor experiences. AR is a technology that integrates digital information with live video displays in the user’s real time environment. AR application in museums can add relative advantages in terms of visitor experience. AR technology evidently is in application in museums in countries of the world, those typically tagged as having improved technological structures. In these museums mostly in Europe, AR plays a crucial role in knowledge sharing allowing spaces for visitor experience generation. Also, AR technology application arguably supports marketing and branding of that particular destination either by word-of-mouth recommendation or by repeat visit. The competitive advantages of AR technology application in museums suggest that this technology can possibly be replicated in countries with emerging tourism economies. This envisages Bangladesh as the instance. The country as a promising tourist destination has a considerable number of museums. Epitomizing the Bangladesh National Museum, the chapter concludes that the replication of AR technology application is a possibility in Bangladesh requiring three initial facts namely (1) lack of experts with relevant expertise, (2) display space capacity enhancement and (3) interest creation within the visitors.

Keywords: Augmented Reality, visitor experiences, museum, Bangladesh, replication

Ramkissoon, H. (2016). Place satisfaction, place attachment and quality of life: development of a conceptual framework for island destinations. Sustainable island tourism: competitiveness and quality of life, 106-116.

Existing research in island destinations have focussed largely on perceived positive and negative... more Existing research in island destinations have focussed largely on perceived positive and negative environmental, social, cultural and economic impacts. Recognizing the contribution of these studies, this chapter delves into how visitors’ place satisfaction contributes to overall quality of life, without which the sustainability of the tourism industry in small island economies may be threatened. Adopting the attitude-behaviour framework, the objective of this study is to propose and develop a theoretical framework bridging the nexus between place satisfaction, place attachment, pro-environmental behavior and overall quality of life of local visitors at distinctive cultural and natural attractions in island destinations. The integrated model draws from the environmental psychology literature proposing the mediating effects of (1) place attachment on the relationship between local visitors’ place satisfaction and pro-environmental behavior (2) local visitors’ pro-environmental behavior on the relationship between place attachment and their overall quality of life. The main theoretical contribution relates to the development of a conceptual framework proposing place attachment with the inclusion of the four dimensions (affect, identity, dependence, social bonding) and pro-environmental behavior as a mediating constructs in a single model. Suggestions for the implementation of sustainable island tourism and quality of life and limitations of the study are discussed.
Key words: Place attachment; Place satisfaction; Pro-environmental behavior; Quality of life

Ramkissoon. H. & Mavondo, F. Managing Customer Relationships in Hotel Chains: A Comparison between Guest and Manager Perceptions (Published in Routledge Handbook of Hotel Chain Management, eds. Vince Magnini, Maya Ivanova and Stanislav Ivanov p. 295)

by Felix Mavondo and Haywantee Ramkissoon (PhD)

Hristov, D. & Ramkissoon, H. Bringing Cross-disciplinarity to the Fore: A Methodological Framework for Leadership in Destination Management Organisations (published in R. Nunkoo (ed). Handbook of Research Methods in Tourism and Hospitality Management)

by Dean Hristov and Haywantee Ramkissoon (PhD)

Grounded in three core paradigms from the mainstream organisational literature, namely DMOs and d... more Grounded in three core paradigms from the mainstream organisational literature, namely DMOs and destinations, leadership and DL and Network theory and SNA, this chapter puts forward and discusses a cross-disciplinary, three-phase methodological framework for the study of the enactment and practice of DL in contemporary DMOs.

Ramkissoon, H. Traditional cultural festivals: The development of a conceptual framework. In J. Laing, & W. Frost. Rituals and traditional events in a modern world. Routledge

Ramkissoon, H. & Uysal, M. Authenticity as a value co-creator of tourism experiences. In N. Prebensen, J. Chen, & M. Uysal (eds). Experience value in tourism. CABI.

Ramkissoon, H. Samadhi Spa & Wellness Retreat: An Australian Case Study in Jay Kandampully Service Management (pp. 394-397). Kendall Hunt Publishing Company.

How Consumption Values Influence Destination Image Formation. In: Arch G. Woodside, Carol M. Megehee, Alfred Ogle (Eds.) Advances in Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research: Perspectives on Cross-Cultural, Ethnographic, Brand Image, Storytelling, Unconscious Needs, and Hospitality Guest Research (pp. 143-168). Emerald.

by Haywantee Ramkissoon (PhD) and Robin Nunkoo, Ph.D

Sport tourists’ preferred event Attributes and MotiveS: A Case of Sepak Takraw, Malaysia

Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research, 2020

This study investigates differences in motives, event attributes, and information sources, which ... more This study investigates differences in motives, event attributes, and information sources, which influenced sport tourists’ decision and attendance at the Sepak Takraw event in Malaysia. Data were collected from 224 domestic sports tourists and 92 foreign sports tourists. Findings show that domestic and foreign sports tourists significantly differed in their motives and preferred event attributes. Domestic sports tourists indicate using mass communication items in their decision making to attend the event. Social networking was the most important information source for foreign sports tourists. Practical implications for local sports tourism marketers within small-scale sports events in Malaysia are discussed.

Online Tourism Information and Tourist Behavior: A Structural Equation Modeling Analysis Based on a Self-Administered Survey

Frontiers in Psychology, 2020

This study presents the interacting phenomena of perceived tourist destination online content (TD... more This study presents the interacting phenomena of perceived tourist destination online content (TDOC) and tourists’ behavioral intentions with a mediating role of tourists’ satisfaction, which is as yet under-explored in hospitality and tourism research. A model based on three main constructs, namely TDOC (with sub-constructs of online information quality and user-friendly accessibility), satisfaction, and tourists’ behavioral intentions [with sub-constructs of intentions to visit a tourist destination and electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM)], is presented to determine the growth of tourism business with the internet. Data were collected via a questionnaire-based survey from 413 tourists staying at hotels in Lahore city in Pakistan. Partial least square structural equation modeling was used to statistically analyze the gathered data. The findings indicate that tourists’ perceived TDOC directly influences their behavioral intentions, while tourists’ satisfaction exerts a mediating influence between tourists’ perceived TDOC and their behavioral intentions. Taking advantage of an economical and widespread online environment, destination marketing organizations could attract more tourists by fostering confidence in TDOC and positive eWOM to remain competitive in the long run. Important theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Keywords: online tourism information, tourist perceptions, satisfaction, tourist behavior, electronic word-of-mouth, destination marketing

Industrialization of Nature in the Time of Complexity Unawareness, The Case of Chitgar Lake, Iran (forthcoming). Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research

by arash akhshik and Haywantee Ramkissoon (PhD)

Industrialization of Nature in the Time of Complexity Unawareness, The Case of Chitgar Lake, Iran (forthcoming). Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research, 2020

Employing a value-belief-norm framework to gauge Carthage residents’ intentions to support sustainable cultural heritage tourism. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, March 2020

by HUDA A . megeirhi, Haywantee Ramkissoon (PhD), and Tara Joyce Denley

Employing a value-belief-norm framework to gauge Carthage residents’ intentions to support sustainable cultural heritage tourism. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 2020

In light of the recent conflicts in Carthage over land use, Cultural heritage preservation, and s... more In light of the recent conflicts in Carthage over land use, Cultural heritage preservation, and sustainable tourism, this work utilized a value-belief-norm (VBN) theoretical framework to consider psychological antecedents of residents’ behavioral intentions to support Cultural heritage tourism. As such, personal values, cultural worldview, awareness of consequences, ascription of responsibility, and subjective norms were considered antecedents of intentions to support Cultural heritage tourism. Data were collected from 475 Carthage residents in nine neighborhoods adjacent to UNESCO World Heritage Sites using an on-site self-administered questionnaire. The proposed model was assessed through confirmatory factor analysis (to demonstrate sound psychometric properties across all 11 factors within the model), followed by structural equation modelling. Overall, 15 of the 19 proposed hypotheses were supported, ultimately contributing to 28% of the variance explained in residents’ behavioral intentions to support Cultural heritage tourism. This work not only provides support for the utilization of the VBN model within the context of cultural heritage tourism, it also deepens our understanding of the theoretical framework through the inclusion of the multi-dimensional construct cultural worldview.

Social customer relationship management An integrated conceptual framework (2018). Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management

Social customer relationship management An integrated conceptual framework. , 2018

In recent years, the concept of customer relationship management (CRM) has undergone a major chan... more In recent years, the concept of customer relationship management (CRM) has undergone a major change from being a strategy that focused solely on establishing financial bonds with customers to one that promotes both transactional and interactional relationships with customers. This has given rise to a new form of CRM which is known as social customer relationship management (SCRM) or CRM 2.0. Hence, this study develops and proposes a conceptual model to address rela- tionships between customer relationship management, social media technologies, customer engagement, positive word of mouth and brand loyalty. This paper brings significant contributions to hospitality CRM literature and marketing communication theory. It serves as a reference for hospitality practitioners who can derive insights on the potential economic advantage such as brand loyalty and consumer behaviour benefits in the form of positive word of mouth which can result from the effective implementation of a SCRM strategy.

Transformation of destination leadership networks (2018). Tourism Management Perspectives, 28, 239-250.

Transformation of destination leadership networks. Tourism Management Perspectives, 2018

A B S T R A C T This paper investigates the transformation of a destination leadership network wi... more A B S T R A C T This paper investigates the transformation of a destination leadership network within a new funding and gov-ernance landscape for Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) and destinations in England. Current longitudinal evidence into the transformation of destination leadership networks and emergent Distributed Leadership (DL) in the literature domain of DMOs and destinations is thin. This study adopts a longitudinal case study and ego-network Social Network Analysis (SNA) approach, drawing on the perspectives of the founding and current Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of a DMO coupled with semi-structured expert interviews with policy makers from VisitEngland. Longitudinal data findings provide useful insights into the transformation of DMOs and their wider networks through the enactment of DL in order to cope with change and uncertainty.

Social Customer Relationship Management: An Integrated Conceptual Framework. Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management

by Haywantee Ramkissoon (PhD) and Felix Mavondo

Social Customer Relationship Management: An Integrated Conceptual Framework. , 2018

In recent years, the concept of customer relationship management (CRM) has undergone a major chan... more In recent years, the concept of customer relationship management (CRM) has undergone a major change from being a strategy that focused solely on establishing financial bonds with customers to one that promotes both transactional and interactional relationships with customers. This has given rise to a new form of CRM which is known as social customer relationship management (SCRM) or CRM 2.0. Hence, this study develops and proposes a conceptual model to address relationships between customer relationship management, social media technologies, customer engagement, positive word of mouth and brand loyalty. This paper brings significant contributions to hospitality CRM literature and marketing communication theory. It serves as a reference for hospitality practitioners who can derive insights on the potential economic advantage such as brand loyalty and consumer behaviour benefit in the form positive word of mouth; which can result from the effective implementation of a SCRM strategy.

Social involvement and park citizenship as moderators for quality-of-life in a national park. (Published in Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 2018)

Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 2018

This paper contributes to the advancement of quality-of-life research in tourism by examining c... more This paper contributes to the advancement of quality-of-life research in tourism by examining complex relationships involving direct, mediated, moderated and moderated mediation relationships among the antecedents to quality-of-life. Using a sample of 222 repeat visitors in an Australian national park, the findings indicate positive significant effects of (1) place satisfaction on quality-of-life; (2) place satisfaction on place attachment; (3) place attachment on quality-of-life; (4) park citizenship on place attachment. The findings further support that (5) place attachment mediates the relationship between place satisfaction and quality-of-life; (6) social involvement moderates the relationship between place satisfaction and place attachment; (7) park citizenship moderates the relationship between place satisfaction and place attachment; (8) social involvement moderates the relationship between place attachment and quality-of-life; (9) social involvement moderates the indirect effect of place satisfaction on quality-of-life. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed. Park managers, for example, need to promote on-site marketing and post-visit communication/interpretation, encouraging repeat visits and behavioural change. Message delivery needs to promote a sense of belonging to the park with personal meaning, creating place distinctiveness. Personal actions to promote include signing petitions supporting the park's biodiversity, and other resources, and volunteering to participate in meetings and other direct actions.

KEYWORDS: Quality-of-life, place satisfaction, place attachment, park citizenship, social involvement, moderated mediation

Visitors' Experience, Place Attachment and Sustainable Behaviour at Cultural Heritage Sites: A Conceptual Framework

by Haywantee Ramkissoon (PhD), Piera Buonincontri, and Alessandra Marasco

Sustainable tourism research has attracted wide interest from scholars and practitioners. While s... more Sustainable tourism research has attracted wide interest from scholars and practitioners. While several heritage sites are mandated to provide optimum visitor satisfaction with increasing competition in the market, managers of heritage sites face growing challenges in striking a balance between consumption and conservation. This calls for promoting more sustainable behaviours among consumers of heritage. This study proposes a conceptualization of sustainable behaviour for heritage consumers. Using the attitude–behaviour relationship underpinned by the Theory of Reasoned Action, it develops and proposes a conceptual framework that integrates visitors' heritage experiences, their attachment to heritage sites, and their general and site-specific sustainable heritage behaviour and presents their interrelationships as proposed hypotheses. Theoretical contributions and practical implications for heritage site managers are discussed.

A Model for Understanding Residents' Support for Tourism in Small Islands

by Christina Chi and Haywantee Ramkissoon (PhD)

Small island economies have traditionally been popular tourist destinations. Achieving sustainabl... more Small island economies have traditionally been popular tourist destinations. Achieving sustainable tourism development is a major challenge facing such economies. Yet, little research focusing on understanding small islands' residents attitudes have been conducted in the literature. Faced with unique characteristics, they deserve special attention, raising concerns about whether existing models and findings can be applied to understand community responses to tourism in such economies. To lessen this gap, this study develops a unique model for understanding small island community's attitudes to tourism. Pertinent factors likely to influence support for tourism are incorporated in the model.

Hristov, D., & Ramkissoon, H. (2016). Leadership in destination management organisations. Annals of Tourism Research, 61, 230-234.

Authenticity:The link between place attachment and destination image. Jiang, Y., Ramkissoon, H., Mavondo, F. T., & Feng, S. (2017). Authenticity: The link between destination image and place attachment. Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management, 26(2), 105-124.

by Haywantee Ramkissoon (PhD) and Shanfei Feng

This study explores the relationships between destination image, existential authenticity and dif... more This study explores the relationships between destination image, existential authenticity and different dimensions of place attachment in the nature-based tourism context. A visitor-centric model is proposed in which existential authenticity is the principal mechanism that links destination image to different dimensions of place attachment. Data was collected in a survey of international visitors to two popular nature-based tourism destinations in Australia. The results indicate (a) a positive and significant effect of destination image on existential authenticity; (b) a positive and significant effect of existential authenticity on place dependence, place identity, place affect and place social bonding; (c) a significant mediating effect of existential authenticity in the relationship between destination image and each of the four dimensions of place attachment. The implications of this study for academics, tourism authorities and destination marketing managers are discussed.
KEYWORDS existential authenticity, place attachment, destination image, mediating effect, nature-based tourism

Pro-environmental Behaviour: Critical link between Satisfaction and Place Attachment in Australia and Canada. Tourism Analysis, 22(1), 59-73.

by Haywantee Ramkissoon (PhD) and Felix Mavondo

Tourism Analysis, 2017

This study explores issues of scale equivalence and generalisability in national parks. Visitors’... more This study explores issues of scale equivalence and generalisability in national parks. Visitors’ place satisfaction, pro-environmental behaviour and place attachment are measured across two qualitatively distinct populations in Australia and Canada. Techniques employed in this cross-country study bring an important contribution to tourism research. The primary focus is to establish measure equivalence before undertaking hypothesis testing using structural equation modelling on a sample of 339 repeat visitors at the Dandenong Ranges National Park, in Australia and 296 repeat visitors at the Bruce Peninsula National Park, Canada. Results from both samples indicate (a) There is measure equivalence between the Australian and Canadian samples allowing comparability of findings; (b) a positive and significant effect of visitor place satisfaction on pro-environmental behavioural intentions; (c) a significant and positive influence of pro-environmental behavioural intention on place attachment (place identity, place dependence, place social bonding, place affect); and (d) a significant and negative effect of visitor place satisfaction on place social bonding. The main finding relates to the promotion of pro-environmental behaviours among national park users which in addition to individual benefits provides practical benefits for park managers, the society and environmental sustainability.

A Model for Understanding Residents' Support for Tourism in Small Islands

by Robin Nunkoo, Ph.D and Haywantee Ramkissoon (PhD)

International CHRIE Conference-Refereed Track, Aug 6, 2009

Small island economies have traditionally been popular tourist destinations. Achieving sustainabl... more Small island economies have traditionally been popular tourist destinations. Achieving sustainable tourism development is a major challenge facing such economies. Yet, little research focusing on understanding small islands' residents attitudes have been conducted in the literature. Faced with unique characteristics, they deserve special attention, raising concerns about whether existing models and findings can be applied to understand community responses to tourism in such economies. To lessen this gap, this study ...

Tourism And Inequality: Problems And Prospects

by Robin Nunkoo, Ph.D and Haywantee Ramkissoon (PhD)

Annals of Tourism Research, 2011

More than Just Biological Sex Differences: Examining the Structural Relationships between Gender Identity and Information Search Behavior

by Robin Nunkoo, Ph.D and Haywantee Ramkissoon (PhD)

Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research, Nov 19, 2010

The influence of gender on travelers’ information search behavior continues to attract the attent... more The influence of gender on travelers’ information search behavior continues to attract the attention of researchers. However, most scholars have studied gender differences from a biological perspective, treating gender as a unitary theoretical concept. This article challenges such an approach and argues for a more differentiated perspective to the study of gender differences in information search behavior. It approaches gender differences from a psychological perspective and proposes that the travelers’ gender identity (masculinity and femininity) is a determinant of their search behavior. The gender schema theory and the selectivity theory inform the model of the study. Five hypotheses are developed and are tested using responses collected from 568 tourists. Results from the structural equation modeling analysis indicate support for all hypotheses, confirming that gender identity is a good determinant of travelers’ search behavior. Travelers displaying high femininity traits were found to engage in more internal as well as external information search. Respondents with high masculinity traits relied less on both internal and external search for information. The theoretical and managerial implications, as well as the limitations of the study are discussed. The study also provides some directions for future research.

Gendered theory of planned behaviour and residents' support for tourism

by Haywantee Ramkissoon (PhD) and Robin Nunkoo, Ph.D

Current Issues in Tourism, 2010

Destination Marketing and Visitor Experiences: The Development of a Conceptual Framework

When confronted with increasingly experienced, demanding and sophisticated visitors, destination ... more When confronted with increasingly experienced, demanding and sophisticated visitors, destination marketers may find it problematic to succeed in destination marketing. This paper attempts to address this challenge through the exploration of the relationship between destination image and two critical indicators of successful destination marketing (visitor delight and place attachment). It integrates disparate themes in destination marketing and recognises the relationships between marketing stimuli, customer experiences and marketing outcomes. A comprehensive and coherent theoretical model is established to explain the complexities involved in the formation of important destination marketing outcomes. This article critically examines fun and customer orientation as two key concepts of visitor experiences and proposes them as principal mechanisms that mediate the relationship between destination image and visitor responses (visitor delight and place attachment). The paper's theoretical contributions, limitations and practical implications for tourism authorities and destination marketers are discussed.

Operations Management in the Travel Industry

by Robin Nunkoo, Ph.D and Haywantee Ramkissoon (PhD)

Annals of Tourism Research, 2010

How consumption values affect destination image formation

Advances in Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research, 2009

Scholars acknowledge the crucial role of values in influencing behavior and market choices. This ... more Scholars acknowledge the crucial role of values in influencing behavior and market choices. This paper examines the role of consumption values in influencing destination image and travel behavior by proposing a destination image formation model. Having as theoretical base the meansend chain theory and the theory of consumption values, the model suggests that destination image is a function of five consumption values and that these in turn influence travel behavior. The essay discusses some pertinent issues with respect to the measurement of such values. This involves conducting in-depth interviews based on the laddering technique, developing a structured questionnaire based on data from laddering, applying fuzzy logic to quantify the consumption values, and finally using k-means clustering to define segments of travelers holding similar images of the destination.

Ramkissoon & Sowamber ICHRIE Research Report Final.pdf

This report shows the exponential environmental and financial impacts achieved through multi-stak... more

Education and communication for sustainable lifestyle in Mauritius (2009-2010).

PhD Workshop Report. Submitted to BehaviourWorks Australia, Melbourne, Victoria (2012)

Evaluation of the Empower Public Video. Submitted to ClimateWorks Australia, Melbourne, Victoria (2012)

Evaluation of home Composting and food waste avoidance trial. Submitted to Whitehorse City Council, Victoria (2013)

Evaluating the effectiveness for Wipe for Wildlife and its campaign elements. Submitted to Zoo Australia, Melbourne, Victoria (2014)

How Consumption Values Influence Destination Image Formation

by Robin Nunkoo, Ph.D and Haywantee Ramkissoon (PhD)

Scholars acknowledge the crucial role of values in influencing behavior and market choices. This ... more Scholars acknowledge the crucial role of values in influencing behavior and market choices. This paper examines the role of consumption values in influencing destination image and travel behavior by proposing a destination image formation model. Having as theoretical base the means-end chain theory and the theory of consumption values, the model suggests that destination image is a function of five consumption values and that these in turn influence travel behavior. The essay discusses some pertinent issues with respect to the measurement of such values. This involves conducting in-depth interviews based on the laddering technique, developing a structured questionnaire based on data from laddering, applying fuzzy logic to quantify the consumption values, and finally using k-means clustering to define segments of travelers holding similar images of the destination. The paper emphasizes that combined use of a qualitative data collection method such as laddering with a structured questionnaire is an effective way of researching consumption values and their influence on image and travel behavior. The study also discusses a k-means clustering approach to define segments of travelers holding similar images of a destination and the degree of membership of travelers to each value. The paper concludes that segmenting travelers based on their consumption values enables destination marketers to better understand travelers' behavior. Value research has particular application for market analysis, segmentation, destination product planning, and promotional strategies. This paper contributes to the very limited number of studies that analyze the influence of consumption values on destination image and travel behavior. The theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches that the paper proposes are also new contributions to destination image studies. However, the paper does not empirically test the theoretical frameworks and methodological steps. To contribute further to this field of study, scholars should attempt to empirically test the approaches that the study discusses.

How Influencing Behaviours Can Accelerate the Transition to a Water Sensitive City, Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities, Australia

This Behaviour Assessment Database has been compiled as part of the Corporate Research Centre Wat... more This Behaviour Assessment Database has been compiled as part of the Corporate Research Centre Water Sensitive Cities (CRCWSC project on “Accelerating to Water Sensitive Cities by Influencing Behaviour” (Project A2.2). The overarching goal of this research project is to develop and test interventions that seek to change desirable behaviours, primarily in residents, to assist a movement toward water sensitive cities. To attain this, multiple phases of research have been planned to achieve the following four objectives:
1. Identify a pool of water-sensitive behaviours through consultation with industry stakeholders, literature review, sub-project team expertise and Government water departments.
2. Understand the typology of water sensitive behaviour as they relate to Australian communities through a large scale survey in cities (shared with social processes and literacy projects), including identifying both exemplars (water-sensitive users) and target audiences where water sensitivity can be increased.
3. Design a behavioural roadmap by prioritising (by ease of influence and efficacy) and sequencing (by considering potential for behavioural spill-over) the pool of behaviours.
4. In controlled conditions, test the efficacy of market, social marketing and regulatory tools for influencing prioritised behaviours.
The first of these tasks – identifying a pool of water-sensitive behaviours – was completed in 2013 along with a report entitled “Behaviours for reducing individual and collective water footprints”. In this report, a number of behaviours were articulated, drawing on a literature and practice review as well as data from three workshops with industry partners in Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane.
The main objective of this database is to partially achieve the second objective by presenting, on a behaviour by behaviour basis, details about the percentage of respondents who are performing/not performing the behaviour, the length of time they have engaged in the behaviour, and profiles of populations (include state by state) who are performing/not performing each behaviour. Data from the nationally-representative survey of 5,194 people is used to present participation and profile information.
In addition, we also present the impact and likelihood for a series of water conservation and pollution prevention behaviours. The terms “impact” and “likelihood” are of particular importance to both this report as well as to the overall objectives of the research program. By impact, we refer to the effect that participation in the behaviour will have on the issue at hand. For example, in some parts of Australia, water shortages remain an ongoing issue and specific behavioural responses to this issue include turning off taps when brushing teeth, fixing leaks, taking shorter showers and purchasing energy efficient appliances. Each of these behaviours will vary in the impact they have on the problem of water shortages and this report seeks to examine this via assessments of the perceptions of impact from water professionals and water consumers. Perceptions of impact are important because, whether right or wrong, they inform the decision-making of residents and professionals in selecting behaviours to target in campaign (professionals) and whether or not to undertake them (residents). We also look at impact for a series of water pollution behaviours.
Likelihood refers to the likelihood that a given behaviour will be adopted. There are a number of considerations in assessing whether or not a behaviour is intrinsically attractive to consumers. Previous research has shown that some features in behaviour are preferred, including the physical and cognitive ease of performing the behaviour as well as an assessment of the perceived financial cost of undertaking it. Also important is the perceived link between cause and effect (known as response efficacy) of the behaviour. Like impact, assessing these features of likelihood is useful for professionals in considering behaviours to target as well as to residents, who are more likely to undertake behaviours that are viewed as easy and making a tangible difference to a problem.
Perceptions about impact and likelihood were measured by asking, in separate but similar surveys, water professionals and residents about a number of criteria related to the impact and likelihood of 31 different water consumption and pollution behaviours (measures detailed in next section). This data was drawn from additional nationally representative samples of 151 (water consumption) and 150 (pollution) residents.
The importance of assessing impact and likelihood is to determine which behaviours are associated with higher scores on both these metrics. It is often the case that impact is weighted more heavily than likelihood and our hope is that water professionals, or anyone considering a behaviour change program, will use this database to consider the likelihood of adoption in addition to impact assessment.
It is also hoped that users of this database are assisted in identifying their target audiences. While we only provide some crude segmentation around behavioural performance (age, gender and state), considering these criteria as a starting point for who may be target audiences should prove useful in designing more tailored behaviour change programs.

Ramkissoon, H. Place Satisfaction, Place Attachment and Quality of Life: Development of a Conceptual Framework for Island Destinations (forthcoming in Sustainable island tourism: seasonality, competitiveness and quality of life, eds. Patrizia Modica & Uysal, M. Seasonality, CABI)

The role of advertising stereotypes in destination image formation and behavioural intentions of tourists to consume indigenous tourism attractions.

by Eslam Afifi and Haywantee Ramkissoon (PhD)

There is a lack of the analysis of the impact of advertising stereotypes in tourism research. The... more There is a lack of the analysis of the impact of advertising stereotypes in tourism research. The aim of this working paper is to conceptualize and theorize the roles of stereotypes in advertising within Indigenous tourism research and draw comparisons with advances in this regard in the field of destination marketing studies. This working paper and project seek to broaden the debate about the usage of stereotypes in advertising. The research seeks to challenge some of the assumptions about using stereotypes as a mental short-cut to create a simple and appealing message for tourists. The paper promotes different ways of thinking about stereotypes through a focus on destination image and intentions to consume Indigenous attractions. It contributes to a more balanced and critical understanding of advertising stereotypes from the perspective of tourists.

Keywords: stereotypes; advertising; worldmaking; destination image; Indigenous tourism

The antecedents to behavioural intentions of visitors to indigenous tourism sites

Indigenous tourism is positioned as an integral part of Australia’s tourism product offering. How... more Indigenous tourism is positioned as an integral part of Australia’s tourism product offering. However, over the past few years Australian Indigenous tourism have witnessed a decline on both international and domestic markets. The low tourists’ participation in Indigenous tourism have a negative impact on its sustainable development. This study integrates various streams of scholarly thought from tourism and marketing in an effort to study tourists’ future behavioural intentions to participate in Indigenous tourism. Using destination image theory, the study proposes that tourists’ behavioural intentions are dependent on aset of factors related to tourists’ motivations, Indigenous tourist attractions, destination image, and tourist experience. Further, the study proposes that the effects of these factors are moderated by communication effectiveness and engagement with Indigenous people.

An investigation of how user generated content influences place affect towards an unvisited destination

by Haywantee Ramkissoon (PhD) and Kanruthai Chanchaichujit

This research aims to explore how and why individuals form emotional bonds with an unvisited dest... more This research aims to explore how and why individuals form emotional bonds with an unvisited destination from user generated content (UGC). Extended photo-elicitation technique and go along interview will be applied to collect data which will be analysed with template analysis. Conceptual framework of the influence of UGC on place affect formation and behavioral intention consequences toward unvisited destinations will be developed.
Keywords: user generated content, place affect, unvisited destination, photo-elicitation, destination marketing organisations