Browsing by Author "AGAPITO, DORA"
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- Book ReviewPublication . AGAPITO, DORAAdvanced Introduction to The Experience Economy is a timely book that discusses the theoretical underpinnings of experiencing. More than two decades after Pine and Gilmore's introduction of the popular notion of the experience economy (see e.g. Pine & Gilmore, 1998), Jon Sundbo reflects on the concept of experience and contrasts it to other concepts, sometimes used interchangeably in the literature, such as cultural economies, cultural industries and creative economies. In this text, similarities and differences are depicted, and the value of the experience economy is explored.
- Comparing sensory experience creation process of visitors with hearing impairment and general visitors in Hong Kong Wetland ParkPublication . Chan, Chung Shing; Shek, Kwo Fung; AGAPITO, DORAUniversal accessibility and barrier-free experience of public spaces such as parks are at the frontier of social sustainability and disability research. Such accessible and quality public spaces are characterized by enjoyable sensory stimuli and facilitating factors determining the process of sensory experience creation. Among visitors with sensory impairment such as different ranges of hearing loss, an understanding and a comparison of this process with that of general visitors is largely absent. This paper presents a comparative investigation of the sensory experience creation process between visitors with hearing impairment (HI) and that of general visitors in the Hong Kong Wetland Park. This study incorporates a series of field visits to the Wetland Park with a sample of 104 HI participants and their self-reported, questionnaire-based survey, in parallel with 279 general visitor surveys. Through an inter-group statistical comparison between HI sub-groups of severe hearing loss and mild hearing loss and general visitors who reported no hearing difficulty, the findings suggest three variables with significant difference, namely, experienced tactile sense, interactions with other visitors, and feelings of attachment to the Wetland Park. HI experience-based recommendations are categorized into park features and environment and programming and experience enhancement.
- Designing accessible tourism experiences: slow, sensory and smart frameworkPublication . AGAPITO, DORA; Guerreiro, ManuelaSlow tourism is an emergent research area focused on slowing the pace of life during vacations. A comprehensive multi-sensory approach can contribute to designing enhanced slow tourism experiences deemed accessible, both in situ and remotely. There is a research gap in considering multi-sensory stimuli in the design of accessible tourism experiences using technology. As such, this research intends to propose a theoretical framework focused on the development of slow tourism through sensory cues and smart technologies. In so doing, a critical approach to literature was carried out by intersecting three areas of literature following the rationale of the Stimuli-Organism-Response model: slow tourism, multi-sensory tourism experiences design, and smart destinations. The significance of this framework is threefold: it strengthens local identities and aids sustainable tourism by involving the community; it promotes experiences deemed authentic considering multiple stakeholders’ perspectives; and it addresses the visitor experience before, during and after the visit to the destination in an accessible manner using smart technologies. A framework with six steps is offered based on participatory methods.
- Designing compelling accommodationscapes: Testing a framework in a rural contextPublication . AGAPITO, DORA; Pinto, Patrícia; Ascenção, Mário Passos; Tuominen, PasiWell-designed experiencescapes are deemed a key factor in the marketing of tourist experiences aiming at positive tourists’ responses. However, this aspect has been underrepresented in empirical research focused on accommodation businesses. This study proposes the construct compelling accommodationscape and empirically tests a theoretical framework in a rural context through the lens of experiential marketing. The proposed construct is presented as the external stimuli that underlie an engaging context of the guest experience in lodging units, based on the idea that a holistic approach to stimuli can evoke interest and attention; and, subsequently, act as a driver to positive action. Apart from physical stimuli and staff performance, which have been the factors more commonly examined in services marketing, the construct compelling accommodationscape extends the servicescape approach by also addressing product-related factors, the existence of a theme and social interactions. Structural equation modelling applied to data from a survey administered in rural lodgings in Southwest Portugal supports that the five external factors underlie the proposed construct. In turn, compelling accommodationscape is positively related to tourists’ satisfaction and positive behavioural intentions. Theoretical and practical implications are provided for scholars and rural accommodation managers.
- Experience management in hospitality and tourism: reflections and implications for future researchPublication . AGAPITO, DORA; Sigala, MariannaPurpose - This paper aims to provide a critical reflection on the management of experiences in hospitality and tourism (H&T). The paper investigates the evolution of experience research, while discussing the emerging challenges and opportunities for management. Design/methodology/approach - The study adopts a critical and reflective approach for providing future directions of experience research. Three major fields are identified to discuss advances, challenges and opportunities in experience research: conceptualization and dimensions of experiences; relational network for experience management; and theoretical and methodological approaches. Findings - The paper proposes a mindset shift to guide experience research, but also to redirect and research thinking and managerial practices about the role of experiences in the economy and society. This proposed humanized perspective to experience research and management is deemed important given the contemporary socio-economic, environmental and technological challenges of the environment. Research limitations/implications - This paper identifies a set of theoretical and managerial implications to help scholars and professionals alike to implement the humanized perspective to experience research. Implications relate to conceptualization, relational network and theoretical and methodological approaches in experience research. Originality/value - This study critically assesses research challenges and opportunities around customer experience management (CEM) in H&T contexts. This reflective and critical look at customer experiences not only informs future research for advancing knowledge and practice but also proposes a mindset shift about the role and nature of CEM in the society and economy.
- Introduction to the handbook on the tourist experience: Design, marketing and managementPublication . AGAPITO, DORA; Woosnam, Kyle; Ribeiro, Manuel AlectorThis chapter introduces the Handbook on the Tourist Experience: Design, Marketing and Management. In so doing, it reflects on the experiential approach to tourism and the rationale of designing, marketing and managing tourism experiences. The chapter introduces concepts, elaborates around the current concern in tourism research and practice of adopting a responsible managerial approach to tourist experiences, and synthesises the compilation of chapters presented in the handbook.
- Meaningful experiences in tourism: A systematic review of psychological constructsPublication . Câmara, Ester; Pocinho, Margarida; AGAPITO, DORA; Jesus, SaúlThis study explored the components of meaningful tourist experiences together with their antecedents and outcomes according to a framework of positive psychology and tourism. The theoretical rationale of this systematic literature review was chosen to clarify the synergies between these constructs, wellbeing and mindfulness to understand how tourists derive meaning from their experiences. The scientific platforms Scopus and Web of Science were selected to conduct the search for journal articles. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the final sample was comprised of 70 articles. The results evidence the holistic character of meaningful experiences in tourism in terms of personal, emotional, wellbeing, relational and behavioural dimensions that enable a better conceptualisation of the construct. These experiences were significantly assessed on life satisfaction, meaning and purpose, emotions, authenticity and mindfulness. This review highlights the potential of positive psychology to maximise tourists' wellbeing through their experiences. It represents an opportunity for the tourism and hospitality industry as well as other entities to enhance tourists' experiences, such as researchers, psychologists, resident communities and universities. Therefore, this study contributes to future research to better assess meaningful tourist experiences and to tourism companies so they can manage enhanced experiences considering the multidimensional nature of the construct from a positive psychology perspective.
- The connection between VFR experience based and sociocultural dimensions of international students and mainland Chinese studentsPublication . Chan, Chung Shing; Pikkemaat, Birgit; AGAPITO, DORA; Zhou, QinrouPurpose – This paper aims to present the host experience of student hosts in Hong Kong, a popular educational destination for international students from mainland China and other countries. This study examines the interconnection between the experience-based and sociocultural dimensions of visiting friends and relatives (VFR) travel, considering the overall host experience, the host–guest relationship and post-hosting changes in perception of both the VFR experience and destination. Design/methodology/approach – This research adopts a qualitative approach to compare the experience-based and sociocultural dimensions of VFR travel considering international university students as VFR hosts in Hong Kong, taking a student sample from both mainland Chinese and overseas students. Based on a voluntary sampling approach, the research team had face-to-face interviews with the students that agreed to participate. The interviews were conducted voluntarily and anonymously and included those students who had hosted any friends or relatives in the past 12 months. A total of 26 interviews were successfully completed, including 10 mainland Chinese and 16 non-mainland Chinese students. Findings – The results confirm that the VFR host experience is generally shaped by an integration of internal characteristics (sociocultural characteristics of both hosts and visitors) and external environment (urban infrastructure and tourism resources). The two groups distinctively express their host experience that shows some areas of cultural barriers and geographical proximity. Research limitations/implications – The limitations of this research mainly lie on its relatively small sample size because of constraints in accessing the contact information of international students across universities. These shortcomings should be improved by adopting a research design that uses other sampling approaches, such as snowball sampling, to include a wider scope of students from different local universities, or convenience sampling, to interview and compare responses of international students from various educational destinations. Alternative data sources may be considered, for example, through usergenerated contents from online and social media platforms that contain sharing of students as hosts. Practical implications – The geographical and cultural proximities influence VFR tourism development and social construction of values and the consequent hosting behaviour. The unique role of international students should be further explored, especially in the Asian context. The outcome of VFR travel must be evaluated and studied more from cultural and personal dimensions than economic gain, which should be relevant to host perspective such as improved quality of life, social ties and place attachment and psychological benefits. The changing risk perception caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may be examined through some forms of travel intention. Social implications – Firstly, the destination marketing organisations of the educational destination should address the difficulty faced by student hosts in terms of external attributes such as local culture, urban infrastructure, tourism resources and information accessibility. Secondly, to target the hosts, some specific VFR-related products and services may be developed for international students through local tertiary institutions such that the role of hosts as ambassadors can be facilitated and enhanced. Thirdly, the functional role of international students can be distinctive based on their unique network, activities and knowledge constructed upon learning during the period of education.
- The sensory experience of visitors with hearing impairment in Hong Kong Wetland Park based on spatial sensory mapping and self-reported textual analysisPublication . Chan, Chung-Shing; Shek, Kwo Fung; AGAPITO, DORAThis study investigates the multi-sensory experience of visitors with hearing impairment (HI) in Hong Kong Wetland Park through spatial mapping of their self-reported positive and negative sensory stimuli, and expres-sion of the overall experience. A series of field visits for a total of 104 sampled voluntary HI participants were set up, applying a modified Sensory Experience Elicitation Protocol (SEEP) instrument in the form of self-administered questionnaire, to extract sensory information. The results show the geographical distribution of sensory stimuli and their spatial pattern of magnitude across different zones and features in the Wetland Park. Tactile experience of the HI participants is relatively rich compared to other non-visual senses. A combination of different stimuli can be found in the park, although visual, auditory and tactile elements seem to be more prominent.
- Understanding Vanlife: the current state of the art of a vehicle-based hypermobile travel phenomenonPublication . Muhs, Christina; AGAPITO, DORA; Pereira, LuisThis article outlines the current state of the art on Vanlife from a tourism perspective, highlighting and summarizing definitions derived from literature. Hypermobile lifestyles, often used interchangeably with Vanlife, such as ‘Digital Nomads’, ‘RVing’, ‘Backpacking’ and ‘Lifestyle Travellers, are reviewed by theoretically depicting the similarities and separating factors between the concepts. The literature section applies an integrative approach to advancing knowledge and producing a theoretical framework. Based on the literature review and identified research gaps, this paper develops the Vanlife segmentation research framework. The framework paves the way for future studies on Vanlife and its various segments. Lastly, a definition of Vanlife in a tourism context is provided to aid future research on the vehicle-based hypermobile travel style.