Microsoft Word 2007 ichrie conference Proceedings Final-Final 06-06-07. doc

 
2007 Annual International CHRIE Conference & Exposition 
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the quality of vacation experience during the different phases closely relate to tourists’ perception of destination 
competitiveness. In other words, tourists’ perception on whether they receive a high quality tourism experience will 
directly influence their opinion on whether the destination is superior and more competitive than other alternative or 
similar destinations.
This study initiated the examination of destination competitiveness from the tourists’ perspective by 
understanding the relationship between different phases of tourism experience and tourists’ perceived destination 
competitiveness. This study reiterates that in order to increase the perceived destination competitiveness in tourists’ 
mind, it is necessary for destination managers and marketers to provide overall high quality tourism experience to 
visitors. Future research is suggested to investigate the correlations among individual indicators in each variate of 
the perceived destination competitiveness and quality of tourism experience constructs in order to better understand 
the specific interrelationship between the two concepts. In addition, future studies could further assign individuals to 
the variates to understand and/or form different types of “segments” or clusters of tourists that may favor certain 
types of the shared variance between the two constructs. As discussed earlier, both destination competitiveness and 
tourism experience are very complex constructs which could and should be examined from various approaches and 
perspectives. Therefore, future studies should develop more unified definition of the two concepts. Research is also 
needed to build on the conceptual framework which combines the demand and supply side of the destination 
competitiveness in terms of concept, perceptions, and practices.