Browsing by Author "Xiao, Honggen"

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    The effect of tourists’ perceptions of a tourism product on memorable travel experience: Implications for destination branding
    (European journal of tourism, hospitality and recreation, 2016) Tukamushaba, Eddy K.; Xiao, Honggen; Ladkin, Adele
    The purpose of this study is to analyse how tourists’ perceptions of a destination’s tourism product influences memorable tourism experiences and how gender differences influence tourists’ perceptions of tourism product. To achieve these objectives, Uganda, one of the developing economies in East Africa, was chosen. The five A’s of tourism product was used as a basis for the questionnaire construction and data was analysed. Explanatory research design within the framework of confirmatory factor analysis – a structural equation modelling technique was adopted using the AMOS 18 program. A sample of 501 respondents consisting of tourists departing Uganda through Entebbe International Airport was used. Results showed that both the measurement and structural models exhibited better model fit indices. Overall, tourists’ perceptions of the retained four dimensions of tourism product (Attractions, ancillary services, amenities and accommodation) had a positive effect on memorable travel experience. Additionally, the independent T-test for gender and tourists’ perceptions of Uganda’s tourism product showed that on average, females had a positive evaluation of Uganda tourism product compared to their male counterparts. However, the observed difference was not significant.
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    Hospitality and Tourism Education in Uganda: An Integrative Analysis of Students’ Motivations and Industry Perceptions
    (Journal of teaching in travel & tourism, 2012) Tukamushaba, Eddy K.; Xiao, Honggen
    This article presents an integrative analysis of students’ motivations in choosing hospitality and tourism programs as well as industry perceptions of graduates’ qualifications for employment in Uganda. A mixed-method approach is used for data collection, analysis, and reporting. Quantitatively, the study replicates a motivational scale of choosing educational programs and identifies six factors that collectively explain about 60% of the variance in students choosing hospitality and tourism programs in this African developing economy. Industry perceptions of graduates’ qualifications for employment are reported on the basis of qualitative interviews. Implications of the study are discussed in light of curriculum and program refinement to better prepare future graduates for the industry.
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    Modeling Service Quality Improvement Priorities in Selected Hotels for Efficient Service Delivery
    (International Journal of Tourism Sciences, 2012) Tukamushaba, Eddy K.; Musinguzi, Dan; Katongole, Celestine; Xiao, Honggen
    This paper develops an integrated performance model that is aimed at improving service quality and providing accurate indicators that guide hotel managers in improving service priorities that promote customer satisfaction and eliminate resource wastage. The study was guided by three objectives of determining the level of importance of selected service quality attributes the level of satisfaction with selected service quality attributes and establishing the key service quality attributes that aid managers focus their improvement efforts. Quantitative techniques were used based on a sample size of 238 respondents selected from 30 hotels labeled as Common wealth Heads Of Government Meeting hotels in 2007. The findings indicate that out of the 22 service quality items, 13 needed
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    Self-transcendence: an alternative explanation for voluntourism in developing countries
    (International Journal of Sustainable Society, 2017) Tukamushaba, Eddy K.; Xiao, Honggen; Ladkin, Adele
    Travel associated with volunteering activities has been on increase and has attracted a cross section of people with varying demographic characteristics. This paper argues for self-transcendence as an alternative altruistic motivation for VOLUNtourists to travel to developing countries. A descriptive research design was used to guide the research process. A sample of 501 respondents who had completed their visit to Uganda for various reasons was used. Results indicate that, there was no significant association between gender and purpose of the visit, while age group was significantly associated with the purpose of visiting. Most visitors were seeking what was perceived to be at a being level. In Uganda most facilities within tourist attractions favour the adult age group and it is recommended that special consideration be put towards the development of affordable accommodation to cater for all age groups.
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    Theory in Hospitality, Tourism, and Leisure Studies
    (Journal of hospitality marketing & management, 2013) Smith, Stephen L. J.; Xiao, Honggen; Nunkoo, Robin; Tukamushaba, Eddy K.
    The term theory is used with diverse meanings, resulting in miscommunication and misunderstanding. This article examines how theory, as a word, is used in three leading journals in each of hospitality, tourism, and leisure studies fields over a 20-year period. Utilizing an iterative and comparative hierarchical coding, seven different forms of theory and trends in their usage by scholars over the 20 years are identified. Among the notable trends are: (a) a marked increase in the appearance of “theory” (as a word) and its variants over the years; (b) the virtual disappearance of natural science-type theory in the three fields; and (c) a dramatic rise in the use of theory as an analogy rather than as a substantive term. Implications and limitations of the study are also discussed