ABSTRACT

This is a user-friendly textbook that covers qualitative, quantitative and social media methods, providing tourism, hospitality and events students and course leaders with an accessible guide for learning and teaching marketing research.

The book contains essential information on how to conduct research on visitor trends, experiences, preferences and lifestyles, shedding light on customer preferences, product changes, promotional efforts and pricing differences to ensure the destination is successful. It offers guidance on how to write, conduct and analyze the results of surveys, or use qualitative methods such as focus groups, interviews, projective techniques and observation. It also illustrates how social media can be used as a new means to determine visitor preferences by analyzing online data and conversations. Other content includes suggestions and examples on turning research data into actionable recommendations as well as advice on writing and presenting the final report.

Integrated with a wide range of case studies per chapter, this short and accessible textbook is essential reading for all students wishing to gain knowledge as to what visitors want from the travel, hospitality and/or event experience.

chapter 1|18 pages

Researching changing visitor preferences

chapter 3|18 pages

Starting the research process

chapter 4|18 pages

Choosing research participants

chapter 5|20 pages

Writing a visitor survey

chapter 6|18 pages

Administering visitor surveys

chapter 7|18 pages

Moderating focus groups

chapter 9|18 pages

Conducting visitor interviews

chapter 10|18 pages

Using social media to conduct research

chapter 11|18 pages

Analyzing research data

chapter 12|18 pages

Preparing the report and presentation