Importance-performance analysis to inform visitor management at marine wildlife tourism destinations

Bibliographic Data

ID19554303
AuthorsGreg Simpson (0000-0003-4926-5491, Murdoch University, corresponding author), Greg D Simpson, Jessica Patroni (0000-0001-8975-3890, Murdoch University), Albert C K Teo (Universiti of Malaysia Sabah), Jennifer Kim Lian Chan (0000-0002-5651-791X, Universiti of Malaysia Sabah), David Newsome (0000-0003-1482-6703, Murdoch University)
Year2019
Volume6
Issue2
Pages165-180
Publication date2019-12-31
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Tourism Futures (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2055-5911 • E-ISSN: 2055-592X
PublisherEmerald (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1108/jtf-11-2018-0067
OpenAlexW2998630785
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited53

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to postulate that the technique of Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) is currently underutilised in visitor management studies reported in the peer-reviewed marine wildlife tourism (MWT) research literature. Further, this paper provides insight into how IPA could inform future research and management of tourism experiences at marine wildlife destinations. Design/methodology/approach This paper synthesises learning gained from the natural area tourism and recreation literature that report the application of IPA in MWT and insights from a recent study at the Dolphin Discovery Centre in Bunbury, Western Australia. Findings Although currently underutilized in MWT research, IPA is a relatively straightforward, easy to interpret, and, if correctly applied, a powerful tool that managers and researchers can employ to investigate and enhance visitor satisfaction in the short-term and for longer-term sustainability of the industry through visitor-informed tourism management. Originality/value Having identified the opportunity to enhance visitor experiences, site management and target species welfare through increased IPA research, this review provides a plain language introduction to the application of IPA and direct access to comprehensible academic discourses and exemplars for the technique. Moreover, in light of increasing tourism demand, IPA can assist in determining management options for the future

Business · Destinations · Ecotourism · Environmental planning · Environmental resource management · Geography · Originality · Political science · Qualitative research · Recreation · Social science · Sociology · Sustainability · Tourism · Visitor pattern · Wildlife · Wildlife management · Wildlife tourism · Computer Science · Cruise Tourism Development and Management · Diverse Aspects of Tourism Research · Environmental Science · Recreation, Leisure, Wilderness Management · Ecology · Marketing

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access