The Assessment of Competitiveness: The Case of Three Alpine Winter Sports Destinations

Abstract

A number of scientific contributions have attempted to measure destination competitiveness with the help of destination performance indicators either categorized as supply-side or demand-side measures. There is a lack of empirical studies that assess performance evaluation of both supply and demand side. Therefore, based on the theoretical discussion of destination competitiveness models, a selection of demand- and supply-side relevant indicators were developed and operationalized. The article aims at measuring destination competitiveness both perceived by tourists but also by stakeholders within three winter sports destinations. A logistic regression analysis for the quality standard of the tourism product as the dependent variable was carried out. The quality of accommodation, hotel staff, and information management, but also destination policy and planning indicators significantly influence the perception of the quality standard of the tourism product. This article concludes with recommendations for destination marketing.

Quality of tourism destination – a scale development

“…Petrick and Backman (2002) classified all these features under Quality of tourism destination the construct of "quality of non-monetary values". The business-related factors of the destination (Enright and Newton, 2004) also contribute to the destination uniqueness determining its competitive advantage (Hallmann et al, 2015). Enright and Newton (2004) have recognised this construct as "quality of attractors" (Qcoat).…”

Cultivating a Sense of Belonging and Promoting Sports Fans' Travel Intentions: Evidence From an Emerging Economy Market

“…The former may overlook the significance additional research in this area from multiple directions is much needed. Over the last 15 years there has been growth in sports tourism studies that have examined various topics within the discipline (e.g., Chang et al, 2020;Erbas, 2016;Hallmann et al, 2015;Pouder et al, 2018;Toh et al, 2007). However, there appears to be further gaps in the sports tourism literature.…”

Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) and their role in summer product development in selected Alpine countries

“…For many years, the trend for skiing in winter and beach stays in summer has had a direct repercussion on seasonality and disproportion between winter and summer tourist flows in Alpine areas (Bausch, Unseld, 2017;Béchet, Margretier, 2013). Despite the seasonal imbalance of tourist arrivals, winter tourism generates greater economic income and better supports development of several mountain resorts by financing of the infrastructure and job creation (Hallmann, Mueller, Peters, 2015;Zehrer, Smeral, Hallmann, 2016). However, the negative impact of seasonality affects all aspects of supply-side behaviour: finance, labour market and stakeholder operations (Boffa, Succurro, 2012;O'Mahony, Galloway, Bergin-Seers, Lee, McMurray, 2008).…”