2011 TTRA International Conference
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Publication Why Do I Forget to Recycle While on Vacation?(2011) Oliver, Jason D.; Benjamin, StefaniePublication WORKING IN A SPACE HOTEL. IDYLLIC FANTASY OR A NON-REALITY?(2011) Strickland, PaulAlthough not yet a reality, space hotels will become another product offered by the tourism and hospitality industry in the future. It is therefore appropriate to start exploring this fast growing phenomenon and ascertain if the most likely employees will be people formally trained in the tourism and/or hospitality fields. The aim of this study is to identify the motivations (if any) of current tourism and hospitality (T & H) students willingness to work in a space hotel based on motivational research conducted by Kim, Guo, Wang and Agrusa (2007). The findings suggest that many students would be willing to work in a space hotel based on current expectations and industry attractiveness, job opportunities, salary and sense of adventure. However, the participants were less likely to work in a space hotel if they were married, had children and if space hotel employment would negatively impact on their personal health.Publication Differentiation of Tourism Online Information Channels through Information Search Activities(2011) Wang, Daniel; Park, Sangwon; Fesenmaier, Daniel R.This study argues that since information search activities of online travel planners are outcome oriented, the selection of tourism online information channels is highly predictable. Building upon this assumption, this study examined the extent to which one could differentiate tourism online information channels through the online information search activities of online travel. The results of a series of logistic regression analyses of online American travelers confirm that there are significant and meaningful differences in the core functions of the various online information channels. The online travelers select different information channels based on different needs such as booking, generating ideas. Thus, the results of this study clearly suggest that tourism marketers can develop their competitive advantage by structuring their advertising program to match the information needs of those travelers based upon information channel.Publication Education in Ecolodges in Panama and Costa Rica(2011) Osland, Gregory E.; Mackoy, RobertEducation of tourists at nature-based lodges can significantly affect their awareness, understanding, appreciation, and appropriate values and behaviors regarding the natural environment and the local community. This research seeks to explicate and synthesize theories and best practices in environmental education in the context of ecotourism. Using data from interviews and participant observation, it describes, classifies and compares the educational efforts directed toward guests of 14 leading ecolodges in Costa Rica and Panama. Relationships among educational goals and tourists’ satisfaction and views of the educational performance of nature guides are uncovered. Managerial recommendations are provided, including ways to improve the effectiveness of guides in educating lodge guests.Publication Vodka Tourism in Estonia: Cultural Identity or Clearly Commerce?(2011) McKenzie, Dr. BrentVodka has been produced in Estonia since the late 1700’s. It has been said that 90% of Estonian Manor homes during that period had their own “vodka kitchen” for distilling the product. This cultural orientation of vodka changed to commerce with the introduction of a ferry service between the Finnish capital city of Helsinki and Estonia’s capital Tallinn in 1968. So called “vodka tourism” began to appear. Today approximately 15% of the total alcohol consumed in Finland is purchased in Tallinn area stores. This research examines the role of vodka, and “vodka tourism”, as it pertains to culture and commerce in Estonia.