Title: Exploring perceptions for Cyprus as a sustainable golf destination: motivational and attitudinal orientations of golf tourists

Authors: Nikolaos Boukas; Vassilios Ziakas

Addresses: Center for Sustainable Management of Tourism, Sport and Events (CESMATSE), European University Cyprus, 6 Diogenes Str. Engomi, P.O. Box 22006, 1516 Nicosia, Cyprus ' International Centre for Research in Events, Tourism and Hospitality (ICRETH), Leeds Metropolitan University, Headingley Carnegie Pavilion, Room 515, Kirkstall Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS6 3DP, UK

Abstract: The study examines the perceptions of golf tourists in Cyprus, focusing on the sustainable character of golf practices through a series of statements that explore their motivation, and the experienced attributes of the Cypriot golf tourist product. Based upon a survey in three Cypriot golf courses, results show that the major motives of golf tourists to visit Cyprus include the island's natural characteristics and the friendly environment. Furthermore, their perceptions concern their social interaction, environment and relaxation. The findings provide insight for the policy-makers to understand golf tourists' perceptions and design accordingly the Cypriot golf tourism product. An integrative model is proposed for examining the motivation and perceptions of golf tourists in relation to attributes that can shape meaningful experiences and the sustainable development of golf tourism. This line of inquiry can be a useful perspective in examining comprehensively the shaping of sport tourist experiences within a sustainability context.

Keywords: tourist perceptions; golf tourism; motivation; attributes; sustainability; sustainable development; sports tourists; tourist experiences; self-perception; Cyprus; sustainable tourism; sustainable golf destinations; golf tourists; golf practices; tourist destinations; sport management; sport marketing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSMM.2013.060639

International Journal of Sport Management and Marketing, 2013 Vol.14 No.1/2/3/4, pp.39 - 70

Published online: 05 Jul 2014 *

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