Title: Sporting and recreational services demand constraints in ski centres: a segmentation research study based on the annual frequency of arrivals

Authors: Chris Vassiliadis, George Siomkos, John Mylonakis

Addresses: University of Macedonia, 156, Egnatia Street 156, 540–06 Thessalonica, Greece. ' 76, Patission Street, 104–34 Athens, Greece. ' 10 Nikifirou Street, Glyfada, 166 75, Athens, Greece

Abstract: This paper advances our understanding of the constraint analysis regarding the recreation and sporting demand, emphasising ski centres. After a concise literature review, a survey research from 1316 visitors of the 12 most popular ski centres in Greece is presented, aiming at analysing the two critical groups of visitors. The segmentation criterion used in the study is the visitors| medium annual frequency of arrival. The statistical process results strengthen the ascertainment of previous research regarding the importance of intrapersonal and, partly, structural constraints faced by potential ski-centre visitors. Managerial implications are made regarding the optimal way of acting and approaching the two distinct categories of visitors (i.e., frequent visitors versus nonfrequent visitors).

Keywords: constraint analysis; discriminant analysis; group means analysis; ski centres; market segmentation; frequency of use; sporting services; recreational services; service demand; sport management; sport marketing; Greece; demand constraints; skiing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSMM.2006.010571

International Journal of Sport Management and Marketing, 2006 Vol.1 No.4, pp.411 - 428

Published online: 01 Aug 2006 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article