Title: Tourist vanpool operation and simulation: a case study of Penghu Island

Authors: H.C. Kang, Y.W. Wang, C.R. Wang

Addresses: Department of Hospitality Management, National Penghu University, Penghu, Taiwan. ' Department of Marketing and Logistics Management, National Penghu University, Penghu, Taiwan. ' Graduate School of Service Management, National Penghu University, Penghu, Taiwan

Abstract: This study proposes a discrete simulation model to identify the benefits of a vanpool for B&Bs (bed and breakfasts). We identify the system behaviour under different pool strategies and evaluate their performance on petroleum use, number of vehicles, pollutant emissions, etc. The selected case is a 21-kilometer fixed origin-destination (round trip) vanpool operated by three B&Bs total with six vans from the city central of Magong to the tourist center of Chihkan. The case study shows that the total travel length by vans and rental buses will reduce around 25% over a three-month period if a vanpool scheme is adopted. The results demonstrate that personal driving can be reduced and energy saving can be achieved effectively by an appropriate vanpool system for tourist services.

Keywords: bed and breakfast; B&Bs; vanpool; discrete simulation; tourist services; tourism; vans; rental buses; Taiwan.

DOI: 10.1504/IJECRM.2008.020410

International Journal of Electronic Customer Relationship Management, 2008 Vol.2 No.3, pp.251 - 261

Published online: 22 Sep 2008 *

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