Title: Rural tourism quality: Fayoum as a rural tourist destination in Egypt

Authors: Mohammed I. Eraqi

Addresses: Tourism Studies Department, Faculty of Tourism and Hotels, Fayoum University, 110/4B/Bitco, 32 Al-Ahram Street, Giza, Egypt

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to give an overview of tourism services quality in Fayoum region as a rural tourist destination from the viewpoints of inbound tourists. Data were collected through a questionnaire form that was distributed among a random sample of inbound tourists. The research outcomes revealed that the quality of tourism services in Fayoum is well received. All tourists evaluate the transport services quality as being at a suitable level; tourism service providers are helpful; the quality of guiding, learning and information is suitable, and the quality of price, accommodation and food and beverage is good. The level of satisfaction is accepted and tourists achieved value from their visit to Fayoum. However, it is vital for Fayoum tourism organisations/companies to facilitate direct marketing on the nearby markets by proposing simple products and short stays, while ensuring promotion of their area with strong territorial identities and first-class service.

Keywords: rural tourism; service providers; quality standards; customer satisfaction; Fayoum; Egypt; tourist destinations; inbound tourists; random samples; transport services; tour guides; guiding; tourist information; prices; accommodation; food; beverages; drink; hotels; catering; restaurants; direct marketing; markets; short stays; advertising; product promotion; territorial identities; first-class services; simple products; tourism anthropology; tourist industry.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTA.2010.036847

International Journal of Tourism Anthropology, 2010 Vol.1 No.1, pp.70 - 86

Published online: 12 Nov 2010 *

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