Title: Linking island tourist activity participation and satisfaction - evidence from Fiji

Authors: Xiaoxiao Fu; Xinran Y. Lehto; Liping A. Cai; Alastair M. Morrison

Addresses: Purdue Tourism and Hospitality Research Center, School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Purdue University, 900 West State Street, Marriott (MRRT) Hall, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2115, USA ' Purdue Tourism and Hospitality Research Center, School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Purdue University, 900 West State Street, Marriott (MRRT) Hall, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2115, USA ' Purdue Tourism and Hospitality Research Center, School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Purdue University, 900 West State Street, Marriott (MRRT) Hall, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2115, USA ' Belle Tourism International Consulting, 702, China National Convention Center, No.7, Tianchen East Road, Beijing, China

Abstract: Island destinations enable distinctive vacation experience due to special geological features. This study explores the dimensions and contribution of different components of island experience to the overall tourist satisfaction. It reveals a typology of six island vacation activities. They are adventure and exploring, culture appreciation, water's caress, wedding events, relaxation and indulgence, and sociable sports. It also examines the contribution of activity satisfaction (the core aspect) to the overall satisfaction, in relation to satisfaction with other aspects of the island experience (the peripheral aspects). Results show that in comparison to the core aspect, the peripheral aspects exert a greater influence in generating satisfaction of the island experience. However, the strengths of the relationships vary across first time and repeat tourists. Such findings bear relevance for destination marketing planning and management. Limitations and future research directions are also discussed.

Keywords: tourist activity; island experience; core aspects; peripheral aspects; Fiji; island tourism; tourist participation; toutist satisfaction; island destinations; destination marketing; islands.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTA.2013.054410

International Journal of Tourism Anthropology, 2013 Vol.3 No.1, pp.58 - 73

Received: 31 Jul 2012
Accepted: 09 Jan 2013

Published online: 12 Jul 2014 *

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