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2017-2027 Tourism: Synergizing People & Nature For A Better Tomorrow, The Caribbean's 1st Blue Destination, Robertico R. Croes, Manuel A. Rivera, Kelly J. Semrad, Valeriya Shapoval, Mathilda Van Niekerk

Dick Pope Sr. Institute Publications

Impressively, since the 1970’s Bonaire has championed efforts to protect its natural environment and resources. There is no doubt that these efforts have interlaced themselves with the resident’s everyday life and are a fiber in the fabric of Bonaire’s culture. Bonaire is a global gem that has received recognition for its natural areas and enjoys an international reputation for some of the world’s best ocean activities thus leading to a potent economic sector for the island – the tourism industry.

Currently, the tourism industry underperforms for the economic welfare of the majority of Bonaire's residents. Although the tourism industry could …

Data Mining In Tourism Data Analysis: Inbound Visitors To Japan, Valeriya Shapoval, Morgan C. Wang, Tadayuki Hara, Hideo Shioya

Rosen Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

The increasing power of technology puts new, advanced statistical tools at the disposal of researchers. This is one of the first research articles to use a data mining tool—namely, decision trees—to analyze the behavior of inbound tourists for the purpose of effective future destination marketing in Japan. The research results of approximately 4,000 observations show that the main motivation for visitors' future return is not driven by experiences had during their most current visit but rather by experiences anticipated in the future, such as visiting hot springs or immersing themselves in beautiful natural settings. The data mining method largely excludes …

2016 Happiness Survey: Aruba Happiness & Tourism, Robertico R. Croes, Manuel A. Rivera, Kelly J. Semrad

Dick Pope Sr. Institute Publications

A research team from the Rosen College of Hospitality Management (RCHM) at the University of Central Florida (UCF) investigated the perception of happiness and satisfaction with life in Aruba. This investigation is the result of an assignment granted by the Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA). This study updates a similar study conducted by the UCF team in 2011. Similar to 2011, this study estimates the impact of tourism on residents’ happiness and satisfaction with life. Aruba is one of the first small island destinations in the world to employ a happiness index as one of its metrics to assess the impact …

Let's 'Meetup' At The Theme Park, Edwin Torres, Marissa Orlowski

Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Many people enjoy theme park and other leisure experiences with their families; however, today a great number of single, geographically mobile individuals desire to partake in such experiences. ‘Meetup’ is the world’s largest social network of local groups and thus allows for both online and off-line (in person) interactions. Using an ethnographic approach, this study examines how individuals can enjoy activities centered on common activities, interests, and opinions (AIO) via immersion in a Meetup group over the course of a year. Notably, members visited with greater frequency, had less tolerance for long lines, and were more likely to attend special …