International Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Systems

Ghada Mohamed Wafik ¹, Nancy Mohamed Fawzy ¹, Osama Ibrahim ¹

Affiliations
1 Faculty of Tourism and Hotels, Fayoum University., EG

Abstract

The Fayoum destination in Egypt entertains natural heritage as rich as its cultural heritage. Apparently, the increasing tourist demand on the natural heritage sites worldwide is causing a devastating impact on the environment. This case study aims to evaluate the official awareness of tourism carrying capacity (TCC) concept among the destination management stakeholders who are planning and directing the Valley of Whales as a natural heritage site in Fayoum. The site suffers from the lack of conservation and the absence of awareness in the site management. A critical review of literature on the concept of carrying capacity and its dimensions has been analyzed to attain specific criteria. More than 28 semi-structured interviews with the official employees who are in charge for managing the Valley of Whales and a direct observation check list collected rich data for qualitative analysis. The paper concludes that the absence of TCC dimensions between the planners and employees of natural heritage sites in the Fayoum in general and the Valley of Whales in specific will expose these sites to severe damage. Wise decisions have to be taken as fast as possible by the Fayoum destination management in terms of legislations, official staff training, and environmental awareness.

Keywords

Tourism Carrying Capacity (tcc), Natural Areas, Environmental Dimensions, Natural Heritage, Sustainable Tourism Development

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Mohammed Ezzat Mohammed ¹, Ghada Mohamed Wafik ², Sabreen Gaber Abdel Jalil ³, Yehia Abu El Hassan ⁴

Affiliations
1 Faculty of Tourism and Hotels, Minia University, EG
2 Departmnet of Tourism Studies, Faculty of Tourism and Hotels, Fayoum University, EG
3 Tourism Studies, Faculty of Tourism and Hotels, Minia University, EG
4 IOETI (International Organization for the Electronic Tourism Industry), EG

Abstract

E-service quality has become an essential input for achieving the customer's satisfaction in online environment. This study aims to develop research model to assess the quality of e-tourism services and tourist's satisfaction toward the websites of the Egyptian travel agencies. Additionally, it seeks to identify the dimensions of e-tourism service quality and its impact on tourists' e-satisfaction of such travel agents. Collecting 170 online questionnaire forms from tourists in Egypt, the findings revealed that the dimensions of e-tourism service quality are positively affecting tourists' e-satisfaction. Particularly, interactivity and reliability have the greatest contribution to e-satisfaction, versus customer service and privacy having the lowest. The demographic characteristics have influenced the customers' perception of e-tourism service quality and e-satisfaction of travel agents' websites.

Keywords

E-Tourism Service Quality, E-Satisfaction, E-Tourism, Egyptian Travel Agents.

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Hanaa Abdel Kader Fayed ¹, Ghada Mohamed Wafik ¹, Nermien Wasfy Gerges ¹

Affiliations
1 Tourism Studies Department, Fayoum University, EG

Abstract

Over the last fifty years tourism has grown to be one of the major industries in the world, playing an important role in the economies of many countries. Recent tourism marketing researches focus mainly on competitiveness, attractiveness, tourist loyalty to a destination, tourist satisfaction and perceived service quality, and destination image. In this study, tourist behaviour can be regarded as an aggregate construct, comprising pre-visit determinants for destination choice (e.g., motivation); on-site experience (e.g., perception); post-visit evaluation (e.g., satisfaction); and future behavioural intentions (destination loyalty). Combined, these factors help to understand comprehensive destination visitor behaviour. Identifying motivations of visitors and increasing the service quality of destinations are viable ways for destinations to remain competitive. In order to secure or expand Egypt tourism market share, tourism marketers in Egypt should pay close attention to travelers' behaviour and their perceptions of Egypt as a tourism destination. This study aims to: Understand and examine the theoretical and empirical evidence on the causal relationships among tourist motivations, tourist perceptions and tourist satisfaction and destination loyalty and examine tourists' motivations and perceptions of Egypt as a tourism destination to gain a better understanding of tourists' behavior finally, examine the relationship between satisfaction and loyalty. To achieve these aims a self field questionnaire was used to collect information. Path analysis used to study the relationships among variables. 400 tourists were investigated as a sample and the collected Questionnaires are 232 ones which represent a response rate of 58%. The important findings indicated that tourists' motivations and perceptions had an effective influence on satisfaction as well as willingness to return, both motivations and perceptions are significantly affecting satisfaction and also motivations, perceptions and satisfaction are significantly affecting loyalty.

Keywords

Motivations, Perceptions, Satisfaction, Loyalty and Egypt.

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Maha Yehia Kamel Abdou ¹, Ghada Mohamed Wafik ², Suzan Bakri Hassan ²

Affiliations
1 Lecturer, Tourism Studies Department, Faculty of Tourism and Hotels, Fayoum University, Fayoum, EG
2 Professor, Tourism Studies Department, Faculty of Tourism and Hotels, Fayoum University, Fayoum, EG

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to identify the application of Dwyer and Kim integrated model of competitiveness to increase the demand of geotourism sites Jebel Qatrani in Egypt. This research adopted a quantitative approach based on questionnaire, two types of sampling including a convenience sample for official staff and snowballing sampling for experts. The total number of distributed questio-nnaires was 250 copies. The final returned questionnaires were 190 copies with 76% response rate. The study finding highlighted that the benefits of the competitiveness indicators and variables which including; created resources, site management, situational condition and endowed resources. The findings mentioned that the majority of the resource variables created are not available in Jebel Qatrani and need more attention from those responsible for managing this site. The finding showed that camera not available in Jebel Qatrani. A security procedure is lack in Jebel Qatrani, so there is no procedure for protected customers. The findings showed that there is a unique exceptional variety in geological and geomorphological in Jebel Qatrani. It also indicated that geotourism competitiveness indicators are an important driver of the competitiveness of Jebel Qatrani development. The findings further reported that the geotourism sites demand play an important role for increasing the competitiveness of tourism. This study contributed to enhance knowledge of geotourism sites competitiveness by using Dwyer and Kim integrated model. Challenging point in this study is among fewer studies talking about geotourism competitiveness in Egypt.

Keywords

Geotourism, Geosite, Geomorphology, Competitiveness, Jebel Qatrani, Egypt

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