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Analyzing international tourists' functional information needs: A comparative analysis of inquiries in an on-line travel forum

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  • Hwang, Yeong-Hyeon
  • Jani, Dev
  • Jeong, Ho Kyun

Abstract

On-line travel forums inform tourists' trip decisions; however, little is known about their information needs. Using international tourists' inquiries from an on-line travel forum, this study examines tourists' functional information needs, their relationship with prospective destinations, and the timing of posting. This study examines samples of Lonely Planet inquiries made about Japan (n=123) and South Korea (n=97). Using content analysis, three judges rate postings by the messages' functional information needs. Statistical tests of aggregate ratings find international tourists tend to use on-line travel forums to gain product knowledge rather than to reduce risks or to make travel plans more efficient. Tourists' functional information needs also vary significantly by travel destination. The association between the postings' timing and functional information needs appears to be marginal.

Suggested Citation

  • Hwang, Yeong-Hyeon & Jani, Dev & Jeong, Ho Kyun, 2013. "Analyzing international tourists' functional information needs: A comparative analysis of inquiries in an on-line travel forum," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 66(6), pages 700-705.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:66:y:2013:i:6:p:700-705
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2011.09.006
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Urbany, Joel E & Dickson, Peter R & Wilkie, William L, 1989. "Buyer Uncertainty and Information Search," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 16(2), pages 208-215, September.
    2. Xiang, Zheng & Gretzel, Ulrike, 2010. "Role of social media in online travel information search," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 31(2), pages 179-188.
    3. Bloch, Peter H & Sherrell, Daniel L & Ridgway, Nancy M, 1986. "Consumer Search: An Extended Framework," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 13(1), pages 119-126, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Oun-Joung Park & Jong-hyun Ryu, 2019. "Cognitive fit effects of online reviews on tourists’ information search," Information Technology & Tourism, Springer, vol. 21(3), pages 313-335, September.
    2. Eleni Mavragani & Paraskevi Nikolaidou & Efi Theodoraki, 2019. "Traveler segmentation through Social Media for intercultural marketing purposes: The case of Halkidiki," Post-Print hal-02458464, HAL.
    3. Mavragani, Eleni & Nikolaidou, Paraskevi & Theodoraki, Efi, 2019. "Traveler segmentation through Social Media for intercultural marketing purposes: The case of Halkidiki," MPRA Paper 93526, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Nath, Prithwiraj & Devlin, James & Reid, Veronica, 2018. "The effects of online reviews on service expectations: Do cultural value orientations matter?," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 123-133.
    5. Andrzej Dudek & Daria Elżbieta Jaremen & Izabela Michalska-Dudek, 2020. "Socio-economic factors determining the ROPO trend in the travel industry," Tourism Economics, , vol. 26(6), pages 873-907, September.
    6. A Fronzetti Colladon & B Guardabascio & R Innarella, 2021. "Using social network and semantic analysis to analyze online travel forums and forecast tourism demand," Papers 2105.07727, arXiv.org.
    7. A. Fronzetti Colladon & F. Grippa & R. Innarella, 2021. "Studying the association of online brand importance with museum visitors: An application of the semantic brand score," Papers 2105.07749, arXiv.org.
    8. Lei Li & Xue Song & Shujun Liu & Kun Huang, 2021. "Defining High-Quality Answers on a Chinese Tourism Q&A Platform in Terms of Information Needs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-21, December.

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