Research Article
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Analysis of Tourists’ Length of Stay in Pokhara, Nepal

Year 2023, Volume: 11 Issue: 1, 28 - 44, 01.03.2023
https://doi.org/10.30519/ahtr.1073732

Abstract

Tourists’ length of stay (LOS) is desired by researchers and tourism business managers because it contributes to tourism earnings. Although Pokhara is a popular tourist destination in Nepal, no previous study has empirically investigated tourists’ LOS. Thus, this study investigates tourists’ LOS in Pokhara, Nepal. The data for this study were collected through a survey of 275 visitors who stayed at least one night in Pokhara. Zero-truncated negative binomial and ordinary least squares regressions were used to model tourists’ LOS and determinants. In general, both methods produce similar estimates. The results suggest that visit frequency, nationality, age, education level, and expenditure are major determinants of tourists’ LOS. Contrary to expectations, gender and satisfaction are not statistically significant indicators. These findings have important implications for tourism managers and policymakers.

Supporting Institution

Pokhara University Research Council

Project Number

FSY 2072-73

References

  • Adongo, C. A., Badu-Baiden, F., & Boakye, K. A. A. (2017). The tourism experience-led length of stay hypothesis. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 18, 65-74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jort.2017.02.003
  • Aguilar, M. I., & Díaz, B. (2019). Length of stay of international tourists in Spain: A parametric survival analysis. Annals of Tourism Research, 79, 102768. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2019.102768
  • Alegre, J., & Pou, L. (2006). The length of stay in the demand for tourism. Tourism Management, 27(6), 1343-1355. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2005.06.012
  • Alén, E., Nicolau, J. L., Losada, N., & Domínguez, T. (2014). Determinant factors of senior tourists’ length of stay. Annals of Tourism Research, 49, 19-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2014.08.002
  • Assaf, A. G., Tsionas, M., & Oh, H. (2018). The time has come: Toward Bayesian SEM estimation in tourism research. Tourism Management, 64, 98-109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2017.07.018
  • Bam, N., & Kunwar, A. (2020). Tourist satisfaction: Relationship analysis among its antecedents and revisit intention. Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR), 8(1), 30-47. https://doi.org/10.30519/ahtr.519994
  • Bam, N., Thagurathi, R. K., & Neupane, D. (2016). Impact of remittance on household income, consumption and poverty reduction of Nepal. Economic Literature, 13, 32-38. https://doi.org/10.3126/el.v13i0.19148
  • Barros, C. P., & Machado, L. P. (2010). The length of stay in tourism. Annals of Tourism Research, 37(3), 692-706. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2009.12.005
  • Barros, C. P., Butler, R., & Correia, A. (2010). The length of stay of golf tourism: A survival analysis. Tourism Management, 31(1), 13-21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2009.02.010
  • Bavik, A., Correia, A., & Kozak, M. (2021). What makes our stay longer or shorter? A study on Macau. Journal of China Tourism Research, 17(2), 192-209. https://doi.org/10.1080/19388160.2020.1745346
  • Brida, J. G., Meleddu, M., & Pulina, M. (2013). Factors influencing length of stay of cultural tourists. Tourism Economics, 19(6), 1273-1292.https://doi.org/10.5367/te.2013.0248
  • Chen, K. H., Chang, F. H., & Liu, F. Y. (2015). Wellness tourism among seniors in Taiwan: Previous experience, service encounter expectations, organizational characteristics, employee characteristics, and customer satisfaction. Sustainability, 7(8), 10576-10601. https://doi.org/10.3390/su70810576
  • De Menezes, A. G., Moniz, A., & Vieira, J. C. (2008). The determinants of length of stay of tourists in the Azores. Tourism Economics, 14(1), 205-222. https://doi.org/10.5367/000000008783554866
  • García-Sánchez, A., Fernández-Rubio, E., & Collado, M. D. (2013). Daily expenses of foreign tourists, length of stay and activities: Evidence from Spain. Tourism Economics, 19(3), 613-630. https://doi.org/10.5367/te.2013.0218
  • Gautam, B. P. (2011). Tourism and economic growth in Nepal. NRB Economic Review, 23(2), 18-30.
  • Gokovali, U., Bahar, O., & Kozak, M. (2007). Determinants of length of stay: A practical use of survival analysis. Tourism Management, 28(3), 736-746. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2006.05.004
  • Grogger, J. T., & Carson, R. T. (1991). Models for truncated counts. Journal of Applied Econometrics, 6(3), 225-238. https://doi.org/10.1002/jae.3950060302
  • Hateftabar, F., & Chapuis, J. M. (2020). The influence of theocratic rule and political turmoil on tourists’ length of stay. Journal of Vacation Marketing, 26(4), 427-441. https://doi.org/10.1177/1356766720943624
  • Jacobsen, J. K. S., Gössling, S., Dybedal, P., & Skogheim, T. S. (2018). Exploring length of stay: International tourism in south-western Norway. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 35, 29-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhtm.2018.02.003
  • Jönsson, C., & Devonish, D. (2008). Does nationality, gender, and age affect travel motivation? A case of visitors to the Caribbean Island of Barbados. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 25(3-4), 398-408. https://doi.org/10.1080/10548400802508499
  • King C. (2021). Re: Modeling length of stay of tourist at tourist destination. ASA Community. Retrieved May 21, 2021, from https://community.amstat.org
  • Lee, C. C., & Chang, C. P. (2008). Tourism development and economic growth: A closer look at panels. Tourism Management, 29(1), 180-192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2007.02.013
  • Machado, L. P. (2010). Does destination image influence the length of stay in a tourism destination?. Tourism Economics, 16(2), 443-456. https://doi.org/10.5367/000000010791305554
  • Martinez-Garcia, E., & Raya, J. M. (2008). Length of stay for low-cost tourism. Tourism Management, 29(6), 1064-1075. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2008.02.011
  • Mortazavi, R., & Cialani, C. (2017). International tourists’ length of overnight stay in Venice. Tourism Economics, 23(4), 882-889. https://doi.org/10.5367/te.2016.0556
  • Nepal tourism statistics (2017). Retrieved May 8, 2022, from http://tourism.gov.np/files/statistics
  • Nepal tourism statistics (2018). Retrieved May 8, 2022, from http://tourism.gov.np/files/statistics
  • Nicolau, J. L., Zach, F. J., & Tussyadiah, I. P. (2018). Effects of distance and first-time visitation on tourists’ length of stay. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research, 42(7), 1023-1038. https://doi.org/10.1177/1096348016654972
  • Peypoch, N., Randriamboarison, R., Rasoamananjara, F., & Solonandrasana, B. (2012). The length of stay of tourists in Madagascar. Tourism Management, 33(5), 1230-1235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2011.11.003
  • Rodriguez, X. A., Martinez-Roget, F., & Gonzalez-Murias, P. (2018). Length of stay: Evidence from Santiago de Compostela. Annals of Tourism Research, 68, 9-19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2017.11.001
  • Rosyidi, M. I. (2018). The characteristics of Chinese tourists in Indonesia and its performance in 2013− 2017. Binus Business Review, 9(2), 145-152. https://doi.org/10.21512/bbr.v9i2.4240
  • Salmasi, L., Celidoni, M., & Procidano, I. (2012). Length of stay: Price and income semi‐elasticities at different destinations in Italy. International Journal of Tourism Research, 14(6), 515-530. https://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.1867
  • Santos, G. E. D. O., Ramos, V., & Rey-Maquieira, J. (2015). Length of stay at multiple destinations of tourism trips in Brazil. Journal of Travel Research, 54(6), 788-800. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287514532370
  • Seetanah, B. (2011). Assessing the dynamic economic impact of tourism for island economies. Annals of Tourism Research, 38(1), 291-308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2010.08.009
  • Sinclair, M. T. (1998). Tourism and economic development: A survey. The Journal of Development Studies, 34(5), 1-51. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220389808422535
  • Soler, I. P., Gemar, G., & Correia, M. B. (2018). Length of stay for tourists' inland trips. Journal of Destination Marketing & Management, 10, 49-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdmm.2018.05.008
  • Spenceley, A., & Meyer, D. (2012). Tourism and poverty reduction: Theory and practice in less economically developed countries. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 20(3), 297-317. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2012.668909
  • Thrane, C. (2012). Analyzing tourists’ length of stay at destinations with survival models: A constructive critique based on a case study. Tourism Management, 33(1), 126-132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2011.02.011
  • Thrane, C. (2015). Research note: The determinants of tourists' length of stay: Some further modelling issues. Tourism Economics, 21(5), 1087-1093. https://doi.org/10.5367/te.2014.0385
  • Thrane, C., & Farstad, E. (2012). Tourists' length of stay: The case of international summer visitors to Norway. Tourism Economics, 18(5), 1069-1082. https://doi.org/10.5367/te.2012.0158
  • World Tourism Organization (2017). UNWTO Tourism Highlights: 2017 Edition, UNWTO, Madrid. https://doi.org/10.18111/9789284419029
  • Wang, E., Little, B. B., & DelHomme-Little, B. A. (2012). Factors contributing to tourists' length of stay in Dalian northeastern China—A survival model analysis. Tourism Management Perspectives, 4, 67-72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2012.03.005
  • Wang, L., Fong, D. K. C., Law, R., & Fang, B. (2018). Length of stay: Its determinants and outcomes. Journal of Travel Research, 57(4), 472-482. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287517700315
  • Wells, W. D., & Gubar, G. (1966). Life cycle concept in marketing research. Journal of Marketing Research, 3(4), 355-363. https://doi.org/10.1177/002224376600300403
Year 2023, Volume: 11 Issue: 1, 28 - 44, 01.03.2023
https://doi.org/10.30519/ahtr.1073732

Abstract

Project Number

FSY 2072-73

References

  • Adongo, C. A., Badu-Baiden, F., & Boakye, K. A. A. (2017). The tourism experience-led length of stay hypothesis. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 18, 65-74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jort.2017.02.003
  • Aguilar, M. I., & Díaz, B. (2019). Length of stay of international tourists in Spain: A parametric survival analysis. Annals of Tourism Research, 79, 102768. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2019.102768
  • Alegre, J., & Pou, L. (2006). The length of stay in the demand for tourism. Tourism Management, 27(6), 1343-1355. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2005.06.012
  • Alén, E., Nicolau, J. L., Losada, N., & Domínguez, T. (2014). Determinant factors of senior tourists’ length of stay. Annals of Tourism Research, 49, 19-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2014.08.002
  • Assaf, A. G., Tsionas, M., & Oh, H. (2018). The time has come: Toward Bayesian SEM estimation in tourism research. Tourism Management, 64, 98-109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2017.07.018
  • Bam, N., & Kunwar, A. (2020). Tourist satisfaction: Relationship analysis among its antecedents and revisit intention. Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR), 8(1), 30-47. https://doi.org/10.30519/ahtr.519994
  • Bam, N., Thagurathi, R. K., & Neupane, D. (2016). Impact of remittance on household income, consumption and poverty reduction of Nepal. Economic Literature, 13, 32-38. https://doi.org/10.3126/el.v13i0.19148
  • Barros, C. P., & Machado, L. P. (2010). The length of stay in tourism. Annals of Tourism Research, 37(3), 692-706. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2009.12.005
  • Barros, C. P., Butler, R., & Correia, A. (2010). The length of stay of golf tourism: A survival analysis. Tourism Management, 31(1), 13-21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2009.02.010
  • Bavik, A., Correia, A., & Kozak, M. (2021). What makes our stay longer or shorter? A study on Macau. Journal of China Tourism Research, 17(2), 192-209. https://doi.org/10.1080/19388160.2020.1745346
  • Brida, J. G., Meleddu, M., & Pulina, M. (2013). Factors influencing length of stay of cultural tourists. Tourism Economics, 19(6), 1273-1292.https://doi.org/10.5367/te.2013.0248
  • Chen, K. H., Chang, F. H., & Liu, F. Y. (2015). Wellness tourism among seniors in Taiwan: Previous experience, service encounter expectations, organizational characteristics, employee characteristics, and customer satisfaction. Sustainability, 7(8), 10576-10601. https://doi.org/10.3390/su70810576
  • De Menezes, A. G., Moniz, A., & Vieira, J. C. (2008). The determinants of length of stay of tourists in the Azores. Tourism Economics, 14(1), 205-222. https://doi.org/10.5367/000000008783554866
  • García-Sánchez, A., Fernández-Rubio, E., & Collado, M. D. (2013). Daily expenses of foreign tourists, length of stay and activities: Evidence from Spain. Tourism Economics, 19(3), 613-630. https://doi.org/10.5367/te.2013.0218
  • Gautam, B. P. (2011). Tourism and economic growth in Nepal. NRB Economic Review, 23(2), 18-30.
  • Gokovali, U., Bahar, O., & Kozak, M. (2007). Determinants of length of stay: A practical use of survival analysis. Tourism Management, 28(3), 736-746. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2006.05.004
  • Grogger, J. T., & Carson, R. T. (1991). Models for truncated counts. Journal of Applied Econometrics, 6(3), 225-238. https://doi.org/10.1002/jae.3950060302
  • Hateftabar, F., & Chapuis, J. M. (2020). The influence of theocratic rule and political turmoil on tourists’ length of stay. Journal of Vacation Marketing, 26(4), 427-441. https://doi.org/10.1177/1356766720943624
  • Jacobsen, J. K. S., Gössling, S., Dybedal, P., & Skogheim, T. S. (2018). Exploring length of stay: International tourism in south-western Norway. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 35, 29-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhtm.2018.02.003
  • Jönsson, C., & Devonish, D. (2008). Does nationality, gender, and age affect travel motivation? A case of visitors to the Caribbean Island of Barbados. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 25(3-4), 398-408. https://doi.org/10.1080/10548400802508499
  • King C. (2021). Re: Modeling length of stay of tourist at tourist destination. ASA Community. Retrieved May 21, 2021, from https://community.amstat.org
  • Lee, C. C., & Chang, C. P. (2008). Tourism development and economic growth: A closer look at panels. Tourism Management, 29(1), 180-192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2007.02.013
  • Machado, L. P. (2010). Does destination image influence the length of stay in a tourism destination?. Tourism Economics, 16(2), 443-456. https://doi.org/10.5367/000000010791305554
  • Martinez-Garcia, E., & Raya, J. M. (2008). Length of stay for low-cost tourism. Tourism Management, 29(6), 1064-1075. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2008.02.011
  • Mortazavi, R., & Cialani, C. (2017). International tourists’ length of overnight stay in Venice. Tourism Economics, 23(4), 882-889. https://doi.org/10.5367/te.2016.0556
  • Nepal tourism statistics (2017). Retrieved May 8, 2022, from http://tourism.gov.np/files/statistics
  • Nepal tourism statistics (2018). Retrieved May 8, 2022, from http://tourism.gov.np/files/statistics
  • Nicolau, J. L., Zach, F. J., & Tussyadiah, I. P. (2018). Effects of distance and first-time visitation on tourists’ length of stay. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research, 42(7), 1023-1038. https://doi.org/10.1177/1096348016654972
  • Peypoch, N., Randriamboarison, R., Rasoamananjara, F., & Solonandrasana, B. (2012). The length of stay of tourists in Madagascar. Tourism Management, 33(5), 1230-1235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2011.11.003
  • Rodriguez, X. A., Martinez-Roget, F., & Gonzalez-Murias, P. (2018). Length of stay: Evidence from Santiago de Compostela. Annals of Tourism Research, 68, 9-19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2017.11.001
  • Rosyidi, M. I. (2018). The characteristics of Chinese tourists in Indonesia and its performance in 2013− 2017. Binus Business Review, 9(2), 145-152. https://doi.org/10.21512/bbr.v9i2.4240
  • Salmasi, L., Celidoni, M., & Procidano, I. (2012). Length of stay: Price and income semi‐elasticities at different destinations in Italy. International Journal of Tourism Research, 14(6), 515-530. https://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.1867
  • Santos, G. E. D. O., Ramos, V., & Rey-Maquieira, J. (2015). Length of stay at multiple destinations of tourism trips in Brazil. Journal of Travel Research, 54(6), 788-800. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287514532370
  • Seetanah, B. (2011). Assessing the dynamic economic impact of tourism for island economies. Annals of Tourism Research, 38(1), 291-308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2010.08.009
  • Sinclair, M. T. (1998). Tourism and economic development: A survey. The Journal of Development Studies, 34(5), 1-51. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220389808422535
  • Soler, I. P., Gemar, G., & Correia, M. B. (2018). Length of stay for tourists' inland trips. Journal of Destination Marketing & Management, 10, 49-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdmm.2018.05.008
  • Spenceley, A., & Meyer, D. (2012). Tourism and poverty reduction: Theory and practice in less economically developed countries. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 20(3), 297-317. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2012.668909
  • Thrane, C. (2012). Analyzing tourists’ length of stay at destinations with survival models: A constructive critique based on a case study. Tourism Management, 33(1), 126-132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2011.02.011
  • Thrane, C. (2015). Research note: The determinants of tourists' length of stay: Some further modelling issues. Tourism Economics, 21(5), 1087-1093. https://doi.org/10.5367/te.2014.0385
  • Thrane, C., & Farstad, E. (2012). Tourists' length of stay: The case of international summer visitors to Norway. Tourism Economics, 18(5), 1069-1082. https://doi.org/10.5367/te.2012.0158
  • World Tourism Organization (2017). UNWTO Tourism Highlights: 2017 Edition, UNWTO, Madrid. https://doi.org/10.18111/9789284419029
  • Wang, E., Little, B. B., & DelHomme-Little, B. A. (2012). Factors contributing to tourists' length of stay in Dalian northeastern China—A survival model analysis. Tourism Management Perspectives, 4, 67-72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2012.03.005
  • Wang, L., Fong, D. K. C., Law, R., & Fang, B. (2018). Length of stay: Its determinants and outcomes. Journal of Travel Research, 57(4), 472-482. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287517700315
  • Wells, W. D., & Gubar, G. (1966). Life cycle concept in marketing research. Journal of Marketing Research, 3(4), 355-363. https://doi.org/10.1177/002224376600300403
There are 44 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Tourism (Other)
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Nirajan Bam 0000-0002-9350-6048

Project Number FSY 2072-73
Publication Date March 1, 2023
Submission Date February 15, 2022
Published in Issue Year 2023 Volume: 11 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Bam, N. (2023). Analysis of Tourists’ Length of Stay in Pokhara, Nepal. Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR), 11(1), 28-44. https://doi.org/10.30519/ahtr.1073732


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