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Tourist Psychology and Sociology: A Case Study of Hoi An, Vietnam

Year 2017, Volume: 3 Issue: 2, 14 - 22, 15.12.2017

Abstract

Hoi An, Vietnam is one of the rising UNESCO World Heritage sites which is getting more popular with the rise of an interest in Asian cities as well as more receptive and positive attitudes of Vietnamese government. Although Hoi An proves to be attractive for tourists due to its ancient center, beaches, village life as well as the mountains and other heritage sites nearby, academic works on Hoi An’s touristic transformation and potential future possibilities are rare. This article aims to fill this gap by analyzing Hoi An as a dynamic touristic site from the psychological and sociological points of view. Among the themes to be explored through such a conceptualization, tourist motivation, personality differences, tourist perceptions, tourist attitudes, the influence of reference groups and word of mouth over Hoi An tourists’ behaviors, family tourism and social group-based tourism for Hoi An, cultural, subcultural and cross-cultural differences among Hoi An tourists and print, social media and in situ advertising about Hoi An would be highly prominent and practical. This case study concludes with a set of recommendations and future directions for Hoi An’s tourism authorities and touristic enterprises.

References

  • Barnard, L. (2013). Vietnam Travel: Culture meets couture in Hoi An. Toronto Star. Retrieved from: https://www.thestar.com/life/travel/2013/02/15/vietnam_travel_culture_meets_couture_in_hoi_an.html, 15.02.2013.
  • Bennion-Pedley, C. (2016). Good Morning, Vietnam! From romantic Hôi An to the buzz of Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll fall in love with this Asian gem. The Sun. Retrieved from: https://www.thesun.co.uk/living/1737037/vietnam-travel-from-hoi-an-to-ho-chi-minh-city-youll-fall-in-love-with-this-asian-gem/,11.09.2016.
  • Cawley, N. (2009). Hoi An tailor shop weaves a spell with its custom clothing. Toronto Star. Retrieved from:https://www.thestar.com/life/travel/2009/10/03/hoi_an_tailor_shop_weaves_a_spell_with_its_custom_clothing.html, 03.10.2009.
  • Clayfield, M. (2016). Vietnamese street food: a ramble round Hoi An. The Australian. Retrieved from: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/life/food-wine/vietnamese-street-food-a-ramble-round-hoi-an/news-story/666b9c9dbc4e78b6472b81e58b24e8ea, 12.01.2016.
  • Cooper, M. & Le, A.T. (2008). Vietnam’s Image as a Tourism Destination in Japan: an Analysis of Japanese Travel Guidebooks and Brochures, and Attribute Importance-Performance. Ritsumeikan Journal of Asia Pacific Studies, 25, 37-54.
  • Currie, R.R., Wesley, F. & Sutherland, P. (2008). Going where the Joneses go: Understanding how others influence travel decision-making. International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research, 2(1), 12-24.
  • Dunston, L. (2014). Top 100 holiday beach houses: Asia. The Guardian. Retrieved from: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2014/jan/10/top-100-holiday-beach-houses-asia, 10.01.2014.
  • Hoang, T.D.T., Brown, G. & Kim, A.K. (2015). An exploratory study of place attachment from a community perspective in a World Heritage tourist context. Heritage Tourism & Hospitality, International Tourism 2015, 129-137.
  • Hosany, S. & Prayag, G. (2013). Patterns of tourists' emotional responses, satisfaction, and intention to recommend. Journal of Business Research, 66, 730-737.
  • Icomos. (2016). The Hoi An Declaration on Conservation of Historic Districts of Asia. Retrieved from: http://www.icomos.org/xian2005/hoi-an-declaration.pdf
  • Ives, M. (2011). Da Nang, Vietnam's Surf City. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved from: http://www.latimes.com/world/asia/la-tr-surfvietnam-20111030-story.html, 30.10.2011.
  • Kotting, M. (2005). Made to Measure. The Guardian, Retrieved from: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2005/jan/13/netjetters2005mark.netjetters, 13.01.2005.
  • Kurosawa, S. (2015). Light and bright in Vietnam’s heritage town of Hoi An. Retrieved from: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/travel/light-and-bright-in-vietnams-heritage-town-of-hoi-an/story-e6frg8rf-122719336073, 24.01.2015.
  • La, J. (2014). The People Behind the Places: Adventures in Vietnam. Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/la-trb-people-behind-the-places-rehahn-croquevielle-20141126-story.html, 01.12.2014.
  • Lockard, C.A. (2010). “The Sea Common to All”: Maritime Frontiers, Port Cities, and Chinese Traders in the Southeast Asian Age of Commerce, ca. 1400–1750. Journal of World History, 21(2), 219-247.
  • Murphy, L., Mascardo, G. & Benckendorff, P. (2007). Exploring word-of-mouth influences on travel decisions: Friends and relatives vs. other travellers. International Journal of Consumer Studies, 31, 517-527.
  • Mydans, S. (1996). Wanted In Vietnam: Tourists Who Spend. New York Times, Retrieved from: http://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/16/world/wanted-in-vietnam-tourists-who-spend.html, 16.08.1996.
  • Pigg, S. (2007). Shining new light on Hoi An. Toronto Star. Retrieved from: https://www.thestar.com/life/travel/2007/04/07/shining_new_light_on_hoi_an.html, 07.04.2007
  • Schiffman L. G. & Wisenblit J. L. (2015). Consumer Behaviour. Boston: Pearson.
  • Taylor, K. (2000). Cultural Heritage Management: A Possible Role for Charters and Principles in Asia. International Journal of Heritage Studies, 10(5), 417-433.
  • The Guardian (2006). Five best ... Hidden wonders. The Guardian, Retrieved from: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2006/oct/21/fivebest.culturaltrips.guardiansaturda ytravel, 21.10.2006.
  • The Guardian (2011). Readers' tips: Shops and markets around the world. The Guardian.
  • Retrieved from: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2011/jul/04/best-shops-shopping-markets, 04.07.2011.
  • The Guardian (2012). The world's best street food. The Guardian. Retrieved from: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2012/feb/24/worlds-best-street-food-lonely-planet, 24.02.2012.
  • Trinh, T.T., Ryan, C. & Cave, J. (2014). Souvenir sellers and perceptions of authenticity: The retailers of Hội An, Vietnam. Tourism Management, 45, 275-283. Toronto Star (2013). Vietnam: No shortage of luxuries to choose from. Toronto Star. Retrieved from: https://www.thestar.com/sponsored_sections/luxurytravelasia/2013/10/11/vietnam.html, 10.10.2013.
  • Tunprawat, P. (2009). Managing Living Heritage Sites in Mainland Southeast Asia. PhD Thesis in Archeology. Bangkok, Thailand: Silpakorn University.
  • United Nations Industrial Development Organization (2012). Towards Green Growth Through
  • Green Industry Development in Viet Nam. Retrieved from: https://www.unido.org/fileadmin/user_media_upgrade/Worldwide/Offices/ASIA_and _PACIFIC/vn_Green_Growth_Through_Green_Industry_Development_in_VietNam_ June2012.pdf
  • Ye, Q., Law, R., Gu, B. & Chen, W. (2011). The influence of user-generated content on traveler behavior: An empirical investigation on the effects of e-word-of-mouth to hotel online bookings. Computers in Human Behavior, 27, 634-639.

Tourist Psychology and Sociology: A Case Study of Hoi An, Vietnam

Year 2017, Volume: 3 Issue: 2, 14 - 22, 15.12.2017

Abstract

Hoi An, Vietnam is one of the rising UNESCO World Heritage sites which is getting more popular with the rise of an interest in Asian cities as well as more receptive and positive attitudes of Vietnamese government. Although Hoi An proves to be attractive for tourists due to its ancient center, beaches, village life as well as the mountains and other heritage sites nearby, academic works on Hoi An’s touristic transformation and potential future possibilities are rare. This article aims to fill this gap by analyzing Hoi An as a dynamic touristic site from the psychological and sociological points of view. Among the themes to be explored through such a conceptualization, tourist motivation, personality differences, tourist perceptions, tourist attitudes, the influence of reference groups and word of mouth over Hoi An tourists’ behaviors, family tourism and social group-based tourism for Hoi An, cultural, subcultural and cross-cultural differences among Hoi An tourists and print, social media and in situ advertising about Hoi An would be highly prominent and practical. This case study concludes with a set of recommendations and future directions for Hoi An’s tourism authorities and touristic enterprises.

References

  • Barnard, L. (2013). Vietnam Travel: Culture meets couture in Hoi An. Toronto Star. Retrieved from: https://www.thestar.com/life/travel/2013/02/15/vietnam_travel_culture_meets_couture_in_hoi_an.html, 15.02.2013.
  • Bennion-Pedley, C. (2016). Good Morning, Vietnam! From romantic Hôi An to the buzz of Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll fall in love with this Asian gem. The Sun. Retrieved from: https://www.thesun.co.uk/living/1737037/vietnam-travel-from-hoi-an-to-ho-chi-minh-city-youll-fall-in-love-with-this-asian-gem/,11.09.2016.
  • Cawley, N. (2009). Hoi An tailor shop weaves a spell with its custom clothing. Toronto Star. Retrieved from:https://www.thestar.com/life/travel/2009/10/03/hoi_an_tailor_shop_weaves_a_spell_with_its_custom_clothing.html, 03.10.2009.
  • Clayfield, M. (2016). Vietnamese street food: a ramble round Hoi An. The Australian. Retrieved from: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/life/food-wine/vietnamese-street-food-a-ramble-round-hoi-an/news-story/666b9c9dbc4e78b6472b81e58b24e8ea, 12.01.2016.
  • Cooper, M. & Le, A.T. (2008). Vietnam’s Image as a Tourism Destination in Japan: an Analysis of Japanese Travel Guidebooks and Brochures, and Attribute Importance-Performance. Ritsumeikan Journal of Asia Pacific Studies, 25, 37-54.
  • Currie, R.R., Wesley, F. & Sutherland, P. (2008). Going where the Joneses go: Understanding how others influence travel decision-making. International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research, 2(1), 12-24.
  • Dunston, L. (2014). Top 100 holiday beach houses: Asia. The Guardian. Retrieved from: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2014/jan/10/top-100-holiday-beach-houses-asia, 10.01.2014.
  • Hoang, T.D.T., Brown, G. & Kim, A.K. (2015). An exploratory study of place attachment from a community perspective in a World Heritage tourist context. Heritage Tourism & Hospitality, International Tourism 2015, 129-137.
  • Hosany, S. & Prayag, G. (2013). Patterns of tourists' emotional responses, satisfaction, and intention to recommend. Journal of Business Research, 66, 730-737.
  • Icomos. (2016). The Hoi An Declaration on Conservation of Historic Districts of Asia. Retrieved from: http://www.icomos.org/xian2005/hoi-an-declaration.pdf
  • Ives, M. (2011). Da Nang, Vietnam's Surf City. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved from: http://www.latimes.com/world/asia/la-tr-surfvietnam-20111030-story.html, 30.10.2011.
  • Kotting, M. (2005). Made to Measure. The Guardian, Retrieved from: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2005/jan/13/netjetters2005mark.netjetters, 13.01.2005.
  • Kurosawa, S. (2015). Light and bright in Vietnam’s heritage town of Hoi An. Retrieved from: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/travel/light-and-bright-in-vietnams-heritage-town-of-hoi-an/story-e6frg8rf-122719336073, 24.01.2015.
  • La, J. (2014). The People Behind the Places: Adventures in Vietnam. Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/la-trb-people-behind-the-places-rehahn-croquevielle-20141126-story.html, 01.12.2014.
  • Lockard, C.A. (2010). “The Sea Common to All”: Maritime Frontiers, Port Cities, and Chinese Traders in the Southeast Asian Age of Commerce, ca. 1400–1750. Journal of World History, 21(2), 219-247.
  • Murphy, L., Mascardo, G. & Benckendorff, P. (2007). Exploring word-of-mouth influences on travel decisions: Friends and relatives vs. other travellers. International Journal of Consumer Studies, 31, 517-527.
  • Mydans, S. (1996). Wanted In Vietnam: Tourists Who Spend. New York Times, Retrieved from: http://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/16/world/wanted-in-vietnam-tourists-who-spend.html, 16.08.1996.
  • Pigg, S. (2007). Shining new light on Hoi An. Toronto Star. Retrieved from: https://www.thestar.com/life/travel/2007/04/07/shining_new_light_on_hoi_an.html, 07.04.2007
  • Schiffman L. G. & Wisenblit J. L. (2015). Consumer Behaviour. Boston: Pearson.
  • Taylor, K. (2000). Cultural Heritage Management: A Possible Role for Charters and Principles in Asia. International Journal of Heritage Studies, 10(5), 417-433.
  • The Guardian (2006). Five best ... Hidden wonders. The Guardian, Retrieved from: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2006/oct/21/fivebest.culturaltrips.guardiansaturda ytravel, 21.10.2006.
  • The Guardian (2011). Readers' tips: Shops and markets around the world. The Guardian.
  • Retrieved from: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2011/jul/04/best-shops-shopping-markets, 04.07.2011.
  • The Guardian (2012). The world's best street food. The Guardian. Retrieved from: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2012/feb/24/worlds-best-street-food-lonely-planet, 24.02.2012.
  • Trinh, T.T., Ryan, C. & Cave, J. (2014). Souvenir sellers and perceptions of authenticity: The retailers of Hội An, Vietnam. Tourism Management, 45, 275-283. Toronto Star (2013). Vietnam: No shortage of luxuries to choose from. Toronto Star. Retrieved from: https://www.thestar.com/sponsored_sections/luxurytravelasia/2013/10/11/vietnam.html, 10.10.2013.
  • Tunprawat, P. (2009). Managing Living Heritage Sites in Mainland Southeast Asia. PhD Thesis in Archeology. Bangkok, Thailand: Silpakorn University.
  • United Nations Industrial Development Organization (2012). Towards Green Growth Through
  • Green Industry Development in Viet Nam. Retrieved from: https://www.unido.org/fileadmin/user_media_upgrade/Worldwide/Offices/ASIA_and _PACIFIC/vn_Green_Growth_Through_Green_Industry_Development_in_VietNam_ June2012.pdf
  • Ye, Q., Law, R., Gu, B. & Chen, W. (2011). The influence of user-generated content on traveler behavior: An empirical investigation on the effects of e-word-of-mouth to hotel online bookings. Computers in Human Behavior, 27, 634-639.
There are 29 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Ulaş Başar Gezgin

Publication Date December 15, 2017
Submission Date November 17, 2017
Published in Issue Year 2017 Volume: 3 Issue: 2

Cite

APA Gezgin, U. B. (2017). Tourist Psychology and Sociology: A Case Study of Hoi An, Vietnam. Journal of Tourismology, 3(2), 14-22.
AMA Gezgin UB. Tourist Psychology and Sociology: A Case Study of Hoi An, Vietnam. Journal of Tourismology. December 2017;3(2):14-22.
Chicago Gezgin, Ulaş Başar. “Tourist Psychology and Sociology: A Case Study of Hoi An, Vietnam”. Journal of Tourismology 3, no. 2 (December 2017): 14-22.
EndNote Gezgin UB (December 1, 2017) Tourist Psychology and Sociology: A Case Study of Hoi An, Vietnam. Journal of Tourismology 3 2 14–22.
IEEE U. B. Gezgin, “Tourist Psychology and Sociology: A Case Study of Hoi An, Vietnam”, Journal of Tourismology, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 14–22, 2017.
ISNAD Gezgin, Ulaş Başar. “Tourist Psychology and Sociology: A Case Study of Hoi An, Vietnam”. Journal of Tourismology 3/2 (December 2017), 14-22.
JAMA Gezgin UB. Tourist Psychology and Sociology: A Case Study of Hoi An, Vietnam. Journal of Tourismology. 2017;3:14–22.
MLA Gezgin, Ulaş Başar. “Tourist Psychology and Sociology: A Case Study of Hoi An, Vietnam”. Journal of Tourismology, vol. 3, no. 2, 2017, pp. 14-22.
Vancouver Gezgin UB. Tourist Psychology and Sociology: A Case Study of Hoi An, Vietnam. Journal of Tourismology. 2017;3(2):14-22.