Socio-demographic Profiles of Customers’ Food Preferences at Ecotourism Destinations in South Western, Nigeria (Published)
The travel and tourism industry in the twentieth century has changed its eating patterns and meal preferences. Food to an extent is a reflection of social status and individual identification, hence, an explicit way of understanding customer’s food consumption behaviour is to study their food preference. The provision of meals is one of the key determinants of meeting customers’ expectations and satisfaction at destinations, hence, this study assessed the Socio-demographic profiles of customers’ food preferences at ecotourism destinations in South Western, Nigeria. An exploratory research approach was conducted through the use of structured questionnaires for data gathering. The data were collected from a purposely selected population comprising both customers and staff of Ikogosi Warm Spring and Olumo Rock Resorts. The data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The Chi-Square results on meal preferences concerning age shows a significant influence of age on soup and starchy morsel, Assorted rice dishes, Yam and potato dishes, Beans and Beans products and Non-Alcoholic beverages, a significant association and influence was shown among genders for beans and beans products, customers income and education has no influence on their preference for alcoholic beverages and a significant relationship between food choices of customers and marital status was noticeable. The research findings reveal that customers’ food preferences are shaped by Socio-demographic influences. This study concluded that the dimensions of customers’ food preferences are majorly tilted towards Socio-demographic variables of age, gender, marital status, income and educational qualifications. It is recommended that customers’ Socio-demographic characteristics should be a key indicator in food and beverage planning, preparation and marketing at ecotourism destinations.
Keywords: Customers, Ecotourism, Food, Preference, socio-demographic, south western
Road Transport Management and Customer Satisfaction in Nigeria: A Study of Imo State Transport Company, Nigeria (Published)
Road transportation is one of the engine of an economy as it links both the producers and consumers. But ineffective and inefficient management of road transportation system have crippled development of the Nigerian economy and social activities which have resulted in dissatisfaction among the customers in the industry. To this end, the study examined road transport management and customers’ satisfaction in Nigeria using SERVQUAL Model with focus on Imo Transport Company. Nigeria. The study used primary data collected through questionnaire as survey instrument to elicit the service quality perceptions of road passengers. The results of the study indicated that the six SERVQUAL dimension showed that there is a strong relationship between customers’ satisfaction and public transport service in Nigeria. Thus, from perspectives of the passengers, road transportation and customer’s satisfaction is very essential for the movement of goods and people. Based on the finding, the study recommended regular maintenance of vehicles and roads and provision of quality customer services that will satisfy the commuters who constantly use the roads must be put in place in order to achieve customers’ satisfaction and thus improve economic activities.
Keywords: Customers, Management, Road Transport, Satisfaction, commuter
Investigating the Effectiveness of Applying Gamification on Tourism Websites from the Customers’ Perspective: An Exploratory Study (Published)
Gamification is the new trend that has been speedily expanding over the past few years and still developing in various fields including tourism, especially in marketing. Despite that, information about the effectiveness of tourism gamification applications in motivating and engaging the customers is limited. This study provides a quantitative exploration of the consumers’ perception towards using gamification applications on tourism websites. It examines its effectiveness from the customers’ perspective as a marketing strategy applied by tourism websites to engage customers. Findings show that gamification cannot yet be considered an effective strategy for engaging customers with tourism websites from the customers’ perspective due to the low level of participation in gamification activities on tourism websites, the big percentage of customers unaware of its existence on tourism websites and the opinion of both those who use it and those who do not concerning its efficiency in engaging customers with tourism websites.
Keywords: Customers, Gamification, Players, tourism websites