Zero-fare tours through the lens of a fatal conflict. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yan, Libo
• Is Part Of: Journal of hospitality and tourism management. Volume 45(2020)
• Page Start: 226
• Page End: 233
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: Attribution theory -- Chinese outbound travels -- Forced shopping -- Group package tours -- Stakeholder analysis; Hospitality industry -- Management -- Periodicals; Tourism -- Management -- Periodicals; Hospitality industry -- Australia -- Management -- Periodicals; Tourism -- Australia -- Management -- Periodicals; Hospitality industry -- Management; Tourism -- Management; Australia; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 338.4791068
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhtm.2020.08.016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1447-6770

Abstract

Abstract: Forced shopping associated with zero-fare tours may cause conflicts between tour participants and local guides. This study applied the attribution theory to examine bloggers' online responses to a tragic event caused by forced shopping in Hong Kong, and the purpose was to explore why the zero-fare phenomenon is robust and who should be responsible for the unethical business. The stakeholders were identified and categorized into four types within a two-dimension (interest and influence) framework. The bloggers' attribution processes disclosed the causes and responsibility holders of zero-fare tours. The study results have implications for destinations that depend on a price-driven market. Highlights: Applies the attribution theory to analyze the causes of zero-fare tours. Adds to understanding of attribution by disclosing a collective attribution process. Reveals four types of stakeholders with the interest-influence framework. Finds that frauds involved in zero-fare tours are regarded as a destination attribute. Discloses the questionable roles that governments play in tourism governance.