It is considered that hotels with a generic offer suffer from reduced demand. One possible solution to improve the performance is a thematic specialization that provides added value for specific niches and target groups.
The focus of this paper is to analyse the bike tourism market of the greater Alpine region as well as other countries were bike tourism is consider to be developed, as USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Previous research in field of bike tourism is relatively small, highly fragmented and out-dated. From the other side, research in the field of specialized bike hotels barely exists. In order to acquire more information two online survey were developed directed to the supply and demand side respectively. The analysis is conducted by comparing the supply side and the demand side
The findings of this paper are critical for hotels interested in generating profit in bike tourism. Bike tourism presents itself a micro niche and can be assigned to further segmentation according to experiences, needs and values of bikers. The data obtained reveals that different biker groups have different values, needs and expectations towards bike hotels.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Theory insights
2.1 Moving from mass tourism to sustainable and niche tourism
2.2 Sport tourism
2.3 Adventure tourism (or outdoor tourism)
2.4 The role of niche tourism in destination management
2.5 The role of cooperation in tourism in destination management and sports tourism
3. Literature Review of bikers’ behaviour
3.1 Alpine Destination
3.2 Canada
3.3 USA
3.4 Australia
3.5 New Zealand
4. Bike hotel chain and organizations
A. Bike hotel chain
4.1 Accent Inns, Canada
B Bike hotel organizations
4.2 Engadin St. Moritz Tourist Organisation
4.3 Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus, Switzerland
4.4 Girona Greenways Consortium, Spain
4.5 Riccione Bike Hotels – Italy
4.6 Tirol Werbung GmbH, Austria
4.7 Whistler Resort Association, Canada
4.8 Bike hotel Sudtirol, Italy
5. Spa and Swiss Deluxe Hotel association
5.1 The value of spa and therapies for bikers
5.2 Siwss Deluxe Hotels
6. Methodology
7. Bikers survey
7.1 Fixing the data
7.2 Descriptive statistics
7.3 Inferential statistics
8. Bike hotels’ survey
8.1 Descriptive statistics
8.2 Quantitative analysis
9. Discussion and recommendations
10. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Focus Areas
The primary objective of this project is to analyze the bike tourism market and evaluate whether the needs of bike tourists correspond with the current offerings of specialized bike hotels. By investigating demographics, behaviors, and motives of bikers, the research aims to provide critical insights for hotels to enhance their competitiveness and profitability through thematic specialization.
- Analysis of the bike tourism market in the Alpine region and selected international locations.
- Examination of the supply side through specialized bike hotel strategies and organizational support.
- Evaluation of demand side preferences via online surveys focusing on biking motivations and service expectations.
- Assessment of the importance of cooperative structures for niche tourism development.
- Derivation of managerial recommendations for bike hotel product optimization.
Auszug aus dem Buch
1. Introduction
Nowadays tourism is one of the most rapidly developing and changing sphere of life all around the world. We see tourism everywhere around us; it is hard to imagine everyday life without tourists, travel agencies, excursions, and hotels. There are thousands and thousands of different organizations, associations, magazines that are directly or indirectly involved with tourism.
It is considered that hotels with generic offer suffer from reduced demand. One possible way to improve the performance is a thematic specialization. It provides added value for specific niches and target groups.
The focus of this paper is bike hotels and the tourists who are visiting bike hotels. In such a huge market as hospitality it can be extremely hard to be competitive and to correspond to tourists’ needs. It is even more difficult if to talk about niche market, what bike tourism, without any doubts, is. Today tourists are experienced, know what they want and want to get everything from the price they are ready to pay for services.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Presents the background of tourism, the shift towards niche specialization, and outlines the research objective of aligning biker needs with hotel offerings.
2. Theory insights: Explores theoretical foundations including niche, sport, and adventure tourism, as well as the strategic role of cooperation in destination management.
3. Literature Review of bikers’ behaviour: Examines regional biking trends and consumer characteristics in Alpine regions, Canada, USA, Australia, and New Zealand.
4. Bike hotel chain and organizations: Details specific business models, organizations, and quality criteria for bike-friendly hotels across different international regions.
5. Spa and Swiss Deluxe Hotel association: Analyzes the relevance of wellness and therapeutic services for bikers, focusing on the Swiss Deluxe Hotel association as a benchmark.
6. Methodology: Outlines the research design, including the use of online surveys and convenience sampling for both supply and demand sides.
7. Bikers survey: Presents quantitative and inferential statistical findings regarding the demographics, preferences, and behavior of bike tourists.
8. Bike hotels’ survey: Discusses the descriptive and quantitative results obtained from the bike hotel operators' survey regarding services and market positioning.
9. Discussion and recommendations: Synthesizes research findings to provide managerial insights on meeting biker expectations and improving market reach.
10. Conclusion: Summarizes key research outcomes and identifies limitations while suggesting areas for future investigation.
Keywords
Alpine region, bike tourism, bike hotel, bike association, bike cooperation, niche marketing, sport tourism, adventure tourism, consumer behavior, market segmentation, hotel management, tourism services, cycling infrastructure, destination management, sustainability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research project?
The research focuses on the bike tourism niche, specifically analyzing the alignment between the needs and expectations of bike tourists and the services provided by specialized bike hotels.
What are the central themes covered in the study?
The study covers themes such as niche tourism evolution, bike-specific service requirements, the impact of professional cooperation, and the strategic importance of tailoring accommodation to specific traveler segments.
What is the primary objective of the study?
The primary goal is to analyze whether current hotel offerings in the bike tourism market adequately meet the specific demands and behaviors of cyclists to generate competitive advantage and profitability.
Which research methodology was employed?
The authors utilized a non-probability convenience sampling method by conducting two online surveys directed at both the demand side (bike tourists) and the supply side (bike hotels) to gather quantitative and qualitative data.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body treats theoretical frameworks, a comparative literature review of international bike behaviors, an overview of bike hotel organizational standards, and an analysis of survey findings regarding consumer preferences and business models.
Which keywords define this work?
The work is characterized by terms such as Alpine region, bike tourism, niche marketing, bike hotel management, and cooperative destination development.
What role does the "Alpine region" play in this study?
The Alpine region is a core focus area due to its established long-term history in biking and sport tourism, serving as a primary context for analyzing the development of specialized bike hotel product standards.
How do the researchers suggest hotels should improve their competitiveness?
The researchers recommend that hotels identify the specific experience levels and motives of their biker guests and incorporate these insights into their booking and service delivery processes to provide more personalized and relevant experiences.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Nikolaos Tsitsoulis (Autor:in), Veselin Dimitrov (Autor:in), Tatiana Medvedeva (Autor:in), Orkhan Orujov (Autor:in), 2013, Analysis of Thematic Hotels and Cooperation: Focus Field Bike Hotels, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/233049
