African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure (Jan 2017)
Analysis of content preferences of packaged tours: A study of tourists in the Mahikeng, North West Province, South Africa.
Abstract
Most packaged tours are designed with exactly knowing the preferences of the customers and therefore the tour operators depend totally on pure luck for the packaged tours to sell or appeal to potential customers and customers. The aim and the purpose of the study was to identify the preferences of study in accommodation, transport, activities and attractions preferred while buying the packaged tours. The study is going to hopefully assist in providing a clear understanding on how to obtain knowledge on the preferences of customers before designing packaged tours. A few recommendations are provided in order to help anyone who is in tourism in crafting business to design saleable products or appeal to customers. The research methodology used in this study was quantitative research methodology. The population were the customers of Diano Tours, a tour operator located in the City of Mahikeng in the North-West Province. The most preferred contents of packaged tours were found to be accommodation is hotels, attractions natural attractions, activities such as taking pictures and transports is buses and coaches. Preferences of customers differed from one person to another, and as such it was difficult to determine if all customers would be satisfied in every activity carried out during a tour. Embarking on research before designing tours and preliminary meetings will give tour operators’ better ideas of what to include while designing packaged tours for local and foreign visitors.
