Expectations about a destination influence the tourist experience during the travel process stages. In the post-COVID-19 normalcy, people are adjusting their priorities and social values. Therefore, it becomes crucial to identify tourists’ expectations before traveling. The objectives of this research were: (a) identify the preferences of tourists; (b) establish the attitudes of tourists; and (c) determine the expectations of tourists for post-COVID-19 destination selection. The study analyzed a sample of 491 people during pandemic lockdowns in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Statistical techniques such as exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were used in data analysis. The results show that after the pandemic, tourists prefer urban tourism, followed by cultural tourism and traveling with relatives. It also shows a more responsible and supportive attitude when traveling. Likewise, the results support the dimensional structure that explains a set of post-pandemic tourist expectations. Five factors were identified: Smart Care, pricing strategy, safety, comfort, and social distancing. Finally, the theoretical and managerial implications of the results that will guide for tourism destination managers were discussed.

The objectives of this study are: (i) to identify the dimensions that make up the construct of perceived value in a coastal city; and (ii) to establish which dimensions of perceived value influence the satisfaction and loyalty variables of visitors to these destinations with coastal and marine characteristics. The study was carried out in the city of Lima, Peru, being a destination located in the coastal area of the Pacific Ocean. Three hundred and eighty-one questionnaires conducted on site were used. For data analysis, a factorial analysis and stepwise multiple regression method were performed. The results show two dimensions to perceived value, namely, economic-functional and emotional-social. The two dimensions that make up the perceived value are the predictors of tourist satisfaction and loyalty, with the economic-functional dimension being the most important predictor of satisfaction, whereas the emotional-social dimension is the important predictor in the loyalty towards coastal and marine destinations.

The present study about the pilgrimage to Mecca aims to: (i) identify the motivational dimensions of the demand for religious tourism, (ii) determine the segments of the demand for religious tourism, (iii) establish the relationship between the segments and socio-demographic aspects, and (iv) establish the relationship between tourist segments and their satisfaction and loyalty in the religious tourism destination of Mecca. The research was carried out on pilgrims who had visited Mecca who lived in Bahrain, a country located on the Persian Gulf, where most of its population is Muslim. The sample consisted of 350 surveys obtained online. A factor and K-means clusters analysis were used to reduce and group the data. The results show three motivational dimensions: religious, social and cultural, and shopping. Additionally, there were also three segments of demand: the “Multiple motives,” with high scores in all the motivational variables, the “Passive tourists” with low levels of motivation and the “Religious,” with motivations in variables related to religion. The “Multiple motives” and the “Religious” segments had high satisfaction and loyalty levels. The results will serve as guides for the management of religious destinations and contribute to the academic literature on this subject.

Coastal marine tourism offers new alternatives for tourist recreation in coastal destinations having natural and cultural attractions. The objective of this study is to create a demand segmentation of a costal marine destination in terms of tourists’ motivations as related to their sociodemographic parameters and trip characteristics. The empirical work was carried out in situ in the city of Manta, Ecuador, by administering a questionnaire to 390 visitors to the city and conducting multivariate statistical techniques on the data collected. The results show that there are three motivational dimensions which might be termed: ecotourism / gastronomy, sun / beach / entertainment, and relaxation and which determine three tourist clusters. Firstly, the ‘beach lovers’ tourists, who have high motivations for resting, and enjoying the sun, beach and entertainment activities. Secondly, the ‘eco-coastal’ tourists who, besides their high motivations for resting, sun, and the beach, also enjoy the typical cuisine, and the attractions offered by the city. The ‘multiple motives’ tourists, have high motivations for all the available attractions. Regarding the sociodemographic variables and the trip characteristics, the findings suggest that the older the tourist, the higher their level of motivation and the greater their motivations for sun, beach and gastronomy; students have also high motivations for the sun and the beach. The greater the frequency of visits, the higher the level of motivation and the satisfaction of these tourists, and the greater the motivation for coastal tourism and gastronomy. These results offer a basis for tourism providers to develop products and services customized to demand.