Mid Sweden University

Tourism destinations all over the world increasingly embrace marketing and branding practices traditionally utilized by businesses. However, the literature on customer-based brand equity modelling and measurement for tourism destinations lacks the conceptual understanding of the complex relationships between tourists and the destination brand.

Therefore, the thesis at hand addresses the existing gap in tourism literature and aims at contributing to the development of the customer-based brand equity concept in a tourism destination setting (CBDBE) by taking into account the value-co-creation approach. The components of the proposed model consist of the customers’ evaluation of the destination promise in terms of transforming functional, intangible and social destination resources into tourists’ value-in-use. Furthermore, the positive relationship between visitors’ perception of the destination and value-for-money discloses the input of tourists’ own resources into the process of value-co-creation. Moreover, destination brand awareness affects the evaluation of the destination promise, which, in turn, determines tourists’ behavioural intentions towards the destination.

By implementing web-based customer surveys and using a linear structural equation modelling approach, the proposed model is empirically validated for the leading Swedish mountain destination Åre. First, the model is repeatedly tested with data regarding the winter seasons 2009/10 and 2012/13.  Second, the proposed CBDBE model has been operationalized and tested also for the summer season. Findings from face-to-face interviews conducted in Åre during summer 2012 uncovered the relationships between destination resources offered in Åre, tourists’ own resources and destination value-in-use and, thus, served as the empirical fundament for the development of a destination-specific scale to measure value-in-use. Subsequently, the proposed CBDBE model has been successfully tested with web-based survey data collected after the summer season 2012, both for the total sample and separately for the main a priori tourist segments, including hiking, mountain biking and village tourists.

Results show the significant contribution of destination value-in-use defined as perceived benefits from a destination stay, which, in turn, strongly affect customers’ destination loyalty. In contrast, the relationship between value-for-money and destination loyalty is less strong and even non-significant for the two customer segments hiking and mountain biking tourists. Importantly, as part of the CBDBE model operationalization, the thesis highlights the need to better understand destination-specific consumption patterns across various tourism segments by destination managers.

Therefore, results demonstrate that by monitoring unique destination and tourist-specific experience dimensions, destination management can influence and better manage both the value-in-use for customers and customer loyalty. Thus, the proposed CBDBE model provides destination managers with a tool, which enables evaluation and upgrade of destination marketing strategy and, finally, assist in discovering promising innovation potentials for highly experiential tourism products.

Denis Davidov and Tatyana Chekalina discuss the trans-boundary cooperation as the factor and an effective tool for overcoming negative aspects of the exclave location of the Kaliningrad region. Authors consider the exclave as the particular case of the border region. Therefore there is an idea that the provisions of the border regions theory, which is better elaborated than the exclave one, could be applied for this case as well.

In the nature-based tourism (NBT) context, mobile applications may contribute to major aspects of the travel process, from anticipation and planning to documentation and sharing of the outdoor experience. For destinations and service providers, mobile technologies serve the purpose of building, maintaining and improving customer relationships between destination suppliers, their customers as well as between customer-peers. Therefore, mobile customer-relationship management (CRM) applications can facilitate and improve the daily operational work in the small-scale NBT domain by optimally combining the key components of the NBT tourism system, i.e. recreation activities, lodging, food, infrastructures, transportation and other services and features of the servicescape, intelligently offered as ‘smart package’. After a brief state of the art review, the chapter presents findings from an explorative assessment of existing mobile apps designed for outdoor experience facilitation. The chapter provides theoretical and applied insights into the capacity of mobile technology for smart packaging of NBT products.

The concept of customer-based brand equity (CBBE) and related measurement issues have recently attracted significant attention in tourism research (Pike, 2009; Boo et al., 2009). However, the complex and multi-dimensional nature of tourism destinations challenge the traditional approach towards the brand, its constructs (e.g. awareness, image, quality, loyalty, etc.) and measurement scales. Nevertheless, a number of empirically validated destination performance models found in the recent tourism literature share many similarities with the CBBE model in terms of structure and employed survey-based metrics. The aim of this study is to conduct a meta-comparison between a set of destination performance models and the CBBE model proposed and verified in a tourism destination context by Boo et al. (2009). The proposed comparison framework grounded in marketing and tourism literature is utilized in order to deduce a parsimonious and comprehensive set of destination brand metrics, relevant model dimensions, as well as empirically validated causal relationships.

This study aims at contributing to the development of the customer-based brand equity (CBBE) concept in a tourism destination setting by taking into account the value-co-creation approach. The components of the proposed model consist of the customers’ evaluation of the destination promise in terms of transforming tangible, intangible and social destination resources into tourists’ value-in-use. Moreover, destination brand awareness affects the evaluation of the destination promise, which, in turn, determines tourists’ behavioural intentions towards the destination. By implementing a web survey and using a linear structural equation modelling approach, the proposed model is empirically validated for the Swedish mountain destination of Åre. Results particularly show the significant contribution of customer benefits and value for money to create destination loyalty. The paper demonstrates that by monitoring unique destination and tourist-specific experience dimensions, destination management can control both the value-in-use for a customer and customer loyalty, thereby upgrade and evaluate its marketing strategy, and, finally, discover promising innovation potentials for highly experiential tourism products.

The customer-based destination brand equity model (CBDBE) captures knowledge about the complex relationships between tourists and tourism destination brands (e.g., Buhalis and Park, 2021; Chekalina, Fuchs and Lexhagen, 2018; Tran, Nguyen and Tran, 2021). Theoretically, the CBDBE model is derived from cognitive psychology and depicts tourists’ complex responses to a tourism destination’s name. The model aims to understand the multi-dimensional brand-related memory structures that tourists hold about a destination. As a managerial tool, the CBDBE model allows us to measure a destination brand’s strength and thus evaluate a destination’s marketing success. Destination managers use the CBDBE model to identify areas that allow them to upgrade destination marketing strategies, promotional campaigns and destination product development (Tran et al., 2019).

This study contributes to the development of knowledge on transferring the concept of customer-based brand equity to a tourism destination context. Keller’s (2009) brand equity pyramid is utilized as the comparison framework to reveal similarities but also overlaps, differences and gaps on both the conceptual and measurement level of existing brand equity models for destinations. Particularly, the inner core of the model depicts the complex mechanisms of how destination resources transform into benefits for tourists overlooked by prior research. This study proposes a customer-based brand equity model for destinations, which consists of five dependent constructs, including awareness, loyalty, and three destination brand promise constructs constituting the inner core of the model, namely, destination resources, value-in-use and value-for-money. The model was repeatedly tested for the leading Swedish mountain destination Åre, by using a linear structural equation modelling approach. Findings confirm the path structure of the proposed model.

The present study contributes to the discussion on transferring the concept of customer-based brand equity (CBBE) to a tourism destination context. The core component of the proposed CBBE model for tourism destinations (CBDBE) considers customers’ evaluation of the destination promise in terms of the transformation of destination resources into value-in-use for tourists. The introduced CBDBE model consists of six interdependent constructs, including awareness, tourists’ perception of functional, tangible and social destination resources, value-in-use disclosing the purpose and benefits of consumption, value-for-money, satisfaction and loyalty. The model was tested for the leading Swedish mountain destination Åre for the summer season by using customer-based survey data and a linear structural equation modelling (SEM) approach. Findings confirm the hypothesized relationships and the hierarchical structure of the proposed model. Managerial implications are discussed and the agenda for future CBDBE research is outlined.

Since tourism destination branding was introduced in the early 2000s, destination brand equity measurement and tracking has become one of the main research streams in the field of destination marketing (Pike, 2009). However, from a theoretical point of view, the concept of brand equity, which is a measure of the power of the brand and the link between marketing efforts and future destination performance, remains insufficiently elaborated, especially for the tourism destination context (Gartner, 2009).More specifically, tourism destination brand equity studies mainly attempt to directly transfer conceptualization and measurement approaches, which have been developed and tested for product brands, especially consumer packaged goods (Christodoulides and de Chernatony, 2010). Particularly, the majority of tourism destination brand equity studies (e.g., Boo et al., 2009; Konecnik and Gartner, 2007; Pike et al., 2010) adopt Aaker’s (1991) and Keller’s (1993) conceptualization of customer-based brand equity (CBBE), which derives from the field of cognitive psychology and focuses on multi-dimensional memory structures, such as awareness, image, quality, value and loyalty (Christodoulides and de Chernatony, 2010).

Rapporten redovisar en nationell enkätundersökning över svenskarnas friluftslivår 2018. Friluftsliv i olika former är en populär fritidssysselsättningbland svenskarna, vilken kan beskrivas som ”vistelse utomhus i natur- ellerkulturlandskapet för välbefinnande och naturupplevelser utan krav på tävling”.Målet för den av riksdagen antagna friluftspolitiken är att stödja människorsmöjligheter att vistas ute i naturen och utöva friluftsliv där allemansrätten ären grund för friluftslivet. Åtta av Sveriges 16 miljömål innehåller också preciseringarsom berör friluftsliv. Dagens friluftsliv har dessutom nära kopplingartill en växande naturturism. Syftet med undersökningen är att ge ett bra underlag för uppföljningar avfriluftsmålen och friluftslivet i miljömålen. Detta sker genom att dels redovisastatus för friluftslivet i Sverige år 2018, dels genom att visa på förändringarsedan år 2007. Ytterligare ett viktigt syfte är att erhålla data över friluftslivbåde nationellt och i respektive län, för att på så sätt få ett underlag till analyserav friluftslivet på olika geografiska nivåer. Undersökningen genomfördes i form av en postal enkätundersökningriktad till personer bosatta i Sverige i åldern 16 år och äldre under periodenseptember – november 2018. Mittuniversitetet utformade frågorna i samrådmed Naturvårdsverket och i dialog med andra myndigheter som ingår i nätverketför friluftsliv. Datainsamlingen genomfördes av Statistiska centralbyrån(SCB) och rapporten är framtagen av Mittuniversitetet på uppdragav Naturvårdsverket.

This chapter aims is to review trends in some of the main winter recreation activities in the Swedish mountains in order to discuss associated challenges and opportunities through the lens of such mega trends. To do so, it takes advantage of previous studies of mountain recreation in Sweden and analyses participation trends with a special focus on downhill skiing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.

Following the philosopher and critical economist K-H. Brodbeck, in this chapter it is shown that modern economic science is incapable of properly capturing the nature of creativity. Thus, we critically reflect on notions of creativity as used in contemporary economic science and in its classical as well as ancient predecessors of economic thinking. After pointing at destructive consequences of innovations rooted in malevolent creativity, the Creativity Consequences Analytical Framework (Kampylis and Valtanen 2010) is introduced. On this base, the chapter aims at critically assessing motivations and intentions behind and expected consequences of entrepreneurial creativity in the Norwegian NBT sector. Policy implications and an agenda for future research are sketched in the conclusions.

The Slow Adventure in Northern Territories (SAINT)1 project was designed to improve the promotion of slow adventure activities, extend the marketing reach of SMEs that deliver slow adventure experiences, and advance the development of a trans-national slow adventure brand. SAINT was a three-year effort (2015-2018) that was co-financed by the EU Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme and included 11 different partners located in 7 countries of Northern Europe (Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway, Scotland, and Sweden). The project draws directly from Semple and Varley’s (2015) concept of slow adventure, which is partially rooted in Nordic concepts of sustainable outdoor recreation (e.g., friluftsliv). The core pillars of the slow adventure brand include such elements of sustainable tourism as human-powered slow journeys, inspiring connectedness with nature, wildlife watching opportunities, nature interpretation, local, wild or slow food as well as the honing of outdoor skills. These core pillars (or themes) were highly relevant to SMEs involved in the SAINT project and constituted the essence of slow adventure as a product concept.

In our contribution we introduce the SAINT project and the slow adventure concept, followed by reporting on the empirical component of the project, which included a survey among the providers, as well as implementation case studies in each of the participating countries. Results from the survey and case studies provide insight into the ways that SME ́s form clusters in order to market and deliver a full range of slow adventure experiences, and ultimately, build the slow adventure brand. We conclude by discussing the implications of these marketing and cluster activities within the Nordic tourism context. Our paper is based on the chapter contribution to an upcoming book by Cassinger, C., Lucarelli, A. & Gyimóthy, Sz. (Eds.). The Nordic Wave in Place Branding. Edward Elgar. 

This chapter introduces the SAINT project and the slow adventure concept. The core pillars of the ‘slow adventure’ brand include elements such as human-powered slow journeys, inspiring connectedness with nature, wildlife watching opportunities, nature interpretation, local, wild or slow food as well as the honing of outdoor skills. These core pillars (or themes) are highly relevant to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) involved in the SAINT project and constitute the essence of ‘slow adventure’ as a product concept. Typical nature-based activities available across the project area include expeditions into nature, overnight stays combined with nature experiences, wildlife viewing, hiking, recreational kayaking, canoeing and rowing, outdoor photography, as well as slow cooking and foraging. Most importantly, the ‘slow adventure’ product concept shapes the marketing message of the transnational cluster and brand, which companies can use to develop their product and reach the market. The chapter concludes by discussing the implications of these marketing and cluster activities within the Nordic tourism context.

The project aims to explore the link between destination branding, tourism experiences, and the green transition of the tourism sector. It focuses on four key areas: a) investigating how visitors experience the sustainability of destination offerings; b) understanding how this experience impacts the perceived value of destination experience; c) examining how destination branding can encourage sustainable tourism behavior, thereby enhancing brand value and aiding the industry's green transition; d) exploring how tourism companies can leverage insights into drivers of tourist experience value to facilitate this transition. The project currently conducted in collaboration with Höga Kusten destination in Sweden seeks to extend the conceptual understanding of customer-based destination brand equity (CBDBE) by integrating the perceptions of sustainability value of destination brands. The background of the project concerns the challenges, which the tourism industry face in matching its green transition in relation to tourists' increasing and changing demand for sustainable destination experiences, tourists' acceptance of personal responsibility, actual behavior and perceived value of a sustainable tourism stay. To meet these challenges, companies and other destination actors need to understand the tourists' sustainable behavior, follow its changes and use the knowledge for building an attractive brand. In the current stage of the project, by utilizing brand and customer value theories, we design a web-based experiment to examine how perceptions of destination sustainability influence guest experiences. The projects’ main theoretical contribution relates to the extension of the CBDBE model by integrating the dimension of sustainability in experience value. The managerial implications of project findings can advance green transition in the tourism industry, enhance the understanding of the role, which destination brands play in encouraging sustainable behavior and fostering responsible guest practices. The activities in the project will also include the development of an evaluation tool and a concept sketch for a web-based app. 

Concerns about the effects of climate change have led to an interest in identifying ways to foster sustainability transitions. In the Global North, a key approach is to eventually eliminate dependence on carbon emitting energy while moving towards renewable sources, including wind power. Since wind farms require vast amounts of land, inevitably this explains the presence of such installations in many rural regions. This situation has alarmed various stakeholders, including those involved in tourism, who see such developments as threats to idyllic notions of rurality and, by default, to the transformation of the countryside for visitor experiences. Through a series of case studies in rural Sweden, we explore the attitudes of tourists towards the presence of wind farms in the landscape. Overall, study respondents recognize the need for such installations since most accept the necessity to embark on sustainable energy transitions. In this way, they understand that many parts of rural Sweden are transforming into spaces where sustainable energy future must be negotiated. Ultimately, sustainability transitions lead to the rethinking of conventional perceptions around rural space and tourism. We suggest that geographical research on sustainability transitions in tourism should account for conceptions of rurality that involve assemblages of imagination, place framing, and power relations in sustainability transitions. This conceptualization is necessary for achieving just and sustainable energy futures.