Journal article
Informing artisanal pearl and pearl-shell handicraft production for the cruise tourism market through analysis of intended purchase behaviour
Tourism in Marine Environments, Vol.16(1), pp.45-58
2021
Abstract
The production and vending of handicrafts by the indigenous peoples of cruise destinations inthe Pacific region has unrealised potential. Handicraft sector development strategies areconstrained by the limited information guiding what products to produce, which productattributes are important, and appropriate pricing for the cruise tourism market. Using structuredinterviews, we evaluate cruise passenger preferences and intended purchase behaviour towardsa range of mabé pearl and mother-of-pearl (MoP) handicrafts. Our study is conducted in anewly-emergent cruise destination, Papua New Guinea, where cruise passenger demand forhandicrafts, purchased as souvenirs, goes largely unmet. The majority of cruise passengersexpressed both interest and willingness in purchasing mabé pearl and MoP handicrafts, thoughpreferences were found to exist for specific products and product attributes. Latent factoranalysis revealed cruise passenger preferences could be summarised by the importance anindividual assigned to a handmade product, a product with accompanying information, or theaesthetic appeal of a product. The importance assigned to these factors was found independentof cruise ship and passenger demographics, but partly explained by purchase intent (i.e.,purchase for self or others). Factoring these results into handicraft development strategies willhelp maximise local economic benefits from pearl industries and cruise tourism in Papua NewGuinea, but also throughout the Pacific region.
Details
- Title
- Informing artisanal pearl and pearl-shell handicraft production for the cruise tourism market through analysis of intended purchase behaviour
- Authors
- Thane A Militz (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australian Centre for Pacific Islands ResearchDeárne Kershler (Author)Paul C Southgate (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research
- Publication details
- Tourism in Marine Environments, Vol.16(1), pp.45-58
- Publisher
- Cognizant Communication Corporation
- Date published
- 2021
- DOI
- 10.3727/154427320X15958571868603
- ISSN
- 1544-273X
- Organisation Unit
- Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99482290202621
- Output Type
- Journal article
Metrics
27 Record Views