Abstract
Relationship between motivation to travel and quality of medical services
Conference Proceedings of the 4th AHTMM Conference, pp.65-66
Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Marketing and Management Conference, 4th (Mauritius, Africa, 25-Jun-2014–27-Jun-2014)
2014
Abstract
This research aims to achieve the following four objectives: 1) To identify the motivation to travel for medical reasons and the quality of the medical services received; 2) To explore the relationship between the motivation and quality of medical services; 3) To explore the relationship between the quality of medical services and tourist attitudes; and 4) To describe medical tourists in terms of their socio-demographic characteristics and medical travel related behaviors. The study is conducted by collecting empirical data on medical tourists who visited Korea to attain medical services. A total of 500 questionnaires were distributed at 25 hospitals and travel agencies. An exploratory factor analysis was employed to identify three motivations (medical travel experience, health recovery/recharge, medical expense/service) and three quality characteristics (credibility, tangibles, responsiveness). A structural equation model (SEM) using the LISREL program was performed to test hypotheses about whether significant relationships existed between medical travel motivation and medical service quality. Finally, using frequency analysis, medical tourists were then described in terms of socio-demographic characteristics and medical travel related behaviors. Results of this study revealed that medical expense/service has a negative effect on credibility, while health recovery/recharge has a positive effect on responsiveness. Results also indicated that both tangibles and responsiveness of service quality have a significant effect on tourist attitudes of both satisfaction and loyalty. This research has marketing and managerial implications for hospitals and medical service institutions. The research is of benefit not only to academics and practitioners in the fields of travel behavior and attitudes in the medical tourism industry, but also to health marketers and planners in the planning, marketing and managing of medical travel services/products.
Details
- Title
- Relationship between motivation to travel and quality of medical services
- Authors
- Hyun-Suk Lim (Author) - Cheongju University, South KoreaTimothy J Lee (Author) - Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, JapanHo-Pyo Park (Author) - Cheongju University, South Korea
- Contributors
- Robin Nunkoo (Editor)Boopen Seetanah (Editor)Raja Vinesh Sannassee (Editor)
- Publication details
- Conference Proceedings of the 4th AHTMM Conference, pp.65-66
- Conference details
- Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Marketing and Management Conference, 4th (Mauritius, Africa, 25-Jun-2014–27-Jun-2014)
- Publisher
- University of Mauritius
- Date published
- 2014
- ISBN
- 169412225
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Sustainability Research Cluster
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450954102621
- Output Type
- Abstract
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