Travel Destination Choice, Destination Experience and Fulfillment of Travel Expectations in Lapland

• Main Authors: Ylimartimo, Suvi, Manninen, Sara
• Other Authors: Lapin ammattikorkeakoulu
• Format: Bachelor Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Lapin ammattikorkeakoulu 2018
• Subjects: destination choice; fulfillment of expectations; destination experience; Lapland; destination development; tourism destination; fi=Matkailu|sv=Turism|en=Tourism|; Tourism; Arctic
• Online Access: http://www.theseus.fi/handle/10024/153946

The aim of thesis was to provide new information on the factors affecting destination choice, travel expectations of Lapland as a destination and the quality of destination experience as well as separate travel experiences in a destination to benefit the development of Lapland as a tourism destination. To gain a good understanding of factors creating a successful and superior destination, many previous theoretical findings were used such as academic journal articles, books and statistical data. To achieve this aim different quantitative researches were made by executing handout survey and social media content analysis. Different quantitative methods and a sampling method were utilized. The research results mapped the current quality of international travelers’ experiences in Lapland and pointed the need of development in local transportation, shopping possibilities city attractions in Lapland. The research proved that Lapland is expected and experienced to be an authentic nature destination with high-quality extraordinary nature experiences and activities. Lapland’s price level was expected to be reasonable but experienced as more expensive destination than expected. However, most travelers’ holistic travel experiences in Lapland were successful and expectations were met. Despite the high level of destination’s total experience quality, Lapland should concentrate on developing the destination’s weaknesses such as transportation and to promote the strong attractiveness of arctic nature by developing new sustainable and more personalized products and services in destination. Opinnäytetyön tavoitteena oli tuottaa uutta tietoa matkailukohteen valintaan vaikuttavista tekijöistä, tyytyväisyydestä matkailupalveluihin sekä elämysten laadusta matkailukohteessa ja tukea Lapin kehitystä matkailukohteena. Erilaisiin lähteisiin kuten akateemisiin artikkeleihin, kirjoihin sekä tilastotietoihin perehtymällä saatiin tietoa tekijöistä, jotka luovat matkailukohteesta menestyvän ja korkeatasoisen. Opinnäytetyön kysely ...