Attributes of Destination Attractiveness in Taiwanese Bicycle Tourism: The Perspective of Active Experienced Bicycle Tourists

Abstract

This study extends previous studies by examining the demand-side perspective towards the factors determining the attractiveness of a bicycle tourism destination and choosing Taiwan as the research context. Thirteen determinants of destination attractiveness were selected by reviewing the relevant literature. The relative importance of these determinants was analyzed using the analytic hierarchy process method. Using the snowball sampling approach, a total of 28 active experienced bicycle tourists were involved in this study. Results show that provision of catering services (grocery and convenience stores), comfortable climate, smooth pavement surface, and provision of lodging facilities are the most important attributes determining the attractiveness of a bicycle tourism destination. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Taiwan
• bicycle tourism
• destination attractiveness
• analytic hierarchy process