Convention tourism - one of the fastest growing tourism segments and a very important sector of the industry - is forecast to become the largest sector of the industry during the beginning of this millennium. The convention industry is a high value-ad...
Convention tourism - one of the fastest growing tourism segments and a very important sector of the industry - is forecast to become the largest sector of the industry during the beginning of this millennium. The convention industry is a high value-added industry that has a positive influence on local economies. As a result, many countries and regions have a keen interest in the industry, competitively fostering it as a strategic industry.
While today's trend towards open and information-oriented societies has contributed to active exchanges in the areas of human resources, information and culture, the convention industry, as an intermediary of international exchanges, has contributed to world peace and the development of national economies.
Although the convention industry has brought about significant developments in tourism recently, research on stakeholders' collaboration in convention studies has not been well developed. This study sought to overcome problems among stakeholders and to find ways to sustain collaboration among stakeholders in the convention industry of Jeju Island. Thus, this study selected six groups (public officials, journalists, academics, tourism businesses, NGOs, and the Jeju's International Convention Center - JCVB/ICC JEJU) deemed to have an important influence on the convention industry of the island.
To accomplish the objectives of this study, a review of theory and an empirical analysis were carried out together. The data for this study are 196 questionnaires selected from 240 that were distributed. The questionnaires targeted the stakeholders of the convention industry on Jeju Island, and were completed in a field survey performed between October 1st and October 20th 2007. Frequency analysis, reliability analysis, factor analysis, t-tests, ANOVA, regression analysis and path analysis were used to analyze the data.
Based on the survey, the findings of this study can be summarized as follows: First, there was a perception gap regarding collaboration determinants and collaboration effects among stakeholders. Especially in regards to public officials, it was found that those at JCVB/ICC JEJU, who have a direct involvement with the convention industry, have high levels of knowledge of the convention industry. It is argued that there is a need for knowledge-sharing and promotion of the convention industry with those who are indirectly involved with it, such as academics, journalists and NGOs.
Second, there were very few opportunities for those in the groups surveyed to express their opinions. The system of communication should be continually developed and expanded through such methods as open forums, congresses and presentations for the stakeholders of the convention industry in Jeju.
In the summary of this study, there is a discussion of the limits of this type of empirical analysis, and a discussion of those subjects related to this study which are in need of further research.