In this competitive business environment, it is required for the international meetings destination to prepare the positioning strategy as a key element of the destination marketing. This is because well-prepared images of the destinations would creat...
In this competitive business environment, it is required for the international meetings destination to prepare the positioning strategy as a key element of the destination marketing. This is because well-prepared images of the destinations would create better image for the products and services of the destinations, and eventually induce more meetings.
This study analyzed the positioning of the international meetings destination by utilizing the multi-dimensional method. The perception degrees and preference of the international meetings destination in meeting planner's mind were mapped and analyzed. To achieve the purpose of this study, theoretical and empirical study was used. In review of theoretical background, basic concepts and strategy of positioning strategy were studied. Based on the theoretical studies and previous studies, destination attributes were chosen.
An empirical research was conducted with cases of Jeju, Seoul, Kyoungju, and Busan. And a list of questions in five categories - destination similarity, perception for attributes, destination preference, importance for attributes, and personal characteristics of the respondents - were constructed and tested.
The statistical analysis of the data was conducted using techniques of frequency analysis, factor analysis and destination attributes were analyzed by oneway ANOVA and T-test. Multidimentional scaling methods like ALSCAL was used for the evaluation of Destination Positioning Strategy.
The results of the study are summarized as follows:
1. Based upon a factor analysis, 5 significant factors were identified. Those include the facility, service, the accessibility, the cost, the entertainment. And all respondents consider the ficility as the most important factor as they select a destination.
2. Based upon IPA, each destination enjoy different competitive advantages. Jeju is perceived strong in having the cost and the entertainment; Seoul in the facility, the accessibility, and the service.
3. For the perceptional degree of the international meetings destination, respondents perceive the Jeju-Kyungju the best closed competitor, and Seoul-Busan very closed competitive destination, but Jeju-Seoul and Seoul-Kyungju are less competitive.
Based upon the results listed above, this study may conclude that each destination has their own properties, but some are shared with other destinations. It is required to create their unique images for better marketing performance. The activity should be on-going basis because the market is changing over time. The results are part of the process of creating marketing strategies, so can not be generalized in all market situations, Further study may improve the generality in this context.