Tourist’s Intention of Returning to a Visited Destination: Cruise Ship Passengers in Cartagena De Indias, Colombia

Abstract

This study contribute to the growing literature on repeat visitation by examining the factors that affect a cruise ship passenger’s stated likelihood of returning to a visited port as a stay over tourist. Results from a survey of cruise ship passengers that stopped in Cartagena de Indias (Colombia) during the second semester of 2009 suggest that about one half of the respondents plan a return trip to the area. We show that the probability of returning to the destination depends positively on geographic area of residence, on the level of satisfaction declared by the passenger, on the time spent out the ship and especially on whether the tourist is not an experienced cruiser. The typical visitor wanting to return as stayover tourist is thus male, lives in the Caribbean area, high educated, young, on his first cruise and on an self-organized visit, who has spend a lot of time in port and experienced satisfactory services and security.

Keywords: Cruise Industry, Cartagena de Indias, Repeat Visitation, Logit

JEL Classification: L83, Q21, Q26