Efficiency Assessment of Inbound Tourist Service Using Data Envelopment Analysis

Han-Shen Chen, Bi-Kun Tsai, Gwo-Bao Liou and Chi-Ming Hsieh
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Han-Shen Chen: Department of Health Diet and Industry Management, Chung Shan Medical University, No. 110, Sec. 1, Jianguo N. Rd., Taichung City 40201, Taiwan
Bi-Kun Tsai: Graduate Institute of Bio-Industry Management, National Chung Hsing University, 145 Xingda Rd., South Dist., Taichung City 40227, Taiwan
Gwo-Bao Liou: School of Liberal Education, Shin Chien University Kaoshiung Campus, No. 200, University Rd., Neiman Dist., Kaoshiung City 845, Taiwan
Chi-Ming Hsieh: International Bachelor Program of Agribusiness, National Chung Hsing University, 145 Xingda Rd., South Dist., Taichung City 40227, Taiwan

Sustainability, 2018, vol. 10, issue 6, 1-14

Abstract: The successful and sustainable development of inbound tourism necessitates a long-term commitment, balancing between tourism supply and tourist demands. This study manipulated a performance appraisal of tourism service quality in Taiwan with Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) by employing input and output constructs to assess service quality efficiency. The empirical results of the estimation of technical efficiency (TE) revealed that (1) the domestic tourism market is competitive, but still needs enhancements for tourism service; (2) Mainland Chinese tourists had the highest score among all foreign tourists, followed by Hong Kong and Macau tourists, tourists from other countries, Japanese tourists, and South Korean tourists; and (3) South Korean tourists had higher travel expenditure than others, but felt less satisfaction with travel services, which can be regarded as inefficient. Tourists from other countries had lower travel expenditure, but had higher satisfaction levels, which was considered efficient based on input and output index. The findings could contribute to bridging the gap between research and practice in assessing the efficiency of inbound tourist service. Tourism practitioners should be aware of tourists’ needs and interests, as these could be key fundamentals for improving tourists’ satisfaction with Taiwan’s service offerings.

Keywords: sustainable tourism; performance appraisal; technical efficiency; service quality (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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