Social Networking Sites’ Influence on Consumer Decision-making Within the Context of Smart Tourism

Marios Sotiriadis; Dimitrios Koufopoulos; Qing Zhou

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijhtm.20230701.11

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Social Networking Sites’ Influence on Consumer Decision-making Within the Context of Smart Tourism

Marios Sotiriadis, Dimitrios Koufopoulos, Qing Zhou

Published in International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Management (Volume 7, Issue 1)

Received: 5 December 2022 Accepted: 27 December 2022 Published: 10 January 2023

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Abstract

The spread and extensive use of interactive platforms (Web2.0) have transformed the consumers’ behavior. The influence of social networking sites (SNSs) on consumers’ decision-making is on the radar of a multitude of industries and tourism could not be an exception. An in-depth understanding and insights in the consumer decision-making are valuable and critical in the field of tourism and travel that are consumer-driven and technology dominated industries. This article reports on a research project who’s the main aim was to explore the influence of social networks on consumer decision-making within the context of smart tourism, based on the travel life cycle or customer journey model. Data were collected in July to August 2022 using an online survey and the research model was tested with 630 respondents all SNS’ users within the Chinese context. Findings revealed that the greater influence of SNSs is at the second stage (i.e., on site/at destination) without overlooking the other stages (that are the stages before and after trip). The study’s results also suggested a ranking of influence that SNSs have on the investigated nine digital activities (by descending order): making on-site decisions, information searching, evaluating and sharing (online reviews), on-site evaluation, recommending and advocating tourism destinations and suppliers, recollecting/remembering, experiencing destination, preparing, booking and shopping. The article is completed by making suggestions for scholars, the tourism marketers, and those working with SNSs and other smart technologies.

Published in	International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Management (Volume 7, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijhtm.20230701.11
Page(s)	1-10
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Tourist Consumers, Decision-Making, Digital Activities, Social Networks, Smart Tourism, Travel Life Cycle

References

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APA Style

Marios Sotiriadis, Dimitrios Koufopoulos, Qing Zhou. (2023). Social Networking Sites’ Influence on Consumer Decision-making Within the Context of Smart Tourism. International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Management, 7(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhtm.20230701.11

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ACS Style

Marios Sotiriadis; Dimitrios Koufopoulos; Qing Zhou. Social Networking Sites’ Influence on Consumer Decision-making Within the Context of Smart Tourism. Int. J. Hosp. Tour. Manag. 2023, 7(1), 1-10. doi: 10.11648/j.ijhtm.20230701.11

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AMA Style

Marios Sotiriadis, Dimitrios Koufopoulos, Qing Zhou. Social Networking Sites’ Influence on Consumer Decision-making Within the Context of Smart Tourism. Int J Hosp Tour Manag. 2023;7(1):1-10. doi: 10.11648/j.ijhtm.20230701.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ijhtm.20230701.11,
  author = {Marios Sotiriadis and Dimitrios Koufopoulos and Qing Zhou},
  title = {Social Networking Sites’ Influence on Consumer Decision-making Within the Context of Smart Tourism},
  journal = {International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Management},
  volume = {7},
  number = {1},
  pages = {1-10},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijhtm.20230701.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhtm.20230701.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijhtm.20230701.11},
  abstract = {The spread and extensive use of interactive platforms (Web2.0) have transformed the consumers’ behavior. The influence of social networking sites (SNSs) on consumers’ decision-making is on the radar of a multitude of industries and tourism could not be an exception. An in-depth understanding and insights in the consumer decision-making are valuable and critical in the field of tourism and travel that are consumer-driven and technology dominated industries. This article reports on a research project who’s the main aim was to explore the influence of social networks on consumer decision-making within the context of smart tourism, based on the travel life cycle or customer journey model. Data were collected in July to August 2022 using an online survey and the research model was tested with 630 respondents all SNS’ users within the Chinese context. Findings revealed that the greater influence of SNSs is at the second stage (i.e., on site/at destination) without overlooking the other stages (that are the stages before and after trip). The study’s results also suggested a ranking of influence that SNSs have on the investigated nine digital activities (by descending order): making on-site decisions, information searching, evaluating and sharing (online reviews), on-site evaluation, recommending and advocating tourism destinations and suppliers, recollecting/remembering, experiencing destination, preparing, booking and shopping. The article is completed by making suggestions for scholars, the tourism marketers, and those working with SNSs and other smart technologies.},
 year = {2023}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Social Networking Sites’ Influence on Consumer Decision-making Within the Context of Smart Tourism
AU  - Marios Sotiriadis
AU  - Dimitrios Koufopoulos
AU  - Qing Zhou
Y1  - 2023/01/10
PY  - 2023
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhtm.20230701.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijhtm.20230701.11
T2  - International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Management
JF  - International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Management
JO  - International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Management
SP  - 1
EP  - 10
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-1800
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhtm.20230701.11
AB  - The spread and extensive use of interactive platforms (Web2.0) have transformed the consumers’ behavior. The influence of social networking sites (SNSs) on consumers’ decision-making is on the radar of a multitude of industries and tourism could not be an exception. An in-depth understanding and insights in the consumer decision-making are valuable and critical in the field of tourism and travel that are consumer-driven and technology dominated industries. This article reports on a research project who’s the main aim was to explore the influence of social networks on consumer decision-making within the context of smart tourism, based on the travel life cycle or customer journey model. Data were collected in July to August 2022 using an online survey and the research model was tested with 630 respondents all SNS’ users within the Chinese context. Findings revealed that the greater influence of SNSs is at the second stage (i.e., on site/at destination) without overlooking the other stages (that are the stages before and after trip). The study’s results also suggested a ranking of influence that SNSs have on the investigated nine digital activities (by descending order): making on-site decisions, information searching, evaluating and sharing (online reviews), on-site evaluation, recommending and advocating tourism destinations and suppliers, recollecting/remembering, experiencing destination, preparing, booking and shopping. The article is completed by making suggestions for scholars, the tourism marketers, and those working with SNSs and other smart technologies.
VL  - 7
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Marios Sotiriadis

Ningbo University-University of Angers Joint Institute/Sino-European Institute of Tourism and Culture, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
Dimitrios Koufopoulos

Global MBA, University of London, London, United Kingdom
Qing Zhou

Ningbo University-University of Angers Joint Institute/Sino-European Institute of Tourism and Culture, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China

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APA Style

Marios Sotiriadis, Dimitrios Koufopoulos, Qing Zhou. (2023). Social Networking Sites’ Influence on Consumer Decision-making Within the Context of Smart Tourism. International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Management, 7(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhtm.20230701.11

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ACS Style

Marios Sotiriadis; Dimitrios Koufopoulos; Qing Zhou. Social Networking Sites’ Influence on Consumer Decision-making Within the Context of Smart Tourism. Int. J. Hosp. Tour. Manag. 2023, 7(1), 1-10. doi: 10.11648/j.ijhtm.20230701.11

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AMA Style

Marios Sotiriadis, Dimitrios Koufopoulos, Qing Zhou. Social Networking Sites’ Influence on Consumer Decision-making Within the Context of Smart Tourism. Int J Hosp Tour Manag. 2023;7(1):1-10. doi: 10.11648/j.ijhtm.20230701.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ijhtm.20230701.11,
  author = {Marios Sotiriadis and Dimitrios Koufopoulos and Qing Zhou},
  title = {Social Networking Sites’ Influence on Consumer Decision-making Within the Context of Smart Tourism},
  journal = {International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Management},
  volume = {7},
  number = {1},
  pages = {1-10},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijhtm.20230701.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhtm.20230701.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijhtm.20230701.11},
  abstract = {The spread and extensive use of interactive platforms (Web2.0) have transformed the consumers’ behavior. The influence of social networking sites (SNSs) on consumers’ decision-making is on the radar of a multitude of industries and tourism could not be an exception. An in-depth understanding and insights in the consumer decision-making are valuable and critical in the field of tourism and travel that are consumer-driven and technology dominated industries. This article reports on a research project who’s the main aim was to explore the influence of social networks on consumer decision-making within the context of smart tourism, based on the travel life cycle or customer journey model. Data were collected in July to August 2022 using an online survey and the research model was tested with 630 respondents all SNS’ users within the Chinese context. Findings revealed that the greater influence of SNSs is at the second stage (i.e., on site/at destination) without overlooking the other stages (that are the stages before and after trip). The study’s results also suggested a ranking of influence that SNSs have on the investigated nine digital activities (by descending order): making on-site decisions, information searching, evaluating and sharing (online reviews), on-site evaluation, recommending and advocating tourism destinations and suppliers, recollecting/remembering, experiencing destination, preparing, booking and shopping. The article is completed by making suggestions for scholars, the tourism marketers, and those working with SNSs and other smart technologies.},
 year = {2023}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Social Networking Sites’ Influence on Consumer Decision-making Within the Context of Smart Tourism
AU  - Marios Sotiriadis
AU  - Dimitrios Koufopoulos
AU  - Qing Zhou
Y1  - 2023/01/10
PY  - 2023
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhtm.20230701.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijhtm.20230701.11
T2  - International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Management
JF  - International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Management
JO  - International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Management
SP  - 1
EP  - 10
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-1800
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhtm.20230701.11
AB  - The spread and extensive use of interactive platforms (Web2.0) have transformed the consumers’ behavior. The influence of social networking sites (SNSs) on consumers’ decision-making is on the radar of a multitude of industries and tourism could not be an exception. An in-depth understanding and insights in the consumer decision-making are valuable and critical in the field of tourism and travel that are consumer-driven and technology dominated industries. This article reports on a research project who’s the main aim was to explore the influence of social networks on consumer decision-making within the context of smart tourism, based on the travel life cycle or customer journey model. Data were collected in July to August 2022 using an online survey and the research model was tested with 630 respondents all SNS’ users within the Chinese context. Findings revealed that the greater influence of SNSs is at the second stage (i.e., on site/at destination) without overlooking the other stages (that are the stages before and after trip). The study’s results also suggested a ranking of influence that SNSs have on the investigated nine digital activities (by descending order): making on-site decisions, information searching, evaluating and sharing (online reviews), on-site evaluation, recommending and advocating tourism destinations and suppliers, recollecting/remembering, experiencing destination, preparing, booking and shopping. The article is completed by making suggestions for scholars, the tourism marketers, and those working with SNSs and other smart technologies.
VL  - 7
IS  - 1
ER  -

Copy | Download