Date of Award

Summer 2014

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Hospitality and Tourism Management

First Advisor

Xinran Y. Lehto

Committee Chair

Xinran Y. Lehto

Committee Member 1

Li Miao

Committee Member 2

G. Jonathon Day

Abstract

An increase of work demands during workdays and sometime on the weekends can put more stress on individuals and lead to a higher need for recovery. Vacation is a prime candidate of a longer respite that can ensure a more complete recovery process because it allows individuals to temporarily take several days or weeks off without actively engaging in their job. This study thus intends to explore which activities are done upon vacation and how can they influence an individual's recovery experiences. By reviewing the theories related to recovery, vacation activities, and recreation opportunities, the study's conceptual model was developed to observe the association between activities and the recovery process. Resort vacation in Thailand however was chosen as a case for conducting the study because Thailand has been known as a popular tourist destination, featuring various attractive resorts located in different geographical areas and offering wide ranges of activities. Data obtained from 331 resort visitors in Thailand via offline and online platforms were analyzed using descriptive statistic, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), One-way between-groups Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA), Multiple Regression Analysis (MLR), Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA), and cluster analysis. Seven activity factors (Physical & Outdoor Activities, Cultural & City Interest, Online Media & Entertainment, Social & Non-exerting, Active Nature Pursuit, Personal Care, and Time for Myself) and four dimensions of recovery experiences (Psychological Detachment, Relaxation, Control, and Mastery) were identified. The positive effects were found among the six activity factors, except Personal Care, on the particular dimensions of vacation recovery experience. Interestingly, Physical & Outdoor, Online Media & Entertainment, and Social & Non-exerting factor appeared to have negative effects on the different dimensions of vacation recovery experience as well. Personal Care activities were surprisingly found to present no significant effect on any dimension of vacation recovery experience. Such profound factors were then classified under Resource-Providing and Resource-Consuming Vacation Activities to differentiate the positive and negative effects that each activity category has on vacation recovery experience. Based on the cluster analysis, three groups of resort visitors (Activity doers, Socializers, and Relaxation seekers) were uncovered regarding to their preferred vacation activities, perceived vacation recovery experience, and demographics. Hence, the key findings bear empirical contributions to research scholars by providing a significant framework for further observation and clarification of the relationship between vacation recovery-related activities and the vacation recovery experience. This current study also offers managerial implications for practitioners in a more mindful approach when designing and developing vacation products in order to ensure an individual's optimal sense of recovery.

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