title: Visitors to Mauritius - Place, Perceptions and Determinants of Repeat Visitation

authors: Prayag, Girish

subjects: Mauritius

abstract: Tourism has long been recognised as a vital element of the economic development and growth of island destinations. This has been no different for the island of Mauritius, whose appeal is predominantly based on a sun, sand and sea product anchored in resort-based experiences. At the maturity stage of its destination life cycle, the island has embarked on product development and market diversification strategies for growth. In this respect, this study investigates cultural differences in image perceptions for the key generating markets of Mauritius and the factors determining repeat visitation. The relationship among several constructs such as destination image, service interactions, place attachment, personal involvement, satisfaction and future behaviour is explored. Understanding these relationships, can possibly improve segmentation, targeting, product development strategies and revisit intentions. Also, the role of interactions by visitors with hotel employees and how these influence other constructs such as place attachment and personal involvement have been of lesser interest to researchers. Therefore, a literature review on these relationships informs the construction of a theoretical model. Adopting a post-positivist stance, the qualitative component of the research focuses on exploring visitors‟ perceptions of image and service interactions using social constructionism. Personal construct theory informed the choice of a convenience sample of 103 visitors. Broad questions were designed within a phenomenological approach to allow participants to narrate their  lived‟ experiences. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data and supplemented by content analysis using CATPAC to improve credibility of interpretation. The findings revealed that images are linked to motives for choice and in the case of Mauritius, fulfilment of needs for relaxation and escape as well as socialisation and learning determine visitors‟ perceptions. Service interactions are imbued in values such as integrity and respect, mutual understanding and authenticity of display. Place attachment as a latent dimension was related to the affective image of the place while personal involvement and familiarity influenced perceptions of service interactions. Nationality, ethnicity and language spoken had some influence on perceptions.
These findings informed the design of a survey instrument that was administered to a quota sample of 1000 visitors, of which, 705 were useable. The method of data collection
iii
was self- completion by hotel guests and self-completion in the presence of the researcher on beaches around hotels. Exploratory factor analysis was initially used to assess the dimensionality of the various constructs in the theoretical model, thereafter confirmatory factor analysis and structural equations modelling were undertaken to validate the model. Cluster analysis was used to identify different segments of visitors based on their level of personal involvement and place attachment. Regression models were developed to predict visitors overall image, satisfaction and loyalty as well as their propensity to be repeaters. The results indicated that destination image has both direct and an indirect influence over future behaviour. In particular, personal involvement and perceived service interactions are antecedents of destination image, while place attachment has motives for choice and personal involvement as antecedents. Given these relationships, important implications for destination image, product development as well as direction for destination marketing are offered. Implications for service providers are discussed and theoretical contributions of the study are highlighted.

text: Visitors to Mauritius - Place, Perceptions and Determinants of Repeat Visitation Tourism has long been recognised as a vital element of the economic development and growth of island destinations. This has been no different for the island of Mauritius, whose appeal is predominantly based on a sun, sand and sea product anchored in resort-based experiences. At the maturity stage of its destination life cycle, the island has embarked on product development and market diversification strategies for growth. In this respect, this study investigates cultural differences in image perceptions for the key generating markets of Mauritius and the factors determining repeat visitation. The relationship among several constructs such as destination image, service interactions, place attachment, personal involvement, satisfaction and future behaviour is explored. Understanding these relationships, can possibly improve segmentation, targeting, product development strategies and revisit intentions. Also, the role of interactions by visitors with hotel employees and how these influence other constructs such as place attachment and personal involvement have been of lesser interest to researchers. Therefore, a literature review on these relationships informs the construction of a theoretical model. Adopting a post-positivist stance, the qualitative component of the research focuses on exploring visitors‟ perceptions of image and service interactions using social constructionism. Personal construct theory informed the choice of a convenience sample of 103 visitors. Broad questions were designed within a phenomenological approach to allow participants to narrate their  lived‟ experiences. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data and supplemented by content analysis using CATPAC to improve credibility of interpretation. The findings revealed that images are linked to motives for choice and in the case of Mauritius, fulfilment of needs for relaxation and escape as well as socialisation and learning determine visitors‟ perceptions. Service interactions are imbued in values such as integrity and respect, mutual understanding and authenticity of display. Place attachment as a latent dimension was related to the affective image of the place while personal involvement and familiarity influenced perceptions of service interactions. Nationality, ethnicity and language spoken had some influence on perceptions.
These findings informed the design of a survey instrument that was administered to a quota sample of 1000 visitors, of which, 705 were useable. The method of data collection
iii
was self- completion by hotel guests and self-completion in the presence of the researcher on beaches around hotels. Exploratory factor analysis was initially used to assess the dimensionality of the various constructs in the theoretical model, thereafter confirmatory factor analysis and structural equations modelling were undertaken to validate the model. Cluster analysis was used to identify different segments of visitors based on their level of personal involvement and place attachment. Regression models were developed to predict visitors overall image, satisfaction and loyalty as well as their propensity to be repeaters. The results indicated that destination image has both direct and an indirect influence over future behaviour. In particular, personal involvement and perceived service interactions are antecedents of destination image, while place attachment has motives for choice and personal involvement as antecedents. Given these relationships, important implications for destination image, product development as well as direction for destination marketing are offered. Implications for service providers are discussed and theoretical contributions of the study are highlighted.

year: 2009

title: Late Holocene cool climate episodes, recorded on Lake Bonney, an Antarctic amplifier lake

authors: Croall, Jacob Grant

abstract: Chemical, stable isotope and natural abundance radionuclide analysis of cores taken through sediments below Lake Bonney, Taylor Valley, Antarctica, show evidence of multiple episodes of flooding by meltwaters from Taylor Glacier and desiccation to brines sufficiently concentrated to produce ice free conditions. The last three identified desiccation events date 1550 ± 40, 800 ± 100 and 450 ± 160 yr B.P. and match the last three periods of sustained cooling identified by isotope changes in the Taylor Dome ice core. Similar cooling events have been identified by other authors elsewhere in Antarctica.

The desiccation events have produced dramatic changes in the sediment character of Lake Bonney East Lobe, but show little impact in the West Lobe. In East Lobe halite, hydrohalite, gypsum, and aragonite are precipitated and extreme isotopic enrichment of carbon (up to 813C of +12.0%0) occurred as aragonite was forced from solution by rapid freezing of the brine over winter. Reflooding events were often associated with algal blooms and resulted in radical changes in the 180/1 60 ratio in the water column.

It is speculated that Taylor Glacier retreated to expose a 250 m deep subglacial depression during the last glacial maximum allowing Glacial Lake Washburn to extend westwards to perhaps Cavendish Rocks. The reduced Taylor Glacier enabled Taylor Dome to lower causing deposition of more 180 enriched ice than would otherwise have been expected. Taylor Glacier and Taylor Dome have continued to advance throughout the Holocene.

text: Late Holocene cool climate episodes, recorded on Lake Bonney, an Antarctic amplifier lake Chemical, stable isotope and natural abundance radionuclide analysis of cores taken through sediments below Lake Bonney, Taylor Valley, Antarctica, show evidence of multiple episodes of flooding by meltwaters from Taylor Glacier and desiccation to brines sufficiently concentrated to produce ice free conditions. The last three identified desiccation events date 1550 ± 40, 800 ± 100 and 450 ± 160 yr B.P. and match the last three periods of sustained cooling identified by isotope changes in the Taylor Dome ice core. Similar cooling events have been identified by other authors elsewhere in Antarctica.

The desiccation events have produced dramatic changes in the sediment character of Lake Bonney East Lobe, but show little impact in the West Lobe. In East Lobe halite, hydrohalite, gypsum, and aragonite are precipitated and extreme isotopic enrichment of carbon (up to 813C of +12.0%0) occurred as aragonite was forced from solution by rapid freezing of the brine over winter. Reflooding events were often associated with algal blooms and resulted in radical changes in the 180/1 60 ratio in the water column.

It is speculated that Taylor Glacier retreated to expose a 250 m deep subglacial depression during the last glacial maximum allowing Glacial Lake Washburn to extend westwards to perhaps Cavendish Rocks. The reduced Taylor Glacier enabled Taylor Dome to lower causing deposition of more 180 enriched ice than would otherwise have been expected. Taylor Glacier and Taylor Dome have continued to advance throughout the Holocene.

year: 2005

title: Lessons for teachers through intergenerational Māori experiences in Aotearoa’s education system

authors: Virtue, Katie

abstract: The intention of this research is to serve as professional development for myself and fellow teachers who work with tamariki Māori (Māori children) within mainstream education contexts in Aotearoa. This research explores historical factors that have contributed to the academic disparities of Māori including colonisation, the doctrine of discovery and contention over the differing versions of the Treaty of Waitangi. This research then shifts from holding the coloniser at the centre of the narrative to positioning Māori at the centre as exemplary examples of relentless Māori resistance. More contemporary examples of educational policies are then presented and analysed as an attempt to better understand these contexts.
What is blatantly clear through the exploration of educational policies throughout Aotearoa’s post-colonial history is the absence of Māori voice. For this reason, the findings of this thesis are centred on the voices of four wāhine Māori (Māori Women), across three generations, and their experiences with different teachers through Aotearoa’s education system.  
These stories provide invaluable lessons for all educators in Aotearoa.

text: Lessons for teachers through intergenerational Māori experiences in Aotearoa’s education system The intention of this research is to serve as professional development for myself and fellow teachers who work with tamariki Māori (Māori children) within mainstream education contexts in Aotearoa. This research explores historical factors that have contributed to the academic disparities of Māori including colonisation, the doctrine of discovery and contention over the differing versions of the Treaty of Waitangi. This research then shifts from holding the coloniser at the centre of the narrative to positioning Māori at the centre as exemplary examples of relentless Māori resistance. More contemporary examples of educational policies are then presented and analysed as an attempt to better understand these contexts.
What is blatantly clear through the exploration of educational policies throughout Aotearoa’s post-colonial history is the absence of Māori voice. For this reason, the findings of this thesis are centred on the voices of four wāhine Māori (Māori Women), across three generations, and their experiences with different teachers through Aotearoa’s education system.  
These stories provide invaluable lessons for all educators in Aotearoa.

year: 2021