1st Edition

Understanding the Hospitality Consumer

By Alastair Williams Copyright 2002
    280 Pages
    by Routledge

    280 Pages
    by Routledge

    'Understanding the Hospitality Consumer' presents a unique perspective on consumer behaviour in the hospitality sector. It seeks to focus on the role of consumption in hospitality and to investigate our understanding of its place in the contemporary industry.

    Taking the view that successful marketing demands focusing on the customer, this text concentrates on understanding and determining customer needs, relevant factors in consumer buying behaviour and the effectiveness of today's marketing techniques.

    Using industry based case studies and examples 'Understanding the Hospitality Consumer' :

    * Introduces and explores the role of consumer behaviour theory in the context of hospitality management
    * Discusses the principles and research of consumer behaviour and illustrates how they are used in the hospitality industry today
    * Examines the value of consumer behaviour research as applied to the contemporary hospitality industry
    * Explores the challenges to traditional approaches to consumption posed by the postmodern hospitality consumer

    The book's targeted focus and practical application ensures that it is well suited for both students and practising managers in the hospitality field.

    Introduction; Consumers and services; Individual processes; Social processes; Cultural influences; Consumer decision models; The end of the marketing concept; Postmodern consumers; Marketing meaning and signification; Researching contemporary consumers; Hospitality implications of the revolution in consumption.

    Biography

    Alistair Williams

    "...a satisfying synthesis of theory and practice. Williams not only sets out the theory clearly, but also shows how it applies to the complicated world of hospitality. Unlike many academic texts, this book has direction and leaves the reader with a provocative and pertinent message." - Hayden Ingram, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, February 2003

    "...a stimulating read with good application and interest for those who study or practice hospitality management." - Professor Jon Bareham, Professor of Business and Management, University of Brighton, UK