Purpose of this study is to identity influence factors on trust using factor
analyses on hotel brand personality based on demographics of hotel guests in
Gyeongju, Korea.
Literature review and a field survey are mainly employed to gam study
objectives. Statistical methods used include frequency analysis, factor analysis,
reliability analysis, correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis.
The following hypotheses for the study are investigated ;
HI : The hotel brand personality will have a positive and significant impact
on trust.
The questionnaire is inclusive of 63 items in total. 42 questions are regarding
the characteristics of hotel brand personality. Four(4) questions are relevant to
trust. Four(4) questions are relevant to loyalty. Two(2) questions are relevant
to word-of-mouth. three(3) questions are relevant to intention of hotel-revisits.
The remaining are relevant to demographic items.
Study results are as follows ;
First, hotel guests to Gyeongju are family travelers largely in their 20' s and
30's.
Second, 42 independent variables of hotel brand personality were clustered
into six factors such as progressiveness factor, family factor, sensitivity factor,
organization factor, outdoor factor and activity factor.
Third, the analysis on relationship between hotel brand personality and trust
revealed that hotel brand personality significantly affects trust. In detail, family,
organization and outdoor factors were verified as significant among the above
six factors.
This study examined impacts of hotel brand personality to the trust. In
conclusion, it was found that the hotel brand personality factor has some
partial impact on trust.
Major finding are as follows
Hotel brand personality significantly affects trust.
Additionally, the hotel management in Gyeongju IS recommended to use
proper strategies considering the above results.
This study has some limitations in the questionnaire survey.
First, the survey of this study was restricted to the domestic hotel guests of
the deluxe hotel in Gyeongju, Korea. Further studies are recommended to
include foreign guests.
Second, the survey of this study was performed once(only one time). Further
studies are recommended to be conducted.
Third, further studies are recommended to be conducted considering
demographic conditions of each hotel.
Fourth, the study results may not be generalized to the nation because the
research scope was limited to Gyeongju City, located in the south-eastern tip
of the Korean peninsula. Sampling scope has likely to be expanded in the
future research as well.