Factors influencing the length of stay in Jordan: tourists perspective
Akram Atef Rawashdeh, Tourism and Travel Department, Yarmouk University, Irbid.
Abstract
The study aims to reveal factors affecting the length of stay of tourists in Jordan. It examines the impact of certain variables on the length of stay, including: the characteristics of tourist movement to Jordan, the socio-economic variables of tourists and the number of their previous visits to Jordan and their purpose. A questionnaire was designed and distributed to a sample of 274 individual tourists because of their independency in determining the length of their stay. The sample was chosen randomly from visitors of many sites in Jordan. The study based on statistical regression analysis (Linear Regression). As a result, it became evident that the length of stay of tourists in Jordan is very short (less than five nights). It demonstrated that there is a statistical significance according to a number of variables including: gender, nationality, number of previous visits, type of accommodation and its classification, purpose of visit and tourists’ expenditure. It revealed that there was high satisfaction from the tourist point of view concerning security, stability, tourist restaurants and the tour guidance in Jordan. The study recommended the need for promoting Jordan as a one destination per se for its safety and security, on the other hand, a special attention should be give to diversify of tourist product in Jordan by focusing on event tourism.
Keywords: Jordan, length of stay, demand, tourist, tourism.