ICPTR

Voting behavior has often been used as a dependent variable in research. In this research project we used voting behavior as an independent variable. The purpose of the research was to empirically examine the effect of voting behavior on tourism perceptions in a Dutch-Moroccan context. A previous study indicated that to comprehensively study destination image in a multicultural society there is a need to examine the role of perceptions and stereotypes in mediating travel propensity. Specifically the present study sought to examine the extent to which voting behavior has an impact on destination visitation. Subsequently, Dutch respondents (N=195) were asked their perceptions of (a) people of Moroccan origin living in the Netherlands, (b) Moroccan people living in Morocco, (c) Morocco as a tourism destination, and (d) Moroccan women. These questions emerged from a prior qualitative study which indicated that Dutch travel propensity to visit Morocco was mediated by factors including their perceptions of Moroccan ‘immigrants’ residing in the Netherlands which was overwhelmingly negative.  The results of the most recent national ellections and public opinion polls attest to that. Appropriate test statistics was used accordingly to assess for differences between the two groups.

Specifically, the study considered two opposite political parties, with diverging ideologies especially with regards to immigration, citizenship and diversity: the Green Party (Greon Links) and the populist party the Freedom Party (PVV). Respondents were asked to provide their opinion about a set of statements using a Liket-Scale of 1 to 5, where 1=Strongly Disagree and 5=Strongly Agree. The results were based on a random sample of GL respondents (n=100) and PVV (n=95). The results confirm that effectively the PVV voters are less inclined to visit Morocco than their GL counterparts. Please note that this is just a snapshot of a large data set. For more information contact us.