Factors influencing MICE tourism stakeholders' decision making: The case of Aqaba in Jordan

Abstract

Although the decision to invest in MICE tourism is tentatively multifactorial, it has been also addressed as being regionally diverse. Thus, this study examines the perspectives of the Jordanian stakeholders on the attributes of the city of Aqaba that would instigate the investment in MICE. The sample of the study comprises 253 stakeholders and uses structural equation modeling for the purpose of examining the effect of destination attributes on the decision to invest on the one hand, and the relationship between exogenous and endogenous constructs of the model on the other hand. The results show a statistically significant and positive correlation between destination attributes, either weak or strong, and decision making although the former tends to augment recognition. Theoretical and managerial implications are also suggested in the study.