In addition to the water supply, sanitation, and MSW, perhaps, availability of hotels & motels, reliable public transportation system, food services, places to see (historical places), arts, and museums may be considered. Reliable air transportation at a reasonable cost may also be something to consider. It is a given fact people will not travel to unsafe environment.

Should give emphasis on factors that determine tourist comfort? 

Thanks for the comments guys. I appreciate that.

@ Bichaka Fayissa:

Thanks for your suggestion. I do wanted to include accommodation and transportation. But, including everything may increase length of questionnaire, which may not be desirable.  I am only trying to find role of urban services in increasing or decreasing tourist satisfaction. I would welcome your suggestions on how to go about it.

@Everyone:

Would you guys be willing to critique/review the first draft of questionnaire?

Sourabh,

We have done work on gastro-tourism, but I believe the criteria can be very useful for your study as well.  We found four critical elements for success at sites: Health & Safety; Transportation; Communication; Authenticity.  It looks like the first three are most applicable, but in reality, Authenticity is.  These are embodied in the Gastro-Tourism Brand Promise.  This model is in the attached ppt we presented. 

Our paper "Experiencing the Experience" can be downloaded here, and lists the details necessary within three phases: Plan before leaving; Logistics getting; On Site.  It will help with your survey, and was a foundation for our GTBP model (along with our 1st paper on gastro-tourism in emerging markets, below). 

If for some reason you can't find those papers here under my name, please let me know.  And yes, I would be willing to critique.

Best Regards,

Robert

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/270341888_Experiencing_the_experience_an_examination_of_the_significance_of_impact_factors_during_the_three_stages_of_transnational_gastronomic_tourism

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/270342037_Gastro-tourism_as_destination_branding_in_emerging_markets

Article Experiencing the experience: an examination of the significa...

Article Gastro-tourism as destination branding in emerging markets

Robert,

Thanks for uploading the paper and thanks for offering your help to review the questionnaire.

It is definitely interesting to learn about gastro-tourism. In India, few states or some regions within few states are doing something along those lines (I read in a news paper, so I am not sure about academic research in that field). But, my research focuses on importance of cleanliness, waste management, safe drinking water etc. in increasing tourist satisfaction.  Unlike many other countries, India has a huge water and waste problem. Litter in public places and shortage of drinking water even in tourist destinations are huge problems.

So, I am trying to find how critical are basic urban services (cleanliness, water services) to tourist satisfaction in ecologically sensitive region in developing countries. It will become very complex to include too many factors such as accommodation and transportation even though they are important. So, the questionnaire will mainly include questions to capture tourist perception of cleanliness and satisfactory level of water for daily use. Let me know if this seems appropriate or I need to change the approach.

PS: Case study area for my research is going to be ecologically sensitive area (Himalayan region city).

Sourabh,

I agree the cleanliness/water are a must; first step.  But alot depends upon the tourist, and their needs.  For a long time tourists were warned not to drink the water in Mexico ( Google "Montezuma's Revenge" for info), yet they came anyway and just came prepared.  So if the tourist demand is there, they can accommodate some failings.   So in addition to asking about the sanitary things (which you must be careful to not perpetuate the negative stereotype) you must find out the real reason WHY they wish to travel.  Then as the sanitary things get better (they will), you'll still know WHY they want to come.

So perception is good (so you can prove they need to improve to gain tourist business), but also find out the motivation.  I agree lodging and transportation are more bearable.

I also did some hotel work, which I'll send you.  We haven't published yet, so don't quote us without permission.  But I think it may help.

Robert

Because the urban center maybe further away from the actual site of the visit, let's say the beach resorts or some other natural attraction. Visitors may need to apportion time between the two "spaces". Hence some questions on space-time accessibility may be appropriate. 

An indirect and proxy measure for this may be estimated by taking into account the average length of stay and the number of sights and sounds "taken in" by the typical visitor. This report on London contains such information:

http://vlstatic.com/l-and-p/assets/London%20Tourism%20Report%202012-13.pdf.pdf

@Robert,

I messaged you the questionnaire. Kindly provide the feedback whenever you can.

@ Shian-Loong Bernard Lew,

That is very interesting suggestion. I will definitely look into that. It might give at least some indirect idea of  urban sprawl or transportation efficiency.

Dear Sourabh Jain,

Glad to have inspired other lines of inquiry.

Best Regards

Certainly, with regards to water supply, questions regarding the tourist concerns about potablity of water and related products may uncover tourist dollars left on the table due to actual or perceived issues.

so...

Does water potability concern you when you travel? If yes:

Does concern about water quality inhibit your enjoyment when dining out?

Does concern about water quality dictate your choice of location to stay (or eat)?

Do you chose items you eat (or drink) with consideration of water quality?

Hello Sourabh,

My wife and I just returned from two weeks in India, and are progressing with our gastro-tourism research there. Could you send me your fianl questionnaire, and update me to your project? Please send it to me at my work email williamsrl at susqu dot edu Hopefully we can work together.

Robert