Prioritising theme park service quality in Islamic contexts: an analytic hierarchy process approach

Purpose: This study aims to develop a framework to identify, categorise and prioritise the dimensions of service quality in theme parks in an Islamic cultural context. Design/methodology/approach: An extensive literature review was conducted to identify service quality dimensions in theme parks in an Islamic cultural context, and a survey tool was used to explore visitors’ opinions of the most important dimensions and sub-dimensions. An analytic hierarchy process was used to prioritise the main criteria and sub-criteria of dimensions of theme park service quality in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The study identified four main criteria and 24 sub-criteria of service quality for the theme park industry from an Islamic perspective. Findings: Consumables quality and physical environment quality were the top priorities under the main criteria. Availability of halal food was the most important sub-criteria of service quality in theme parks in the UAE, followed by price of food and beverages and staff attitude and behaviour in equal second place, and then quality of food and beverages and quality of facilities, again with equal scores. Research limitations/implications: The study focused on tourists visiting an emerging country, and the results therefore cannot be generalised to other cultural contexts. This study has developed a comprehensive model of theme park service quality using a hierarchical method. This included both general and Islamic service quality dimensions. This study, therefore, contributes to the “Islamic tourism” literature by identifying the importance of Islamic attributes in evaluating service quality of theme parks in Islamic countries. Practical implications: The outcome of the study will provide local and international theme parks with explicit ideas about the service quality dimensions that are important in an Islamic cultural context. This will help them to prioritise the critical service quality dimensions, and eventually contribute to the successful management of theme parks. Originality/value: This study offers new insights into the dimensions of service quality of theme parks in an Islamic cultural context.