The study uses the Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA), a
tool which has been validated and used by several researchers
representing different areas of study. For example Hawes and Rao
(1985) have used IPA to develop health care marketing strategies.
Joseph, Allbright, Stone, Sekhon, and Tinson (2005) used IPA to
assess UK and US banks customer perceptions of service delivery
technologies. Levenburg and Magal (2005) applied importanceperformance
analysis to evaluate e-business strategies among
small firms. The tool has also been used in assessing levels of
customer satisfaction in the area of tourism and hospitality as
evidenced by Chu and Choi (2000), Ziegler et al. (2012). The analysis
suggests the gap between customer's expectation and their actual
experience which in turn enables the management to address those
areas of concern. The use of the tool is expected to help the analysis
of budget hotel guests' expectations and experiences in the Hainan
Province.