Importance of understanding the customer's needs
Service quality and satisfaction depend on the, differences between the customer's and the provider's perceptions of the customer experiences and specifically, the extent to which the service provider accurately understands the nature of the tourist's needs. Saleh and Ryan(1991) found that hotel providers and their guests evaluated service performance much the same way. However, they reported differences between providers and guests for gaps between expectations and performance. and Fesenmaier(199s found that service providers did not understand the level at which customers evaluated their experiences. They reported that it is important who delivers the service as opposed to what is delivered. They argued that it is vital to consider both the customer and the provider in defining scrvice quality, be more aware of the tourists' needs, and include all types of employees involved in delivering services to tourists.