Tourism Planning & Development

To consider small islands as places for sustainable tourism or sustainable anything, for that matter, must surely be cause for critical deliberation. Small islands as sanctuaries, or rare citadels for ecological safekeeping and tight-knit communities, runs counter to islands as sites for extraction and development, yet increasingly the latter prevails. However, the former are the precise reasons that small islands are aligned with the global travel supply chain. Consuming small islands abides with the tropical idyll narrative and, within such invocations, the exposure of small islands to externalities renders its utility to purposes that run counter to benign and constructive outcomes. Herein is the dilemma for small islands and their entanglements with tourism expansion.
See full report here: http://projects.upei.ca/unescochair/files/2020/07/Annual-Report-on-Global-Islands-2019.pdf

Project selection is vital phase in the project management cycle. At this phase, stakeholders evaluate each project idea and select projects of highest priority. Theory suggests that the best way to optimize project selection performance is to align this process with the company’s strategy. The aim of current study was to examine the extent to which strategic alignment practices influence project selection performance of hotels in Nakuru town. Specifically, the study sought to examine the influence of objective alignment practices, core value alignment practices, and capability alignment practices on project selection performance of hotel establishments within Nakuru town. The study utilized the descripto-explanatory research design where cross-sectional data was collected from a sample of 73 participants using structured questionnaires. The sample was drawn from a population of 86 mid-level managers from eight star-rated hotels located within Nakuru Central Business District using proportionate stratification technique. The resultant data was analyzed using both descriptive statistics and regression technique. Results showed that objective alignment practices (p=0.00 and Beta= 0.611), core value alignment (p=0.001 and Beta=0.411) and capability alignment practices (p=0.00 and Beta= 0.465) have significant and positive influence on project selection performance. However, regulatory practices were found to have no significant moderating effect on the relationship between strategic alignment practices and project selection performance. The research recommended that hotels should adopt portfolio model of selecting and managing projects, and create project management offices as ways for promoting better alignment between project selection processes and organizational strategies.

Tourism is one of the most emerging activities with social, economic and environmental impact and requires serious efforts by researchers to identify the mechanisms that govern this phenomenon. The present study aims to be an inquiry of the 2019 trends in tourism in Bihor County (Romania), seen as basis for delineating perspectives in this regard. We collected data from 118 representatives of various accommodation structures by applying face to face questionnaire, seen as main actors in the genesis, evolution and dynamics of local tourism. The results shaped the trends for tourism in Bihor County at the level of year 2019, as a support for the prospects to be followed on short term horizon (2 years). Both, results and conclusions of the study highlighted the existence of dysfunctions in terms of trends and prospects for tourism in Bihor County.

"Buhalis, Dimitrios and Michopoulou, Eleni (2011) 'Information-enabled tourism destination marketing: addressing the accessibility market', Current Issues in Tourism,, 14(2) pp145-168. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13683501003653361

Information-enabled tourism destination marketing:
addressing the accessibility market

Dimitrios Buhalis (a∗) and Eleni Michopoulou (b)
a)International Centre for Tourism and Hospitality Research (ICTHR), Bournemouth University,
Bournemouth, UK; b) School of Management, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK

(Received 3 July 2009; final version received 25 January 2010)

This paper demonstrates that the accessibility market is not homogenous, but it entails different sub-segments with distinct needs and requirements. Ultimately each person is unique in his/her abilities and preferences and this is more evident in this market. Secondary research revealed the size of the accessibility market in Europe to be 127 million people. Extensive qualitative research through 16 focus groups has demonstrated that the main requirements of these segments focus on three interlinked elements, namely accessible built environment, information regarding accessibility and accessible information online. Traditional segmentation contradicts the central concept of participation, as directed by the social model of disability, and it entails assumptions regarding the requirements of the market segments. Information communication technologies (ICTs) can assist destinations to effectively address the particular requirements of these market segments through the use of profiling and personalisation
features, which will allow users themselves to specify their requirements. Through the use of ICTs, users are enabled to declare their needs and requirements. Destinations can then offer suitable products and services according to the particular needs of each traveller, encourage participation, congruent with the social model of disability.


Keywords: destination marketing; market requirements; market segmentation;
accessible tourism; disability; information communication technology"

2η Εργασία για τη Θεματική Ενότητα ΔΤΕ 51 το 2015-16.
Στόχος της εργασίας είναι η αναφέρει τις επιπτώσεις της Τουριστικής Ανάπτυξης σε ένα τόπο, όπως διαμορφώνονται με τα στάδια Τουριστικής Ανάπτυξης και τους φορείς που συντελούν σε αυτό.
Ετσι στο πρώτο κεφάλαιο αναφέρονται οι επιπτώσεις της τουριστικής ανάπτυξης και πως διαμορφώνονται τα στάδια αυτής έχοντας για παράδειγμα την περίπτωση της Κρήτης. Στο δεύτερο κεφάλαιο αναφέρονται αναλυτικά οι φορείς που συντελούν στην ανάπτυξη αυτής και στο τρίτο κεφάλαιο αναφέρεται η περίπτωση της Βαρκελώνης, σε ποιο στάδιο βρίσκεται και τι σημαίνει αυτό.

Wykład poświęcony jest przedstawieniu walorów turystycznych parków narodowych w Rwandzie (Volcanoes National Park, Akagera National Park, Nyungwe National Park, Gishwati National Park). Walory te omówione zostaną na tle współczesnego ruchu turystycznego w Rwandzie oraz unikatowych komponentów środowiska przyrodniczego, stanowiących przyrodniczy potencjał turystyczny w tym państwie.

National Library of the Philippines (NLP) is situated on a portion of Rizal Park (Luneta Park), the most popular destination in Ermita, Manila, facing T. M. Kalaw Street. Established in 1901, its lifetime has passed throughout different Philippine colonial period, and modern generation in which we are living right now.

In this development plan, the researchers would like to inquire further research purposes interview with the best contact person in charge inside National Library of the Philippines, relative information on the Internet, book references in libraries, and even some local citizens’ word of mouth around to accomplish a worthwhile research on renovation.

In the end of this proposal, the researchers would like to provide a comfortable learning ambiance for visitors, upgrade most of the facilities to look more authentic, and enhance the creativity of facility design that can seem somehow distinct from other libraries while upholding the historical spirit within its structural design at the same time. Such outcome cannot only boost the number of tourists to visit and be willing to stay longer and then further recognize it as one of the iconic attractions within the country but also increase the inbound revenue sources on tourism to the economic benefits of its district.

Resumen: El turismo, alcanza su nivel de masividad a partir de la II posguerra jugando un rol clave en el comercio internacional por los movimientos de capitales que representaba. Este fenómeno, fue analizado por las más altas instituciones internacionales de asistencia técnico-financiera (ONU, OCDE, FMI entre otras). Dichas instituciones, intervinieron directamente en la concepción y determinación de los movimientos turísticos, trazando estrategias de promoción y planificación como así también una “doctrina” o matriz de ...

El trabajo aquí presentado tiene como campo de estudio el fenómeno del turismo de eventos y, en particular, de los mega-eventos como instrumentos para la creación de valor del territorio en términos de herencia y beneficios futuros a largo plazo. De hecho, en la mayoría de los casos, estos mega-eventos implican inversiones considerables y una transformación importante del tejido urbano de las ciudades anfitrionas; por este motivo las problemáticas que caracterizan los mega-eventos están en estrecha relación con los procesos de transformación de la ciudad. En la óptica del marketing territorial, los mega-eventos son acontecimientos con la capacidad de mejorar o relanzar la imagen del territorio, atraer flujos turísticos, valorar los recursos y activar procesos de desarrollo. Se trata de cambios que imponen una planificación y grandes inversiones económicas. Las recientes proliferaciones de tales importantes ocasiones de transformación urbana hicieron más evidentes las cuestiones de la sostenibilidad del desarrollo y la gobernanza territorial. Aunque estas acciones se promuevan con el objetivo de mejorar la calidad urbana y ambiental, así como del desarrollo económico y social, en muchos casos los éxitos quedan por debajo de las expectativas. A menudo, las exigencias de mercado sobrepasan los intereses locales, y los objetivos de la sostenibilidad ambiental y social corren el peligro de quedar en un simple pretexto hipotético: una praxis siempre más frecuente también en el ámbito de los mega-eventos, cuya relevancia en el desarrollo de las ciudades creció de forma exponencial. La metodología empleada se basó fundamentalmente en el análisis bibliográfico de los principales autores que abordan la temática del turismo de eventos, de los mega-eventos y del impacto y legado en el territorio, así como de la gobernanza territorial. Se citaron diversos estudios de caso como, en particular, los recientes mega-eventos deportivos en Brasil.

A distribuição turística reconhece nos drivers da economia digital um efeito incentivador da produtividade e da rendibilidade, conduzindo a vantagens competitivas sustentáveis. O grande poder da Internet e a desregulamentação de alguns sectores económicos, veio revolucionar os conceitos de negócio, os processos organizacionais e sobretudo a gestão das cadeias de valor e de oferta das agências de viagens. A ampla tipologia de canais de retalho deste sector e as complexas relações entre eles, sugere uma colossal quantidade de informação a ser processada, gerida, distribuída e comunicada. As agências de viagens vivem actualmente num ambiente de negócios Darwiniano, onde apenas as mais resilientes sobrevivem. A competitividade é assim uma questão de sobrevivência e de liderança. Este enquadramento facilitou a génese de um novo arquétipo de agências de viagens, que designaremos por “Agências de Viagens do Futuro”, dominado por modelos organizacionais virtuais resilientes e por inovadores Web-Systems interactivos do tipo Travel Recommender Systems. A metodologia utilizada nesta tese, envolveu um inquérito por questionário a agências de viagens independentes e a grupos de agências de política fechada, em Portugal. O objectivo foi avaliar o nível de utilização das TICs no negócio e conhecer o grau de sofisticação / interactividade dos serviços disponíveis no front-office e nos seus sites, de modo à sua classificação como agências de viagens do futuro.

ABSTRACT: The tourism distribution recognizes in the digital economy drivers an incentive to productivity and rendibility, leading to sustainable competitive advantages. The great power of the Internet and deregulation came to transform the business concepts, the process organization and over all the business chain management of travel agencies. The large typology of retail channels in this economic activity and the complex relationship between them, suggest a colossal amount of information to be processed, managed, distributed and communicated. The travel agencies live currently in a Darwinian environment business-oriented, where only resilient entrepreneurs are able to survive. The competitiveness is thus a leadership and survival question. This framing makes possible the geneses of a new archetype of travel agencies, that we will assign “Future Travel Agencies”. It is dominated by resilientes virtual organizations models and by interactive and innovators Travel Recommender Systems. The methodology used in this thesis, involved a survey inquiry for independent travel agencies and for closed politics groups travel agencies, in Portugal. The objective was to evaluate Tics level used in work processes and be acquainted with sites sophistication and interactivity degree of the available services in front-office, in order to classify them, as future travels agencies.

Τι στρατηγικές ανάπτυξης του τοπικού τουριστικού τομέα μπορούμε να χρησιμοποιήσουμε αμεσότερα και με χαμηλότερο κόστος; Ποιο είναι εκείνο το προϊόν–υπηρεσία που μπορεί να προορίζεται για όλους επηρεάζοντας όμως τον καθένα ξεχωριστά; Πως η χρησιμότητα και η προσφορά υπηρεσιών του προϊόντος - υπηρεσίας αυτού, μπορεί να αξιολογηθεί ποσοτικά συμβάλλοντας στην τοπική και κρατική οικονομία; Γιατί να επιλέξουμε κάτι νέο για την ανάπτυξη της τοπικής τουριστικής αγοράς;

“PGOU” stands for “Plan General de Ordenación Urbana” – or in plain English, the “Urban Development and Regulation Plan” for the municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, which includes Playa del Inglés, San Agustín, Sonnenland and Bahía Feliz, among the rest of the areas in which this southern district is divided, and it has recently been finally approved last May by the Government of the Canary Islands.

Fair Trade Tourism South Africa (FTTSA) is a certification that has similar ambitions to the pro-poor tourism approach. accordingly it has been implemented as a way of contributing to sustainability and poverty relief in South Africa post apartheid. The aim of this paper is to 1) critically review and establish a clear understanding of FTTSA from a theoretical perspective and 2) explore practically from the producers perspective whether FTTSA has created value for impoverished black communities along the Eastern Cape. The research question that guides this aim is: Can FTTSA be a mechanism to reduce poverty in South Africa? The study uses a case study approach, as well as in-depth interviews with the owners/managers and casual conversations with the local people. Three FTTSA certified businesses were investigated during two phases of fieldwork along the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The results recognize that FTTSA businesses are indeed prioritizing the needs of the poor in three identifiable ways: including the poor in tourism decision-making, creating employment opportunities and stimulating entrepreneurship and providing skilful opportunities.

This paper aims to examine and present in an analytic way causes and conditions which inhibit the satisfactory growth of Timeshare in Greece up to day. Its working hypothesis is that Timeshare’s growth in Greece is insignificant. The method applied to support this hypothesis and to identify and record the causes in question consists of an extended review of the Timeshare literature as well as of research conducted by means of a questionnaire sent to all Greek Timeshare enterprises. The results of the research procedure shed light to the principal reasons of the unsatisfactory development of Timeshare in Greece.

"Earlier provisional title was "Archaeology, Tourism, Museum...."

"This chapter is divided into two distinct sections that are positioned in a point-counterpoint structure of dialogue. These two position statements invoke the etymological meanings of the word essay, to attempt, put to the test, trial, to act out, to explore, travel, and travail. The first is an historical analysis written in the third person by an anthropologist whose expertise includes the ethnography of archaeology and the anthropology of tourism. The second is a counterpoint commentary written in the first person by an anthropologist whose specializations include Pre-Columbian and historical archaeology. Both of us have significant research experience in same area of the Maya world in Yucatán, México. From these two differing vantage points, we chart our perspectives on the relationship between archaeology and tourism in terms of the problems of exploration, protection, and exploitation.
In the first section, Castañeda takes an historical approach to the emergence of archaeology in the institutional context of the modern museum. He essays an analytical and theoretical manifesto about the deep, intimate interconnections between tourism and archaeology as revealed through an understanding of the museum. In his historical analysis of the role of archaeological representation in the museum, he identifies the sociological creation of universal heritage. He theorizes a notion of the universal citizen-heir as the implied benefactor of this universal heritage. In the second section, Mathews elaborates a commentary on this historical analysis of archaeology, tourism, heritage and the museum. Specifically, she counter-argues and assesses Castañeda theoretical and analytical claims through the use of archaeology and tourism at sites that are not postcard worthy. Together these two “attempts” grapple with the historical and contemporary interconnections between archaeology and tourism. Together we put to the test our typical assumptions about the ethics of archaeologists, tourists, and tourism promoters in the contemporary contexts in which we are now beginning to ask how and why archaeology and tourism are interwoven phenomena in today’s world.""

Artykuł przybliża koncepcję dostępności muzeów, jako atrakcji turystycznych, z punktu widzenia potrzeb kilku grup społecznych: osób z niepełnosprawnościami, osób starszych oraz odwiedzających z dziećmi. Zdefiniowana dostępność jest efektem synergii trzech podstawowych uwarunkowań (tzw. filarów dostępności): przygotowania fizycznego/technicznego, systemu informacji turystycznej oraz umiejętności i kompetencji personelu obsługującego gości. Artykuł w pierwszej części ma charakter przeglądowy, obejmuje ona dyskusję na temat pojęcia dostępności, jak również barier i ograniczeń, jakie mogą mieć miejsce w obiektach muzealnych z perspektywy rozpatrywanych grup odwiedzających. Część druga skoncentrowana jest na kryteriach dostępności obiektów opracowanych w ramach projektu pt. „Kryteria oceny dostępności Szlaku Piastowskiego” (2018) . Kryteria te były testowane i weryfikowane w oparciu o opinie przedstawicieli grup docelowych w wybranych muzeach w Wielkopolsce, a następnie przyjęte za podstawę przeprowadzenia „Analizy dostępności obiektów Szlaku Piastowskiego” (2019) . Treści zawarte w artykule stanowią bazę wiedzy użytecznej w procesie wyrównywania szans w dostępie do dziedzictwa historycznego i kulturowego. Służą także jako wytyczne do podnoszenia jakości usług w obiektach turystycznych.

El proceso de comprensión y análisis del turismo se explica a través de un sistema complejo compuesto por múltiples grupos de interés. Por ello, el funcionamiento de un sistema turístico depende de la gestión de las relaciones que se producen entre los distintos componentes del mismo. Esta comunicación presenta los resultados de una investigación de tipo cualitativo donde se recogen las principales conclusiones de una consulta a expertos así como se integran algunos de los principales estudios relativos a redes de colaboración y gestión de la cooperación entre agentes turísticos. La gestión de redes, junto a su entramado de relaciones, son determinantes en los procesos de planificación turística por su capacidad de producir resultados más equitativos y eficientes. Este estudio define las áreas relacionales prioritarias para cada par de actores; entre las que se encuentran las relacionadas con el conocimiento, la promoción, la financiación, la gestión de infraestructuras y servicios, el control de impactos, la seguridad y salubridad, entre otras. Los procesos de planificación turística han de incorporar esta estructura relacional, tratando de fomentar la participación de todos los interesados, trabajando para la integración de mecanismos que maximicen la competitividad y sostenibilidad del sistema turístico.

Tourism in Ireland is facing challenging times and thus new ways of attracting tourists into Ireland are required. Recent reports on the current state of Irish tourism highlighted the need to identify and invest in key market segments, such as leisure tourism, where Ireland can gain a competitive advantage. Cycle tourism is an established industry internationally, especially in Mainland Europe – and should thus be a priority market for Irish tourism. This paper demonstrates the potential for the development of a cycle tourism industry in Ireland that can have additional benefits for commuter and leisure cyclists. The value of cycle tourism in Europe in 2009 was approximately €54bn, with cycle tourists spending an average of €353 each per trip. Current cycle tourism in Ireland is underperforming in comparison with the rest of Europe. In 2009, only 2% of visitors cycled while on holiday in Ireland, spending €97m. Not all of these would be classified as cycle tourists in many European ...

Sungai Code merupakan salah satu sungai yang menjadi sumber penghidupan bagi masyarakat Yogyakarta, di saat airnya masih jernih dan area sekitarnya masih asri. Kondisi tersebut berubah sejak bantaran sungai digunakan sebagai area pemukiman. Padatnya pemukiman tersebut menyebabkan menurunnya kualitas air akibat banyaknya limbah yang dibuang ke sungai, serta menyebabkan berkurangnya ruang terbuka hijau. Berkat (alm.) Romo Mangun dan Pemerti Code, kini limbah yang dibuang ke sungai sudah berkurang. Kegiatan-kegiatan terkait pelestarian Sungai Code pun mulai banyak dilakukan, yang mana didukung oleh Pemda Yogyakarta. Pada tahun 2014, tersusunlah masterplan penataan kawasan Sungai Code oleh Pemda Yogyakarta. Sayangnya, hingga saat ini masterplan tersebut belum terealisasi. Penelitian-penelitian yang pernah dilakukan di sini pun sebagian besar hanya berakhir pada hasil penelitian. Maka perencanaan dengan tingkat realisasi yang tinggi sangatlah diperlukan. Perencanaan dengan basis river walk dipilih karena river walk identik dengan jalur pedestrian dan ruang terbuka hijau, sesuai dengan RTRW Yogyakarta tahun 2010 – 2029, yang mana bantaran sungai seharusnya dimanfaatkan sebagai ruang terbuka hijau.
Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui kondisi aset destinasi wisata di bantaran Sungai Code menggunakan komponen destinasi wisata, serta mengetahui kondisi fisiknya menggunakan prinsip 5C. Melalui metode kualitatif, penelitian ini dipaparkan hingga memperoleh hasil analisis yang akan digunakan sebagai bahan perencanaan.
Hasil yang didapatkan adalah bantaran Sungai Code memiliki atraksi wisata alam dan budaya yang kuat, sehingga terdapat banyak aktivitas yang dapat dilakukan di sini. Namun, kondisi fisiknya memang belum memadai jika akan dijadikan destinasi wisata berbasis river walk. Maka, dibuatlah perencanaan bantaran Sungai Code sebagai destinasi wisata berbasis river walk, yang dapat segera direalisasi.

The purpose of this study is to examine the emerging flashpacker sub-culture in relation to the backpacker culture. Cultural Consensus Analysis is employed to examine the potential cultural divergence between flashpackers and non-flashpackers. A mixed-mode dual-frame sampling procedure was employed for data collection, as surveys were administered through Facebook backpacker-groups and in hostels in Cairns, Australia. The results indicate that flashpacker and non-flashpacker groups have a shared cultural understanding of backpacking. In addition to the conceptual clarity of the emerging flashpacker, this study also provides some interesting insights into contemporary backpacker culture and the continuing convergence of physical travel with information and communication technologies.

Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, in Washington, DC, is an institute of Harvard University dedicated to supporting scholarship internationally in Byzantine, Pre-Columbian, and Garden and Landscape Studies through fellowships, meetings, exhibitions, and publications. Located in Georgetown and bequeathed by Robert Woods Bliss and Mildred Barnes Bliss, Dumbarton Oaks welcomes scholars to consult its books, images, and objects, and the public to visit its garden, museum, and historic house for lectures and concerts.

A review of recent relevant literature related to dark tourism indicates that there is a growing academic interest in ‘dark tourism consumption’, ‘dark tourism motivation’ and ‘dark tourism experience’. Therefore, the objectives of the present research are threefold: to examine the progress of research on these three concepts; to give a critical analysis of recent research; and to identify research gaps and questions that require fuller examination. In order to adopt new research orientations, the use of a broader post-disciplinary research framework is in need. The findings reveal that the three concepts are evolving and advancing, and new researches push the boundaries of exploration into new directions. From the analysis of recent literature, it can be concluded that thanatopsis is a rare characteristic of tourist visits. This is in contrast to the early conceptual studies, which claim that death is the primary motive for visiting dark sites. The findings reveal that many visitors are motivated by the desire and an interest in cultural heritage, learning, education, understanding about what happened at the dark site etc. It is important to emphasise that these motivations are affected by internal conflicts that the experience generates. Tourist experience is more in line with that of a mainstream heritage sites. In general, if tourists do not experience a site as dark, then they cannot be called dark tourists. Hence, the present research appeals to a clearer distinction of the ‘dark tourists’ based on experience. Except for the ‘mortality mediation model’, ‘dystopian dark tourism’ and ‘Terror Management Theory’, there are limit efforts to understand tourists at dark sites. Therefore, scientists must propose new approaches and additional empirical researches to prove that interest in death is a key motive for visiting dark sites. Lastly, from the literature review, new directions for further research have emerged.

Study on the Effect of Demonetisation on Indian Tourism Industry

The Government of India decided to cancel the legal tender of the high denomination currency notes of Rupees 500 and Rupees 1000 from circulation and usage with effect from 08 November 2016. This declaration of demonetisation of high value currency notes came as a real surprise as there was no prior information to the public or the industry to meet out the challenges of transacting everyday life as well as business without money for the ensuing days. As a measure to handle the temporary crisis, government introduced a new currency with a denomination of Rupees 2000 (approximately equal to 28 euros). After a couple of days several other important economic decisions followed on the operations of financial institutions followed by the currency demonetisation decisions. It resulted in long serpentine ques in banks, several thousands of ATM machines went out of money or not functional for months. This decision to take ban high value currency came up in in peak tourist season of India, several foreign tourists faced tough times at airports, hotels and public places as the only alternative option of digital transactions were not common at many places due to many issues. This paper is an attempt to study the feedback of tourism industry mainly tour operators of India on demonetization of high value currency and its results. An online survey was conducted to the members of Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) to collect the primary data. Main objectives of the study include the understanding the mechanism of accepting payments during demonetization period, measures taken up by the tourism industry to manage the situation, and the overall impact of demonetisation in November and December 2016. The study also analyses the feedback of the respondents on the effect of demonetisation on tourism industry. The expected outcome of the study shows the way tourism industry in India looked in to the challenging policy decisions of government that affect the business in the long run.

(Key words: economic policy, demonetisation, digitalisation of payments, crisis management)

Tourism is undergoing significant changes through globalisation and new information technology. Tourism experiences are now increasingly being co-produced by tourism companies, tourists and local residents. This has significant implications for cities such as Barcelona, where there has been an explosion of new tourism products through new intermediaries such as Airbnb. As a result tourism is penetrating further into the fabric of the city, and is also being produced by the residents of Barcelona themselves. Perhaps for this reason they complain less about the negative effects of tourism than might be expected.

To cite this paper:  Abocejo, Ferdinand T. (November 2015). Tourism Competitiveness of Cebu in Central Philippines: Status, Challenges and Sustainability.  Taiwan-Philippines Cultural Dialogue IV. Pages 91-112. ISBN: 978-986-91823-4-8

This study assessed the competitiveness of Cebu’s tourism industry vis-a-vis the Central Visayas and the rest of the Philippines.  By examining relevant tourism indicators, the study investigated and analyzed the status, challenges and sustainability of Cebu’s tourism industry amidst the highly competitive tourism environment in the Visayas and across the country. The study employed quantitative research approach utilizing secondary data which were subjected to descriptive analysis. The findings revealed that Cebu’s tourism competitiveness is strengthened by its diverse historical and natural resources, rich cultural milieu, established land, sea and air transport infrastructure, presence of hotels and resorts and a thriving industrial and manufacturing economy.  The presence of the Mactan Cebu International Airport in Lapulapu gives Cebu a high competitive edge for its connectivity with the rest of the country and many vital Asian cities. White sand beach resorts which abound in the province are easily accessible from urban centers of Cebu, Talisay, Mandaue and Lapulapu cities. The same holds true for hotels and other tourism facilities. Nonetheless, many challenges pose to slowdown Cebu’s tourism momentum. Tourist destinations in many parts of the country and in neighboring Asia are rapidly growing and innovating. Cebu tourism industry has to take the lead with highly competitive better-quality products and services than what its competitors put in the tourism market. The tourism industry players must ensure efficient and strong partnerships among the local government units (LGUs), the business entrepreneurs, the local communities in keeping Cebu a premier tourist destination hub in a sustainable manner.
Keywords:  Cebu tourism industry, cultural tourism, Cebu hotels and resorts, ecotourism

This paper explores the relationship between tourism and the challenges of governance in the Arctic region. Recently, both political and academic interest in the Arctic has been on the rise as a result of the increasing geopolitical importance of the region. Changes of the climatic conditions and melting of the Arctic ice caps have resulted in increased access to the “world´s last wilderness”. The increased access and interest are contributing to a growing number of tourists visiting the North. As yearly arrivals continue to rise, a number of problematic issues need to be addressed. This paper reviews the main instruments relevant to the discussion of tourism currently employed in the governance of the Arctic, and critically evaluates the insufficiencies of the current legal framework for Arctic governance and regulation of tourism in the Arctic. It concludes that although tourism in the Arctic has a number of advantages, particularly for the indigenous populations, the current legal and regulatory framework in the region lacks the scope and authority to minimize the potential (and increasing) environmental, economic, and social risks associated with increased tourism and other human activity in the region.

Although studies suggest that under times of economic uncertainty,
perceptions and attitudes are subject to various types of
economic and psychological influences, research examining this
phenomenon within the context of tourism is limited. This study
has developed a model exploring how the economic crisis influences
residents’ attitudes toward tourism. The model was tested
using a sample of 317 citizens of Kavala, Greece. Expressed concern
about the state of the economy and personal benefit from tourism
were found to direct residents’ perceptions of tourism impacts and
their support for development. The study advances theoretical
understanding of residents’ support for tourism during a period
of economic uncertainty. The practical implications to tourism
planning and development are also discussed.

PENGERTIAN DAN KONSEP DASAR
EKOWISATA PANTAI DAN REKREASI PERAIRAN

Ekowisata diakui sebagai salah satu jenis pariwisata yang mampu menarik high-spending tourists dan diperkirakan telah menjadi bisnis dengan perputaran uang US$10 sampai US$17.5 milyar dollar (Fennel, 1999 dikutip Garrod dan Wilson, 2003: viii). Ekowisata pantai (marine ecotourism) sebagai subset dari ekowisata juga secara simultan diakui keberadaannya sebagai salah satu penyumbang potensi ekonomi ekowisata tersebut. Sebagaimana konsep ekowisata yang telah diuraikan dalam pengantar buku ini (Bab 1), konsep ekowisata pantai juga merupakan turunan (derivative) dari konsep ekowisata sebagai payungnya. Konsekuensinya, di samping dimensi ekonomi, ekowisata pantai juga berdimensi lebih luas. Ekowisata pantai, misalnya, dapat diberdayakan bagi penelitian dan konservasi spesies, habitat, dan lingkungan pesisir, serta menyediakan wahana untuk pemberdayaan sosial-budaya bagi komunitas pendukungnya.
Mendefinisikan ekowisata pantai bukanlah sebuah proses yang mudah. Namun, sebagai salah satu jenis pariwisata di bawah payung ekowisata, pendekatan konsep ekowisata menjadi rujukan utama. Menurut Garrod & Wilson (2003: 1) dan Garrod (2003: 33-34) pendefinisian ekowisata pantai haruslah mencakup prinsip-prinsip
“…intrinsically nature-based, managed to be sustainable and include an element of education and interpretation….” Wilson (2003: 48) mendefinisikan ekowisata pantai sebagai “…a symbiotic relationship between tourism and the natural marine and coastal environtment.”

Definisi ekowisata pantai oleh karenanya dapat direkonstruksi dari pengertian ekowisata yang diaplikasikan pada natural marine dan coastal environment yaitu suatu jenis pariwisata yang menyediakan pertumbuhan ekonomi berkelanjutan melalui pemanfaatan, pengelolaan, peningkatan, dan perlindungan natural marine, coastal environment, dan culture berdasar prinsip-prinsip keberlanjutan, lestari dan di saat bersamaan memberikan pemahaman dan pembelajaran baik kepada wisatawan maupun komunitas lokal. Dengan demikian, ekowisata pantai antara lain memuat prinsip-prinsip sebagai berikut.
Pertama, ekowisata pantai haruslah berkarakteristik berbasis alam (nature-based) yaitu semua kegiatan yang terlibat di dalamya harus fokus kepada lingkungan alamiah dan kelestarian ekosistem. Hal ini merupakan pengejawantahan elemen eco pada konsep ecotourism. Namun demikian, masih ada beberapa isu yang masih menjadi perdebatan “[W]hether cultural or heritage-based attractions associated with natural areas should be included within the overall remit of the term…” (Garrod dan Wilson, 2003: 2).
Kedua, karakteristiknya haruslah mempunyai orientasi pembelajaran melalui proses pendidikan dan interpretasi. Karakteristik kedua ini berorientasi pada perubahan perilaku wisatawan baik selama menikmati wisatanya tersebut, selama tinggal di tujuan ekowisata pantai, dan dalam kehidupan sehari-harinya setelah wisatawan kembali ke rumah tempat tinggalnya. Aspek pembelajaran tidak terbatas hanya pada ekosistem lokal, budaya, dan peninggalan sejarah di destinasi ekowisata pantai tetapi juga tentang bagaimana konteksnya dalam setting global di mana destinasi tersebut berada.
Ketiga, karakteristik ekowisata pantai haruslah secara fundamental didukung oleh konsep keberlanjutan melalui penerapan prinsip-prinsip pembangunan berkelanjutan. Konsekuensinya, beberapa kegiatan termasuk di dalamnya manajemen ancaman dan tekanan pada lingkungan dan ekosistem pantai dan perairan  seperti minimalisasi dampak lingkungan, energi, dan limbah. Manajemen batas maksimal orang/wisatawan serta perilakunya yang boleh diterima dalam ekosistem, akomodasi, dan keputusan pemilihan tujuan wisata. Tidak kalah pentingnya menjaga sumber mata pencaharian dan way of life komunitas lokal.