Tourism Sustainability

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

"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"

Global energy requirements are rising tremendously because of increasing urbanization and the human population. In the last few centuries, the consumption of fossil fuels has caused increased emissions of greenhouse gases resulting in environmental concerns like global warming, climatic change, and biodiversity loss. As a result, progress in sustainable energy has become the centre of attention in climatic change agenda and economic growth. Until now, various methods of renewable energy production have been extensively studied such as geothermal energy, wind energy, and solar energy. In addition to this, the utilization of biofuels from different sustainable sources are also being considered to reduce greenhouses gas emissions. New approaches and developments are still required for the creation of more sustainable, efficient, and affordable renewable energy systems and for the mitigation of global environmental threats. This special issue aims to advance novel developments in the su...

Worldwide organisations are continually searching for new sources of competitive advantage. At the same time, they are under increasing pressure to carry out their activities so as not to harm the environment in addition to having a positive impact on society. Given these facts, our paper analyses whether, and under what conditions, sustainable development could be an opportunity rather than a threat for organisations. In particular, the research focuses on investigating a possible link between sustainable development and museums' competitiveness. In order to achieve this goal, after an in-depth study of the literature, we distributed and collected surveys from 87 museums of different sizes, types, and importance from all Romanian development regions. Subsequently, we used Spearman's correlation coefficient to test the statistical hypotheses. The findings indicate that both social and environmental pillars of sustainability have positive links with the economic performance o...

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 ...

"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.""

In the last few decades, tourism has become one of the fastest growing economic sectors in the world, with an increasing economic, social and environmental role. It has been recognised as a strategic driver, able not only to heighten economic growth, employment, and enhancement of cultural values, diversity and heritage, but also to help countries transition towards more inclusive and resilient economies. In this framework, slow tourism has been playing an important role, compliant with the universal 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Its different forms - i.e. ecotourism, rural and village tourism, as well as religious routes - can improve social inclusiveness, poverty reduction, and environmental protection while empowering host communities, generating trade opportunities, and fostering peace and intercultural understanding.
The pilgrimage on religious routes is an ancient practice, largely rooted in many confessions as an expression of a mainly religious experience. Nevertheless, more recently, this kind of religious tourism has gained new values for both people and territories hosting destinations: its target groups of travellers have enlarged to those looking for spiritual holidays (individuals and groups) as well as well-being and integrated experiences combining religious sites, cultural heritage, landscape and nature, traditions and crafts, food, wine,and local events (shared with local people to feel part of the local community). Such experiences respond to the sustainability challenge as an opportunity for local development in depopulated areas but yet rich in history, nature, art and traditions.
On this basis, this paper tries to evaluate the recent experiences of some religious tourist routes in Sicily (South Italy), focusing on: a) their relevance in relation to emerging strategies and policies (i.e. cultural ecclesial parks, regional development plans, etc.); b) and their aptitude to generate sustainable and innovative local development. In particular it addresses the recent experiences in progress on the Itinerarium Rosaliae in Sicily as opportunities for sustainable and local development.

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 ...

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.

Community Crafts and Culture (CCC) is a collaborative research project working in Costa Rica that, recognising the essential nature of intergenerational transmission of collective knowledge, sets out to create an online community map of local artisan workshops and to document significant sites in the landscape. A website is being created in collaboration with the local community as part of a local development strategic plan to increase sustainable tourism, using the physical eco/community museum as the administrative hub. Working with existing groups, and respected women leaders, the programme also empowers yung people by engaging then with their indigenous heritage. Given the opportunity to assume leadership roles and gain skills, young people's practical experience can contribute towards a more equal and fair community that respects their ancestors' landscape and safeguards their distinctive ecology for future generations.

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.

ÖZ
Korunan alanlar kapsamında tabiat parklarının ele alındığı bu çalışmanın amacı, Mersin ilindeki tabiat parklarının, rekreasyon potansiyelinin belirlenmesidir. Belirlenen amaç doğrultusunda Mersin ili sınırlarında yer alan sekiz adet tabiat parkı araştırmanın örneklemini oluşturmaktadır. Araştırma verileri, birincil ve ikincil kaynaklardan elde edilmiştir. Birincil veriler, araştırmanın örneklemini oluşturan her bir tabiat parkı ile telefon aracılığıyla toplanmıştır. Araştırma kapsamında kullanılan ikincil veriler ise Orman ve Su İşleri Bakanlığı, Doğa Koruma ve Milli Parklar 7. Bölge Müdürlüğü, Meteoroloji Genel Müdürlüğü ile Mersin Valiliği'nin resmi internet sitelerinden elde edilmiştir. Toplanan veriler, Gülez Yöntemi ile analiz edilmiştir. Bu bağlamda, Mersin ili tabiat parklarının rekreasyon potansiyelinin, %63 (Çamdüzü Tabiat Parkı) ve %85 (100. Yıl Gümüşkum Tabiat Parkı) aralığında değiştiği sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.
Anahtar Kelimeler: Korunan Alanlar, Tabiat Parkları, Sürdürülebilirlik, Turizm, Mersin

ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study is to determine the recreational potential of the nature parks operating in Mersin as protected areas. The sample is composed of eight nature parks located in Mersin. In the study, primary and secondary data were used. Primary data were collected from each nature park via telephone. Secondary data were collected from the official websites of Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs, Seventh Regional Directorate of Nature Protection and National Parks, General Directorate of Meteorology and Governorship of Mersin. Gülez method was used to analyze the data in order to determine the recreational potential of the nature parks. According to the results of the analysis, it was found that the values of the nature parks' recreational potential range from 63% (Çamdüzü Nature Park) to 85% (Gümüşkum Nature Park).
Keywords: Protected Areas, Nature Parks, Sustainability, Tourism, Mersin

The adoption of practices of hospitality as a sustainable development is meant to limit the negative impacts of this business’s activities of hotels on natural and social environments, and to increase its bene?t to tourism and the population. This research aims to address the following research questions: What are the antecedents of customer satisfaction in the hospitality industry those practices adopted by hotels? In particular, does customer satisfaction toward these practices vary by the kind’s hotel? Through a survey of 155 customers in seven hotels located in the province of Santos/SP, it was found that customer satisfaction is positively in?uenced by the adoption of practices of hospitality’s hotel, and the level of customer satisfaction varies according to the hotel’s size.

Práticas de hospitalidade como fator de desenvolvimento sustentável: um estudo empírico do seu impacto na satisfação dos clientes de hotéis Abstract The adoption of hospitality practices as sustainable development seeks to limit the negative impacts of hotels' business activities on natural and social environments and to increase the benefits to tourism as a whole and to the surrounding population. The objective of this research is to identify the antecedents of customer satisfaction for different types of hotels. To meet this goal, the following research questions were addressed. What are the antecedents of customer satisfaction in the hospitality industry for hotel practices as sustainable development? In particular, does customer satisfaction with these practices vary by the kind of hotel? Through a survey of 473 customers staying in seven hotels located in the province of Santos, Sao Paulo, it was found that customer satisfaction is positively influenced by hotels' adopt...

Recently, tourism scholars have recognized that travel can create transformation, including (1) personal benefits such as improved wellbeing and personal growth and (2) societal benefits such as increased open-mindedness and more positive pro-environmental attitudes, motivations, and behaviors. Expanding and integrating this research, this experimental study tests whether travel experiences, with eudaimonic elements of self-discovery and a sense of meaning, lead to these benefits and tests a proposed process where these experiences influence personal changes that subsequently create societal benefits. Specifically, using an online MTurk sample (n = 481) with a broad range of recent vacation experiences, we test whether (1) post-trip self-reflection on eudaimonic travel experiences (2) creates affective responses (3) that lead to self-transcendent changes and (4) subsequent post-trip philanthropy among recent travelers. Results of structural equation modeling indicate that philanthropic effects of travel were initiated by the eudaimonic self-reflections via eudaimonic affect and self-transcendent outcomes. This study contributes to the research linking eudaimonia and travel and provides insights into the ways that the travel industry can be harnessed as a potent tool for promoting personal meaning, self-transcendence, and prosocial outcomes. ARTICLE HISTORY

Práticas de hospitalidade como fator de desenvolvimento sustentável: um estudo empírico do seu impacto na satisfação dos clientes de hotéis Abstract The adoption of hospitality practices as sustainable development seeks to limit the negative impacts of hotels' business activities on natural and social environments and to increase the benefits to tourism as a whole and to the surrounding population. The objective of this research is to identify the antecedents of customer satisfaction for different types of hotels. To meet this goal, the following research questions were addressed. What are the antecedents of customer satisfaction in the hospitality industry for hotel practices as sustainable development? In particular, does customer satisfaction with these practices vary by the kind of hotel? Through a survey of 473 customers staying in seven hotels located in the province of Santos, Sao Paulo, it was found that customer satisfaction is positively influenced by hotels' adopt...

"The sport of golf has grown tremendously in the past three decades. It is now the leading sport in the world in terms of total economic expenditure, yet surprising little on golf has
appeared in the academic sports studies literature. In particular, the impact of golf on the environment has been virtually absent from discussion. Golf takes place in the outdoors, yet golf course development and maintenance has involved many aspects that are deleterious to the environment. This article charts the impact of golf on the environment from an international perspective, particularly noting emerging differences in first and developing world countries."

Global energy requirements are rising tremendously because of increasing urbanization and the human population. In the last few centuries, the consumption of fossil fuels has caused increased emissions of greenhouse gases resulting in environmental concerns like global warming, climatic change, and biodiversity loss. As a result, progress in sustainable energy has become the centre of attention in climatic change agenda and economic growth. Until now, various methods of renewable energy production have been extensively studied such as geothermal energy, wind energy, and solar energy. In addition to this, the utilization of biofuels from different sustainable sources are also being considered to reduce greenhouses gas emissions. New approaches and developments are still required for the creation of more sustainable, efficient, and affordable renewable energy systems and for the mitigation of global environmental threats. This special issue aims to advance novel developments in the sustainable conversion of renewable energy, providing up to date, fruitful, and actionable insights into economic, social, and environmental sustainability and includes original research articles and reviews to describe the interaction between renewable fuels, CO2 mitigation, and global warming.

Abstract: Despite of so many unique and natural beauties the North-eastern region of India is still place of least visited in India. Though the Government of India has been providing the financial assistance for development of tourist Infrastructure and promotion and marketing, the performances and development of the tourism in states is totally different. In this context, the present paper examines the tourism in North-eastern states of India. Major findings are the inflows of tourists are higher in Assam state and lower in Nagaland. Tourism sectors share in Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is high in Assam. As for the growth rate of tourists’ influx is concerned, the growth rate in Arunachal Pradesh is much higher with 55 percent compared to other states. Further, the Density of Tourist Population (DTP) and The Percapita Tourist arrival (PCT) is high in Sikkim with 101.57 and 1.19 respectively and lowest in Nagaland with 1.35 and 0.01. The major constraints of North-east tourism development and uneven performance among states are insufficient funds, lack of infrastructure, transportation, lack of alternatives means of transport, Marketing, boundary issues, terror effect and permit period. Steps should be taken to wipe-out the constraints for tourism development. Keywords: Tourism, North-east India, tourism development, Tourists’ influx,

Social media are gaining prominence as an element of destination marketing organisation (DMO) marketing strategy at a time when public sector cuts in their funding are requiring them to seek greater value in the way marketing budgets are spent. Social media offers DMOs with a tool to reach a global audience with limited resources. The aim of this study is to explore the usage of social media among the DMOs of the top 10 most visited countries by international tourists. The study uses content analysis and semi-structured interviews to examine the usage and impact of social media marketing strategies and identifies a framework of best practice for other national tourism organizations (NTOs) to learn from. The study argues that social media usage among top DMOs is still largely experimental and that strategies vary significantly.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2012.662215

Patagonia is a firm unlike any other; its focus is not just about making a profit.  Its founder, Yvon Chouinard has created an outdoor and equipment company that looks to make an impact on how we approach consumption and sustainability.  Chouinard’s leadership has allowed Patagonia to become an iconic brand that stands for living a better life by taking care of the earth and acting as a moral compass that both companies and consumers can follow.  Patagonia, founded in 1972, has utilized its direct-mail catalogs to sell outdoor clothing and equipment, but more importantly to promote the organizations support toward causes like genetically modified food, overfishing, and putting the earth first.  What’s makes Patagonia’s message unique is that it voiced these issues when it was not popular to do so; Chouinard let it be known that the earth cannot survive based on today’s consumption practices and there was and is a need to put the earth first and develop a sustainable business model that recycles and reuses materials. (Casey, 2007).
In terms of product, “Patagonia has scaled the peak of the outdoor apparel and accessories business.  The company designs and markets rugged clothing and accessories to mountain climbers, skiers, surfers, and other extreme sports enthusiasts and environmentalists who are willing to pay for the Patagonia brand and its environmental ethic.  Besides its signature Patagonia line (for outdoor gear and apparel), the company also sells items from sister companies Lotus Designs (paddling gear), Water Girl (women's sportswear), and Great Pacific Iron Works (retails outdoor gear and apparel).  Patagonia, owned by Lost Arrow Corporation, sells these items, as well as luggage, through specialty retailers, a catalog, website, and its own stores” (Hoover’s, 2014).
Patagonia’s uses an environmental differentiation strategy built on a vision of environmental conservation and restoration, and a foundation of values that include quality, integrity, environmentalism, not bound by convention, and Zen philosophy.  Patagonia’s mission statement is “Build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis” (Patagonia, 2014).
The business model supporting the strategy relies on innovation with its processes, product and services, and business model.  Innovation allows the company to create value through operational excellence, customer intimacy, product leadership, and environmental stewardship.  Customer perceive value from excellent quality and service, and the good feeling that results from doing business with Patagonia.  Patagonia is able to capture value via profits, growth and market share.  Patagonia’s new CEO (Chief Executive Officer), Rose Marcario describes this model as follows: “Patagonia is built on the principle of living an examined life and I think that permeates into the company culture.  Anything we’re doing, any product that we’re building, we examine the supply chain and look at the impacts of that chain on the environment.  We look for ways to innovate so that it has less impact on the environment and that requires a lot of self-reflection.  And, I think, the company culture is really built on that principle and the result of that is a better product that people feel better about buying” (Kasperkevic, 2014). 
Patagonia is launching an organic product line intended to support sustainability within the apparel industry and attract the LOHAS Community consumer; they are the “future of your business and also the future of progressive social, environmental and economic change in this country” (LOHAS, 2014).  This particular product line will focus on two of the identified segments with the LOHAS Community; they represent a $52 billion of the $290 billion LOHAS market: Eco Tourism and Natural Lifestyles.  The campaign is designed to accomplish two high-level goals.  First to grow the organic apparel line within Patagonia’s product and service portfolio, and two, to develop a relationship with the LOHAS Community that can be leveraged to promote sustainability and increase social change philanthropy. 
By 2014, Patagonia’s organic apparel intends to capture $52 million of the LOHAS Community Eco Tourism and Natural Lifestyle consumer spend in 2014 in the US.  Moreover, the Patagonia’s organic apparel will sell $104 million of organic cotton apparel in 2015, $156 in 2016 and $208 in 2017.  The website traffic sources will measure promotional activities to ensure efforts are directed toward websites with the highest response rates.  For instance, we will obtain Patagonia organic cotton apparel and LOHAS Community as a Google level one category hits for 90% of all users that search for designated tags.  Such strategy will ensure Patagonia’s exposure to a large audience base in the US LOHAS Community.  The fourth metric will monitor web traffic by state and the goal will be to obtain a 10% conversion in each state versus total clicks.
Our strategy and tactics include monitoring sales trends and effectiveness of the marketing campaign on a weekly basis.  Furthermore, by incorporating Patagonia organic cotton apparel success stories into online marketing programs, Patagonia will achieve consistent development monthly.  Additionally, Patagonia will work closely with Google to attain advertising space, gain level one category hits for Patagonia organic cotton apparel or LOHAS Community, and offer various types of incentives to attract customers.  And finally, Patagonia will work with Social Media channels by contributing inducements.  Patagonia organic cotton apparel is expected to capture a significant portion of the LOHAS Eco Tourism and Natural Lifestyle market.  Its break-even chart indicates 249,091 units sold would be required to breakeven and the product’s 2014 sales forecast surpasses this with a target of 472,727 providing a profit of $16.6 million.  Patagonia’s ability to significantly improve customer satisfaction by providing organic cotton products that protect and sustain the environment, while enhancing the consumers outdoor lifestyle separates it from everything else currently available in the market!  However, in addition to that, Patagonia’s ability to provide a platform for social philanthropy is really what will blow the competition out of the water!  Depending on its wearer, Patagonia’s organic cotton apparel will enrich eco travel, augment natural lifestyles and enrich the feeling provided by taking concrete steps to sustain the environment, protect the earth, and most importantly facilitate a living a healthier lifestyle.

The polysemy of the term ‘sport’ has a tendency to contribute to a generalized view that associates all corporeal practices with sportive practices, making the development of educative processes through these practices difficult. This reality becomes evident when thinking about environmental education, by the predominance of sportive practices that are performed in a ‘distant’ nature, hoping that the participant will develop an ‘ecologically correct’ conscience. This is a simplistic approach that contributes to a fragmental relation between humans and the world. On an opposite direction, we will propose the use of the nomenclature ecomotricity, defining it as corporal practices developed with intentionality, associated with educative processes of recognition of the human-environment relations that support the synergies between environmental education, human motricity and dialogic pedagogy. In this paper we developed this synergy in theory, opening the way for future practical studies.

This paper presents a three-stage model that applies the principles of risk assessment to the evaluation of environmental sustainability in the tourism and recreation sectors. The model uses both qualitative and quantitative data. While assessing environmental risk at and from tourism and recreation areas is fundamental to sustainable management, existing methodologies rely on sets of environmental data that are often poorly linked and difficult to interpret in a holistic manner. Risk assessment is a concept that can overcome current limitations in environmental assessment methodologies. This model demonstrates its utility by assessing the environmental sustainability of two tourism and recreation sites in Ireland, with 25 environmental hazards identified at the rural Lough Derg (Shannon River) site and 29 at the relatively urban Dublin Bay site. The results show that the practical production of holistic and representative data on environmental risk from tourism and recreation areas is possible, with water quality, amenity value, traffic and transport, boating activity and noise found particularly relevant. The strengths and limitations of the proposed model are considered and compared with three existing tourism impact models: the use of sustainability indicators and two tourism-planning frameworks, limits of acceptable change (LAC) and visitor impact management (VIM).

Over the last decade various tourism destinations, particularly cities, have been witnessing growing symptoms of tourism saturation with criticism often led by social movements. From the second half of the last century onwards, the excessive spread of tourism in urban neighbourhoods and centres has led to a situation that is known as overtourism. Although the Spanish media has coined the term tourismphobia (turismofobia) to describe the phenomenon, this issue is far more complex than it may appear at first. This report aims to address some of the core issues associated with this phenomenon based on the analysis of specific cases.

Dimitrios Buhalis and Ramona Wagner, (2013), E-destinations: Global best practice in tourism technologies and applications , In Cantoni, L. and Xiang, Z. (Eds.), Information and Communication Technologies in Tourism 2013, Vienna, Austria: Springer Verlag, pp. 119-130

E-destinations: Global best practice in tourism technologies and applications.

Professor Dimitrios Buhalis and Ramona Wagner
eTourism Lab, Bournemouth University, United Kingdom

dbuhalis@bournemouth.ac.uk
bramona.wagner89@web.de

Abstract

The emergence of ICT enables consumers to search for destinations worldwide more easily, making it necessary to constantly improve the web presence and social media used by destinations. This study firstly aims to benchmark global destinations with regards to their level of implementation of technologies and applications. Secondly, global best practices for e-destinations will be identified with the help of a detailed content analysis of destinations’ website presence and social media applications. At the same time, the industry perspective about e-destinations will be taken into consideration in order to get an insight into the future and vision for destination management systems and website presence. By this means, a variety of factors will be analysed that can facilitate the consumers´ search on the destination’s websites before, during and after a holiday. The study contains best practice recommendations for destinations’ web presence that should be implemented in order to sustain their future online success and competitiveness.

Keywords: Tourism technologies and applications, DMO, destination marketing, best practice, benchmark and e-destinations

Cite this article: Raszkowski, A., Bartniczak, B. Towards Sustainable Regional Development: Economy, Society, Environment, Good Governance Based on the Example of Polish Regions. Transformations in Business & Economics, 2018, Vol. 17, No 2 (44), pp.225-245.The presented study discusses problems referring to the concept of sustainable development at regional level, based on the example of Polish regions in the period 2005-2011. The first part presents theoretical aspects of sustainable regional development, raises the problems of primary phenomena hindering such development, sustainable development definitions, the role of creativity, the importance of NGOs, good governance of regional space. The next part of the article provides the characteristics of sustainable development indicators selected for the analysis in accordance with the approach adopted by the Central Statistical Office in Poland towards measuring the level of sustainable regional development. The synthetic measure of development (SMD) represents the applied research method, which offered the basis for constructing the ranking and identifying the position of particular Polish regions. The research results remain the core of the study since they illustrate the indicator values in the years under analysis. Within the framework of the final remarks and conclusions it was emphasized that in none of the studied regions, in terms of implementing sustainable development standards, the situation can be assessed as favourable or very favourable and the reasons for such state of the matter were provided. In spite of the relatively unfavourable results, a gradual improvement of the situation was observed over the years. It was pointed out that one of the fundamental barriers to the implementation of sustainable development standards is the absence of awareness and understanding of the discussed development concept.