December 2008 Issue (Volume IX, No.2)
June 2008 Issue (Volume IX, No. 1)
December 2008 Issue (Volume IX, No.2)
Benefits of Protected Area Network Status: Pilot study at Bieszscady National Park, Poland
Stuart P. Cottrell, Colorado State University, USA
Jana Raadik, Colorado State University, USA
Abstract: This paper examines the benefits of Protected Area Network (PAN Park) status for communities and tourism development near Bieszscady National Park (BNP), Poland. The central question was Does PAN Parks benefit local communities in PAN Park locations? Thirty-six self-administered surveys and 18 semi-structured interviews were conducted in November, 2005 among stakeholders representing BNP staff, local authorities, PAN Park business partners, tourism businesses, and NGOs. Both approaches explored tourism development, sustainability of tourism in the context of socio-cultural, economic, environmental and institutional capacity building and the role of PAN Parks on beliefs about sustainable tourism development. PAN Park’s sustainable tourism development strategy is viewed as a driving force for sustainable development combining protected area concern for environmental protection with active involvement of tourism businesses.
Keywords: mixed methods, sustainable tourism development, prism of sustainability, protected areas, benefits of PAN Parks
Tahitian Residents Perceptions of Tahiti as a Tourist Destination
Jerome Agrusa, Hawaii Pacific University, USA
Joseph D. Lema, Drexel University, USA
John Tanner, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, USA
Marco Cestari, Sustainable Tourism Destination Development, TIME Project, Italy
Abstract: With an increasingly competitive tourism market, the perceptions of a tourist destination are critical to its image. In Tahiti, as tourism continues to gain increasing recognition for its significant contribution to the national income for the country, the image of the destination must be carefully considered. Discovering the perceptions that the residents have about Tahiti is very significant for Tahiti in marketing itself successfully as a tourist destination. In developing a marketing plan for a tourism product, Tahiti must understand exactly what perceptions residents have about Tahiti as a tourist destination. This study examines the perceptions of Tahiti residents on the image of Tahiti as a tourist destination and the effects of tourism in Tahiti. By examining resident’s perceptions and images pertaining to Tahiti as a tourist destination, opportunities exist for Tahiti to adopt a more sustainable tourism model in order to sustain current positive images as well as creating additional positive images. Results of this study demonstrate that residents of Tahiti have a similar perception of Tahiti as a tourist destination. Furthermore, a general correlation exists regarding the importance of certain factors people take into consideration before of when they decide on a specific destination for their vacation.
Keywords: Tahitian Residents, Perceptions, Tourism Destination
Impact of Tourism on Economic Growth: The Case of Turkey
Yusuf Akan, Ataturk University, Turkey
Ibrahim Arslan, Gaziantep University, Turkey
Cem Işık, Institute of Social Science, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey
Abstract: Globalization tendencies appeared as an outcome of scientific and technological innovations in 20th century impact the tourism sector as well as most other sectors. Like in many developing countries, the tourism sector accompanied by the change of sectoral structure in Turkey is the main element which determines Economic Growth. This study investigates the causal relations between Tourism Sector and Economic Growth for the economy of Turkey by using Phillips–Perron test, Cointegration approach, Granger Causality test and a Vector Autoregression (VAR) model over the period of 1985-2007. Discussion is given related to these findings and the implications to the country’s Tourism Sector and also future research.
Keywords: Tourism Income, Economic growth, Phillips–Perron; Granger Causality, Cointegration, VAR model.
Tourist Attractiveness: The Force of the Influence of a Product
Waclaw Kotlinski, College of Economics, Tourism, and Social Sciences, Kielce, Poland
Abstract: Tourism was defined as a phenomenon of the 20th century. As prognoses show, it is estimated, that the pace of its development will be higher in the current century. Tourist countries and regions compete with one another in preparation of products increasing their tourist attractiveness. In practice, it turns out that not all products arouse expected interest. In connection with this, a problem how to estimate popularity, in other words, the force of influence of a tourist product appears. In this article, the author makes an attempt to work out a model which can evaluate attractiveness of a tourist product, basing on, definition of force (symbol F), applied in physical sciences.
Keywords: tourist product, attractiveness, dynamics of economic processes
A Study on Level and Scale of Local Community Participation in Geo cum ecotourism Promotion and Management in Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (NDBR), North Western Himalaya, India
D.S. Bagri, Garhwal University, India
A. Suresh Babu, Garhwal University, India
Bhupendra Nayal, Garhwal University, India
Abstract: This article examines the level and scale of local people participation in Geo cum ecotourism activities in Nanda Devi biosphere reserve (NDBR), spread across three district-Chamoli, Bageshwar and Pithrogarh in the state of Uttrakhand in North India. This article identifies the actively involved Geo cum ecotourism operators distributed in 3 villages out of 34 villages in the buffer zone located in district Chamoli. The research findings are based on qualitative research method in order to know the level of local people satisfaction.
Keywords: Biodiversity conservation, geo cum ecotourism management, ecolodge, Nanda devi resource management, village community, sustainable development.
Managers’ perception of hotel management curricula in India: An exploratory study
Mohinder Chand, Kurukshetra University, India
Abstract: Hotel management education in India has experienced a series of remarkable changes over the last twenty years. Today, the curricula in hotel management education have become more and more "marketdriven" as it is strongly influenced by professionalism in hotel industry. The study aims at to assess the hotel managers’ perception of hotel management curricula and identifies that there exist significant differences between demographic variables and manger’s perceptions towards hotel management curricula. Based on a survey of 62 hotel mangers’, hotel management curricula perceptions were assessed by a 20-item hotel management curricula scale. According to mean measures, the most strong and favourable perceptions toward hotel management curricula are found to be associated with core subjects while related subjects are found to be least favourable in terms of the perceived values. Further, significant differences are found between demographic variables and managers perceptions towards hotel management curricula. Finally the study provides educators a useful guide as to how future hotel curricula and teaching methods should be planned and modified in order to prepare graduates to cope successfully with a fast-changing hotel business environment.
Keywords: hotel manager, perceptions, hotel industry, hotel management curricula, India.
How Personality Dimensions Influences the Behavior of Hospitality Leaders
V.Ruya Ehtiyar, Akdeniz University, Turkey
Aylin Aktas Alan, Akdeniz University, Turkey
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between personality types and leadership styles. In the study, the personality has been accepted as the most important impact on the individual’s behaviors and the relationships between the occupational personality characteristics and leadership styles of the managers in hotel organizations in various cultures have been studied to release. The application has been made on 72 managers in Turkey and 63 managers in America by using “Occupational Personality Inventory-Scope 4.2” which is formed in three steps by expert psychologists and management theorists like Eysenck, Cattell, Murray, Hersey and Blanchard. For data evaluation SPSS 11.0 program was used. It has been determined thanks to the research that what kind of changes did personality fact show in terms of culture and sector and that the effects of leadership styles being important in the rising of organizational performance. The results are limited within the sampled middle- and upper level managers in 5-star hotels in both countries, so the results cannot be generalized. This study can be evaluated as useful information for tourism industry professionals regarding the subjects of personality and leadership.
Keywords: Personality types, Leadership styles, Different cultures, Tourism industry
Public Dollars, Sports Facilities, and Intangible Benefits: The Value of a Team to a Region's Residents and Tourists
David Swindell, University of North Carolina-Charlotte, USA
Mark S. Rosentraub, Cleveland State University, USA
Sasha Tsvetkova, University of North Carolina-Charlotte, USA
Abstract: The expected economic development from sports facilities and teams encourages community leaders to argue for public investments in professional sports facilities. Understanding added economic value has become more critical as public investments in such facilities have grown. This paper uses recent data from Indiana in monetizing the intangible values citizens derive from sports, highlighting how the value of the intangibles helped convince state and local governments to build a new home for the NFL Colts. The paper suggests how to integrate analyses of intangibles into traditional models of economic impact for future economic development opportunities confronting communities when positive externalities are present.
Keywords: Public Finance/Taxation, Contingent Valuation, Economic Impact Analysis
The promotion of sustainable tourism within the World Heritage Sites: Lessons from iSimangaliso World Heritage Park in South Africa.
A. T. Nzama, University of Zululand, South Africa
Abstract: The focus of this paper is on the efforts of the government in trying to strike a balance between the promotion of sustainable tourism and ecological management within iSimangaliso Wetland Park. iSimangaliso Wetland Park received a World Heritage status in 1999 based on three main characteristics – its unique ecological processes, its superlative natural phenomenon and its exceptionally rich biodiversity (Mkhize, 2007). In its policy deliberations, iSimangaliso Wetland Park has to take into account sustainable forms of tourism that have the capacity of integrating nature conservation and sustainable livelihoods of communities living within and around the Park who depend mainly on tourism. Due to its world heritage status and its superior biological and ecological diversity iSimangaliso Wetland Park has become a prime ecotourism destination which provides the local community with a launching pad for a variety of tourism businesses. With an increase in the number of tourists and tourism related businesses within iSimangaliso Wetland Park, the government imposed certain restrictions that were meant to protect the environment from degradation. One of the restrictions imposed in 2001, was the banning of the 4X4 vehicles from the beach. The implementation of these regulations led to an outcry from local business owners and local community members whose livelihoods depend solely on tourism driven businesses. One of the major implications of the implementation of this regulation was the loss of the 4X4 vehicle market which, include both domestic and international tourists. The findings of the study indicated that as restrictions became real all stakeholders found ways of bringing nature conservation and people’s livelihood together.
Keywords: sustainable tourism, world heritage site, sustainable livelihoods, 4X4 vehicle ban, symbiotic relationship.
Population Impact of Gaming Industry
Shahdad Naghshpour, University of Southern Mississippi, USA
Abstract: When large industries move into a state, they impact the entire economy of the state. The expected outcome is greater when the state has a (relatively) small economy and the industry is (relatively) large. One such example is the establishment of the gaming industry in the state of Mississippi. Relatively speaking, Mississippi has a small economy and the gaming industry, being a service industry, employs large numbers of employees. Another factor that affects the impact of a new industry in a state is the type of industry. The gaming industry is a service industry, which is labor intensive. On the other hand, the wages for the majority of the employees are relatively low. However, compared to some of the prevailing wages, they might not be as bad. In some of the counties that have legalized gambling, the unemployment rate had been high, even in comparison to other counties in the state of Mississippi. Against this background, the expectation has been high for a positive impact from the presence of the casinos. A common practice in measuring the impact of the casino and similar industries is to count the number of their employees, check their gross revenue, and count their tax contributions to different governmental entities. This, however, could be misleading. Shifts in jobs, expenditures, and tax revenues from existing jobs to casino do not constitute “additions” to their respective measures. Only the incremental change should be counted. Similarly, the difference between the old job and the new job can be contributed to the new industry. The present study tackles the problem from A different perspective. People vote with their feet by checking their pockets. Higher income and better living standards would entice the locals to stay and the strangers to move in. An industry that increases the demand for labor in the state would cause an increase in wages which would be a deterrent to out migration and an incentive for in migration. Therefore, by studying population changes to a state, one can account for the contribution of a new industry in a state.
Key Words: Gaming Industry, Casino, in migration, out migration, population.
The Impact of Transportation on Tourism
Roselyn N. Okech, Memorial University, Canada
Abstract: The impact of tourism in the economy is felt mainly through forward and backward linkages expressed as demand for goods and services in the agricultural, textiles, beverage, transport and entertainment sectors. Travel and Tourism is growing one-and-half times faster than any other sector and employs 100 million people worldwide. This paper explores the relationships between transport and its role and impact on tourism. It also addresses the need for consideration of specific development targets in the sector. Issues for consideration of national Governments are raised and possible programs of action at different levels are identified.
Key Words: Impact, Kenya, Tourism, Transportation
An Interdisciplinary Study of Motivation Theories used by Tourism Management Practitioners
Dana V. Tesone, University of Central Florida, USA
Abstract: This article presents the findings of an empirical study that identified motivational priorities among a sample of respondents over a five year period of time. The hypothesis was based on current neuroscience research in the area of brain development. Additional theories in the areas of needs-based motivation and transpersonal psychology are discussed. The study provided evidence to support the physical science literature, which in turn supports the social science literature. The paper concludes with suggestions for practicing managers based on the findings of the study.
Keywords: worker motivation, human resource management, neuroscience, humanism
Pat-Down Searches for Entertainment Events
Ernest W. King, University of Southern Mississippi, USA
Tony L. Henthorne, University of Nevada, USA
Abstract: Pat-down searches have not been normally allowed at public events at stadiums and auditoriums. The use of such searches has obvious safety implications at each venue. The rationale for this rule is that such a search violates unlawful search and seizure protections; in essence this protects citizens from governmental intrusions into their private lives without a warrant. The recent Johnston decision is a departure from settled entertainment venue pat-down decisions, but it is for a clear reason: a private, non-governmental entity was the driving force behind the policy and implementation of the safety policy. This decision may be the genesis of a new line of decisions for private entity- driven policies.
Keywords: Pat-down searches, search rules, sports authorities, event safety
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June 2008 Issue (Volume IX, No. 1)
An Analysis of the Regional Competitiveness of the Theme Park Clusters in Pearl River Delta of China
Mu Zhang, Shenzhen Tourism College, Jinan University, China
Bao-qin Huang, Shenzhen Tourism College, Jinan University, China
Jing Yu, Shenzhen Tourism College, Jinan University, China
Abstract: The Pearl River Delta (PRD) area is the mainstream of the foreign-oriented economic development model of the economic society of Guangdong Province and also an important economic vigor growth pole of China. In this area, a number of theme parks accumulate and these theme park clusters have not only had a huge impact on the Chinese market but also produced fierce spatial competition. The PRD area is still the pioneer tourism development region and has got another name -- the golden triangle of tourism, for its dense city clusters, advanced traffic conditions, numerous import and export ports, perfect tourism service and various new resorts and theme parks. Through the research on the complementary and substitutive effect and the accessibility of various theme parks in different central cities, this paper points out that the core competitiveness of the theme parks lies in their publicity. To ensure sustainable competitiveness these theme parks need to constantly introduce new products. Therefore, this paper maintains that the theme park clusters should take full advantage of the Pan-Pearl River Delta regional cooperation and establish a regional theme park linkage mechanism to compensate for the lack of complementarities so as to enhance the publicity and economic benefits of the local theme parks.
Key words: cluster effect; theme park; spatial competition; Pearl River Delta of China
National Policy Expediency or Economic Efficiency: The Dilemma of Regional Tourism Organizations
Haretsebe Manwa, Department of Management, University of Botswana, Botswana
Farai Manwa, Department of Management, University of Botswana, Botswana
Abstract: Tourism is a dynamic industry with competitive emerging global markets. Most developing poorer nations face a number of deficiencies making it difficult for them to competitively market their tourism products on a world stage. A strategy that is currently being used in some regions (Pacific, Caribbean, Southern Africa), is the employment of Regional Tourism Organizations (RTOs) to pull together resources and market the region more effectively to an international audience. This method has had limited success, due to the problems that RTOs face. Typically, problems are both at strategic (policy) and operational (management and marketing) levels. RTOs also face problems of multiplicity of stakeholders from different countries comprising a mix of public sector and private sector members, with competing interests and expectations. This often leaves RTOs caught in the middle of a dilemma as to whose objectives they need to satisfy first, an unclear mandate with unattainable goals. The end result is little or poor progress in regional tourism development. The paper uses the experiences of the Regional Tourism Organization of Southern Africa to determine the question of whether RTOs should have a government focus and deal solely with policy and development issues, or whether they should focus on marketing related issues and, in so doing, look to be self-sustaining profitable institutions.
Keywords: Regional Tourism Organizations; tourism policy considerations; tourism marketing; South Africa
Estimating Cruise Passenger Expenditures in Small Greek Island Ports
Petros Lois, PhD, University of Nicosia, Cyprus
Jin Wang, PhD, Liverpool John Moores University, UK
Abstract: With the rapid increase in the world's cruise fleet, cruising has become a realistic vocational option for the traveling public. The cruise industry is projected to be almost 15.5 million passengers going aboard by 2010. This development is driven by corporate mergers and acquisitions, the launching of mega-ships, the opening up of new destinations, and the growing propensity of people who choose to cruise. This study measures the expenditure patterns of Cypriot cruise passengers in small Greek island ports of call. These ports receive a large number of cruise ship visits per year and their economies are partly reliant on them. It is important, therefore, for service suppliers, retailers and handicraft producers to know what appeals to cruise passengers so that they can continue to produce the products in demand profitably.
Keywords: cruise ships; passenger expenditure; Greek islands
Hotel Enterprises: An Insight into Accountants' Knowledge and Skills
Slavka Kavčič, PhD, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
Eva Mihelčič, PhD, PricewaterhouseCoopers, UK
Abstract: Current events in the business and economic environment are significantly influencing the knowledge requirements of modern accountants both worldwide and locally. This article first defines the specific skills accountants are required to have apart from an in-depth expert knowledge of accounting. Three fundamental examination hypotheses are posed, aiming to investigate the skills used by accountants. The first one relates to activities performed by modern accountants. Next, the relationship between industry-specific and accounting knowledge and the importance of techniques to monitor effectiveness are investigated. All hypotheses are tested based on the perspectives of certified accountants in Great Britain and Slovenia, as well as accountants working for Slovenian hotel enterprises. The conclusions are based on the literature and drawn from a survey analysis and show that accountants consider the strategic role as their most important role, with the exception of hotel enterprise accountants where the traditional accountant’s role still prevails. Further, in Slovenia industry knowledge is deemed more important than accounting knowledge, especially in hotel enterprises. In addition, while effectiveness-monitoring techniques are gaining in importance they are, however, less significant in the hotel business.
Keywords: accounting in hotels; knowledge and skills of accountants; Slovenia; United Kingdom
The Heritage Tourist: A Gender Perspective
Tammie J. Kaufman, PhD, University of Central Florida, USA
Pamela A. Weaver, PhD, Virginia Tech, USA
Randall Upchurch, PhD, University of Central Florida, USA
Abstract: The heritage tourism industry has grown in appeal to various consumer groups within the United States in recent years. Yet with this elevated interest in heritage tourism, a specialty focus area within the field of tourism, there is limited empirical research that has focused on identifying those demographic characteristics that are associated with heritage tourist consumption behavior. Armed with this knowledge of demographic characteristics the heritage attraction promoter can better position products and services that meet this growing demand. In line with this thought this study sought to segment the heritage tourist based on gender and found that males tended to be older than the female heritage tourists and females were more environmentally and historically preservationist minded than their male counterparts.
Keywords: gender differences, heritage tourism, preservation, segmentation
Internet Marketing in the Northern Cyprus Hotel Industry: Supply And Demand Match?
Erdogan H. Ekiz, PhD Candidate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
Abstract: In the last decades, Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) have tremendously affected the way that businesses perform and compete. Internet is one of the fastest growing, most popular branches of the ICTs that has impact on both business and non-business oriented life. In recent years, the travel and tourism industry has begun to develop internet applications more extensively. Many travel and tourism service suppliers such as hotels, travel agencies, and airline companies already use internet as a direct channel for customer reservations. The purpose of this study is two fold. Firstly, it is finding out the current supply of Internet marketing services provided by hotel industry in Northern Cyprus, like hotel web sites, online reservations. Secondly, it is trying to find out the demand of the existing hotel guests in other words their perceptions. The study concentrates on all the existing hotels, 107, in Northern Cyprus. Quantitative survey technique was used through two different sets of questionnaires. Hotel questionnaire tried to prompt the supply side and the tourist questionnaire tried to analyze the demand side. Quota sampling applied for the tourist questionnaires. Finally, this study combined the results in order to analyze how well the supply and demand of the Internet marketing activities is matching. A self-administered questionnaire was conducted with the hotel managers. Results show that the majority of the respondent hotels have their own websites mostly constructed by a consultant company. These websites were recently utilized with the aim of reaching a greater number of guests as their primary driver. Also, the respondent hotels are aware of the importance of being enrolled to a search engine. Expectedly, findings reveal that there is relationship between the percentage of having a website and number of stars.
Keywords: websites, internet marketing, demand and supply match, Northern Cyprus hotel industry.
Medical Tourism in India: Trends and Competitive Advantages
Manjula Chaudhary, PhD, Kurukshetra University, India
Boora, S.S., PhD, Kurukshetra University, India
Abstract: With the advent of globalization and connecting technologies like Internet, the world is becoming one big mart providing customers a boundary-less experience where they can shop for best bargain irrespective of their geographical presence. This is opening up a global customer base for the product and service providers. Developing countries too are leveraging this opportunity to create their own competitive advantages in areas such as Information Technology where these have proven their competence. Nowadays, healthcare is emerging as another potential domain for them to make a mark in all components of value chain. Health services at reasonable prices, at least in comparison to the developed countries are attracting large number of people from across the globe to a few select destinations. Globally this market is estimated to be to the tune of US$ 40 billion growing at the rate of 15 per cent per annum. Medical Tourism is witnessing an upward trend and has attracted large number of foreign tourists in the recent years. India is a new entrant in this field and is counted among potential frontrunners. While on the one hand its medical tourism is lauded for its revenue generation and service excellence capabilities, on the other hand doubts are also being raised about a number of related issues pertaining to real advantages to patients as well as service providers. This paper makes an assessment of the existing trends, infrastructure required for medical tourism and evaluation of the advantages that India possesses besides taking stock of the trends in medical tourism at the global level.
Keywords: medical tourism; mode 2; India’s competitive advantages; trade in health services; GATS and tourism; Indian tourism; healthcare; inbound tourism in India; India’s international tourism
An Evaluation of Scholarly Productivity in a Major Tourism Journal
Catherine H. Price, PhD, University of Southern Mississippi, USA
Zaher Hallab, PhD, University of Southern Mississippi, USA
Cherylynn Becker, PhD, University of Southern Mississippi, USA
Abstract: This research project identifies authors/scholars and academic institutions that have captured a high share of appearance frequency in the Journal of Travel Research, a prominent and highly ranked tourism journal in the U.S. and overseas. For such a purpose, data from JTR publications pertaining to a period of thirty-one years (1974-2004) were collected. The results unveiled institutions and individuals that have captured the highest exposure through their most frequent contributions to JTR; such findings pinpoint and recognize additional key players and opinion leaders that have been active in the academic world of hospitality and tourism. This study also presents pertinent recommendations.
Keywords: tourism and hospitality; contribution; author; journal; institution; appearance
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