Alternative Forms Of Tourism Research Articles

Customer based brand equity for empowering Sri Lanka as a tourism destination: with special reference to tea tourism

Tea tourism is one of the alternative forms of tourism which is being operated in the tea growing regions in the world. Sri Lanka also can benefit from adopting and promoting tea tourism. The main purpose of this study is to propose a practical model to empower Sri Lanka as a tea tourism destination. In this study, Keller’s constructs of the pyramid of brand equity, including brand salience, brand performance, brand imagery, brand judgments, brand feelings, and brand resonance, are investigated and their relationships with brand equity, as well as their effects on customer loyalty and satisfaction in Tea tourism in Sri Lanka are determined. The statistical population of the present study is all foreign visitors from tea estates based recreational sites in Sri Lanka. The data were collected by administering questionnaire. The sample consisted with 385 randomly selected individuals. The research hypotheses were tested through structural equation modeling and the final model was confirmed. The findings of the study revealed that only the relationships between brand salience and customer loyalty, brand imagery and brand performance towards brand equity were not significant, and all other relationships were significant. Also, fit indices obtained from the conceptual model indicates that model is valid in explaining the relationships among variables to empower Sri Lanka as a Tea Tourism destination. Therefore this proposed model emphasized how marketers should design and implement the effective marketing programs to empower Sri Lanka as a tea tourism destination. In this way, Sri Lanka can be positioned as one of the attractive and more competitive tea tourism destinations in the world which in turn could make a positive impact on foreign exchange, employment oportunities and other economic factors.

Educational Tourism’s Product Strategy at Batur Global Geopark, Kintamani - Bali

Educational tourism is one of tourism type from the form of alternative tourism that has been developed between the conventional tourism era and modern tourism era. Generally, alternative tourism tends to develop according to sustainability principals. The packaging of tourism destination potential, Batur Global Geopark into educational tourism is a fundamental step of tourism product’s diversification in Bali. Therefore, the tourism potential in Batur-caldera Bali is supporting to be developed or packaged as an educational tourism, which is in accordance with Global Geopark Network (GGN) objectives. This study combines the quantitative and qualitative methodologies (multi-method), which are presented in the form of descriptions. The information will be analysed to determine the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT). It formulated appropriate educational tourism product strategies by the elements; attraction, accessibilities, amenities, a supporting organisation (ancillary), activity, available package and community involvement. Furthermore, this study will also identify the factors of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges of educational tourism product development in the tourist area of Batur Global Geopark.

The Impact of Economic Crisis on Tourism Industry: A Bangladesh Perspective

The tourism sector is experiencing numerous challenges as a result of the global economic crisis. After a significant contraction in 2009, tourism rebounded strongly in 2010 and in 2011 the international tourist arrivals and receipts are projected to increase substantially. The Tourism industry is expected to show a sustained recovery in 2012. The crisis has particularly strong impact and slightly negative consequences in Bangladesh. The country is undergoing a political crisis, as well, and it seems that the forthcoming elections may be the only solution for the restoration of stability and social peace. In addition, tourism can be the driving force behind Bangladesh economic recovery. However, for its achievement the country’s policy makers should take several measures towards restructuring and improving the sector. These measures include: enhancement of alternative forms of tourism; environmental protection; creation of quality infrastructure; and boost of competitiveness through a tourism product that offers value for money

The value of community-based tourism in Banteay Chhmar, Cambodia

ABSTRACTIn the era of mass tourism, phenomena such as sustainable tourism, responsible tourism, rural tourism, eco-tourism, pro-poor tourism and community-based tourism are now increasingly under the research microscope. If established and managed correctly, these alternative forms of tourism have the potential to contribute towards sustainable community development and provide visitors with unique experiences. Few scholars have qualitatively addressed the growth of community-based tourism in South-East Asia. This study investigated the value of a community-based tourism project at Banteay Chhmar in north-west Cambodia, specifically the discourse of the project's members and the broader community. The objective of the study was to provide an ethnographic account of the community member's attitudes, opinions and beliefs concerning the perceived value and contribution of the project towards community development in their locality. The study initially relied on a literature review to conceptualise community-based tourism. Unstructured in-depth interviews were conducted with a total of 30 stakeholders of the Banteay Chhmar Community-Based Tourism Project. A narrative identifies the development of the project and provides samples of the respondents’ discourses. Findings from a thematic analysis of stakeholder responses indicated support of tourism and the overall operation of the project. Opinions were divided concerning the future growth of tourism and likely negative impacts on resident livelihoods. While some felt the project was relatively insular and lacked transparency, most identified the project's value as enhanced social capital, pride and a better sense of community. The findings show the project has positively contributed towards community development; however, before it can be considered a best practice example of community-based tourism, its financial sustainability, business practices and community support need to improve. The overall study serves as a valuable insight into themes promoting the merits and complications of community-based tourism, specifically in South-East Asia.

Antique Shops’ Marketing Strategies in Rural Tourism Destinations: A Comparative Exploratory Study in the U.S. and Canada

Antique Shops’ Marketing Strategies in Rural Tourism Destinations: A Comparative Exploratory Study in the U.S. and Canada Lise Heroux; Mark Gultek Abstract With the need to increase tourism demand by focusing on alternative forms of tourism, rural tourism has gained significant attention in recent years, providing rural development with new tourism opportunities and policies in accordance with demand. This study presents a marketing view of a specific area of rural tourism, marketing mix strategies utilized by antique stores, as means of promoting tourism, and offers insight into differences in marketing strategies in a comparison format of antique stores, operating in the rural touristic regions of the northern sections of the state of New York, United States and the southern regions of the Quebec province of Canada. Full Text: PDF DOI: 10.15640/jthm.v4n2a3

Holistic Tourism: Motivations, Self-Image and Satisfaction

Holistic Tourism: Motivations, Self-Image and Satisfaction Holistic tourism has become a new and alternative form of tourism and an important trend among tourists who seek programs and experiences that would allow them to achieve balance between mind, body and soul. Choosing holistic tourism means that a tourist can enjoy a different and full experience which goes beyond the simple contact with cultures, people, places or landscapes. It focuses on self-transformation and on an attempt of people understanding more about themselves. It is crucial we understand each person´s view about this new type of tourism since this perspective will surely bring potential new investors to this product. Knowing what every tourist values, feels and needs- in terms of personal fulfillment- can turn this new type of tourism into a competitive one. This study includes an empirical research conducted through questionnaires to 300 holistic tourists in four different Portuguese destinations: Azores, Gerês, Lisbon and Algarve. The results allowed a better understanding of the holistic tourists’ characteristics, their main motivations, self-image perception and satisfaction levels while taking part in holistic tourism.

MEMORIAL TOURISM IN CROATIA? A CASE STUDY OF VUKOVAR: ATTITUDES OF LOCAL POPULATION

Croatian tourism supply is mainly based on Sun&Sea tourism on the attractive coast and islands. However, in recent years there has been increased competition and the tourists’ demands that have contributed to development of alternative forms of tourism, also in continental part of Croatia. The city of Vukovar, as the battlefield of one of the largest battles in Europe after the World War II, after its peaceful reintegration in the Croatian territory (1997), became the Croatian national memorial place. Even though tourism is not among the leading economy branches in Vukovar, due to its recent past, memorial tourism based on memorial sites from the Croatian Homeland War (1991-1995) could be developed. Memorial tourism is a form of cultural tourism with a supply based on memorial sites - places of important events, in this case the places of suffering and tragedies. As main research objectives can be pointed out: a) the analysis of the characteristics of tourist flow and accommodation facilities in Vukovar after the end of the Croatian Homeland War and its reintegration into the Croatian territory and b) analysis of the Vukovar local population’ attitudes on the possibilities of the development of memorial tourism based on heritage from the Croatian Homeland War. The local population attitudes were detected by a direct questionnaire survey at several locations in the center of Vukovar. In addition to descriptive statistics, statistical analyses were conducted to determine the differences in the respondents’ attitudes (the dependent variable) with regard to gender, average age, level of education and nationality (independent variables). Total of eight statistically significant differences were found using standard statistical methods in SPSS program: chi-square test and t-test.

The Impact Of Economic Crisis On Tourism Industry: A Bangladesh Perspective

The tourism sector is experiencing numerous challenges as a result of the global economic crisis. After a significant contraction in 2009, tourism rebounded strongly in 2010 and in 2011 the international tourist arrivals and receipts are projected to increase substantially. The Tourism industry is expected to show a sustained recovery in 2012. The crisis has particularly strong impact and slightly negative consequences in Bangladesh. The country is undergoing a political crisis, as well, and it seems that the forthcoming elections may be the only solution for the restoration of stability and social peace. In addition, tourism can be the driving force behind Bangladesh economic recovery. However, for its achievement the country’s policy makers should take several measures towards restructuring and improving the sector. These measures include: enhancement of alternative forms of tourism; environmental protection; creation of quality infrastructure; and boost of competitiveness through a tourism product that offers value for money

Reutilization of Industrial Buildings and Sites in Greece can Act as a Lever for the Development of Special Interest/Alternative Tourism

The current study aims to highlight the impact that reutilization of industrial heritage monuments can have on the development of local economy, culture, quality of life and special interest and alternative forms of tourism in Greece. In addition, the study illustrates how reutilization of industrial spaces contributes to the strengthening of the junction between the urban and rural environment, proposing communication strategies, through various networks, that will facilitate the aforementioned junction. Finally, the content of academic courses focusing on such topics is also presented, combined with examples distilled from the Author's personal experience on delivering lectures in this context, for the students of the department of Interior Architecture, Decorative Arts and Design (IADAD) of the Technological Educational Institute of Athens (TEI-A). The present study thus attempts to address the following questions: • Why is the development of special interest and alternative forms of tourism essential in Greece? • How does reutilization of industrial spaces affect the development of special interest and alternative forms of tourism in Greece? • Which are the potential new functions of former industrial spaces? • How can the junction between urban and rural environment be strengthened through the reutilization of industrial spaces? • How and to which extent can undergraduate academic education sensitise today's students-tomorrow's citizens/space managers?

Economic Perspectives of Intangible Cultural Activities

Abstract The aim of this paper is to identify Greek folk-dance characteristics as intangible cultural activities attracting tourists, as an alternative form of tourism, and to investigate the potential impact of Greek folk-dance on the economic development of the tourism industry. This study was based on a structured questionnaire. Respondents are a sample of individuals who are dedicated to Greek folk dance (Greek or foreign tourists). They are amateur dancers or professional folk dancing instructors but all of them have attended workshops of folk-dance in different parts of Greece. Results stressed the emergence of (a) a growing need for urgent assessment of market value for folk dancing which is associated with cultural tourism, and (b) a need to re-evaluate current educational perspectives to increase the academic status of folk dance to a certified degree level, in order to preserve and promote Greek cultural heritage.

The Gourkovo city bio-rally - between tradition and alternative tourism

Event tourism, as an alternative form of tourism, has established itself on the Bulgarian market, because it satisfies specific travel demands. Every year at the beginning of September in the city of Gourkovo, it is held a Bio-rally (donkey cart race), which traditionally attracts many guests and visitors from the country and abroad. The race with donkey carts is a special local event and it has long since become a trademark of the city. The purpose of this study is to trace and study the development of specialized kind of event tourism in the town of Gourkovo, following the example of the Bio-rally with donkey carts. Based on a recently conducted survey, an attempt was made to identify tourist's motivational factors for traveling, as well as their satisfaction with the event. The used scientific methods are analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction.

Assessing Wildlife Consumption Awareness and the Attitudes of the Local Lambwe Valley Community towards Ruma National Park, Kenya

The study was conducted around Ruma National Park within Lambwe Valley in Kenya. The study fulfils the gap of knowledge about wildlife consumption awareness and attitudes of the local Lambwe valley community towards the park. It is believed that understanding the level of awareness and community attitude would provide imperative information that could contribute to wildlife conservation within the park. The key objective of the study was to establish how the locals perceive the national park and their level of awareness of illegal wildlife consumption in the area. The study adopted survey design using both structured questionnaires and focus group discussions to collect information from the local community. In order to disseminate questionnaires, simple random technique was further used to select the respondents. The respondents comprised households living adjacent to the national park. Structured questionnaire interviews were complimented with focus group discussions in order to gather more information and to collect diverse views. The data collected was subjected to descriptive and inferential tests. The study established that majority of the local community had negative attitude towards the park and did not require the park within their locality. Local community were aware that snaring of wildlife took place in and around the park and majority believed the future of the park was bleak. Illegal wildlife hunters were mainly from the local community and the status of wildlife numbers outside the park was declining. Majority were also not aware about Kenya’s wildlife laws prohibiting illegal hunting and bushmeat consumption. The study concludes and recommends that local communities in the area should be sensitized and educated on Kenya’s wildlife laws specifically laws relating to illegal hunting and bushmeat consumption and trade. Creating local awareness on the benefits of wildlife conservation without tangible benefits from the park might not influence attitude change and deter wildlife utilization in the area. New policies could be formulated for integrated park management where local community, especially the youth, could actively participate in wildlife conservation. Developing and promoting alternative forms of tourism in the area could bring benefits to the local community thus leading to attitude change and alternative source of livelihood.

Анализ модели подготовки кадров для сферы туризма в Норвегии

This article is another publication of the research results of foreign models of training for the tourism sector. All the author´s publications are based on a single cycle of a conceptual representation of professional education in the field of tourism as an activity-system which has its own goal-setting and invariant and variable structural elements, super-system limiters, resources, and so on. Comparative analysis of foreign models of training for tourism allows identifying the essential characteristics of the basic structure and content of models, which affect the efficiency of education systems, which in turn means the maximum achievement of the purposes of educational activities for their participants. In order to analyze the model of training for the tourism industry in Norway were used the author´s own methods of analyzing the structure and content of vocational education in the field of tourism developed in order to study quantitative and qualitative parameters of education. As sources of information the author uses both secondary (research reports, statistics) and primary (results of surveys and interviews with representatives of education, students; pedagogical documentation) sources. The study of the Norwegian model of training for tourism includes: a research framework of conditions for the establishment and development of a training system for tourism in Norway; a study of tourism employment in Norway, which has a pronounced specificity (seasonality, alternative forms of tourism); a study of the structural features of the formation and continuity of educational levels. Of particular interest are the results of a study of factors affecting the consumer subsystem parameters, in particular, focus on student training; validity of educational levels and modules which direct education at the development of human resources. The results of the study lead to the conclusion about high levels which characterize the consumer subsystem of the system of professional education in the field of tourism. It is also possible to formulate an assumption about a correlation between the indicators of competitiveness of the tourism sector (in terms of the parameters describing human resources) and the indicators characterizing the consumer subsystem of the training system for the tourism sector.

Urban Volunteer Tourism: Orphanages in Johannesburg

Volunteer tourism is one of the most vibrant forms of alternative tourism and a particular focus in Africa. Despite a growing stream of international volunteer tourists, African scholarship is undeveloped. South Africa offers the largest range of different volunteer tourism opportunities in Africa which includes work in community welfare projects such as orphanages. This research opens up debates around urban volunteer tourism in South Africa. The investigation is a case study of international volunteer tourists at orphanages in Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city. The aim was to understand the volunteer tourism channel to Johannesburg and reflect upon the impacts of this controversial form of volunteer tourism. The findings point to the strongly positive benefits of these volunteers for the orphanages and the children in Johannesburg. Among possible explanations is that ‘place matters’ and that volunteers choosing to work in the orphanages of South Africa’s business capital, a city that has a fearful reputation in respect of crime and safety of visitors, are committed to ‘making a difference’ in their volunteer work.

Volunteer Tourism: A Postcolonial Approach

Volunteer tourism (“voluntourism,” for short) is an alternative form of tourism in which tourists volunteer as part of their vacation in a developing country.1 It is often marketed as a mutually beneficial form of tourism, yet debate has arisen in recent years over the validity of this assessment and over the efficacy and ethics of using voluntourism as a development tool.2 The objectives of the paper are to: 1) examine the arguments in favour of volunteer tourism and to provide the postcolonial critiques of the industry, and 2) demonstrate how voluntourists and agencies can use a postcolonial approach to challenge and transform the neocolonial relationships embedded within this form of tourism. These objectives are met by critically examining the history, scope, and debate of the voluntourism industry through a postcolonial lens and by a brief discourse analysis of two case studies.

Agrotourism as an Alternative Form of Tourism in Bali Indonesia

This study discusses the general preview of tourism and agriculture in Bali, the opportunities and barriers of agrotourism development in Bali, stakeholders’ opinions concerning the development of agrotourism in Bali, agrotourism contributions toward economy and social situation improvements of the local communities, and contributions of agrotourism toward contribute for sustainable tourism development. This data collected through survey method using questionnaires distributed to 60 respondents from four groups of farmers comprise: Bayung Gede, Candikuning, Blimbingsari, and Pelaga Villages as samples. This study also used 35 expert respondents who come from each local community, universities, NGOs, and local governments.

Le patrimoine au secours des agricultures familiales ? Éclairages méditerranéens

Les agricultures familiales des pays mediterraneens sont aujourd’hui confrontees a une conjonction de defis qui pourraient paraitre insurmontables. Ces agricultures sont cependant presentees comme un atout majeur du developpement des arriere-pays de la region. Pour les soutenir, des strategies de valorisation de leurs specificites se deploient, a travers la mise en avant de produits originaux (dits « de terroir ») et l’appui a des formes de tourisme alternatif (tourisme « rural » ou « vert », ecotourisme) valorisant ces produits et les cultures agraires dont ils sont issus. Les politiques et les projets engages s’articulent autour de demarches de qualification et de mise sur le marche de productions localisees qui vont de la specialite agricole aux paysages. La reference patrimoniale, comprise comme un ensemble de discours et de pratiques mobilisant le passe dans le present, est une constante de ces demarches. Les mesures incitatives et les projets endogenes qui visent a promouvoir ces productions familiales ont-ils atteint les objectifs qu’ils s’etaient fixes ? Ont-ils permis d’accroitre la competitivite de ces agricultures familiales, de renforcer les solidarites socioterritoriales ou d’inflechir les relations entre collectifs locaux et pouvoirs publics ? Quelles ont ete les derives, les effets inattendus ou non desires ? A partir du rapprochement de dynamiques observees en Corse et au Maroc, l’article propose d’analyser plusieurs dimensions de ces phenomenes et de comprendre a quelles conditions cette valorisation patrimoniale des produits des agricultures familiales pourrait servir de levier a une consolidation perenne des systemes familiaux dans lesquels elle s’inscrit.

Cultural Heritage Tourism in Malaysia: Issues and Challenges

Malaysia is experiencing an incredible pace of tourism development and heritage tourism is one of the tourism branches that have long contributed to appeal the tourist destination and acts as important marketing tool to attract tourist especially with special interests in heritage and arts. Cultural heritage tourism has emerged as a potential form of alternative tourism among both international tourists as well as Malaysian domestic travelers. The difference of ethnics present in Malaysia brought different local knowledge discipline ranging from its architecture, handicrafts, traditional attire, music and dance, which reflects a colorful heritage and an amalgamated culture. There are arise of conflict in management of cultural heritage tourism in Malaysia face by tourism managers, stakeholders, governments, cultural heritage managers and local community itself. In order to maintain, conserve and preserve the resources and assets of cultural heritage in Malaysia, a system or management need to be develop that take into consideration on every issues and challenge, so that the decision making process is reliable to optimize the value of cultural heritage tourism industry in Malaysia. The purpose of this paper is to give an overview and discuss the status, issues and challenge of cultural heritage tourism in Malaysia.

Rozwój przemysłu turystycznego departamentów Francji zamorskiej w warunkach światowego kryzysu gospodarczego

The French tourism sector is one of the fastest growing and profitable sectors of the country’s national economy, and France itself should be at the forefront of deriving great benefits from tourist services. At the end of the last decade, the Republic was visited by over 81 million tourists, which generated more than 6% of the GDP, and provided employment to approximately 2 million individuals. Since the 60s of the twentieth century, the development of tourism has covered also the departments and territories (DOM-TOM), endowed with numerous material evidence of the colonial past and rich natural potential. These regions offer a variety of activities, and are now prestigious tourist destinations. The aim of the present study is to outline the characteristics of the French tourism industry in communities and overseas departments of France, in the conditions of the global economic crisis. The global decline in productivity, coupled with an increase in public debt in numerous countries, contributed to the regression of the tourism industry, both in international traffic, as well as on the internal market. According to a UN report, the WTO includes France into a group of five countries with the highest reception of passenger traffic (–7.8%). When analysing the French overseas tourism industry, expressed by the production of goods and tourism services, attractive areas, a range of accommodation with the evolution of tourism, and the average length of stays have all been studied. The article describes and assesses the potential of the tourism product, with particular emphasis on the traditional alternative forms of tourism, especially in the departments where non-European ecotourism is popular. Taking into consideration the diversity of French qualified and maritime tourism, their brief characteristics have also been included. By analysing tourism development strategies, such as the Schemad'amenagement et de developpementtouristique ( Scheme Planning and Tourism Development ) and the ProgrammeSectoriel en Agritourism ( Agritourism Sector Development Programme ), authors attempt to answer questions about the validity and effectiveness of these initiatives, in times of growing competition and decreasing share in the foreign tourist market.

Geotourism development in the Azores archipelago (Portugal) as an environmental awareness tool

Abstract The Azores archipelago is distinguished by its unique natural beauty and marine setting. Thanks to its volcanic origin, the region has a very rich and remarkable geodiversity that includes a diversity of landscapes with innumerable craters, volcanic lakes, fumaroles, hot springs, volcanic caves, marine fossil deposits and thermal water springs. The recognition of this valuable geological heritage came with the recent integration of the Azores Geopark into the European and Global Geopark Networks. The pressure that the increasing development of tourism have been exerting on these geological sites for the last years, and the need to create alternative forms of tourism, which contribute towards the socio-economic development in rural areas, have highlighted the importance of geotourism as a tool to promote and preserve the geological heritage of the Azores. Geotourism has turned to be an important instrument of environmental awareness through the local and foreign people.