Coastal Tourism Destinations Research Articles

Can HSR improve the mobility of international tourists visiting Spain? Territorial evidence derived from the Spanish experience

The impact of High Speed Rail (HSR) on tourism is an important issue that has not been sufficiently studied until now. An analysis of the recent literature leads to the conclusion that these impacts depend on the characteristics of each tourist destination and the different pattern followed by domestic and foreign visitors. While studies focused on Asia show HSR to have a significant effect on tourism indicators, European case studies reveal a lower impact, mainly caused by foreign visitors. Nevertheless, a deeper analysis of foreign tourism and its relation with HSR is required.This paper empirically analyses how Spanish HSR (its existence and the growth of the network) conditions the number of foreign visitors, per country of origin, in the six regions linked by HSR. A fixed effects model has been applied to a new panel database (1997–2016) compiled with official statistics from surveys of tourists at borders, rather than through the traditional approach of considering hotel overstays. The results by country of origin show, for the main nationalities, that the influx of tourists is not dependent on the existence or expansion of HSR. However, the analysis at the regional level suggests that HSR benefits trips within mainland Spain to some coastal tourist destinations while its impact on visitor numbers in inland regions may be irrelevant or even negative. Finally, the enlargement of the HSR network may favour the regions in a central position in the network, encouraging further competition between the tourist destinations located at HSR network nodes.

Innovation Strategy the Development of Competitifeness of Eco-Based Coastal Tourism Destination, Management Organization and Quality of Services

This study aims to identify the condition of internal factors, external factors and the formulation of innovation strategies for the development of competitiveness of eco-based coastal tourism destinations, management organizations and service quality. This type of research is qualitative research. Methods of data collection using methods of observation, documentation and interviews. Respondents are determined purposively based on the purpose of this research. Data analysis techniques used are Internal Factor Analysis Strategic (IFAS), External Factor Analysis Strategic (EFAS) and SWOT matrix model. The results of this study indicate that the internal factor condition consists of strengths showing that natural conditions white sandy beaches, calm blue water and strong community support. Desa Pakraman organization and management are given full authority and responsibility to manage this coastal tourist destination. The weakness is the low entrepreneurial spirit and the quality of local human resources, as well as the preservation of the environment. External factors indicate that opportunities are based on the economic aspect of improving entrepreneurship and empowering local entrepreneurs to own and manage businesses, and strong synergy among stakeholders. Threats to coastal tourism destinations are land tenure by investors, regional carrying capacity, exploitation and environmental pollution. The main strategies for developing coastal tourism destinations through Growth Inovation Strategy are formulated through innovation and infrastructure innovation strategies, organizational innovation and management strategies and innovative service quality strategies.

해양관광목적지의 방문가치가 방문객의 만족과 재방문 의도에 미치는 영향

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of visitation value on visitor satisfaction and to examine the moderating effect of alternative attractiveness between satisfaction and revisit intention. To achieve this purpose, two beaches that are representative of Busan’s coastal and marine tourism attractions were selected, and a survey was conducted to visitors at the destinations. As a result, three dimensions of visitation value (perceived quality, perceived cost, and perceived convenience) were found to have an effect on satisfaction. In particular, perceived quality and perceived cost had positive effects on the satisfaction at marine and coastal tourism destinations, respectively. However, perceived convenience had a negative effect and was not significant. In other words, the more visitors perceived the satisfaction of the visitation value of a marine tourism destination, the more they visited the existing tourist destination even if the alternative attractiveness was high. The findings of this study indicate that visitors can be satisfied with the visitation value itself by positively perceiving the perceived quality, cost, and convenience when they visit the marine tourism destination in Busan. Also, it can be said that sufficiently satisfied visitors are likely to have a constant revisit intention. Therefore, the result of this research indicates a strategic guideline for the development of coastal and marine tourism destinations from a practical point of view.

A family for the holidays: delineating the hospitality needs of European parents with young children

PurposeWhere tourism research related to families holidaying with young children in coastal mass tourism destination is scant, this paper aims to explore accommodation constraints and needs of European parents who holiday with young children.Design/methodology/approachFourteen in-depth interviews were conducted with parents of young children who have just completed their family vacation in the island of Sardinia, Italy by positioning the interviewer at the boarding area of the Olbia Costa Smeralda airport.FindingsThe analysis returned five key themes: location of accommodation, quality of interactions, child-friendly amenities, safety and family-oriented programmes.Originality/valueWithin these five themes, seven new attributes were identified and contribute to the current literature on accommodation preferences of parents travelling with young children. The findings also suggest that this is a distinct segment within family tourism and should not be treated homogeneously with families with older or adult children. Finally, the data highlight the distinctions between Asian and Western parents in terms of their accommodation needs.

Unraveling the impact of destination reputation on place attachment and behavior outcomes among Chinese urban tourists

PurposeThe impact of destination reputation on tourists’ behavior has not received sufficient attention in the tourism literature. Built upon the signaling theory and the well-documented stimulus-organism-response framework, the purpose of this paper is to propose and assess a theoretical model that captures relationships among destination reputation, place attachment, tourist satisfaction, and the search for alternative destinations.Design/methodology/approachUsing the covariance-based structural equation modeling technique, this study empirically tested the conceptual model with a convenience sample of Chinese tourists who visited a popular coastal urban tourism destination in China.FindingsFindings reveal that destination reputation positively impacts perceived place dependence, place identity, and tourist satisfaction. In addition, place dependence positively affects tourist satisfaction, but place identity has no significant impact on tourist satisfaction. As expected, tourist satisfaction negatively influences tourists’ search for alternative destinations; however, place identity positively influences tourists’ search for alternative destinations.Originality/valueFew studies in the tourism literature explore the role of destination reputation in the tourist decision-making process. The present study’s unique contribution lies in its examination of destination reputation on tourists’ behavior. In addition, this study includes the search for alternative destinations as an important behavioral outcome into the proposed model. Some tourists explore alternative destinations even though they are willing to revisit and spread positive messages about the destination they already visited. Therefore, the continuous searching behavior is worthy of investigation in tourism studies.

Sustentabilidade e turismo: uma relação em análise na praia da Pipa/RN

A presente pesquisa propõe um estudo sobre as ações de sustentabilidade presentes em um destino de turismo litorâneo consolidado no Brasil, a praia da Pipa, pertencente ao município de Tibau do Sul/RN. Tem-se como objetivo da pesquisa ‘detectar os principais projetos voltados à sustentabilidade na praia da Pipa, visando apontar alternativas para um planejamento mais sustentável do turismo’. Para isso, foram realizadas visitas in loco, observação participante, levantamento dos projetos e ações de cunho sustentável desenvolvidas na localidade. Foi possível identificar os representantes e optou-se por entrevistas semiestruturadas como instrumento para levantamento dos dados do estudo de campo, totalizando 17 investigados. Alguns projetos desempenham papel de cunho ambiental, social, cultural e educacional na praia da Pipa, contribuindo com iniciativas coletivas que visam o bem-estar e melhores condições para a comunidade. Apesar de constatar atitudes concretas de compromisso socioambiental, o destino apresenta reflexos negativos provenientes do turismo de massa, tais como: especulação imobiliária, predomínio de relações de poder, exploração de áreas naturais, exclusão dos nativos, ineficiência dos órgãos gestores e fiscalizadores. Como ações preferenciais, é essencial direcionar o planejamento turístico com metas à longo prazo, com consciência sobre os impactos futuros na destinação, voltadas efetivamente para os direcionamentos da sustentabilidade.

Management Implications for the Most Attractive Scenic Sites along the Andalusia Coast (SW Spain)

A coastal scenery assessment was carried out at 50 sites along the 910 km long Andalusia coast (SW Spain) using a checklist of 26 natural and human parameters, parameter weighting matrices, and fuzzy logic. A scenic classification was utilised that can rate sites as Class I (natural areas of great scenic beauty) to Class V (urbanised areas of poor scenic interest), but, for this study, only natural sites of great scenic value were investigated; 41 sites were included in Class I, 9 in Class II and, apart from four, all of the sites were under some feature of protection—managed by the Andalusia Environmental Agency (RENPA, in Spanish). Sites belong to the Natural Park Cabo de Gata-Nijar (24% of sites), the Natural Park of Gibraltar Strait (18%), the Natural Place Acantilado de Maro-Cerro Gordo (12%), and the Natural and National parks of Doñana (8%). Results obtained by means of scenic evaluation constitute a sound scientific basis for any envisaged management plan for investigated coastal areas preservation/conservation and responsible future developments, especially for natural protected areas, which represent the most attractive coastal tourist destinations. With respect to natural parameters, excellent scenic values appeared to be linked to the geological setting and the presence of mountainous landscapes related to the Betic Chain. Human parameters usually show good scores because null or extremely reduced human impacts are recorded, but, at places, conflicts arose between conservation and recreational activities because visitors are often interested in beach activities more so than ecotourism. Low scores of human parameters were often related to litter presence or the unsuitable emplacement of utilities, such as informative panels, litter bins, etc.

Coastal Gastronomy: Envisioning a South Carolina Seafood Trail

Promotion of local seafood and related culture has become an important strategy for enhancing economic sustainability of struggling commercial fishing businesses in coastal tourism destinations. Theme-based tourism trails can be catalysts for identifying, recognizing, and sustaining important aspects of culture, heritage, and industry in rural regions. Food-based trails have become a popular strategy for enhancing the economic viability of local food producers while highlighting the authentic qualities of a tourist destination. This study explored potential for development of a seafood-themed trail on the coast of South Carolina (USA) where communities represent varying levels of economic dependence on commercial fishing and tourism. Methods included 31 personal interviews with stakeholders from the seafood and tourism sectors across the region and a follow-up survey (n = 13) and workshop (n = 15) to facilitate input and consensus. Stakeholders supported formation of a coast-wide seafood trail as an education and decision-making tool targeting tourists. They highlighted collaborative capacity for marketing and partnership, diversity of local seafood products and experience, and economic benefits and improved competitive advantage for local businesses as strengths and opportunities. Challenging issues for development and long-term viability included limits to local seafood supply, regional differences in both heritage and seafood products, financial constraints, maintaining interest among stakeholders and visitors, establishing leadership, and defining membership criteria.

Marine debris on beaches of Arraial do Cabo, RJ, Brazil: An important coastal tourist destination

Arraial do Cabo, RJ, Brazil, is known as the diving capital due to its clear waters and great biodiversity, a consequence of the upwelling phenomenon. This feature attracts tourists tripling their population during holidays, causing increase in the amount of debris on beaches and waters endangering marine biodiversity. To evaluate the amount of solid waste found on beaches in two different holiday period, eight people in each beach collected macrodebris (≥2 cm) in a transect covering an 20 m wide area, during 20 min, in winter/2015 and summer/2017. The materials were weighed, quantified and characterized. In the summer, when the number of tourists is greater, a larger total amount of waste in units were found. Plastic and cigarette butts were the most abundant. The results show that the city does not have adequate planning to receive a large amount of tourists, being vulnerable to socioeconomic and environmental damages.

Factors affecting the level and structure of institutional consumption on the cruise shipping market

It follows from the data of Cruise Market Watch (2016) that nowadays there are in total 52 cruise lines managing the fleet of 298 cruise ships on the cruise shipping market. Cruise ship companies aspire to increase the sales volume on a regular basis in order to generate profits, but strong competition on the market forces them into saving and minimizing cruise travel unit costs per one passenger. These activities aim at reducing cruise travel prices to attract more and more travellers. Therefore, cruise travel operators strive to find various solutions, including e.g. those related to modelling the cooperation with goods suppliers and service providers or seek other solutions. The objective of this study is to identify factors affecting the cooperation between cruise ship companies and goods and services producers and providers. The research results can constitute interesting plausible material for entities involved in rendering services on the market of cruise ship tourism in coastal tourist destinations.

Measuring of Land Use Conflict: A Coastal Tourism Destination Case Study

This paper examines a typical Chinese coastal tourism destination, Lvshunkou District as an empirical example of comprehensive index of land use conflict and possible impacts on China’s tourism. This industry is facing a transition from “destination scenic spot tourism” to “holistic tourism” as well as the development of new tourism attractions. China’s tourism destinations face a new round of challenges as a result of construction and increased development. Tourism destination renovation/construction measured by the conflict degree of its land use and the evolution of this trend has important significance. This paper examines the spatial external pressure factor, spatial exposure and spatial risk effect value as specific indicators to measure the spatial conflict level, and establishes a mathematical model that measures the effect as a degree of land use conflict. In the past 10 years there have been attempts to stabilize land use through the implementation of comprehensive planning measures but even so the degree of land use conflict is increasing year by year. The areas of “basic out of control” and “serious out of control” are on the rise. This is probably related to dramatic development of tourism attractions.

Propuesta metodológica para valorar la calidad escénica de los paisajes del agua y su potencial como recurso turístico

Los paisajes del agua en destinos turísticos costeros pueden ayudar a reducir la saturación y estacionalidad que sufren este tipo de destinos basados en el recurso playa. A la vez, el turismo puede ofrecer argumentos para la conservación de estos paisajes, a menudo olvidados, creando una relación simbiótica entre turismo y conservación. Para ello se hace necesaria una valoración y tipificación de las cualidades de estos espacios para convertirse en recursos turísticos. En este artículo presentamos una metodología para valorar simultáneamente la calidad escénica de los paisajes y su potencial de atracción turística. La calidad escénica se enfoca con una perspectiva multisensorial, considerando no sólo el paisaje visual, sino también el sonoro y el olfativo. Para evaluar el potencial turístico se valoran aspectos como la relevancia, accesibilidad, calidad de los equipamientos y viabilidad a largo plazo. La metodología es aplicada y testada en tres paisajes del agua del destino turístico Costa Brava (Girona, España), demostrando suficiente fiabilidad para ser extrapolada a otros paisajes del agua.

Evaluation of the image of a coastal tourism destination in Brazil

Purpose In order to offer a theoretical and empirical contribution to the theme, the purpose of this paper is to assess the tourist image of the destination Balneário Camboriú, Santa Catarina, Brazil, from the tourists’ perspective. The authors specify the latent dimensions involved in the formation of the cognitive, affective, and conative image of coastal tourism destination, through which the authors can analyze and measure the construct. Design/methodology/approach The research is exploratory, descriptive, and predominantly quantitative. It uses non-probability convenience sampling, consisting of a sample of 425 tourists. Data collection were conducted in the studied destination during the summer season – 2015/2016. Findings Through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, the authors identified and tested the factors that comprise the image. Structural equation model evaluated the relationship that theoretically exists between the components of the image and the weight of the various components (cognitive, affective, and conative) on the overall image of the destination. Originality/value This research contributes theoretically and empirically to the discussions on the components of the destination image, in as much as it analyzes and interprets the cognitive, affective, and conative components of the image of the tourism destination Balneário Camboriú, Santa Catarina, Brazil.

The Vulnerability of Coastal Tourism Destinations to Climate Change: The Usefulness of Policy Analysis

Climate change conditions the sustainability of coastal destinations. This paper looks at the physical conditions that determine exposure and sensitivity to and risk from climate change and explores the sociopolitical contextual factors that determine the vulnerability of destinations. We define a destination’s vulnerability to climate change as being a reduction in its attractiveness caused by climate change combined with the consequences of adaptation and mitigation strategies. To be more specific, this paper aims to discuss the linkage between policymaking and the vulnerability of coastal destinations to climate change. We look at how this vulnerability is determined by decision-making, policies and strategies and propose an innovative analytical framework to assess vulnerability using a policy analysis approach. It is our intention to combine a content analysis of policy documents with an analysis of the perceptions and opinions of the stakeholders that influence decision-making. The paper deals with the complex, multiple, dynamic and fuzzy attributes that characterize all the items that make up this kind of research: climate change (phenomenon), vulnerability (variable), policy analysis (method), policy contents and stakeholder perceptions (indicators), coastal destinations (territorial system) and tourism (activity and policy).

Uses and Preferences of Visitors to Coastal Wetlands in Tourism Destinations (Costa Brava, Spain)

The local development policies of coastal tourism destinations are frequently focused on popular resources, such as beaches, and tend to overlook coastal wetlands, which are often located in the interstitial spaces of urbanistic transformations caused by mass tourism and considered untended marginal sites. This article investigates the uses and preferences of visitors to these wetlands with the goal of increasing cultural sustainability, improving conservation and strengthening management policies. Although the results show that almost all the current uses of coastal wetlands are recreational (such as cycling, running and walking), visitors have indicated that the positive aspects of these sites are related to their landscape quality and degree of naturalness. The results also suggest that although repeat visitors are aware of wetlands’ value, increasing the consciousness of local inhabitants regarding their value is important for prioritising local policies designed to promote the conservation of wetlands located at coastal tourism destinations. Finally, our study results indicate that improving cultural sustainability is compatible with improving the ecological status of coastal wetlands.

The Influence of Social Contact in Residents’ Perceptions of the Tourism Impact on Their Quality of Life: A Structural Equation Model

ABSTRACTThis article develops and tests a structural model that illustrates relationships between host–tourist interaction (intensity and satisfaction) and tourism impacts on residents’ Quality of Life (QOL). The model is tested using a survey of residents of two coastal tourism destinations located in the Central Region of Portugal. The results reveal that the social interaction has a significant impact on the resident’s perceptions of the impacts of tourism on their QOL. However, this impact differs according to the domain of the QOL. Moreover, satisfaction with interaction positively influences all domains of QOL and is the construct with the second greatest total effect on the impacts of tourism on residents’ overall QOL. The results highlight the relevance of stimulating a satisfying social interaction between residents and visitors in order to increase the impacts of tourism on residents’ QOL. Theoretical contributions and practical implications are stated based on the results.

Second homes and urban landscape patterns in Mediterranean coastal tourism destinations

This paper discusses two recurring land use issues that are conventionally accepted when analyzing most of the Mediterranean mass coastal tourism destinations: the limited role of planning and the supposedly standardized nature of the resulting landscape. Based on a specific case study in the Catalan coastline, this paper presents analytical metrics and empirical data showing that, despite the controversial nature of the resulting urbanization and contrary to this common understanding, urban planning tools have been relevant in the shaping of the landscape of coastal settlements dominated by tourism and second homes. More precisely, the paper analyzes how, on the Catalan coast, partial planning tools have been able to create since the 1960s specific urban pieces with temporary residence uses that, beyond their actual limitations, shaped differentiated landscape structures with a particular landscape identity. To reach this conclusion, we have applied a set of spatial metrics at different scales to the analysis of the urban partial plans approved in the destination. Results allow the identification of the basic urban landscape patterns of the area, facilitate the understanding of the role of regulatory planning tools, and highlight the role of its evolution during the last 50 years in the process of the destination urban landscape shaping and transformation.

Silent changes of tuberculosis in Iran (2005-2015): A joinpoint regression analysis.

Introduction and Aim:Tuberculosis (TB) poses a severe risk to public health through the world but excessively distresses low-income nations. The aim of this study is to analyze silent changes of TB in Iran (2005–2015): A joinpoint regression analysis.Materials and Methods:This is a trend study conducted on all patients (n = 70) that register in control disease center of Joibar (one of coastal cities and tourism destination in Northern Iran which was recognized as an independent town since 1998) during 2005–2015. The characteristics of patients imported to the SPSS 19 and variation in incidence rate of different forms of pulmonary TB (PTB) (PTB+ or PTB–) and extra-PTB (EPTB)/year was analyzed. Variation in incidence rate of TB for male and female groups and different age groups (0–14, 15–24, 25–34, 35–44, 45–54, 55–64, and above 65 years) was analyzed, variation in trend of this diseases for different groups was compared in intended years, and also, variation in incidence rate of TB was analyzed by Joinpoint Regression Software.Results:The total number of TB was 70 cases during 2005–2015. The mean age of patients was 42.31 ± 21.26 years and median age was 40 years. About 71.4% of patients were PTB (55.7% for with PTB+ and 15.7% with PTB–) and rest of them (28.4%) were EPTB. In regard to classification of cases, 97.1% of them were new cases, 1.45% of them were relapsed cases, and 1.45% of them imported cases. In addition, history of hospitalization due to TB was observed in 44.3%.Conclusion:Despite recent developments of governmental health-care system in Iran and proper access to it and considering this fact that identification of TB cases with passive surveillance is possible. Hence, developing certain programs for sensitization of the covered population is essential.

TYPES OF CAMPSITES IN CROATIAN TOURISM SUPPLY – A CASE STUDY OF THE TOWN OF KRK

The paper presents the main features of camping tourism in Croatia through the stages of its development, as well as its significance in recent Croatian tourism supply. The goal of the research is to contribute to the development of the campsites' typology in contemporary tourism supply of Croatian coastal tourism destinations, based on differences in the capacity of campings, location factors, spatial impacts and the consequences, characteristics of supply in campings as well as motivations, attitudes and habits of camping tourists in each of the types of campsites. Krk, the largest settlement on the island of Krk, was chosen as a representative case study. Krk is a tourism destination with traditionally developed camping tourism. Campsites, as a type of accommodation capacities that occupy the largest areas in the town, have had a significant impact on its spatial and economic development, primarily through changing the usage and the value of land, socioeconomic and socio-cultural transformation of the local population, changes in the structure of tourism supply and environmental implications. In the example of the town of Krk, three types of campsites are identified: a) traditional camping, b) exclusive camping, and c) small family run camping. This typology can be applied on a wider scale Croatian level. In addition to literature overview, quantitative tourism statistic data interpretation and continuous field research, direct questionnaire survey in July 2016 was conducted. A nonprobabilistic occasional sample included a total of 127 camping tourists in Camping Ježevac (example of a traditional camping), Camping Resort Krk (example of an exclusive camping) and Camping Bor (example of a small family run camping). In order to identify differences in the motivation, attitudes and habits of respondents in different types of campings, the results of the survey are processed using standard descriptive statistics methods.

Children in Tourism: a fresh perspective ?

Tourism for children and adolescents is a neglected topic in tourism research, despite the importance of a child’s life trajectory up to the age of 17/18 in terms of the psychological and social impact it has on their formation of subjectivity. This paper aims to shed light on the topic, starting with an analysis of the scientific literature on childhood, including the thoughts of this cohort, which, as a review of the leading publications shows, has been neglected in the literature. There are various critical issues to consider, beginning with the way the age groups are classified ; they must be divided into childhood and adolescence to reflect minors’ cognitive ability and level of perception and interpretation. The existing literature is based on indirect information, collected from the family responsible for the minor. Using major, long-standing tourist destinations as case studies can reveal the marked importance of this age group, which has been neglected compared to the various adult and senior citizen tourist target groups and for whom innovative tourism options have not been provided. The case study presented focuses on the Riviera Romagnola, the largest Italian seaside tourist destination, responsible for Emilia-Romagna’s place in the top five European regions for hotel accommodation. It was a major coastal tourist destination for children between the two wars, welcoming an estimated 400,000 visitors in 1935 ; in recent years, public bodies, hotelier associations and private associations in the area have directed renewed energy towards this target group, due to growing awareness of new sustainable lifestyles. A survey in the Province of Rimini showed that tourists aged 17 and under still represent a very large target group (accounting for 640,000 visitors in 2013, equivalent to 1/5 of the total) and therefore a strategically important one ; new forms of holiday aimed at this group are now emerging, and innovative practices are being tested. Indeed, the authors highlight how this region, historically shaped by mass tourism, is being strengthened through new cultural projects and products aimed at children, involving best practices related to intangible and intergenerational heritage, as part of a vision of social and cultural sustainability.