Local Tourism Development Research Articles

Sun and Sand Ecotourism Management for Sustainable Development in Sisal, Yucatán, Mexico

The promotion of tourism without planning or management can lead the degradation of ecosystems and conflictive social dynamics. This study was conducted in a coastal location where tourism has recently intensified and aimed to reconstruct the preliminary history of tourism and analyze which social groups were involved in tourism and conservation for conducting an ecotourism management. A qualitative content analysis was conducted based on the perceptions of developers, authorities, and tourists in the locality. The results identify social groups involved in the use of ecosystems within the context of local tourism, their interactions, interests, and actions. An analysis of actions contrary to the conservation of these ecosystems that cause land use conflicts and hinder the development of endogenous local tourism was conducted. Social movements and collective actions reveal common interests and values among the inhabitants of Sisal that reveal the potential for transformation into a sustainable tourism project for endogenous local development.

Effects of VR technical interaction and acceptance on rural cultural identity: The mediating role of embodied cognition and flow experience

With the development of digital media, an increasing number of new technologies are being used in cultural communication, and virtual reality (VR) technology for cultural communication has become a modern tool of transmission. To investigate the factors that influence rural cultural identity (RCI) through technical interaction (TI) and technology acceptance (TA) in VR in cultural communication, this study initially constructed a model of the influence path mediated by embodied cognition (EC) and flow experience (FE) based on compensatory media, technology acceptance, embodied cognition and flow experience theory. All participants had experienced some rural historical and cultural VR work and then completed a corresponding questionnaire. A total of 356 questionnaires were collected and analyzed using SPSS and SmartPLS software. The results indicated that the technological interaction and acceptance of VR influenced identification with rural culture through the mediating role of embodied cognition and flow experience. These findings provide a reference for strengthening audiences' embodied cognition and flow experience to promote their rural cultural identity. When VR technology is used to communicate culture, its technological interaction and acceptance can be improved to provide audiences with a better experience and perhaps influence the development of local tourism.

Research on the Cultural Identity of Salt-related Place Names in Zigong

This study aims to explore how the mental experience of Zigong’s salt-related place name culture impacts visitors' behavioral identity through the mediating roles of cognitive and affective identity. Based on three hypotheses: (1) mental experience has a positive impact on behavioral identity; (2) cognitive identity mediates the relationship between mental experience and behavioral identity; (3) affective identity also mediates this relationship. Data were collected from 555 tourists in Zigong, Sichuan Province, and analyzed using a structural equation model. The results show that mental experience significantly affects behavioral identity, with cognitive and affective identity playing mediating roles. This study offers insights into promoting local tourism and economic development by enhancing cultural identity through mental experiences.

Impact of Political Instability on Tourism in West Bengal.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of political instability on tourism-related business performance, incoming tourist flows in West Bengal, and overall tourism-based earnings. The nonlinear effects of political risk and economic growth on tourism receipts are examined in this research. Nevertheless, the secondary data that is now accessible with the unobserved component model technique detection only provides a broad picture of the issue. Experts such as managers of lodging establishments, staff members of local tourism development offices, and tourism researchers were interviewed as a result. Expert interviews exposed West Bengal's tourism industry's prospects, challenges, and potential developments in the face of the region's five years of political unrest. The findings confirm earlier research showing that, in the near run, political unrest lowers tourism. However, the long-term viewpoint has yielded various results from the expert interviews with main province cities. Political instability benefits cities with developed tourism businesses that are located outside of crisis areas. Places that relied on visitors from the countries or continents like Europe, Germany, China, USA are mostly affected. The political unrest in eastern West Bengal did not significantly affect cities with low levels of tourism development.

Sustaining the brand and branding sustainability: landscape as homeland in Greenland’s visual marketing

Arctic destinations are continually reshaping their global identities to manage external expectations about the region. Existing portrayals of Greenland often stereotype the area as untouched wilderness or oversimplify its social, economic, and cultural realities. Our study combines visual analysis of cultural landscape and cultural ecosystem services (CES) to unveil a novel narrative in Greenland’s sustainable tourism branding we termed ‘landscape as homeland’. Empirically this research is based on the photographic database of Greenland’s national destination marketing organization. We explore Greenland’s destination branding as a strategic tool to define local meanings of sustainable tourism, homeland, and “Arcticness” in a branding that distinctively positions itself amidst Arctic destinations. Using pictured landscape as a dwelling place discerns locally valued CES, and realigns tourist engagements toward a culturally and ecologically integrated relationship. Applications of these findings extend to other rapidly changing regions seeking to expand economic opportunities, harnessing the synergy between destination branding and sustainable tourism. We reflect on the efficacy of our integrated CES and cultural landscape research to reveal local framings of the tourism-sustainability tension. We highlight the role of destination marketing organizations to bridge the gap between local identity, visitor expectations, and sustainable tourism development.

The Economic Governance Capability of the Government and High-Quality Development of China’s Tourism Industry

The economic governance capacity of local government in China is instrumental in fostering tourism development quality and sustainability from the aspects of leading resource allocation, maintaining market fairness, and promoting enterprise innovation, yet this important aspect has received limited attention in present research. China’s tourism development quality is evaluated in five dimensions in this study: innovation, greenness, coordination, openness, and sharing. Employing a fixed-effects model with data from 2000 to 2019 for 30 Chinese provinces, the paper empirically tests the influence of government economic governance capacity on the tourism development quality. Our findings reveal several key insights: (1) The economic governance capacity of the government significantly contributes to enhancing the tourism development quality. (2) It is shown in the regression results of the sub-indexes of the government’s economic governance capacity and tourism development quality that the innovative development and green development of the tourism industry can be accelerated strongly by the government’s economic governance capacity, while tourism development quality can be improved significantly by the development of non-state-owned economy, the development of factor market, the development of market intermediary organizations, and the legal system. (3) It is shown in mechanism analysis that the government’s economic governance capacity can stipulate regional competition, industrial structure upgrading, improve the level of informatization, and eventually improve tourism development quality. This comprehensive analysis sheds light on the intricate relationship between local government economic governance capacity and tourism development quality, offering a novel research perspective and valuable reference points for policymakers and scholars engaged in the analysis and construction of sustainable tourism development strategies.

Impact of Remittances on the Development of Domestic Tourism in Ghana. A Mediating Role of Cultural Exchange.

The primary aim of this research is to investigate the influence of remittance on local tourism development in Ghana. The study used a survey research approach to gather data from the DuBois Center and the diaspora African forum in Accra. Five hundred questionnaires were distributed; notably, 453 questionnaires were successfully retrieved, yielding a response rate of 90.6%. The study examined four hypotheses using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results indicate that remittance positively and significantly impacts cultural exchange and local tourism development. Additionally, the findings suggest a positive relationship between cultural exchange and local tourism development, with cultural exchange mediating the association between remittance and regional tourism. Policymakers should invest in tourism infrastructure development, such as transportation networks and housing options, to maximize the benefits of remittances and cultural exchange. Collaboration between the public and private sectors can maximize the benefits of remittances and cultural exchange for local communities by fostering synergies in tourism development

Analysis of the Communication Strategy of Generasi Pesona Indonesia (GenPI) on Social Media in Increasing the Number of Tourists in North Luwu

Tourism in Indonesia continues to be managed seriously by the Indonesian government in order to improve and develop tourist attractions in Indonesia with the aim and objective of increasing the number of tourist visits from both foreign and domestic tourists. Genpi is a forum for capturing various elements of the tourism community from the smallest scope. Generasi Pesona Indonesia's (GenPI) communication strategy on social media can play an important role in increasing the number of tourists in North Luwu through various social media platforms that are most effective in reaching the expected target tourists, such as Instagram. for visual content or Facebook for community and discussion. Tourism in North Luwu has the opportunity to be promoted and developed as a quality and valuable destination so that it attracts many tourists. Genpi North Luwu has established a close partnership with the North Luwu regional government and local tourism stakeholders to support joint promotions to improve the quality of tourism in the area. In the research, the author used a descriptive qualitative method approach; the researcher attempted to clearly examine and describe GenPI's communication strategy on social media. GenPI can utilize the potential of social media to significantly increase the number of tourists visiting North Luwu, providing a positive impact on the local economy and regional tourism development.

Exploring the spatial and temporal evolution of landscape ecological risks under tourism disturbance: A case study of the Min River Basin, China

Numerous ecological issues will arise from the expansion of tourism-related infrastructure and activities, potentially having a major effect on the ecosystem. However, its impact on landscape ecological risk (LER) is still poorly understood. Taking the Min River Basin as an example, an improved LER evaluation method was adopted in this study, which uses landscape disturbance based on landscape pattern and incorporates ecosystem services (ESs) represent landscape vulnerability. On this basis, the impacts of tourism-related infrastructure and activities on ecology environment were comprehensively considered, and buffer zone analysis, scenario analysis, response index (RI), and the bivariate Moran’s I approaches were applied to identify the spatio-temporal evolution characteristics of LER under tourism interference. The results show that: (1) The Min River Basin’s LER from 2000 to 2020 demonstrates a trend of gradually decreased, primarily in the middle and low risk areas. Most of the areas where scenic spots and roads are located are high risk areas, suggesting that tourism disturbances negatively affect LER. (2) There is a spatial gradient effect associated with the influence of tourism infrastructure on LER, and the impact degree varies throughout different tourism infrastructure. (3) The difference of scenic spots causes diverse degrees of LER. Through comparison, it is found that the LER of high-grade and cultural scenic spots is larger than that of low-grade and natural scenic spots. The quantitative results of the RI show that the values inside the influence zones of scenic spots and roads are 5 times and 9 times more than the values outside, respectively. This suggests that tourism infrastructure increases LER. (4)There is a spatial correlation between LER and tourism activities intensity. In order to offer a scientific reference for balancing local tourism development and ecological environmental conservation, this study develops a more thorough and rigorous research framework of the impact of tourism on LER.

Resident Communities and Perception of Tourism Sustainability in Sun And Beach Destinations: An Empirical Analysis in The Province of Manabí (Ecuador)

Objective: To know the perception of the resident population on the multidimensional variables of sustainable tourism in sun and beach destinations in the province of Manabí, Ecuador. Theoretical reference: Within this process, methodologies developed by researchers who have worked in nature tourism, conservation and sustainable development were used. The contributions used as theoretical reference are related to the Organization for World Economic Cooperation and Development and its Pressure-State-Response model (OECD 1993); the methodology designed by Torres and Guzmán (2020) through the ISSOT tool to study the variables associated with the multidimensional nature of sustainable tourism or those developed by Casas et al. (2017) and Salvatore, Chiodo and Fantinni (2018). Method: This study was developed through mixed research with an exploratory descriptive approach. For this research, the use of the deductive method was considered for the processing and analysis of data and information collected. From the processed data, a triangulation of quantitative and qualitative data was implemented to achieve a greater understanding of the perception that residents have regarding the impacts generated by tourism in these destinations. Results and conclusion: The results analyzed in this work aim to make contributions to the orientation, design and implementation of public policies in Ecuadorian sun and beach destinations based on a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable tourism development. This requires considering that the benefits and costs perceived by residents play a fundamental role in the local tourism development process, as they will have a greater willingness to accept this development to the extent that the former surpass the latter. Implications of the research: The results of this research have served to validate the criteria, guidelines and variables related to the planning, management and sustainable development of tourism in the territory, all with a strategic and sustainable long-term approach that allows generating positive benefits for local rural populations without degrading ecosystems and through the conservation of natural heritage. Originality/value: This work is an authentic and original work that has been developed for several years through the Academy and scientific research in different territories of continental and insular Ecuador, which seeks to establish real data that allows generating valuable information for more effective and efficient decision making from the point of sustainability and local development.

BUSINESS TRAVEL MOTIVATIONS AND OBJECTIVES OF TRADE FAIRS VISITORS: EXPERIENCE FROM THE TRADE FAIRS IN THESSALONIKI, GREECE

This research investigates the motivations and objectives of visitor participation in trade fairs in Thessaloniki. In particular, the trend of combining professional goals with the entertainment of visitors is investigated. The aim of the research is to determine whether the inclination to blend economic goals with entertainment is a shared characteristic among attendees of all trade fair events, or if it varies in any manner. Mixed methods research was used: quantitative research (1,066 participants) and in-depth interviews (51 participants). In order to comprehensively understand phenomena and ensure validity, the triangulation approach was used. The results showed that the type of trade fair is related to visitors' participation objectives. Specifically, the reason for visiting the trade fairs addressed to the general public is mainly entertainment, while those of the specialized sectoral trade fairs are mainly business-related. However, even in the sectoral trade fairs there is a significant percentage in several cases that mentions fun-entertainment as an objective. These results are of great research importance, but also of managerial importance, both for the trade fair organizers and for the local tourism development agencies.

Transformasi BUMDes Melalui Community Based Tourism dalam Pengembangan Pariwisata: Studi pada Desa Sekapuk, Kabupaten Gresik

The study investigates the process of transformation of the village owned enterprise agency (BUMDes) into a community-based tourism development centre (CBT) in Sekapuk village, Gresik district. The research method used is case studies with a qualitative approach, involving in-depth interviews with stakeholders and analysis of related documents. The theory used is the concept of CBT as a community-based approach to local tourism development. The key findings suggest that active public involvement in all stages of tourism development, from planning to implementation, has significant economic, social, and environmental impacts. This implies that the CBT approach can be an effective model in strengthening the role of local communities in the development of sustainable tourism. The transformation of BUMDes into a CBT hub not only empowers local communities, but also ensures the sustainability of tourism initiatives by leveraging local resources and knowledge. The study's conclusions emphasize the importance of strengthening public capacity in tourism management, diversification of products and services, as well as government policy support for community-based tourism development. Implications of the research highlighted the need for advanced research to evaluate the long-term impact of this model and expand its application by considering local contexts and building strong partnerships among all relevant stakeholders.

Entrepreneurial Potential in Realizing the Local Economy In the Tourist Village

Entrepreneurship in the context of a tourist village involves various types of businesses related to the development of local tourism and the utilization of natural and cultural resources owned by the local community. The scope of entrepreneurship in a tourist village can include tourism-related businesses, agriculture-related businesses, handicraft-related businesses, culinary businesses, and transportation-related businesses. The purpose of this article is to find out the forms, challenges, opportunities, entrepreneurial potential, contributions and benefits for tourism villages. The method used in this article is to use a qualitative approach by conducting interviews, observation, documentation and literature study as well as content analysis. The results show that to develop a sustainable local economy, local communities need to consider the potential of natural and cultural resources and develop responsible and sustainable tourism management strategies to reduce negative impacts on the environment and society. However, there are several challenges that entrepreneurship in a tourist village may face, including limited market access, limited capital and resources, lack of business skills and knowledge, intense competition, and negative environmental and social impacts. To overcome these challenges, entrepreneurs in a tourist village need to develop business skills, expand their networks, and implement responsible and sustainable tourism management strategies with the support of the government and non-governmental organizations. By overcoming these challenges, entrepreneurship in a tourist village can play a crucial role in the development of sustainable local economies and strengthen the tourism industry in the area.

Analysis of Local Characteristic Tourism based on Gray Prediction and BP Neural Networks

This study explores the strategy of utilizing online platforms to promote the recovery and development of the tourism industry against the background of the impact of the 2020 COVID-19 on the tourism industry. The development trend of Harbin's characteristic tour-ism industry was studied through college students' survey data, combined with multiple regression, gray prediction and BP neural network analysis methods. The results of the study show that combining network publicity with special tourism programs and attracting young people groups is the key, and suggestions for sustainable development are put forward. By helping the inheritance and innovation of local traditional culture, this study aims to promote the innovative development of tourism. This research framework provides theoretical and practical guidance for promoting the development of local tourism.

Study on the Operation Safety of Sea Sightseeing Tourist Ships in the Waters of Kowloon Bay, Weihai

With the rapid development of social economy, tourism as a tertiary industry has developed rapidly, and sea sightseeing has become a popular project in coastal areas. These areas not only meet the requirements of tourists, but also promote the rapid development of the regional economy and make a great contribution to the development of local tourism. Tourist ship operation is one of the important ways for people to enjoy the scenery of the sea and experience boat travel, but also faces many problems such as navigation safety. In recent years, tourism and aviation safety incidents at home and abroad have frequently attracted social attention, and strengthening tourism navigation safety supervision has become a top priority. This paper selects the operation safety of maritime sightseeing and tourist vessels in the waters of Weihai Jiulong Bay as the research object, starts from the analysis of the factors affecting the operation safety of sightseeing and tourism vessels in Kowloon Bay, and establishes a hierarchical model of the operational safety factors of tourist vessels in Weihai Jiulong Bay from the perspective of the "man-ship-environment-management" system. The grey correlation analysis method is used to study the risk factors affecting the operation safety of tourist ships, and corresponding improvement measures are proposed to improve the safety of maritime sightseeing tourism and the safety of tourists.

Research on Digital Protection and Revitalization of Wenzhou Shuomen Ancient Port Site Based on VRAR Technology

The Wenzhou Shuomen Ancient Port has been awarded the "Top Ten Archaeological Discoveries of 2022" due to its significant position in the "Maritime Silk Road" and the export of Longquan porcelain. The country has attached great importance to cultural heritage protection, promoting the revitalization and conservation of historical cultural heritage through digital technologies such as VR/AR and artificial intelligence. These technologies not only provide new methods for protection, research, and restoration but also offer effective means for virtual tourism and long-term preservation of cultural heritage. Through VR/AR technology, the ancient port site can be presented to the public in a more intuitive and vivid manner, enhancing its cultural value and attracting the favor of young people. Additionally, these technologies have promoted the development of local tourism, providing richer and more diverse travel experiences for tourists, thereby contributing to the prosperity of the tourism industry.

Research on Long-term Development Path of Rural Cultural Tourism under the Background of Rural Revitalization

With the proposal of rural revitalization strategy, more and more towns pay attention to the development of local cultural industry and tourism. Through the development of cultural tourism industry to stimulate regional economic development, and then promote the overall development of rural areas. Aiming at the current status quo of the development of rural cultural tourism, such as scattered brands and insufficient overall influence, this paper first investigats the current research status of domestic scholars on rural cultural tourism and relevant roads issued by the country, and then analyzes the main problems existing in the current development process of rural cultural tourism. Finally, it puts forward the development path of integration and reconstruction of six measures: country support, digital empowerment, brand creation, regional culture deepening, cultural and creative talents training and industrial integration. Through the promotion of the integrated development of culture and tourism, rural revitalization will be promoted to promote the faster and better development of regional rural economy.

Analysis of local heritage tourism development strategy in Indonesia: Case study in Purbayan Village

One of the tourist villages affected by the pandemic is Purbayan Village. As a historical and cultural heritage site with many historic buildings, Purbayan Village has become a tourist attraction in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. This study analyses the strategy for developing local heritage tourism through digital marketing to increase post-pandemic tourist visits to Purbayan Village. This study uses a qualitative descriptive methodology. Documentation and in-depth interviews with tourism managers in Kampung Purbayan, Yogyakarta Special Region, Indonesia, were used as data collection techniques. Based on the study findings, tourism managers need to develop marketing tactics that use digital technology through digital marketing strategies. Tourists can easily access information about Purbayan Village by developing a Destination Management System integrated with the official website and social media, from preparing tourists for tours to booking tourist facilities and services. In addition, local heritage tourism can directly influence word-of-mouth marketing, with the quality and local authenticity of tourism substantially influencing promotion, quality, satisfaction, and loyalty. Overall, future research is important, considering practical insights and recommendations for policymakers and tourism practitioners and involving local communities in developing local heritage tourism, especially in rural areas.

Well‐being in the context of Indigenous heritage management: A Hach Winik perspective from Metzabok, Chiapas, Mexico

AbstractIn this article, we examine what local well‐being means in the contexts of collaborative heritage management and national development in Mexico. Driven by the request of Lacandon Mayas (including the second author) who live in Puerto Bello Metzabok, Chiapas, Mexico, in 2018, we engaged in archeological consolidation and heritage management to promote local tourism and sustainable economic development. This collaboration raised a series of ethical and practical questions of how to engage with the Eurocentric project of development. Addressing these issues has become critical, as the Mexican president's signature infrastructure project, Tren Maya (Maya Train), is designed to promote nationwide development via increased cultural heritage tourism in Chiapas and southern Mexico. Through critical reflection on experiences with Metzabok community members, we address Eurocentrism and colonialism by enacting a Lacandon (i.e., Hach Winik) buen vivir. This form of well‐being is relational and communal and creates a common good that includes more‐than‐humans. Via this critical perspective, we argue that a decolonial project can use the tools of development as an initial step in creating Indigenous well‐being.

UNESCO World Heritage Site label and sustainable tourism in Europe: a user-generated content analysis

ABSTRACT Officially branding local heritage through recognised labels is a strategy that regions can use to promote economic development. Regions increasingly seek more sustainable tourism development, which can be captured by the quality of local tourist service development. This paper examines whether the UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS) label is associated with local tourism development of a higher quality and offers the first comparative study across European regions. Using TripAdvisor reviews of over 38,000 European locations, our results reveal a positive correlation between WHS labelling and measures of perceived quality and breadth of local tourist services.