Diverse Tourism Research Articles

Savoring Sundanese food: A discourse analysis of Instagram’s powerful promotion of Bandung’s culture and culinary

Department of Culture and Tourism in Bandung harnesses the power of its official Instagram account, @disbudpar.bdg, to promote the city’s diverse tourist attractions and cultural richness. This study conducts an in-depth analysis of the various topics presented on the account that showcase the multifaceted nature of Sundanese culinary traditions. The researchers collected culinary information from 642 posts on Instagram feeds, resulting in 118 data points considering various cuisines, both traditional and modern. The focus of this study is on 86 data points related to traditional meals and beverages in 2022. Employing van Dijk’s Critical Discourse Analysis within the micro-structure theory, the descriptive qualitative method was used for the analysis. The findings reveal four distinct classifications of topics related to culinary diversity. They are the diversity of traditional Sundanese meals (66 data), the diversity of traditional Sundanese beverages (2 data), restaurants offering traditional foods and beverages (16 data), and ingredients for traditional pastries (2 data). Additionally, the analysis uncovers the use of interrogative sentences, declarative sentences, and lexical choices that effectively support and describe the promotion of culinary diversity as a prominent tourist attraction in Bandung. Interrogative sentences engaged followers, declarative sentences provided factual insights, and diverse lexical choices enticed readers to appreciate Bandung’s culinary offerings.

Tourism Impact on the Cultural Heritage of Countries in the Middle East

Purpose: The main objective of this study was to explore the tourism impact on cultural heritage of countries in the Middle East.
 Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library.
 Findings: The findings revealed that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to the tourism impact on cultural heritage of countries in the Middle East. Preliminary empirical review revealed that tourism has both positive and negative effects on the region's cultural heritage. While it significantly contributes to the economy and fosters cultural exchange, it also poses challenges such as overcrowding and cultural commodification. The study emphasizes the importance of sustainable tourism practices and responsible heritage management. Cultural ecology, cultural conservation, and dependency theories provided valuable frameworks for understanding this complex relationship. The findings benefit policymakers, site managers, local communities, and the tourism industry by guiding the development of strategies that protect cultural heritage while harnessing tourism's economic potential, contributing to a more balanced approach to tourism development in the Middle East.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Cultural Ecology Theory, Cultural Conservation Theory and the Dependency Theory may be used to anchor future studies on cultural heritage. The study suggested a set of comprehensive recommendations. These recommendations emphasize the importance of heritage conservation and responsible tourism practices. They include the development of robust heritage management plans, enhanced visitor education, and community engagement. Encouraging tourism diversification, sustainable infrastructure development, and capacity building are also essential. Furthermore, the study highlights the significance of ongoing research, marketing strategies that promote cultural richness, and intergovernmental coordination. By implementing these measures, Middle Eastern countries can achieve a harmonious balance between cultural heritage preservation and the economic benefits of tourism, ensuring the long-term sustainability of both.

A Survey on the Potential of Artificial Intelligence Tools in Tourism Information Services

Recently, ChatGPT, an advanced AI language model, has transformed the tourism industry by redefining how travelers access information and experience destinations. This survey explores the multifaceted potential of ChatGPT in various sectors of the tourism domain. The study begins by addressing the ethical considerations related to AI and natural language processing, emphasizing the necessity of privacy and data security in ChatGPT interactions. It analyzes the recent research findings, demonstrating ChatGPT’s efficacy in translating languages for tourists and improving services. The technology’s impact on tourism education and research is explored, highlighting its disruptive effects, benefits, and challenges, particularly in academic contexts. The paper delves into ChatGPT’s influence on the hospitality and tourism sector, focusing on its role in customer interactions, backend operations, and research methodologies. Additionally, it examines ChatGPT’s implications for content creation, visitor motivations, cultural perceptions, and regional tourism management. These insights shed light on ChatGPT’s potential to enhance customer experiences, influence visitor behaviors, and bridge cultural gaps in diverse tourism contexts. Concluding with preliminary guidelines for ChatGPT adoption, this paper equips industry professionals with essential knowledge to leverage the technology effectively. By embracing ChatGPT, the tourism industry can provide travelers with more informed, personalized, and immersive experiences, thus enhancing overall satisfaction and engagement during their journeys.

Turning the tide: an impact of leader empowering behavior on employees' work–family conflict, spillover and turnover intention in tourism

PurposeThe aim of this study is to look into the associations, both direct and indirect, between a leader empowering behavior and employee turnover intention. Additionally, this study examines the mediating effects of work–family conflict (WFC) and work–family spillover (WFS) in the association between a leader empowering behavior and employee turnover intention. This study also explored how perceived peer support (PPS) may have a moderating effect on these associations.Design/methodology/approachA time-lag approach was used in this study to collect data from the 228 participants that made up the sample. Both front-desk employees and their immediate supervisors were included in this sample, which came from diverse tourism enterprises in central China. The research design included two independent time waves that were separated by two months, making it easier to examine the way the variables of interest changed throughout that time.FindingsThe results showed that there is a significant impact of leadership behaviors on WFS, WFC and employee turnover intention. This study showed a significant mediating effect of WFS, however, the influence of WFC as a mediator was not statistically significant. Furthermore, the results suggested that PPS significantly moderated the association between leader empowering behavior and WFS. The findings revealed that the mediating effect of WFS in the association between leader empowering behavior and employee turnover intention.Originality/valueThis study advances knowledge of the impacts of leadership empowering behavior on employee turnover intention through the use of a moderated mediation analysis. Based on the leader member exchange, it offers a distinctive perspective on leadership empowering behaviors to maintain a work–family balance in tourism.

Contextualising Antarctic tourism diversification: tourism management implications from multinational policy debates

ABSTRACT Beyond the growth in tourist numbers, tourism in the Antarctic has been rapidly diversifying over the last decades. This paper examines Antarctic tourism policy documents from 1961 to 2022 while exploring Antarctic tourism diversification’s historical development and current state. The paper frames Antarctic tourism diversification, clarifying its dimensions, expressed concerns, and suggested policy options for tourism management and regulation. The results reveal that policy discussions were often not aligned with the practice of tourism in the Antarctic, indicating a lack of a comprehensive understanding of its extent and dimensions. While Treaty Parties have long recognized and voiced several concerns over tourism diversification, they have achieved little progress toward regulation and concrete management actions. Market-based processes and policy indecisiveness, including inaction, strongly influence diversification processes. Given tourism’s increasing importance and potential effects, a structural understanding of tourism diversification, its ramifications, processes, and policy relationships is essential to proactively shape Antarctic tourism governance.

Exploring the impact of social media on tourist behavior in rural mountain tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic: The role of perceived risk and community participation

PurposeThis research article aims to assess the behavior of tourists in sustainable rural mountain tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the role of social media usage. It investigates the key social media features that influence tourist behavior and introduces the concept of perceived risk as a novel variable within the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to deepen our understanding of the relationship between social media use and tourist behavior. Design/methodology/approachThe study conducts an extensive literature review and utilizes survey analysis. Three parameters—perception of risk, perception of value, and trust in social media—are employed to measure the impact of influential social media features. Statistical tests are applied to validate the new variable of perceived risk within the TAM. FindingsThe study unveils that tourists' perception of risk associated with social media has the most significant influence on their behavior in rural mountain tourism during the pandemic. Additionally, it identifies that active engagement of tourists in online discussions positively affects both tourist behavior and social media usage, emphasizing the importance of community participation. Research limitations/implicationsThe research acknowledges limitations, including the need for further validation of the perceived risk variable and the consideration of contextual influences. Future studies should explore additional variables and encompass diverse tourist populations to expand the understanding of social media usage and tourist behavior in rural mountain regions. Contribution of researchThis research significantly advances the understanding of tourist behavior in sustainable rural mountain tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic by introducing the novel variable of “perceived risk” within the Technology Acceptance Model. The study identifies influential social media features and underscores the positive effects of participatory habits, providing valuable insights for promoting sustainable tourism through targeted social media interventions. Practical implicationsThis research holds significant practical implications for practitioners and policymakers seeking to promote sustainable tourism in rural mountain regions, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The identification of influential social media features and the emphasis on participatory habits among tourists offer actionable insights. Practitioners can leverage these findings to design targeted social media interventions that foster community engagement and enhance tourists' perception of value while mitigating perceived risks. Policymakers can use this information to shape strategies that encourage interactive online platforms, creating a sense of community participation to boost sustainable tourism.

La cultura como elemento de promoción turística en las Islas Baleares. De la oferta preturística al turismo de masas

The trivialisation of Balearic culture is often associated with the invasive deployment of tourist activity. The promotion of tourism has used some of the most representative cultural elements of the Balearic Islands as objects devoid of their cultural significance. Despite this, on occasions there has been a positive link between tourism and culture, from which enriching experiences have been derived. Identifying them is the first step in demonstrating that it is possible to offer a diversified tourism model that offers culture for the benefit of society as a whole. The main objective of this article is to provide an overview of the role that culture has played in the tourism sector in the Balearic Islands from the pre‐tourist period to the 2019 Integral Tourism Plan. It also aims to establish which cultural elements have been most closely linked to tourism supply and demand. To this end, a series of bibliographical and documentary sources have been analysed to prove that culture has been involved in tourist activity even before the promotion of this industry. Likewise, from the 20th century onwards, there are proposals which have used the diverse cultural manifestations of the Islands as an element of diversification with the main objective of avoiding summer seasonality, but also to improve the tourist offer and counteract the importance of mass tourism. Nevertheless, it cannot be said that they have had a real impact on the diversification and improvement of tourism.

Research on the Relationship Between Emotional Energy and Revisit Intention in Camping Tourism: Based on Structural Equation Model

Camping tourism was more popular during the COVID-19 epidemic around the world, which made camping tourism a crucial part of the worldwide tourism industry. However, previous research did not fully study camping tourism from a comprehensive perspective, just focused on the environment or peer interaction, as a result, they are hard to deeply understand the nature of camping tourism. In this paper, we introduce the tourism field theory and interaction ritual chain theory to construct our model and test the model with the method of structural equation model. After testing the model, we find: (1) The tourism field can significantly and positively affect individual tourist’s emotional energy; (2) Interaction ritual can significantly positively affect the emotional energy of individual tourists; (3) The emotional energy of tourists can significantly positively affect the revisit intention; (4) There is a significant mutual positive influence between the tourism filed and the interaction ritual. Based on the research conclusions, the study provides theoretical support and reference suggestions for tourism planners and product designers from three aspects: emphasizing the construction of the tourism field, providing opportunities for interaction rituals, and developing diversified tourism projects.

Perceived differences in coastal tourism image under tourist experience-IPA analysis based on UGC data of 12 coastal cities.

The destination image perceived by tourists is crucial to coastal tourism market positioning and marketing. This paper utilizes tourists' Internet-generated content from 2017-2021, adopts the jieba text analysis method to identify the cognitive, emotional, and overall image of coastal tourism, divides the constituent elements of the destination image into four main classes and 20 subclasses through the text clustering method, and explores the tourists' perception of the image of coastal tourism with the help of the IPA model. The study found that: 1) The commonality of the cognitive image of "ocean" in 12 coastal cities is outstanding, but the internal characteristics are obvious, tourists pay more attention to coastal tourism in Bohai Rim and southern coastal areas, and Shanghai, Ningbo and Hangzhou show strong correlation; 2) Tourists' emotional image of coastal tourism destinations is dominated by positive attitudes, with a high overlap of adjectives representing positive emotions, but with heat differences in different cities; 3) The overall image of coastal tourism can be divided into three circles, including "traditional core-characteristic structure-peripheral perception", and there are obvious differences in the characteristics of the social semantic network of each city; 4) Tourists are more satisfied with the components of coastal tourism image, but pay more attention to the construction of optimized coastal tourism environment. Based on this, in the process of coastal tourism development, it is necessary to focus on creating distinctive and diversified tourism values, focusing on tourists' experience needs, improving the construction of quality tourism facilities and services, and promoting the high-quality development of coastal tourism.

The Influence of Demographic Factors on Tourist Experiences at Sikkim Buddhist Monasteries

This paper provides an analysis of tourists’ experience based on their demography. Sikkim is known to be a Buddhist state has incorporated religious sites in tourism. The monasteries in the state have not only attracted domestic tourists but international tourists as well. Tourists who visit solely for the purpose of religion mostly follow the Vajrayana sect of Buddhism. This study focuses on the aspect of religious tourism in the State of Sikkim. It takes into account the demography of the tourists and their effect on experience in monasteries situated within Sikkim. The demographic variable of tourists was categorized into gender, age, marital status, monthly income, educational qualification, occupation, and Sikkim monasteries profile of the tourists were the type of tour, Motivation for visiting religious sites, participation in or performed rituals in religious ceremony, accommodation of stay, duration of visit, means of bookings, monasteries visited while in Sikkim, means of information and recommendation of the site to others. Data was collected through primary and secondary sources. Data were collected from respondents through interviews and questionnaires based on the nominal scale. A total of 200 samples were gathered from diverse tourists visiting six of the Buddhist monasteries in Sikkim (Rumtek, Tashiding, Sangachoeling, Chorten, Pemayangtse and Dubdi monastery) utilizing the convenience sampling method. The collected questionnaires were analyzed with the application of independent sample T-test and one-way ANOVA. This study concluded that the demography of the tourists is essential in segregating and assessing what tourists expect from their visits to these monasteries. The study provides an overview of tourists visiting Sikkim religious sites, revealing diverse demography and motivations for tourists to visit monasteries. Hence, identifying the demography of the tourists needs to be given equal importance to enhance the future tourist experience.

Smart Tourism in ASEAN: Leveraging Technology for Sustainable Development and Enhanced Visitor Experiences

Smart tourism, through an innovative integration of technology into the tourism industry, is transforming the way travelers experience destinations in the ASEAN region. We explored how ASEAN countries are leveraging advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and mobile applications to promote sustainable development and enhance visitor experiences. By adopting smart tourism strategies, ASEAN nations are addressing critical challenges including environmental conservation, efficient resource management, and the creation of personalized seamless travel experiences. The implementation of smart tourism solutions enables real-time data collection and analysis, providing valuable insights for decision-makers and stakeholders. This improves infrastructure planning, targeted marketing, and responsive services to cater to diverse tourist needs. Furthermore, the integration of smart technologies fosters more collaboration among ASEAN member states than before, sharing best practices and innovative solutions. As a result, smart tourism enhances the overall satisfaction of visitors and contributes to the sustainable growth and resilience of the tourism sector in the ASEAN region. This study highlighted key case studies and initiatives and demonstrated the potential and impact of smart tourism in driving economic development to promote a more sustainable and inclusive tourism industry in ASEAN. Results and suggestions were made on how to utilize AI and machine learning and provide personalized recommendations and services. AI chatbots can assist tourists with travel planning, bookings, and inquiries in real-time. ASEAN must promote the use of cashless payment systems, such as mobile wallets and contactless payments, to provide a convenient and secure payment experience for tourists. The adoption of sustainable practices through incentives and regulations promotes eco-friendly accommodations, sustainable transportation options, and responsible tourism activities, which enhances ASEAN Smart Tourism initiatives.

The Sharing Economy in the Tourism Sector: Microeconomic Factors

This research endeavours to explore the intricate dynamics of microeconomic factors that significantly influence the evolution of the sharing economy within the vibrant landscape of Lithuania’s tourism sector. By harnessing an extensive dataset comprising diverse tourism metrics and online platform activities, advanced regression analysis techniques are employed to uncover the intricate interplay between tourism employment and key determinants such as tourism output, accommodation infrastructure, internet accessibility, and other pertinent variables. The empirical insights gleaned from this analysis reveal compelling correlations, shedding light on the pivotal role played by these factors in shaping the burgeoning sharing economy within the tourism realm. Moreover, this study provides nuanced insights into the potential implications for future research endeavours. By elucidating the complex relationships between various economic variables and the sharing economy, this research lays the groundwork for further empirical exploration and theoretical refinement. The ramifications of this research extend beyond academia to encompass practical implications for industry practitioners and policymakers alike. By gaining a deeper understanding of the microeconomic drivers of the sharing economy in the tourism sector, stakeholders can devise more informed strategies to leverage its potential for sustainable growth and development. In conclusion, this research represents a significant contribution to the burgeoning field of sharing economy studies within the context of the tourism sector. By revealing the intricate web of microeconomic factors underpinning its development, this study provides valuable insights that can inform both academic discourse and practical decision-making processes. Ultimately, it is hoped that this research will catalyse further exploration and innovation in the field, driving continued growth and prosperity within Lithuania’s tourism sector.

Tourism Under Pressure: Analyzing the Impacts of Climate Change and Over-Tourism on Destinations

Tourism is a vital economic driver for many countries, including Malaysia, where it significantly contributes to GDP, employment, and cultural exchange. However, the rapid expansion of tourism, combined with the escalating impacts of climate change, poses serious threats to the sustainability of tourist destinations in Malaysia. Climate change, manifesting in rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and biodiversity loss, directly affects the natural and cultural assets that attract tourists. Concurrently, over-tourism exacerbates these challenges, leading to environmental degradation, resource depletion, and social conflicts due to the influx of visitors that exceed the carrying capacity of destinations. The aim of this study is to examine the combined impacts of climate change and over-tourism on diverse tourism destinations in Malaysia, including coastal, urban, and highland areas, and to evaluate the current strategies and policies in place to mitigate these impacts. The findings of the study reveal that the intersection of climate change and over-tourism creates a feedback loop, where environmental degradation reduces the quality of the tourist experience and threatens the socio-economic stability of local communities dependent on tourism. This study highlights the need for more integrated management approaches that align sustainable tourism practices with climate adaptation strategies to enhance the resilience of Malaysia’s tourism sector. Furthermore, the research identifies significant gaps in existing knowledge, particularly the need for localized studies that account for the unique geographical, environmental, and socio-cultural characteristics of Malaysian destinations. The findings suggest that comprehensive, context-specific policies are essential to address these dual challenges effectively and ensure the long-term sustainability and resilience of Malaysia’s tourism industry.

Climate Change Impacts on the Tourism Industry in Georgia

This study delves into how climate change affects nature-based tourism in Georgia, focusing on its impact on winter and Seaside tourism. Concerns arise from observed snow cover trends at pivotal ski resorts such as Bakuriani and Gudauri, indicating potential threats to the winter tourism calendar. The escalation of climate-induced natural disasters and coastal erosion poses immediate economic risks, necessitating prompt adaptation strategies. Economic models project adverse impacts on tourism and GDP, emphasizing the need for tailored mitigation measures. Variances in climate impacts across diverse tourist zones underscore the vital requirement for unified and comprehensive adaptation approaches. The article advocates for multifaceted strategies encompassing business, consumer behavior, and destination dynamics, stressing the integration of climate research into policy frameworks and awareness initiatives. This integration is vital to foster resilient and sustainable tourism development in Georgia amid the exigencies posed by climate change, ensuring the safeguarding of the state's tourism future.

POST-COVID-19 TOURISM SECTOR POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SHORT, MEDIUM, AND LONG-TERM PLANNING

Tourism is one of the sectors most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This pandemic has prompted governments worldwide to implement policies to limit community activities, both within and between countries. The tourism sector has been significantly affected, especially regarding income reduction, due to the cessation of supporting factors such as providing accommodation and food and beverages; retail and wholesale trade; car and motorcycle repairs; and transportation and warehousing. Before the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the focus of 5-year tourism development in Indonesia was on strengthening priority tourism destinations and revitalizing Bali destinations. The COVID-19 pandemic that began in March 2020 has changed the 5-year tourism sector projection, followed by various policies to prevent the spread of this virus and focus on public health. This study aims to present a portrait of Indonesian tourism at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and provide recommendations for recovering economic policy adaptations, both short-term and medium- and long-term. The method used is a literature review with a qualitative and descriptive approach to existing policies. The results of the analysis recommend that the assessment of tourism development planning be emphasized on general stimulus, stimulus for Small, micro, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), structuring accommodation packages, transportation and access, taxation stimulus, technical guidance, strengthening tourism diversification, and strengthening the supply and demand side of the tourism sector.

THE CURRENT STATE AND PROSPECTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM ENTITIES IN UKRAINE

The article analyzes the current state of tourism entities in Ukraine under martial law and identifies the prospects for development in the post-war period. It is substantiated that the dynamism, scale and diversification of tourism as a type of economic activity in the face of unfavorable conditions in the tourism market contribute to the preservation and restoration of positive development trends. It is substantiated that the economic contribution of the national tourism sector faces great opportunities, on the one hand, and threats, on the other, due to the pressure of competition and complacency about the constant attractiveness of Europe.
 The unprecedented conditions in which Ukraine has found itself as a result of Russia's full-scale military invasion have provoked dramatic changes in all spheres of public life. 
 Contrary to various forecasts, Ukraine has not only survived, but, despite very painful losses, is heroically fighting for its freedom and independence. 
 In the wartime and postwar periods in Ukraine, the progress of most domestic tourism actors will be difficult, as tourism competence is distributed at the local, national, and European levels.
 To succeed, tourism must become a top-level priority for Ukraine. The interests of the tourism business and relevant ministries and policy makers need to be aligned so that the potential of tourism can be realized. This will lead to the effective development and coordination of strategic policies that include appropriate consultations with tourism stakeholders.
 Promising for further research are the issues of scaling up the national tourism product by domestic tourism entities through integration with tourist routes of European countries, which will contribute to the development of technology management processes.

Identification of supporting components for the tourism attractiveness of Munggu village as a coastal tourism destination in Badung regency

Munggu Beach is an attractive destination in Bali. With the potential for natural beauty and various activities that can be done around the beach area. The Munggu Beach destination offers a number of tourist attractions, including stunning sea views, spectacular sunsets, and various activities, such as playing beach volleyball, swimming, and water sports activities. To increase the attractiveness of Munggu Beach, four main components need to be considered: tourism attractions, accessibility, facilities and supporting services. This research aims to analyze the potential attraction of Munggu Beach for developing tourism products and improving visitor experiences. This research uses a qualitative descriptive method with an R&D (Research and Development) approach in Munggu Village. The research results found that with good accessibility, various facilities and adequate supporting services, Munggu Beach can become a promising destination and develop as an attractive and diverse tourist destination in Bali. This research provides recommendations for what Munggu Beach managers can do by updating facilities, promoting local culture, and improving environmental cleanliness.

Electronic Tourism Using Decision Support Systems to Optimize the Trips

Pagar Alam is a tourist destination city in the province of South Sumatra, which has many very diverse tourist destinations. The problem is that there is still a lack of information about tourism that tourists can access. This research aimed to build electronic tourism to make it easier for tourists to get the best information and recommendations about tourism in the city of Pagar Alam, which can be accessed anytime and anywhere, as well as improve tourist experience in planning their tourist trips because this electronic tourism platform includes decision making support system, which helps tourists manage their tours according to their needs and abilities. The research method used was analysis by collecting data by observing tourist attractions, calculating predictions using the simple additive weighting method, and from the results of testing with several alternatives, it can be concluded that electronic tourism meets the criteria chosen by tourists after being carried out. The calculation produced the highest preference value for tourist attractions, namely Tugu Rimau, with a value of 13.25. The highest preference value for hotels is Villa Gunung Gare Pagar Alam, with a score of 8.91, and the highest preference score for eating places is Warung Ridwan, with a score of 13.25. The next stage was system design using data flow diagrams, and the final stage was implementation by building electronic tourism using the CodeIgniter framework.

Tourism assets of the Bieszczady Mountains

Background: In the pandemic era, an increasing number of people have engaged in staycation as well as tourism that relied on the proximity of attractions. This led for some to the rediscovery and growing popularity of domestic, traditionally well-explored locations, such as the Polish section of the Carpathian Mountains. The easternmost mountain group of the Carpathian chain in Poland are the Western Bieszczady Mountains. In administrative terms, the Bieszczady Mountains are part of the Subcarpathian Voivodeship. This area enjoys the influx of tourists to its rich heritage, dramatic history and wild wastelands, but also the characteristic landscapes. The article is an attempt at a review of the causes of its popularity and at a categorisation of its tourism assets. Methods: The research method used was an analysis of primary sources of knowledge relying on own observations and secondary sources of knowledge, including literature, government data, and research reports as well as information contained in the relevant websites. Results: Geological structure, relief of the area and specific features of vegetation, hydrography as well as climate and human activity all contributed to the creation of a well-balanced and diverse realm rich in tourism resources which attract visitors throughout the entire year. Conclusions: Despite its remote location in the south-eastern part of Poland, as well as limited access by various modes of transport, the abundance and quality of tourism assets of the mountain group results in sustained, thriving and diverse tourism and hospitality industry, which benefits in a sustainable way from the conditions offered by the natural assets as well as human-created cultural context.

Tourism diversification paths in ski mid-mountain territories: any transformations?

ABSTRACT In the context of adapting to global changes, the diversification of the tourist offer seems to be a solution for the mid-mountain areas, which are structured around and dependent on ski tourism. However, it remains unclear how tourism diversification occurs, what forms it can take and what it produces at a territorial scale. In this study, we apply a theory of regional diversification to the case of tourism in order to examine tourism diversification paths. We base our analysis on qualitative data collected on two French study areas: the intercommunities of the massif du Sancy and of the Haut-Chablais. Our results show a pattern in tourism diversification paths, following three steps that can lead to the abandonment of the perimeter of the ski resort. However, among the different types of tourism diversification trajectories, only a saltation form of tourism diversification can lead to the establishment of a larger and more diversified tourism system. Our findings also show that several types of tourism diversification paths can coexist at a territorial scale.