Domestic Tourism Research Articles

Domestic and International Destinations Substitution Among Thai Tourists

This research article aims to assess the level of substitutability (or complementarity) of tourist destinations among Thai tourists. The demand elasticity for Thai tourists estimated subject to almost ideal demand system (AIDS) and calculate the variety types of elasticities, during the period from 2008 to 2019 among domestic and 11 international destinations. The behavior of Thai tourists in choosing travel destinations reveals that the demand for tourism in Thailand exhibits low price elasticity of demand and low income elasticity of demand. The decision to travel domestically for Thai tourists is not high influenced by price and income. For choosing international travel destinations, most have low price elasticity of demand, and there is a tendency for Thai tourists to travel abroad more as their income increases. The study also found that domestic and international tourism destinations have a low degree of substitution for each other. It can be stated that setting strategic tourism goals aimed at promoting the expansion of tourism by relying on domestic tourists is feasible as domestic tourism has low elasticity and a low degree of substitution with international tourism. Therefore, to achieve the goal of increasing reliance on domestic tourism, the government and relevant agencies should implement measures to encourage Thai citizens to travel within the country more frequently using both financial and non-financial incentives.

A PRAGMATIC RESEARCH ON PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS OF KAZAKHSTAN TOURISM

The present research study examines the problems and prospects of Kazakhstan’s tourism sector. By reviewing the current issues confronting the tourism industry and determining its potential for expansion and improvement, this research offers valuable perspectives that can guide actions intended to strengthen Kazakhstan’s standing as a sustainable and economically viable travel destination worldwide. A mixed-methods approach was administered to explore the problems and prospects in Kazakhstan’s international tourism, focusing on garnering the opinions of foreign tourists who have visited Kazakhstan. The researchers gathered the data from 206 foreign tourists by administering a well-structured and self-administered questionnaire. This study provided valuable information about Kazakhstan’s current state of the tourist business, highlighting both opportunities and challenges. The results indicated that travelers preferred specific locations over others, such as the Southern and Northern ones. The respondents stated that the three most pressing issues facing Kazakhstan’s tourist sector are infrastructure, marketing, and service quality. Despite these challenges, respondents highlighted Kazakhstan’s incredible natural beauty as a significant expansion opportunity for the travel industry. This study suggests a practical strategy for boosting passenger numbers and strengthening the country’s tourism industry. By providing a distinctive analysis of foreign and domestic tourism in Kazakhstan, this study advances the field of tourism studies. It stands out because it focuses only on the opportunities and difficulties of foreign travel in Kazakhstan. The study’s unique approach to comprehending the experiences and viewpoints of foreign visitors to Kazakhstan is rooted in its empirical methodology.

ANALYSIS OF DESTINATION IMAGE AND SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING MODELS IN FORMING TOURIST LOYALTY: A STUDY OF DEVELOPING DESTINATIONS IN INDONESIA

This study aims to analyze the role of destination image, social media marketing, and tourist satisfaction in shaping tourist loyalty and developing tourist destinations in Indonesia. Using a quantitative approach through a survey of domestic and foreign tourists, this study examines how perceptions of destination image and the effectiveness of social media marketing contribute to tourist satisfaction, which ultimately influences their intention to return and recommend the destination. Data were collected through an online questionnaire, and regression tests, hypothesis tests, correlation tests, and coefficient of determination models were used to examine the relationship between the variables studied. The results show that destination image, social media marketing, and tourist satisfaction significantly affect loyalty. These findings emphasise the importance of authentic digital marketing strategies and strengthening positive destination images to maintain and increase tourist visits sustainably. This study provides practical implications for tourism destination managers in Indonesia in designing more effective promotional policies and strengthening positive tourist experiences as the key to building long-term loyalty.

Analyzing the potential and development of sustainable tourism in Kampoeng Lama Tourism Village, North Sumatra

This study aims to examine the potential and development of sustainable tourism in Kampoeng Lama Tourism Village, North Sumatra, by assessing its economic, social, and environmental dimensions. A mixed-methods approach with an explanatory sequential design was employed, beginning with a quantitative survey of 94 domestic tourists, followed by qualitative interviews with 10 key stakeholders. Analytical tools including Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) and Monte Carlo simulations were used to evaluate sustainability indicators. The findings reveal that Kampoeng Lama demonstrates strong social and environmental sustainability, characterized by active community participation, ecosystem-based attractions, and well-preserved landscapes. However, the economic dimension remains moderately sustainable, limited by inadequate infrastructure, low digital readiness, and fragmented institutional capacity. Key attractions such as Sanggar Lingkaran, Paloh Naga Agrotourism, and PASAR KAMU highlight local innovation in tourism. The typical tourist profile—young, educated, and local—suggests the need for more diverse tourism packages and service improvements. In conclusion, the study underscores the importance of integrated, community-driven governance involving BUMDes, Pokdarwis, and village stakeholders. Practical implications point to the need for increased infrastructure investment, improved environmental management, and stronger inter-sectoral partnerships to enhance long-term sustainability in rural tourism development.

The role of destination image in domestic tourism development: Evidence from Mandalay City, Myanmar

This study examined the role of destination image in determining the satisfaction of domestic travelers in Mandalay City. Two objectives guided this study. The primary objective was to assess domestic travelers’ perceptions of the destination image of Mandalay City. The second objective was to analyze the effect of destination image on the satisfaction of domestic travelers in Mandalay City. In this study, destination image was measured by four dimensions: namely, natural environment, cultural environment, social environment, and infrastructure. To attain these objectives, both primary and secondary data were utilized, and the data were gathered from travelers who have visited Mandalay City in the last two years. Convenience sampling was used to collect data for the application from a total of 385 travelers. The findings of this study showed that most domestic travelers’ perception of Mandalay City is based on its cultural environment. In addition, two dimensions of destination image – namely, cultural environment and infrastructure – have significant positive effects on domestic travelers’ satisfaction, highlighting their critical roles in shaping travelers’ experiences. Specifically, the cultural richness and well-preserved heritage of Mandalay, along with its developing infrastructure, are key factors that enhance traveler satisfaction. This study contributes to the understanding of destination image dynamics in emerging tourism markets and provides practical insights for policymakers, tourism planners, and local businesses to improve destination attractiveness and traveler experiences in Mandalay.

Yachting tourism in the Krasnodar Territory and new Russian regions: problems and prospects

Introduction. Yachting tourism is a promising type of tourism in the Russian Federation, as evidenced by the increased demand for such trips in recent years. In a number of Russian regions, the demand for domestic yachting exceeds supply, which is explained by the still existing difficulties in the development of yachting infrastructure. Recently, there has been a trend of increasing tourist interest in the marine area of ​​the Krasnodar Territory as a promising region in the field of yachting tourism, as well as new Russian territories - Donetsk, Kherson, Zaporozhye regions. This circumstance is due to the trend of strategic development of the Azov-Black Sea coast, namely the construction of marinas, harbor shelters, fuel stations, tourist infrastructure, etc. The yachting infrastructure under construction automatically attracts investors to the tourism sector in the hotel and restaurant sectors, beach, active types of recreation, revives the tourist potential of the territories and contributes to its economic development. Domestic science faces an important task related to the need for scientific and methodological substantiation of promising instruments for the functioning of yacht tourism, the practical implementation of which will ensure the formation of new tourist clusters integrating yacht infrastructure. This will contribute to the compliance of the yacht infrastructure of the Azov-Black Sea coast with the growth rate of tourist interest in this type of tourism, designing a base for promoting new tourist destinations. The purpose of the article is to identify problems and substantiate the prospects for the development of yacht tourism in the Krasnodar Territory and in new Russian territories within the Azov-Black Sea coast, due to the implementation of new investment projects for yacht infrastructure. Materials and Methods. The study is based on data from yacht clubs and companies specializing in servicing, renting yachts, selling yacht equipment and small boats, organizing yacht cruises: "Storm crew", "International Yacht Training Worldwide", "Mediterranean Yacht Charter". A SWOT analysis of the attractiveness of the Krasnodar Territory, new Russian Azov territories for the active development of yacht tourism was conducted, on the basis of which the competitive advantages of the listed territories were identified, contributing to the activation of popularity and improvement of the investment climate in these regions; generalization and description of information obtained empirically, visual presentation of data. Results. The concepts of yacht tourism and yachting have been clarified taking into account existing theoretical approaches and world practice; problems that hinder the development of yacht tourism in the Krasnodar Region and in new Russian territories have been identified; the potential of yacht tourism for the development and promotion of regional branding has been determined; key factors for activating the development of yacht tourism have been listed, which should become an impetus for its promotion to the Russian and international levels in order to give coastal territories a special investment status. Discussion and Conclusion. In Krasnodar Krai and the new Azov regions of Russia, the inefficiency of yacht tourism is associated with the insufficient creation of favorable conditions for investing in the development of this sector, namely, the creation of the necessary infrastructure to satisfy the increased interest of Russians in domestic tourism by reducing the flow of people traveling abroad for the purpose of yachting. The functioning of the yacht charter business is mainly carried out by small and medium-sized businesses, which are financially limited. Therefore, it is necessary to create normally functioning mechanisms of public-private partnership in order to invest in capital-intensive objects of yacht infrastructure, create a professional system for training yacht infrastructure managers, and attract yachtsmen. The tourism sector, including yachting, in the new Russian Azov regions will actively develop as safe and peaceful life is established in these territories. This study can be used to improve and adjust the process of modernization of the yachting industry of the regions, subjects of tourism activities and state regulation of the economic development of the territories.

THE IMPACT OF CULTURAL HERITAGE ON THE DESTINATION ATTRACTIVENESS: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF AUTHENTICITY

Authenticity is widely recognized as a core element in heritage and cultural tourism, both as a value sought by tourists and as a critical determinant of destination attractiveness. Prior research has demonstrated a strong association between cultural heritage and authenticity in enhancing tourist experiences and perceptions of destinations. While the concep t of authenticity has been the focus of scholarly inquiry for over five decades, there remains a lack of empirical studies investigating this relationship within the Vietnamese context. This study addresses this gap by examining the influence of cultural heritage on perceived authenticity and its subsequent effect on destination attractiveness in Bin h Phuoc province, Vietnam. A quantitative research design was employed, using a structured questionnaire distributed to 222 domestic and international tourists visiting Binh Phuoc. The survey measured three main constructs: cultural heritage, authenticity (including object-based and existential authenticity), and destination attractiveness. Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to assess the relationships among these constructs and to test the proposed hypotheses. The analysis confirmed that cultural heritage has a significant positive effect on both object-based authenticity and existential authenticity. Furthermore, both dimensions of authenticity positively influence tourists’ perceptions of destination attractiveness. These insights offer meaningful contributions for both theory development and practical strategies in promoting sustainable heritage tourism.

COMPONENTS OF MEMORABLE GASTRONOMIC EXPERIENCE AND THEIR EFFECTS ON VISITOR SATISFACTION

The significance of gastronomy in shaping tourism experiences has been extensively documented. Memories of gastronomic experiences are now considered to be of crucial importance in tourists' cognitive, affective and behavioral evaluations. The objective of this study is to identify the components that constitute memorable experiences in the context of gastronomic tourism and to ascertain the effect of each component on visitor satisfaction. To this end, a quantitative resear ch study was conducted in Gaziantep, a well-known destination in Türkiye with a reputation for its culinary attractions. The data were collected from 244 domestic tourists using the convenience sampling method with face-to-face surveys adapted from the scale developed to measure memorable tourism experiences by Kim et al. (2012). The data were analyzed with exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to extract the factors, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modelling (SEM) to validate the measurement model and to test the proposed relationships between each component of the memorable gastronomic experience (MGE) and visitor satisfaction. The EFA demonstrated that the model, comprising seven subcomponents, accounted for 74.09% of the variance in memorable experiences, thus indicating a robust predictive capacity. The findings of the study indicated that hedonism, involvement, local culture and novelty components contributed the most to the memorability of gastronomic experiences, while meaningfulness and knowledge contributed relatively low. MGE as a total construct was found to be associated with visitor satisfaction. Six of the MGE components (hedonism, novelty, local culture, refreshment, involvement and knowledge) were found to have a significant direct effect on visitor satisfaction individually. However, one other component, meaningfulness, was not found to be significantly associated with satisfaction. By unveiling of the pivotal components of MGE, this study yielded substantial insights and implications for entrepreneurs and DMO's that seek to enhance visitors' satisfaction with gastronomy.

The Impact of Engagement Rate on The Number of Domestic Tourist Trips: A Case Study of Digital Marketing Through Instagram in Super Priority Destination, Likupang

The tourism industry has an important influence on the economy. Consequently, the government has designated Super Priority Destinations (DSP) as a development priority. Likupang, located in North Sulawesi, is one of the DSP established by the government. The government, together with tourism stakeholders, has promoted Likupang through various digital marketing efforts, including social media campaigns and influencer engagement, to increase tourist interest and visits. The ultimate goal is to achieve equitable economic growth across Indonesian regions through the development of the tourism sector. In general, the number of domestic tourist trips is an indicator of progress and challenges in the tourism sector. Digital marketing, particularly through social media such as Instagram helps attract visitors and achieve the objective of increasing the number of tourists. Therefore, this study aims to examine and discuss the effectiveness of Instagram content from three tourism stakeholders, namely the management of tourist attractions, the government, and the private sector comprising service and accommodation providers. The effectiveness was measured using engagement rate (ER) and topic modeling. The results showed that using topic modeling with the Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) method on uploaded captions, three topic categories were produced with a coherence score of 0.59, while the average ER of all uploads was 92.26. The simultaneous test also showed that the variables of Hotel Occupancy Rate (TPK), Inflation, Google Trend Index (IGT), as well as Covid, Tourist Attraction, Government, and ER of all topics together had a significant influence on the number of domestic tourist trips. Furthermore, the partial test results showed that the TPK, Government ER, and ER of Topic 2 (prohibition of littering and the natural beauty of tourism) variables partially had a significant influence on the number of domestic tourist trips. The multiple linear regression model formed can explain 68% of the variation in the data. This implies that, to some extent, social media such as Instagram is an effective tool to promote tourism sites and influence the number of domestic tourist trips. However, in the case of DSP Likupang, some improvements are needed to achieve the expected objectives.

CREATION OF INNOVATIVE TOURISM PRODUCTS IN THE TOURISM INDUSTRY OF KAZAKHSTAN

Kazakhstan’s tourism industry, endowed with rich natural and cultural resources, is actively evolving in response to global trends. However, the development of innovative tourism products (ITPs) remains a critical challenge. This article explores the potential and necessity of introducing ITPs as a key driver for enhancing the country's tourism appeal and competitiveness. The study employs methods of generalization, statistical analysis, and comparative evaluation to identify existing gaps and benchmark Kazakhstan’s performance against leading tourism destinations such as France and Turkey. Particular attention is given to current examples of innovation in the domestic tourism sector, including the "Digital Shymkent" project and the development of eco-tourism routes in national parks. The findings reveal structural and technological limitations that hinder the creation of unique and appealing tourism products. As a result, the article proposes strategic directions for developing ITPs in Kazakhstan, such as integrating digital technologies, leveraging intangible cultural heritage, promoting sustainable tourism practices, and enhancing marketing efforts. The study underscores the importance of innovation in attracting diverse tourist segments and achieving long-term growth in the tourism sector.

THE INFLUENCE OF DIGITAL PLATFORM MOVIES ON SHAPING THE PERCEPTIONS OF THE JORDANIAN AUDIENCE TOWARDS TOURIST DESTINATIONS

Digital movie platforms are one of the most prominent modern entertainment mediums that play an increasing role in influencing audience perceptions on various topics, including tourist destinations. The study aimed to evaluate the impact of digital platform films on perceptions of tourist places among the Jordanian public, using a questionnaire on a purposive sample of 400 Jordanians. The study revealed that the majority of respondents (47.2%) watch films on digital platforms extensively, with Netflix being the most popular platform for film consumption. The beautiful depiction of these locations was the main feature of digital platform films that shaped respondents’ perceptions of destinations. Furthermore, digital platform films about destination depictions, as well as their role in promoting cultural communication and understanding, significantly influenced the choice of destinations. Although the impact of these films on promoting tourist destinations was moderate, it has been proven that increasing the number of viewers of films on digital platforms significantly enhances their ability to shape the image of tourist destinations and improve communication and cultural understanding. Results show that younger and more educated consumers are more interested in the places depicted when they use these channels. Demographic factors influence media consumption patterns, and digital films can be great tools for tourism marketing and cultural interchange. The findings of the study also show that there is no correlation between the degree of respondents' viewing of digital platform films and the role these films play in promoting tourist destinations from the study sample perspective. This indicates that the frequency of watching digital platform films does not influence the promotion of tourist destinations. Meanwhile the results demonstrate that there is a positive correlation between the degree of respondents' viewing of digital platform films and the role these films play in influencing their choice of tourist destinations. This suggests that the more respondents watch digital platform films, the more these films influence their choice of tourist destinations. Furthermore, the study opens pathways for tourism policy makers to collaborate with media producers to create cinematic portrayals that both attract international interest and enrich the domestic tourism landscape. Future research could expand on these insights by exploring the long-term effects of repeated digital film exposure on tourism behaviors and investigating how genre-specific content contributes to the appeal of travel destinations.

THE ISSUE OF MOBILITY AND THE ROAD NETWORK WITHIN CITIES AND THEIR SURROUNDING AREAS: CASE STUDY OF THE CITY OF SOUR EL GHOZLANE, BOUIRA PROVINCE, ALGERIA

This paper examines urban transport issues in the historic city of Sour El-Ghozlane, located in the interior region of Algeria. It focuses on the limitations of transport infrastructure and the city's isolation due to a surrounding wall constructed during the Roman period in the 16th century BC, later restored between 1846 and 1862. While this wall has contributed to Sour El- Ghozlane 's status as a prime tourist destination, it has also created challenges in mobility, which has hindered local development. The ease of movement and road network density are crucial for facilitating economic, social, and cultural exchanges between urban and rural areas, which is essential for local growth. Like many Algerian cities, Sour El-Ghozlane has experienced significant urban and population expansion, leading to increased traffic congestion and an insufficient road network that no longer meets the needs of both drivers and pedestrians. Data from surveys and traffic statistics highlight the urgent need for improvements in transportation connectivity, road management, and infrastructure. The study proposes solutions such as creating a more organized road network, enhancing traffic signal systems, and designing consistent intersections. It also recommends urban planning measures like road expansion, tree planting, and promoting alternative fuel use and soft mobility. Furthermore, the planned railway line project is expected to stimulate regional and economic growth while preserving the city’s historical heritage and addressing modern transportation needs. The development of an efficient road network is crucial for sustainable and inclusive local development and will promote the growth of domestic tourism in Algeria. The relationship between technological development and heritage preservation, as demonstrated by the challenges facing ancient cities such as Sour al-Ghozlane, is a topic of wide debate in contemporary academic circles. Through this scholarly article, which is primarily based on a field study of the road network and passenger and pedestrian traffic, we conclude that the shape and size of the road network in ancient urban areas have become unsuitable for modern transportation. They cannot accommodate the large flows of passengers and pedestrians resulting from population growth, nor do they accommodate the various reasons for travel (work, tourism, shopping, etc.). Therefore, developing the old centers of historic cities requires prioritizing investment in transportation.

GLOBAL TRENDS IN TOURISM SCALE CHANGE IN THE 21ST CENTURY

This study aims to identify the settlements most significantly impacted by tourism globally and analyze the underlying reasons behind these trends. By examining 255 locations worldwide, the research provides insights into the territorial distribution of tourism activities and their evolution over time. Given the rapid transformations in global trave l patterns due to economic, environmental, and technological changes, understanding these dynamics is crucial for sustaina ble tourism planning and destination management. The analysis employs advanced statistical techniques, including Variable Clustering (VARCLUS), Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and Factor Analysis of Mixed Data (FAMD), to evaluate the rankings and sub-indicators of the studied locations. These methods allow for a detailed examination of regional and typological patterns, integrating continuous and categorical data to create a comprehensive map of tourism-affected areas. The findings reveal significant regional and typological patterns in global tourism. European coastal and heritage sites are predominantly influenced by international tourism indicators, while North American and Asian urban areas exhibit a stronger reliance on domestic tourism indicators. The study highlights the dominance of certain factors shaping tourism dynamics and offers insights into the varying nature of tourism impacts across regions. The research provides actionable recommendations for policymakers and economic stakeholders to develop more effective regulatory and economic strategies. By addressing the distinct needs of different regions, the study contributes to a better understanding of tourism's evolving scale and offers a foundation for targeted policy interventions. The study separates the problems caused by domestic and international visitors, which is important for economic policy. In places like Venice and Dubrovnik in Europe, which are popular with tourists, higher prices and taxes could help to control tourism and fund efforts to protect the environment. In North America and Asia, planning for cities and managing infrastructure are important to balance tourism growth with the quality of life for locals.

Tourism in Farkhar: Analysis of the Challenges and Development Paths

The Farkhar District is a prominent tourist destination in northeastern Afghanistan, attracting hundreds of domestic tourists each year. However, visitors to Farkhar encounter challenges that, if addressed, could greatly aid in tourism development planning for the district. This study aims to identify these existing challenges and propose strategies for tourism development in the region. The research uses a descriptive-analytical survey methodology, with data gathered through documentary and field studies. The primary data collection tool was a researcher-designed questionnaire, whose reliability was verified using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Analysis of the data through the Friedman test indicated that the most significant challenges and needs of tourists are related to infrastructure and recreational-accommodation services. Therefore, advancing tourism in Farkhar requires tackling infrastructural issues and enhancing welfare services to improve tourist satisfaction and achieve development objectives.

Museum is a Journey through Time: Interview

On May 21, 2025, the New Tretyakov Gallery held a panel discussion titled Commonwealth of Museums: How Common Values Are Refracted in the Diversity of Cultures of the CIS Countries as part of the Intermuseum Festival. In an interview with one of the participants of the event, Masud Kimovich, the director of the Samarkand State Museum-Reserve, the role of museums in culture acquisition was discussed. Samarkand has held UNESCO World Heritage Site status since 2001. The Samarkand Museum-Reserve is a large institution whose history dates back to the second half of the 19th century, and today the museum-reserve includes 11 museums, 3 historical monuments, and 2 exhibition areas. Its museum collection is one of the greatest in Central Asia and is constantly expanding. Religious books in the museum’s holdings provide valuable material for theological researchers. The treasures of Samarkand attract an increasing number of tourists, who visit the museum each year, especially during the spring and autumn high seasons. The majority of visitors are domestic tourists, many of whom come on pilgrimages to holy places and to visit significant architectural monuments of the city. Russian tourists are most numerous after local tourists, as of May 2025. Foreign tourists mostly come from neighboring countries, such as Russia, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan and predominantly travel on their own, so the museum marketing team must work in the field to attract them. In contrast, tourists from distant countries often travel in groups, with their time and itinerary strictly limited. After the reconstruction of the Imam al-Bukhari mausoleum complex near Samarkand is completed, a new influx of pilgrims from Muslim countries is expected. Moreover, in recent years, Samarkand has become an international venue for receiving foreign guests of the highest rank. This is a demanding and important task, but Samarkand possesses all the necessary infrastructure and experience. Modern times force museum employees to constantly seek to improve their knowledge and be more creative.

An Analytical Approach to Visitor Carrying Capacity and Conservation: The Pindul Cave of Yogyakarta

Tourism in natural attractions, such as Pindul Cave in Indonesia, offers significant economic and recreational benefits while posing challenges to environmental sustainability and visitor experience. The increasing influx of tourists to ecotourism destinations like Pindul Cave raises concerns over environmental degradation, overcrowding, and declining visitor satisfaction. This study aims to assess the sustainable tourism carrying capacity of Pindul Cave by analyzing visitor capacity concerning environmental conservation and tourist comfort. Employing a mixed-methods research design, the study integrates quantitative survey data with qualitative insights from interviews and field observations. Respondents include domestic and international tourists, local community members, and key tourism stakeholders involved in site management. Data collection focuses on visitor behavior, perceived environmental impact, and current tourism management practices. Using established carrying capacity models, the analysis identifies the maximum number of visitors the site can accommodate without compromising environmental integrity or the quality of the tourist experience. Findings indicate that Pindul Cave is nearing its sustainable carrying capacity threshold. If unmanaged, continued growth in visitation may lead to negative ecological impacts and diminished tourist satisfaction. The study underscores the urgent need for regulatory strategies to manage visitor flow and promote sustainable tourism practices. It offers practical recommendations for local authorities, tourism managers, and policymakers to balance conservation goals with economic development through responsible ecotourism planning.

What makes Bali a top wellness destination? The role of preferences and experience quality

ABSTRACT This study investigates the factors influencing wellness tourists’ destination choice in Bali, with a focus on consumer preferences, wellness experience quality, and destination attributes. It also examines the moderating roles of age and gender. Based on data collected from 500 domestic and international tourists through an online survey, the analysis employs Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal that consumer preferences and wellness experience quality significantly impact destination choice, with destination attributes mediating these relationships. Additionally, age moderates the influence of consumer preferences on destination choice, while gender does not exhibit any significant moderating effect. These results advance the wellness tourism literature by highlighting the interconnected roles of preferences, experience quality, and destination attributes, alongside demographic variations. The study provides practical implications for tailoring wellness tourism offerings and marketing strategies to diverse demographic segments, strengthening Bali’s position as a premier wellness destination.

Motivational Factors of Farm Tourists in Kerala - An Empirical Analysis of Push andPull factors

Farm tourism in Kerala has the potential to attract large number of travellers from all over the world. A proper understanding of motivational factors is essential for predicting the travel behaviour of tourists. The study is based on the data collected from the farm tourists regarding their demographic profile and motivational factors in travelling and destination choice. The study analysed ten push factors motivating the farm tourists to travel and twelve pull factors in the form of attributes of farm tourism spots. Through independent t test, the study found out a significant difference between the domestic and foreign agritourists regarding the motivational factors and attributes in destination choice. For the foreign tourists the most motivating factor for travelling is eco- friendly nature of the farm tourism spot, while for the domestic tourists it is refreshment of mind and recreational purpose. The tourism marketers can consider the result of this study for developing and offering competitive services.

ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICAL CAPACITY OF THE BEACH AND RECREATIONAL AND GEOMORPHOLOGICAL POTENTIAL OF THE SOUTH-WESTERN SHORE OF THE ALAKOL LAKE

In recent years, Kazakhstan has experienced a rise in domestic tourism; however, the principles of sustainable development remain poorly integrated into destination management strategies. As a result, land and recreational resources are often used inefficiently. This study focuses on assessing the physical carrying capacity of beaches and the recreational and geomorphological potential of the south-western shore of the Alakol Lake. Based on remote sensing data (PlanetScope, RapidEye, SuperDove, Sentinel-2A, and Landsat-8), the total physical capacity of the beaches in this area was estimated at 75,000 visitors per day and approximately 3.86 million per season. The combined length of beaches and recreational spits reaches 21 kilometers. A scoring assessment of terrain attractiveness and geomorphological risks, based on established criteria, revealed that the recreational and geomorphological potential of the area is optimal. The study proposes that the obtained quantitative parameters be used by local authorities to guide the sustainable and rational development of the lake’s shoreline.

Dual Crises Resilience: Financial Dynamics of ASEAN Tourism Firms

This study examines the financial resilience of ASEAN tourism firms during the dual crises of the COVID-19 pandemic and Middle East geopolitical conflicts from 2019 to 2023, focusing on liquidity (Current Ratio) and solvency (Debt-to-Asset Ratio). Employing panel data regression on 160 observations from 32 publicly listed firms sourced from the Wall Street Journal, it analyzes the impact of revenue, earnings per share (EPS), and firm size. Findings indicate that revenue negatively affects liquidity, firm size enhances both liquidity and solvency, and EPS marginally reduces solvency. Larger firms demonstrate greater resilience, while smaller firms face vulnerabilities. The study highlights adaptive strategies like domestic tourism and digital transformation, offering insights for 2025 crises. Its novelty lies in its dual-crisis analysis within the ASEAN context, contributing to financial resilience literature and informing policies for liquidity management and non-debt financing.