Framework Of Tourism Research Articles

Engaging stakeholders in cultural tourism Living Labs: A pathway to innovation, sustainability, and resilience

This study explores the motivations and benefits driving stakeholder engagement in Living Labs (LLs) for sustainable cultural tourism, with a focus on a case study in Split, Croatia. LLs, which foster innovation through collaboration between stakeholders, are increasingly recognized as essential for addressing sustainability challenges in tourism. Using a combination of exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA/CFA), we identify key motivations for stakeholder participation, including the desire to shift attitudes toward tourism development, enhance educational initiatives, and improve heritage interpretation. The results reveal that stakeholder engagement not only enriches tourism offerings—such as joint marketing efforts and innovative visitor experiences—but also strengthens resilience in heritage destinations. Our findings emphasize the critical role of ambidextrous management, which balances innovation and resource efficiency, in enhancing stakeholder collaboration. The study provides practical recommendations for smart governance and advocates for stakeholder-centric, bottom-up approaches in the design and management of LLs. These insights contribute to both the theoretical framework and practical implementation of sustainable cultural tourism, offering actionable strategies for policymakers and practitioners to foster local ownership and co-creation in heritage tourism development.

Promoting Lusi Island Tourism Through an Augmented Reality Application

Background: The integration of augmented reality (AR) in tourism offers innovative enhancements to visitor experiences. Specific Background: This study aims to develop a research framework for AR-based tourism, focusing on effective tools for user interaction with 3D models. Knowledge Gap: There is a lack of systematic evaluation methods for assessing AR applications in tourism. Aims: The objective is to design and test an AR application that accurately displays 3D models to engage visitors. Results: Analysis shows that all tested 3D objects render correctly with specific markers, and functionality is confirmed across various menus. Tracking capabilities demonstrate effective visibility across multiple distances and lighting conditions, though limitations exist in low-light settings. Novelty: This research presents a structured approach to AR tourism development, highlighting the importance of system performance analysis. Implications: Findings enhance the understanding of AR's role in tourism and stress the need for rigorous testing in application design, informing future innovations in the field. Highlights : Effective tools enhance visitor interaction with AR applications. Rigorous testing ensures accurate rendering of 3D objects. Performance evaluation identifies limitations in varying conditions. Keywords: Augmented Reality, Tourism, 3D Models, System Analysis, User Engagement

Sustainable Spatial Distribution and Determinants of Key Rural Tourism Villages in China: Promoting Balanced Regional Development

Understanding the spatial distribution and sustainable development of rural tourism is essential for promoting balanced regional growth and formulating optimized policy strategies. This study aims to provide insights into sustainable development and policy optimization. Utilizing geographic information system technology, dominance analysis, and Geodetector statistical methods, this research offers a comprehensive examination of the spatial patterns and determinants of these distributions. The findings reveal significant regional disparities and clustering, with a higher concentration of key villages in economically developed eastern and central regions and fewer in the less developed western regions. The dominance analysis highlights that provinces such as Zhejiang, Shandong, and Beijing demonstrate strong advantages across multiple dimensions, including ecological environment, economic development, tourism infrastructure, transportation accessibility, policy support, and social development. Conversely, regions such as Ningxia, Qinghai, and Tibet exhibit lower dominance scores, indicating challenges in rural tourism development due to limited resources and infrastructure. Key influencing factors include forest coverage, GDP per capita, the number of star-rated hotels, transportation network density, policy initiatives, and urbanization rates. The results underscore the importance of a multi-dimensional approach to enhance rural tourism competitiveness and suggest targeted strategies for underperforming regions. This study contributes to advancing the theoretical framework of sustainable rural tourism and provides actionable insights for policymakers to foster balanced regional development, ecological conservation, and community-centered tourism practices.

Reimagining Tourism Sustainability in the North-Western Himalayas: A Community-Based Perspective

ABSTRACT In contemporary times, the prominence of inclusive tourism participation is gaining traction worldwide. This research examines the residents’ perspectives on sustainable tourism development in the north-western Himalayas and determines the theoretical validity of the sustainable tourism attitude scale (SUS-TAS). For carrying out the study, a random survey technique with a structured questionnaire (N = 351) has been used at Sonamarg, which forms the ideal site for assessing community perceptions toward sustainable tourism. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with Varimax rotation was employed to identify the SUS-TAS dimensions. Our findings support the seven SAS-TAS dimensions with 42 items that maintained validity and reliability. Overall, the study findings infer that in six out of seven factors, residents’ level of agreement was above 70%. These insights highlight the quintessence of incorporating residents’ attitudes in the intersection of the decision-making process and tourism planning strategies. By quantifying residents’ perceptions of sustainable tourism, it becomes feasible to prioritize management measures in concert with the rights of the local community. Furthermore, this study forms the basis for a prospective sustainable tourism framework in mountain tourist destinations worldwide and in the Himalayan belt particularly owing to the growing tourist footprint in the region.

Rediscovering the Lost Cuisines of the Himalayas: A Study on Traditional Culinary Practices, Cultural Heritage and their Potential for Sustainable Tourism

This study explores the rediscovery and promotion of the lost cuisines of the Himalayas, focusing on their cultural significance, traditional culinary practices, and potential for sustainable tourism. The unique geography and cultural diversity of the Himalayan region have given rise to distinct food traditions, deeply embedded in the local environment and history. However, modernization, globalization, and shifting socio economic conditions have increasingly threatened these practices. This research aims to document and preserve the traditional culinary heritage of the region, while examining how it can be integrated into sustainable tourism strategies. Utilizing qualitative research methods, including interviews with local community members and tourism stakeholders, field observations, and a review of secondary literature, the study investigates the role of food in maintaining cultural identity and supporting local economies. The findings suggest that traditional Himalayan cuisine, characterized by its use of locally sourced, organic ingredients and sustainable practices, aligns with the growing global demand for eco-friendly tourism and wellness experiences. The study identifies challenges, such as the risk of cultural commodification and the need for infrastructure development, but highlights the significant potential of culinary tourism as a tool for cultural preservation and economic empowerment. By promoting traditional food practices within a sustainable tourism framework, local communities can benefit from increased revenue while safeguarding their cultural heritage. The research concludes that rediscovering the lost cuisines of the Himalayas offers a valuable opportunity to preserve cultural traditions, promote sustainable development, and create meaningful tourism experiences that benefit both visitors and local populations.

EUROPEAN INTEGRATION AS A CATALYST FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICAL TOURISM IN UKRAINE IN THE POST-WAR PERIOD

This article explores the potential of medical tourism as a key component of Ukraine’s economic recovery strategy after the war, emphasizing the role of European integration in this context. Medical tourism, known for its ability to attract significant foreign investment and improve the economic indicators of the country's development, is seen as a strategic sector that can significantly contribute to the socio-economic recovery of Ukraine after a long conflict. The object of the research is the post-war reconstruction of the health care industry, where Ukraine faces the dual challenge of reviving its economy and enhancing the global competitiveness of its medical sector. Despite a well-established foundation in medical education and the affordability of medical services attractive to international patients, Ukraine encounters several barriers. The article identifies key problems, such as underdeveloped infrastructure, low level of certification of medical institutions, and ineffectiveness of regulations, which are currently inhibiting the full-scale development of medical tourism. The article focuses on the impact of European integration processes on the medical tourism sector. It asserts that closer alignment with European standards could lead to the modernization of medical services, enhancing quality and trust in Ukraine's medical tourism market. This integration promotes the adoption of best practices in medical service provision and management, ensuring that Ukrainian medical institutions can meet and exceed international patients' expectations. Various aspects of medical tourism are explored, from the development of medical services before the war, which predominantly attracted patients from Europe, to the dramatic consequences of the war, including infrastructure damage and professional brain drain. Legal reforms aimed at streamlining and improving the regulatory framework for medical tourism are discussed as critical to creating a conducive environment for the sector. The role of the strategic partnerships with European medical institutions is highlighted as a crucial factor. Such partnerships could lead to technology transfer, joint research, and educational opportunities, which not only improve service quality but also enhance the international image of Ukraine's medical tourism sector. Additionally, these collaborations can help to standardize medical procedures and protocols to match European norms, thereby increasing the safety and appeal of medical services offered in Ukraine. The article underscores the need for continued reforms, investment in modern medical technologies, and marketing strategies for the international promotion of Ukraine as a leading provider of medical tourism services. It notes that addressing outlined challenges and effectively leveraging European integration could enable Ukraine to tap into the growing global market for medical tourism, offering comprehensive, high-quality, and cost-effective medical solutions to international patients. Overall, the article provides a deep analysis of the catalytic role of European integration in advancing medical tourism in Ukraine, noting that with the right policies and international cooperation, Ukraine can significantly improve its economic landscape and health care standards in the post-war period.

Regenerative stakeholder framework in tourism

Purpose This research endeavours to achieve two primary objectives within the context of regenerative tourism (RT). Firstly, the study aims to explore the trends and conceptual structure of RT, mapping its scope through a bibliometric analysis. Building upon the knowledge garnered from the initial exploration, the second aim is to establish a regenerative stakeholder framework for tourism, grounded in biodiversity. Design/methodology/approach Data from the Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus were collected for a bibliometric analysis in this research. The merged database found a total of 42 publications. Findings Based on bibliometric analysis in Biblioshiny, six indicators were identified (e.g. the annual publications, the most cited studies, productive countries, journals and thematic map). Furthermore, the authors' keyword analysis was conducted using the VOSviewer software package, revealing four clusters, namely, stakeholders, ecotourism, circular economy and climate change. Research limitations/implications This research's scope is restricted to Scopus and WoS through 21 February 2024. Future research could broaden RT perspectives through different databases. Practical implications The research offers the RT stakeholder framework developed based on the RT and stakeholder theory. Originality/value This research advances awareness of the Earth's current needs and the literature on tourism stakeholders by establishing a biodiversity-based regenerative stakeholders' framework in which both human and non-human stakeholders can coexist.

Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism (SF-MST): New Wine in an Old Bottle?

In March 2024, UN Tourism (formerly UNWTO) released for publication the Statistical Framework for Measuring Sustainable Tourism (SF-MST). The SF-MST is claimed to give a full account of tourism’s current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities. An important motivation for the development of the SF-MST is recognition that standard economic measures such as GDP do not capture important dimensions of people’s well-being. While the SF-MST contributes to the development of an international statistical framework for tourism, this paper argues that failure to adequately incorporate well-being outcomes within its recommended range of ‘sustainability’ indicators greatly restricts the scope and policy significance of the SF-MST. The paper concludes with suggestions for further extensions of the SF-MST framework to strengthen its policy relevance.

When travel blurs the self: The role of self-diagnosticity in tourist pay-what-you-want

While existing research on pay-what-you-want often focuses on specific factors within the tourism context (e.g., time pressure, social crowding) that impact customers' payment magnitude, little is known about how the tourism context per se may shape customers' responses in pay-what-you-want pricing. Building on the multiple self-aspects framework, self-diagnosticity theory, and escapism characteristics of tourism, this research proposes that, because one's core self-aspects are less available and accessible in the tourism environment, customers in the tourism (vs. daily) context undergo a diminished perception of self-diagnosticity, which motivates them to pay less in pay-what-you-want. Intriguingly, the negative effect of tourism (vs. daily) context on customers' pay-what-you-want payments will be reversed when customers are engaged in eudaimonic (vs. hedonic) experiences. The focal effect is examined in both pure consumption and cause marketing situations and the underlying mechanism is explored using both mediation and moderation approaches. Theoretical and managerial implications are also discussed.

A systematic review of city break travel in tourism

AbstractDespite the growing body of research on urban tourism in the field of tourism and hospitality, only a limited number of studies have delved into the role of city breaks in tourism and analyzed the tourist experience in city break travel. The primary objective of this study is to identify and conceptualize city break tourism and provide guidance for contemporary analyses of city break travel experiences. Specifically, this study aims to: (1) identify the characteristics of city break travel and develop a conceptual framework for city break tourism based on these features; (2) explore the factors influencing city break tourist experiences. To achieve these goals, a systematic review of city breaks has been conducted in the tourism and hospitality sectors to gain a comprehensive understanding of city break tourism. The study contributes both theoretically and practically to the field.

Ancient Habitat of Kabylia : Identities and Originality

The Kabylia region has a rich architectural heritage and is considered one of the most important heritage elementsthat distinguish Algeria from the rest of the world, bequeathed by our ancestors, which attracts the intention despiteits ancient construction and its exposure to many natural factors, remain unshakable. In order to allow futuregenerations to immerse themselves in the culture of their ancestors, they must reintegrate them again and convertthem within the framework of mountain tourism. On the other hand, we note that this habitat has not been the subjectof care and study by specialized researchers, archaeologists and architects. In this communication we invite you to discover the history and architectural structures of villages and houses in Kabylie by focusing on the preparation and organization, as well as the construction techniques and the raw materials used and how can we preserve them?

Virtual tourism attributes in cultural heritage: Benefits and values

The rapid development of virtual tourism is an opportunity for cultural heritage sites. This study combines the means-end chain theory with the Kano model to explore cultural heritage sites' virtual tourism attributes, benefits, and values. We obtained 29 attributes, 23 benefits, and 14 values of virtual tourism, then discussed the hierarchical relationship among the attributes, benefits, and values. Also, the 29 attributes were classified according to their impact on user satisfaction. The results show that virtual tourism attributes can be divided into four aspects. In addition to the technical attributes, people often attach more importance to the content attributes as their basic requirements. Convenience is the core value of virtual tourism, followed by learning, entertainment, immersion, uniqueness, the sense of novelty,comfort and the sense of participation. It expands and deepens the theoretical framework of virtual tourism and provides theoretical guidance for developing and marketing virtual tourism products/services in cultural heritage sites.

Intangible Cultural Heritage and Tourism - Sketches on Identity

Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) within the cultural tourism framework has opened up space for reconsideration of the ways in which living heritage, the tourist market, and target tourist groups are intertwined, and how their interaction affects the identity constructs of members of local communities. By including specific domains of living cultural practices in tourist offers, a kind of seesaw has emerged, with economic interests leading to the improved existence of practiced heritage on one side and the fact that ICH becomes a commodity primarily driven by the need of every tourist to literally experience heritage in the same way, becoming an exceedingly marketable commodity, on the other. The living tissue of tourism and ICH, in any case, represents one of the significant resources within which it is possible to realize UNESCO's guiding idea of heritage as a global point of encounter for different cultures. Both of these concepts are in constant processes of reconsidering what has been achieved and are attempting, through upcoming activities, to avoid dead ends and poorly implemented solutions.

Innovative sustainable business model: A case study of eco-tourism in Bukit Lawang

Sustainable development has become a crucial issue and a moral obligation for all nations. However, the implementation of sustainable business practices in Indonesia, especially in the field of the tourism industry, including the Bukit Lawang tourist destination, is still weak. This encourages tourism managers to change their business model as a step towards making Bukit Lawang an international tourist destination. This can be achieved through competency development sustainable business management model. This article attempts to apply the design thinking model to creating innovative sustainable business model in tourism in the Bukit Lawang area, using qualitative research methods and design thinking procedures. The population of this study includes tourism managers and visitors in Bukit Lawang area. Sampling techniques such as stratified sampling and purposive sampling, and both primary and secondary data were collected. This article presents a framework for sustainable tourism businesses model in Bukit Lawang, which is built based on three dimensions: facilities, services and systems. This dimension serves as a key differentiator of sustainable value propositions in tourism businesses related to the three pillars of sustainability: economic, social and environmental. The focus of this framework is creating value sustainable tourism business regarding impact reduction, risk mitigation and compliance.

Rural Tourism and Socio-Economic Development in Kalapatta Sub County Kabong District of Uganda

This research explores the interplay between rural tourism and socio-economic development in Kalapatta Sub County, located within the Kabong District. As rural areas globally seek sustainable pathways for growth, the study focuses on the specific impacts of tourism on the socio-economic fabric of the community. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data analysis and qualitative insights gathered through interviews and surveys conducted among local residents, business owners, and tourists. Key indicators such as income generation, employment opportunities, infrastructure development, and cultural preservation are examined to assess the multifaceted impact of rural tourism on the local community. Preliminary findings indicate that the influx of tourists has led to increased economic activities, including the growth of local businesses and the creation of employment opportunities. However, challenges such as environmental degradation, cultural commodification, and unequal distribution of benefits are also identified. The research sheds light on the complex dynamics between the tourism industry and the socio-economic development of the rural community, emphasizing the need for sustainable and inclusive strategies. The study contributes to the existing body of knowledge on rural tourism by providing context-specific insights from Kalapatta Sub County, Kabong District. Recommendations for policymakers, local authorities, and community stakeholders are offered to guide the development of strategies that maximize the positive impacts of tourism while mitigating its potential negative consequences. Ultimately, this research aims to inform the creation of a framework for sustainable rural tourism that fosters socio-economic development in a manner that respects and enhances the local culture and environment

Exploring Local Perspectives in Hospitality and Tourism Growth in Quirino Province

Purpose of the study: This study examines the development of Hospitality and Tourism in Quirino Province, including social, cultural, economic, and environmental effects, with a focus on local perspectives. Methodology: It uses the community-based tourism (CBT) framework to evaluate residents' perceptions of the effects of tourism, both positive and negative and assesses the attitudes of 200 residents towards tourism and its socio-cultural impacts through a structured questionnaire. Main Findings: The preliminary findings suggest that individuals have a favorable outlook on different aspects of life, particularly emphasizing the importance of preserving culture and raising awareness about heritage. Applications of the study: The study provides valuable insights for policymakers, tourism planners, and community leaders in promoting sustainable tourism practices in Quirino Province. Novelty/Originality of the study: This unique and innovative study examined and assessed the local viewpoint on the development of hospitality and tourism in the province of Quirino.

Voluntourism in the Context of Community-Based Tourism, and Regenerative Tourism: A Theoretical Exploration Focusing on Responsibility

The paper examines the theoretical interconnection between the concepts of voluntourism, community-based tourism, and regenerative tourism. Voluntourism, widely criticized for its implementations unethical towards local environment and community, is re-evaluated in the light of community-based and regenerative tourism principles including unequal power dynamics and questionable long-term benefits to host communities. This paper claims that re-imagining voluntourism within the framework of regenerative tourism offers a new perspective. Regenerative tourism, characterized by its commitment to restoring, revitalizing, and enhancing the wellbeing of both natural environments and local communities, can serve as a guiding principle for voluntourism programs. Community-based tourism is integral to this theoretical exploration, as it emphasizes local participation, cultural and natural preservation, and economic empowerment. When voluntourism aligns with community-based tourism principles, it shifts its focus from short-term, self-serving actions to responsible community-driven initiatives. By channelling the motivation and resources of volunteers towards community-led regenerative initiatives, voluntourism can contribute to positive, lasting impacts. Ethical reflection is done within the actors only. This paper is theoretical; however, its purpose is in the pragmatism of tourism concept development. It concludes to enhance the understanding of voluntourism's potential to transition from a problematic form of tourism to an ethical and responsible force for change. By reconciling voluntourism with the principles of regenerative tourism and community-based tourism, this paper aims to provide a theoretical foundation for the development of more responsible and sustainable tourism practices. In doing so, it strives to contribute to the theoretical knowledge surrounding alternative and socially sustainable tourism concepts.

Towards an integrated framework for sustainable sport tourism development in Central Africa

ABSTRACT This study develops an integrated framework for the development of sport tourism, using Cameroon as a case study. A qualitative research approach was used to critically analyse existing sport tourism frameworks in the Global North and Global South contexts to draw key comparisons for the contrasting economies therein. Documentary analysis with in-depth semi-structured interviews with stakeholders in sport and tourism was conducted. Findings reveal that the sport tourism sector has great potential to make a meaningful socioeconomic contribution to economies in the region through interlinkages. For sustainable sports tourism to contribute to government priorities around regional development, global competitiveness, infrastructural development and community development, an integrated framework is needed. The study has implications for policy and planning.

A Critical Approach to Existing Management Perspectives in Scuba Diving: A Step in Defining Ecological Carrying Capacity

There are a considerable number of studies reporting the negative impacts of recreational diving and their causes, yet there is a gap in the information regarding the aspects of activity management. This paper presents a systematic approach to the management measures found in the literature. A large part of the measures identified address stakeholders’ awareness, data on the activity, and implementing adapted management measures. Stakeholders need to be integrated into the entire process of managing the activity because they are the target for correcting actions. A knowledge gap of the evaluation of the “ecological carrying capacity” of dive sites exists, along with a lack of methods for its assessment. This study informs future steps on the development of an integrated management and monitoring model that encompasses the assessment of ecological carrying capacity in further research. It also brings a vision of sustainable management of the recreational diving activity by advancing the conceptual framework of scuba diving and tourism integrated management.

Digital reactivation of territories through geospatial cultural itineraries: the VIDA-HTL web application

The significant imbalances between human settlements and their surrounding environments, stemming from sector-specific policies and urban regional planning tools, constitute a primary factor in the resilience and responsiveness of territories in crisis scenarios. Within this context, the promotion of territorial heritage values emerges as a crucial means for the reactivation of vulnerable areas. Furthermore, the utilisation of technological resources, such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), has proven to be highly effective in managing cultural landscape areas. This contribution aims to enhance the valorisation of territorial heritage through the geolocation of a system of architectural and archaeological assets of public interest, and by enabling the flexible design of cultural itineraries within the framework of slow tourism. For this purpose, a replicable methodology for the construction of a WebGIS application has been proposed. This methodology has been put into practice in the territorial area of the lower Guadalquivir River in Spain, which encompasses 73 municipalities and one UNESCO World Heritage Site, all interconnected by rural areas. A four-stage plan has been followed for the construction of the VIDA-HTL web application: (1) conceptualisation; (2) development; (3) technical verification; and (4) social viability. The fundamental approach of the web application is based on the comprehensive integration of subsystems related to cultural heritage on one hand, and to tourist and environmental services on the other. Two main functions for the exploration of cultural assets and designing cultural routes have been designed, which complement other capabilities implemented in the web application. As a result of a detailed standardisation process, 981 cultural assets and 43 supplementary data layers have been georeferenced and included in the web application, with customised itineraries available for planning within the study area. Additionally, 49 thematic cultural itineraries are proposed. Finally, the web application is complemented with the development of a collaborative hub, which encourages its use and enhances its capabilities. It is concluded that digital tools, such as that proposed, foster knowledge and valorisation of territorial cultural heritage, while contributing to greater local development. In this way, they function as a counterbalance to the development of metropolises and the global economy, thereby improving levels of regional resilience.