Minds Of Tourists Research Articles

Proposing a Model of the Effect of Word of Mouth on Destination Image of Tourists and Travel Intention

The awareness of a tourism destination and establishment of a destination image are often the result of a long range of information resources on a place and its people in which the efforts of organizations related to destination management is a part of the resources. This paper aims to propose a conceptual model to understand the mechanism of affective information sources on formation of destination image in the mind of tourists and consequently, travel intention. This study is descriptive-analytical in terms of method which employed document studies. That is, it reviews theoretical background and related research conducted in various countries and then would propose a model to understand the dynamics of tourism industry.

“Otherness” of Ethnic Enclave Attractions in Multicultural Cities: A Study of Chinatown and Little India

Abstract For ages, tourists have been fascinated with “Other” cultures making it a primary reason for international travel. Several destinations around the world are blessed with cultural pluralism and proudly boast of being “multicultural”. These destinations comprise multiethnic migrant communities living in their respective “ethnic enclave” settings in a foreign land. Enclaves enrich the tourism product by pleasantly punctuating the cultural homogeneity of a destination and inviting attention towards other diverse exotic attractions. This study is an attempt to identify the distinct impressions of the ethnic enclave attractions of “Chinatown” and “Little India” in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore city, in order to determine the imprints of “otherness” left behind in the minds of tourists during their visits to these enclaves. The findings reveal that while authentic ethnic cuisine retains a dominant appeal of the “exotic other”, additional elements of cultural exoticism from these enclave settings are fast fading into oblivion. Rather than being identified as a showcase of a unique culture, the otherness of these ethnic enclave attractions is becoming more apparent in terms of their recognition merely as precincts for “inexpensive shopping”.

Rediscovering old mining activities in the Tatra Mountains

As part of a student project in cooperation with the Tatra National Park we examined the current state of iron ore, manga- nese ore and polymetallic ore in a few drifts in the Chocholowska and Kościeliska Valleys. Information about the old mining oper- ations in the Western Tatras do not exist in the minds of tourists. An interesting way to show this history could be preparing and sharing parts of the drifts as geoturistic objects. An alternative solution would be to create a trail of old mining and metallurgy in the Tatras, which could help to increase the knowledge about the geology and mining subject among tourists. A combination of a great mining Tatra history with the attractively designed results of geological survey could be a particularly interesting project.

Management of tourist values on the example of the Mstów commune

The management of tourist values is not an easy issue. I It seems that the presence of specific cultural premises, exceptional landscapes and landforms is sufficient to attract tourists. Unfortunately, this is a very complex problem, requiring numerous treatments, knowledge and skills of decision-makers. Development trends of communes, towns and entire regions are determined by various issues, sometimes independent on the will of the residents and local authorities. The key issue seems to be finances. Before a tourism product is developed and it appears in the minds of tourists, and before the area becomes a real tourism region, the expenses must be incurred for ’ development and promotion of attractions. An example of the commune having aspirations for tourism development is Mstow located in the vicinity of Czestochowa. Location and diversified tourist offer in the future can be the magnets for tourists coming to Czestochowa or traveling through the northern part of the Krakow-Czestochowa Upland. It is also important to develop new tourist trails in the area of commune. Also, support from the government, even without significant funding at the moment, is an important stimulus for the development of various forms of tourism.

Analysis of some representative geomorphosites in the Bucegi Mountains: between scientific evaluation and tourist perception

Geomorphosites are landforms that have acquired, in time, a certain value (scientific, cultural, aesthetic, ecological and/or economic). This article presents a statistical analysis of the results obtained during our evaluation of geomorphosites, including their associated value in the minds of tourists. The Bucegi Mountains were considered to be an appropriate study area given their great variety in geomorphosites and their accessibility (the highest infrastructure density in the whole Carpathian area). We selected, catalogued and evaluated the best‐known geomorphosites in the Bucegi Mountains without making it our goal to map them. Tourists' opinions were assessed by questionnaire and the data obtained were statistically processed.

EU TOURISM TRENDS AND THE OUTLOOK FOR CROATIA

The European Union’s impact on tourism continues to grow daily. Serving as a moderator, the EU converges the differing interests of the southern tourism-receiving countries (primary tourism growth) and the northern generating tourist countries (preventing environmental damage, respect for cultural heritage, service quality) through common tourism policies. A community of countries applying specific tourism regulations and standards, the EU fosters tourism development according to modern demand defined through new forms of the tourism offer and tourism management trends. EU members, in positioning themselves in the minds of tourists and in creating an image, have a great advantage over non-member countries, such as Croatia, which are accepted as minor destinations on Europe’s fringes.Although not an EU member, Croatia is aimed at approximating the tourist trade of EU countries. To facilitate its integration to the European tourism offer, Croatia must apply the experiences, solutions and standards of Europe’s advanced tourism countries.