Rural Tourism Planning Research Articles

Evaluating spatial centrality for integrated tourism management in rural areas using GIS and network analysis

The aim of this study is to identify and classify villages according to their spatial centralities, considering rural amenity resources, for integrated tourism management. Rural tourism is an important means of regional economic development because it permits new infrastructure to be developed and helps retain existing amenities. This study took place in Korea, where little attention has been given to an integrated rural tourism planning perspective, thereby undermining current initiatives. In this study, 43 villages in Jangheung-gun and Jeollanam-do were assessed and the centralities were measured using geographic information systems (GIS) and network analysis. The results show that Okdang-ri is the spatial core village supported by Yongjeon-ri and Bangchon-ri, thereby permitting a more effective provision of services. In addition, Inam-ri and Unheung-ri were identified as the sub-core villages of the two sub-groups, while Deogam-ri served as the connection node between these groups. This study demonstrates the applicability of centrality indices for evaluating spatial characteristics such as role, accessibility, and influence on surrounding villages for integrated tourism management.

Community Participation in Rural Tourism Decision Making: A Case of Karaikudi, Sivaganga District, Tamil Nadu

Tourism is an important mechanism for economic development and the creation of employment opportunities in many countries This has attracted attention from the governments of developing countries looking to maximize economic benefits from tourism development in their own countries. Many developing countries have tried to exploit the tourism industry for economic stimulation by getting foreign investment, capital, and surplus from currency exchange. Local community participation in the decision-making process is always limited or sometimes marginalized, particularly in developing countries (Edelmann 1975; Lea 1988; Timothy 2000). Local communities not only fail to participate in the decision making process, but also fall short in maximising the benefits of tourism development (France 1998; Scheyvens 2003). Researchers (Keogh 1990; Hall 1998; Timothy&Tosun 2003) stress the importance of public participation in the decision-making process during tourism planning and development. Rural Tourism planning involves many stakeholders, such as government agencies, private companies, and non-government organizations (NGOs), which should strengthen the importance of public contribution in the public participation process. In fact, public participation in tourism development does not only relate to the decision-making process and the benefits of rural tourism development, but is also regarded integral to sustainable tourism (D'Amore 1992; Green 1995; Leslie 1993; Murphy 1988).

Community Participation in Rural Tourism Decision Making: A Case of Karaikudi, Sivaganga District, Tamil Nadu

Tourism is an important mechanism for economic development and the creation of employment opportunities in many countries This has attracted attention from the governments of developing countries looking to maximize economic benefits from tourism development in their own countries. Many developing countries have tried to exploit the tourism industry for economic stimulation by getting foreign investment, capital, and surplus from currency exchange. Local community participation in the decision-making process is always limited or sometimes marginalized, particularly in developing countries (Edelmann 1975; Lea 1988; Timothy 2000). Local communities not only fail to participate in the decision making process, but also fall short in maximising the benefits of tourism development (France 1998; Scheyvens 2003). Researchers (Keogh 1990; Hall 1998; Timothy&Tosun 2003) stress the importance of public participation in the decision-making process during tourism planning and development. Rural Tourism planning involves many stakeholders, such as government agencies, private companies, and non-government organizations (NGOs), which should strengthen the importance of public contribution in the public participation process. In fact, public participation in tourism development does not only relate to the decision-making process and the benefits of rural tourism development, but is also regarded integral to sustainable tourism (D'Amore 1992; Green 1995; Leslie 1993; Murphy 1988).

Rural Tourism Research in China: 1997–2006

This article identifies five themes in Chinese rural tourism studies, including (1) definitions of rural tourism, (2) rural tourism planning and development, (3) pragmatic challenges and solutions, and (4) policies and impacts. Further, these themes are grouped by three methodological approaches, including supply-side perspectives, policy-oriented research, and descriptive methods. The article is based on the review and synthesis of 325 research articles published between 1997 and 2006 in China. The findings contribute to an understanding of China's rural tourism industry and current state of academic research on rural tourism issues unique to China but having global significance.

The potentials for creating sustainable rural tourism in Bačka

Average rural household in Bačka mostly depend on agricultural activities. Modern society changes, especially changes in agriculture production imply need for diversification of business activities. Rural tourism can be important part of rural economy for some villages in Bačka. Fertile plain, Danube, Tisa and other smaller rivers, animals and games represent base of natural tourist attractions of rural tourism. However, main competitive advantages of Bačka are anthropogenic values. Traditional pannonian houses, baroques churches, numerous rural festivities, and "melting point" of different nationalities make good base for rural tourism development. Different combinations of rural attractions create several tourist experiences of this region: authentic tourist experience at "szalashes", particular tourist experience in villages, intensive tourist experience of rural events and manifestations, not authentic tourist experiences of pseudo rural attractions and complex tourist experience in rural areas. Regarding to emitive centers of rural tourist demand can be specified tree regions for development of rural tourism - region of Novi Sad, Subotica, and Sombor. Rural tourism can make a valuable contribution to rural economies, job creation, landscape conservation, retention of rural population, support to rural culture and tradition, nature conservation and other. At the same time, rural tourism is facing various limitations. With in this context, rural tourism planning has to include principles of sustainable development.

Natural amenities, tourism and income distribution

Understanding the distributional mechanisms of aggregate amenity-led economic growth is a necessary prerequisite to informed rural tourism planning. This applied study develops an empirical county-level model for the US lake states that incorporates five alternative natural amenity types and other growth variables to explain the distribution of income as measured by Gini coefficients. Results suggest that certain types of natural amenities are clearly related to the distribution of income. This extends earlier work which hypothesized that amenity-based development creates a “hollowing out” of the income classes. Analyses of tourism impacts from the sole standpoint of employment and income growth neglect to account for key components of rural development structure.

RURAL HANDICRAFT PRODUCTION IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD: POLICY ISSUES FOR SOUTH AFRICA

In South Africa the promotion of rural handicraft production is an important policy dimension of non-farm livelihoods. The rural handicraft economy is significant in terms of rural development, tourism and employment planning. In this article, policy issues concerning the South African rural handicraft economy are linked to experience of other developing world countries. Lessons for policymaking in South Africa are drawn form the experience of the developing world in terms of the importance of rural handicrafts and the problems of rural producers.

Toward Integrative Tourism Planning in Rural America

There is a need to develop planningframeworks that address tourism development within the broader context of community or regional development goals in rural areas of the United States. An integrative approach is one such framework that entails careful assessment of economic, social, and environmental impacts of tourism relative to other development strategies. This review takes a historical perspective of rural tourism planning progress. Core concepts of an integrative approach are collaborative planning with the affected stakeholders and the assessment of specific planning issues that foster integration of tourism with overall regional development. The application of more integrativeframeworks allows planners to improve the manner in which rural tourism development occurs.