Sustainable Tourism Management Research Articles

Tourism Policies and Performance of Nigerian Heritage Sites

Background: Tourism policies have a significant impact on the preservation, promotion, and overall performance of heritage sites for both domestic and international tourists. This review provides insights into the entities responsible for tourism policy formulation, the policy objective, and how the stated objectives are being realized while shedding light on their implications for sustainability, economic growth, and cultural preservation. The main objective of Nigeria's tourism policy is to protect and improve the nation's natural and cultural heritage. Many activities aimed at encouraging tourism development include planning, provision of infrastructure, taxation regime that supports tourism growth, education and training for tourism employees, marketing, legislation and regulation in order to protect and preserve tourist facilities as well as the country's natural resources, historical and cultural assets. The critical concern is the enforcement and effectiveness of regulations, specifically the probability of a policy successfully promoting sustainable and viable tourism development and management. Aims: This paper therefore investigates the influence of tourism policies on the performance of heritage sites in Nigeria and the need for policy review for improved performance of Nigerian heritage sites. Methodology: The qualitative research paradigm emerged from a comprehensive review of tourism policy literature in Nigeria. The examination of documents and research projects focused on various aspects of tourism policy planning and governance, policy formulation, policy objectives, and their implications for sustainability, economic growth, and natural/cultural heritage preservation. In the data analysis, the comprehensive review were presented with an interpretative narrative. Results:  The findings revealed that Nigeria's tourism policy seeks to empower the tourism industry and position it as a key driver of economic growth, job creation, and cultural heritage preservation.  However, the policy's ability to achieve its goals optimally has been significantly hampered by lack of relevant mechanisms to measure overall levels of compliance, overreliance on petroleum resources, poor planning, and inadequate participation of relevant stakeholders in policy formulation, implementation, and monitoring. Conclusion: Despite policies and frameworks, Nigeria's tourism sector, including cultural heritage sites, has failed to reach its goals, losing the economy numerous potential benefits. In order to address the current circumstances and ensure successful heritage site design, development, and management in Nigeria, there is an urgent need for revision of the country’s tourism policy objectives and adequate enforcement measures implemented to adapt to changing circumstances and priorities.

A human-centric decision-support system for smart and sustainable tourism management in urban settings

ABSTRACT This paper presents a human-centric decision-support system for planning a sustainable daily sightseeing tour in cities with diverse cultural and historical attractions. The system, personalised and with a particular emphasis on sustainability, is developed through a participatory design approach based on a survey targeted at tourists and evaluations from two focus groups involving stakeholders in the tourist industry. The tour is determined using an optimisation model that tackles the Green Tourist Trip Design Problem, considering user preferences such as budget, time availability, transportation modes, and the inclusion of dining options within a specified time window. The objective is to maximise a trip score while minimising CO2 emissions. The proposed model is tested in an urban setting, encompassing 58 Points of Interest (POIs) in the city of Reggio Calabria, Italy. The Analytical Hierarchy Process is employed as a multi-criteria decision-making method to assign scores to each POI. Additionally, a mobile application is developed to implement the optimisation model, providing a user-friendly interface for tourists to set parameters. The numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed approach, underlying the importance of a continuous improvement in developing systems with a great collaboration between smart technologies, sustainability, and participatory design.

THE MODEL OF STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT OF A RELIGIOUS TOURISM DESTINATION IN FUNCTION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Objective: This study aims to explore the significance and potential of religious tourism in Croatia for sustainable development, highlighting the absence of a strategic approach in managing this tourism sector. The primary goal is to assess the current state of religious tourism, identify challenges, and recommend strategic directions for enhancing religious tourism destinations.
  
 Theoretical Framework: The research is anchored in the theories and models of sustainable development, tourism management, and cultural heritage preservation. These theories provide a comprehensive understanding of how religious tourism can contribute to economic growth, cultural preservation, and community engagement in a sustainable manner.
  
 Method: Employing survey research and analysis of relevant resources, this study systematically examines the current landscape of religious tourism in Croatia. It focuses on stakeholder coordination, promotion strategies, infrastructure development, and cultural heritage preservation efforts.
  
 Results and Discussion: The investigation reveals a fragmented approach to managing religious tourism, characterized by poor coordination among stakeholders, inadequate promotion, underdeveloped infrastructure, and challenges in cultural heritage preservation. These findings suggest that a more cohesive and strategic approach could significantly bolster sustainable development, enhance economic opportunities in rural locales, and foster cultural heritage appreciation.
  
 Research Implications: The study underscores the necessity for stronger collaboration among religious communities, tourism organizations, and governmental authorities. It advocates for enhanced promotional efforts, infrastructure investments, and robust measures for cultural and religious heritage conservation, offering valuable insights for policymakers, tourism developers, and community leaders.
  
 Originality/Value: This paper contributes original insights into the underexplored domain of religious tourism in Croatia, offering a structured analysis of its current state and potential for sustainable development. Its strategic recommendations provide a foundation for future initiatives to harness religious tourism as a vehicle for economic and cultural sustainability in Croatia.

Preserving Roots: A Commitement to Cultural and Heritage Landscape Conservation

Lal Bagh Palace in Indore, India, stands as an architectural marvel and a symbol of the region's rich cultural heritage. This research paper delves into the multifaceted endeavor of conserving Lal Bagh Palace as a cultural and heritage landscape. Through archival research, site documentation, stakeholder consultations, and community engagement, the study explores the historical significance, architectural features, and socio-cultural context of Lal Bagh Palace. It examines the challenges facing its conservation, including urban development pressures, environmental degradation, and the need for sustainable tourism management. The research also evaluates conservation initiatives undertaken to preserve the palace's integrity and authenticity while enhancing its accessibility and relevance to diverse audiences. By synthesizing insights from cultural and heritage conservation, landscape management, and community involvement, the paper proposes holistic strategies for sustaining Lal Bagh Palace as a vibrant cultural asset. This study contributes to the broader discourse on cultural and heritage landscape conservation by offering practical lessons and recommendations applicable to similar historic sites. Keywords: Cultural heritage preservation, Landscape conservation, Cultural roots, Heritage landscapes, Preservation strategies, Community involvement, Conservation practices, Cultural identity, Historical significance, Sustainable development, Cultural landscapes, Traditional knowledge, Indigenous heritage, Conservation policies, Interdisciplinary approach, Cultural stewardship, Ethnographic research, Cultural sustainability, Landscape management, Preservation challenges.

ANALYSIS OF THE ROLE OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM VILLAGE CERTIFICATION IN EFFORTS TO PROTECT TOURISM VILLAGE MANAGEMENT REVIEWED FROM LAW NO 10 OF 2009 ON TOURISM (CASE STUDY : PENGLIPURAN VILLAGE, BALI)

Sustainable tourism village certification is one of the sustainable tourism certification products issued by the Indonesian Sustainable Tourism Certification Council. The sustainable tourism village certification program was initiated by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy in 2020 aimed at developing sustainable tourism in Indonesia. Penglipuran Tourism Village has community-based and sustainable tourism management, but the management's human resources need to be strengthened. Meanwhile, sustainable management requires specific knowledge and skills to reduce the negative impacts of tourism. The aim of this research is to analyze efforts to protect the management of Tourism Villages through sustainable tourism village certification based on Law of the Republic of Indonesia no. 10 of 2009 on Tourism. This research is normative legal research with a statutory approach, analysis of legal concepts (analytical conceptual approach), and case study methods supported by secondary data. Researchers found that the role of sustainable tourism village certification as a condition for business standardization in the form of business certification was studied in the form of preventive and repressive legal protection means. Preventive legal protection is regulated in Article 19 and Article 52 of Law No. 10 of 2009 on Tourism. Repressive legal protection is regulated in Articles 27, 62, 63 and 64 of Law No. 10 of 2009 on Tourism.

The role of eco-attraction in the intention to conduct low-carbon actions: a study of visitor behavior in urban forests

Purpose One of the crucial elements of addressing global climate challenges through urban tourism is the continuing existence of urban forests. The reasoning is that the ecological attraction of urban forests can impact visitors’ intention to conduct pro-environmental behavior, including low-carbon actions. Thus, more visitors to urban forests will positively affect enhancing the quality of the urban environment. However, the extent to which ecological attraction can influence pro-environmental behavior warrants further investigation due to the complexity of psychosocial factors that impact behavioral intention. The main objective of this research is to examine the effects of the ecological attractiveness of urban forests on the pro-environmental behavior of visitors by exploring motivation, ecological experience, perceived value and knowledge as mediators. Moreover, whether the nature of the urban forest and facilities attract visitors simultaneously is also studied. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 615 respondents who visited three urban forests in Bandung, the second-most populous city in Indonesia, by five-point Likert questionnaires. As an analytical tool, SEM PLS was applied to establish the effect of the ecological performance of the urban forest on the increase in environmentally conscious behavior among urban forest visitors. Findings The findings demonstrate that the attractiveness of an urban forest affects the growth of environmentally responsible behaviors. Nonetheless, the attractiveness of urban forests is dictated more by their infrastructure than their ecological function. On the contrary, the visitors’ knowledge level can improve their motivation, environmental experience and perceived environmental value. These findings show the significance of developing educational programs with an emphasis on the experience of the visitors so that their ecological performance can contribute to improved low-carbon behavior. In conclusion, this work contributes to the management of sustainable urban tourism. Research limitations/implications This work also has some limitations. First, the medium R-square on intention behavior to low-carbon action suggests investigating other influential factors to produce a more robust conscious behavior. Mkono and Hughes (2020) mention that many complex factors that cause positive intention do not necessarily lead to environmental action. Thus, many psychosocial variables need to be explored in different models. Second, the convenient sampling used here does not represent the whole population, making generalization difficult. Thus, further work needs to apply more rigorous sampling techniques to validate the findings. Further investigations may also need to be conducted in other urban forests in another Asian country with a similar and different social context for benchmarking, as this study found that the type of attractive urban forest design is a more dense forest, which differs from other studies based in Europe. Exploring more influencing behavioral factors of pro-environmental action in the model is also suggested. Thus, we could contribute more to support recreational activities in urban forests. Practical implications As an implication for planning an urban forest to increase its recreational function, the authors illustrate the importance of producing educational programs. Although the improved knowledge of visitors has been shown to strengthen their commitment to perform pro-environmental actions, the mediating role of motivation, experience and perceived value reveals that some activities are required to achieve visitor motivation to actual behavior. Consequently, designing an urban forest requires not only the enhancement of eco-attractions and artificial elements for the convenience of visitors but also the development of an environmental education program that can improve visitors’ environmental experience and perception of ecological value. The designed educational program may use an experiential education approach incorporating objective knowledge of Earth’s current state. The urban forest education program must encourage visitors’ connection and participation with nature. Moreover, knowledge and information about Earth’s environmental quality can increase visitors’ perceived value, ensuring that their activities in the urban forest contribute to improved health, environmental quality and social environment. Thus, with well-managed and provided education, they are encouraged to adopt low-carbon action because it complements their contribution to a better quality environment. Originality/value The theoretical contribution of this research is generated through the role of urban forest attractiveness in the intention to conduct low-carbon action, which influences solutions to existing urban environmental problems. This work exhibits that both ecological attractiveness and attractiveness of artificial elements in urban forests can attract visitors and subsequently boost their outdoor recreation motivation, ecological experience and perceived value and then turn them to boost their intention to conduct low-carbon action. The physical characteristics of a site are behavioral stimuli that can increase a person’s motivation, experience and perception of the value of the environment, thereby increasing their intention to engage in low-carbon actions. This environment behavioral construction is fundamental in understanding that urban forests offer ecological benefits and influence the social quality of urban communities. Nevertheless, without visitor activity, urban forests are merely physical entities that become increasingly demanding to maintain. Due to this, an urban forest that is socially active and has an influence on promoting environmentally conscious behavior is needed, and its presence is becoming ever more crucial. This work shows the significance of integrating psychosocial approaches into managing tourism in urban forests.

Sustainable Tourism Management for Enhanced Tourism Product Quality in the Cultural Village of Dokan

The research on "Sustainable Tourism Management in Improving the Quality of Tourism Products in Dokan Cultural Village" encompasses several crucial objectives. First and foremost, it aims to identify the tourism potential of Dokan Cultural Village by examining its cultural richness, natural attractions, and other unique elements that draw tourists. Additionally, the study delves into the impact of tourism practices on the village's environment, analyzing ecological sustainability, waste management, and natural resource conservation. Destination management is also a focal point, evaluating how policies and practices are implemented to ensure the sustainability, safety, and comfort of tourists. The research further explores community participation in tourism management, assessing decision-making involvement, economic empowerment, and the consideration of local communities' needs. Identifying economic empowerment opportunities for local communities through the development of tourism products is another key objective, involving an analysis of local business potential and the role of community engagement in enhancing the value of tourism products. Central to the study is the evaluation and enhancement of the quality of tourism products in Dokan Cultural Village, encompassing service quality, diverse experiences, and the alignment with traveler expectations. Furthermore, the research aims to support sustainable tourism principles by identifying management practices that promote economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Ultimately, the study seeks to provide concrete recommendations for improving sustainable tourism management in Dokan Cultural Village, potentially including policy enhancements, the development of training programs, or the implementation of innovative destination management strategies. By achieving these objectives, the research aims to offer a comprehensive understanding of how Dokan Cultural Village can harness its potential as a sustainable tourism destination through the enhancement of its product quality.
  

Utilizing supply-demand bundles in Nature-based Recreation offers insights into specific strategies for sustainable tourism management

Balancing supply and demand in Nature-based Recreation (NbR) has the potential to yield co-benefits across multiple Ecosystem Services (ES), helping to make tourism activities more sustainable. However, a comprehensive understanding of supply-demand mismatches in NbR is challenging due to the complex interaction among various social, economic and ecological factors. This paper investigates mismatches in NbR supply and demand to provide insights for informing spatial and regional planning to achieve sustainable tourism. To this end, the paper uses a wide range of indicators such as biophysical attributes, accessibility and social indicators to map and assess NbR supply and demand, followed by the application of spatial statistics to analyse supply-demand mismatches. Cluster analysis was performed based on the supply-demand relationship to identify a typology of NbR ES across the study area in the north of Iran. The paper proposes an innovative application of recreation ES bundles with potential implications for sustainable tourism in a region marked as a hot spot for tourism. The analysis generated a typology of five bundles of NbR ES with differing recreational opportunities. Bundles 1 and 2, characterized by a supply surplus and substantial ecological value, are suitable for NbR activities such as camping, hiking, climbing, and birdwatching. In contrast, bundle 4 and 5 associated with urban centres, experience a supply deficit, making them less suitable for NbR. Bundle 3, characterized by a mixture of natural and productive lands, plays an important role in maintaining a balanced supply-demand state. This region holds potential for diverse forms of tourism, including rural and agricultural recreation such as farm tours and farm life experiences. Based on findings, the paper provides valuable insights for spatial and regional planning by proposing targeted strategies to sustainably manage tourism activities.

Tourist Perception of the Existing Conditions of Kurenai Beach Tourism

Kurenai Beach is a tourist destination on the coast of Tomini Bay, Bone Bolango Regency, Gorontalo Province. This beach has fine white sand and stretches quite wide, allowing various beach tourism activities to be carried out. It is essential to measure tourist perceptions of a tourist destination because tourist perception is a form of assessment of the existence of tourism that aims at the development of future destinations and helps guide beach managers to make decisions in pursuit of sustainable beach tourism. Some factors that influence tourists' perception of choosing a beach include attractions, accessibility, and amenities. This research aims to provide scientific information on tourists' perceptions of the Kurenai Beach tourist area as a first step towards sustainable tourism management. Tourist perceptions were obtained through incidental interviews with 120 tourists. Tourist perception is measured on five components: the physical condition of facilities and infrastructure, accessibility, tourist attraction, tourist infrastructure, and the quality of tourist areas. Data analysis in this study used the Likert scale to determine tourists' perception of the existing conditions of Kurenai Beach tourism. The results showed that, in general, tourists' perceptions of the current conditions of Kurenai Beach tourism were on good criteria, with a total percentage value of 67.4%. The tourist attraction component has the highest perception value, and the physical condition component of facilities and infrastructure has the lowest perception value. The low achievement of the value of tourist perception of the existing condition of Kurenai Beach needs special attention in the context of the sustainability of this tourism in the future.

Strategi Pemerintah Menuju Pariwisata Berkelanjutan di Kawasan Telaga Sarangan

This research aims to analyze the government's strategy for realizing sustainable tourism in the Telaga Sarangan area. The main focus of the research is on the role of government as a facilitator, regulator and motivator in supporting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the region. The main problem identified is the unsustainable economic development of the surrounding community and the non-optimal use of the Sarangan Lake area as a tourist destination. The research method used is qualitative, which is done by collecting secondary data from various sources such as books, journals, articles, report documents, and statutory regulations. The research results show that the government has a crucial role as a facilitator in improving supporting facilities and infrastructure for tourists in the Telaga Sarangan area. As a regulator, the government also has the responsibility to design regulations and policies that support sustainable tourism management. However, the government's role as a motivator is still not optimal, requiring outreach efforts, training and allocation of stimulant funds to develop tourism management in the area. The conclusion of this research confirms that the government has a strategic role in achieving the SDGs in the Telaga Sarangan area through the development of sustainable tourism. Positive contributions to the economy, ecology, as well as social and cultural aspects are expected to be realized through the implementation of strategies that suit the needs and potential of the area.

Tourism destination sustainability: The systematic literature review

<p>The sustainable development of tourism destinations is a continual and evolving process crucial for long-term value and well-being. However, the existing literature reveals a gap in understanding how to effectively evaluate the sustainable development of tourism objects, with a predominant focus on developed countries. This raises concerns about the applicability of similar strategies in underdeveloped nations. This study employs an analysis of the scientific literature to address the identified research problem. We propose a more inclusive and comprehensive approach to sustainable tourism management, aiming to equalize the distribution of economic, social, and cultural dimensions. Our focus is on developing a theoretical evaluation model that goes beyond conventional frameworks and includes both broad and narrow dimensions. The research uncovers that sustainable development, as presented by various authors, encompasses economic benefits, environmental protection, and social dimension management. We introduce a sustainability management model that surpasses existing systems, offering a holistic perspective. Moreover, we emphasize the significance of voluntary publicity for environmental and socio-cultural activities in enhancing a tourism destination’s image and societal value. Our study contributes a theoretical evaluation model based on global criteria for sustainable tourism. This model not only evaluates the dimensions of coherence broadly but also incorporates specific criteria for a nuanced analysis of the current situation and potential opportunities. The proposed framework aims to guide tourism destinations in achieving economic benefits without compromising the environment and prioritizing the well-being of local communities, thus fostering a more sustainable and equitable development process.<strong></strong></p>

Residents’ Perception towards Tourism Development: The Relationship between Economic and Environmental Impacts during Disruptive Events

This study explores how a crucial measure can contribute to tourism impact research on residents and understand the standpoints among different resident groups. A stakeholder perspective demonstrates how residents in the public and private tourism sectors consider economic and environmental impacts. It probes differences in perceptions towards tourism impacts between these two stakeholder groups. Data are gathered among residents working in Macao’s private and public sectors. A semi-structured interview is used to collect data, with 14 interviews conducted. After the data analysis, significant differences are not found in residents’ opinions of both groups regarding economic and environmental impacts. Furthermore, the findings do not indicate the perceptions of negative environmental impacts can be mitigated if the number of tourists declines. The study contributes to the literature by adding the importance of residents’ perceptions of tourism impacts on the tourist destination and pursuing sustainable tourism planning and development. Findings are also relevant to Macao, using the traditional measures of residents’ perceptions, which may help raise support among residents of tourist destinations for future tourism development. Then, it can further help improve the sustainable tourism management of tourist destinations.

Trust, traditions and indigenous women’s leadership in sustainable tourism management

This paper examines contextual dynamics shaping the development of trust in the management of indigenous tourism. It focuses in particular on the role of women’s leadership in fostering community autonomy and a sense of community, which is argued to be key to building trusting relations essential to sustaining the tourism enterprise. Based on empirical fieldwork with the Pataxó Jaqueira community of Porto Seguro, Brazil involving document analysis, participant observation and interviews, the paper shows how trust, tradition and culturally embedded indigenous leadership capacities interact when seeking to develop and deliver tourism that meets community needs. The data show how investing in cultural resources builds social capital and reinforces the credibility women’s leadership, which is then leveraged to challenge patriarchal gender norms. Moreover, it identifies mechanisms of trust development and maintenance between entrepreneurial indigenous women and other community stakeholders, stressing the impacts of the women’s capacity for openness, solidarity and risk taking. The article thus provides contextualised and historically-informed, socio-cultural insights regarding the intersections of gender, trust and traditions in shaping sustainable indigenous tourism.

Sustainable tourism as an effort to preserve culture and environment in Udjo Ecoland, Cimenyan, Bandung Regency

Mass tourism is an industrial sector that drives economic development significantly but causes many environmental and socio-cultural problems. This is clearly illustrated in Cimenyan, where land conversion for tourism development causes environmental damage and social problems. This research aims to analyze the entity of Udjo Ecoland as a tourism product and its elaboration in the framework of sustainable tourism as an effort to preserve the environment and culture. Qualitative descriptive analysis method was used to get a comprehensive and in-depth picture. Data were obtained from primary sources in the form of field observations and interviews and secondary data in the form of literature review. The results showed that Udjo Ecoland had all four components of tourism destinations (4A) and fulfilled the three pillars of sustainable tourism. The presence of Udjo Ecoland then gradually leads to efforts to preserve culture and environment by forming a new culture that elaborates noble values into a sustainable tourism framework and builds community awareness to create independence with an environmental perspective. Through sustainable tourism management, Udjo Ecoland has succeeded in making a positive contribution to environmental damage and social problems in Cimenyan as an effort to preserve culture and environment.

Community Empowerment through Enhancement of Pule Payung Tourist Spot Potential in Soropati, Hargotirto, Kokap, Kulon Progo, Special Region of Yogyakarta

Abstract. This article presents a community service initiative focused on enhancing the potential of Pule Payung, a significant tourist destination in Indonesia, through community empowerment and the strategic use of information technology in tourism promotion. Recognizing the challenges such as inadequate infrastructure and limited understanding of sustainable tourism management, the program provided a series of training and workshops for the local community, including basic IT training, social media and digital platform workshops, TikTok training, and photography and videography training. A sustainable Information Technology Management Team was also formed as part of the service. These efforts were evaluated through continuous mentoring and feedback sessions to ensure their effectiveness. The initiative resulted in the creation of effective digital content for promoting Pule Payung, with the local community playing an active role. The service project showcases the potential of combining community empowerment and digital technology to augment tourism, yielding broader economic, social, and environmental benefits for local communities and the wider Indonesian society.

FACTORS INFLUENCING LOCALS’ PERSPECTIVES ON TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN CAMEROON

Tourism development is linked to community-based transformation and growth, impacting the residents’ livelihoods. The study aimed to comprehensively understand locals’ perspectives on tourism development. The study mainly focused on identifying the factors that influence these perspectives and assessing their implications for sustainable tourism planning and management, using Yaoundé in Cameroon as a case study. Employing a quantitative survey research design, the study collected data from 385 locals using non-probability convenience sampling. Key findings revealed that positive perceptions of tourism development are linked to benefits. As residents benefit economically and socially from tourism, they desire increased tourist arrivals and see tourism as having positive impacts. A gap between training and participation in conservancy was identified, suggesting a major implication of the need to incorporate local voices in tourism planning and policies for more sustainable and inclusive growth of the tourism industry. By exposing factors that influence locals’ perspectives and assessing the implications for sustainable tourism management and planning, the study contributes to the literature and provides valuable insights to inform decision-making in the tourism industry.

Ocean and coastal tourism: National or regional culture on culinary selection of inbound tourists

The current study endeavors to address a conspicuous lacuna in the extant literature pertaining to ocean and coastal tourism by examining the nuanced intersection of national/regional culture and the culinary preferences of inbound tourists. Despite the heightened attention devoted to issues such as ocean warming, marine pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction within both industry and academia, the influence of cultural dimensions on gastronomic choices remains a relatively unexplored domain. Motivated by this research gap, our study employs multiple dimensions of Hofstede's cultural framework, specifically Individualism Versus Collectivism (IDV), Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI), and Long-Versus Short-Term Orientation (LTO), to scrutinize the intricate association between national/regional culture and the culinary selections of inbound tourists at an ocean and coastal destination, exemplified by Osaka, Japan. An empirical analysis encompassing a diverse sample of over 4000 random inbound tourists from approximately 50 different countries/regions traversing Osaka was conducted through a meticulously administered questionnaire. The empirical findings reveal that both IDV and LTO exert positive impacts on the extent of culinary selection made by inbound tourists during their ocean and coastal tourism experiences. Furthermore, a discernible pattern emerges indicating that tourists hailing from home countries/regions characterized by lower scores in the UAI dimension exhibit a proclivity for adventurous culinary choices, engaging with less conventional cuisines at the ocean destination. In contrast, tourists originating from higher-UAI countries/regions demonstrate a predilection for a broader spectrum of highly popular cuisines during their ocean and coastal tourism sojourn. In addition, we found potential disparities in culinary consumption behavior between first-time travelers and repeat visitors to the ocean destination. The empirical evidence generated from this research is poised to furnish valuable insights that can inform both theoretical discourse and practical strategies for the effective management of ocean and coastal destinations, thereby contributing to the burgeoning field of sustainable tourism management.

Spatial-temporal behaviour of hikers in the southeastern margin of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: insights from volunteered geographic information

Understanding the macroscopic spatial-temporal behaviour of hikers plays an important role in targeted planning, marketing and management for regional hiking tourism development. The southeastern margin of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, with abundant outdoor tourism resources and several World Heritage Sites, was chosen as the study area, and the development characteristics of hiking tourism and the spatial-temporal behaviour of its hikers were explored by seasonal intensity index, kernel density analysis, line density analysis and K-means clustering with volunteered geographic information (VGI). The results showed that hikers differed significantly from traditional tourists in terms of travel time, travel mode and destination choice, which provide vital implications for sustainable policy-making and tourism management in general and in the southeastern margin of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in particular.

Yerel Halkın Turizm Algısı: Metaforik Bir Yaklaşım

Tourism plays a crucial role in shaping the economic, social, and environmental landscapes of destinations. However, its impact on local communities often remains a subject of concern. Understanding local people's perceptions of tourism is essential for sustainable tourism development. Metaphors have important functions in learning people's perceptions. However, metaphors have not attracted sufficient attention from tourism researchers as data sources. This paper explores the metaphorical representations used by local residents to articulate their thoughts and emotions regarding tourism. By analyzing these metaphors, it is aimed to gain deeper insights into the complex and multifaceted relationship between tourism and host communities, thereby informing effective strategies for responsible and sustainable tourism management. Qualitative methodology was used to explore this phenomenon. The participants were local people in Dereli, Turkey. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and processed through content analysis. Next, the metaphors found in the answers were categorized into different groups.

Recreational experience among beach users in Ghana: Insights for beach management

Abstract The connections between environmental quality and recreational experience outcomes at beaches are relevant data for sustainable coastal tourism management. This study, explores pollution perceptions and beach recreational experience factors among users. Data were collected from onsite beach users (N =309) in Ghana. The study used the Factor Analytic Model to explore the recreational experience factors in the study. Differences in users' recreational experiences were also analysed and established using the T-test and Analysis of variance (ANOVA). The findings revealed three recreational experience factors among beach users: Practical/escapism, Exciting and Aesthetic. Overall, Ghanaian beaches in Accra were vastly perceived as polluted. This has negatively dampened users' recreational experiences at the beaches, which has implications for revisit intentions. Respondents' age, continent of origin, gender, marital status and nationality were also found to be determinants of recreational experiences among beach users. The study recommends that the Ghana Tourism Authority, as the regulator, must closely and imminently collaborate with the local government, Environmental Protection Agency and local beach operators to develop specific requirements and standard operating procedures for managing and licensing beaches in Accra and throughout the country to help address this issue.