Categories Of Tourists Research Articles

Evolution and Trends in the Dynamics of Services in Romania: Impacts on the National Economy

This article aims to explore the evolution and current trends in the field of services in Romania, analyzing the factors that have influenced the dynamics of this sector and the impact on the national economy. The investigation and research stage of this project focuses on the following aspects: the definition of services, the etymology of the concept and their evolution in Romania. The various categories of services, namely education, tourism, transport, post and telecommunications and health will be examined to highlight their variety and importance in the national economy. A crucial aspect in understanding the dynamics of services in Romania is the identification of the factors that influenced the development of this sector. At the same time, government policy and relevant legislation in the field of services will be investigated, examining the measures taken to support the development and competitiveness of this sector. Another important aspect of the project consists in evaluating the impact of the dynamics of services on the Romanian economy. The contribution of the service sector to the national Gross Domestic Product, employment, exports and regional development will be analyzed. We will also explore the opportunities and challenges facing service businesses in Romania and examine issues related to innovation, digitization and service quality in the context of international competition. Keywords: development, population, Romania, services

Long-term dynamics of grasslands and livestock in Norwegian cultural landscapes: implications for a sustainable transition of rural livelihoods

ContextAbandonment of cultural landscape practices has had a notable impact on grasslands and domestic livestock that depend on them. This affects the prerequisites for sustainable transitions of cultural landscapes, which combine traditional livelihoods and novel ones like tourism.ObjectivesThe aims of this study were to explore (1) the long-term temporal dynamics of grassland and livestock in a regional gradient from coastal to inland landscapes in Norway and (2) the temporal development of tourism types among regions.MethodsUsing three regions as case studies, with 62 municipalities, we analyzed (1) the temporal dynamics of grassland and livestock using agricultural census data from 1918 to 1999 and (2) two tourism types. Kruskal–Wallis and ANOVA were used to examine whether the relative changes in grassland areas and livestock units, respectively, differed significantly among regions. A PCA was conducted to explore relationships between grassland and livestock types. The proportions of tourist categories were compared.ResultsThe grassland area and thematic resolution of census data declined over time. Grassland areas correlated with domestic livestock units. Multivariate analysis explained 68% of the variation in grassland and livestock types among municipalities. There was a notable increase in the number of tourists, with summer tourism dominating where the cultural landscape was well conserved.ConclusionsOur study underscores the importance of integrating regional historical trajectories for the conservation and use of valuable cultural landscapes, thereby providing sustainable transitions that combine traditional livelihoods and new types as tourism. Additional in-depth studies are needed to understand the detailed drivers of these changes.

Role of Body in Travel: Wheelchair Users’ Experience From a Multi-Sensory Perspective

The body plays a crucial role in the experience of tourists utilizing a wheelchair, providing a constant reminder of the need to pay attention to the “body-self.” However, the mechanism behind their travel experience remains a theoretical black hole that needs to be explored. Embodiment theory offers a unique perspective for investigating the formation of the experience of tourists who use wheelchairs. This study aims to examine the body practices during tourism activities. In-depth interviews and travel notes were conducted with 24 wheelchair users and 22 travel notes, revealing that their experience can be described in three stages: body appearance, body presence, and body departure. Understanding the tourism experience of individuals with disabilities requires an approach that combines the material body and social construction perspectives. This study also offers insights into comprehending the formation of tourism experiences for other categories of tourists with disabilities. Additionally, drawing from the research findings, this study presents relevant recommendations to enhance the travel experience of tourists who use wheelchairs.

SUITABILITY ANALYSIS FOR URBAN BICYCLE TOURISM OF ILOILO CITY USING GIS

Abstract. Urban bicycle tourism refers to the recreational and enjoyable use of bicycles in navigating urban cities like Iloilo City. The city has already established an 11-kilometer cycling infrastructure within its boundaries. It is imperative to maximize its use to combat the negative impacts of rapid urbanization and promote safe and sustainable transportation. This paper shows the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to assess the bike lanes network's suitability and accessibility for building a bike-sharing system that also caters to drop-off and ride-on points at each station. Deletion of duplicates and cleaning of road network data and tourist attraction point data was performed prior to any analysis. Service areas were generated to determine the number of tourist attractions catered by each potential bike share station – defined by main road intersections. Point distance analysis was performed to reduce the number of road intersections to just thirty-nine (39). Bicycle route maps and itineraries were produced to visualize the optimal routes tourists can use for exploring the city based on preferred sites category. From here, Route Analysis was conducted to create four (4) itineraries based on tourism categories: Top 10 Most Rated Tourist Attractions, Food and Dining, Museums and Churches, and Shopping and Leisure. The output maps and itineraries can be presented to the City Tourism Office of Iloilo City as a decision support tool for its programs and policies regarding bike lanes.

The attractiveness of rural tourism as special interest tourism: Case study on natural attractions in Bogor District

Tourism has become an activity of the needs of society in general, Tourism has become the main necessity of human life so that many tourists want to take a vacation to tourist attractions that they are interested in. There is a gap/problem that can be seen from this phenomenon, namely along with the development of tourism there is a problem called mass-tourism. Mass tourism occurs due to activities focused only on the most popular tourist attractions. This research was conducted to determine the potential for special interest tourism activities in Bogor Regency to minimize potential of mass tourism. The research method used qualitative methods with a case study approach. Data collection carried out is literature review, in-depth interviews, survey, and documentation. The interview data collected was analysed using triangulation techniques. Bogor Regency has a geographical type that falls into the category of rural tourism, which is dominated by highlands and many natural attractions have 20 attractions in the particular interest tourism category. Unique interest tourism attractions such as nature trekking, camping, mountain hiking, forest exploration, tourist / traditional villages, and agro-tourism. Tourists are interested in visiting special interest tourism objects with the highest percentage of 85.7%. The uniqueness and Novelty of this research is done to find out special interest tourism attractions in Bogor regency. The topic of previous research that is used as a reference in this research is tourism potential and tourism development strategies in Bogor regency.

EXPERIENCE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF HALAL TOURISM IN INDONESIA AND THE POSSIBILITY OF ITS APPLICATION IN UKRAINE

Actual scientific researches and issues analysis. Saifudin, Rosana Eri Puspita (2020), Fariana, Andi & Saripudin, Saripudin & Rukmana, Ovalia & Al, (2023), Huda, Nurul & Rini, Nova & Muslikh, Muslikh & Hidayat, Slamet & Takidah were engaged in the study of halal tourism, as well as the development of a strategy and the main directions of its further develop-ment. Erika & Sari, Dian & Husniyah, Af'idatul. (2022), Gunawan, Eddy & Sartiyah, Sartiyah. (2020) and others. The statement of basic materials. The researchers point out that the development of tourism in general, including halal tourism, is facilitated by a good geographical location. country or region. In this aspect, Ukraine occupies a fairly favorable geographical location, which can become attractive for wealthy tourists from the Persian Gulf countries. Climatic conditions also play an important role, and in this case, a temperate climate becomes a winning position, which can also attract tourists from the Middle East region, where the climate is quite hot in summer and who tend to stay in countries with a more temperate climate in summer. They are also attracted by relatively inexpensive medical care. Which they usually get either in India. Or in Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries, where the appropriate infrastructure has been created. Ukraine will be able to compete with the development of appropriate infrastructure and taking into account the religious characteristics of this category of tourists. In our country, there are virtually all conditions and opportunities for the development of halal tourism, including specialists who can certify the catering network, hotels, medical centers and other things for compliance with Halal standards. This study will focus on the religious aspects of the development of halal tourism. Which are reflected in Indonesia, which has a rich experience in the development of the tourism sector.

Assam Tourism-Scenario: The Path Trodden and the Way Forward

The paper explores the status, prospects, and challenges of sustainable tourism in the state of Assam, India. It identifies Wildlife Tourism, Cultural Tourism, Pilgrim Tourism, Golf Tourism, and Adventure Tourism as promising sectors. Assam, known as the Gateway to North-Eastern India, boasts a rich history, cultural vibrancy, and diverse natural beauty. The state attracts global tourists with its scenic landscapes, vibrant culture, and the allure of Blue Mountains. Wildlife Tourism is particularly popular, and Assam features the best hill stations in the region. The state offers various tourism categories, including Health-Based, Event-Based, Nature-Based, Rural-Based, Cultural, Fairs and Festivals-Based Tourism, River Tourism, and Water Leisure activities. However, challenges such as insufficient infrastructure and natural calamities like floods hinder the tourism sector. The paper suggests that addressing these challenges through a strategic and sustainable approach, can contribute to the state's growth and development; given its significant role in generating direct and indirect employment. The study relies on meticulously chosen secondary data for authenticity.

ПАЛОМНИЦТВО ТА РЕЛІГІЙНИЙ ТУРИЗМ У КОНТЕКСТІ РОЗВИТКУ ТУРИСТИЧНОЇ ІНДУСТРІЇ

The purpose of the article is to determine the specificity of pilgrimage and religious tourism and their potential in the development of the tourism industry. Methods. The research methodology is based on the use of general scientific and specific research methods. General scientific methods include the method of analysis and synthesis, generalization and abstraction, comparison and analogies. These methods allowed us to identify the specificity of pilgrimage and religious tourism, establish the differences between them, and outline distinctions in the motivation for travel of pilgrims and religious tourists. Results. It has been determined that pilgrimage and religious tourism are quite similar in terms of the participants' activities, but they differ in their motivations. The distinction between pilgrims and tourists also lies in how they perceive the experiences they gain: pilgrims are more interested in the content of the religious ceremony and its inner meaning, while religious tourists are attracted to the aesthetic and emotional aspects of destinations. However, despite these differences, both religious tourism and pilgrimage contribute to the formation of tourists' experiences based on their participation in religious practices and the exploration of cultural achievements. Promoting many destinations based on their religious potential can be aimed not only at believers and pilgrims but also at other categories of tourists who intend to study the history, culture, traditions, and beliefs of the local population, as well as to become acquainted with their secular and spiritual practices. This can serve as an important tool for fostering harmonious relations between nations and countries. The scientific novelty is in the discovery of modern approaches to the classification of pilgrimage and religious tourism that dominate in foreign science. Common and distinctive features have been identified that influence the motivation of travelers and their expectations from the journey. The practical significance of the work lies in the discovery that cultural and religious heritage can be transformed into a shared asset that brings not only spiritual benefit but also socio-economic gain to local residents and aesthetic satisfaction to tourists. Religious tourism can utilize local resources, such as sacred sites, to attract tourists who wish to participate in the traditions and culture of a specific tourist destination. This can contribute to the preservation of cultural heritage and ensure the sustainability of the area's development.

Immersive technologies as a promising mechanism to reduce the negative impact on natural and cultural tourist sites

Deterioration of architectural monuments, negative impact on natural monuments and closure of tourist sites, manifestations of over tourism negative consequences, transformation of consumer behaviour associated with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and other infectious diseases are only a small part of the global problems faced by the world tourism industry. The study aims to form a conceptual idea of the immersive technologies role in reducing the negative impact on natural and cultural tourist facilities, revealing their potential as a positive factor that affects consumer preferences and environmental awareness of potential tourists. The study analyzed statistical data allowing estimating the current state of the immersive tourism technologies market. Besides, the article analyses the degree of demand for these digital tools in various types of tourism in the context of the importance of preservation of cultural monuments and natural heritage on the basis of the survey of potential target audience. The authors provided a classification of immersive technologies in tourism, and evaluated the possibility of their integration into specific tourism products on the basis of existing successful implementation practices. As a result of the answers to the proposed research questions the authors conclude that immersive technologies have become an important factor that influence the decision to purchase a certain tourist product or service, as well as accelerates the probability of visiting a specific tourist attraction. This proves that in modern reality tourism is one of the key sectors of the economy, which focuses is not only on the experience economy, but also on ecological awareness of potential categories of tourists

Attractiveness of Arctic tourism in the Verkhoyansky district of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)

The relevance of this study is conditioned by the fact that on the territory of the Verkhoyansky district there are numerous natural, historical and cultural objects that may be included in tourist routes for the purpose of further development of inbound tourism not only in the Verkhoyansky district, but also in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). With due attention to the development of the tourism industry, it can become one of the most promising and dynamically expanding industries in the region. The article considers the theoretical foundations of Arctic tourism. The Verkhoyansky district is characterized in terms of its tourist-recreational potential, as well as its primary cultural and natural attractions. The objects are considered from the point of view of their touristic attractiveness. In purpose of revealing the factors of development of Arctic tourism in the northern regions of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), a survey among students was conducted. The object of the study is Arctic tourism, and the subject of the study is the attractiveness of Arctic tourism on the territory of the Verkhoyansky district of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). The Arctic regions of Yakutia at this stage are not so well known and accessible to tourists. Against the background of worsening environmental problems, these territories may become a full-fledged tourist destination for certain categories of tourists.

АНАЛИЗ ВЛИЯНИЯ ТРАНСПОРТНОЙ ИНФРАСТРУКТУРЫ НА ПРИВЛЕКАТЕЛЬНОСТЬ ТУРИСТСКОЙ ДЕСТИНАЦИИ КАБАРДИНО-БАЛКАРСКАЯ РЕСПУБЛИКА

For the development of domestic tourism, it is necessary to expand the list of tourist destinations in our country. The Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, which for many years belonged to the economically depressed regions and has an established negative brand image of a tourist destination, has a rich tourism potential. The international events of recent months, including sanctions against Russia and the closure of transport links between our country and many countries of the world clearly prove the thesis of the critical importance of transport infrastructure in the structure of a tourist destination. In this paper, the transport infrastructure as part of the tourist infrastructure of the KBR destination, its impact on the tourist image and the attractiveness of the region for different categories of tourists was studied. Changes in the transport infrastructure are proposed in order to improve the tourist image of the destination and the subsequent increase in the tourist flow, which will contribute to solving the problem of developing domestic tourism in the Russian Federation.

Ecotourism in Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, India: assessment of participation, economic benefits and conservation goals

ABSTRACT Ecotourism is a special category of tourism that links livelihood and conservation. However, the efficacy of ecotourism in conservation and the promotion of the livelihood system of local people in and around the protected area needs in-depth investigation. The paper has used a mixed-method approach to examine the factors that affect the participation of residents in ecotourism-related businesses, assess the economic impact of ecotourism, and analyse the impact of participation on the preservation of natural resources in Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha, India. Using social exchange theory as the base, the study finds that land availability of the family, age between 20 and 35, graduation and above education, and earning members as a proportion of total members are the factors affecting households’ incidence of participation in ecotourism significantly. Ecotourism participation has positively influenced the asset holdings such as owning lighta, fans, and televisions as well as housing ownership, types of housing, sanitary condition and fuel wood used by the participants. The empirical results show that participation and economic benefits are reflected in the lesser dependency of the participants on the sanctuary. Proper strategies need to be designed for an inclusive ecotourism approach in BKWS, one which is economically beneficial and environmentally sustainable.

Potensi Pengembangan Ekowisata Pada Kawasan Objek Wisata Alam Batu Jato Di Kecamatan Nanga Taman Kabupaten Sekadau

The Potential of Developing Ecotourism in the Batu Jato Natural Tourism Area in the Nanga Taman District, Sekadau Regency. Batu Jato is one of the natural tourist destinations located in Pantok Village, Nanga Taman District, Sekadau Regency, West Kalimantan. Batu Jato has the potential of an area that is feasible to develop as an ecotourism area. The purpose of this study was to analyze the potential of the Batu Jato tourist attraction area to be developed as an ecotourism area. This research was conducted from June 2022 to September 2022 in the Batu Jato area. The method used in this research is the Purposive Sampling method. Based on the results of the research, the Jato stone tourism area has a variety of very interesting potentials, some of which are: beautiful landscapes, biological resources of flora and fauna, religious tourism sites, and community culture. Based on the results of the IKW calculation at each research station, the camping/outbound tourism category is included in the unsuitable category, while the sitting tour is included in the suitable category. The results of the DDK calculation at each station show that the maximum number of visitors is 253 people / day. The SWOT analysis diagram shows that internal and external factors are in Quadrant I, which creates a strategy that uses strengths to take advantage of existing opportunities.zzz

How tourists’ negative and positive emotions motivate their intentions to reduce food waste

Food waste significantly contributes to complex socioeconomic and environmental problems. The tourism sector is not immune to these sustainability challenges. This research examines how both negative and positive emotions build tourists’ intentions to reduce food waste. The study employs two experiments and a survey to establish causality among the key constructs and test the nomological network of those constructs. Results demonstrate a causal relationship between guilt, regret and hope and how these constructs interplay to explain the impact of a tourist’s perceptions of potential cost and harm from not implementing food waste-reduction practices. Additionally, four tourist categories are developed using fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA). The results of fsQCA identify different configurations of tourists who seek to reduce food waste. This study encourages tourism operators to leverage positive emotions, such as hope, in marketing communications to encourage food waste reduction. A key contribution of this work is the examination of the variable of ‘hope’, and its effect in the context of food waste behaviour among tourists. This is the first study to examine how the interaction between tourists’ negative (guilt and regret) and positive (hope) emotions motivates their intentions to reduce food waste.

Collaborative Filtering-Based Recommendation Systems for Touristic Businesses, Attractions, and Destinations

The success of touristic businesses, attractions, and destinations heavily relies on travel agents’ recommendations, which significantly impact client satisfaction. However, the underlying recommendation process employed by travel agents remains poorly understood. This study presents a conceptual model of the recommendation process and empirically investigates the influence of tourism categories on agents’ destination recommendations. By employing collaborative filtering-based recommendation systems and comparing various algorithms, including matrix factorization and deep learning models, such as the bilateral variational autoencoder (BiVAE) and light graph convolutional neural network, this research provides insights into the performance of different techniques in the context of tourism. The models were evaluated using a tourism dataset and assessed through a range of metrics. The results indicate that the BiVAE algorithm outperformed others in terms of ranking and prediction metrics, underscoring the significance of considering multiple measurements and exploring diverse techniques. The findings have practical implications for tourism marketers seeking to influence travel agents and offer valuable insights for researchers investigating this domain. Additionally, the proposed model holds potential for applications in travel recommendation systems, including attraction recommendations.

Exploring Nature’s Abode: Unveiling Kerala’s Enchanting Forest Ecotourism Products

The state of Kerala, renowned for its lush forests and diverse ecosystems, has embraced forest ecotourism as a means of sustainable economic development. This paper goes through the realm of Kerala’s enchanting forest tourism products, investigating tourist satisfaction levels and variations across different categories of tourists. The study’s objectives encompass comprehending tourist satisfaction with Kerala Forest ecotourism’s products and services and discerning whether satisfaction varies among foreign, domestic, and local visitors. The primary data was collected through structured interviews with a sample of 400 tourists who visited 16 forest ecotourism sites across Kerala. Secondary data was sourced from records maintained by the Kerala Forest Department, including official reports and information provided by the Ecotourism wing of the department. Satisfaction levels were measured using a 5-point Likert scale for 17 forest products. Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) and subsequent univariate ANOVA tests unveiled significant variations in satisfaction levels across different categories oftouristsforspecific products. Results showcased that tourist satisfaction with forest ecotourism products was moderate on average, with distinctions observed in satisfaction levels among different tourist categories. The study underscores the necessity of tailoring marketing strategies and product offerings to suit the preferences of diverse tourists. The findings provide insights for policymakers, tour operators, and local communities to enhance the attractiveness and sustainability of forest ecotourism in Kerala. Hence this research also sheds light on the complex dynamics of tourist satisfaction in Kerala’s forest ecotourism context.

Stages of tourism development

Tourism refers to that type of human activity, whose history begins long before the emergence of a civilized society. In each historical epoch there are such elements of human activity that, one way or another, fall under the category of tourism. The article discusses the development of tourism and the norms of its regulation.

‘Should I Go or Should I Stay?’ Why Do Romanians Choose the Bulgarian Seaside for Their Summer Holiday?

Until 2020, sea and sun destinations all over the world experienced a surge in the number of tourists, including those in Central and Eastern European countries. During and after the pandemic period, changes in the main source markets took place. Consequently, this paper aims to analyze the main reasons Romanian tourists choose a destination on the Romanian or Bulgarian seaside for their holiday, using semi-structured interviews with tourists and subsequently the narrative analysis technique. The results indicate that their reasons fall into four categories, namely: (i) hedonistic consumption (available products and services, amenities, and the physical environment); (ii) functional value (value for money, subsidies, quality of services, accessibility, and convenience); (iii) tourist hesitation (situational constraints and perceived risks); and (iv) social value. Additionally, based on their choices, we identified five main categories of tourists—two of them include tourists who travel to the Bulgarian resorts either due to the perceived higher quality of services or because it is the cheapest option, while the remaining three categories refer to tourists choosing the Romanian seaside. Implications for Romanian stakeholders are also discussed.

The Theoretical Background of Virtual Reality and Its Implications for the Tourism Industry

Fueled by the Internet and artificial intelligence, virtual tourism represents an innovative integration of advanced technologies within the tourism industry. The 360 degree panoramic video has emerged as the most prevalent form of virtual tourism both domestically and internationally, owing to its affordability, ease of use, and mild impact. Nevertheless, the advent and proliferation of virtual reality (VR) has unlocked new opportunities in the tourism sector, as VR offers enhanced immersion and a more authentic user experience. Although VR is already employed in various capacities within the industry, it holds the potential to elevate virtual tourism to unprecedented heights. Diverging from prior research, this study examines virtual tourism as a distinct category of tourism that may materialize in the future. A focus group interview and a survey involving 243 respondents were conducted to gauge individuals’ receptiveness to virtual tourism. Participants responded to questions regarding their travel habits and their perceptions of virtual tourism. Data analysis revealed concerns surrounding the technological aspects of virtual tourism: over 20% of respondents were entirely unfamiliar with VR, and a mere 17% utilized the technology. A larger proportion, nearly 40%, lacked awareness of VR’s application in the tourism industry, and only 11.20% had personal experience with it. Concurrently, the Likert scale indicated that respondents recognized the advantages of virtual tourism in comparison to traditional travel, but they expressed skepticism about the technological advancements. Overall, most respondents displayed curiosity and a willingness to explore virtual tourism. These findings hold significant implications for both theoretical understanding and practical implementation within the tourism industry.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cross-border shopping tourism: the case of Hungary

By today the smooth functioning of the global economy has been highly dependent on the uninterrupted flow of factors across borders. The free flow of tourists is also inevitable for the proper functioning of the global tourism industry. However, tourism and various forms of cross-border (tourism) activities were put under unprecedented pressure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, since most countries, including Hungary, introduced serious restrictions on mobility to slow down the spread of the virus. This paper focuses on a relatively under-researched topic, cross-border shopping tourism in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the outbreak of the pandemic, shopping tourism was deemed to be an increasingly important component of the tourism value chain. Several studies have demonstrated that shopping has become one of the most favourable activities among tourists and one of the major categories of tourists’ expenditure. Based on the review of the relevant literature, the paper introduces the notion and forms of shopping tourism and discusses the major research topics with special regard to the effects of the pandemic and other types of crisis events. The impact of the pandemic on shopping tourism is observed through the example of Hungary, whereby the effects of restrictions, exchange rate fluctuations, and price-level differences on the number of in- and outbound shopping trips, and the related expenditures, are evaluated. Results show that re-bordering processes due to the pandemic have not only resulted in an unprecedented decline in cross-border shopping tourism, but they also contributed to the spatial restructuring of shopping (tourism) and retailing. The pandemic not only sustained cross-border differentials vital to shopping tourism but sometimes even created new forms of them; these differences, however, could not counter the negative effects of restricted international mobility. The paper aims to contribute to the literature on cross-border tourism by reviewing the effects and consequences of COVID-19 and related restrictions on shopping tourism.