Diverse Tourism Research Articles

What is at the heart of Macao tourism? Residents’ perspective in implicit and explicit associations with Macao destination images

ABSTRACT Macao's image has been purposefully crafted to reflect tourism diversification strategies, but if not grounded in reality, these efforts will only lead to image confusion. This study uses residents as destination experts and taps into their implicit associations using the Implicit Association Test (IAT) to assess the strength of their associations with various aspects of Macao's image projected to tourists. Based on the Associative Network Theory of Memory (ANT), casino hotels and events emerged as the most automatized, while shopping and art were the least rooted associations at an implicit level. By further comparing residents’ implicit associations with their explicit reflections, a deeply rooted resentment of casino image was discovered, raising concerns for residents’ willingness to support this prominent local industry and the reliability of the image projected to tourists. Practical implications for policymakers are discussed.

Evolving visitors/tourists’ demands, preference and future expectations, related to 7PS sustainability during and after the pandemic through the X.0 wave/tomorrow age theory (when X.0=5.0)

PurposeThis study explores evolving tourist preferences post-COVID-19, focusing on the growing demand for sustainable tourism. Using the X.0 wave/tomorrow age theory when X.0 = 5.0, it identifies transformative trends influencing the tourism industry's adaptation to new sustainability expectations.Design/methodology/approachA mixed-methods approach combines extensive surveys and interviews with diverse tourist profiles to examine behaviors and preferences. The seven pillars of sustainability (7PS) model frames the analysis.FindingsTourism is shifting toward sustainable practices, emphasizing cultural differences, environmental stewardship, social engagement, economic resilience, technological infrastructure, educational methods and political supports. The integration of X.0 wave theory with SME 5.0 concepts highlights the importance of responsible tourism aligned with evolving tourist expectations.Originality/valueThis study pioneers the application of the X.0 wave/tomorrow age theory to tourism, offering a novel framework for sustainable practices. It provides insights for making tourism resilient, ecologically sound and socially responsible, meeting post-pandemic visitor demands.

Pengembangan Survei Kebutuhan Pendidikan Dan Pelatihan Kepariwisataan: Peningkatkan Kapasitas Masyarakat Desa Sanrobone, Kabupaten Takalar

Takalar Regency, South Sulawesi, possesses diverse tourism potential encompassing nature, culture, history, marine, and man-made attractions. Tourism development in this region contributes to the improvement of the local economy. However, based on observations and needs analysis conducted by the Community Service team from Makassar Tourism Polytechnic, training is necessary. Tourism managers of Sanrobone Village require collaboration between the government, educational institutions, and local communities. The tourism training program implemented by Makassar Tourism Polytechnic aims to support the development and improvement of human resource quality in Sanrobone Village, Takalar Regency, as well as increase tourism knowledge and awareness among local communities. Through this program, it is expected to assist in the development and management of Sanrobone Village to become an excellent tourist village. The interactive method of delivering material that considers participants' needs is key to the success of this program. The materials include Tourism Awareness and Sapta Pesona, Service Excellence, Digital Marketing, and an explanation of the requirements to meet the ADWI criteria. The conclusion from the training implementation is to maximize the natural, cultural, and historical potential in Sanrobone Village, thus impacting the increase of community tourism awareness in the environment surrounding the Tourist Attraction. Human resource development training for managers is expected to help realize an excellent tourist village."

Evaluating tourism scenarios within the limit of acceptable change framework in Barcelona

This article introduces an expanded Limit of Acceptable Change model, enhancing the traditional approach by incorporating various tourism scenarios and a broader range of indicators. This approach allows to gain a more comprehensive understanding and foresee the effects of diverse tourist profiles and intensities of use in Barcelona. It considers factors like motivation, origin, and accommodation type, and evaluates their effects on key sustainability indicators. The study reveals that significant shifts in tourism patterns are required to impact these indicators noticeably, emphasizing the need to consider both tourist numbers and typologies in sustainable tourism management. This approach equips destination planners with a valuable tool for strategic decision-making and long-term planning.

Analysis on the impact of internet use on residents' tourism consumption behavior and the mechanism of action.

Tourism consumption as a typical representative of service consumption, has strong comprehensiveness and driving force, continuously expanding new consumption upgrade space. In the context of the digital economy, the development of the mobile internet has opened up new opportunities for the tourism industry acting as an important factor influencing the consumer behaviour of the residents. Based on 9007 resident survey data from the China General Social Survey (CGSS) in 2017, this paper explores the relationship between Internet use, access to information and residents' travel consumption behavior by means of probit model and mediating effect model. First, according to the findings, Internet use has a positive impact on residents' travel consumption behavior, increasing residents' tourism expenditure. Second, the mechanism suggests that access to information plays a partially mediating role between Internet use and travel consumption behavior. Third, further analysis revealed that, for the retired population, the more frequently they use the Internet, the more likely they are to spend on travel. Compared to those with lower incomes, those with higher incomes will spend less on travel after retirement. With this in mind, in order to promote residents' tourism consumption, speed and fee reduction should be continuously promoted, urban and rural information infrastructure should be strengthened, and accessibility of tourism information for residents should be improved. At the same time, there is a need to innovate the way tourism products are promoted, improve the types of tourism products and launch diversified tourism products.

The perception of mayors of the Douro Demarcated Region about tourism development

This research aims to understand how local authorities consider tourism a sustainable development vector and identify critical areas of improvement. This work addresses the perception of the mayors of municipal chambers in the Demarcated Douro Region (DDR; Portugal) regarding issues related to the region’s tourist sector, precisely challenges and opportunities associated with promoting sustainable development in regional tourism. The surveys were conducted with mayors throughout the DDR, employing a structured questionnaire to collect data on their perspectives. The analysis revealed that mayors consider tourism, especially wine tourism, gastronomy, and promoting natural and cultural heritage, significant drivers for the region’s devel- opment. However, challenges such as poor accessibility, lack of private investment, and demographic issues have also been identified. The study highlights a strong disposition among municipalities to cooperate in the seasonality approach of tourism and promote the DDR as a comprehensive and diverse tourist destination. The findings emphasise the need for improvements in transport infrastructure, innova- tion support, entrepreneurship, and the importance of cultural and sporting events for the attraction of tourists throughout the year. This paper provides valuable information on the perspectives of local DDRs on tourism by offering planning guidance and promot- ing more sustainable and inclusive tourist practices.

Consuming placelessness: a geographic critique of current Antarctic tourism development

This paper explores the ongoing development of products, activities, and experiences in the rapidly expanding Antarctic tourism industry and their potential implications for the production of Antarctic places. Informed by theories of place and placelessness, the paper identifies three particular place framings informed by tourism diversification: the compression of time and space, the detachment of Antarctica from Earth, and the progressive consumption of wilderness through luxury and comfort. The paper argues that these dynamics may contribute to a detachment from the ways in which Antarctic places are situationally and materially assembled, leading to the abstraction, simplification, and obfuscation of socio-material relations making for a place. The possible consequence is the transformation of the Antarctic into a placeless space of consumption. By emphasizing the detachment facilitated by certain prominent activities and infrastructure, the paper contributes to debates about tourism destination development, urging consideration of how tourism can be shaped to foster an appreciation of places in their own right.

THE IMPORTANCE OF URBAN RECREATION SERVICES IN CREATING A BRAND CITY

This paper aims to identify the role of activities in recreational areas in the city in creating and directing a brand city and to verify that tourist values have a significant impact on city branding. In this regard, the study was planned for people living in Turkestan or coming from outside the city and visiting recreation areas in the city, and the sample of the study was carried out with 165 visitors selected by random method. Throughout this investigation, one of the methods of data collection was used the survey method. Findings showed a positive and significant relationship between attractiveness, which are the criteria for City branding, and city’s image (r=0.629; pp<0.001). It is suggested that city’s locals and administrating authorities should take actions considering the factors of this research. From the viewpoint of diverse tourists, especially local cuisine is important in attracting tourists individually and collectively.

Unlocking Tourism Diversity in Winter: Clusters of Tourists in Lisbon Based on Motivations, Profiles, and Behaviour

Recent trends in Lisbon's winter tourism indicate a shift towards off-peak travel, attracting diverse visitors with its rich cultural heritage, sustainable initiatives, and extended stay options for digital nomads. The city's culinary scene, arts, wellness activities, and tech-driven tourism options enhance its appeal. Aligned with these recent trends, tourism in Lisbon's region during the winter season presents a unique and dynamic landscape influenced by a wide range of motivations, tourist profiles, and travel behaviours. This study aims to define distinctive clusters of winter tourists in Lisbon by analysing these key variables, providing valuable insights specific to the winter travel context. Based on a compiled dataset from the winter season in Lisbon, this study delves into examining the factors driving tourist visits, encompassing socio-economic backgrounds, travel frequency, and age demographics. We aim to reveal the distinctive subgroups that define Lisbon's winter tourist population, employing data analysis techniques such as cluster analysis. From an academic perspective, this study offers a novel tourist segmentation model based on motivations, profiles, and behaviour. This model enriches the existing body of knowledge in tourism studies, providing a valuable reference for future research. For tourism agents in Lisbon, this study provides actionable insights to enhance strategic decision-making. By segmenting winter tourists, they can tailor marketing strategies and product development to cater to diverse tourist segments. Moreover, this approach can lead to economic benefits, optimising resource allocation, and revenue generation.

The integration and challenges of digital economy with the tourism industry: Evidence from the Yellow River Basin in China

As the global economic landscape evolves, the digital economy becomes a central domain, gradually deepening and widening its confluence with diverse fields. This study aims to systematically explain the intricacies and dynamics of the amalgamation of the digital economy with tourism within the Yellow River Basin. The study builds an evaluative framework based on integrative development mechanisms; this study measures the combined development between the tourism industry and the digital economy between 2011 and 2021. After this quantification, it delves into their unified growth spatiotemporal nuances and discerns impediments based on an obstacle degree analysis. As far as development is concerned, a paradigm of “dual-track convergence” is observed in the Basin, showcasing the gradual ascension of digitalization and diversification of tourism. Regarding the coupling coordination degree (CCD), the nexus between the two exhibits temporal dynamics of a “spiral ascent followed by a transient descent” and a spatial “U-shaped differentiation,” undoubtedly reflecting the vivacity and heterogeneity inherent in their integration.Regarding impediments, the analysis reveals a multifaceted dynamism of barriers across various strata. Systemically, the tourism sector encounters escalating hindrances, with digital infrastructure and market breadth constituting predominant sectoral bottlenecks. On the indicator plane, critical limiting factors include tourism's foreign exchange earnings, the influx of inbound tourists, the proliferation of web pages, e-commerce turnover, and the count of corporate entities within the software and information technology services domain. This study is based on the theory of collaborative development and offers nuanced recommendations by dissecting the co-progress of tourism and the digital economy. The insights tendered herein profoundly impact China and the global community in fostering the common proliferation in both fields.

Trends In Tourism Recommendation Systems: A Review

Tourism Recommendation Systems (TRS) are increasingly important in the tourism industry to provide personalized recommendations based on diverse tourist preferences. Technology and big data have transformed TRS from traditional travel agencies to modern digital platforms, enabling the processing of vast amounts of user-generated data for precise recommendations. The study aims to identify strengths and weaknesses within existing TRS frameworks and techniques, propose recommendations to mitigate these weaknesses, and provide insights for practitioners and researchers. Key findings are the effectiveness of personalized and context-aware recommendations, the importance of multimodal data integration, the need for ethical and fair recommendation practices. Future directions in TRS research should focus on exploring and developing explainable AI and transparency, personalization at scale, enhancing multimodal recommendation capabilities, and ensuring ethical and fair recommendation. This review contributes to a deeper understanding of contemporary TRS methodologies and provides actionable insights for enhancing TRS performance. By addressing current trends and proposing recommendations for future research, this paper aims to advance the field of TRS and improve travel experiences for tourists.

Stakeholder Perspectives on Tourism Infrastructure Development in Kashmir Valley

This study provides a rigorous evaluation of tourism infrastructure in the Kashmir Valley, concentrating on the perceptions of key stakeholders within the tourism sector. The research encompasses a detailed assessment across five major tourism destinations, evaluating a spectrum of factors including the diversity of tourism products, the region's dependency on tourism, and patterns of visitor influx. By applying an extensive analytical framework, this study identifies and elucidates critical weaknesses in the infrastructure’s performance, examining the challenges through a scientifically robust approach. Data were meticulously collected and analysed to ascertain the current state of tourism infrastructure, revealing significant deficiencies and operational inefficiencies that impede effective performance. The study's findings underscore the pressing need for strategic interventions tailored to address specific infrastructural shortcomings, geographical peculiarities, and the distinctive requirements of various tourism sites in the Kashmir Valley. This approach not only highlights the inadequacy of current infrastructure but also emphasizes the necessity of aligning infrastructure development with the region's diverse tourism landscape. The study's conclusions advocate for targeted policy recommendations aimed at enhancing infrastructure capabilities and operational efficiency. By ensuring that infrastructure development is both sufficient in quantity and appropriately aligned with regional tourism demands, the research aims to foster sustainable growth and resilience in the tourism sector of Kashmir Valley. This comprehensive analysis contributes to a deeper understanding of the interplay between tourism infrastructure and industry performance, offering valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders engaged in tourism development.

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE OF TOURIST PRODUCT DIVERSIFICATION

Tourist product diversification is a strategic approach employed by global destinations to enhance their appeal and sustainability by broadening the range of attractions and activities available to visitors. This paper explores international experiences of tourist product diversification, examining case studies from diverse regions including Europe, Asia, North America, Africa, and South America. The research highlights key drivers of diversification, including economic stability, environmental sustainability, and cultural preservation. Case studies from Spain, Thailand, Japan, and other regions illustrate successful diversification strategies and their impact on local economies and tourism sustainability. The study contributes to the understanding of how diverse destinations manage and leverage tourism diversification to achieve long-term success and sustainability..

Tourists’ narrative engagement and the multidimensional construction of historic urban landscapes: exploring the role of narration in place attachment

This study explores how the tourists’ narration contributes to the construction of the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL), with the forming of place attachment. Leveraging the Zaltman Metaphor Elicitation Technique, this study investigates tourists’ narration of Wuzhen, a historic town in China. The results reveal that tourists have a substantial influence on crafting a fresh narrative, actively contributing to the inclusive cultural landscape within the context of indigenous urbanisation in the HUL. Place attachment forms within this process, first with the cultivation of familiarity, then with the development of meaningful memories for city-dwelling tourists. These findings establish a correlation between tourist narration, place attachment, and the construction of the HUL. The study then highlights the creation of a multi-dimensional landscape representation due to diverse tourist narratives and underscores the previously undervalued role of narration as an essential element in the framework of place attachment.

Leveraging emojis as visual semiotics for enhanced engagement in destination marketing

While emojis serve as a proxy of emotion in digital environments and pave the way for new epistemological viewpoints in destination marketing, certain symbols fail to receive equal attention. This study explores the sentiment of emojis across social media posts featuring different destination characteristics and their impact on engagement. By employing topic modelling and permutation feature importance, the findings revealed 21 topics based on diverse tourism contexts and the relative importance of different emoji types in predicting engagement. Moreover, in addition to bridging semiotics, data science, and tourism, this research also provides a deeper understanding of leveraging visual semiotics through their embedded sentiment.

The implementation of Importance Performance Analysis (IPA) to determine the quality of service towards the tourists’ expectations of Al-Fatih tour & travel

Improving service quality to meet diverse tourist expectations. Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) is an effective method for evaluating and enhancing service quality. Significant transformations in the tourism industry involve global mobility, technology, and changing customer preferences. Tourists now expect friendly personal interactions, fast service, and experiences tailored to their needs. Holistic and structured assessments are required to identify areas needing improvement and to allocate resources effectively. IPA helps BPW management set priorities and improvement strategies based on the differences between the importance and performance of service elements. This study aims to implement IPA in evaluating services at Al-Fatih Tour Travel, highlighting nine priority services that need enhancement to meet tourists' expectations. The results using the IPA Cartesian diagram show nine priority services to be improved in quality: (1) Environmental conditions, (2) Appearance, (3) Accuracy in fulfilling promises, (4) Booking and delivery services, (5) Fast and accurate service, (6) Readiness to provide service, (7) Providing a sense of security, (8) Knowledge and skills according to their field, (9) Treating tourists with full attention.

The future of events in the tourism industry: the case of the “Best of the Best Things to Do 2023” on TripAdvisor

PurposeThis study aims to use TripAdvisor data to identify which themes and events will attract more interest in the future of tourism activities and to provide guidance to the industry accordingly.Design/methodology/approachThis study used qualitative case study approach. To identify key themes in the top-rated activities, thematic analysis of user-generated content was conducted through MAXQDA 2020 Analytics Pro software.FindingsThe findings of this study indicate a growing trend in tourist preferences, with a notable increase in the popularity of wellness activities such as spa treatments and yoga retreats. Tourists also highly prefer cultural experiences like local festivals and historical tours, adventure activities such as hiking and water sports, and food-related activities like cooking classes and wine tastings. There is a significant trend towards sustainable and environmentally friendly tourism activities. These results underscore the need to cater to diverse tourist interests in developing future tourism offerings.Practical implicationsDeveloping innovative events, using data-driven marketing strategies, involving local communities, and catering to diverse preferences can enhance the sustainability and competitiveness of the tourism sector.Social implicationsUnderstanding tourists' tendencies towards cultural, adventurous and sustainable experiences helps tourism operators and managers to create offers that satisfy tourists while promoting environmentally friendly practices. This shift promotes cultural preservation, environmental protection and community involvement.Originality/valueThis study uniquely analyzes top-rated TripAdvisor activities to identify key trends in tourist preferences, highlighting the growing demand for cultural, adventurous, gastronomic, and sustainable tourism.

Pembangunan Wilayah Berbasis Potensi Wisata Halal di Banten

Banten Province, with its rapid growth and diverse tourism potential, presents significant opportunities for developing halal tourism. Halal tourism, guided by Islamic Sharia principles, has become increasingly crucial in the global context today. The aim of this research is to analyze the potential, development, opportunities, and challenges in developing halal tourism in Banten Province. The research methodology employed in this article involves a qualitative approach. Qualitative methods are utilized to explore the perspectives and perceptions of the community towards halal tourism, as well as to understand relevant cultural values. Data sources for this research include secondary data. Secondary data may originate from related literature, government reports, tourism industry publications, and other relevant sources of information. The data collection technique involves literature review. The research findings provide a profound understanding of the potential of halal tourism in Banten Province and evaluate the challenges and opportunities for sustainable industry development. Therefore, this article makes a significant contribution to supporting the vision of Banten Province as a leading destination for halal tourism at both national and global levels.

Assessing the reactions of tourist markets to reinstated travel restrictions in the destination during the post-COVID-19 phase

This study, leveraging search engine data, investigates the dynamics of China's domestic tourism markets in response to the August 2022 epidemic outbreak in Xinjiang. It focuses on understanding the reaction mechanisms of tourist-origin markets during destination crises in the post-pandemic phase. Notably, the research identifies a continuous rise in the potential tourism demand from tourist origin cities, despite the challenges posed by the epidemic. Further analysis uncovers a regional disparity in the growth of tourism demand, primarily influenced by the economic stratification of origin markets. Additionally, the study examines key tourism attractions such as Duku Road, highlighting its resilient competitive system, which consists of distinctive tourism experiences, economically robust tourist origins, diverse tourist markets, and spatial pattern stability driven by economic factors in source cities, illustrating an adaptive response to external challenges such as crises. The findings provide new insights into the dynamics of tourism demand, offering a foundation for developing strategies to bolster destination resilience and competitiveness in times of health crises.

Analisis Potensi Pengembangan Kawasan Desa Wisata Di Pulau Galang

This research aims to identify the tourism potential of Galang Island. The assumption underlying this research is that the development of a Tourism Village area can increase the overall tourism attractiveness of Galang Island and provide economic and social benefits for the local community. This research uses a case study approach because it is in accordance with the nature of research that centers on observing specific phenomena and contexts so that researchers can collect data thoroughly through observation, interviews, and document analysis related to the development of the Tourism Village area on the island. This research found that Galang Island has significant tourism potential with community support, but the challenges of infrastructure and economic empowerment still need to be overcome and require further research for tourism diversification and collaboration with the private sector.