Tourism Management Plans Research Articles

Valuing surfing ecosystems: an environmental economics and natural resources management perspective

Surfing ecosystems—surf breaks and their surrounding areas—can provide multifaceted benefits, including support for tourism industries, personal and social wellbeing and shoreline protection. Previous research has predominantly concentrated on quantifying direct expenditures, sidelining non-market values, and failing to consider the interactions between multiple ecosystem components. To address these gaps, this paper provides a review of key principles of environmental economics and natural resource management in relation to surfing ecosystems. We examine how the value of surfing ecosystems can affect (and be affected by) factors related to environmental sustainability, tourism demands and economic development. We propose a novel framework for characterizing the values of surfing ecosystems and conducting economic assessments, based on six main features: (i) surf breaks, (ii) surfing resources, (iii) surfing ecosystems, (iv) economic values, (v) economic valuation, (vi) equity and sustainability. This structured approach may serve to improve decision-making processes concerning environmental changes that impact surfing ecosystems, including tourism management plans and environmental regulations. Our study aligns with broader global initiatives to better account for ocean-based values and support sustainable, nature-based tourism.

Tourism Morphometrics in Venice: Constructing a Tourism Services Index (TSI) to unmask the spatial interplay between tourism and urban form

Understanding how the built environment affects tourism saturation in cities is of central importance to the efficacy of tourism management strategies that rely on spatial datasets to inform space-specific policies. By employing the historic city of Venice (Italy) as a case study, this article provides a nuanced methodology defined as “tourism morphometrics” to inform tourism management plans and to detect urban form configurations prone to “overtourism.” The research contribution is twofold: first, it harnesses spatial datasets on lodging (6642 Airbnb listings, InsideAirbnb), dining (997 restaurants, Tripadvisor), and shopping (226 stores, Google Points of Interest) to construct a highly-granular ‘Tourism Services Index’ (TSI) that reveals the spatial distribution of tourism service capacity in Venice; second, it empirically reveals the spatial interplay between urban form parameters—landmarks, bridges, and street network—and TSI values. More specifically, statistical analyses found that TSI scores were positively associated with the number of street intersections, street widths values, and proximity to landmarks and bridges in Venice. The results offer insights into the relationship between tourism services and the spatial features of urban environments in which visitors move and behave. By leveraging by-product geospatial datasets, this research argues for a renewed management of overtourism through space-specific planning models.

WRITING A RESEARCH FRAMEWORK FOR AN EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM POLICY IMPLEMENTATION IN CAMBODIA: A CASE OF ANGKOR WORLD HERITAGE AREA

This article aims at writing a research framework for exploring sustainable cultural heritage tourism policy implementation at Angkor (World Heritage Area).There are six policy initiatives within Angkor's Tourism Management Plan (2012-2020) to guide sustainability of tourism development. The year 2020 was the end of implementing these policy initiatives, but there were not any documents reporting the effectiveness and success of their implementations; therefore, this study will show the framework for investigating the implementation of policy initiatives within this timeframe. There are three main objectives in this framework. First, it is necessary to identify the outcomes of policy implementation judged by stakeholders. Second, it is important to outline and understand the barriers that hinder the successful implementation of the policy.Third,there is a need to create a framework for how to successfully implement sustainable tourism policies in the development of more sustainable tourism in the future

A qualitative approach to investigate stakeholders' perceptions of heritage in the tourist-centric colonial hill town of Mussoorie, India

The colonial hill towns in India inherited the predominant architectural style and cultural mannerisms from a mother country before undergoing transformations that reshaped their authentic cultural landscapes. In developing countries like India, the negligence of colonial tourism concerning stakeholder involvement is a perpetual phenomenon. As the primary custodians of heritage, stakeholders have a significant role in tourism management plans. Thus, the present study comprehends the stakeholders’ perceptions of heritage in the colonial hill town of Mussoorie, India, through in-depth interview surveys. The qualitative Inductive research approach is implemented for data synthesis. Findings elucidate that involvement of the stakeholders in Mussoorie’s tourism, and heritage management can provide a remedial impact to the large–scale destruction imposed on the colonial lineage for decades. The research will inform practitioners and researchers about a methodological approach to developing the relationships between the heritage's tangible and intangible aspects for preparing holistic development plans.

Rethinking Sustainable Tourism Management: Learning from the COVID-19 Pandemic to Co-Create Future of Krabi Tourism, Thailand

Despite negative consequences from the COVID-19 pandemic, there are certain positive effects from this crisis including the restoration of natural resources. Using the institutional theory framework, this paper aims to explore how sustainable tourism management can be applied to manage recovered natural resources after the COVID-19 crisis. Qualitative research in the form of in-depth interviews, focus group interviews, and observations was conducted to demonstrate how Krabi tourism stakeholders could collaborate among themselves in order to sustain recovered natural resources after the COVID-19 pandemic. Informants of the study are Krabi tourism stakeholders; i.e., tourism business owners and managers, members of tourism associations, government officers, CBT members, that are recruited by purposive sampling method. This research has shed light on how tourism stakeholders can co-create tourism policies to respond to sustainability issues using the institutional process. In order to develop a successful sustainable tourism management plan, we propose that the plan should consist of three aspects—environmental, social, and economic. The findings from this research offer benefits to tourism stakeholders around the world for reshaping sustainable tourism management in order to take care of magnificent tourism resources after the COVID-19 outbreak.

STRATEGI PENGELOLAAN OPERASIONAL OBYEK WISATA KEBUN RAYA JOMPIE, PARE-PARE

Jompie Botanical Garden is located on Pare-pare City, South Sulawesi, serves as a conservation area for coastal flora and flora of Wallacea and is a tourist destination. The lack of Management Plan of tourist area causes the decline of Environmental Quality which has an impact on the decline of quality of tourist facilities, environmental pollution, and threats to plant diversity. The purpose of this study is to describe the operational management conditions that are currently applied to the Jompie Botanical Garden, analyze the inhibiting and supporting factors in the management, and develop operational management strategies of Jompie Botanical Garden Tourism objects. The method in this research is descriptive method with qualitative approach. Data collection techniques using observation, interviews and literature studies. Data analysis techniques using strength, Weknees, Opportunity, Threats (SWOT) analysis. The results showed the acquisition of eight alternative strategies for operational management of Jompie Botanical Garden Tourism objects, namely promoting and selling flora, fauna and nature tourism programs, re-evaluating the jompie Botanical Garden Tourism Management Plan in an integrated manner, selection of labor in accordance with the field of management expertise, improving the quality of security of Jompie Botanical, strengthening the institutional system, re-evaluation of the jompie botanical garden hygiene system, improving the quality and quantity of Jompie Botanical Gardens.

Local and tourist perceptions of coastal marine habitats in Cap de Creus (NE Spain)

Direct human pressure on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) adds to climate change impacts on marine habitats, especially in coastal biodiversity hot spots. Understanding MPA user perception towards the Coastal marine Habitats (CMHs) could improve awareness of the challenges that such areas have to face, eventually providing insights for the design of conservation and tourism management plans. We studied perception of ecosystem services, impacts and threats of CMHs by locals and tourists (n = 624) of Cap de Creus MPA (NW Mediterranean Sea). Overall, we found that perceptions of tourists and locals are similar. Respondents perceived that CMHs provide valuable regulating services, and they assigned less value to cultural services. Locals valued the food provision ecosystem service of CMHs significantly more than tourists, probably because of the historical importance of fisheries for subsistence. Respondents ranked marine pollution of inland origin, climate change and people’s behaviour towards nature as the most impactful and threatening to CMHs, and invasive marine species as the least. Respondents also perceived that climate change impacts would increase soon, whilst the impact of people’s behaviour towards nature would decrease. Tourists perceived mass tourism as significantly more impactful and threatening to CMHs than locals did. Overall, our study shows that conservation of CMHs is highly valued, so more effort needs to be directed toward this goal.

Land suitability zoning for ecotourism planning and development of Dikgatlhong Dam, Botswana

The main objective of this paper was to discuss applications of GIS based multi-criteria decision analysis (GIS MCDA) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). These two techniques were applied in order to assist preparation of the Tourism Management Plan, depicting the most suitable zones for ecotourism development in Dikgathlong Dam Lease Area (DDLA) as one of the largest resources of potable water in Botswana. The MCDA was based on geo-morphometric, hydrologic, landscape and community indicators and criteria which emanated from expert's opinions, intensive field survey and literature review. In addition the AHP has helped to calculate individual criteria weights and to point the degree of suitability zones classified as highly suitable, moderately suitable, marginally suitable and not suitable for ecotourism. After performing both processes and establishing broad management zones it has been found that the Sustainable Development Scenario is the most appropriate option as the future ecotourism development proposal. This research provides new methodology that can be incorporated into future tourism policies and management strategies.

Assessing Tourists’ Preferences for Recreational Trips in National and Natural Parks as a Premise for Long-Term Sustainable Management Plans

Sustainable tourism management plans rely on relevant and consistent information about factors that can influence the decision to visit a protected area. This paper uses the choice experiment method to investigate tourists’ preferences with regard to recreational trip characteristics in national and natural parks in Romania. An on-site survey questionnaire was administered to visitors. The multinomial logit model was employed to investigate the preference orderings of the identified groups of recreational users. Overall, results indicate that tourists gain benefits after visiting the parks. Main preference differences were found for information sources and location of campsites. Visitors who stated that the park was the main trip destination were willing to have access to more information sources, the marks on trails being insufficient. Camping is preferred only in organized places, expressing the concern for environmental protection. The results of this study have management implications, highlighting the importance of assessing tourists’ preferences as a foundation for developing sustainable tourism strategies.

Inventory of the sites of geological interest, in the southwestern of Antioquia Colombia

This research sought, the inventory of sites of geological interest, in the southwestern Antioquia region consists of 24 municipalities and a total area of 6513 km2, taking as a scale for analysis 1: 25,000 and used several sources of primary information and secondary. The methodology used was exploratory and was based on: literature review, collection of primary data through virtual and surveys, fieldwork for the surveys, visiting outstanding sites and a workshop in schools, finally ending with integration and analysis of all information collected. As important results, it has an inventory of 168 points of geological interest, which is noted for its natural intrinsic attributes or tourism management plans and associated conservation. Of these, 44 sites stand out for their recognition among population, listed among the first, Cerro Tusa (20.1%) of La Pintada Farallones (12.4%), the Citara Farallones (7.7%), the Paramo del Sol and Cerro Bravo (7.1). Finally, municipalities with a larger number of geological sites of interest were reported Jardín (11.9%), Caicedo (11.3%) and Andes, Jericó y La Pintada (6%), and fewer reports Betania who obtained (0.6%).

Adverse Environmental Effects of Tourism on Communities in the Ecuadorian Highlands Region

The objective of this study is to determine the adverse environmental effects of tourism activities on various heritage populations located in the sierra or Andean highlands region of Ecuador. The effects being studied have been classified into impacts on the physical, abiotic, biotic, socio-culture and economic environment. The automated method using RIAM (Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix) software was employed in this analysis, which required the preparation of a baseline study in the small communities evaluated. A social perception survey was conducted of local residents regarding tourism, assisted by International University of Ecuador students fulfilling practical coursework requirements. Based on the conclusions of the case studies, some strategic proposals and recommendations were developed that can be incorporated into sustainable tourism management plans in communities with natural and cultural heritage values.

Sustainable tourism development including the enhancement of cultural heritage in the city of Nafpaktos – Western Greece

ABSTRACTThe application of a sustainable tourism management and development framework, including the enhancement of cultural heritage is presented for the city of Nafpaktos (Western Greece) and the surrounding area. Through a qualitative SWOT analysis and a quantitative Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC)–Tourism Carrying Capacity (TCC) framework, an attempt is made to establish thresholds, monitor current conditions, and upgrade tourism activities, with simultaneous development of the tourism-associated economic sectors and the cultural heritage of the city. Activity zones are identified and 18 indicators are selected to describe the environmental/cultural, economic, and social conditions of the area. Reference conditions for each indicator are established either as measured or negotiated thresholds and indicators are accordingly scored to depict the current divergence from reference. The Leopold matrix is used to compare scores and identify restrictions of development. Results reveal high potential for sustainable tourism development of the area, as 9 of 18 indicators received high scores, indicating sustainable conditions, and a variety of underdeveloped tourism endpoints were identified, including the castle of the city, which could potentially support a 90-fold increase in tourism flow. However, restricting factors of development were detected, related to the lack of a tourism management plan, the weak on-site protection of the natural and cultural heritage and the lack of awareness for sustainability among the local people. A strategic plan is finally proposed to provide managers, stakeholders, and the local communities with a guiding framework to upgrade the tourism flow in and around the city within a step-by-step sustainable process.

A visitor motivational typology at Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site

Orientation: Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site (MNP) is a unique national park in South Africa in that it includes a World Heritage Site of significant importance for the people of southern Africa. MNP is a relatively new national park with low visitor numbers and occupancy rates, which threaten the sustainable management of the park.Research purpose: This study aimed to develop a general visitor profile and to describe the motivational factors for visiting the park in order to support the development of tourism at MNP.Motivation of the study: A tourism management plan is required for the park; however, any planning associated planning requires an assessment of tourist behaviour and needs.Research design, approach and method: An online questionnaire was distributed to a database of visitors to MNP during March−April 2013. A total of 486 responses were received. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics through frequencies and means. Motivator constructs were analysed through a factor analysis.Main findings: The study both confirmed and contradicted previous findings from other national parks in terms of visitor profiles and motivations. Most crucially, this study identified a new motivational factor for visiting national parks, which advances the need to manage the heritage aspect of world heritage sites distinctly from national parks.Managerial implications: The results indicated that visitors to MNP were older and better educated compared to visitors at other national parks. These visitors included predominantly first-time visitors. In addition these visitors are mainly motivated by the need for a nature experience, although the park is not a Big 5 reserve, findings also identified heritage and education as a unique motivational factor for this park.Contribution added: The study promotes the requirement of a unique park-specific tourism management strategy for MNP as the market base of this park is demographically distinct. In addition, the park should improve the promotion of its status as a World Heritage asset in relation to its natural attributes in order to attract greater numbers of heritage tourists. Although the park features exceptional natural features, the reserve is not a Big 5 reserve and this may result in dissatisfaction with the major group of visitors seeking a nature experience.

PROPOSALS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF SUSTAINABLE RURAL TOURISM IN VILLAGES OF BOLKAR MOUNTAIN, EXAMPLE OF MADENKÖY

In 1950, 75% of the total population of the country was living in rural areas, whereas this ratio has declined to 8.2% in 2014 due to migration to urban areas. Particularly in the mountain villages, where health, communication and transportation services have not been sufficiently utilized, the inclination to migrate has been continuing at an escalating rate for individuals in the working age, leading to the collapse of socio-cultural and economical structure. In the mountain villages, there is a need for new sustainable fields of business operable within the four seasons of the year that do not require costly investments and an educated workforce; provide business opportunities to local women; contribute to preservation of the socio-cultural structural, natural and cultural heritage;cause no concretion and land consumption. In this study, development of proposals is aimed to conduct rural tourism in Ulukışla-Madenköy, a location possessing the qualities to provide an ideal four seasons accommodation and logistic support to any kind of activity made by the domestic and foreign visitors of Bolkar mountains during their arrivals and departures.As a research method "SWOT" and "Resources and Physical Condition" analysis techniques were used. Studies were mostly conducted through site researches. Proposals were developed for development of Madenköy through implementation of sustainable rural tourism in this area. The results clearly demonstrate that Madenköy possesses the qualities to create a high level demand in four seasons from the viewpoint of the tourists. As a means to sustain the rural tourism activities, "Conservation plan" and ―The rural tourism management and development plan," must be prepared and ―Sustainable carrying capacity of region" must be continuously monitored.

Role of Tourism in Local Development A Case of Sarangkot Hill-Top in Pokhara, Western Nepal

Tourism management plan at the local level provides a framework for balanced development of a given area through the utilization of the existing tourism resources by the provision of tourism services that are required in order to attract the tourists from different parts of the world. Therefore, identifying and understanding of the natural, demographic and socio-cultural resource potential that enable a given area and its communities to shape tourism development according to local needs and within recognized environment and resource constrains. It is in this context the present paper is aimed to identify cultural and natural sites of tourism importance and problems and prospects of tourism for development in order to provide information on the basis of which can be undertaken sustainable actions for tourism development in Sarangkot VDC of Kaski district, Western Nepal.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ttp.v8i0.11507 The Third Pole: Journal of Geography Vol.8-10, pp. 9-19: 2010

Eco friendly service buildings and facilities for sustainable tourism and environmental awareness in protected areas

Starting from the multi-year experience in environmentally friendly building projects gained by CITERA of the Faculty of Architecture (Sapienza University of Rome), the main goal of this paper is to apply this expertise for the planning of environmentally sound service buildings and facilities in natural protected areas, in order to increase tourist facilities avoiding the subsequent environmental impacts that too often are produced in areas with high environmental and landscaping values. Therefore, this paper will take into account the relationships between service buildings for tourism and their eventual ecological impacts in the surrounding areas, in order to pinpoint innovative envelope technologies as well as technical smart solutions for a sustainable promotion of tourist facilities, including, in addition to service buildings, even the requalification of paths and water routes. The other central aim of the project is to propose practical methods for the use of these service buildings and facilities as favourable places to disseminate environmental protection notions. Furthermore, the project foresees the application of a case study in the Bracciano-Martignano Regional Park. The obtained results may be used by other protected areas administrations as possible solutions for improving environmental sustainability of their tourism management plans.

Cultural Landscape for Sustainable Tourism Case Study of Amphawa Community

Amphawa community is a significant place with a long history of riverside settlement community dating back to the Ayuddhaya period as shown by some historic evidences and artifacts found in the temples and habitations of this area. Moreover, Amphawa area has plenty of cultural and natural resources which could be developed as natural and cultural tourism destination of Thailand. Therefore, it is necessary to manage tourism in Amphawa community in a sustainable way to avoid destroying the various values of its natural and cultural environment.The best method to safeguard integrity and fabric and to keep Amphawa life style which is a unique community can be achieved by sustainable tourism management. There are many cultural resources which are evaluated as the value of Amphawa community or the unique community: these include the birthplace of King Buddhalertlarnaphalai, distinguished vernacular architecture, simply life- style of Amphawa people that have harmonious relationship with canal and river, and the lasting history about the famous floating market.Sustainable tourism management could fulfill satisfactions of everyone and every organization concerned about Amphawa in aspect of using natural and cultural resources. This management can keep cultural heritage which shows our origin for our descendants. As a result of this study, the researcher has suggested Tourism Management Plan and Conservation Plan for promoting tourism and conserving cultural arts.Cultural landscape, Sustainable tourism

Heritage Tourism in Peripheral Areas: Development Strategies and Constraints

Heritage tourism has been widely seen in the last years as an effective way of addressing the socio-economic problems and the heritage degradation of peripheral territories. Heritage is a rising tourism product providing tourists with experiences based on the (in)tangible remains of the past. Due to the lack of other possibilities, the policies found in peripheral territories often highlight tourism – particularly heritage tourism – as the most valuable activity to launch a more sustainable development process. Nevertheless, the impact of heritage tourism is controversial and not always evident both in terms of socio-economic regeneration and in terms of heritage rehabilitation, contradicting some generalized rhetoric. The article presents the main conclusions of research undertaken in the Portuguese peripheral municipality of Almeida, where heritage tourism is claimed to be the most promising activity to overcome the current trend of decline. Data were collected from municipal and regional entities using a previously structured survey about perceptions and attitudes towards heritage tourism development in the municipality. The findings disclose the main obstacles, the strategies and the challenges that this territory is facing to underpin development based on heritage tourism. The main conclusions highlight the strong fragmentation between public and private entities and the lack of a tourism management plan for Almeida's successful future as a destination of heritage tourism. In certain ways, and due to similar problems, the findings and the proposals of the present research can be applied to other peripheral areas.

The impact of world heritage site designation on local communities – A case study of Ogimachi, Shirakawa-mura, Japan

The paper examines economic, socio-cultural, physical and attitudinal changes in/around World Heritage Site (WHS) Ogimachi since WHS designation from the local communities' standpoint and explores the background of these changes and views. Both positive and negative changes for local communities in/around WHS Ogimachi after WHS listing are identified. There are three main factors behind these changes: the extensive and rapid tourism development after WHS inscription; the high level of appeal of a WHS status for domestic tourists; and local people's attitudes towards conservation of the cultural environment and WHS status. In addition to its conservation plan, WHS Ogimachi must have a comprehensive tourism management plan for its successful future as a place to live, as a WHS and a tourist destination.

The pyramids plateau: A dream searching for survival

Recognized as one of the most unique archaeological sites in the world, the Giza pyramids plateau is the location of the three great pyramids and the Sphinx, tombs, seven smaller pyramids, and other monuments. Over the centuries the plateau has been instrumental in introducing Egyptian civilization to the world, and was recently declared as one of the most iconic travel spots on the planet. In recent years, the location of the new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) within the site of the plateau re-ignited the debate between scholars, practitioners and activists over development activities within and around this unique site. Consequently, a growing conflict re-emerged between conserving the plateau and developing the surrounding areas. Additionally, this invaluable site is threatened by urban expansion and development, pollution, rising groundwater and extensive tourism. Yet, currently there are neither tourism management nor development plans for the site. Building on national and international conservation conventions and charters, this paper explores analyses and documents the current gap between ideal conservation management sittings within and around the pyramids plateau and the reality of urban development trends and tourism activities.