Tourism Network Research Articles

Learning for sustainable development in tourism networks

AbstractThe present study investigates learning toward sustainable development in multi‐stakeholder public–private networks. The evidence is grounded in the data from six tourism networks in four European countries. The process of cooperation appears more important vis‐à‐vis achievements regarding sustainable tourism than the structure of networks. This process will determine the network's ability to become adept at explicating tacit knowledge among its actors, and to develop the network so it can facilitate the creation of sustainability outcomes.A leading public actor may assume a ‘teacher's’ role in the network. In these instances, the network runs a risk of becoming merely an information dissemination tool. This involves a trap of one‐way communication and under‐used knowledge utilization opportunities. Receptivity of the teacher actor is low and the partners do not really collaborate. The teacher actor should make a special effort to create feedback loops leading to two‐way communication, so that a learning strategy of collaboration can take place. The findings also imply that in some networks with a public leader there is an overly high belief in the ability of information dissemination and classroom education to promote learning about sustainable development although learning about sustainability in the practical level requires concrete results and joint action. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment

Technology by the Book: BookTownNet and SME Cultural Tourism Networks

Technology by the Book: BookTownNet and SME Cultural Tourism Networks

Routeing Heritage for Tourism: making heritage and cultural tourism networks for socio-economic development

Heritage routes and itineraries are mechanisms being used towards tourism needs and objectives. This paper defines these routes, reviews their context, and considers some examples in Europe. It looks at the 'why' and 'how' of heritage routes being established, and shows the inputs that tourism causes and needs. The particular dimensions to routes and what they bring and require are discussed. The associated demand of networks and networking is discussed and the potential beneficial aspects are described. The especial capacity of itineraries to bring about cross-boundary dialogue and interaction are highlighted and the wider potential of this feature for global society is alluded to. The need is suggested for more research into the use, outcomes and effects of routes.

Troubled sustainability: Bulgarian seaside resorts

This article describes changes in the tourism settlement network of a highly developed travel destination in Eastern Europe — the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast —against the background of regional tourism development efforts during the severe economic crisis that accompanied Bulgaria's transition from a centralized economy to a market economy. Two levels of tourism and recreation settlement networks are identified: (1) a narrow group of 178 specialized resort communities and (2) a broader group embracing all other settlements hosting tourism‐related activities, including recreation in second homes. The specialized resort communities can further be divided into three types of settlements: large multifunction cities (Varna and Bourgas); new tourist resorts (so‐called ‘resort complexes’, of which there are two subdivisions); and small coastal towns and villages, usually of ancient origin, and in which tourism development has marginalized the older functions. Sustainable forms of tourism development are more successful in the smaller towns, largely irrelevant in the large cities, and a major problem for the large, mono‐cultural resort complexes.

La politique internationale du tourisme au tournant du millenaire

International integration in tourrism is increasing at a steady pace. This has meant a corresponding growth in the number of problems facing the community of nations. At the dawn of a new millennium the intergovernmental tourism policy agenda now includes such thorny questions as the dismantling of barriers to travel, finding ways to ensure the safety and security of tourists, and the promotion of sustainable development in areas devoted to tourism. What the intergovernmental tourism network really needs, to allow it to rationally plan and implement international ground rules and promotional programmes is a greater degree of institutionalised co‐operation at the operational level of tourism. This in turn would lead to more efficient integration of the world economy, to the benefit of both prosperity and world peace.

Managing the transition from agriculture to tourism: analysis of tourism networks in Auvergne

Developing tourism is popular among regions involved in rural renewal. Changes taking place in agriculture are a particular catalyst giving rise to all kinds of initiatives. In this paper, the development of tourism will be examined in the context of these rural transformations. It will be argued that there is a need for innovative strategies that create economic development yet preserve the rural character of the countryside. This requires time and place specific innovations. The central question addressed in this paper is what type of organizational structure and management will stimulate these types of tourism innovation. Drawing on sustainable development literature and the concept of ‘innovative regions’, some remarks are made about basic prerequisites. ‘Network’ is a central notion in this respect. These theoretical ideas are then used to evaluate the organization of tourism in the Auvergne, a rural region in central France.

Wine Tourism and Network Development in Australia and New Zealand: Review, Establishment and Prospects

Wine tourism is an area of growing interest because of its potential to contribute to regional development and employment at times of rural restructuring, particularly through the development of inter and intra industry networks. This paper provides a review of wine tourism, briefly discusses networks and their value, then analyses the development of wine tourism networks in Australia and New Zealand. The research indicates that although wine tourism network development is being actively encouraged, substantial difficulties exist because of the perception by many in the wine industry that they are not part of tourism. The paper concludes that while the development of new organisational structures to encourage wine tourism development are useful, they must be complimented by research on linkages, education of potential network members in order to close information gaps; and the development of network structures which maximise the overlap and linkages mat exists between the wine and tourism industries.

The beaten track: European tourism, literature, and the ways to culture, 1800-1918

Tourist and traveller in the network of 19th-century travel tourism and anti-tourism - conventions and strategies a scripted continent - British and American travel-writers in Europe, c. 1825-1875 ambivalent appropriations - culture and the tourist in James Forster's trespasses - tourism and cultural politics epilogue.