Tourism Planning Research Articles

This study evaluates the ecotourism potentials of Adamawa State with a view to promoting sustainable tourism planning and development. The specific objectives were to identify, map, and characterize natural landscapes within ethnic communities; assess their recreational and tourism significance; and examine the perceived roles of intermediaries in tourism development. Data were collected using in-depth interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), and structured interviews. Information on ethnic communities was obtained from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, while population data were sourced from the Adamawa State Population Commission. Geographic coordinates of ecotourism sites were acquired using a GPS Model 76 CSX, and Geographic Information System (GIS) tools were applied to generate resource maps. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to determine significant differences. The study identified and categorized ecotourism resources such as rock formations, hills, rivers, springs, lakes, ponds, natural landscapes, and forest reserves. Key ecotourism sites include Kamale, Sukur, Zhegumi, Motochi Mountains, Ildam, Pella Basalt, Mutuku Dome, Njuwa Lake, the Mysterious Chain and Foot, and Kopre Forest—demonstrating the state's rich ecotourism potential. Findings revealed significant differences among communities in their perceptions of media, security, tour guides, attractions, transport, and accommodation, while no significant differences were found in their understanding of leisure time, frequency of visits to recreational areas, and general knowledge of ecotourism. Anticipated benefits of tourism development include physical infrastructure, economic opportunities, and social and political gains. The study recommends that both government and private investors actively explore and invest in these ecotourism resources. Additionally, appropriate intermediaries should be established at both state and local levels to ensure effective utilization and sustainable management of tourism resources in Adamawa State.

This study explores the cultural and spatial limitations surrounding the use of traditional houses (Sa’o) as tourist accommodations in Kampung Adat Wologai, a cultural village in Ende Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. While rural tourism and desa wisata development often promote homestays in vernacular architecture, the sacred function of the Sa’o renders such usage inappropriate in Wologai. Using a qualitative case study approach, this research draws on field observations, semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders—including Mosalaki, village officials, tourism groups, and the local tourism office—and secondary data from academic and government sources. The findings reveal that the Sa’o are central to ancestral rituals and cannot be opened to outsiders for overnight stays. In response, the Dinas Pariwisata proposed a terminological and spatial distinction between rumah adat and rumah tradisional to guide future accommodation planning. A SWOT and SOAR analysis shows potential for homestay development through modern houses located outside the ritual core, reflecting cultural respect while meeting tourism demands. This research highlights the need for localized policy approaches and the vital role of customary leadership in sustainable tourism planning. Theoretically, it contributes to the discourse on heritage and tourism, while practically, it offers a culturally sensitive model for accommodation development in desa wisata with strong ritual traditions.

Background: Cave tourism holds great geotourism potential, especially in developing destinations. However, visitor profiling in West African caves remains limited, hindering sustainable tourism planning. Aim: This study identifies and analyses the demographic and psychographic profiles and motivations of cave visitors in Anambra State, Nigeria, using Self-Determination Theory (SDT), and statistically tests whether demographic factors significantly influence visitor motivations. Setting: The research was conducted across three caves in Anambra State (Ogbunike, Owerre-Ezukala and Ufuma), selected for their ecological, cultural and tourism potential. Method: A quantitative survey (N = 577) classified motivational factors as intrinsic, extrinsic or amotivational, in accordance with SDT. Descriptive statistics established visitor profiles, while t-tests and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to examine motivational differences across demographic variables. Effect sizes were reported to indicate the magnitude of these differences. Results: Students, businesspeople and civil servants were the most represented groups. Males aged 21–40 years predominated, and 93% of respondents had formal education. Visitors were primarily intrinsically motivated by enjoyment, spirituality and relaxation, while extrinsic motivations were minimal. Gender, age, education and religion significantly influenced motivation levels. Conclusion: Demographic variables meaningfully shape cave-visiting motivations. Sustainable development of a cave tourist market in emerging destinations requires aligning management and design with these demographic and psychographic realities. Contribution: This SDT-grounded quantitative study provides a replicable visitor-profiling tool and baseline dataset for West African geotourism, supporting segmentation, policy design and sustainable visitor-management strategies.

ABSTRACT Tourism governance in developing countries frequently faces fragmented institutional structures, policy inconsistencies, and limited stakeholder engagement, which impede sustainable destination development. The study examines the governance structures and policy frameworks for tourism planning in Goa, India. The study uses a qualitative, longitudinal case study design. The findings reveal that tourism governance in Goa has evolved through four strategic phases: visioning, venturing, planning, and learning, each shaped by shifts in economic policy, markets, and political leadership. While government-led strategic planning dominated the early phases, later decades saw the emergence of strategic venturing and strategic learning processes. However, governance remains challenged by inconsistent stakeholder participation, weak local government autonomy, and a lack of strategic visioning in policy formulation. The study makes a theoretical contribution by integrating governance theory, Mintzberg’s strategic typologies, and evolutionary approaches to assess long-term governance trajectories. It provides practical insights for aligning policy design with local needs, promoting collaborative governance for building resilient tourism systems.

Railway heritage corridors, which integrate cultural history and natural landscapes, face limitations within the conventional “axis extension” construction model, where protection zones are radiated from existing railway lines. This approach hinders the development of cross-regional heritage networks and lacks scientific quantification in boundary delineation. This study proposes an innovative spatial planning paradigm for railway heritage corridors in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region, integrating railway heritage with the urban environment. Utilizing the minimum cumulative resistance model, a multidimensional resistance surface was created to identify potential corridor patterns based on centrality. Circuit theory quantified global connectivity, and statistical methods defined corridor widths. The case study identified 19 sources and 42 corridors across 54,399.42 km2, with an average length of 111.48 km and width of 9.24 km. These corridors form a closed network radiating from multiple centers, offering guidance for BTH tourism planning and heritage management.

Nepalese hospitality is a unique and socio-cultural institution deeply rooted in religious values, communal ethics, and social honour. Guided by the principle of Atithi Devo Bhava, “The guest is equivalent to God”, hospitality in Nepal extends beyond simple courtesy to a moral and spiritual duty. This paper intends to explore the historical, religious, and socio-cultural foundations/ dimensions of hospitality in Nepal through examining its manifestations across ethnic, regional, and caste lines. It further aims to analyse how modernisation, urbanisation, and tourism are reshaping traditional hospitality practices. Drawing on academic literature and tourism case studies, the findings reveal a culture of hospitality that is resilient yet adaptable, facing both opportunities and tensions in a globalised era. The study concludes by offering recommendations for tourism planning, promoting gender equity, and preserving cultural heritage.

ABSTRACT Tourist areas mediate the impact of online popularity on offline visitation, shaping travel decisions. However, the nonlinear relationship between the built environment and visitors’ emotional fulfilment remains complex. This study quantified offline and online visitation using Origin – Destination (OD) data and social media text data, identifying emotional fulfilment through natural language processing. It integrated the coupling coordination model to assess online – offline synergy in visitation and emotional fulfilment, and applied Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) with SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) to provide nonlinear interpretations from spatial perception and environmental service variables. Findings revealed: (1) online popularity attracts first-time visitors, but their emotional fulfilment depends more on offline experience quality. (2) Coordinating online promotion with offline experiences enhances emotional fulfilment. Core areas show strong synergy, while suburban areas use a ‘resource compensation mechanism’ by improving transport and showcasing high-quality resources. (3) Spatial perception and environmental services exhibit ‘threshold’ and ‘gain’ effects on emotional fulfilment. However, excessive density triggers a ‘double-edged effect’ that ultimately reduces it. These findings provided targeted recommendations for urban tourism planning, contributing to the creation of visitor-friendly urban environments.

Cruise ship tourists have provided significant revenue for the city of Juneau, Alaska. However, with the surge in visitor numbers and rising temperatures, issues such as overcrowding and glacier melting have emerged. Therefore, the development and implementation of sustainable tourism plans are urgent. In response, this study has developed a sustainable tourism forecasting model for Juneau, using particle swarm optimisation algorithms to simulate changes in various indicators from 2025 to 2046, in order to determine the optimal weight allocation. This study holds important theoretical and practical significance. Theoretically, it enriches the research on sustainable tourism models by incorporating dynamic constraints and long-term environmental changes. Practically, it offers a scientific reference for Juneau to achieve sustainable tourism development. The main innovations of this study include the integration of multi-dimensional factors in the model, the consideration of dynamic constraints and long-term environmental changes, and the exploration of cooperative strategies between tourism revenue distribution and infrastructure investment.

The municipalities of the Campo Grande dos Ipês and Cerrado Pantanal Tourist Regions, located in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, concentrate archaeological sites, geosites, and natural landscapes with potential for the establishment of a UNESCO Global Geopark. These areas are part of the Trilha Rupestre Institutional Programme, coordinated by the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), which promotes actions aimed at the valorisation of cultural and natural heritage, heritage education, and sustainable tourism. Based on this rationale, a mixed-methods study was conducted, grounded in the analysis of secondary data from official sources (IBGE, RAIS, SNIS, Cadastur, among others) and the collection of information on public policies, tourism planning, infrastructure, and socio-economic indicators across 16 municipalities. The variables considered included inclusion in the Brazilian Tourism Map, the existence of municipal tourism plans, Tourism Councils and Funds, number of enterprises registered with Cadastur, conservation units, and sites recognised by IPHAN. The results reveal institutional and structural disparities among the municipalities. The Cerrado Pantanal Region presents a higher concentration of geosites, experience with intermunicipal cooperation, and more favourable conditions for an initial Geopark application. The municipalities in the Campo Grande dos Ipês Region, in turn, show partial engagement with tourism public policies. Notably, Campo Grande, Rio Negro, and Jaraguari are the only municipalities included in the Brazilian Tourism Map, and the region concentrates important archaeological sites and natural formations with potential for tourism development and heritage-based initiatives. The implementation of a Geopark in this context requires coordinated efforts between universities, public authorities, and local communities, with heritage education playing a key role in fostering belonging and active preservation. Based on the data analysed, it was concluded that the initial feasibility for Geopark implementation is more evident in the Cerrado Pantanal Region, which demonstrates more favourable technical and institutional conditions.

Brazil, with its diverse landscapes and rich biodiversity, holds significant potential for the development of sustainable activities in natural environments, and tourism stands out as a globally important socioeconomic activity that can thrive in these areas. However, for tourism to be truly sustainable and ensure both its continuity and the income of those involved, it is essential that the activity be properly diagnosed, monitored, and planned. This article focuses on a tourism diagnosis conducted through a comparative analysis of two different periods along the Upper Fumaça Waterfall Trail, located in the Chapada Diamantina National Park, with particular attention to the environmental impacts occurring along the trail. Diagnosis represents the first step in ecotourism planning. Data and information for this study were obtained through document and literature analysis, which provided historical data, as well as in loco data collection and firsthand observation of the main impacts on this trail. The study reveals the ongoing need for changes and further action against the impacts observed, and highlights the necessity of reassessing tourism planning and effectively implementing the Chapada Diamantina management plan. The article concludes with proposals to improve tourism activity in the region.

Aims: There is a lack of comprehensive, evidence based studies that link transportation accessibility directly with tourism competitiveness and sustainable development in PIK. So this study thoroughly analyzes various perspectives from stakeholders regarding public transportation in the Pantai Indah Kapuk tourist area and offers targeted solutions that have a significant positive impact on tourism. Study Design: A combined qualitative and quantitative study design. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Jakarta, specifically in the Pantai Indah Kapuk area, for 6 months (February-July 2025). Methodology: A mixed quantitative and qualitative method using two types of populations. The research population for the quantitative component focuses on transportation users, namely all public transportation users relevant to access to PIK (e.g., TransJakarta users, online transportation, or other transportation going to/through PIK). The population for the qualitative component in this case includes public transportation operators serving routes to PIK, PIK tourism destination management or operators, as well as representatives of local communities or businesses around PIK that are affected by tourist visits and transportation. The quantitative data collection technique uses a structured questionnaire with indicators of accessibility, vehicle capacity, smoothness and speed, and public transportation service quality (SERVQUAL) using a Likert scale. Results: This study assessed the effectiveness of public transportation in the Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK) area, Jakarta. The main modes of transportation included Transjakarta, DAMRI, shuttle buses, tourist vehicles, and KRL access. A survey of 108 respondents showed that public services were effective, integrated, and supported tourist mobility, especially for those of productive age (28–43 years). Satisfaction with overall service. 52.8% agree and 19.4% strongly agree with the overall quality of PIK public transportation. With a total of more than 70% of respondents satisfied, it can be concluded that PIK public transportation is effective, although there is still room for improvement. The majority of users were satisfied with the quality of service, but there were obstacles such as traffic congestion, limited fleet, and access to bus stops. Qualitative analysis suggested strategic solutions such as adding routes and fleets, digitizing services, weather-friendly bus stops, and public education to improve transportation comfort and accessibility. Conclusion: The survey shows that the majority of PIK visitors have a positive assessment of integration, economic impact, staff service, and overall satisfaction with public transportation. Neutral responses emerged in terms of waiting time, capacity, and comfort. PIK 2 is considered effective in attracting tourists, but improvements are needed in terms of fleet, bus stops, and security. The findings imply that urban tourism and transportation planning in PIK should prioritize improving comfort, fleet capacity, stop facilities, and safety standards while strengthening integration across transport modes.

Coastal destinations often emphasize natural attractions but overlook the role of supporting amenities in shaping tourist comfort and satisfaction. Existing research on Indonesian beach tourism remains largely descriptive, rarely integrating these dimensions within a conceptual framework. This study investigates how the development of attractions and amenities contributes to tourist comfort and satisfaction at Pasir Padi Beach, Pangkalpinang. Using a qualitative approach through semi-structured interviews, field observations, and document analysis, the data were thematically analyzed and triangulated across stakeholder perspectives. Findings reveal that while the beach offers distinctive natural and event-based attractions, limited and poorly maintained amenities—such as sanitation, lighting, and spatial organization—reduce perceived comfort and satisfaction. The study develops an analytical model linking attractions–amenities–comfort–satisfaction adapted from the 4A and SERVQUAL frameworks, highlighting the interdependence between physical infrastructure and experiential quality. Theoretically, the research contributes to destination development discourse by contextualizing service quality concepts in coastal settings; practically, it provides guidance for local governments in integrating amenity improvement within sustainable tourism planning.

This research had as main objective to identify the Sites of Geomorphological Interest (LIGeom) with geotouristic potential in the State Park of the Ceará Canyon of Poti River, by means of the characterization of the geological, geomorphological, paleontological, and archaeological aspects involved in the scope of the aforementioned area. The methodology was based on bibliographic survey, field trips for data collection in the study area, the use of inventorying, as a kickoff of strategies for geoconservation from the filling of the LIGeom sheets, adapted from the proposal of Pereira (2006), collection of coordinates and photographic record for viewing the scenic beauty provided by the local geomorphological heritage. As a result, three LIGeom were identified, qualitatively evaluated and characterized, namely: 1 - Poço do Sítio Caldeirão, 2 - Lajedo dos Trilobitas and 3 - Cânion Curral de Pedra. The sites reveal beauty with distinct characteristics that enable the understanding of the geology, geomorphology, paleontology, and archeology of the area. One concludes the high scenic potential of the State Park of the Ceará Canyon of the Poti River. In general, one verified, from the proposed methodology, the potentialities, especially in the tourist bias, with the didactic-scientific and cultural exploration. Thus, it is necessary, first of all, to proceed to the tourist planning and create public policies that regulate the activity, especially when dealing with a Conservation Unit. Only this way will it be possible to move towards sustainable tourism and achieve one of the main purposes of geotourism, which is geoconservation.

Cultural tourism has emerged as a significant driver of destination competitiveness, particularly in regions with rich heritage resources. Despite Abuja’s status as Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory and its diverse cultural assets, its tourism offerings remain underutilized due to the absence of structured cultural routes that could enhance accessibility, visitor experience, and sustainable development. This study examines the opportunities and challenges of developing cultural tourism through route design in Abuja. Adopting a mixed-method approach, data were collected from tourists, cultural site managers, and tourism stakeholders using surveys, interviews, and secondary records. Findings reveal substantial opportunities for cultural route development, including Abuja’s central geographical location, diverse cultural festivals, heritage monuments, and stakeholder interest in promoting cultural tourism. However, key challenges such as poor infrastructure, inadequate signage, insecurity, weak institutional frameworks, and limited marketing undermine the potential of cultural tourism in the city. The study proposes thematic cultural routes—including heritage, arts and crafts, and religious-cultural circuits—that could strategically connect Abuja’s cultural assets. The findings contribute to the literature on route-based tourism planning and provide practical insights for policymakers and destination managers seeking to diversify Abuja’s tourism economy. The study recommends targeted infrastructure investment, stakeholder collaboration, and digital promotion strategies to position Abuja as a vibrant cultural tourism hub.

ABSTRACT Informal tourism plays a crucial yet often overlooked role in shaping sustainable futures amid accelerating climate change. Focusing on a central city in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, this study examines how informal tourism activities operate and adapt within a region vulnerable to environmental stress. Drawing on qualitative data from participant observation and ethnographic interviews, the analysis considers how informal actors contribute to resilience and local livelihoods. It also reflects on how existing sustainable tourism research frames informality – sometimes excluding its complexity and potential. By integrating informal tourism into broader sustainability strategies, the study argues for a more inclusive and equitable approach to climate adaptation in tourism planning.

Gastronomic tourism is a strategic tool for territorial development, as it promotes cultural heritage, supports local economies and encourages environmentally responsible consumption. This study attempts to analyse the evolution of key gastronomic products through digital marketing tools, reflecting on the need to know this real data in order to carry out sustainable territorial and tourism planning. To do so, it uses a methodology based on the analysis of data obtained through Google Trends, taking as a reference a set of terms related to seafood, traditional meats and wines with designation of origin. The study examines the seasonal patterns and geographical distribution of interest in these terms, evaluating their impact both inside and outside Galicia as a replicable methodological case. The results show significant differences between categories. In addition, there is a generalised decrease in the search for gastronomic terms, which may indicate a reduction in the relative weight of this element as a factor in the creation of the image of the territories. In conclusion, the article demonstrates the capacity of this methodology to propose more sustainable tourism, territorial and economic planning strategies based on the transformation of qualitative imaginaries into quantitative data and trends.

Decision-making and planning in eco-wellness tourism can vary depending on time, resources, and the perspectives of stakeholders, as it is often challenging to generalize the results of decision-making models across different scenarios. Hence, the primary objective of this study was to propose a scenario-based framework for optimising eco-wellness tourism development. For this purpose, maps of 26 factors affecting the evaluation of nature-based eco-wellness tourism, including water, climatic, and kinetic therapies, were used in the Ardabil province of Iran. Weighted criteria maps are integrated into suitability maps for various wellness tourism products under different scenarios, ranging from very pessimistic to very optimistic, using the Ordered Weighted Averaging (OWA) operator. Then, to identify areas of consensus, scenario-based maps for water, climate, and kinetic therapies are combined. In the very pessimistic (optimistic) scenario, climate-only therapy accounts for 0.91% (2.23%), water-only therapy for 1.07% (8.44%), and kinetic-only therapy for 3.5% (5.81%) of the area. The most significant expansion is observed in areas integrating all three therapies—climate, water, and kinetic—which increase from 3.23% in the very pessimistic scenario to 14.5% in the very optimistic scenario. The findings have substantial insights for policymakers, tourism planners, and investors in developing and promoting unique eco-wellness experiences that benefit tourists. The methodical approach and choice of data and parameters in the study can be inspirational and adjustable for relevant studies.

Tourism planning in port cities faces the dual challenge of maximizing economic benefits while mitigating environmental and social pressures. This study examines the case of Piraeus, Greece, by integrating insights from both visitors and residents to explore how stakeholder perceptions can inform sustainable and resilient destination planning. Drawing on primary data collected through large-scale surveys of visitors and local residents, the analysis applies a multidimensional framework to assess economic, environmental, and social impacts of tourism. Findings reveal strong visitor spending and cultural engagement alongside concerns about infrastructure, pollution, and service quality. Residents acknowledge job creation and business activity but emphasize rising living costs, overcrowding, and limited inclusion in tourism governance. By bridging these perspectives, this study highlights the importance of multiple-stakeholder analysis for integrated tourism planning and proposes governance strategies to enhance sustainability and resilience in port destinations such as Piraeus.

Tourist loyalty is vital for destination success, fostering repeat visits and positive word-of-mouth. This study explores the psychological and safety-related factors driving tourist loyalty to natural attractions in Oman, a rising destination known for its stability and safety. Using Social Cognitive Theory as a foundation, the research incorporates perceived risk and novelty seeking as key moderating variables. Data were collected via an online survey of 165 international tourists and analyzed through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Findings show that attachment, satisfaction, and novelty seeking significantly affect both attitudinal and behavioral loyalty. While perceived value strongly influences behavioral loyalty, its impact on attitudinal loyalty appears more complex, suggesting possible unobserved mediators. Additionally, risk perception and novelty seeking moderate the link between destination familiarity and loyalty, underscoring the role of tourists’ internal evaluations of safety and desire for new experiences. This study advances the limited literature on tourist loyalty in developing countries by integrating psychological and risk-related dimensions. It offers actionable insights for tourism planners and marketers in Oman: emphasizing the country’s safety reputation, improving satisfaction levels, and crafting experiences that blend familiarity with novelty can enhance tourist loyalty and ensure sustained competitiveness in the global tourism market.

To effectively support new rural CBTs and create development plans, it is necessary to have a broad understanding of rural CBT in developing countries. This study uses Indonesia as a case study to map and analyze patterns in earlier research in order to establish a conceptual framework. The study used a qualitative content analysis methodology to find important themes and trends in Indonesia's rural CBT development by examining journal papers indexed by Scopus that were referenced by other researchers. By charting these academic works, the researchers were able to get a wider view and identify potential problems in the sector. The analysis identified five interconnected dimensions - spatial aspects, local attractions, rural capacity, economic viability, and socio-cultural components - that form the foundation of rural CBT. These dimensions are critical in building a comprehensive framework that guides development planning, stakeholder collaboration, and longterm sustainability. Findings emphasize the importance of aligning rural CBT development with the principles of the circular economy, which promote environmental stewardship, community empowerment, and sustainable resource management. The study also highlights how preserving social capital, fostering inclusiveness, and enhancing local welfare are long -term goals achievable through strategic mapping, capacity building, and equitable profit distribution. The study also emphasizes how important social media and digital platforms are in influencing public perceptions and interest in rural tourism, which has aided in the quick ascent of rural CBT organizations throughout Indonesia. It becomes clear that community involvement and government assistance are essential to turning rural regions into sustainable travel destinations. Nonetheless, it is necess ary to address enduring issues including environmental degradation, human resource problems, and infrastructure constraints. Ultimately, the study offers a rural CBT framework that can assist policymakers, tourism planners, and local stakeholders in making context-sensitive decisions. By integrating socio-spatial understanding, participatory planning, and capacity-focused strategies, stakeholders can create more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable tourism systems. This framework not only supports local livelihoods but also aligns with global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), offering a replicable model for other developing countries seeking to implement rural CBT initiatives effectively.