Tourism Planning Research Articles

Rethinking Tourism Post-COVID: A Public Health Perspective

This paper examines the evolving relationship between tourism and public health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. It explores how tourism contributed to the spread of the virus and the subsequent impact on public health systems. The pandemic has reshaped the tourism industry, emphasizing the need for public health measures to be integrated into tourism planning and recovery efforts. This study highlights the economic implications of COVID-19 on tourism, public health adaptations, and the future of sustainable and resilient tourism practices. By rethinking tourism from a public health perspective, the paper provides insights into creating a more resilient industry post-pandemic.

Key Factors Influencing Tourist's Destination Image: A Perspective From International Tourists in Jordan

Objectives: This paper highlights the significant role of key factors in the formation of tourist destination image. From the perspective of international tourists who represent the major target market in Jordan, this study explores the potential influence of destination image on their travel intention and repeat visitation. Understanding factors that motivate tourists to travel to a specific destination can lead to predicting their future decisions. Methods: This study adopts a quantitative approach based on the analysis of selected items of questionnaire responses collected from 180 international tourists who visited Jordan post-COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Findings reveal that the destination image of international tourists is significantly affected by internal and external factors. Perception of tourist attractions, travel experience, interaction with the local community, and feeling of safety and security are crucial in enhancing the image of international tourist destinations. Conclusions: Tourism planners, policymakers, and stakeholders can benefit from the results by using the positive image of Jordan tourism to apply a suitable marketing strategy, investing in security and safety, and preserving the country's tradition of hospitality. That, in return, will allow tourist destinations to provide a unique experience for visitors, contributing to the growth and development of the economy.

Solutions to Protect the Tourism Environment in an Binh Islet, Vinh Long Province

The objective of this study is to present a group of solutions in order to protect the tourism environment in An Binh Islet, Vinh Long province, Vietnam. Although Vietnamese law has very complete regulations on environmental protection in the tourism sector. But for Vinh Long, it seems that this is still a very new issue. In the tourism planning of Vinh Long province for the period 2011 - 2020, the issue of tourism environment is only mentioned in a very general way: developing tourism products on the basis of exploiting the potential of existing tourism resources, promoting rapid economic growth, and at the same time focusing on environmental protection, biodiversity, protection, promotion and preservation of national traditions.

Cultura, comunicação pública e cidadania: práticas de deliberação cidadã no campo das artes/cultura (Brasil-Canadá)

This study describes a stage of research linked to the international cooperation plan that investigates practices of citizen deliberation and public communication in municipal management planning documents and citizen mobilization practices — such as the culture and tourism plans in Brazil (Salvador and Belo Horizonte) and Canada (Montreal) — and online public consultations. It presupposes conflicting public administrations interests as sometimes they aim to implement public policies with a view to citizens, such as those to promote Arts/Culture and, on the other hand, strictly mercantile practices toward tourists and the construction of cities merchandise by place branding.

Reference-dependence in multi-destination choice: A heterogeneous reference point perspective

Destination choice in multi-destination trips is crucial for understanding tourists' preferences, predicting tourism demand and flow, and fostering collaborative opportunities between destinations. This study utilises prospect theory to examine how tourists select a stop within a multi-destination trip and to explore the role of other chosen stops' attributes as a reference point when tourists plan their itinerary. The results reveal dynamic perceptions of gains and losses relative to reference points that vary across individual characteristics and destination attributes. Additionally, heterogeneity is revealed in tourists' reference-dependent patterns, which can be categorised as immediate- and delayed-gratification reference dependencies. These findings contribute to the destination choice discourse by proposing new directions for comprehending tourists' heterogeneous reference dependencies and attitudes in sequential destination choices.

Examining the Tourism Development in Bulacan Province, Philippines: Assessing Factors Shaping Tourism Growth

This research endeavors to assess the current state of tourism in Bulacan Province in the Philippines, examining the factors that influence its growth. It aims to provide valuable insights for local policymakers, stakeholders, and industry practitioners. Employing a quantitative approach, data is collected through surveys and statistical analyses to gain a comprehensive understanding of tourism dynamics in Bulacan. Key factors affecting tourism expansion, such as landscape, accessibility, and hospitality, are closely examined. Challenges faced by tourists, particularly in transportation and accommodation, are highlighted as significant factors influencing their experiences. Strategies to address these challenges are explored, offering practical recommendations to enhance the province’s tourism potential. The study’s findings contribute to the existing knowledge on destination management and regional tourism development. They offer guidance to policymakers, tourism planners, and industry stakeholders in devising effective strategies to leverage Bulacan’s unique attributes, promoting sustainable tourism growth and establishing the province as a prominent tourist destination.

The future of tourism: interview with Ian Yeoman about the Journal of Tourism Futures

PurposeAs the Journal of Tourism Futures celebrates its 10th anniversary, Dr. Albert Postma (NHL Stenden University) interviews Professor Ian Yeoman (NHL Stenden University) as co-editor of the Journal of Tourism Futures and expert on scenario planning in tourism and hospitality.Design/methodology/approachA personal interview.FindingsYeoman shares his expertise on the establishment and evolution of the Journal of Tourism Futures, in the context of the growth of futures thinking in tourism within a science and industry context.Originality/valueThe interview provides insights in the evolution of futures thinking in tourism, reflected in the growth and growing reputation of the Journal of Tourism Futures.

An Empirical Approach to Archaeological Heritage Conservation Through Tourism Planning: A Proposal in the Case of Tyana, Türkiye

ABSTRACT Archaeological heritage is too important and valuable a resource to be left to tourism professionals and/or archaeologists alone. Protecting archaeological heritage sites and transferring them to future generations is not possible only through legal regulations and archaeological studies. They need to be brought into tourism by involving local people in the scope of archaeotourism planning. To address the issue, the ancient city of Tyana was chosen as a model to theorise and design a micro-level archaeotourism plan. The study aims to reveal the significance and characteristics of the city’s archaeological heritage and to understand local people’s attitudes towards archaeotourism through qualitative research. The study revealed that local people are keen to be a part of tourism activities for better service and that the heritage site is an important chance for development. The study then proposes on how local people can contribute to tourism development in the site in line with these results.

Unveiling fluctuation patterns of tourist volume: Insights from 56 major attractions in China

Understanding the spatiotemporal dynamics of tourist volume is crucial for effective tourism management and planning. However, existing tourism data analysis methods often fail to capture the complex, continuous fluctuations and temporal variations in tourist behavior. To address this challenge, we apply functional data analysis (FDA) in the tourism industry to provide a more nuanced understanding of tourist volume dynamics. Specifically, we perform FDA on real-time tourist volume data from 56 major attractions in Beijing, China, revealing intrinsic fluctuation patterns, key factors driving tourist arrivals, and the dynamic characteristics of attractions across temporal scales. Our findings enhance the ability to optimize attraction management, marketing strategies, and policy-making, while also advancing tourism data science by integrating FDA. This approach fills the methodological gap and offers a comprehensive framework for exploring the spatiotemporal complexities of tourism data.

MANDALA DA SUSTENTABILIDADE NO TURISMO

Contemporary times have been marked by the trivial and excessive use of the adjective “sustainable”, tourism has not been left out of this trend. The lauded “sustainable destination” title has become a central premise among territorial management groups. However, developing public policies to meet this status has evidenced reductionist and sometimes misguided treatments that fail to incorporate the true complexity of sustainability into tourism. The results are disconnected, one-off, ineffective actions based on guesswork or the interests of particular actors in the territory. This essay presents a simplified and didactic proposal for a territorial planning instrument (Sustainability Mandala in Tourism – TSM) to contribute to the attempt to seek sustainability in tourism development. The TSM comprises 21 indicators, defined from the analysis of international instruments and national strategies in force in tourism planning. The instrument covers the seven dimensions of sustainability (environmental, territorial, political, cultural, social, economic, and technological), and it has been developed to guide local and regional tourism management groups pragmatically. Keywords: Sustainability Indicators; Tourism; Public Policy; Mandala of Sustainability in Tourism; Local Development.

How event quality affects satisfaction and revisit intention from the theory of planned behaviour

Purpose: The study aims to enhance the original theoretical framework of tourism planning by examining how event quality (ETQ), attitude (ATT), subjective norms (SNs), perceived behavioural control (PBC) and satisfaction (SAT) influence tourists’ revisit intention (RI). In addition, it aims to explore the connections between ETQ, tourists’ SAT and revisit intenion, addressing a critical gap in the literature.Design/methodology/approach: The authors gathered data from 491 domestic tourists who attended the inaugural Guizhou ‘Beautiful Countryside’ Basketball League in Guizhou, China, in 2023. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was employed to assess both the measurement and structural models in the study.Findings/results: The results revealed significant positive direct effects of ATT, ETQ, SAT, PBC and SN on RI. Furthermore, ETQ indirectly influences RI through SAT, highlighting SAT as a key mediator in this relationship. The extended theory of planned behaviour (ETPB), which included ETQ and SAT as newly integrated variables, provided a stronger framework for understanding the heightened influence of ETQ on RI.Practical implications: This study enhances the theory of planned behaviour model by integrating ETQ and SAT, offering valuable insights for extending the ETPB theory. While this contribution is significant, it also presents certain limitations.Originality/value: This article addresses a crucial gap by exploring how enhancing ETQ can directly improve tourist SAT and boost RI. It provides fresh insights into optimising event experiences, which is essential for sustainable tourism development and repeat visitor engagement.

Disentangling temporal changes in travel behavior: An age-period-cohort analysis based on German travel demand

Travel behavior changes over the temporal dimensions age, period, and cohort. However, longitudinal studies that simultaneously analyze and separate these temporal effects are missing. This study aims to disentangle the temporal changes in travel behavior (participation, frequency, expenses) and explain these changes through different theoretical lenses. Our analysis builds on large-scale representative secondary data from a repeated cross-sectional survey in Germany on the leisure travel behavior between 1983 and 2018 (N = 198,000) and uses generalized additive regression. Age and period are main drivers for changes in travel participation, cohort and age main drivers for changes in travel frequency over time. Relative travel expenses do not substantially change over time. Understanding temporal changes in travel behavior can support long-term planning in tourism.

An Introduction to the Development and Protection of Tourism Resources in China

Introduction: Tourism resources provide great potential for tourism development, but at the same time, they also face problems such as over-exploitation and environmental damage, so it is crucial to achieve a balance between development and conservation. This study explores the development and protection of tourism resources in China. Background: Since the reform and opening up of China more than 30 years ago, China's tourism industry has rapidly developed into one of the important pillar industries of the national economy. At the same time, the destruction of tourism resources has also become more and more prominent, therefore, we must correctly deal with the relationship between the development and protection of tourism resources, to ensure the economic benefits while achieving the sustainable development of tourism resources. Novelty: Many studies in China currently focus on either tourism development or conservation, but this study endeavours to consider the relationship between the two in an integrated manner, providing a comprehensive approach to effectively develop and conserve China's rich tourism resources, while at the same time obtaining economic benefits. Research Methods: This study adopts the methods of literature review and qualitative analysis to review the research results on the development and protection of China's tourism resources by collecting relevant literature and summarising and analysing the ideas in the literature to conclude the development and protection of China's tourism resources. Finally, corresponding management suggestions and policy measures are proposed based on the conclusions. Results:To promote the sustainable use and protection of tourism resources, and to ensure the long-term stability and sustainability of the resources Conclusions: To solve this problem, this study puts forward the following suggestions: (1) to formulate strict laws and regulations; (2) to raise the overall awareness of environmental protection; (3) to promote the corresponding scientific research and technological support; (4) to strengthen tourism planning and management. (5) Establishment of funds for the protection of tourism resources; (6) Strengthening of cooperation and exchanges.

Application of Protection Features to a Biosphere Reserve for the Control and Development of Tourist Activities: The Case of the Gêres–Xurés Park

In this study, we consider the importance of applying legal protection and management measures to natural tourist areas. We assess the sensitivity of these areas with respect to tourist demand, which drives the need for protective and corrective measures, such as carrying capacities controlled via admissions; in particular, we analyse the protective features that exist in a transboundary biosphere reserve, the Gêres–Xurés Baixa Limia Reserve, which occupies territory in northern Spain, southern Galicia (Spain) and northern Portugal. Our objective is to assess the relevance and effectiveness of the features used by both countries to protect their natural spaces while guaranteeing sustainability and environmental development. These measures ensure that the value of their resources is not compromised for future generations or negatively affected by tourist use. To carry out the analysis, we first conducted a geographical study of the area to characterize the different areas found in this biosphere reserve. Subsequently, we analysed the regulatory norms used for protection in both countries, and we explain the management mechanisms that have been implemented in both countries. This approach enables us to compare the relative importance assigned by each country for the sustainable management of the chosen territory and tourist space. Furthermore, we can compare the use of control measures for sustainable and respectful tourism planning, such as guiding plans, use plans and management and protective regulations.

Research on Rural Tourism Planning and Design under the Background of Rural Revitalization -- A Aase Study of Yongwang Village in Ningbo City

Research on Rural Tourism Planning and Design under the Background of Rural Revitalization -- A Aase Study of Yongwang Village in Ningbo City

Reimagining Indigenous Tourism: The RISE Framework

ABSTRACT This paper introduces the RISE framework (Rich Intercultural Spiritual Exchange), aimed at innovating Indigenous spiritual tourism planning and execution. Grounded in the capability approach and acculturation theory, RISE facilitates immersive cultural experiences while preserving spiritual legacies, responding to calls for reimagining Indigenous tourism. Despite its potential, current practices often marginalize Indigenous communities, perpetuating issues like misrepresentation and limited participation. Embracing indigeneity unlocks opportunities for cultural exchange and community empowerment. Spiritual tourism, a key aspect, fosters personal growth and well-being while promoting cross-cultural understanding and environmental stewardship. RISE addresses shortcomings by prioritizing Indigenous voices and cultural preservation. This framework offers valuable contributions to tourism scholarship, providing insights into visitor engagement and cultural assimilation. It also aids destination planners in creating meaningful, sustainable experiences, fostering cross-cultural understanding and community empowerment. Ultimately, RISE guides stakeholders in developing authentic, culturally enriching tourism that benefits both visitors and Indigenous communities.

Transformative journey experiences to heritage sites: a dark tourism spectrum

ABSTRACT Dark heritage sites can evolve from being merely sites of tragedy to places that offer transformative experiences for travelers. This qualitative study explores travelers’ transformative experiences of Christian pilgrimages after an 8-day Holy Land tour and of Jewish travelers after a 7-day Holocaust sites tour in Poland. Both tours represent different points on the dark tourism spectrum. We explored experiences tapping four domains in which travelers ascribe place meaning to these dark places: personal, spiritual, communal, and global (i.e. broad humanity). The travelers’ experiences in these four domains are mapped onto a matrix of cognitive vs. emotional and self-centered vs. other-centered experiences. In addition, place meaning in each of the four domains was found to be reflected differently in each of the transformation stages in the two examined journeys on the dark tourism spectrum. Each domain triggered different transformational processes in both of these journeys. Tourism planners are encouraged to design transformative journeys to dark heritage sites in light of the dynamics of the four place-meaning domains.

Perceptions of pet-accompanying tourism: Pet owners vs. nonpet owners

This study used a mixed-methods design combining qualitative interviews (30 respondents: pet owners and nonpet owners) and quantitative questionnaires (832 valid samples) based on the extended theory of planned behavior (TPB) to explore the formation of behavioral intentions in pet owners and nonpet owners in pet-friendly tourism destinations. This study found that the green environment of tourism destinations significantly affects behavioral intention, specifically for pet owners. In contrast, perceived constraints had no significant effect on behavioral intentions. In addition, although pet owners and nonpet owners showed consistency in their attitudes toward pet tourism, there was a significant difference in the importance they placed on a green environment. This finding not only enriches the application of the TPB in the field of pet tourism, but also emphasizes the importance of the green environment in pet tourism planning and provides the industry with targeted recommendations for improvement.

A stakeholder perspective on contested urban heritage and heritage tourism

While there is consensus among researchers that stakeholder participation is critical for heritage development, conflicts between stakeholders can exist and create an arena of contestation. Limited studies have addressed the issue of contested heritage and conflict mitigation in heritage tourism. Examining contested urban heritage in Dalian, China, this study investigates stakeholder conflict using means-end-chain analysis to reveal conflicting perspectives and visions. Furthermore, it uses tourisation theory to assess the tourism potential of each identified development scenario. Findings reveal how a focus on functional adaptation can help to achieve compromise between “dismantler” and “preservationist” polarities to gain agreement between stakeholders. This study enhances the understanding of stakeholder conflict related to contested heritage and contributes to stakeholder theory by addressing conflict mitigation and consensus building. By highlighting the heterogeneity within traditionally defined stakeholder groups, the study suggests using attitudinal groups as a strategy for stakeholder categorization and identification of common ground. It further demonstrates how a value-based approach can help to understand the shaping of stakeholders’ views and foster consensus, laying the foundation for collaborative planning in urban heritage tourism.

Changes in the Climate Comfort of the Coast of Spain (1940-2022)

The Spanish coastal regions register specific climatic conditions due to the combination of mild temperatures with little variation throughout the year, high relative humidity and the influence of maritime storms. In summer, the climatic comfort conditions are excessively hot, especially on the Mediterranean coast of Spain. Understanding these conditions and analysing the temporal evolution of recent decades, as well as regional differences, is fundamental for future summer tourism planning in the coming decades. This study analyses the principal 37 coastal tourist hubs of Spain grouped into 10 large regions (the Atlantic, Cantabrian, Mediterranean coasts, and the two archipelagos of the Balearic and Canary Islands). Daily data drawn from the ERA-5 (Copernicus) atmospheric reanalysis from 1940 to 2022 have been used (mean air temperature, mean relative humidity, and mean wind speed), with which the Climate Comfort Index has been calculated (CCI) by González (1998). The results show a significant reduction of the CCI in all the coastal areas analyzed, being more relevant in winter (-0.10 decade). The decrease in the index implies a decrease in cold thresholds and an expansion of comfort throughout the study area, especially in the central Mediterranean and Cantabrian Sea. For its part, in summer, the most important decreases (-0.07 and -0.08 / decade) show an increase in the most important climatic discomfort on the Cantabrian Coast – Euskal Kostaldea and on the Costa Brava-El Garraf, with a significant intensification and expansion temporary thermal sensation of heat. In other coastal sectors, in recent years, the climatic thresholds of heat and extreme heat have been reached for the first time.