Tourist Resorts Research Articles

Experimental study on internal heat transfer among adjacent rooms for building energy efficiency with housing vacancy consideration

With the expansion of the real estate sector and the rise of tourist resorts, many individuals now own multiple properties, resulting in a substantial number of homes remaining vacant for extended periods or being used seasonally. Despite being unheated, rooms in these vacant properties continue to transfer heat to adjacent heated rooms. While previous research has explored the heat transfer between non-heated and heated rooms based on their relative positioning, few studies have considered the dynamic aspects of this process. To fill this gap, we developed a scaled-down model to replicate real-world conditions and conducted experiments to track the dynamic temperature changes between non-heated and heated rooms in different configurations. The heat transfer mechanism was analyzed, and a theoretical model was constructed to quantify the dynamic heat exchange. This model accounts for variations in both convective and radiative heat transfer between rooms. Initial findings suggest that heat transfer to a non-heated room below a heated space can reach 28 % of the total heat supplied, while heat transfer to an upper adjacent room can account for 16 %. The peak heat transfer is observed after 5–10 h of heating. These results provide valuable insights for optimizing space heating, promoting energy-saving practices, and improving indoor heating efficiency, alongside offering actionable recommendations for behavioral energy conservation.

Law on environmental protection in tourist villages in the context of sustainable development of the tourism industry: A qualitative case study in Vietnam

After the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnam's tourism industry welcomed 1.37 million international visitors. For the whole year 2023, the total number of international visitors will reach 12.6 million, nearly 3.5 times higher than in 2022, exceeding 57% of the original target (8 million) and reaching the adjusted target (12 -13 million views). In Vietnam, which a country which is undergoing economic development, this is a good sign for many workers and businesses, but it can create great pressure on environmental protection in many localities with tourist destinations. For example, as a destination attracting foreign tourists in Hoi A City, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, the average amount of waste per day is nearly 100 tons; of which single-use plastic waste accounts for 15 - 23% (Thu Huong 2022). In order to prevent and minimize environmental pollution in tourist villages, the Goverment of Vietnam has issued many different documents such as: Decree No. 08/2022/ND-CP orienting no circulation after 2025 and using single-use plastic products and non-biodegradable plastic packaging in tourist areas and destinations; Decision No. 1316/QD-TTg Project to strengthen plastic waste management in Vietnam also points out that by 2025, 100% of tourist resorts and accommodation establishments will not use single-use plastic products and plastic bags which are so hard to decompose. In addition, the Government has also issued a set of criteria guiding environmental protection for tourism establishments and services in tourist areas and destinations, with instructions on minimizing plastic waste...However, around the issue of environmental protection in tourist villages in Vietnam, there are still problems that need to be solved. Through qualitative analysis method, the authors will analyze and propose solutions to remove regulations related to environmental protection mechanisms in tourist villages, aiming at sustainable development of the tourism industry towards a circular economy in the current period.

Optimizing the Utilization of Geothermal Water in Spa Tourism: An Investment Strategy with a Focus on Sustainability

The main subject of the paper is the effective utilization of geothermal water in a resort with the potential for spa tourism, linked to the proposal of an investment strategy. The primary objective is to suggest new development options for the destination, with a particular focus on the sustainability of the geothermal source. Two models for economic investment in area reconstruction are presented before the final proposal. The first model assesses the investment's effectiveness based on the Net Present Value (NPV), while the second model examines hydrological risks (such as a decrease in source capacity, water volume, and heat sources). This involves monitoring changes in water volume and heat sources over several years. The article's outcome aims to highlight, through a case study, the considerations for spa tourism resorts and potential risks associated with investment decisions, particularly in the context of the exhaustibility, volume, and quality of the geothermal water source.

Sustainable and smart: Evaluating São Paulo’s tourist resorts with the “DTI-BR Model”

Sustainable and smart: Evaluating São Paulo’s tourist resorts with the “DTI-BR Model”

Comparative analysis of greywater recycling and rainwater harvesting as supplementary water sources for conventional urban and tourist resort water supplies

Freshwater scarcity combined with high water demand from rapid urbanization, population growth, and changing consumption has resulted in increasing stress on urban water supply systems. Seasonal fluctuations in the population of tourist destinations are especially evident in tourist resorts. Greywater recycling and rainwater harvesting have been proposed as the most widely used valuable strategies to address water scarcity. By taking the conventional water supply system and the water supply of tourist resorts as examples, this study systematically compares and analyzes the advantages and limitations of greywater recycling and rainwater harvesting by enumerating the stress of water supply in different systems, discussing the benefits of both strategies and comparing the differences when using them for tourist destinations. The results showed that pumping systems or elevated tanks used to meet the water supply needs of high-rise buildings pose energy challenges. The water use characteristics of tourist resorts cause it to be closely related to the seasonal influx of tourists. Greywater recycling is more effective than rainwater harvesting in mitigating tourist resorts' water shortage problem. Suggestions for ways to implement these strategies for different regions are also given to make informed decisions about water distribution efforts. This study provides a reference for sustainable urban water resource management.

Evaluation of the bioclimate of the Piatra-Neamț tourist resort

Abstract: Background: The study responds to real needs of knowing the bioclimate of some tourist resorts in order to develop different types of tourism, in which the bioclimate plays a significant role. In Romania, a similar study was carried out for the resort towns of Vatra Dornei and Tg. Ocna. Methods: The research is based on time series of weather elements from 1961-2021. These series were used for the calculation of the bioclimatic index of the physiological equivalent temperature (PET) which allows the analysis of the temporal peculiarities of the bioclimate. In order to highlight in a new perspective the relationship between biocli-mate and tourism in the Piatra Neamț resort, we created climate-tourism schemes (CTIS). Results: PET values ranged between a maximum of 35.7°C (severe thermal stress due to heating) and a minimum of - 29.3°C (extreme thermal stress due to cooling). The mean PET value was 8.8°C (indicating moderate cold stress). The period of the year with biocli-matic comfort, for hiking, visiting, outdoor sports, climatotherapy, balneotherapy cor-re-sponds to the interval April (3rd decade) - October (1st decade). Conclusions: Tourists who want to plan their vacation in Piatra Neamț will benefit from non-restrictive bioclimatic conditions from the end of April to the beginning of October. During the cold season, with a layer of snow, winter sports can be practiced.

Temporal and Spatial Evolution and Factors Influencing Tourist Resorts in China

Tourist resorts play a crucial role in providing people with diverse and high-quality leisure and vacation options. The development of tourist resorts is integral to the high-quality growth of the national tourism industry. This study utilizes a combination of the nearest neighbour index, kernel density analysis, and geographic concentration index to examine the spatial and temporal distribution of 758 national and provincial tourist resorts in China. The analysis reveals several key findings: (1) the years 1992 and 2015 were pivotal for the development of China’s tourist resorts, with significant government attention and steady growth in the number of national tourism resorts from 2015 to 2023. (2) The distribution of China’s tourist resorts shows an overall uneven distribution at a national level but a more balanced distribution locally. The southeast region exhibits a high and even distribution density, while the northwest region has a lower density and quantity of resorts. (3) Some specific areas have emerged such as the junction of Anhui, Hubei, and Jiangxi provinces as the first core gathering areas and the junction of Shanxi, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang provinces as the secondary core areas. These core areas have gradually weakened and spread to other regions, leading to changes in the distribution patterns of tourist resorts. (4) The distribution of China’s tourist resorts is influenced by various factors, including economic development, resource endowment, source market, and government support. Government support is a key factor in accelerating the development of tourism resorts. These findings shed light on the complex dynamics shaping the distribution of tourist resorts in China.

Application of the Heritage Urbanism Model on the Example of the Renovation and Revitalisation of the Town Parks of Opatija

Opatija, the first climatic health resort on the eastern coast of the Adriatic and the elegant center of the tourist riviera of the same name in Croatia, is characterized by an impressive identity and a unique image of the town formed in the unity of urbanism, architecture and park architecture in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Town authorities strive to protect, restore and revitalize their rich park heritage, especially town parks and promenades. Therefore, Opatija's town parks were considered as a case study in the scientific project Heritage Urbanism (HERU), which defined general and special models for the renovation and revitalization of cultural-historical heritage. This paper provides an overview of appropriate models of renovation and revitalization of all ten Opatija's town parks using the HERU method, based on established factors of their identity and criteria for preserving their values, improving their condition and possible new interventions in them. It is concluded that it would be necessary to apply a certain combination of 14 general and special models. The results of the research are applicable in urban planning and tourist development planning in Opatija and other similar tourist resorts in Croatia and abroad.

Navigating the Efficiency Landscape: A Data Envelopment Analysis of Tourist Resorts in Jiangsu Province for Optimized Socio-Economic Benefits

Tourist resorts stand out as a focal point in the academic discourse on tourism, garnering significant attention within the tourism academic community. Assessing the efficiency of these resorts serves as a crucial tool for steering their management strategies, optimizing resource allocation, and contributing to regional economic development. This study centers on tourist resorts in Jiangsu Province, employing the data envelopment analysis method to gauge their tourism efficiency. The research delves into the impact of decomposing the efficiency of tourist resorts and investigates the spatiotemporal dynamic patterns of various efficiencies. Key findings indicate that: (1) The overall tourism efficiency of tourist resorts in Jiangsu Province registers as low, with an average of only 0.119, signaling ample room for improvement towards optimal levels. Among different efficiencies, scale efficiency exhibits the highest average value, followed by pure technical efficiency, with comprehensive efficiency ranking the lowest. (2) The comprehensive efficiency of tourist resorts in Jiangsu Province is influenced by the combined effects of various decomposition efficiencies. Notably, pure technical efficiency plays a more substantial role in overall efficiency compared to scale efficiency. (3) Spatial differentiation in efficiency values is evident among tourist resorts in Jiangsu Province. High-efficiency areas, particularly the southern Jiangsu region, display concentrated clusters, emphasizing a pronounced agglomeration of scale efficiency. In contrast, the central and northern regions of Jiangsu witness a rising number of tourist resorts demonstrating pure technical efficiency and high overall efficiency. (4) Over the research period, the focus of various efficiency factors in tourist resorts shifted towards the north, albeit without significant deviation. Simultaneously, the standard deviation ellipse area of various efficiencies exhibits a general trend of expansion. Drawing from these research outcomes, the article recommends practical measures such as enhancing the diversity of vacation resort services, establishing interactive mechanisms, and attracting management talent. These suggestions aim to provide actionable guidance for the development of tourist resorts, contributing to their sustained growth and success.

Living with Bears in Prahova Valley, Romania: An Integrative Analysis.

Our research focuses on a complex and integrative analysis of bear presence in four tourist resorts in Prahova Valley, Romania: Sinaia, Bușteni, Azuga and Predeal. Employing innovative mixed methods, including questionnaires, interviews, newspaper analysis, and consideration of the local toponymy, including bear-related names and souvenirs, we aim to highlight the extent to which a posthumanist attitude is evident in the region. The sustained appearance of bears is attributed to habitat invasion through deforestation, road construction, residential neighborhoods, and tourist infrastructure. Ambiguity arises from the presence of food sources and voluntary feeding both by locals and tourists. The mass media initially heightened fear and panic during the onset of human-bear interactions but later adopted a more tolerant tone regarding the bear's presence in tourist resorts, reflecting an openness to the posthumanist approach in Prahova Valley. That is why locals express fear and concern about bear encounters, advocating for a clear separation between animal and human spaces. Tourists exhibit attitudes ranging from unconscious appreciation to ambivalence, often contributing to the problem through practices such as feeding bears for fun. The use of bear-related names for tourist establishments is identified as anthropocentric, despite their appeal for attracting tourists. Souvenir sales, through increasing socio-economic value and contributing to tourist experiences, are also recognized as anthropocentric. However, souvenirs can provide elements of support for bear conservation efforts and the equal consideration of human and non-human entities. This study concludes that a successful adaptive coexistence requires a posthumanist vision, overcoming anthropocentrism in a landscape altered by human activities, supported by bear management programs in Bucegi Natural Park, and conservation efforts in Prahova Valley in a landscape altered by people.

Exploring the Feasibility for Utilizing Recycled Palm Waste in Decorative Design Applications as Enhancements for Tourist Destinations: A Step toward Environmental Sustainability

The study aimed to explore the feasibility for repurposing discarded palm tree waste as artistic creations and decorative elements, contributing to sustainability and environmental preservation at tourist destinations. Employing both descriptive and applied approaches, a series of artworks, totaling eight pieces, were conceptualized and crafted by art education students following the chemical treatment of the palm tree material. To assess the sustainability achieved in these artworks, a questionnaire was administered to 55 visitors at tourist destinations who attended an art exhibition organized for this purpose at King Faisal University’s Department of Art Education. Utilizing the SPSS (Version 26) program, the data underwent analysis, including calculating averages, standard deviations, and a t-test to gauge the extent to which sustainability standards were met. The study revealed a high average response score (3.925) for meeting sustainability criteria in creating art pieces from palm waste, particularly as complementary elements to the interior design of tourist resorts. Visitors exhibited positive responses, emphasizing the moral significance of this sustainable practice. This suggests the potential for recycling palm waste to produce decorative elements for interior designs in tourist resorts. The study recommended further specialized research to generate raw materials from palm waste applicable in designs and decorations beyond tourist destinations and in various settings.

Assessment of the water quality of Lake Baikal and its tributaries in areas affected by local pollution based on microbiological and hydrochemical data

The water quality of Lake Baikal and its tributaries, influenced by seven different local pollution sources, was assessed in the areas of wastewater discharge from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) of the towns of Slyudyanka, Baikalsk, and Severobaikalsk, as well as domestic wastewater discharge from tourist resorts and Maksimikha settlement, runoff of hot springs from thermal baths in Zmeinaya Bay, Baikal seal rookeries, and the tourist center on Tonky Island of the Ushkanyi Islands archipelago in September 2022. The waters of the lake and the Rivers Pokhabikha, Maksimikha, and Tyya using microbiological and hydrochemical analysis methods are assessed as clean II class quality (GOST 17.1.3.07-82), except for the coastal water zone opposite the mouth of the Pokhabikha River, where the water is defined as moderately polluted. The unequal distribution of the values of the self-purification coefficient indicates a high abundance of microflora of allochthonous origin and a low activity of autochthonous microorganisms involved in self-purification processes in the studied areas of the lake. It was found that wastewater discharged by treatment facilities; water at the mouth and surface water of the Baikal in the estuary of the Pohabikha River, water in thermal baths of hot springs in Zmeinaya Bay do not meet the requirements of SanPiN 1.2.3685-21 for the maximum permissible amount of generalized coliform bacteria, Escherichia coli and Enterococcus. At all control stations in the pelagic zone of Lake Baikal, remote from the studied local polluted sites, water quality indicators did not exceed the safety water standards for surface water bodies in terms of microbiological and hydrochemical parameters.

The situation and complexity of migration phenomena in the Republic of Serbia according to the 2022 census data

The increasing volume of migration worldwide, the emergence of new forms of mobility and the differentiation of the structural characteristics of migrants have increased the challenges in terms of the complexity, determinants and consequences of migration at local, regional and national levels. For this reason, it is of utmost importance to deepen and broaden research on spatial mobility at different territorial levels, requiring greater availability of relevant and reliable data and the observation of specific spatial bases and manifestations of this phenomenon. The paper provides an overview of the main global development documents dealing with migration issues, as well as an overview of the existing data sources for monitoring this phenomenon in Serbia. The central part of the paper focuses on analyzing the migration characteristics of the Serbian population according to the results of the 2022 census. The census data demonstrate that the autoch?thonous population predominates, the female population is more mobile and long-distance migration has increased. The largest migration centers are located in the north of the country in the gravitational zone of Belgrade and Novi Sad, while the lowest mobility is recorded in the south in the Pcinja and Jablanica counties. The city of Belgrade and the city of Novi Sad, together with the tourist resorts (Vrnjacka Banja, Cajetina), are the largest migration centers. The number of people born abroad (with the exception of the countries in the region) has increased significantly. It is clear that the census cannot be the only source of migration data due to methodological limitations and incomplete coverage, but it provides a good basis for further, more complex studies of migration systems and processes, which are essential for determining the directions of future development and finding mechanisms for migration management as elements of a strategy of sustainable demographic and spatial development.

Research on air ionization in the tourist resorts of Solca, Cacica, Gura Humorului and in Cacica salt mine - north-eastern Romania

Research on air ionization in the tourist resorts of Solca, Cacica, Gura Humorului and in Cacica salt mine - north-eastern Romania

THE LIFE CYCLE STAGE OF WESTERN ROMANIA RESORT-TOWNS AS A TURNING TABLE FOR THERMAL TOURISM DEVELOPMENT, BIHOR COUNTY, ROMANIA

The geothermal potential of the towns of Ștei and Beiuș and their evolutions as resort-towns feature a development evolution whose tourist potential rely on the recent geothermal waters’ capitalization as a spearhead for regional development. Both localities from western Romania were declared tourist resorts based on numerous favorable premises, among which the thermal waters for both curative and leisure purposes. The tourist evolution of the two resort towns occurred differently in terms of supply and demand and in terms of the thermal water consumption and applying Butler’s tourist life cycle concept both resorts are found at the development stage. An inventory of tourist attractions, both natural and man-made has been accomplished, as well as its tourist infrastructure such as operational leisure, catering and accommodation facilities for the supply side. This analysis covers a gap in the existent literature. To reveal the tourist consumption pattern in the two resort towns, secondary data referring to tourist arrivals has been analysed. All these surveyed elements allowed a comparative analysis of two engendered small towns on their rise to tourism development and a highlight of their tourist development stage through the geothermal water capitalization.

Study of the Spatiotemporal Variations, Source Determination, and Potential Ecological Risk of Organophosphate Esters in Typical Coastal Tourist Resorts in China

Investigation of the environmental occurrence and behavior of organophosphate esters (OPEs) is very important and is becoming a hot topic in the academic community. In this study, 12 targeted OPEs in the water and sediment from 19 coastal tourist resorts in the Shandong Peninsula in China were analyzed to show their concentrations, spatial variations, and potential ecological risks. The results showed that the total concentrations of OPEs (ΣOPEs) were in the range of 18.52–3069.43 ng/L in the water and 3.20–568.76 ng/g in the sediment. The dominant OPEs in the water and sediment were tris (2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCIPP), tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), and triethyl phosphate (TEP). The OPE concentrations in the water were ranked as dry season > normal season > wet season. The sewage treatment plants near tourist resorts were important contributors to the level of OPEs in the water. Triphenyl phosphate (TPHP), tri-n-butyl phosphate (TNBP), and resorcinol-bis(diphenyl)phosphate (RDP) had a relatively higher ecological risk than other OPEs in the water samples. Industrial emissions might be the main source of OPEs in the coastal tourist resorts of Shandong Peninsula in China. The results of this study verified that OPEs occur in the water and sediment of coastal tourist resorts, and more attention should be given to the existence of OPEs and the safety of aquatic environments near coastal tourist resorts.

Apartament z widokiem na apartament z widokiem. Współczesny rozwój bazy noclegowej w powiecie tatrzańskim z perspektywy lokalnej społeczności

An apartment with a view of an apartment with a view: Contemporary development of accommodation facilities in Tatra County from the perspective of the local community The rapid growth in the number of individual tourist trips to the towns and villages of Podhale, observed nowadays in combination with changes in visitor preferences, in particular the growing share of short stays, higher expectations in terms of standards offered by accommodation facilities and a greater interest in renting separate apartments, coincides with the growing demand for properties to be purchased in tourist resorts in Poland for investment purposes. These processes trigger the expansion of accommodation opportunities, particularly by increasing the number of facilities that offer apartments: houses for rent, self-catering apartment buildings, and aparthotels. Recognising the new trends in the development of accommodation facilities in Tatra County that lead to spatial, social, and economic changes, a study was carried out, aiming to: 1) verify the availability of accommodation facilities, in particular including the scale of the phenomenon of apartment rental of apartments (the data were obtained from available statistical and spatial databases, a field inventory and the Booking.com website), and 2) examine the problems caused by the contemporary development of the accommodation infrastructure in local communities (the data were obtained during interviews with representatives of local communities, n = 74). The study demonstrated well-developed accommodation facilities in Tatra County, characterised by uneven spatial distribution, a large share of informally operating facilities and a rich offer of apartments for rent. The development of accommodation facilities, triggered by mechanisms of the free market, helps to satisfy the fluctuating tourist demand, and consequently to maintain the economic function of tourism in the region. However, on the other hand, it causes numerous spatial and social conflicts. In particular, it leads to excessive intensification of development, dwindling of landscape values, and destruction of cultural heritage (including the vanishing of traditional architecture). Furthermore, it may result in reduced availability of accommodation facilities operated by local residents, as well as in tourism gentrification of Zakopane and loss of the traditional highland character of villages of the Podhale region.

The Sociopolitical History of Sun-and-Sand Tourism in Mexico: Tourist Imaginaries and Resort Development from Acapulco to Cancún

Abstract Histories of Mexico’s lucrative sun-and-sand tourism development have focused overwhelmingly on economic motivations and impacts, neglecting the political dimensions of how resorts were planned and how they were experienced by working-class residents. “The Sociopolitical History of Sun-and-Sand Tourism in Mexico” argues that the spatial planning of, and mid-century political contests over, Acapulco’s tourism economy, as well as rural political discontent in Guerrero and beyond, set the political and technical parameters within which Mexican officials planned resort destinations in the 1960s and 1970s. This article builds on recent scholarship that fuses political-economic and cultural approaches to examine the political culture of resort centers, wherein the actions of both elite and popular groups explain how resort development took place in Mexico. It tells the neglected political history of resort development in Mexico, beginning with the 1940s planning of Acapulco through the populist reforms of President Luis Echeverría (1970–1976).

The Impact of Health and Wellness Tourism in the Regional Economy of Estrela UNESCO Global Geopark, Portugal

Health and wellness tourism is currently an emerging tourist product in the Portuguese context, as it incorporates a great potential to adapt to the challenges that the present time imposes. Given the emergence of new strategies aimed at more sustainable tourism and community development, Serra da Estrela, a Portuguese mountain region classified as a UNESCO Global Geopark since 2020, has been the subject of studies about its tourism potential. Such studies aim to deconstruct the general perception, which prevailed for decades, of a tourist landscape closely related to snow as the main resource. At the same time, as Serra da Estrela represents a rural region in the interior of the national territory, it benefited from its attractiveness during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this sense, this research aims to study the importance that health and wellness tourism can have for the Estrela UNESCO Global Geopark in its impact on the regional economy. To this end, based on the study case, we analyze the thermal frequency in the resorts of the territory and indicators relating to tourist resorts with a spa component that exist in the region: accommodation capacity, the number of jobs, the number of overnight stays and the difference between TRevPAR and RevPAR. This research allows us to conclude that the thermal frequency has adapted to the challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the analyzed tourist resorts show resilience in the face of external demand shocks.

A landscape study of tourist resort at Darbandikhan Lake according to the environmental and recreational needs

From October 10, 2021 to July 10, 2022 this research was done to design a tourist resort in Bani quein and the island at Darbandikhan Lake. The location is 230 km northeast of Baghdad. Globally it is at latitude 35o 06 '58' -35o 21 '07' N, and longitude 45o 40 '59' - 45o 44 '42' E. The information of the research was collected according to four methods of data collection. First method was personal observation through several visits to the sites at different times. The second was an analysis of architectural plans obtained from the site. The third was in personal interviews with specialists in the directorate of Municipality and Tourism in the town of Darbandikhan. The fourth method to collect information was done via a questionnaire form. The study reached several results, among the favorite recreational activities of residents and tourists, presence of a special area for families was at the rate of 95%. Children area was at the second rank which was 94%, places for viewing, insight, and marketing of cultural and industrial products, boating activity and walking activity were 93% 89.9% and 84% at third, fourth and fifth rank respectively. According to these needs, two tourist resorts were proposed. In addition to studying the environmental factors in the city, the most important negative aspects of the climate were taken into account due to the lack of humidity (17%) and the high temperature above (40 C0) during the summer months and vice versa during the winter months, the temperature drops to (0 C0)