Tourist Sites Research Articles

Digital Solutions in Tourism as a Way to Boost Sustainable Development: Evidence from a Transition Economy

This paper examines the role of digital economy tools, including big data, mobile applications, e-commerce, and sharing economy platforms, in the sustainable development of the tourism sector. The focus is on studying how the digital economy tools can contribute to more efficient and sustainable tourism services, to service quality improvement, to reducing the negative environmental impact, and thus increase the availability of tourism resources in local destinations. Using the example of the successful use of digital technologies in Russian regions, this paper discusses the introduction of online platforms for booking services, the use of mobile applications for navigation and obtaining information about tourist sites, as well as the use of digital tools for predicting consumer preferences. A systematic approach to the analysis of tourism services digitalization, based on a set of technical and functional–digital indicators, allowed us to evaluate the impact of the digitalization level on the local destination’s sustainable development in transition economy conditions. The proposed methodology for assessing and applying tourism services digitalization tools in Russian regions takes into account the transition economy specifics and aims to promote more sustainable practices. This study will add to the existing literature by defining both technical and functional criteria for the implementation of digital technologies as tools for the creation of new business models in tourism, and the development of a tourism services digitalization model, based on the assessment of the regional digitalization level, to ensure the movement towards achieving sustainable development goals in local destinations.

Tourism sector in Bukittinggi: Analysis of tourism competitiveness before and after COVID-19

The tourism industry, a crucial service sector, has been significantly impacted by the global pandemic, Covid-19. This impact has not only affected the development of tourism but also the regional economy. Bukittinggi, a key tourism city in West Sumatra, now more than ever, requires a competitive analysis to ensure its continuous growth. This research is aimed at analyzing and comparing Bukittinggi's tourism competitiveness before and after Covid-19. The research, a quantitative descriptive study with an exploratory research design, utilizes Competitiveness Monitor analysis. The data, sourced from BPS, BKD, and Bukittinggi Tourism Office, is secondary. The research results present the comparative results of the Tourism Competitiveness Analysis of Bukittinggi city as follows: a). PCI before Covid-19 was greater than after Covid-19; b). EI competitiveness before Covid-19 was higher than after Covid-19; c). HTI after Covid-19 was higher than before Covid-19; d). IDI after Covid-19 is higher than before Covid-19; e). OI after Covid-19 is higher than before Covid-19; 6). HRI after Covid-19 is higher than before Covid-19; f). TAI Value competitiveness index after Covid-19 is higher than before Covid-19; g). SDI before and after Covid-19 is equal. This research explains comparison of Bukittinggi's tourism competitiveness before and after Covid-19. The contribution of study are: a). consideration on improving tourism sites; b). Tourism management needs to be carried out in an integrated manner; and c). The government is expected to conduct more repairs and maintenance on tourism locations to increase visitor comfort when traveling.

Seeking Counterbalance in Urban Slavery Tours: Unbalancing the “Balanced” Narrative of the Owens Thomas House and Slave Quarters in Savannah, Georgia

ABSTRACT This essay examines the recently expanded Owens Thomas House and Slave Quarters (OTHSQ) in Savannah, Georgia, for the purpose of analyzing its goal of seeking narrative balance. This essay begins with countermemory as a guiding framework, and as such, applies the four principles of countermemory as a way of analyzing the visual-material and narrative rhetoric at OTHSQ. Ultimately, this essay invites a social justice-informed analysis of heritage tourism sites through the concept of counterbalance.

Not Merely a Tourist Site: Jamaica Kincaid’s Evocation of Antigua in A Small Place

Jamaica Kincaid in her book A Small Place (1981) describes Antigua as a holiday destination. As she revisits her homeland after a long period, she adopts a postcolonial perspective in viewing the island’s contemporary socio-political system. Though the British colonizers and slave-traders have left, the colonial legacy persists with their heirs' continual arrival to the island as tourists. Meanwhile, Kincaid notes that the majority of Antiguans, who were descendants of former slaves, remain subjugated. The writer argues that the histories of slavery and colonialism are hindrances to Antigua’s formation of its identity as an independent and self-reliant state. This paper studies Kincaid’s narration from the perspective of a solo female traveller travelling back to her native land as a tourist. By doing so, it will examine the difficulties she confronts during her travel that affect her narrative. Spectrum, Volume 18, June 2023: 31-39

Konsep Ekowisata Sebagai Role Model Pengembangan Kawasan Daya Tarik Wisata (DTW) Pada Pengelolaan Subak Perkotaan Denpasar Dalam Perspektif Hukum Kepariwisataan

Tourism is an essential resource for regions that serve as tourist destinations. Indonesia, rich in culture and tourism, boasts a wide range of tourist sites spread across its provinces. One of Indonesia's premier tourist destinations is Bali, an island known for its unique natural and cultural wealth that attracts visitors from around the world. However, tourism development often conflicts with environmental preservation, such as the lack of attention to subak (traditional irrigation systems) in urban areas. Subak, with its cultural foundations, has the potential to be developed into tourist attractions (DTW). Therefore, the concept of ecotourism is seen as a suitable approach for developing tourism attractions in urban subak areas.This research focuses on the role of ecotourism as a model for developing tourism attractions within urban subak systems and the implications of this model based on tourism law principles in Denpasar. The research employs normative legal methods, using both statutory and conceptual approaches. The expected findings aim to serve as a foundation for formulating policies and strategies to develop ecotourism in Denpasar's urban subak areas. These policies and strategies should be grounded in tourism law principles while addressing aspects that need improvement for effective ecotourism implementation in urban subak areas.

The Potential for Dark Tourism in Kazakhstan: An Overview of the Former Concentration Camps

The concept of dark tourism has attracted considerable attention in recent years. The studies in this field examine the convergence of tourism and morbidity. The research problem lies in understanding the complex dynamics between the preservation of historical sites associated with Kazakhstan’s former gulags and their role in the emerging dark tourism sector. This paper explores the tourist significance of the former gulags in Kazakhstan through the analysis of interviews, legislation texts and policy documents, and data on visitor numbers. Our aim is to illuminate the historical importance for tourism, educational value, and stakeholders associated with the preservation and promotion of these destinations. The analysis revealed the various and sometimes conflicting interests and concerns of the stakeholders, including tourists, local communities, government institutions, and the private sector. The analysis of statistical data provided valuable information on visitor demographics, preferences, and trends in the Karlag and Alzhir museums. These data highlighted the role of educational institutions and demonstrated the adaptability of museums in difficult times such as the COVID-19 pandemic. During the formation of future policies, effective collaboration with stakeholders, responsible tourism practices, capacity building, and sustainable marketing strategies are essential to the ethical and sustainable management of dark tourist sites. Thus, stakeholders can ensure that dark tourism continues to evolve in a way that respects historical integrity and benefits local communities, while contributing to the broader goals of education and commemoration.

Pengelolaan Pariwisata Berkelanjutan Melalui Kampanye Pengurangan Sampah Plastik di Objek Wisata Pulau Bokori Sulawesi Tenggara

Sustainable Tourism Management Through a Campaign to Reduce Plastic Waste at the Bokori Island Tourist Destination in Southeast Sulawesi Tourism, as a rapidly growing economic sector, significantly contributes to national income. However, it also causes negative environmental impacts, particularly the increase in plastic waste at tourist destinations. Plastic waste not only damages the natural beauty but also threatens flora, fauna, and humans. The Community Service Program (PKM) by the Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences at the University of Sembilanbelas November Kolaka, in collaboration with PT. Palem Edukasi Nusantara, aims to address this issue by promoting plastic waste reduction at Pulau Bokori, Southeast Sulawesi. The program includes literature review, field observation, and awareness campaigns targeting both managers and visitors of the tourist site. Using a campaign approach through several stages—preparation, implementation, and evaluation—the main goal is to raise public and tourist awareness about the dangers of plastic waste. Despite positive feedback, resource limitations pose challenges, requiring further efforts and collaboration to achieve sustainable tourism and a cleaner environment on Pulau Bokori.

Inovasi Olahan Ikan Tuna menjadi Bakso Ikan bagi Pelaku Usaha Kuliner di Pariwisata Pantai Desa Botutunuo

Gorontalo as a province that includes the Tomini Bay area, makes this area have residents who use the sea as a livelihood. Botutunuo Village as one of the nine villages located in Kabila Bone sub-district, Bone Bolango Regency, has its own attraction as a village located on the coast of the Tomini Bay area. Not only as fishermen, many culinary business actors use this coastal area as a place for beach tourism businesses. The service team saw the great potential of marine products obtained by fishermen, one of which was tuna. This community service aims to increase the income of culinary business actors, namely MSMEs who have stalls around the tourist area of Botutunuo village and share the knowledge of the service team in processing tuna into fish balls. The enthusiasm of culinary business actors in Botutunuo Village is illustrated by the attraction of the participants in listening and seeing the direct practices demonstrated by the service team. The results of this service are expected to be able to encourage increasing the income of fishermen and MSME culinary business actors in Botutunuo village to sell their goods to tourists who visit coastal tourist sites and help improve the welfare of the village community to increase their economic income.

Exploring the spatial patterns and influencing factors of rural tourism development in Hainan Province of China

Hainan Province is a major domestic tourism destination in China, with rural tourism playing a key role in its development. This study analyzes the spatial distribution of 154 rural tourism sites across Hainan, examining regional balance, hotspots, and influencing factors such as transportation infrastructure, economic conditions, and A-level tourist attractions. Results show a clear spatial clustering of sites, with a strong concentration in the east and more dispersed patterns in the west. Economic growth and tourism sector development are identified as key factors influencing the “coconut-level” ratings. The study offers policy recommendations to promote sustainable rural tourism, including leveraging regional advantages, enhancing transportation connectivity, and improving tourism services and infrastructure. It also calls for investment in grassroots tourism projects and strengthening regional complementarity to foster balanced and equitable growth. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and tourism planners seeking to integrate rural tourism into broader sustainable development strategies.

How can short travel videos facilitate tourists’ decision-making about traveling to cultural heritage destinations? Evidence from the Wudang Mountain Complex

PurposeTourist attractions promote their marketing campaigns by releasing short tourism promotional videos for their potential to promote tourists’ decision-making. However, few scholars have studied the impact of short videos of cultural heritage tourism sites on potential tourists’ destination decisions.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, the Wudang Mountain Complex, a world cultural heritage site, was used as a case study, and stimulus-organism-response theory was applied to forecast the behavioral motives of prospective tourists. About 401 responses from those who watched the short videos of the Wudang Mountain Complex were collected for the structural equation modeling test.FindingsThe study’s findings have validated the link among tourists’ cultural involvement, cultural experience, positive emotions, cultural identity, destination image, cultural heritage value and destination decisions. Positive emotions and cultural heritage values directly and significantly influence decision-making. Meanwhile, cultural involvement is very important, and it indirectly influences decision-making through cultural experience, positive emotions and cultural heritage values. However, cultural identity and destination image do not significantly influence decision-making.Originality/valueThe research enhances comprehension of how short video promotions influence cultural heritage tourism. It sheds light on the development of tourism promotions for cultural heritage sites and the creation of short tourism videos.

Smart Tourism for Competitive Territories: Enhancing Marketing Strategies with Intelligent Digital Technologies

Territorial decision-makers are aware that investing in intelligent digital technologies and human skills is now a priority in order to value a distinctive and high-quality territorial and cultural offer, and that this will allow them to effectively meet the challenge of tourist attraction. It is thus an orientation toward the establishment of a smart tourism culture capable of facilitating the creation and use of a rich and diverse base of tourist data. This will then be transported via digital channels to facilitate the development of flexible and effective territorial marketing strategies aimed at quickly and profitably satisfying these customers' needs and expectations. This work has thus been an opportunity to highlight the benefits provided by these technologies, including the strengthening of territorial competitiveness and the improvement of their resilience and attractiveness; the personalization of territorial and cultural offerings; the valuation of successful tourist experiences; and, finally, the identification and valuation of the assets of each tourist site.

Valuing Banyumas Cultural Heritage Tourism: A Comparative Analysis in Support of SDG’s 11 for Sustainable Cities and Communities

The study of the economic valuation of cultural heritage tourism has a long history and has gained renewed interest in recent years. This paper poses a methodological challenge in using alternative scales to monetary ranges for cultural heritage valuation. A famous Banyumas cultural tourism site is taken as a case study, and the site's utility is estimated through the method of travel cost (monetary value) and time spent visiting the site (non-monetary scale). According to consumption theory, this study finds an inverse relationship between the two scales and demand intensity. While the monetary approach mainly reflects the cost of accessing cultural heritage tourism – ceteris paribus preference– the time spent approach shows that those who invest more time in the visit are fanatics, avid enthusiasts, fascinated visitors, engagement visitors, and educated adults. These results provide more efficient policy implications in cultural tourism management and market valuation. This aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11's objectives, which encourage making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. By evaluating cultural heritage through monetary and non-monetary methods, this study supports the development of tourism policies that enhance visitor satisfaction and prioritise the sustainable management and preservation of cultural sites for future generations.

The Potential for Religious Tourism in the Panchakoshi Area of Dailekh

Religious tourism has been gaining increasing attention as a potential contributor to the local economy. This study explores the potential for religious tourism in the Panchakoshi area of Dailekh district, Nepal. The study exploits mixed research design, including surveys, interviews, and focus groups, to examine the current situation of religious tourism in the area, identify its potential strengths and weaknesses, and explore strategies for promoting its growth. This study is based on primary data collected in 2024 using purposive sampling methods. A total no of 57 respondents were surveyed from three local municipalities in the Panchakoshi area, and priests and monks from the pilgrimage sites. Religious tourism preserves valuable natural, architectural, religious, and cultural heritages that are unknown to outside societies. The potential of inaccessible places is closely linked to dimensional social aspects such as art, culture, and architecture. The opportunities for associated residents through a rational combination of nature, human skills, and social capital, with an accumulation of several entices the visitors so that the rational management of the tourist sites, cultural heritages, and places of interest could foster pilgrimage tourism and contribute to state development. The findings suggest the significant potential as a religious tourism destination. However, the area faces inadequate infrastructure, limited marketing and promotion, and a lack of coordination among stakeholders. This includes investments in infrastructure, improved marketing and promotion, and greater collaboration among stakeholders. Overall, the study highlights the potential of religious tourism as a tool for promoting economic development and cultural preservation in the Panchakoshi area and beyond.

EXPLAINING TOURIST SATISFACTION WITH COMMUNITY-BASED TOURISM IN THE MEKONG DELTA REGION, VIETNAM

In the Mekong Delta region (Vietnam), community-based tourism is developing and achieving impressive results. To maintain this success, community tourism sites should pay special attention to improving tourist satisfaction. Therefore, this study aims to demonstrate the factors influencing tourist satisfaction with community-based tourism in the Mekong Delta region (Vietnam). A mixed research method was used, combining qualitative and quantitative research to test the research hypotheses. The research data were collected using a convenient sampling with a sample size of 350 tourists who had experienced community-based tourism services in the Mekong Delta region. The research results have pointed out 08 factors that positively affect tourist satisfaction with community-based tourism in the Mekong Delta region, including trust, responsiveness, assurance, empathy, tangible facilities, perceived price, cultural interaction, and local cuisine. Among these, the trust factor has the most powerful impact on tourist satisfaction. Several management implications have been proposed for community tourism sites to enhance service quality and tourist satisfaction with community-based tourism in the Mekong Delta region, Vietnam.

One Movement For Nature Solusi Menghadapi Tantangan Triple Planet Challenge Daerah Pesisir

The challenge currently faced by the southern coastal area of Malang Regency is the Triple Planet Challenge, namely climate change, decreased biodiversity, and pollution. The role of the younger generation is needed to protect the environmental ecosystem, maintain natural conditions, and provide concrete solutions through real action. The method used in this study is descriptive qualitative, utilizing descriptive data from previous research results. The data search process was conducted based on the findings of previous researchers through research journals and interviews with several environmental organizations. The One Movement For Nature activity is expected to contribute ideas in addressing the Triple Planet Challenge in the southern coastal area of Malang Regency.Additionally, the main goal is to foster an attitude of caring for the environment in society so that society can tackle the challenges posed by the Triple Planet Challenge. This research focuses on the issue of coastal and marine biodiversity and its conservation. The case study area is the southern coastal area of Malang Regency, specifically the Southern Route, which is a location of many marine tourism sites.

Tourism Promotion Video of Gundaling Berastagi Using Vintage Effects

Berastagi is a popular tourist town in North Sumatra that introduces the Gundaling tourism site. However, the town remains relatively unknown to the wider public due to a lack of information and digital promotion. This study aims to create a tourism promotion video for the Gundaling destination in Berastagi, using vintage effects as a key component to create visual and emotional appeal for the audience. The use of vintage effects, such as vintage filters, soft color gradation, and classic lighting, creates a nostalgic atmosphere that can attract visitors and present Gundaling as a tourist destination offering historical and cultural value in addition to its natural beauty. The video production follows the MDLC (Multimedia Development Life Cycle) method, resulting in 12 promotional video pieces. The use of vintage effects in these promotional videos successfully enhances emotional appeal, strengthens Gundaling's visual identity, and broadens audience reach. It is hoped that this promotional video will help make Gundaling stand out among other tourist destinations by enhancing visual appeal and the overall visitor experience.

Design and implementation of a mobile application to disseminate tourist places: case study Santa Rita Tlahuapan

This article shows the design and implementation of a mobile application for the dissemination of tourist places. Because tourism in Mexico plays a fundamental role as an economic engine, being a valuable source of income for both international and national visitors. These tourists contribute significantly to the local economy by investing in services such as accommodation, food, transportation and tourist activities. This Android mobile application manages information about various tourist sites, such as recording the services, schedules, address and events available at each place. Users will be able to explore and comment on information about these classified places in different ways. In addition, the application will provide details about the geographical location of each site, making travel planning easier for tourists.

Identifying Afghanistan’s Extraordinary Natural Sites for Ecotourism: A Review of Ideal Ecosystems

Ecotourism is a type of nature-based tourism that supports conserving the natural environment. Afghanistan, at the crossroads of Central, West, and South Asia, is a beautiful and diverse nation that could be the best place for ecotourism. Afghanistan's unique geography and rich history make it an ideal ecotourism destination. The study aimed to understand potential ecotourism sites in Afghanistan and the environmental and economic impacts of ecotourism activities. Afghanistan's major ecotourism sites include biodiversity reserves, wildlife, rangelands, forests, lakes, wetlands, tourism sites, valleys, natural caves, deserts, natural springs, and cultural sites. Additionally, food tourism and medicinal plants play a significant role in ecotourism development. The Lonely Planet travel book highlights Afghanistan's appeal as "vastly appealing" due to its former popularity for hiking and nature sightseeing. In the 1970s, Afghanistan attracted over 100,000 tourists annually. Post-Soviet invasion, it experienced a decline. The Ministry of Information and Culture is supporting the growth of foreign tourism in Afghanistan, which rose from 691 visitors in 2021 to 2,300 in 2022. Sustainable ecotourism in Afghanistan demands effective management and planning to overcome misconceptions and bureaucratic obstacles. Afghanistan's ecotourism sites, like the Minaret of Jam, face threats from natural disasters and climate change, including landslides, earthquakes, and heavy snow, exacerbated by climate change. Afghanistan's ecotourism industry, despite its remote location, requires conservation and management, requiring collaboration among private, public, host community, and international organizations for sustainable development.

Usability analysis of graphical interfaces of travel websites according to the universal design principles

The article examines the usability of tourism website interfaces based on universal design principles, focusing on the growing need for accessibility. The hypothesis defines that altering the layout and increasing the contrast of interface elements will improve the speed at which users find and comprehend information. The research methodology includes an analysis of two tourism interfaces. They were tested by study participant using an eye tracker and the LUT survey. The WAVE tool was used to assess accessibility. The results, presented through heat maps, fixation paths, graphs and surveys, demonstrate that component positioning and increased contrast significantly enhance users' ability to quickly locate elements in the tourism application.

Analysis of technological tools for tourism in the Pichincha province

The purpose of the research was to analyze the technological tools used by tourists visiting the province of Pichincha before and during the pandemic. The research approach is quantitative, relational and comparative with an analysis before and during the confinement. The selection of tourist attractions was based on the MINTUR guide. The population was unknown, so we worked with an infinite population. The survey technique was applied. The Kolmogorov Smirnov Normality test was used to measure the degree of concordance of the information collected. The Wilcoxon test was applied. A non-parametric test was also performed, for which the Speraman correlation coefficient was used. With the results, it was determined that the most used technological tools were the computer with 61.56% and the cell phone with 34.03% of acceptance by tourists during the pandemic. Another factor was the most used platforms, where social networks stood out with 77.92%. It is evident that during the confinement tourists made use of technological tools to search for tourist sites in the province of Pichincha