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Tourism Research and Regional Sciences

A topical collection in Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This collection belongs to the section "Tourism, Culture, and Heritage".

Viewed by 65955

Editors

Prof. Dr. Lóránt Dénes Dávid

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Economics and Business, John von Neumann University, HU-6000 Kecskemét, Hungary
Interests: tourism; hospitality; geography; earth sciences; economics; environmentalism; regional studies and sciences; sustainable development; circlular economy; bioeconomy multi-, trans- and interdisciplinary fields
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Laszlo VASA

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Doctoral School of Regional Sciences and Business Administration, Szechenyi Istvan University, 9026 Győr, Egyetem tér 1, Hungary
Interests: agricultural economics; household economics; tourism development; rural tourism; regional studies; innovation international studies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Mr. Setiawan Priatmoko

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Doctoral School of Economic and Regional Sciences, The Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE), Páter Károly Street 1, HU-2100 Gödöllő, Hungary
Interests: tourism development; rural tourism; tourism planning; tourism marketing; sustainable tourism; eco-tourism; community-based tourism

Topical Collection Information

Dear Colleagues,

Despite its dynamic and volatile context, tourism is of extreme significance in society today (UNWTO, 2020). It plays a crucial role in job creation, export revenue, and domestic value added. It also directly contributes, on average, 4.4% of GDP, 6.9% of employment, and 21.5% of service-related exports to OECD countries (OECD, 2020). Thus, tourism affects both the environment and local communities. High growth transcends geographic and demographic boundaries, penetrates regional borders, and has various socioeconomic and environmental impacts as tourism activities rise (Figueroa and Rotarou, 2016; UNWTO, 2007).

This strong push for tourism activities based on economic interests highlights the pros and cons and different understandings of its role by the public, visitors, and policymakers (Aranburu et al., 2016; Jin et al., 2016). These varied views can become the source of interesting studies and debates to find the best way to use tourism as a driver of prosperity and to reduce poverty (Junaid et al., 2020; Yergeau, 2020).

This is even more pertinent with the emergence of advances in information technology and the way they are affecting tourism activities. Today, few people need the presence of physical travel agent offices due to the abundance of online travel companies using the development and innovation of ICT. Technology innovations cause inevitable changes in the behavior of both tourism businesses and tourists in certain tourist destination areas or new destinations and disrupt the tourism industry (Buhalis, 2019).

Researchers and academics are invited to share their thoughts and experiences in this Special Issue on the phenomenon of these tourism activities. The scope includes tourism policies and events with analytical approaches to tourism, specifically urban, rural, or spatial.

Our aim is for scientific findings to guide us in identifying solutions to urgent tourism and regional issues. Some of the topics of interest include location theory and spatial economics, location modeling, transportation, migration analysis, land use and urban development, interindustry analysis, environmental and ecological analysis, resource management, urban and regional policy analysis, geographical information systems, and spatial data analysis, as long as related to tourism activities.

We look forward to receiving articles on any topic related to tourism research and regional sciences. There are no strict thematic restrictions, and no scientific finding too small or too big to contribute to the evolving concepts and inferences on tourism research and regional sciences. Your ideas always matter.

Prof. Dr. Lóránt Dénes Dávid
Prof. Dr. Laszlo VASA
Mr. Setiawan Priatmoko
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the collection website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • tourism development
  • tourism planning
  • regional studies
  • spatial analysis
  • consumer behaviour
  • tourism marketing
  • sustainable tourism
  • eco-tourism
  • community-based tourism
  • hospitality
  • geotourism
  • alternative tourism

Published Papers (27 papers)

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2023

Jump to: 2022, 2021

21 pages, 5432 KiB  
Article
Tourism Competitiveness Evaluation Model of Urban Historical and Cultural Districts Based on Multi-Source Data and the AHP Method: A Case Study in Suzhou Ancient City
by Yao Lu, Mao-en He and Chang Liu
Sustainability 2023, 15(24), 16652; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152416652 - 07 Dec 2023
Viewed by 976
Abstract
Urban historical and cultural districts, serving as multi-functional compounds integrating cultural preservation, consumer experience, and economic growth, are increasingly becoming the preferred choice for in-depth tourism under the trend of historical heritage protection and consumption upgrading. Due to the complexity of the construction [...] Read more.
Urban historical and cultural districts, serving as multi-functional compounds integrating cultural preservation, consumer experience, and economic growth, are increasingly becoming the preferred choice for in-depth tourism under the trend of historical heritage protection and consumption upgrading. Due to the complexity of the construction purpose, inherent functions, and operational management of historical districts, scientifically and rationally evaluating them poses a challenge. This paper attempts to construct an evaluation method for the tourism competitiveness of urban historical and cultural districts based on multi-source data and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. First, based on the model of destination competitiveness and combined with literature research and open-ended expert interviews, an evaluation framework for the tourism competitiveness of urban historical and cultural districts is established, using the AHP method to calculate the specific weights of each evaluation indicator. Then, the corresponding data sources for each indicator and the data processing and calculation methods are further clarified. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed evaluation model, this paper selects three key historical and cultural districts in Suzhou City, calculates the tourism competitiveness of each district based on the proposed model, and collects tourist satisfaction surveys from the three districts for cross-validation with the evaluation results. The experimental results show that the evaluation model is reliably effective in assessing the cultural, commercial, and tourism service aspects of historical districts, thereby providing a theoretical basis for future tourism decision-making information systems and practical applications of historical districts. Full article
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29 pages, 2868 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Health and Wellness Tourism in the Regional Economy of Estrela UNESCO Global Geopark, Portugal
by Margarida Mota, Paulo Nossa and Claudete Oliveira Moreira
Sustainability 2023, 15(20), 15151; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152015151 - 23 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1751
Abstract
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 [...] Read more.
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. Full article
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21 pages, 2570 KiB  
Article
Potential for Tourism and Recreation in the Todzhinsky Kozhuun (District), Republic of Tyva, RF
by Denis Dirin, Elena Rasputina, Maria Kuklina, Natalia Krasnoshtanova, Andrey Trufanov, Eduard Batosirenov and Galina Lysanova
Sustainability 2023, 15(14), 11087; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151411087 - 16 Jul 2023
Viewed by 1219
Abstract
The paper reveals opportunities and limitations of tourism development in one of the most inaccessible areas in the mountains of Southern Siberia: Todzhinsky kozhuun, Republic of Tyva, RF. Taking into account key indicators that reflect the natural, historical, cultural, and socio-economic characteristics of [...] Read more.
The paper reveals opportunities and limitations of tourism development in one of the most inaccessible areas in the mountains of Southern Siberia: Todzhinsky kozhuun, Republic of Tyva, RF. Taking into account key indicators that reflect the natural, historical, cultural, and socio-economic characteristics of the territory, using GIS technologies, a comprehensive assessment and mapping of the tourism and recreational potential (TRP) of the territory was carried out. The method of multicomponent scoring was used in this work. Consequentially, the study area was divided by means of a regular hexagonal network into many operational territorial cells; for each of those, the sum of scores was calculated according to the conditions and objects that are localized within its boundaries. The set of operational territorial cells filled with visual information made it possible to create an assessment map of the tourism and recreational potential of the Todzhinsky kozhuun territory. This map highlights the areas of the five value ranks, from the highest to the lowest. The areas with the highest scores are obviously the most suitable for the development of tourism industry. In general, the basis of the region’s TRP is picturesque virgin natural landscapes with many large lakes, unique traditional ethnocultural landscapes of the mountain–taiga reindeer herders, biological resources for hunting and fishing, and healing mineral springs (arzhany). The key limiting factor in the development of tourism is the underdeveloped transportation system and the insufficiency of special tourism infrastructure facilities. Such an assessment made it possible to identify territories favorable for the creation of three specialized tourist clusters: ethnocultural tourism, “Reindeer herders of Todzhi”; water, ecological, and fishing tourism, “Todzha Lakes”; and mountain and sports tourism, “Big Sayan”. Full article
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32 pages, 3247 KiB  
Article
Assessing the Traveling Risks Perceived by South African Travelers during Pandemic Outbreaks: The Case of COVID-19
by Pia Antoinette Plank, Luís Filipe Gomes, Paulo Caldas, Miguel Varela and Diogo Cunha Ferreira
Sustainability 2023, 15(12), 9267; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15129267 - 08 Jun 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1324
Abstract
The unprecedented global health crisis caused by COVID-19 is undoubtedly having a major impact on international tourism for two reasons. While the imposed travel restrictions have discouraged people from traveling, travelers are struggling with growing anxiety in coping with the new travel environment. [...] Read more.
The unprecedented global health crisis caused by COVID-19 is undoubtedly having a major impact on international tourism for two reasons. While the imposed travel restrictions have discouraged people from traveling, travelers are struggling with growing anxiety in coping with the new travel environment. We address the changing risk perceptions of travelers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our primary objective is to identify and weigh significant emerging travel risks and develop a Risk Score Index to measure destination performance and strategic interventions for South African travelers. In this case, we used MACBETH and web-Delphi to construct that index with the help of 32 experts in the field. We found that the risks perceived by tourists are multifaceted and encompass categories, such as additional costs, exchange rates, and reimbursement-related factors. These three criteria are most important to the general perception of travel risk. We applied the developed risk assessment index to five destinations to assess their performance relative to the identified risks. The UK was the best-performing country. Full article
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19 pages, 767 KiB  
Article
Examining the Disruptive Potential of Generation Z Tourists on the Travel Industry in the Digital Age
by Alina Petronela Pricope Vancia, Codruța Adina Băltescu, Gabriel Brătucu, Alina Simona Tecău, Ioana Bianca Chițu and Liliana Duguleană
Sustainability 2023, 15(11), 8756; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15118756 - 29 May 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 5885
Abstract
The tourism industry has faced several challenges over the years, due to the evolution of technology and behavioral changes of the generations. The research focused on the new generation of tourists, Generation Z. Known as digital natives, the study aimed to identify their [...] Read more.
The tourism industry has faced several challenges over the years, due to the evolution of technology and behavioral changes of the generations. The research focused on the new generation of tourists, Generation Z. Known as digital natives, the study aimed to identify their current travel behavior in the digital age and their perception of the future of travel in the context of recent technological developments, namely artificial intelligence, and virtual reality, thus highlighting specific elements that could disrupt the travel industry. To achieve this goal, qualitative research was conducted, using two sessions of focus groups among 20 Generation Z tourists. The results show that Generation Z tourists exhibit disruptive behavior primarily due to their heavy reliance on social media platforms, even for travel purposes. Social media has become their primary search engine, and travel influencers hold significant sway over certain individuals in this generation. In addition, they serve as influencers, by sharing visual content from their travels. Another noteworthy trend in the travel industry is Generation Z’s inclination towards multi-channel booking, effortlessly switching between different booking options. Lastly, although the results show little awareness of the potential of advanced technologies, their openness to adopt them to simplify the travel planning process further contributes to the disruption of traditional travel patterns. Generation Z can be considered a bridge between previous and future generations. The study has implications for management and marketing activities in the tourism field. Full article
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15 pages, 368 KiB  
Article
Determinants of Indebtedness in Expanding Portuguese Hotels
by Luís Gomes, Cláudia Pereira and Mário Coelho
Sustainability 2023, 15(10), 8397; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15108397 - 22 May 2023
Viewed by 890
Abstract
The hotel industry has been one of the fastest-growing economic sectors in Portugal in recent years. According to the European Best Destinations website, Portugal has consolidated itself as a destination of excellence. The explanation of the capital structure of firms remains relevant in [...] Read more.
The hotel industry has been one of the fastest-growing economic sectors in Portugal in recent years. According to the European Best Destinations website, Portugal has consolidated itself as a destination of excellence. The explanation of the capital structure of firms remains relevant in financial research. However, prior international empirical evidence is not exclusive and is still scarce in the Portuguese hotel sector, which motivated this research. This study aimed to analyse the influence of determinants on the capital structure of 821 Portuguese hotels between 2011 and 2019 (until the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic affected the international tourism sector) and to determine whether strategies were conducted according to trade-off and pecking order theories. This study used an econometric approach based on the static panel data model, with tests recommending the fixed effects model estimated by the least squares dummy variables (LSDV) within. The analysed determinants were return on assets, size, tangibility, growth opportunities, risk and other tax benefits besides debt in order to explain the indebtedness through three alternative measures. The results of this research show that managers sought an optimal combination of equity and debt, which was weighted between tax savings and the cost of financial distress. However, they pursued this objective through the hierarchical sequencing of funding sources in order to minimise the costs of information asymmetry. Full article
16 pages, 631 KiB  
Article
Medical Tourism in the Region of Thessaly, Greece: Opinions and Perspectives from Healthcare Providers
by Georgia Giannake, Athina Economou, Theodore Metaxas and Mary Geitona
Sustainability 2023, 15(10), 7864; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15107864 - 11 May 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2340
Abstract
Medical tourism is considered to be one of the most upcoming and profitable markets worldwide. The objective of the study is to examine the potential and challenges of medical tourism in the region of Thessaly from the perspective of healthcare providers. A cross-sectional [...] Read more.
Medical tourism is considered to be one of the most upcoming and profitable markets worldwide. The objective of the study is to examine the potential and challenges of medical tourism in the region of Thessaly from the perspective of healthcare providers. A cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2020 to December 2021 in all the medical, rehabilitation and elderly care facilities. A questionnaire focusing on the stances and views of healthcare facilities’ managers was constructed. Private health units are more engaged in medical tourism compared with others, and elderly care facilities are not totally involved. Health units mostly provide dialysis, orthopedics, oncology and gynecology medical tourism services. High-quality services, low costs, touristic and cultural interest and climatological conditions are reported as the main challenges for attracting tourists. Investment in facilities and actions and cooperation with banks and tax breaks are stated as the most common policies and ministries and associations as the most important bodies that can promote medical tourism. Medical tourism in the region is underdeveloped. Medical tourism can be a driver of economic growth if relevant policies are designed with the aim to strengthen and promote it. Full article
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21 pages, 42015 KiB  
Article
Sustainability of Heritage Villages through Eco-Tourism Investment (Case Study: Al-Khabra Village, Saudi Arabia)
by Abdulrahman Altassan
Sustainability 2023, 15(9), 7172; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15097172 - 25 Apr 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2576
Abstract
This study explores the reasons for the failure to sustain the rehabilitation of Al-Khabra as a heritage village for tourism. Despite the rehabilitation activities since 2007 and the comprehensive plans for the development, protection, and operation of the village, tourism activities are limited [...] Read more.
This study explores the reasons for the failure to sustain the rehabilitation of Al-Khabra as a heritage village for tourism. Despite the rehabilitation activities since 2007 and the comprehensive plans for the development, protection, and operation of the village, tourism activities are limited due to the restricted availability of qualified buildings, infrastructure, and services. This has made the investment in the village economically unviable. This study aims to propose sustainability strategies for heritage villages by investing in eco-tourism. This study used a qualitative descriptive approach by analyzing the rehabilitation experience through available reports and studies, field observations, and interviews. A holistic and environmental approach was proposed based on the integration of cultural and environmental elements to promote eco-tourism in the village. This study recommends the development of national policies that regulate the preservation of local resources and biodiversity within an integrated framework that enhances the unique environmental advantages of the village and encourages investment in it. Full article
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22 pages, 7519 KiB  
Article
Stereotypes and Prejudices as (Non) Attractors for Willingness to Revisit Tourist-Spatial Hotspots in Serbia
by Tamara Gajić, Ivana Blešić, Marko D. Petrović, Milan M. Radovanović, Filip Đoković, Dunja Demirović Bajrami, Sanja Kovačić, Ivana Jošanov Vrgović, Tatyana N. Tretyakova and Julia A. Syromiatnikova
Sustainability 2023, 15(6), 5130; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15065130 - 14 Mar 2023
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2154
Abstract
Despite the fact that the topic of the influence of stereotypes and prejudices on the loyalty and willingness of tourists to visit a destination again is increasingly common in world publications, researchers have yet to examine this relationship. The aim of this research [...] Read more.
Despite the fact that the topic of the influence of stereotypes and prejudices on the loyalty and willingness of tourists to visit a destination again is increasingly common in world publications, researchers have yet to examine this relationship. The aim of this research is precisely to assess the influence of stereotypes and prejudices (S&P) in the system of other attractors of tourist visits, on the loyalty and willingness of foreign visitors to revisit Serbia as a tourist destination. It is known that Serbia possesses large natural and anthropogenic resources as a basis for tourism development, but it is also known for numerous prejudices and stereotypes, which can potentially dictate loyalty to the destination and the behavior of tourists. The results obtained by the Path analysis show that stereotypes and prejudices, among 892 randomly selected foreign tourists, have a more significant direct influence on the dimensions of loyalty and revisiting Serbia compared to other factors. Further analysis showed that foreign tourists consider the Serbian people to be arrogant, with expressed nationalism and a preserved traditional social approach, as well as that middle-aged tourists show the highest loyalty and willingness to visit again after evaluating all the aforementioned factors. Limitations of the research were related to a lack of understanding of the language and non-cooperation on the part of the respondents. The results of the research have theoretical and applied importance as information for future research in Serbia and beyond, but also for improving the management strategy of tourism development. Full article
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18 pages, 2019 KiB  
Article
Characteristics and Temporal Trends of Regional Tourism Along the Border Areas
by Young-joo Ahn, Katie Bokyun Kim and Jin-young Kim
Sustainability 2023, 15(4), 3111; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043111 - 08 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1517
Abstract
This study aims to extract topics from news articles on DMZ tourism published between 1990 and 2020. This study uses LDA to extract topics within the contents of news articles on DMZ tourism. Furthermore, this study aims to examine the trends of each [...] Read more.
This study aims to extract topics from news articles on DMZ tourism published between 1990 and 2020. This study uses LDA to extract topics within the contents of news articles on DMZ tourism. Furthermore, this study aims to examine the trends of each topic within news articles and identify the characteristics of topics over the past 30 years by developing graphs. A total of 23,093 news articles published from 1990 to 2020 were collected. The data were analyzed using LDA, descriptive analysis, odd ratios, and visualized graphs. The results found that news articles on DMZ tourism can provide considerable information in terms of political, social, and environmental issues. The results provide profiles of news articles on DMZ tourism and identify the unique topics and characteristics of these news articles. The study presents findings regarding topic trends over the last 30 years. All topics show an upward trend from 1990 to 2020. Significant issues have attracted attention to the DMZ region. Furthermore, the findings demonstrate spatial and temporal differences in the volumes of topics. This study identified topics from the past 30 years and important issues related to DMZ tourism that can strengthen the unique features of the DMZ and surrounding area, promoting tourism products and content. The present study contributes to identifying topics of DMZ tourism and temporal changes from 1990 to 2020. The findings can provide meaningful insight into developing policies for DMZ tourism. Full article
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17 pages, 1442 KiB  
Article
Romanian Holiday Vouchers: A Chance to Travel for Low-Income Employees or an Instrument to Boost the Tourism Industry?
by Claudia Daniela Albă and Liliana Sonia Popescu
Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1330; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021330 - 10 Jan 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1887
Abstract
Holiday vouchers are a tool that have been used for 40 years to encourage employees’ access to vacation and have been highlighted during the recent pandemic, when governments used them to support the tourism industry. Using a naturalistic inquiry that combined focus groups [...] Read more.
Holiday vouchers are a tool that have been used for 40 years to encourage employees’ access to vacation and have been highlighted during the recent pandemic, when governments used them to support the tourism industry. Using a naturalistic inquiry that combined focus groups with workers from travel agencies and semi-structured interviews with tourists, we analysed the influence of the Romanian holiday voucher scheme on the tourist behaviour of employees in order to establish the holiday vouchers’ usefulness as a tool in social tourism or for the development of the tourism industry. An overwhelming share of the interviewees considered the granting of holiday vouchers beneficial. First and foremost, holiday vouchers enabled some people with blue-collar jobs to have their first holiday in decades. Secondly, vouchers influenced tourist behaviour mainly in terms of destination choice, services purchased and holiday frequency and/or duration. Moreover, for the past couple of years when there were major events with impacts on the entire economy worldwide, holiday vouchers proved to be a lifesaver for the Romanian tourism industry. Full article
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2022

Jump to: 2023, 2021

18 pages, 541 KiB  
Article
Exploring Residents’ Perceptions towards Tourism Development—A Case Study of the Adjara Mountain Area
by Giorgi Gogitidze, Nana Nadareishvili, Rezhen Harun, Iulia D. Arion and Iulia C. Muresan
Sustainability 2023, 15(1), 492; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010492 - 28 Dec 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2859
Abstract
Tourism development involves both positive and negative impacts on economic, social and natural environments, which represent essential pillars for sustainable development. It is in this context that the present research was conducted in the Adjara Mountain area of Georgia aiming to identify residents’ [...] Read more.
Tourism development involves both positive and negative impacts on economic, social and natural environments, which represent essential pillars for sustainable development. It is in this context that the present research was conducted in the Adjara Mountain area of Georgia aiming to identify residents’ perception towards tourism development. An online survey was conducted among 620 residents. The data collected were analyzed by descriptive statistics and principal component analysis. As such, the results of the principal component analysis led to a two-factor solution: “positive effects” and “negative effects”. Older and more educated respondents perceived the impacts of tourism development more positively compared to the younger group and to the less educated one. A statistically significant difference was found between females and males regarding their perception of the positive impacts of tourism development. The study represents a first step in investigating the residents’ perception towards tourism development in the Adjara Mountain region, and the results could constitute a starting point for future tourism strategies in the area. Full article
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32 pages, 957 KiB  
Article
CHECKHI: A Checklist for Evaluating the Customer Experience of Tourism in the Hotel Industry
by Daniela Quiñones and Luis Rojas
Sustainability 2022, 14(24), 16676; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142416676 - 13 Dec 2022
Viewed by 2200
Abstract
Evaluating the customer experience (CX) when guests interact with different products or services helps to understand their perceptions and responses during their journey. Nevertheless, most evaluation methods/instruments used in the hotel sector only focus on individual touchpoints of a customer’s journey, not the [...] Read more.
Evaluating the customer experience (CX) when guests interact with different products or services helps to understand their perceptions and responses during their journey. Nevertheless, most evaluation methods/instruments used in the hotel sector only focus on individual touchpoints of a customer’s journey, not the whole CX. This article presents CHECKHI: a novel checklist for evaluating the CX of the tourism area, specifically in the hotel industry. CHECKHI is composed of 102 items divided into seven touchpoints that cover the entire guest journey (before, during, and after the stay). We adapted and applied an eight-stage methodology to develop, validate, and refine CHECKHI, within two iterations. We performed several experiments to verify the content validity of CHECKHI using the Delphi method and interviews. The results obtained in the validations of CHECKHI items demonstrate its representativeness, clarity, and usefulness; this makes it possible to evaluate the CX at the touchpoints identified, regardless of the hotel type. CHECKHI could be useful for companies and/or organizations that offer hotel services and require evaluations of the CX; academics who need to create new evaluation instruments and can use CHECKHI as a reference; and professionals who need to learn about CX evaluation in the hotel sector. Full article
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33 pages, 2452 KiB  
Article
The Impact of High-Speed Rail Systems on Tourist Attractiveness in Italy: Regression Models and Numerical Results
by Mariano Gallo and Rosa Anna La Rocca
Sustainability 2022, 14(21), 13818; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142113818 - 25 Oct 2022
Viewed by 1236
Abstract
This paper evaluates the impact of high-speed rail systems on tourist attractiveness in Italy. The analysis is carried out with reference to provincial capitals, only some of which are served by high-speed railway lines. To achieve this objective, two multiple linear regression models [...] Read more.
This paper evaluates the impact of high-speed rail systems on tourist attractiveness in Italy. The analysis is carried out with reference to provincial capitals, only some of which are served by high-speed railway lines. To achieve this objective, two multiple linear regression models were specified and calibrated, which relate arrivals and presences in accommodation facilities to several factors that could influence the tourist destination: cultural, historical, and monumental heritage, commercial activities, recreational activities, accessibility, etc. Both models showed that the availability of high-speed railway services is an important factor in the choice of tourist destination, being, moreover, the only accessibility variable found to be significant; furthermore, the elasticity of tourist demand to this factor was significant too. Full article
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13 pages, 1451 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Tourism Development Strategies on the Attractiveness of Mountainous Destinations: A Case Study of the Aures Mountains in Algeria
by Salah Zeraib, Yacine Kouba and Belkacem Berghout
Sustainability 2022, 14(20), 13045; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013045 - 12 Oct 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2089
Abstract
Tourism development strategies play a crucial role in tourism development. However, the reaction of the former to the needs of visitors and its effect on attractiveness is essential, especially in mountainous destinations. This study evaluates the impact of tourism development strategies on the [...] Read more.
Tourism development strategies play a crucial role in tourism development. However, the reaction of the former to the needs of visitors and its effect on attractiveness is essential, especially in mountainous destinations. This study evaluates the impact of tourism development strategies on the attractiveness of mountain destinations. The study relied on appropriate elements derived from the literature. The study was conducted in three tourist sites in the Aures Mountains, and the sample included 468 visitors. The results showed that the destination’s attractiveness depends mainly on local factors such as nature, monuments, traditional food, and apple purchase, in addition to the quality of the price, which received the satisfaction of the majority of visitors. In turn, visitors were dissatisfied with the services assigned to tourism development strategies, such as accommodation, entertainment, communications, and transportation. The results also showed that the return to the destination is affected by nature and determined by several factors such as age, gender, use of a specific vehicle, and proximity. Therefore, the destination’s attractiveness is not based on the elements assigned to tourism strategies; this indicates the gap in local potential and tourism development. Full article
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19 pages, 2099 KiB  
Article
Industry Differences in Productivity—In Agriculture and Tourism by Lake Balaton, Hungary
by Zsuzsanna Bacsi, Lóránt Dénes Dávid and Zsolt Hollósy
Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 11809; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141911809 - 20 Sep 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1382
Abstract
The paper compared the performance of firms in agriculture and in tourism in two countryside areas of Hungary, assessing 2613 firms for 16 years (2004–2019). The data are from tax reports of all firms of the analysed areas. Agriculture and countryside tourism depend [...] Read more.
The paper compared the performance of firms in agriculture and in tourism in two countryside areas of Hungary, assessing 2613 firms for 16 years (2004–2019). The data are from tax reports of all firms of the analysed areas. Agriculture and countryside tourism depend on environmental factors, thus they are more seriously affected by adverse environmental events than other production or service industries. The research was aimed at identifying differences between the two industries, and reveal time patterns and size-related traits of performance. Labour force, sales revenues, total assets, labour productivity, and total factor productivity (TFP) were analysed with descriptive statistics and panel regression analysis. Results reveal that the performance of firms in these industries differ significantly regarding total assets, sales revenues, labour force, and labour productivity, but does not differ in TFP, and differences are associated either with average levels of indicator values or their temporal tendencies. Our results underline that firm performance considerably differs by firm size, smaller firms are generally more labour-efficient than larger ones, and labour efficiency is positively impacted by total asset level, but TFP is not. Agriculture was found to be not less efficient than tourism, contrary to general assumptions. Full article
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27 pages, 8675 KiB  
Article
Can Tourism Development Help Improve Urban Liveability? An Examination of the Chinese Case
by Jianxiong Tang, Chaoyue Cai, Yujing Liu and Jiaxiang Sun
Sustainability 2022, 14(18), 11427; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811427 - 12 Sep 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1656
Abstract
The emergence of “urban diseases” has aroused people’s widespread concern about urban liveability. Therefore, it is worth studying whether tourism, as a “smokeless industry” can improve it. In this article, the benchmark model, the spatial Durbin model (SDM), and the panel threshold model [...] Read more.
The emergence of “urban diseases” has aroused people’s widespread concern about urban liveability. Therefore, it is worth studying whether tourism, as a “smokeless industry” can improve it. In this article, the benchmark model, the spatial Durbin model (SDM), and the panel threshold model (PTM) are constructed to test the impact of tourism development on urban liveability based on the data from 284 prefecture-level and above cities in China for the period 2004–2019. The results show that tourism development can significantly contribute to the improvement of urban liveability. Meanwhile, the positive impact of tourism development on the liveability of neighboring cities through spatial spillover effects is still valid in eastern, central, and western China, but the effect is much larger in the eastern and central cities than in the western cities. Moreover, tourism development has positive nonlinear effects on urban liveability, and the marginal effects are clearly decreasing after crossing the first and second thresholds. Finally, specific recommendations are proposed for tourism development to improve urban liveability. Full article
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16 pages, 1721 KiB  
Article
Understanding the Evolution of Regional Tourism Efficiency: Through the Lens of Evolutionary Economic Geography
by Songsong Zhao, Tai Huang and Jianchao Xi
Sustainability 2022, 14(17), 11042; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141711042 - 04 Sep 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1696
Abstract
To further understand the evolution of regional tourism efficiency, a more systematic and theoretical analysis is required. Taking the urban agglomeration in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River as a case, this study applied evolutionary economic geography to analyze the evolutionary process [...] Read more.
To further understand the evolution of regional tourism efficiency, a more systematic and theoretical analysis is required. Taking the urban agglomeration in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River as a case, this study applied evolutionary economic geography to analyze the evolutionary process of regional tourism efficiency. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) and the Malmquist index were used to measure the regional tourism efficiency and total factors productivity changes. Moreover, this paper employed the semi-variogram, Kriging interpolation, and Markov chain to explore the spatiotemporal evolution and transition characteristics of regional tourism efficiency. Finally, based on the test results of Geo-detector, the driving mechanism of the spatiotemporal evolution of regional tourism efficiency was constructed. The results show that the overall tourism development was inefficient, and the leading sources of inefficiency were primarily embedded in pure technology inefficiency, while the main contributor to the growth of total factor productivity was the positive technical change. Over time, the spatial spillover effect of regional tourism continued to increase, and the spatial pattern changed from divergence to convergence, resulting in co-evolution. The inertial trajectory of the evolution of regional tourism efficiency reveals a significant path dependence. Factors such as traffic accessibility, tourism resource endowments, tourism specialization, industrial structure, informatization, and openness can reasonably explain the evolution of regional tourism efficiency. Full article
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16 pages, 1344 KiB  
Article
Residents’ Perceptions towards Tourism Development—The Case of Galaţi-Brăila Conurbation, Romania
by Iulian Adrian Șorcaru, Alexandru Capatina, Mihaela-Carmen Muntean, Ludmila-Daniela Manea and Ionica Soare
Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 7962; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14137962 - 29 Jun 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2363
Abstract
Business and transit tourism are representative of the Galati-Brăila conurbation. Its favorable geographical location, at the eastern border of Romania and the EU, and its natural and cultural tourist potential are the main assets towards tourism development. Therefore, future tourist facilities developed by [...] Read more.
Business and transit tourism are representative of the Galati-Brăila conurbation. Its favorable geographical location, at the eastern border of Romania and the EU, and its natural and cultural tourist potential are the main assets towards tourism development. Therefore, future tourist facilities developed by public authorities or private investors could generate a viable economic alternative for its residents. The objectives of this study were to identify residents’ perceptions, both positive and negative, concerning the impact of tourism development on tourist potential, socio-economic characteristics and the environment of the region. Another major objective was to establish the correlation between the residents’ involvement in tourism activities and tourism development in the region. In this regard, based on social exchange theory and applying the Sem-Pls method, we designed hypotheses and a research model which were verified based on a questionnaire implemented online. The data were processed using SmartPls3 software, all the research hypotheses being validated. Full article
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18 pages, 1249 KiB  
Article
Forecasting the Volume of Tourism Services in Uzbekistan
by Bahodirhon Safarov, Hisham Mohammad Al-Smadi, Makhina Buzrukova, Bekzot Janzakov, Alexandru Ilieş, Vasile Grama, Dorina Camelia Ilieș, Katalin Csobán Vargáné and Lóránt Dénes Dávid
Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 7762; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14137762 - 25 Jun 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2617
Abstract
The aim of the present research is to assess the impact of factors such as welfare, infrastructure, security, and the environment on inbound tourism as well as to develop its forecast. Six proxy indicators of the above-mentioned factors were selected as variables, namely, [...] Read more.
The aim of the present research is to assess the impact of factors such as welfare, infrastructure, security, and the environment on inbound tourism as well as to develop its forecast. Six proxy indicators of the above-mentioned factors were selected as variables, namely, welfare (real GDP per capita, life expectancy, consumer price index), infrastructure (passenger transportation volume), security (total recorded crimes), and the environment (CO2 emissions). We used a time series-univariate ARIMA model to forecast the inbound tourism in the Republic of Uzbekistan, and applied the ARDL model to assess the impact of lagged real GDP per capita on inbound tourism in both the short and long terms. The results of our research show that security and welfare significantly affect the inflow of foreign tourists in the country, along with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, the effects of which are expected to persist beyond 2026. Full article
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14 pages, 6212 KiB  
Article
Spatial Differentiation and Impact Factors of Tourism Development: A Case Study of the Central Plains, China
by Jiayu Kang, Xuejun Duan, Wei Yan and Zhiyuan Ma
Sustainability 2022, 14(12), 7313; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14127313 - 15 Jun 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1631
Abstract
This study aims to summarize the patterns of spatial differentiation and impact factors on tourism development. This research used the Central Plains as the study area to analyze the spatial differentiation patterns of tourism development from 2005 to 2018. The study used spatial [...] Read more.
This study aims to summarize the patterns of spatial differentiation and impact factors on tourism development. This research used the Central Plains as the study area to analyze the spatial differentiation patterns of tourism development from 2005 to 2018. The study used spatial econometric methods, such as the spatial Durbin model and the geodetector model, to explore the impact factors of tourism development. According to the results, the spatial differentiation characteristics of domestic tourism and inbound tourism were similar, and the spatial agglomeration of both had significantly narrowed. The study also found impact factors in the study have a differential influence on domestic tourism and inbound tourism, with a strong spatial spillover effect on domestic tourism compared to inbound tourism. For a long time, domestic tourism has been impacted mainly by tourism policies and economic levels, inbound tourism has been impacted by tourism policies, and the level of openness to the outside world does not have a major impact on inbound tourism. Reasonable explanations are provided for these results and policy implications are drawn. Full article
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19 pages, 2009 KiB  
Article
The Impact of HDA, Experience Quality, and Satisfaction on Behavioral Intention: Empirical Evidence from West Sumatra Province, Indonesia
by Mohamed Battour, Nur Aulia Noviyani, Ririn Tri Ratnasari, Mohamed Aboelmaged and Riyad Eid
Sustainability 2022, 14(8), 4674; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14084674 - 13 Apr 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2667
Abstract
In this study, we aimed to determine the influence of halal destination attributes (HDAs) on the behavioral intention of Muslim tourists and investigate the mediating effect of experience quality and satisfaction on the relationship between HDAs and the behavioral intention of Muslim tourists. [...] Read more.
In this study, we aimed to determine the influence of halal destination attributes (HDAs) on the behavioral intention of Muslim tourists and investigate the mediating effect of experience quality and satisfaction on the relationship between HDAs and the behavioral intention of Muslim tourists. The data were obtained through questionnaires distributed online to Muslim respondents who visited West Sumatra, Indonesia, in the past three years. A total of 200 valid questionnaires were selected for data analysis. The results showed that HDAs have a significant positive effect on experience quality and behavioral intention but showed a significant negative effect on destination satisfaction. Experience quality was found to have a significant positive effect on destination satisfaction but no significant effect on behavioral intention, and destination satisfaction had a significant positive effect on behavioral intention. The findings contribute to the theoretical development of halal tourism destinations and are expected to help halal destination marketers better understand the experiences and behaviors of Muslim tourists. Full article
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31 pages, 4119 KiB  
Communication
Transport Accessibility and Tourism Development Prospects of Indigenous Communities of Siberia
by Maria Kuklina, Denis Dirin, Viktoriya Filippova, Antonina Savvinova, Andrey Trufanov, Natalia Krasnoshtanova, Viktor Bogdanov, Dmitrii Kobylkin, Alla Fedorova, Anna Itegelova and Eduard Batotsyrenov
Sustainability 2022, 14(3), 1750; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14031750 - 03 Feb 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3160
Abstract
This paper aims to identify details of interaction and mutual influence of tourism and transport infrastructure development using a combination of sociological and statistical methods. For the analysis, five key sites were selected in several parts of Siberia, differing in natural, socio-economic, and [...] Read more.
This paper aims to identify details of interaction and mutual influence of tourism and transport infrastructure development using a combination of sociological and statistical methods. For the analysis, five key sites were selected in several parts of Siberia, differing in natural, socio-economic, and ethnocultural quality, but possessing the presence of compact indigenous communities that reproduce traditional forms of both cultural life and economic activity. While each community has its own unique culture and resources for development, several similar characteristics were revealed. It has been revealed that tourists themselves and workers of the tourism sector, including local residents, are unequivocal supporters of transportation system development. A significant part of the population, recognizing the need and advantages of having a well-functioning transport infrastructure, expresses a negative attitude towards easy accessibility of the territory for outsiders who violate the rules and regime for usage of natural resources and augment economic and cultural competition for the local population. Understanding key processes of interrelations, both explicit and hidden, concomitant to socioeconomic development of remote indigenous communities, with the simultaneous development of tourism and transport, allows the authors to propose a model outline of attitudes of local communities towards tourist and transport perspectives in the territory of their residence. Full article
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15 pages, 1051 KiB  
Article
A Theoretical Model for the Implementation of Social Sustainability in the Synthesis of Tourism, Disability Studies, and Special-Needs Education
by Éva Happ and Veronika Bolla
Sustainability 2022, 14(3), 1700; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14031700 - 01 Feb 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2649
Abstract
This paper deals with the study of disability science, special-needs education, and psychology of special needs in the context of tourism. It is rare to find a link between these research areas in the literature. Accessible tourism has attracted widespread research interest in [...] Read more.
This paper deals with the study of disability science, special-needs education, and psychology of special needs in the context of tourism. It is rare to find a link between these research areas in the literature. Accessible tourism has attracted widespread research interest in recent decades, but the number of studies focusing on tourism in the fields of disability studies, special-needs education, and psychology of special needs is very limited. Although there is growing literature on accessible tourism and related topics, the development of the research field is uneven, as most research focuses on specific subareas without considering the context of the whole spectrum of the topic. The interdisciplinary research aims to explore the situations of people with disabilities in terms of their participation in tourism. The data collected will be used to analyse the supply and demand side of tourism from a specific perspective. Among the external environmental impacts, the issue of sustainability will be highlighted, which will be addressed from a societal perspective by analysing the sustainable development goals (SDGs) related to the topic. The study includes a theoretical analysis through the processing of secondary sources, linking the fields of tourism, disability studies, special-needs education, and psychology of special needs, with the potential of social sustainability and the achievement of the SDGs. The paper presents a new model that illustrates the potential for achieving social sustainability from the supply and demand side of tourism. The model can be valuable, not only for those who want to extend their research into this new field, but also for tourism policy makers. The study also identifies key research questions on this topic that merit theoretical and empirical exploration in the future. Full article
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2021

Jump to: 2023, 2022

19 pages, 951 KiB  
Article
Application of Fuzzy Logic to Evaluate the Economic Impact of COVID-19: Case Study of a Project-Oriented Travel Agency
by Gergő Thalmeiner, Sándor Gáspár, Ákos Barta and Zoltán Zéman
Sustainability 2021, 13(17), 9602; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179602 - 26 Aug 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2743
Abstract
The aim of the study is to create a performance evaluation controlling model to evaluate the performance of tourism enterprises as a function of the economic effects of COVID-19. As a result of the significant change in demand resulting from the economic environment, [...] Read more.
The aim of the study is to create a performance evaluation controlling model to evaluate the performance of tourism enterprises as a function of the economic effects of COVID-19. As a result of the significant change in demand resulting from the economic environment, expectations and cyclicality caused by the pandemic, the assessment of organization performance has become subjective. Under these changed environmental conditions, most of the methods used by tourism companies to evaluate performance are not effective enough. In our research, we illustrated a controlling model based on fuzzy logic through a case study. By applying the model, it becomes possible to evaluate project-oriented tourism organizations according to different standardized norms. Our model considers the subjectivity derived from measurability and goal setting. We point out that the performance of organizations operating in the tourism industry significantly influenced by COVID-19 can be subjectively assessed during the pandemic period and thus depends on the analytical context. By evaluating the performance of tourism organizations along internal organizational goals, more relevant information content and more informed managerial decision support can be achieved. Full article
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24 pages, 520 KiB  
Article
Influence of Social Capital, Social Motivation and Functional Competencies of Entrepreneurs on Agritourism Business: Rural Lodges
by Nesrine Khazami and Zoltan Lakner
Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8641; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158641 - 03 Aug 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2301
Abstract
This study is aimed at examining the relationships between social capital, social motivation and functional competencies and their effects on the participation in the development of an agritourism business among Tunisian entrepreneurs who already have rural lodges in the agritourism sector in Tunisia. [...] Read more.
This study is aimed at examining the relationships between social capital, social motivation and functional competencies and their effects on the participation in the development of an agritourism business among Tunisian entrepreneurs who already have rural lodges in the agritourism sector in Tunisia. The authors applied structural modeling of the partial least squares equation to analyze 100 questionnaires completed by participants and test the hypotheses. The results showed positive and direct effects concerning the two variables, namely, the social capital and functional competencies on the participation in the development of a business in agritourism. On the other hand, the mediating role of social motivation between social capital and participation in the development of an agritourism business has shown an insignificant effect. This study creates a distinctive theoretical contribution to the literature on social entrepreneurial factors by analyzing the relationships between social capital, social motivation and functional competencies of an entrepreneur on participation in the development of a business in agritourism. In addition, this study investigates numerous practical implications of these results. Full article
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21 pages, 4923 KiB  
Case Report
Reviving an Unpopular Tourism Destination through the Placemaking Approach: Case Study of Ngawen Temple, Indonesia
by Setiawan Priatmoko, Moaaz Kabil, László Vasa, Edit Ilona Pallás and Lóránt Dénes Dávid
Sustainability 2021, 13(12), 6704; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13126704 - 12 Jun 2021
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 4998
Abstract
Changes in tourists’ behavior in recent times have been considered a driving force for emphasizing the importance of unpopular tourism destinations as one of the key potentials in the tourism industry in any nation. On the road to reviving unpopular tourism destinations, this [...] Read more.
Changes in tourists’ behavior in recent times have been considered a driving force for emphasizing the importance of unpopular tourism destinations as one of the key potentials in the tourism industry in any nation. On the road to reviving unpopular tourism destinations, this study aims to identify the potential tourism aspect and development of the Ngawen Temple in Indonesia. This research applies the placemaking approach as the main strategy for resurrecting Ngawen Temple. By using visitor surveys, visitor flows, and community surveys, this research obtains a clearer assessment for determining the planning development of Ngawen Temple. The research results revealed that unpopular destinations still have the potential to be developed and bring more benefits to the local economy by conducting a comprehensive placemaking approach. Accordingly, possible strategies based on various literature and field observations can provide clues to stakeholders on how to use their tourism assets to improve local communities’ economies. Some of the most frequently proposed strategies are the following: link the unpopular destination with other popular ones through structured tourism trips; design a “tourist trap,” which is a created place to hold tourists longer in a destination using new additional facilities; improve the infrastructure; and establish more creative tourism spaces, such as tourism centers. Full article
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