Pages: 21

The editors explore as objectives of the book a number of situations relating to responsible and sustainable tourism based on the management of sustainability in local tourism destinations. The editors seek to evaluate the methodology and the practice for maintaining environmental sustainability in fragile local communities, whilst benefiting from ecological, cultural, heritage activity and adventure tourism at an economic level. This leads to the impact of processes on local tourism operations demonstrating responsible and sustainable destination management whilst maximising socio-economic benefits. The editors discuss optimising environmental resources, maintaining essential ecosystems and aiding biodiversity. At the same time, there is discussion of ethics and responsibility in terms of minimising tourism flows to ensure that footfall does not damage unique cultural and historical environments. This relates to the critical balance between socio-economic objectives which benefit local communities in the short to medium term and the effect on those communities over the medium to long term. The editors hope that the information and discussion provided in the topic chapters and case studies by a breadth of global contributors will enable discussion about these key issues which are focused on the following aspects: Destination management; Environmental and social; and Business impacts.

Pages: 195

No chapter abstract available.

Pages: 67

No chapter abstract available.

Pages: 17

Managing a sustainable destination is a task that requires many different skills. Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs is challenging in ordinary everyday situations, let alone when we encounter risky and dangerous moments. Here, safety concerns come forth, and crisis management takes its place. While safety and security aspects have been often studied in tourism, we would like to present a sustainable perspective of safety and security in tourism. Most known are crime-related incidents, terrorism, war, and civil/political unrest. In addition, there are also health, economic, social, and environmental issues; for example, limited access to scarce resources, food and water security, climate change, biosecurity threats, pandemics, and financial crises. All these situations present a risk for different tourism stakeholders at a destination. There could be unsafe situations also for tourism staff, tourism sites and their reputation, the area’s ecology, and the economic environment. This chapter presents the safety and security aspects of managing sustainable destinations through all three pillars of sustainability: economic, environmental, and social. We will focus on diverse tourism stakeholders and highlight the importance of a good crisis management plan.

Pages: 16

In this chapter, we discuss the interrelationship between heritage and cultural tourism, within a local environment. This is based on two examples, the defence of local culture and environment in the Heritage Trails of SW Slovenia and the chronic failure of resistance to mass tourism in the historic city of Venice. The first example is rural, the second urban – but there is an enduring need shared by both to protect and enhance the unique cultural heritage of both locations in tangible and intangible aspects. In the Slovenian example, we view the experiences gathered over some 15 years of activity enabling the taking an historic and developmental viewpoint. In the Venetian example, we show how local communities are now seeking to shift away from the mass tourism model in order to attract visitors connected and concerned with the cultural and heritage environment. A key feature is the need for small-scale tourism entrepreneurs to develop a promotional mechanism to market their product or service at a wider national and international level. Our experiences display the critical success factor of co-ordinated action between local and regional stakeholders from public, private and NGO sectors for common benefit.

Pages: 15

In this chapter, we will suggest that in line with global tourism trends, destination managers are more and more likely to design their destination products in a direction where elements of active tourism – such as recreation and education, respect and contemplation, action, exercise and active involvement in company of an expert local friend or an academically competent tour guide – are an important part of their destination offer. We consider evidence suggesting that the role of active tourism is understood and defined as the “way of visiting”, including the attitude of the tourist and the activities that are carried out during the tourist visit. Importantly, we regard these as essential elements within the sustainable framework, a framework that benefits tourists; local inhabitants; and the existing culture, heritage and physical environment.

Pages: 17

In an increasingly competitive tourist market, wine and eno-gastronomy are becoming key elements in the development of tourist products in those regions in which cultivation of grapevines occurs. As a result, eno-gastronomy is an integral part of many contemporary tourist products in wine-growing regions. It combines tradition, history and heritage and also improves the recognisability of a given destination on which modern wine tourism products rest. On a global scale, wine tourism is growing, and the forecast for the future is undoubtedly promising. The essence of a wine tourism product is to connect food and wine, i.e. eno-gastronomic or culinary experiences, and to follow new trends. The trend is to consolidate this segment of tourism services, in particular through slow leisure activities and relaxation at the destination of choice. Food and wine thus become part of the cultural experience of the visited destination and equal the experience of visiting a museum or a concert or may be an equal component of such a package.

Pages: 64

No chapter abstract available.

Pages: 13

Scholars have called for a “transformative turn” in the post-COVID-19 consumer landscape, which not only goes beyond sustainable and responsible everyday practices but also encourages the alternative ways of “doing” tourism. This assumes undertaking the activities in a more responsible way and at a slower pace, while allowing time for restoration, recuperation and reconnection with the self, others and the natural world. In a way, slow activities attempt to strengthen or restore a simplified, local and place-specific pattern of living, as well as allow opportunities for the generation of rich, immersive and more meaningful experiences for the consumer. The authors suggest four critical elements of slow adventure journey: time, nature, passage and comfort. Commercially, the concept of slow adventure is being increasingly used. The vital principles of the slow adventure philosophy and its ethos engender an element of regenerative tourism, customers donating to local sustainability and conservation projects, thus creating a positive impact each time a customer adventures in a region.

Pages: 15

The author suggests that, over the last decade, demand for sustainable tourism practices has risen in Porto, as the city experiences strong growth in tourism. Most stakeholders recognise that sustainability is a way to meet the needs of visitors and host communities, without compromising either. As a result, a wide variety of different strategies to deal with tourism growth have been suggested and debated, but the perspective of the local community remains unclear. Thus, this chapter explores the perceptions of host communities towards strategies for the development of sustainable tourism and examines the extent to which they support those strategies. The research combined data from key industry and academic sources and a survey conducted among a sample of residents from the city of Porto. The results may be used to support the continued competitive and sustainable future of Porto, while at the same time offering guidelines for practitioners in other cities which are experiencing growth in tourism or seeking to develop the tourism sector since many of the points raised from Porto’s experience have a wider application.

Pages: 19

In this chapter, the authors remind us that the Cinque Terre terraced landscape represents an extraordinary example of the peculiar relation between humankind and nature. For centuries, its inhabitants shaped the territory, building a farmed terraced system that has characterised the image and identity of this land until today. This territory, which is extremely vulnerable to natural disasters and anthropic degradation, has been involved in several actions aimed at its protection and safeguarding since the 1980s, primarily through regional laws supporting local agriculture and terraces preservation. The site was added to the World Heritage List as a cultural landscape in 1997 and the Cinque Terre National Park was established in 1999. Through analysis of the existing regulatory context, touristic data, promotion strategies, this chapter explores the relationship between mass tourism effects and landscape vulnerability. It focuses inevitably on the conflict existing between sustainability declared or sought by the authorities and the risks related to excessive tourism activity.

Pages: 15

Protection and preservation of the environment through environmentally sustainable business practices should be implemented as an integral part of the tourism development strategy in all destinations and also applied within the business of all tourism organisations, especially hotels. In the tourism industry, hotels play a major and vital role as their primary purpose is to provide travellers with accommodation, food and other similar services. Hotels are integral part of the destination and structural element contributing in many ways to the destination competitiveness including tourism sustainable development. On the other hand, in the tourism sector, hotels are most frequently large environmental polluters. For all hotels, it is therefore extremely important to establish a system for managing environmental issues through sustainable development. The important question arises how hotels manage environmental sustainability in their practice, what kind of attitude and actions they have towards it and what kind of activities they apply in their operations. The aim of this research is to analyse aspects of environmental sustainability of hotels through the relevant literature and to offer an insight how hotels manage environmental sustainability in their business practice.

Pages: 61

No chapter abstract available.

Pages: 17

Tourists’ expectations and demands are seen as essential aspects in the growth and evolution of modern tourism, and they are at the centre of creating a tourist product. Tourists may learn about and experience the traditional authentic way of life of the locals in the regions they visit. One of the experiences that such visitors seek is local traditional food, which consists of autochthonous products that have been enjoyed in that area for generations. The purpose of this study was to see how tourists in Western Serbia feel about the necessity of being prepared to maximise their tourist experience by enjoying local cuisine throughout their stay. Due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, the online questionnaire was distributed through social media. Tourists visiting the Western Serbia region have a great tendency to experience local specialties, according to a sample of 500 respondents. Furthermore, most respondents claimed that consuming the food they discover during their vacation influenced their decision to purchase the product for subsequent usage at home. The local community’s economic well-being may be improved by utilising existing potentials in this way, while tourists may have an authentic experience and learn about the culture and traditional way of life of the local residents.

Pages: 10

In this chapter, the author explores the potential for SMART financial activity engaging micro and small enterprises in the sustainable tourism sector. SMART finance and investment is defined as that which is technologically assisted and enabled, has a high degree of transparency and is easily accessible. A strong motivation is regarding the problems faced by small-scale tourism enterprises in rural, coastal and other peripheral areas in terms of accessing finance. This chapter examines the problems of financing in local areas for tourism and tourism-related industries (including cultural and heritage tourism, agro-tourism, aqua-tourism, adventure/active tourism and more specialist capacities such as gastronomic and vinicultural tourism). The author then discusses resourcing at a local level for the ethical and sustainable tourism sector – top down or bottom up, reliance on external funding, the multi-agency approach – and then relates the problems of this sector in accessing finance. This includes seasonality of demand, the problems of peripheral locations and the withdrawal of financial capacity in peripheral areas. The author also promotes a new financing model for ethical and sustainable tourism and concludes by stressing the value of community ownership within the development of local ethical and sustainable tourism initiatives.

Pages: 8

Comrie Croft is a sustainable community in the Scottish Highlands which was previously a traditional mixed pasture and arable farm. The author tells of an employee-led buyout which crystallised a new vision: creating a pioneering model of sustainable, regenerative living based on a symbiotic nature-based enterprise. Over the past decade, it has transformed into a mix of enterprises and activities – mountain bike trails, rustic wedding venue, market garden, café, farm shop and campsite. Led by the author, a local entrepreneur and passionate nature lover, Comrie Croft is a hybrid model between a private company and a community enterprise. Social and environmental objectives are key, but so is the need to make a profit and reinvest. The company is owned by 50 people including the employees, members of the local community, friends and family. This chapter indicates the achievements – increase in revenue, creation of more than 20 full-time jobs, construction of 20 km of bike trails, planting of 5,000 native trees on degraded land and creating three spin-off sustainable tourism businesses. A current plan is developing affordable eco-housing for those contributing to the sustainable development of the land and community.

Pages: 15

The purpose of this chapter is to consider the economic and financial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic crisis in regard to its consequences for tourism. We look in particular at the effects of: The post-COVID economic situation given the costs of COVID economic interventions; The energy crisis, inflation and cost-of-living increases; Labour market disruption due to labour force discrepancies; and Other post-COVID travel disruption. Thereafter, we view the economic problems of small-scale tourism enterprises and their future status in seeking to operate in an ethical and responsible way. To an extent there is a question on the role of ethical and responsible tourism in providing sustainable support where the globalised system shows signs of faltering in its focus on sustainable goals. Furthermore, this engages the role of ethical and responsible tourism in shifting consumption, demand and confidence towards sustainable tourism activity and replacing to some extent the previous excesses of mass tourism.

Pages: 9

The editors have created this chapter as a methodology to overview the contents of Chapters 2–13 (the key topical issues) through: Discussion: The purpose of this section of the chapter is to seek to review the main contents of each of the contributions made by our authors in Chapters 2–12 by theme. This hopefully allows an overview of what the contributors are seeking to describe and articulate. Learning points: In each contributing chapter, the editors requested authors to provide reflections as a means of summarising their key points. In the learning points, the editors have attempted to summarise those key points and thereby to demonstrate a number of critical issues which affect Responsible and Sustainable Tourism at a local level. Further questions: Similarly, contributing authors were requested to pose further questions for readers. The editors were of the view that these may be used for teaching or training purposes, or as a method for stimulating concepts and ideas about the fundamental topics in this book.

Pages: 280

No chapter abstract available.

Pages: 123

No chapter abstract available.

Pages: 12

The authors provide a fascinating view of the Annual Tulip Festival in Edelsbach bei Feldbach (Austria). During the two-day festival, with 6,000 visitors, only 240 litres of residual waste was generated, without sacrificing financial success. They achieved this by systematically developing an event culture that pursues social, economic and ecological goals. Developed as a touristic marketing instrument for the village, the festival has become an essential part of the collective socio-cultural identity, promoting social cohesion and aiming to integrate all village residents, including immigrants and refugees. The event is an example of the way festivals may contribute to place branding, with positive impacts on rural incomes and the survival of rural economic infrastructure. The Tulip Festival accomplishes these objectives while at the same time keeping waste to an absolute minimum. A very strong commitment to local suppliers minimises economic leakage and reduces the event’s ecological footprint by greatly reducing the energy costs of transporting food supplies to the village. Such a holistic event management strategy has the potential to contribute generally to a more sustainable tourism development.

Pages: 21

The author demonstrates that the cycle path can be an environmental infrastructure capable of responding to both the needs of slow mobility and to contribute to a better collection and management of water in urban areas. Applying it to Montesilvano, in Abruzzo, involved integrating a multiplicity of lines of action. The cycle path is a work that relates to the places it passes through establishing privileged relationships with the public space and opening the interdependence between infrastructure and environment. The author offers and proposes different concepts about traffic engineering which have imposed the idea that to solve mobility and accessibility problems, one had to invest only in big infrastructure networks. As well as Montesilvano, this chapter also explores other global destinations – in Europe (Copenhagen) and in the United States (Boston, Philadelphia and San Rafael). This chapter demonstrates the role of slow mobility – such as cycling – and how it can fit into and be supportive of the wider ecological environment.

Pages: 14

The tourism industry is at a crossroads, and sustainability is finally on the global and local agendas. This study provides an overview of the tourism sector in Ashland, a small tourism-based town on the West Coast of the United States. Focus is placed on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, qualitatively assessing local-level strategies for a transition towards sustainable tourism. Findings from 12 interviews with tourism business owners highlight numerous challenges due to the pandemic – the closing of Ashland’s most prominent tourism attraction – the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) in 2020, together with labour shortages, added to the expansive fire season of the area. Nevertheless, business owners, including hotels, restaurants, wineries, the local ski area, outdoor outfitters, OSF, cannabis businesses, the convention and visitors bureau, the chamber of commerce and the local destination management organisation, saw a strategic opportunity in the pandemic – diversifying the tourism market beyond OSF guests and focusing on the myriad of activities Ashland offers, including outdoor adventure, culinary, culture and wine, together with passionate sustainability-minded local people and unsurpassed hospitality. Study findings suggest that the future of Ashland as a sustainable, “holistic” destination is bright – with growing collaborations among tourism businesses and agencies in the local Rogue Valley and beyond. Yet, understanding of resident perceptions and needs should also be assessed as the work for sustainability continues. This case study concludes with a series of recommendations for both expanding tourism interests and forwarding sustainable tourism.

Pages: 9

This chapter offers an example of a village with 1,000 inhabitants and a summer and winter tourist resort with 2,000 beds and 290,000 overnight stays per year. Werfenweng developed the concept of “gentle mobility” (Sanfte Mobilität – SAMO) in the late 1990s. Supported by the federal and provincial government and launched in the winter season 1999/2000, SAMO gradually became more successful as a role model for a holiday without a privately owned car. The example of Werfenweng shows that success for the concept is based on the deliberate, gradual introduction of new, attractive, high-quality, reasonably priced mobility services, as well as the voluntary participation of both tourist enterprises and guests. The smart concept of alternative mobility during holidays addressed social trends relevant to marketing in target markets, such as the increased environmental awareness of tourists. The municipality continues to register a constant tourism growth, particularly of guests who arrive by train. However, daily visitors and their avalanche of private cars on many weekends in the area continue to be a significant challenge.

Pages: 13

Territorial collective brands according to the “Authentic from Slovenia” model are used as tools for the development of the Slovenian rural destinations and building gastronomic tourism, based on short supply chains from “farm to fork” and in-depth tourism experiences. The model is based on systematic integration, training, consulting, quality assessment, granting the right to use the certificate, establishing a marketing, sales, logistics and continuous quality assurance system through planned monitoring of product quality and origin. In this way, the destination offer is certified by a collective brand, an excellent means of distinguishing between destinations with local added value, which benefits all stakeholders. In the last two years, intensive activities have been carried out to establish system resources for information–communication–reservation–sales–logistics–evaluation online platform, which would serve destination organisations at the level of each collective brand and connect them vertically to the regional level (e.g. Julian Alps or Styria). In 2019, a tripartite survey (coordinators, providers and customers) was conducted among six collective brands that have established supply chains at least at the first level. In this chapter, we would like to present the main findings of the qualitative research conducted with the coordinators of the collective brands.

Pages: 17

The value of this case is due to the island’s tourism profile containing a mix of mass tourism and a growing but smaller level of ethical and responsible tourism. Until the advent of COVID-19, there had been significant concerns that mass tourism was outpacing environmentally safer and less culturally destructive forms of tourism. In 2019, the total of tourist visitors to Malta was more than five times the population. The case study seeks to: Evaluate the situation for Maltese tourism in 2019; Examine over-tourism prior to 2020; Discover the effects of the COVID pandemic; Consider the economic effects caused by COVID; Evaluate the condition of Maltese tourism in the “new reality”; Understand how “pause–reflect–reset” applies to Malta; and Assess the balance between mass tourism at one end and sustainable tourism at the other in the post-COVID new reality. In a sense, the compelling issue is whether Malta will develop into a sustainable tourism destination which reflects its ancient and multi-layered culture, or will it descend into a situation where it is simply a mass tourism platform floating in the Mediterranean.

Pages: 12

In the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games has been impacted by Japan’s internal administrative issues while considering the implementation of safe, ethical and sustainable tourism practices in a nation beset with natural disasters. It is argued here that even before Japan had an opportunity to successfully showcase its ability as a wholistic, international tourist destination, hosting events and conferences, its Olympic, national and administrative leaderships were reeling from controversies. Therefore, tourism planning motives and policies amidst scandals and disruption are discussed. For many towns and cities selected to host the Games, their participating local governments were expected to contribute financially. Struggling local authorities were buoyed by potential tourist spending, given tourism industry incentivisations including heavily discounted accommodation/travel packages encouraging visitors to regional Japan. Central Tokyo was fully upgraded, from tourism hubs, public transport ticketing systems, taxis and bus stations to surrounding retail precincts, the latter costs shared by local family-owned retailers. Larger Tourism, Hospitality and Accommodation companies employed temporary visa, multilingual immigrant staff. Small to Medium Enterprises, the largest of Japan’s employers, redecorated to showcase local hospitality. This case study therefore considers big event tourism in an unstable physical geography, in a world of changing ethical and sustainable tourism values, under the Japanese administrative and social systems.

Pages: 14

This case study analyses some of the most prominent characteristics of Slovenian tourism in the era of the independent state of Slovenia, i.e. over the past 30 years, where it should be noted that the content cannot and does not aim to provide a comprehensive assessment of Slovenian tourism, as this is an interdisciplinary and heterogeneous area that intertwines numerous professions and scientific disciplines that contributed significantly to its development. Because communication is key in tourism, our analysis cannot ignore the advertisement that marked more than the past three decades and returned in 2020 as a type of common thread of efforts to promote Slovenian tourism. It is the TV advertisement “Slovenia, my country”, to which Slovenia returned – in a refreshed form – in 2020. Appealing to people’s patriotic sentiments and symbolically uniting Slovenians, this was undoubtedly more than a mere advertisement for a tourism destination back in 1990, and it inspired the nation to vacation in their home country once again in 2020. The current campaign of the Slovenian Tourist Board, entitled “Now is the time for you, my Slovenia”, as part of which a new video about Slovenia as a destination was created, aims to persuade Slovenians to spend their vacation in Slovenia.

Pages: 9

The author presents a small community within an equally small geographic location. Nonetheless, the chapter has great resonance in identifying the significant problems faced by small, peripheral European island communities. The size of the community should not reflect disproportionally on the importance of the example in considering sustainable local tourism. Europe has 1,639 small islands with 355,000 inhabitants; major concerns for these islands are maintaining their cultural identity whilst ensuring economic development – e.g. tourism, marine harvesting and low-impact energy development. Balancing environmental sustainability and protection of the cultural heritage with economic development is a delicate task. This chapter relates to a small mega-peripheral Irish island; the entire western coast of Ireland is not only peripheral to the more populated east of the country, but peripheral to Europe as a whole. They have reliance on a few industries – tourism, fishing and agriculture. The island study emphasises two key factors: The engagement of a community seeking to build an ethical and sustainable tourism product and A level of community cohesion which is bottom-up driven and has been self-reliant in financial terms.

Pages: 83

No chapter abstract available.

Pages: 11

The Margaret River region, in SW Australia, is a biodiversity ‘hot spot’, and an agricultural region famous for premium wine production, gastronomy and ecotourism. The authors explain that it is vulnerable to climate change and has also experienced rapid demographic growth, as the wine and tourism industries have expanded, and as a generally educated and frequently affluent population of retirees, second home owners, ‘electronic cottagers’ and alternative life-stylers have moved into this attractive area. Two projects, a local case study as part of a national evaluation of the adaptation of tourist areas to climate change and a focussed identification of particularly vulnerable locations and activities resulted in the identification of a number of current and potential adaptive strategies. The success of these projects – based on the adaptability and dynamism of the region – may in part be attributed to the relatively high levels of both education and environmental awareness of the local population. This allows communities like Margaret River to take on the role of front-runners, providing demonstrations and learning opportunities on managing the transition to sustainability and guidance and on how such methods may be adapted in other rural areas facing the challenges of climate change.

Pages: 11

This chapter explains the function and role of the Pirámides de Güímar as a museum and botanical garden on the island of Tenerife within the Canaries Archipelago. Within its 67,000 m2, the author explains the role of the Sustainable Garden, a recreation of a typical Canarian ravine, including the representative flora and fauna associated with such environments. The garden, developed in collaboration with the Botany Department of the University of La Laguna (Tenerife), is separated into a dry area and a water course, including specimens of the critically endangered European eel and many endemic aquatic plants. The water course, which includes a self-cleaning, closed-circuit system, also allows the ability to stress the importance of water as a vital and scarce resource. The garden was developed following the main environmental, economic and social principles of sustainability and responsible development. Thus, its purpose has been to create a model of how to develop gardens in the Canary Islands in a sustainable and responsible manner.

Pages: 18

The authors assert that cultural heritage sites stand as the common property of humanity and unique areas that have universal value. At the same time, such sites are also home to intensive tourism. Cultural heritage sites, which have a sensitive environment and structure, may be affected and damaged by this tourism intensity. On the other hand, well-managed tourism activities have important benefits on these areas. The chapter discusses the principles of inclusivity in the cultural heritage sites within the context of sustainable tourism, using the example of the Istanbul Topkapi Palace Museum. The museum is examined and evaluated as a case study within the context of inclusive design principles, including the management of tourists within a 500-year-old building.

Pages: 17

This chapter aims to compare the business practices related to Corporate Social Responsibility, especially the environmental and social dimensions adopted by micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) that make up the tourism cluster in two tourist destinations of sun and beach, Puerto Vallarta (Mexico) and Malaga (Spain), as a form to deal with the health and economic crisis caused by COVID-19. Practices related to saving energy and the use of alternative energies were particularly studied, as well as water consumption, recycling materials and promoting local economies. Methodologically, the study was based on qualitative and quantitative techniques. Various key stakeholders representing the tourism sector were interviewed and a questionnaire was applied to managers and heads of MSMEs in the polygons that comprise the tourist influx areas in both study locus. According to the findings, it was observed in Mexico the development of a marked orientation towards the control and saving of water, while in Spain the main practice observed was the recycling or reuse of materials, coinciding with municipal policies and regulations for the operation of business in the centre of the city of Malaga. On the other hand, similarities were identified in energy-saving and control practices, as well as responsible purchasing practices to promote local economies.

Pages: 9

In this chapter, the author describes how the region of Alto Tâmega in N Portugal is a relevant case study in terms of natural heritage, responsible and sustainable tourism. With a population density at 29% of the Portuguese average, the region has a chequered past. Thermal springs are a major feature, even in use during the Roman occupation when the spa in Acquae Flaviae (now Chaves) was a major feature. The attractiveness of these regions’ spa for their medicinal and leisure characteristics was particularly high during the period from 1870 to 1930. A period of significant decay followed, during which the local economy retracted – affecting hotels and restaurants and resulting in the closure of the rail connection to Porto. The author considers how responsible and sustainable tourism based on the region’s natural and cultural heritage is creating a degree of revitalisation. A whole range of innovative projects, e.g. infrastructure, hotels and thermal resorts, are taking place, as well as improved transport access.

Pages: 15

This case study aims to analyse systemically the modelling of the tourism supply chain and structural components of the production chain, its main connections, the internal management process and the possible inter-organisational relationships during the pandemic period. The establishment of the model was based on operations and production management, planning and other related aspects to build an analysis of the tourism product. Methodologically, the proposal was applied in the city of Juiz de Fora (Brazil). Empirically, the production chain was considered from all its structural components. The analysis was carried out based on an opinion poll with an online questionnaire applied to key actors within organisations – mainly in decision-making positions in the tourist production chain. Through qualitative data, the reasons for certain types of behaviours and practices were observed. From the findings, it was identified that the companies that remain in operation are mainly those with 10+ years in the market. Such companies have a strong bond with the local market and within its value chain, by representing small and medium enterprises as main suppliers.

Pages: 70

No chapter abstract available.

Pages: 13

This chapter relates to a tourism phenomenon based on inflows from a specific tourism source – from Japan to Queensland, and the focus is on why this type of tourism was so favoured at the time. The author places this narrative within the concept of the fact that Queensland tourism had in the period from 1880 to 1950, focussed on attracting domestic tourists – lifestyles changers and Australians retiring to a warm and attractive climate. Japanese tourism appeared very much akin to cruise tourism, the visitors arrived on short visits, bought souvenirs and then left for hotels which were frequently Japanese-owned. While an economically successful period for luxury brand retailers, and a resulting cascade effect on the orientation of the local tourism industry towards Japan, the author makes clear that there were some serious reactions from local communities. The situation was then badly affected by the Japanese economic crash from 1991 to 2000 – hotels became empty and Japanese-owned property became valueless. Added to this, the author makes clear that in such a period of economic instability, latent anti-Japanese sentiments came to the fore.

Pages: 13

By all measures Charleston is booming with tourism fuelling rapid economic growth. Travellers are lured by architectural beauty, proximity to beaches, and a well-preserved historic district. The city has been ranked the US number one travel destination nine years running. Correspondingly, land values have skyrocketed, prompting a significant housing shortage. Market pressure for accommodation is at an all-time high and now many residents are questioning whether the attention is worth the cost. Charleston is not alone in facing a crisis of overtourism where desirability as a destination threatens liveability. Given its elevated profile as a global destination, it is a highly relevant case study. This chapter evaluates existing growth management in terms of (1) the regulation of short-term rentals; (2) management of tour guides, traffic and parking; and (3) challenges for community-serving businesses. This will examine both the regulatory status quo and consider the feasibility of enacting new policies as a check on a growth-centric model. Relevant factors include the current governance model and dependence on the tourism industry. Inevitably, those invested in the long-term viability of Charleston must compete with the growth-centric model in improving the tourism policies that keep dynamism and liveability.

Pages: 15

The unexpected outbreak of COVID-19 has placed the tourism sector in an unfavourable position. It has transformed the reality of global tourism market, ending up with unprecedented scenario within the tourism sector, namely the scenario of “under-tourism” or dramatic and rapid decrease of tourism inflows in some of the most visited tourism destinations worldwide. Therefore, it is important for destination to seize the opportunity and use COVID-19 crisis as a chance for positive tourism transformation. According to the literature the positive tourism transformation can be summed up in two basic perspectives: (1) decreasing the number of tourists while increasing the tourism quality and (2) reinventing tourism destination focusing on crisis recovery and resilience and industry value shifts. This case study analyses UNESCO World Heritage site Dubrovnik as a perfect case study destination which has been burdened with overtourism in the pre-pandemic time (2019), gone through the period of under-tourism during 2020 while in 2021 it is focused on moderate tourism with quality destination products. Therefore, this chapter gives an insight into features of tourism in Dubrovnik in the pre-pandemic, pandemic and post-pandemic era and analyse possible transformation scenarios of new tourism development paradigm based on attitudes of local stakeholders.

Pages: 13

Gastronomy tourism is one of the fastest-growing types of cultural tourism, including wine and food heritage of the destination. At the destination level, gastronomy tourism represents strategic intersection of agriculture and tourism and brings together various stakeholders from agriculture, tourism, hospitality, catering, culture, education and others. Gastronomy tourism provides excellent opportunities for the introduction of responsible tourism principles in destination management practices. In the present research, Posavje region has been studied as a potential for gastronomy tourism development. Research finding show high level of awareness of sustainable principles and pride of local heritage and production. In the second part, opportunities for destination management based on local gastronomy supply were identified. For this end, methodological process for drafting strategic plan for gastronomy tourism of UNWTO and BCC was tested. By analysing existing resources and attitudes of stakeholders towards gastronomy destination development, we have developed strategic elements of destination management, operational planning and program of action for Posavje region. Research brings new evidence on attitudes of regional gastronomy tourism stakeholders towards principles of responsible tourism and showcases the implementation principles for sustainable gastronomy tourism development.

Pages: 14

The editors have created this chapter as a methodology to overview the contents of Chapters 15–33 (the practical case studies) through: Discussion: The purpose of this section of the chapter is to seek to review the main contents of each of the contributions made by our authors in Chapters 14–28 by theme. This hopefully allows an overview of what the contributors are seeking relate to readers through the practical and applied nature of the case studies. Learning points: In each contributing chapter, the editors requested authors to provide reflections as a means of summarising their key points. In the learning points, the editors have attempted to summarise those key points and thereby to demonstrate a number of critical issues which related to their individual case studies. Further questions: Similarly, contributing authors were requested to pose further questions for readers. The editors were of the view that these may also be used for teaching or training purposes, or as a method for stimulating concepts and ideas about the critical value of the practical case study exemplars in this book.

Pages: 14

No chapter abstract available.

Pages: 12

This second edition has enabled both contributors and editors to add material about how ethical and responsible tourism has changed since January 2020. As we saw mass tourism destinations suffer huge losses due to the lack of tourism footfall, we were also able to discern the fact that in many local tourism destinations there was an ability to recover and surmount the difficulties that COVID-19 imposed. In part, this was supported by state intervention in the form of domestic tourist voucher programmes, which allowed domestic populations to enjoy local hotel, catering and related tourism facilities. Clearly, such actions were time limited as the tourism world re-opened in the Spring of 2022, benefitting from the mass vaccination programmes. Yet we have observed that in the new reality, there was an immediate demand in the mass, low-cost, high-volume tourism market to return to the old formula. If anything, the COVID period showed us that mass tourism was unable to cope with the effective close of mass destinations as well as the limitations on air carriers. The aim of the book is inevitably seeking to answer open questions regarding environmental sustainability, the protection of our common heritage and culture and the role of tourism as a driver or as a participant in the process of developing ethical and responsible tourism in local tourism destinations.