Ways of Achieving Superior Capitalization of Local Resources/Products through Tourism

Dear Colleagues,

The tourism industry is facing multiple challenges at present. The COVID-19 pandemic proved how sensitive tourist activity is and how established destinations can turn into empty places overnight. Milan is a powerful example of this, which, before March 2020, was one of the most crowded tourist cities in Italy and, after March 2020, became closed for tourists. However, the pandemic situation also proved how important tourism is for people and their well-being. Despite social restrictions, tourists began to look for destinations that allowed social distancing and find solutions to spend their holidays in a relaxing place.

Considering that travel experiences are generated mainly by visiting places and the memories created by travelers—especially related to landscapes, atmosphere and ambience—tourist resources are the main factor that can attract tourists. In this context, tourist destinations will perhaps develop new combinations of places and products that are unique, attractive, and highly competitive for niche markets or to appeal to those with special interests who want specific experiences. Visitors do not want to be mere observers—they prefer to be as active as possible and be involved in the culture of the tourist destination. As a consequence, destinations that have a competitive advantage and continuously create superior value are those that offer memorable experiences to their guests. As the modern consumer seeks new ways of being and new emotions to explore, they demand cultural events and experiences, leading to profound changes and innovative policies for managing tourist resources.

Today, our global society is increasingly attracted to the authentic and the natural. People are becoming interested in ecology and environmental protection as well as focusing on health issues. This change is based on modern consumers—who have gone through the universal fight against viruses—tending to prefer organizations that can implement healthy business models and strategies and ensure safety and health governance. Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic also contributed to this change, but the switch in interest to more sustainable tourist destinations started before 2020. In an ongoing competition for the trust of consumers, companies have begun to base their marketing approach on the exploitation of local resources and products, such as authentic brands with that impact the local population’s welfare. In this context, tourism businesses also solve social problems, correct inequalities, and facilitate new knowledge transfers. From this perspective, tourism can become a tool for capitalizing on local resources of any kind in the future. In this way, it can customize the offerings of local communities through the activities, actions, and strategies of local organizations that are dedicated to promoting the “health” of the environment and establishing specific characteristics of the area as well as the behavior, attitude, lifestyle, and motivation of host community members.

The objective of this Special Issue is to capture the latest progress regarding the use of tourism as an element of local development in terms of enhancing natural and anthropogenic potential and promoting the tangible and intangible heritage available in tourist destinations. It is also true that this requires the involvement of modern organizations, innovation tools, and trend forecasting. Moreover, management that preserves the authenticity and uniqueness of each tourist destination is also needed.

Topics of interest for publication in this Special Issue include but are not limited to the following:

• Innovation and competitiveness in tourism;
• Changes in tourist behavior;
• Local values and material and intangible tourist resources;
• Awareness of the use of local resources and orientation towards research and development;
• Local, regional, and national branding;
• Local, regional, and national tourism and social responsibility;
• Local entrepreneurship in tourism and sustainable destinations;
• Innovation and sustainability in local tourist destinations;
• Sustainable capitalization of local resources through tourism and through sustainable organizations that act in local communities;
• Tourism marketing strategies for new destination management organizations;
• Marketing of local artisanal or gastronomic resources by including local tourist products;
• Tourism marketing in the educational environment: consequences of educating the young generation through teaching and research.

References:

Nistoreanu P, Aluculesei A-C. Can Spa Tourism Enhance Water Resources and Turn Them into a National Brand? A Theoretical Review about the Romanian Case. Information. 2021; 12(7):270. https://doi.org/10.3390/info12070270

Aluculesei, A.-C.; Nistoreanu, P.; Avram, D.; Nistoreanu, B.G. Past and Future Trends in Medical Spas: A Co-Word Analysis. Sustainability 2021, 13, 9646. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179646

Nistoreanu, P.; Aluculesei, A.-C.; Avram, D. Is Green Marketing a Label for Ecotourism? The Romanian Experience. Information 2020, 11, 389. https://doi.org/10.3390/info11080389

Nistoreanu, P.; Dinca, V.M; Glaser-Segura, D. Considerations on Becoming a World Heritage Site ‒ A Quantitative Approach. Amfiteatru Economic 2018, 20(47), pp.125-139. https://doi.org/10.24818/EA/2018/47/202

Nistoreanu, Puiu. New Trends and Opportunities for Central and Eastern European Tourism. IGI Global, 2020. http://doi:10.4018/978-1-7998-1423-8

Aluculesei, A.-C., Nistoreanu, P. Romanian Wellness Tourism – A Potential Solution with Positive Implications for the Effects of the Aging Population in the European Union. Amfiteatru Economic 2016, 18(Special Issue No. 10), pp. 767-780.

Avram, A.-C. "The Impact of Rural Tourism on Wellbeing: Romania's Case." New Trends and Opportunities for Central and Eastern European Tourism, edited by Puiu Nistoreanu, IGI Global, 2020, pp. 281-298. http://doi:10.4018/978-1-7998-1423-8.ch015

Aluculesei, A.-C. Spa Tourism – A Comparative Analysis On Spain And Romania. Balneo Research Journal 2015, 6(3). http://dx.doi.org/10.12680/balneo.2015.10106

Dabija, D.-C.; Bejan, B.-M.; Tipi, N. Generation X versus millennials communication behaviour on social media when purchasing food versus tourist services.  Marketing and Trade 2018, XXI(1), pp. 191-2015. https://doi.org/10.15240/tul/001/2018-1-013.

Tănase, M.O.; Dina, R.; Isac, F.-L.; Rusu, S.; Nistoreanu, P.; Mirea, C.N. Romanian Wine Tourism - A Paved Road or a Footpath in Rural Tourism? Sustainability 2022, 14, 4026. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14074026

Dima, A.-M.; Țuclea, C.-E.; Vrânceanu, D.-M.; Țigu, G. Sustainable Social and Individual Implications of Telework: A New Insight into the Romanian Labor Market. Sustainability 2019, 11, 3506. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11133506

Lerario, A. The IoT as a Key in the Sensitive Balance between Development Needs and Sustainable Conservation of Cultural Resources in Italian Heritage Cities. Sustainability 2020, 12, 6952. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12176952.

Dr. Puiu Nistoreanu
Dr. Alina-Cerasela Aluculesei
Guest Editors

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