Search Results (73)

Based on a literature review, the present article aims to present ecotourism as a transformative factor in the economic, social, cultural, and environmental contexts, revealing key elements for the sustainable development of ecotourism. To ensure that this objective is met, the review combines the insights of classical authors and many recent authors who have best addressed the subject. The review carefully selected consensual and contradictory arguments, reflecting on the relevance of each group, particularly in aspects such as the influence of emotional experience on behaviour and satisfaction, strategy and competitive advantage, cooperation and sustainability, and the influence of resilience on ecotourism. The impact of each perspective was presented without ignoring the major constraints that ecotourism faces in its search for a position in the tourism industry. This led the study to accept the fact that the active participation of the community is indispensable in the formula for the success of ecotourism. Some statistical data were consulted and analysed, which enabled the study to determine the quantitative impact of ecotourism on economic, social, and environmental life. In terms of benefits to communities, the review clarifies the fact that ecotourism serves as an instrument that mobilizes not only the additional value of products and services traded in the process, but also the return on investments and job creation. The combination of visiting activities with the involvement of tour guides contributes to maximizing profits in the destinations, thus supporting solid economic, social, and environmental development for the benefit of both ecotourism promoters and local communities. However, the analysis makes it clear that the economic, social, and environmental benefit depends on the degree of involvement of the local population. In terms of usability, for other studies, this review can contribute to the understanding and positioning of ecotourism in the search for a balance between satisfying socioeconomic and environmental interests. Additionally, it can serve as an aid to policy makers in their decisions related to ecotourism. Full article

This study explores the selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde using a series of metal catalysts supported on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and conventional activated carbon (AC). Catalysts based on Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, and Co were synthesized with controlled metal loading and characterized by XRD, SEM-EDS, XRF, and TEM. Among all tested materials, Pd supported on rGO synthesized via the Tour method (Pd/rTOGO) exhibited the highest catalytic activity, achieving 62% conversion of cinnamaldehyde and superior selectivity toward hydrocinnamaldehyde (HCAL). The support material had a significant influence on performance, especially for Pd catalysts, where 2D rGO outperformed 3D AC in both conversion and selectivity. In contrast, other metals (Pt, Rh, Ru, Co) showed only modest activity and limited selectivity tuning via support choice. Notably, GC-MS analysis revealed the formation of a previously underreported side product, 3-isopropoxy-propan-1-yl benzene (ether), likely formed via reductive etherification in isopropanol. The combined kinetic and selectivity data enabled the proposal of reaction pathways, including rapid transformation of cinnamylalcohol (COL) to hydrocinnamal alcohol (HCOL) and HCAL to ether. These findings emphasize the importance of support structure and surface functionality, particularly in 2D carbon materials, for designing efficient and selective hydrogenation catalysts. Full article

Tourism plays an important role in the economic and social development of many countries and regions. Tourists buy food, such as canned food, alcohol, and spices, which increases the value of a trip, fulfilling a cultural, sentimental, educational, and marketing role whilst documenting the trip, or they become gifts for family and friends. However, spices may not be of the appropriate quality or may even be harmful to health due to contamination or adulteration. Therefore, the aim of the paper was to present spices as culinary souvenirs and to indicate some risks that may arise from their consumption. To date, only few such studies have been published in this area. A literature review was conducted and data from Eurostat, Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) and Web of Science were used. The most serious hazards in spices are pathogens, pesticides, and mycotoxins in products from Asia. Adequate awareness needs to be built among tourists and tour operators about where to buy spices that are risk-free and not adulterated. It will contribute to the development of sustainable food tourism. Further research may look at specific types of spices and where they are purchased highlighting the issue of authenticity and traceability. Full article

Romeo and Juliet remains one of the most frequently performed plays of Shakespeare in Korea, one reason for which is obvious: the feud between the Capulets and Montagues resonates with the continuing division of Korea into North and South. Indeed, many productions of the play in South Korea since the Korean War (1950–53) have made direct and indirect allusions to the political reality of division. Nothing defines Korea so much as division and the desire to overcome that division. With this context in mind, my essay will examine four representative but unique productions of the play from the War period to the twenty-first century: a women’s musical theater adaptation during the War that was a popular success; a production by the Mokwha Repertory Theatre from the early 2000s that alludes directly to the state of division into North and South, and which has toured the globe; a 2009 musical theater version by the National Changgeuk Company of Korea that emphasizes regional rivalries; and a 2022 production that sets the play in the DMZ. However, while exploring the depiction of division in these productions, I will focus in particular on how marriage is understood in relation to national division and the possibility of reconciliation. I will argue that the productions bring attention to the intersection of the social and political practices that sustain division. Full article

This short concluding chapter reflects on the work of an ongoing collaborative academic project focused on the C18th home tour. Curious Travellers could be described as a ‘crucible’ project—a space in which different media, different perspectives, and different research skills combine and collide. Currently funded by the AHRC, it is a digital humanities project involving TEI tagging and crowd-sourcing, but its foundation is archival research into manuscripts. It is focused through the influential Tours of Wales and Scotland published by the naturalist and antiquarian Thomas Pennant, yet it seeks to unpick the multiple voices and collaborations behind his texts and to explore their legacy in the journeys and texts of others. The creation of new editions continues to generate new topics and research questions, including Anglophone/Celtic-language interactions; the writings of women tourists; the role of material objects (specimens and souvenirs) and of visual culture in knowledge exchange and production. Increasingly, project researchers are relating their work to broader global contexts of colonialism and environmental history. The diversity of the genre has proved hugely stimulating for a range of audiences beyond academia: community engagement and creative practices have been a key feature from the start. There are, of course, challenges—practical, methodological, financial. This reflective piece will acknowledge the constraints, as well as the possibilities, of being multi-stranded, cross-disciplinary—and intermittently funded. Full article

This study examines luxury tourists’ behavior toward sustainability in the aftermath of the pandemic, with a particular focus on the Maldives, a destination renowned for both its luxury offerings and commitment to sustainable practices. A qualitative approach was employed, featuring structured interviews with one hundred European tourists who had visited the Maldives and stayed at luxury resorts, alongside semi-structured interviews with three tour operator managers who sell the destination. In addition, secondary data provided by the tour operator were used to support the analysis and triangulate the data for more robust findings. The results show a significant shift in consumer attitudes: luxury travelers have become increasingly sensitive to sustainability and the protection of the environment since the pandemic. The tourists in the sample reported heightened awareness of their personal environmental impact and a greater desire to mitigate it. Furthermore, participants expressed a willingness to pay a premium for environmentally sustainable services and products, demonstrating a clear preference for businesses that can substantiate their eco-friendly practices through credible certifications and accreditations. These findings highlight the growing importance of sustainability in shaping luxury consumer behavior in the post-pandemic era. Full article

Tree-ring width chronologies of Pinus sibirica Du Tour from near the upper treeline in the Western Sayan, Southern Siberia are found to have an exceptional (below mean–3SD) multi-year drop near 1700 CE, highlighted by the seven narrowest-ring years in a 1524–2022 regional chronology occurring in the short span of one decade. Tree rings are sometimes applied to reconstruct seasonal air temperatures; therefore, it is important to identify other factors that may have contributed to the growth suppression. The spatiotemporal scope of the “nosedive” in tree growth is investigated with a large network of P. sibirica (14 sites) and Larix sibirica Ledeb. (61 sites) chronologies, as well as with existing climatic reconstructions, natural archives, documentary evidence (e.g., earthquake records), and climate maps based on 20th-century reanalysis data. We conclude that stress from low summer temperatures in the Little Ice Age was likely exacerbated by tree damage associated with weather extremes, including infamous Mongolian “dzuds”, over 1695–1704. A tropical volcanic eruption in 1695 is proposed as the root cause of these disturbances through atmospheric circulation changes, possibly an amplified Scandinavia Northern Hemisphere teleconnection pattern. Conifer tree rings and forest productivity recorded this event across all of Altai–Sayan region. Full article

Aquaculture and tourism can both be important industries for economic development, particularly in isolated geographies endowed with natural beauty. However, spatial conflict can arise, particularly along scenic coastlines, such as that in Oban, Scotland. This area is notable for the frequent overlap between marine tours and cage culture sites, with tours passing by or near these aquaculture locations. This study aims to understand whether tourists who encounter aquaculture operations during these tours have positive attitudes toward aquaculture–tourism integration, which refers to the favourable perception and acceptance of the coexistence of aquaculture and tourism activities, and whether this exposure influences their intention to consume locally farmed aquatic products. A face-to-face survey was conducted to recruit 200 tourists who experienced marine tours in Oban, Scotland. Hierarchical cluster analysis identified three types of tourists based on tourism motivation: (1) Multiple motivations, (2) “Relaxers”, and (3) “Outgoing nature enthusiasts”. Among the three tourist segments, the “Relaxers” were particularly unfamiliar with the concept of farming aquatic food. In general, the majority of tourists were positive about being exposed to aquaculture during marine tours. The results of the structural equation modelling analysis indicated that attitudes towards being exposed to aquaculture during marine tours mediate the relationship between attitudes towards aquaculture and the intention to eat locally farmed aquatic food. Motivational tourism factors, socialisation, and learning positively and significantly influenced attitudes towards being exposed to aquaculture during marine tours. Compared to age, gender, education, income, and travel frequency, only tourists’ dietary patterns significantly influenced behavioural intention. The findings suggest that aquaculture might serve as a potential site for social knowledge exchange, which might be crucial not only for tourism to be successful but also for promoting aquaculture’s social acceptability. The results can be used to inform policymakers, marketers, and aquaculture/tourism practitioners to promote sustainable aquaculture tourism in Scotland or similar sites where tourism and aquaculture coexist. Full article

Storage operations, order-picking, and product-handling processes have become increasingly important in today’s industrial environment. These operations are a huge burden for businesses in terms of time and cost, but they often do not add direct value to products or services. Therefore, it has become essential to improve the storage operations to the highest quality, reduce the costs arising from storage, and increase customer satisfaction. This study compared genetic algorithm (GA) and simulated annealing (SA) methods with existing real results and operations in order to minimize the distance traveled by the picker in order-picking systems, optimize routes, and increase operational efficiency in the medical textile industry. In the analyses conducted on product-based, list-based, and order-based strategies, real data sets were used to examine the performance of both methods in detail. The study results revealed that GA reduced the total travel distance by 50% and reduced the total number of tours from 51 to 32. In addition, the SA method provided efficient results in certain scenarios, but GA showed superior performance in terms of minimizing the distance and number of tours. While the product-based strategy provided the best results regarding travel distance and number of tours, the list-based approach showed a balanced performance. The study offers significant improvement potential in logistics operations by reducing distances by up to 37% and increasing operational efficiency by up to 50% in order-picking processes. Full article

The main objective of this paper is to illustrate the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the tourism and air transport industries to improve tourists’ experiences, as well as provide a definition of the AI concept closest to both sectors. In order to examine and demonstrate the body of literature on AI and its application to the travel and tourism industry. This study also presents the findings of a literature review using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) approach in conjunction with a systematic literature review using the Web of Science (WoS) database. This approach enabled us to construct a novel AI concept in the context of tourism. This research found that AI technology offers new and creative opportunities for tourists due to this innovative tool that promotes and empowers travel and tourism organisations’ products and services. AI has helped to outline travel planning for tourists, made it easier to discover new experiences, and streamlined the booking process. The reality is that AI methods and applications are changing and improving passengers and tourists’ experiences in tourism cities and the air transport sector. Moreover, it is necessary to highlight that one of AI technology’s greatest strengths lies in the immediacy of response and advice that swiftly help tourists plan their trips, tours, detailed itineraries, and flight bookings at the same moment. This research is an antecedent attempt to define AI technology in the tourism and air transport context and to illustrate its virtues and shortcomings to improve tourists’ experiences in cities and the operational efficiency of organisations. Full article

Information is an experience good, meaning that its value emerges upon use and varies based on individual perceptions. Augmented reality (AR) is a technology designed to deliver immersive informational experiences. This study investigates the impact of AR on the perceived value of information by people experiencing information as consumers or producers. Using Google Maps, we developed an AR mobile map called Tour-It-Yourself (TIY) for city navigation. The TIY app facilitates content consumption and production around local points of interest engagingly and interactively. We discuss the development of the research tool and results from two user studies (N = 37 teenagers and N = 51 students, respectively). Further, we highlight the economic valuation aspect by examining the effects of AR on Willingness-to-Pay and Willingness-to-Accept payment for information. The results indicate a significant main effect of participant experience (consumer/producer) and AR technology on the perceived evaluation of information. Moreover, the addition of AR technology to information improves knowledge regarding points of interest for producers. These findings contribute to our understanding of how AR shapes information value perception and have implications for designing interactive location-based information systems, benefiting tourism, education, and business, as well as fostering a sense of belonging in cities. Full article

Destination platforms provide travel information and cheaper travel products, thus increasing the number of individual travelers. Therefore, travel agencies need to understand consumer behaviors toward family package tours and maintain and create new business opportunities. Using the cohort analysis method, we studied three variables in the time dimension: age, period, and cohort effects. A two-part model was combined to construct a model of family package tours in Taiwan, using data from the “Survey of Family Income and Expenditure in Taiwan” covering the period from 2009 to 2019. The results show that there were two peak periods when customers chose package tours: when the head of the household was between 46 and 50 years of age and between 66 and 70 years of age. A younger head of household had a higher willingness for such tours than an older one. The highest selection rate for these tours occurred in 2013, and then, it decreased gradually. Families with a head of household aged between 71 and 75 years had the highest expenditure on family package tours. Full article

Recreation and nature-based tourism targeting forests are important cultural services provided by forests, and are also considered non-productive social functions of forests. Many factors influence the demand for forest recreation and tourism that are worth exploring for each forest area. The main aim of our study was to compare the results of visitor surveys related to two mountainous forested areas (Börzsöny and Cserhát) that are both located near to the capital city of Budapest but have different characteristics regarding the forests, accessibility, and the level of tourism infrastructure and services. The questionnaires focused on the characteristics of the visits, perceptions of visitors regarding the values of the areas, and the development needs besides the characteristics of the respondents. In addition to basic statistics, Chi² and Fisher’s exact tests were used to detect the differences between the two sites. Despite the different characteristics of the study areas, the main results were quite similar at both sites. Most respondents came from Budapest or within a 60 km distance of the sites by car with family and friends, mainly for hiking and nature walks, and spent less than a day in the areas. The state of forests was perceived as good in both areas. Landscape and fresh air were the most attracting factors for visiting both sites. There was a demand for more guided tours, and regarding tourism infrastructure development needs, benches and toilets ranked high at both sites. However, there were also some slight differences between the sites. For example, Börzsöny was visited more frequently, and railway and bicycle were more often used to access this site. Pleasant climate, easy access and fresh air were more important reasons to visit Börzsöny, and it was more associated with wilderness. In Cserhát, low prices and cultural values seemed more important reasons to visit; Hollókő as a world heritage site was highlighted, and more nature-related and other tourism development needs were mentioned regarding this site. These differences were probably due to the different characteristics of the forests (more mosaic forests in Cserhát), the level of the public transportation network, tourist infrastructure and services (higher in Börzsöny), and cultural heritage (more important in Cserhát). Based on our results, Cserhát needs more development in tourism infrastructure and services, while in Börzsöny, the development of a visitor management plan would be useful to harmonize the different uses of the forest. Full article

Research highlights: At the turn of the 21st century, there were more forest territories found disturbed by both natural processes (climate change, wildfires, insect outbreaks, permafrost thawing, etc.) and anthropogenic interferences (air pollution, clearcuts, etc.). Seed collecting, then growing seedlings in forest nurseries, and then planting seedlings over lost forest areas are the forestry measures needed to restore the forest after disturbances. Goals were to construct bioclimatic models of ranges and seed mass of major Siberian conifers (Siberian pine (Pinus sibirica Du Tour), Siberian fir (Abies sibirica Ledeb.), Siberian spruce (Picea obovata Ledeb.), Siberian larches (Larix sibirica Ledeb., L. gmelini (Rupr) Rupr, and L. cajanderi Mayr.) and Pinus sylvestris L.) and predict their potential change in a warming climate by the mid-century. Methods: Multi-year seed mass data were derived from the literature, seed station data, and were collected in the field. Climate data (January and July data and annual precipitation) were derived from published Russian reference books and websites on climate. Bioclimatic indices (growing degree-days > 5 C, negative degree-days < 0 C, and annual moisture index) were calculated from January and July temperatures and annual precipitation for both contemporary and the 2050s (2040–2060) climates using the general circulation model INM-CM5-0 and two climate change scenarios, ssp126 and ssp585, from CMIP6. Our bioclimatic range models (envelope and MaxEnt models) and regression seed mass models for major conifers were built based on these bioclimatic indices. Additionally, their ranges were limited by the permafrost border, which divided the forest area into the permafrost-free zone, where five conifers are able to grow, and the permafrost zone, where only one conifer, Dahurian larch, is able to survive. Results: Under warmed climates, the ranges of all Siberian conifers would expand 1.5-fold due to the decrease in the permafrost zone, except Dahurian larch, which would lose 5–20% of its coverage due to permafrost retreat. Conifers shifting northward would be slower than predicted only by warmed climates because permafrost would thaw slower than climates would warm. Scots pine may expand by up to 60%, covering dryer lands in the south. Future climates were found to favor seed mass increase for major Siberian conifers and for heavier seed to shift northward. Our major conifers differ by the type of seed dispersal mode: zoochoric, animal (Siberian pine) and anemochoric, and wind-dispersed (other five trees). The seed masses of the five anemochoric conifers varied within the range of 1.5–15 g of 1000 seeds, which is about 40–50-fold less than that of zoochoric Siberian pine. Site climate explained about 28–65% of the seed mass variation for the five anemochoric trees and only 11% for Siberian pine (zoochoric tree). This finding needs additional research to explain the reasons. Conclusions: Warmed climates would favor the expansion of the ranges of major Siberian conifers and their seed mass to be heavier, which would support the high-quality seed production for forest well-being and its restoration in Siberia. Full article

Japanese prefabricated housing manufacturers have gained international recognition for their innovative approaches to the whole design process, ranging from initial design to innovative cutting-edge technologies, state-of-the-art automated production lines, meticulous workmanship, and mass customisation. In this entry, three manufacturers (Daiwa House, Sekisui House, and Misawa Homes) were selected as case studies for close examination. By studying these leading companies, researchers and industry professionals can gain valuable insights into best practices, challenges, and innovations within the Japanese prefabricated housing sector. The research methods involved a desktop study of available information on websites, articles, and reports, as well as undertaking two study tours on residential sustainable design in Japan in 2022 and 2023. These three manufacturers were discussed and compared with respect to their development trajectories, design customisation, research capabilities and technological advancements, sustainable initiatives and procurement, as well as their after-sale services. They have demonstrated their adaptability and flexibility in response to natural disasters and the transformation of the needs in society. They are all keen on reducing the environmental impacts of their work towards zero carbon emissions and a sustainable future. Full article