Search Results (1,804)

As an inherently fragmented and multisectoral phenomenon, tourism requires the involvement of a diverse range of stakeholders. The main aim of the present study is to map local tourism stakeholders and analyze governance networks. The researchers recruited respondents from key tourism stakeholders through purposive sampling techniques. Closed-ended questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussions were used for collecting data. We applied the power–interest grid for mapping local tourism stakeholders. In addition, guided by the concept of resource dependency theory, the Social Network Analysis technique was employed for mapping local tourism governance networks. The findings disclosed that the local tourism stakeholder map primarily comprises government institutions, tourism businesses, local communities, and civil society organizations. Although tourism government institutions and large tourism businesses established strong linkages, the network density was found to be moderate. Implementing effective stakeholder mapping techniques and strengthening local tourism governance networks is crucial to promoting sustainable tourism. This study makes a substantive contribution to academia by providing insights into the methods and techniques essential for mapping tourism stakeholders and governance networks. Moreover, the study has practical implications for destination management organizations, policymakers, and destination administrators. Full article

Folk culture is an important asset for rural tourism and is crucial for maintaining the vitality of traditional villages. However, many traditional villages face underutilized folk cultural resources, inadequate systematic analysis, and mismatches between resources and markets, which impede the sustainability of rural tourism. To address this gap, this study applies the Resource–Market–Product (RMP) framework to systematically analyze the development of folk culture tourism. The aims are to identify the gaps among resources, markets, and products in folk culture tourism in Xidi Village and propose effective development strategies. This study integrates multiple data sources, including a local chronicle, a pilot survey, and online content analysis. The results reveal that the three core dimensions are generally consistent, but significant gaps exist. Participants identify key strategies to promote folk culture tourism in Xidi Village, including developing a material product system that highlights local characteristics, innovating diversified nonmaterial folk cultural tourism experiences, designing attractive folk culture tourism routes and scenic spot tour lines, and addressing the importance of differentiated tourist demands. This study systematically identifies the challenges and opportunities associated with folk culture tourism in traditional villages in rural areas. It provides feasible insights for promoting sustainable rural tourism and revitalizing traditional culture. Full article

The urgency of research into innovation and digital marketing is driven by growing competition within the tourism industry, which demands greater destination visibility (DV) and tourist engagement (TE). At the same time, Areia Branca Beach, a prominent destination in Timor-Leste, has not been managed optimally to support sustainable tourism. Furthermore, the utilisation of governance innovation and digital marketing—particularly the integration of content marketing (CM), immersive technology (IT), and digital data analytics (DDA)—remains limited and has yet to be substantiated by robust empirical evidence at the scale of a developing destination. This study aims to investigate the role of DDA in the causality between CM and IT in influencing DV and TE. A quantitative approach was employed, using moderated regression analysis (MRA) to test the empirical relationships between the variables. Primary data were collected through face-to-face field surveys of tourists who had visited Areia Branca Beach, located northeast of Dili, Timor-Leste, on at least two occasions. The study adopted simple random sampling (SRS) with a finite population correction (FPC). A total of 364 tourists were selected to assess their perceptions using a structured questionnaire. The study reveals four main findings. First, CM significantly affects DDA and DV. Second, IT influences DDA, but not TE. Third, DDA significantly affects both DV and TE. Fourth, DDA moderates the effect of CM on DV and the effect of IT on TE. The findings underscore that the collaborative governance concept, through governance and marketing innovations, is not yet optimal for shaping sustainable tourism. Finally, future academic and practical policy implications require more in-depth exploration to emphasise the enhancement of resource management capacity genuinely needed in the subjects studied, beyond governance and digital marketing innovations within the sustainable tourism framework. Full article

Against the backdrop of accelerating urbanisation in China, the urban-rural divide continues to widen, while cave dwellings along the Yellow River have been largely abandoned, facing the challenge of cultural erosion. This study breaks from conventional conservation approaches by empirically exploring the viability of living heritage in promoting sustainable rural revitalisation and integrated urban-rural development. Employing participatory action research, it engaged multiple stakeholders—including villagers, returning migrants, and urban designers—across 60 villages in the middle reaches of the Yellow River. This collaboration catalysed a “collective-centred” adaptive reuse model, generating multifaceted solutions. The case of Fangshan County’s transformation into a cultural ecosystem demonstrates how this model simultaneously fosters endogenous social cohesion, attracts tourism resources and investment, while disseminating traditional culture. Quantitative analysis using the Yao Dong Living Heritage Sensitivity Index (Y-LHSI) and Living Heritage Transmission Index (Y-LHI) indicates that the efficacy of collective action is a decisive factor, revealing an inverted U-shaped relationship between economic development and cultural preservation. The findings further propose that living heritage regeneration should be reconceptualised from a purely technical restoration task into a viable social design pathway fostering mutually beneficial urban-rural symbiosis. It presents a replicable “Yao Dong Solution” integrating cultural sustainability, community resilience, and inclusive economic development, offering insights for achieving sustainable development goals in similar contexts across China and globally. Full article

This study explores the factors that influence Gen Z consumers’ green purchasing behavior, addressing a gap in current research by combining the Theory of Planned Behavior, the Theory of Consumption Values, and Generational Theory, and applying them to the touristic accommodation context. Based on a quantitative survey of Gen Z tourists from Spain, Norway, and Lithuania, the study examined traditional constructs of the Theory of Planned Behavior alongside subjective knowledge, environmental consciousness, perceived value, and green trust. Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), the results indicate a significant role for price-based functional value and emotional value in shaping Gen Z’s attitudes toward sustainable accommodation. Furthermore, subjective knowledge and environmental consciousness strengthen green trust, which in turn contributes to a more positive attitude toward sustainable touristic options. Attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control significantly predict behavioral intention, while both perceived behavioral control and behavioral intention directly influence actual purchasing behavior. The findings suggest that tourism marketers should focus on enhancing price-related and emotionally meaningful value propositions, while also fostering trust through clear communication of environmental performance. Overall, the study offers a comprehensive understanding of the drivers behind Gen Z’s sustainable accommodation choices and provides practical implications for promoting environmentally responsible tourism. Full article

This study explores the empowerment of local communities through homestay management as an innovative strategy for sustainable rural tourism in Yogyakarta. Using a qualitative research design, data were collected through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and participant observation with homestay owners, community leaders, and local tourism stakeholders. The findings reveal that homestay management not only enhances economic opportunities for rural households but also strengthens cultural preservation and community participation in tourism governance. Moreover, the integration of traditional hospitality practices with innovative management approaches fosters visitor satisfaction while ensuring sustainability. The study contributes to the literature by highlighting how homestay management can serve as a model of community-based tourism development, offering practical implications for policymakers, local governments, and tourism practitioners in promoting inclusive and resilient rural tourism. Full article

The subject of this study is gastronomic tourism as a broader concept, specifically focusing on gastronomic festivals and events centered around food, with a focus on the study area, Corfu island. Using a combination of quantitative research and open-ended questions, a questionnaire was developed targeting the permanent residents of the island. The questionnaire was completed by 89 individuals who provided their personal opinions on the gastronomic festivals in the study area and offered ideas for the future planning of similar events. Based on the findings of this research, it is deemed beneficial to implement and promote gastronomic festivals that consider the needs of gastronomic tourists/visitors and local residents. Further research is recommended to identify strategic plans to assist local communities and improve event content, aiming to promote and develop gastronomic tourism. Full article

Despite its rich cultural heritage, the Yellow River Basin (YRB) faces challenges of ecological fragility and unbalanced development that constrain residents’ welfare improvement. Cultural–tourism integration (CTI)—aimed at creating employment, optimizing industrial structure, and improving public services—is increasingly promoted as a pathway to enhance people’s livelihood and well-being (PLW). Grounded in industrial integration theory and welfare economics, this study examined the impact effects, transmission mechanisms, and spatial spillovers of CTI on PLW. Panel data from 75 prefecture-level cities in the YRB, spanning 2011 to 2023, were utilized, and multi-dimensional indices were constructed for both CTI and PLW. Impact effects, mediating mechanisms, and spatial spillovers were examined through kernel density estimation, a dynamic system generalized-method-of-moments (SYS-GMM) model, mediation analysis, and a spatial Durbin model (SDM). The results showed that CTI and PLW both improved over time and displayed a spatial pattern of “midstream and downstream leading, upstream lagging”. CTI significantly promoted PLW, after controlling for dynamics and endogeneity (SYS-GMM coefficient = 0.130, p < 0.01). Industrial structure upgrading acted as a positive mediator, whereas digital infrastructure exhibited a short-term suppressing (negative mediating) effect, implying a phased mismatch between CTI investment priorities and digital input. Spatial estimates further indicated that CTI generated positive spillovers, improving PLW in neighboring cities, in addition to local gains. These findings suggest that basin-wide coordination and better alignment between CTI projects and digital infrastructure are essential for inclusive and sustainable well-being improvements, supporting regional progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. Full article

This study explores the development potential of thematic tourism in the Municipality of Pella, Northern Greece. It examines local residents’ perceptions regarding tourism as a growth strategy, evaluates current informational and promotional efforts by the local government, and assesses the public’s willingness to participate in tourism activities. A structured questionnaire was distributed to a representative sample of residents that was given both in person and via the internet. Quantitative analysis revealed that while respondents generally support the idea of tourism development and feel moderately informed, there is a strong perception that the municipality’s efforts to promote tourism are insufficient. Key factors influencing residents’ attitudes include age, level of education, and personal involvement with tourism. The findings suggest that thematic tourism could serve as a viable development path, provided that local authorities implement targeted education, infrastructure, and promotion strategies. This study recommends enhanced cooperation between public institutions and local stakeholders to support sustainable tourism growth. It is suggested, therefore, to increase the depth of focus given in the development of an innovative agricultural area development model that will combine traditional agriculture with agritourism and the remaining types according to each place’s capabilities. Full article

In an era where environmental consciousness increasingly shapes consumer behaviour, the tourism industry faces the dual challenge of promoting destinations while ensuring ecological sustainability. This study explores how web analytics and big data can be leveraged to enhance the visibility and attractiveness of eco-friendly destinations. Building upon digital marketing and sustainability frameworks, the authors develop a data-driven methodology that integrates website performance metrics, search behaviour patterns, and social media engagement indicators. After data collection, statistical and content analyses were implemented, followed by a Fuzzy Cognitive Map (FCM) to visualise the interrelationships between online user behaviour, environmental awareness, and destination appeal. Full article

The gastronomic identity represents a blend of tradition, local resources, and cultural values that shape the authenticity and distinctiveness of a region’s gastronomy. Mačva, as an area in western Serbia, possesses an exceptionally rich gastronomic heritage whose tourism potential has not been sufficiently valorized. The subject of this research is the examination of the gastronomic identity of Mačva, and the purpose of the study is to determine how domestic tourists perceive the region’s gastronomic identity, which factors shape this identity, and the extent to which socio-demographic and perceptual characteristics influence the likelihood of purchasing traditional food products. The aim of this research is to develop an analytical framework to identify the key factors shaping the gastronomic identity of the Mačva region and to examine their influence on domestic tourists’ perceptions and consumer behavior related to the consumption and purchase of traditional food. The data were processed using exploratory factor analysis and binary logistic regression. The results indicate that respondents recognize the gastronomic culture of Mačva as an important component of the region’s cultural identity. The factor structure confirmed a three-dimensional model of gastronomic identity, comprising cultural–gastronomic heritage, authenticity and the promotion of gastronomy, and the region’s economic and social development. The results suggest that tourists’ intention to purchase traditional products is shaped by selected socio-demographic and perceptual factors, particularly gender and perceptions of gastronomy as a driver of economic and social development. The findings highlight the need for a differentiated approach to the development and positioning of the gastronomic offer, which may serve as a basis for formulating strategies for the development and branding of the Mačva region. Full article

The present study employs cluster analysis to segment Bulgarian domestic tourists based on microdata from a nationally representative survey (n = 1003) of summer holidaymakers on the Black Sea coast destinations. The primary objective is to identify homogeneous groups of tourists with similar demographic and behavioural characteristics, thereby enabling the development of more targeted tourism policies and marketing strategies. The methodological framework includes both hierarchical and non-hierarchical (k-means) clustering, applied to standardized variables such as age, household size, satisfaction with various aspects of the tourist experience, and behavioural intentions. The analysis reveals four distinct tourist profiles, each characterized by specific patterns of evaluation and travel behaviour—retirement age loyalists, middle-aged sceptics, younger moderate enthusiasts and young high loyalists. The findings reveal the heterogeneity of the domestic tourism market in Bulgaria and provide a data-driven foundation for enhancing the effectiveness of tourism management and promotional efforts. Full article

Traditional villages are vital carriers of cultural heritage and key foundations for rural revitalization and sustainable development, yet rapid urbanization increasingly threatens their survival, making it necessary to clarify their spatial distribution and driving mechanisms to support effective conservation and rational utilization. Yunnan Province, home to 777 nationally recognized traditional villages and the highest number in China, offers a representative context for such analysis. Methodologically, this study uses a 12 km × 12 km geographic grid (3005 cells) rather than administrative units. The count of catalogued traditional villages in each cell is taken as the dependent variable, and nine indicators selected from five dimensions (traffic accessibility, natural topography, climatic conditions, socioeconomic factors, and historical and cultural factors) serve as explanatory variables. Assuming that relationships between villages and their environment are spatially nonstationary and operate at multiple spatial scales, we combine spatial autocorrelation analysis with a multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) model to detect clustering patterns and estimate location-specific coefficients and bandwidths. The results indicate that: (1) traditional villages in Yunnan exhibit significant clustering, with over 60% concentrated in Dali, Baoshan, Honghe, and Lijiang; (2) the spatial pattern follows a “more in the northwest, fewer in the southeast, dense in mountainous areas” distribution, shaped by both natural and socioeconomic factors; (3) natural geographic factors show the strongest associations, with sunshine duration and water availability strongly promoting village presence, while slope exhibits regionally differentiated effects; (4) socioeconomic development and transportation accessibility are generally negatively associated with village distribution, but in tourism-driven areas such as Dali and Lijiang, road improvements have facilitated protection and revitalization; and (5) historical and cultural factors, particularly proximity to nationally protected cultural heritage sites, contribute to spatial clustering and long-term preservation. The MGWR model achieves strong explanatory power (R² = 0.555, adjusted R² = 0.495) and outperforms OLS and standard GWR, confirming its suitability for analyzing the spatial mechanisms of traditional villages. Finally, the study offers targeted recommendations for the conservation and sustainable development of traditional villages in Yunnan. Full article

As a core sector of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and dual-circulation pattern, Xinjiang’s cultural tourism industry—its ninth-largest industrial cluster—plays a key role in enhancing industrial competitiveness and regional coordinated development. To fill the research gap of insufficient analysis on China’s western frontier regions in existing tourism cluster studies, this research focuses on 14 prefecture-level cities in Xinjiang (2009–2023) and innovatively adopts a spatiotemporal synergy and dual-dimensional correlation framework, addressing the limitations of previous single-dimensional research. Tourism Location Quotient (TLQ) quantified specialized agglomeration, Local Moran’s I identified spatial correlation patterns, gravity models analyzed horizontal inter-cluster interactions, and Gray Relational Model (GRM) measured vertical driving relationships between cluster development and related dimensions. This approach facilitates an in-depth analysis of the spatiotemporal evolution trajectory of Xinjiang’s tourism clusters and their horizontal-vertical linkage mechanisms. Findings show: (1) Xinjiang’s tourism clusters present a spatial pattern of “Northern Xinjiang as the core, Eastern Xinjiang with differentiated development, and Southern Xinjiang as lagging.” With narrowing regional gaps, their evolution transitions from a “fixed gradient” to “co-evolution.” (2) Agglomeration effects are significant: Urumqi propels Northern Xinjiang to form a “high-high agglomeration zone,” while Southern Xinjiang remains a “low-low agglomeration zone” led by Kashgar. (3) Horizontal linkages evolve from a Urumqi-centered single-core structure to a multi-axis cluster network, and vertical linkages are mainly driven by destination attractiveness and economic support capacity. This study clarifies the spatiotemporal evolution logic and associated driving mechanisms of tourism clusters in arid, multi-ethnic frontier regions, providing a scientific basis for optimizing regional tourism layouts and promoting high-quality development. Full article

The impact of tourism on Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) in Patagonia is a complex issue that requires a balanced approach between conservation and sustainable tourism development. While tourism in the region can bring significant economic benefits, it can also have a negative impact on the penguins by disrupting nesting behavior and chick rearing, and even increasing the risk of disease and predation. We examined a comparative analysis of scientific papers on the impact of tourism on Magellanic penguins in two breeding colonies in Argentinean Patagonia, which have been visited for 10 to 50 years and whose visitor numbers range from 10,000 to 120,000 per year. We analyzed different physiological parameters (i.e., immunological, hematological, biochemical, and stress parameters) and behavioral respond (alternate head turns) in adult birds and chicks in these colonies. Although the results suggest that Magellanic penguins have adapted well to the presence of tourists in their breeding colonies, we documented changes in certain physiological parameters that indicate chronic stress due to high exposure to tourism. It is important to promote sustainable tourism in Patagonia that not only minimizes these negative impacts but also improves the protection of the penguins and their habitat. This includes the creation of new nature reserves, environmental education, and the regulation of tourism activities. Implementing responsible tourism practices can ensure economic benefits while protecting the well-being and health of penguin populations. The combination of increased tourist awareness and concrete conservation measures can protect not only the Magellanic penguins but also the natural wealth of the entire Patagonia region. Full article