Search Results (202)

(1) The beach areas of Galveston, Texas, USA are heavily used for recreational activities and often experience elevated fecal indicator bacteria levels, representing a potential threat to ecosystem services, human health, and tourism-based economies that rely on suitable water quality. (2) During the span of 15 months (March 2022–May 2023), water samples that exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-accepted alternative Beach Action Value (BAV) for enterococci of 104 MPN/100 mL were analyzed via microbial source tracking (MST) through quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays. The Bacteroides HF183 and DogBact as well as the Catellicoccus LeeSeaGull markers were used to detect human, dog, and gull fecal sources, respectively. The qPCR MST data were then utilized in a quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) to assess human health risks. Additionally, samples collected in July and August 2022 were sequenced for 16S rRNA and matched with fecal sources through the Bayesian SourceTracker2 program. (3) Overall, 26% of the 110 samples with enterococci exceedances were positive for at least one of the MST markers. Gull was revealed to be the primary source of identified fecal contamination through qPCR and SourceTracker2. Human contamination was detected at very low levels (<1%), whereas dog contamination was found to co-occur with human contamination through qPCR. QMRA identified Campylobacter from canine sources as being the primary driver for human health risks for contact recreation for both adults and children. (4) These MST results coupled with QMRA provide important insight into water quality in Galveston that can inform future water quality and beach management decisions that prioritize public health risks. Full article

The intersection of sports and natural forests and green spaces represents an emerging interdisciplinary field with implications for public health, environmental science, and sustainable land management and refers to the variety of cultural ecosystem services demanded by people from ecosystems. This manuscript presents a systematic bibliometric and thematic analysis of 148 publications for the period 1993–2024 identified through Web of Science and Scopus, aiming to evaluate the current state of research on sports activities conducted in natural forest environments. Findings indicated a marked increase in scientific interest of this topic over the past two decades, with key contributions from countries such as England, Germany, China, and the United States. Researchers most frequently examined sports such as hiking, trail running, mountain biking, and orienteering for their capacity to provide physiological and psychological benefits, reduce stress, and enhance mental well-being. The literature analysis highlights ecological concerns, particularly those associated with habitat disturbance, biodiversity loss, and conflicts between recreation and conservation. Six principal research themes were identified: sports in urban forests, sports tourism, hunting and fishing, recreational sports, health benefits, and environmental impacts. Keyword and co-authorship analyses revealed a multidisciplinary knowledge base with evolving thematic focuses. In conclusion, the need for integrated approaches that incorporate ecological impact assessment, stakeholder perspectives, and adaptive forest governance to ensure sustainable recreational use of natural forest ecosystems is underlined. Full article

Urban wetlands are increasingly recognized for their ecological and cultural benefits, yet remain underutilized due to limited public awareness and environmental literacy. This study investigates how visitors’ perceptions of wetland ecosystem services influence their motivations to engage with a constructed wetland in Putrajaya, Malaysia. By integrating the ecosystem services framework with push-pull motivation theory, the research aims to bridge knowledge gaps and inform sustainable wetland tourism planning. A structured questionnaire was administered to 420 visitors, with 385 valid responses (response rate: 91.7%). Data were analyzed using non-parametric tests (Kruskal–Wallis, Spearman correlation) and multiple regression analysis. Results show that cultural and regulating services are perceived most positively, while emotional restoration and aesthetic appreciation emerged as key motivational drivers. Regression findings reveal that push factors are stronger predictors of ecosystem service engagement than pull factors. These insights highlight the importance of emotional and psychological connections to nature, offering practical implications for urban wetland management, visitor education and environmental communication strategies. Full article

Grassland communities consist primarily of perennial herbaceous species, with grasses forming a dominant or significant component. These ecosystems have been utilised for economic purposes since the earliest periods of human history. In the natural environment, they fulfil numerous critical functions that, despite increasing awareness of climate change, often remain undervalued. Grasslands contribute directly to climate regulation, air purification, soil conservation, flood mitigation, and public health—all of which positively affect the well-being of nearby populations. Moreover, they satisfy higher-order human needs known as “cultural” services, providing aesthetic enjoyment and recreational opportunities. These services, in tangible terms, support the development of rural tourism. The objective of this study was to examine the perception of cultural ecosystem services provided by different types of grassland communities—meadows, pastures, and lawns. The study employed a structured questionnaire to evaluate the perceived significance and functions of these communities. Respondents assessed their aesthetic and recreational value based on land-use type. To quantify these dimensions, the study applies the Recreational and Leisure Attractiveness Index (RLAI), the Aesthetic Attractiveness Index (AAI), ranking methods, and contingent valuation techniques. Based on the respondents’ declared WTP (willingness to pay) and WTA (willingness to accept) values, statistically significant differences in the perceived value of land-use types were identified. Lawns were rated highest in terms of recreational attractiveness, meadows in terms of aesthetics, while pastures achieved the highest economic values. Significant differences were also observed depending on respondents’ place of residence and academic background. The results indicate that the valuation of cultural services encompasses both functional and psychological aspects and should be integrated into local land-use and landscape planning policies. Full article

Urban tourism has experienced significant growth driven by platforms such as Airbnb, yet the relationship between short-term rental (STR) location and guest mobility remains underexplored. In this study, a structured survey of STR guests in Madrid during 2024 was administered face-to-face through property managers and luggage-storage services to examine factors influencing public transport (PT) use. Responses on bus and metro usage were combined into a three-level ordinal variable and modeled using ordered logistic regression against tourist demographics, trip characteristics, and accommodation attributes, including geocoded location zones. The results indicate that first-time and international visitors are less likely to use PT at high levels, while tourists visiting more points of interest and those who rated PT importance highly when choosing accommodation are significantly more frequent users. Accommodation in the central almond or periphery correlates positively with higher PT use compared to the city center. Distances to transit stops were not significant predictors, reflecting overall network accessibility. These findings suggest that enhancing PT connectivity in peripheral areas could support the spatial dispersion of tourism benefits and improve sustainable mobility for STR guests. Full article

This study examined how entrepreneurs in the tourism sector can develop competitive advantages in a highly competitive environment. The relationship between innovation strategies, business networks, and service innovation was investigated using a PLS-SEM analysis with a sample of 32 tourism enterprises in Ecuador, namely, Cotacachi, Otavalo, and Quiroga. A structured questionnaire was used to evaluate service innovation, strategic renewal, and the development of business networks. The results indicate that internal knowledge sharing, process optimization, and the creation of new services drive creative strategies. Simultaneously, innovation and strategic renewal are positively associated with participation in business networks. In addition, access to external financing was identified as a key factor in enhancing innovation. These findings underscore the importance of designing public policies that promote tourism innovation through comprehensive programs combining access to finance, strengthened business networks, and internal capacity training. This paper offers strategic insights into the competitiveness and sustainability of tourism enterprises in emerging economies. Full article

This study analyzes the integration of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and 15 (Life on Land) into the tourism development strategies of Lago Agrio Canton, Sucumbíos Province, Ecuador. The main objective is to assess how tourism can serve as a driver for sustainable infrastructure development, environmental conservation, and inclusive local growth, in alignment with the 2030 Agenda. A qualitative methodology was adopted, involving documentary analysis with exploratory and descriptive scopes. The sources included national development plans, regional policy frameworks, institutional reports, and the relevant academic literature. This study employed territorial indicators related to infrastructure quality, ecosystem protection, and stakeholder participation to evaluate SDG alignment. The results highlight that sustainable tourism practices—particularly those incorporating corporate social responsibility and environmental stewardship—can stimulate innovation and enhance resilience in underdeveloped territories. Wetlands and forested areas emerge as key natural assets with strong potential for ecological tourism and sustainable investment. The findings suggest that collaborative actions between the public and private sectors, guided by SDGs 9 and 15, can generate long-term benefits, including biodiversity preservation, improved service infrastructure, and economic inclusion for local communities. Overall, the research underscores the potential of sustainable tourism as a practical mechanism for localizing the SDGs in fragile yet high-value ecological regions. Full article

The accessibility of nature trails for people with motor disabilities and impairments stands as a significant challenge for inclusive tourism. In the present study, we would like to present a review of research, approaches, and solutions to enable people with motor impairments to enjoy nature trails independently or with assistance. The study is conducted from the perspective of public bodies that aim to reduce the accessibility barriers for People with Disabilities (PwDs) by adapting and improving the conditions of the trails and by providing clear and comprehensive information about the difficulties that hikers may encounter on a trail while using a specific aid. The paper initially presents the wide variety of aids for outdoor mobility, including both those to be used independently (i.e., self-propelled wheelchairs that can be equipped with additional small wheels, off-road wheels and/or auxiliary drives) and those that require assistance (e.g., single-wheeled wheelchairs). Then, we shift focus onto the difficulty classification of trails for PwDs, analysing papers and guidelines that tried to define objective evaluation criteria such as the slope, the trail surface, and the length of the sloping sections. Starting from these studies, the paper proposes a synthesis of the different classifications that consider, for the first time, all the aids available on the market, thus filling the gaps of the single studies. In the last sections, we present some national and international guidelines with tailored and practical solutions to improve the accessibility of nature trails and some studies about the inclusive planning that directly involves PwDs, as well as on the need for a better training of tourism service providers. The present work aims to stimulate a debate on the barriers and opportunities related to the accessibility of hiking trails, contributing to making nature a truly accessible experience for all. Full article

In the face of an unprecedented public health crisis (COVID-19), despite tourist perceptions toward cultural heritage tourism having undergone significant transformation, such transitions are increasingly viewed as opportunities to enhance sustainability practices in cultural heritage tourism worldwide. This study traces the evolution of tourist perceptions at Lijiang Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, across three stages from 2017 to 2024—before the pandemic, during the pandemic, and after the pandemic. Data were collected from major tourism platforms, yielding a comprehensive dataset of 50,022 user-generated reviews. We adopt a mixed-method framework integrating TF-IDF, Social Network Analysis (SNA), and Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) to identify salient terms, semantic structures, and latent themes from large-scale unstructured textual data across time. The findings indicate that cultural heritage tourism demonstrates adaptability and resilience through significant perceptual transitions. After the pandemic, visitors increasingly prioritized cultural depth and high-quality service experiences, whereas before the pandemic, tourists focused more on cultural heritage attractions and commercial experiences. Moreover, during the pandemic period, visitor narratives reflected adaptations toward quieter, safer, and more personalized experiences, highlighting the impact of safety measures on tourism patterns. These findings demonstrate the methodological potential for dynamically monitoring perception shifts and offer empirical grounding for future perception-oriented research and sustainable cultural heritage destination management practices in cultural heritage tourism toward sustainable tourism. Full article

The sustainable management of natural reserves is increasingly prioritized within the global tourism sector, especially in fragile ecosystems like the Santurbán Moorland in Colombia. As a high-altitude Andean ecosystem providing essential water resources, the Santurbán Moorland faces mounting pressures from tourism growth and mining activity. This study assesses the adoption of sustainable tourism practices among tourism service providers (TSPs) in the region and identifies key gaps to inform policy and academic interventions. A cross-sectional, mixed-methods approach was applied, integrating surveys based on the European Tourism Indicators System (ETIS) and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) criteria, as well as structured interviews, field observations, and document analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis identified “sustainable management” as the most robust dimension (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.953); however, no TSPs reported using renewable energy, and less than 5% of employees had received formal training in tourism. The main challenges include the lack of environmental certification, insufficient infrastructure, and limited communication of sustainability practices. Based on these findings, the study proposes targeted public policies, financial incentives, and specialized academic training to strengthen sustainable practices. The results offer insights into the challenges faced by emerging ecotourism destinations and provide strategic guidelines to support a balance between environmental conservation and local socioeconomic development. Full article

This study explores the relationship between perceived quality and happiness among self-driving tourists, focusing on the impact of the self-driving journey and sightseeing stages on multi-stage satisfaction and happiness. An online survey was conducted, and a Structural Equation Model (SEM) of perceived quality, satisfaction, and happiness was constructed to test the hypotheses. The results indicate that overall satisfaction with the self-driving experience significantly affects tourists’ happiness, with the indirect effect of attraction satisfaction being particularly notable. Perceived quality indirectly influences happiness by enhancing satisfaction, with key factors including unique attractions, guide services, and innovative entertainment products. Additionally, the development of self-driving parking facilities, public information dissemination, road key nodes and scenery design, and vehicle intelligence levels are critical to enhancing tourists’ happiness. This study provides a theoretical basis for improving the overall tourism experience. Full article

In an era of increasing global uncertainty, tourism destinations face significant challenges due to political instability and social unrest, which shape travelers’ perceptions and decision making. This study examines the relationship between perceived risk, resilience, and destination choice, focusing on the extent to which political and social conditions influence travel intentions. Using the social amplification of risk framework (SARF) and a quantitative survey, this research identifies key determinants of tourism resilience and risk perception management. Our findings indicate that political instability, safety concerns, and negative media coverage deter travelers, while effective crisis communication, strong governance, and high-quality public services can enhance a destination’s appeal. Based on these findings, the study recommends that destination marketers and tourism policymakers invest in targeted safety communication, service quality improvements, and strategies that address the specific concerns of more risk-sensitive demographics, such as women. The study offers strategic insights for destination marketers, tourism policymakers, and hospitality stakeholders on how to mitigate perceived risks and foster resilience in tourism-dependent economies. Future research could explore cross-cultural traveler behavior and incorporate perspectives from tourism professionals to further inform resilience strategies. By addressing these challenges, destinations can develop sustainable strategies to navigate crises and maintain competitiveness in an unpredictable global landscape. Full article

This article analyzes population movement patterns in the Vysočina Region, Czechia, using mobile network geolocation data. Geolocation data provide new insights into population movement and structure, capturing real-time fluctuations in population size at different times of day and days of the week. The article aims to contribute to a better understanding of spatiotemporal population dynamics and identify links between movement patterns and different types of areas. Key mobility trends, such as work commuting, seasonal migration related to second homes and tourism, and the influence of urbanization on movement patterns, are identified. A scaling approach for categorizing municipalities based on their characteristics is proposed and tested in a case study of Vysočina Region municipalities. Furthermore, a case study of various municipality types demonstrates the practical application of geolocation data in spatial planning. The results highlight the value of these data for spatial planning, enabling a better understanding of population needs and optimization of public services and infrastructure. Full article

A review of the global history of tourism development reveals a strong connection between government involvement and the growth of the tourism industry. In China, tourism authorities are increasingly emphasizing the role of government service websites in advancing digital governance within the sector. Drawing on theories of public administration, resource dependence, and regional innovation systems, this study constructs an analytical framework to investigate the influencing mechanisms of government service websites on tourism development. Using data from the government tourism websites of 31 Chinese provinces, this study systematically examines, for the first time, the mediating role of tourism resources and the moderating effect of provincial economic competitiveness. Content analysis and keyword extraction techniques were employed to collect data on website service functions, tourism resources, and tourism development for the year 2023. These were analyzed using a PLS structural equation model. The results indicate that government website service functions positively, albeit modestly, promote tourism development, explaining 24.4% of the variance. Among service functions, public services (weight = 0.611) contribute significantly more than administrative management (0.368) and information management (0.238). Although the mediating effect of tourism resources did not reach statistical significance, internal structural analysis shows that cultural customs resources (0.512) contribute more to tourism development than water landscapes (0.443) and geological landscapes (0.338), highlighting the unique advantage of “soft resources” in a digital environment. Incorporating provincial economic competitiveness significantly increases the explanatory power of the model to 47.9%, with development level competitiveness (0.268) and government function competitiveness (0.267) playing the most prominent moderating roles. These findings suggest that the effectiveness of digital governance in promoting tourism development is shaped by multiple complex factors. Accordingly, governments should adopt differentiated digital strategies based on regional economic conditions and resource endowments, with a focus on enhancing public service functions, optimizing the digital representation of cultural resources, and strengthening regional economic foundations to fully unleash the industrial potential of digital governance. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic presented an unprecedented challenge for the tourism industry, disrupting operations, reducing customer demand, and forcing businesses to adapt quickly to a new reality. This study explored the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism and hospitality industry and addresses a specific research gap: the limited application of structured theoretical frameworks—particularly the three-R stakeholder collaboration model—in examining recovery strategies. Prior studies have largely focused on individual tactics or short-term impacts, rather than a structured, stakeholder-driven, multi-phase recovery process. Employing a qualitative research design, this study used grounded theory to investigate how tourism service providers and key stakeholders navigated the challenges of the pandemic. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 20 participants, including tourism business owners, hotel and event managers, public sector employees, and academics. These insights offer a comprehensive, multi-perspective view of how the industry navigated the pandemic. Grounded theory was used to inductively develop a model of recovery behaviors, with data coded through open, axial, and selective stages using MAXQDA 2020 software. Findings revealed several key strategies—such as cost-cutting, digital transformation, and cultural adaptation—that enabled businesses to maintain operations during the pandemic and recover in its aftermath. Finally, refashioning business models through digital transformation, the diversification of services, and a shift to local markets helped tourism providers adapt to the changing environment and ensure long-term resilience. Full article