Search Results (65)

To date, there has been a noticeable lack of a systematic and structured approach to the development of forest therapy tourism. This study addresses this problem by introducing a forest tourism attractiveness model and an evidence-based framework for the conceptual development of Forest Climatic Spa Resorts. Based on an attributive theory approach, a comprehensive set of forest tourism attractiveness attributes is defined, a model of forest tourism attractiveness is developed, and theoretical and conceptual foundations to support the criteria for the development of Forest Climatic Spa Resorts are presented. This research contributes to the ongoing discourse on sustainable tourism practices and emphasises the role of forest environments in promoting health and well-being in therapeutic tourism activities. Ultimately, our findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, tourism developers, and practitioners in the field of forest therapy tourism, providing a foundation for future initiatives aimed at enhancing the appeal and sustainability of forest-based tourism experiences. Full article

Health and wellness tourism is a rapidly expanding segment of the global tourism industry, driven by increasing consumer awareness of well-being and lifestyle enhancement. As the demand for wellness travel grows, destinations are expected to offer high standards of safety, hygiene, rehabilitation, and holistic experiences. This study aims to identify and evaluate the key attributes and determinants for developing health and wellness tourism destinations by applying the 6As Tourism Development framework: Attractions, Accessibility, Amenities, Activities, Available Packages, and Ancillary Services. A multi-criteria decision-making approach, specifically the TOPSIS, was employed to assess destination potential through a case study of Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand. The results indicate that Attractions, Accessibility, and Amenities are the top three priorities for wellness tourists. Sub-criteria such as natural scenery, cultural significance, accessibility for all, safety, and accommodation quality are particularly influential. Three districts in Nakhon Ratchasima were found to exhibit distinct strengths—Pak Chong is best suited for rehabilitative tourism (e.g., aroma and water therapy), aligning with mind and nutrition wellness components; Wang Nam Khiao is ideal for ecotourism and cultural experiences, supporting environmental and nutritional dimensions; while Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima excels in sports tourism, supporting physical and nutritional well-being. The study offers practical insights for policymakers and tourism stakeholders to design sustainable, visitor-centered wellness destinations. The proposed framework supports strategic planning and resource allocation for health-focused tourism development. Full article

The tourism sector thrives on a comprehensive understanding of the factors that motivate individuals to explore new destinations. Identifying the push and pull factors that drive travel decisions is essential for analyzing tourist behavior and recognizing the external constraints that tourism enterprises and destinations must consider. Adopting a sustainable approach to these motivational forces underscores the need to balance tourism growth with the preservation of destinations, the well-being of local communities, and responsible travel practices. Push and pull factors in tourism are inherently linked to the emotional states that travelers experience throughout the decision-making process, from the initial intention to travel to the post-trip evaluation. The sector prospers by understanding the reasons that inspire individuals to discover new places. Determining these motivational factors is crucial for comprehending tourist behavior and addressing the external limitations that tourism businesses and destinations must navigate. A sustainability-focused approach highlights the significance of aligning tourism growth with destination preservation and community well-being, ensuring a responsible and enduring tourism model. This study aims to examine the impact of positive and negative emotions on push and pull motivational factors across different phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, adopting a sustainability perspective. The research was structured into four empirical studies: (i) pre-pandemic phase, involving a sample of 508 tourists; (ii) pandemic phase, with data collected from 507 participants; (iii) post-pandemic phase, comprising 488 respondents; (iv) comparative analysis, assessing variations across the three periods. The results indicate that emotional states exert a significant influence on push and pull motivational factors, with variations observed depending on the period of data collection: before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, while emotions exhibited fluctuations across the three phases, push and pull factors demonstrated relative stability over time. These findings emphasize the critical role of emotional experiences in shaping travel motivations, highlighting the interplay between psychological drivers and destination attributes. This understanding is essential for tourism businesses and policymakers to develop strategies that align with evolving traveler expectations while promoting sustainable and responsible tourism practices. Full article

Rural tourism has emerged as a significant option to meet the people’s growing needs for a better life in the new era. Evaluating the competitiveness of the rural tourism industry plays a crucial role in promoting rural revitalization. This article is based on a modified Porter’s diamond model. This study focuses on representative rural tourism demonstration areas in the upper, middle, and lower reaches of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, specifically Wenjiang District in Chengdu, Huangpi District in Wuhan, and Jiangning District in Nanjing. The Delphi method and the Analytic Hierarchy Process were employed to construct a competitiveness evaluation index system for rural tourism and to assign weights. This article evaluates and compares the competitiveness of the rural tourism industry in the case study regions. This research reveals that the competitiveness of the rural tourism industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt exhibits a pattern of strong competitiveness in the middle reaches, weaker competitiveness in the upper reaches, and moderate competitiveness in the lower reaches. These differences are significantly influenced by the region’s tourism resource endowments, tourism infrastructure, and market scale. Huangpi District demonstrates strong competitiveness in its rural tourism industry. This strength is attributed to its well-developed rural tourism supply system. Jiangning District has moderate competitiveness in its rural tourism industry. This is supported by a strong market demand and a relatively complete tourism support system. Wenjiang District shows weaker competitiveness in its rural tourism industry. This weakness results from a fragile rural tourism supply system and a sluggish market demand. This article concludes with recommendations for enhancing the competitiveness of rural tourism in the Yangtze River Economic Belt. Full article

In 2005, the Fifth Plenary Session of the 16th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China introduced a strategic plan to advance the construction of a new socialist countryside, thereby providing a policy foundation for the robust development of rural tourism. Against this policy backdrop, the present study investigates the impact of rural tourism policies on the spatial evolution of ethnic minority villages in Yanbian Prefecture, utilizing data from the period 2004–2023. As a representative region in China where ethnic minorities coexist, Yanbian Prefecture exhibits distinctive cultural and spatial features in its Korean villages, making it a key pilot area for rural tourism development. This study utilizes the PMC index model, the coupled coordination degree model, and the vector autoregressive model to analyze the implementation effects of rural tourism policies and to establish an index system for rural spatial construction. By examining the spatial evolution of representative ethnic minority villages in Yanbian Prefecture, the research explores the dynamic interactions between tourism policies and rural construction, as well as the underlying causal mechanisms. The findings indicate that: (1) in ethnic minority villages, geographic characteristics and various constraints contribute to delayed initial policy effects, with negative fluctuations observed, highlighting a distinct lag effect in the policy implementation process; and (2) a significant Granger causality exists between tourism policies and rural spatial construction, with varying effects observed across different dimensions. The study centers on ethnic minority settlements, systematically analyzing the dynamic effects of tourism policies in the context of their spatial evolution characteristics. It offers sustainable development policy recommendations tailored to the unique attributes of ethnic minority villages. lt is suggested that the actual needs of village construction and long-term development goals should be fully considered when formulating and implementing policies to promote the sustainable development of ethnic minority areas. Full article

This study proposes a sustainable ecotourism framework for the development of semi-mountain and mountain regions of Paiko in Greece, focusing on the strategic design and ranking of trail paths using the multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) VIKOR method. Aiming to balance environmental conservation with economic benefits, we designed 19 trails paths and allocated signage for resting and recreation facilities. The trail paths were assessed based on criteria such as length, difficulty, scenic appeal, and accessibility. This approach identified key trails that combine scenic beauty with infrastructure suitable for a broad range of visitors, thereby enhancing sustainable tourism appeal. Stakeholder engagement was integral to shaping the trail network, ensuring that the selected paths reflect local values and priorities. This study highlights how the VIKOR method can optimize resource allocation by ranking trails according to their environmental and visitor-centered attributes, supporting regional economic growth through ecotourism. This framework offers a replicable model for other mountainous regions seeking to harness ecotourism’s potential while preserving natural ecosystems. The findings demonstrate the capacity of well-planned trail networks to attract nature-based tourism, stimulate local economies, and respond to the rising post-pandemic interest in outdoor recreation, while promoting long-term conservation efforts. This approach offers a replicable model for the sustainable development of mountainous and semi-mountainous areas in Greece and beyond. Full article

From time to time, some well-known terms are extended with adjectives to create new topics, which is exactly what happened in the case of regenerative agritourism. This article aims to try to explain the term “regenerative” as the next step in thinking about sustainable development and in relation to the definition of agritourism. The research methods used include the literature analysis, the bibliographic program VoSwiver (version 1.6.20), the descriptive method, and logical–comparative analysis. The authors conducted a systematic literature review to highlight the role of agritourism in supporting sustainable rural development and describe the concept of regenerative agritourism. The results of this analysis suggest that regenerative agritourism is “agritourism by another name” and is neither more sustainable nor more environmentally friendly. The characteristics attributed to the new term used to describe this form of tourism can already be found in agritourism perceived in its classical sense and in what is practiced as a tourist activity on many farms. The results of our literature research have shown that regenerative agritourism is nothing other than agritourism that takes place on traditional farms. Full article

The branding of cities through their historical and cultural assets has become a pivotal strategy in urban development and tourism. This study focuses on Erbil Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its potential as a brand for Erbil, a city with a rich historical backdrop and flourishing urban landscape. The study aimed to explore the perceptions of Erbil’s residents regarding the cultural significance of the Citadel and its potential as a city brand. A mixed-method survey questionnaire was conducted, collecting data from around 440 residents through both manual distribution around the Citadel and an online platform. The findings were analyzed using SPSS 23 to provide both descriptive and inferential statistical insights. The findings show that locals are well aware of the Citadel’s significance as a significant historical and cultural symbol of the city. The vast majority of participants acknowledged its unique visual attributes and their representation of the city’s cultural and historical identity. Additionally, the results showed that citizens’ perceptions of the Citadel as a good component of city branding were positively correlated with their level of cultural awareness. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on city branding and heritage sites by providing empirical evidence on the impact of residents’ cultural awareness on their perceptions of heritage sites as city brands. The results highlight how crucial cultural education and community involvement are to maximizing the branding potential of historic locations. Policymakers and urban planners may find the findings of the study useful in utilizing Erbil Citadel’s historical relevance to strengthen Erbil’s brand identity internationally. Full article

Our study introduces an enhanced version of the Importance–Performance Analysis (IPA) method, a powerful tool that can be applied across various domains. This method plays a crucial role in our research, aiding in making well-informed decisions about smart tourism destination attributes. We achieved this by evaluating how 911 consumers from four different generations (Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z) rated these attributes based on their most recent tourist destination visit. Unlike traditional methods that often rely on subjective opinions or complex statistical models, the Improved IPA (IIPA) method offers a clear approach to decision-making. It enables decision-makers to focus on the most crucial attributes that drive consumer interest, thereby optimizing resource allocation and marketing efforts. Specifically, to remain competitive, decision-makers for smart tourist destinations should focus on queuing-time forecast and applications, websites, and content accessible for travelers with disabilities for Baby Boomers; e-complaint handling for Generation X; smart emergency response system for Millennials; and tourist-flow forecast, real-time traffic broadcast, electronic-entrance guard systems, and accessible data about physical design features of accommodation, restaurants, and tourist attractions for Generation Z. Theoretically, this study advances the research on managerial decision-making by demonstrating the effectiveness of the IIPA as a clear and straightforward method for making optimal decisions about product or service attributes. In practice, the study provides decision-makers with valuable insights into the importance of different categories of smart attributes in shaping the overall holiday experience at a tourist destination for Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z tourism consumers. Full article

A myriad of types of artificial intelligence (AI) systems—namely AI-powered site search, augmented reality, biometric data recognition, booking systems, chatbots, drones, kiosks/self-service screens, machine translation, QR codes, robots, virtual reality, and voice assistants—are being used by companies in the tourism and hospitality industry. How are consumers reacting to these profound changes? This study aims to address this issue by identifying the types of AI systems that are used by tourists, the purposes they are used for in the present, and how likely they are to be used in the future. This study also aims to identify the types of emotions (positive vs. negative) that tourists associate with the use of AI systems, as well as the advantages and disadvantages they attribute to them. Considering the exploratory nature of the research, data were collected through an online survey shared on social media, which was available from September to December 2023. Results show that most respondents have already used several AI systems, assign more advantages than disadvantages to their use, and that the emotions they associate with their use are significantly positive. Moreover, compared to the small number of respondents (13.7%) who associate negative emotions with the use of AI systems, respondents who claim to feel positive emotions when using AI systems also evaluate them more positively in terms of their usefulness for tourism and hospitality. They identify more advantages, use a greater diversity of AI systems, and admit that they would use a more diverse range of AI systems in tourism contexts in the future. Full article

Wellness tourism has emerged as a thriving sector in Kerala, India, renowned for its Ayurveda treatments, yoga, and holistic well-being offerings. However, a comprehensive framework capturing the key dimensions of wellness tourism experiences remains underexplored. This study aims to validate the physical, mental, spiritual, and environmental (PMSE) framework within the context of Kerala’s wellness tourism industry. A quantitative research design was employed, utilizing data collected from wellness tourists who participated in various wellness services in Kerala. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to assess the fitness of the PMSE framework. The findings reveal that mental experience and physical experience, with their respective sub-attributes, contribute significantly to the overall wellness tourism experience. The validated PMSE framework provides valuable insights for stakeholders, enabling them to enhance the quality and competitiveness of wellness tourism services in Kerala. By prioritizing the mental and physical dimensions of wellness experiences, Kerala can strengthen its position as a leading wellness tourism destination. This study advances the theoretical understanding of wellness tourism experiences and offers practical implications for destination management and service providers in Kerala’s wellness tourism industry. Full article

In this study, we investigate the impact of online review characteristics on consumers’ purchasing decisions in the context of spatial distance. We consider the product experience of online travel routes, geographical location characteristics, and price adjustment factors, as well as the dynamics between consumers and businesses during the booking of travel routes. Through empirical research and large-scale data simulation experiments, we have found that the variability in attributes of tourist routes significantly influences the user recommendation rate, while the overall rating has a positive moderating effect. Furthermore, the number of reviews negatively moderates the relationship between them. Additionally, the product information and service quality of tourist routes also significantly affect the recommendation rate. Finally, we propose a management strategy for tourism route managers to enhance user recommendation rates and achieve greater benefits. Full article

Effective decision-making in tourism destinations relies significantly on employing suitable indicators for policy design and impact evaluation. However, the adoption of sustainability-focused indicators remains constrained in the field of cultural tourism. The purpose of this research is to provide decision-makers with an extensive array of criteria and indicators, enabling informed decision-making, policy formulation, and impact assessment tailored to the distinctive attributes encountered in European destinations. Based on the synthesis of existing approaches, and in co-creation with 21 European tourism destinations, an indicator-based framework is proposed, structured around the environmental, economic, social, cultural, resilience, and characterization domains. The results are particularly novel in the resilience and cultural domains, related to the recovery from crisis impacts, but also to the enhancement of digital approaches, as well as the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage towards a more hospitable destination. Moreover, the involvement of stakeholders incorporating real-case scenarios allows this research to bridge the gap between theoretical constructs and practical application. The indicator-based framework resulting from this research will provide stakeholders with assistance in assessing and comparing the impacts of cultural tourism on their destinations and, thence, help them acquire knowledge on cultural resource management, contributing to a more sustainable, responsible, and balanced impact. Full article

This study aimed to analyze the interest, willingness to pay, and profile of tourists participating in specific agrotourism activities linked to extensive livestock farming in order to encourage the development of those activities that are most demanded by tourists, as well as to support the proposals for improvements to promote this kind of tourism in the region of Andalusia (Spain). For this purpose, a survey was conducted, which was organized into six sections: (i) sociodemographic data, (ii) general aspects of tourism, (iii) rural tourism, (iv) livestock farming and tourism, (v) benefits of extensive livestock farming, and (vi) tourism activities linked to livestock farming. A total of 892 responses were received, out of which 753 were analyzed. The results show that the respondents are interested or motivated by the proposed activities. The most attractive activities are those related to livestock farming, which involve some kind of workshop on the production of handicrafts. Despite tourists having low-to-medium knowledge of extensive livestock farming, they all express a highly positive perception of the associated attributes. Developing strategies to enhance the willingness to pay for agrotourism activities is crucial, with the overall experience being a key element of their success. Full article

Wellness tourism is a growing segment that destinations can rely on to increase tourism flows and revive underdeveloped rural areas. This study elicits tourists’ preferences for wellness tourism products and the redevelopment of a wellness destination in a depopulated rural area. The research included 595 participants in Central Greece using on-site, face-to-face surveys. The survey data were analyzed using a two-step process. First, conjoint analysis was applied to determine the combination of wellness tourism product attributes that maximize visitors’ utility. In the second step, we elicited visitors’ willingness to pay (WTP) for improvements in tourism product attributes using the contingent valuation method. The findings indicate that the combination of attributes that maximizes the preference structure of respondents includes time of visit from September to October, duration of visit from 1 to 7 days, wellness tourism as the primary purpose of the visit, and wellness activities that contain both physical activities and training as well as spiritual and emotional enhancement. Using binary logistic regression, the analysis indicates that respondents are willing to pay EUR 47.33 per visit on average further to develop wellness tourism products in the study area. Empirical results confirmed that sustainability issues, quality, and entrepreneurship factors positively impact visitors’ WTP for revitalizing wellness products. In contrast, a longer duration of stay in the area and respondents’ age negatively impact their WTP. These findings suggest that structuring a customer-driven tourism product will enhance the rural destination’s efforts to attract high-yield visitors and advance the rural economy. Furthermore, practical implications reveal that Destination Management Organizations will benefit from research results to foster targeted management plans. Full article