Tourism Strategy, Policy And Planning

Tourism Planning and Traditional Urban Planning Theory: Planners as Agents of Social Change

by Alan A. Lew

Invited commendaty, (2007) In "Leisure/Loisir: Journal of the Canadian Association of Leisure Studies" 31(2):383-392. (pre-publication version)

In terms of community focus, the field of urban and regional planning is much more comprehensive in both subject... more In terms of community focus, the field of urban and regional planning is much more comprehensive in both subject matter and outcomes than is most tourism planning, as least as each is taught in higher education around the world. Tourism planning, however, draws upon a good portion of urban and regional planning methods, especially in the area known as rational planning. As such, the more narrow area of tourism planning could be considered a subfield of urban and regional planning. One major shortcoming of tourism planning is an apparent lack of attention to the normative issues of (1) how planners should plan and (2) what issues planners should focus on in their planning efforts. These questions address the complexity of data and issues that planners deal with, including questions of what
data or information is collected, how it is organized, and how the information will be used to make decisions. Tourism planners could benefit from greater familiarity with these fundamental concepts of planning theory.

Keywords: tourism planning, urban planning, planning theory

Customer Satisfaction In the Hotel Industry: A Case Study From Sicily

by Gandolfo Dominici

Dominici G. Guzzo R. 2010.Customer Satisfaction In the Hotel Industry: A Case Study From Sicily. International Journal of Marketing Studies, Vol 2, No 2, pp-3-12

In order to be successful in the market it is not sufficient to attract new customers managers must concentrate on... more In order to be successful in the market it is not sufficient to attract new customers managers must concentrate on retaining existing customers implementing effective policies of customer satisfaction and loyalty. In hotel industry customer satisfaction is largely hooked upon quality of service. A management approach focused on customer satisfaction can improve customer loyalty, thus increasing the positive image of the touristic destination. Hence, exploring the importance for customers of hotel attributes in hotel selection is indispensable.
Research on the topic of guest satisfaction, which translates into the consideration of whether or not customers will return to a hotel or advise it to other tourists, is pivotal to the success of the hospitality business. Neglecting to pay attention to those hotel attributes considered most important by guests, may lead to negative evaluation of the hotel, thus restricting the chance of repeat patronage. We perform a qualitative analysis of a large hotel in Sicily (IT), the Sporting Club Hotel in the town Cefalù, using the Critical Incident Approach (Hayes, 2008).
Through the analysis of this case we evaluate the overall customer satisfaction level for the hotel and for each service supplied. We conclude discussing the result and proposing improvement in customer satisfaction
management of the hotel.

How Luxury & Tourism transform economic unsettlement into steady growth

by Alvaro HIDALGO

Luxury, Tourism & Economic growth Luxury, Tourism & Economic growth

Strategie, criteri e strumenti per la valorizzazione economica del patrimonio culturale ferrarese

by Francesco Badia

Published in VV.AA., Competenze e strumenti per il patrimonio culturale. Il caso del territorio ferrarese”, Ferrara, Corbo Editore, pp. 227-240, 2010

Lo sviluppo delle considerazioni esposte in questo saggio derivano, coerentemente all’approccio tipico degli studi... more Lo sviluppo delle considerazioni esposte in questo saggio derivano, coerentemente all’approccio tipico degli studi economico-aziendali, da un’analisi che non si rifà solo all’utilizzo della prospettiva aziendalistica alla valorizzazione del patrimonio culturale da un punto di vista delle teorie, ma si serve anche di approfondimenti derivanti da ricerche empiriche compiute in questi anni dal gruppo del Diparti-mento di Economia Istituzioni Territorio. Tali ricerche hanno riguardato sia la realtà locale, sia quella di importanti realtà nazionali ed internazionali.
Fra le realtà nazionali che sono state oggetto di studio ed attenzione specifica, tramite il contatto diretto con i soggetti responsabili dei sistemi di ge-stione del territorio, ai fini della valorizzazione del patrimonio culturale, o con i soggetti responsabili del patrimonio stesso, si possono annoverare il centro storico di Napoli, il centro storico di Modena, le Ville Venete, il sito di Su Nuraxi a Barumini (VS) in Sardegna, la Val d’Orcia in Toscana. Sempre con la medesima prospettiva, si sono osservati, a livello internazionale, i casi della Valle della Loira in Francia, del centro storico e dell’Alhambra di Granada in Spagna (e, per alcuni aspetti, del patrimonio culturale di tutta la Comunità autonoma dell’Andalusia), del sistema delle residenze storiche, dei giardini e dei laghi della Baviera ed infine della Statua della Libertà di New York, negli Stati Uniti.

Immigration and Tourism Demand: Empirical Evidence from Australia

by Neelu Seetaram

Seetaram, N. (2012). “Immigration and Tourism Demand: Empirical Evidence from Australia” Tourism Management, (in press).

Immigration can potentially influence tourism flows. However, in spite of the vast number of studies on tourism demand... more Immigration can potentially influence tourism flows. However, in spite of the vast number of studies on tourism demand modelling, the immigration-tourism linkage has not received much attention in the empirical literature. This paper seeks to address this gap. A dynamic demand model is developed and estimated using data from 1980 to 2008 for the 15 main markets of Australia. The explanatory variables included are income, own price, price of a substitute destination, airfare and immigration. The estimation results empirically establish the connection between immigration and inbound tourism. The short-run and long-run immigration elasticities generated are 0.028 and 0.09 respectively. Additionally this paper demonstrates that omission of prices of substitutes affects the value of the own price elasticity of demand. The results have implications for future research and for stakeholders who can improve the efficiency of their planning exercises by taking into account additional information on immigration trends.


Keywords: Immigration, Tourism Demand, Dynamic Panel Data, Price of Substitutes, Australia.

Stakeholder Perspectives on the European Union Tourism Policy Framework and Their Preferences on the Type of Involvement

by Constantia Anastasiadou

Andriotis, K. (2000). Local community perceptions of tourism as a development tool. PhD thesis. Bournemouth: Bournemouth University.

by Konstantinos Andriotis

For an online version see: http://www.angelfire.com/ks/andriotis/PhDthesis.html

In recent decades tourism development has expanded on most Mediterranean islands. Focusing on the island of Crete,... more In recent decades tourism development has expanded on most Mediterranean islands. Focusing on the island of Crete, this study recognises tourism as a highly visible and controversial component of change. The existence of the necessary infrastructure, the natural beauty, the climate, the culture and the history have contributed to tourism expansion, with Crete now attracting approximately 25 percent of foreign tourist arrivals and 55 percent of the total foreign exchange earnings of Greece. The perceptions of the local community in tourism were studied using personal interviews with three community groups: local authority officials, residents and tourism business owners and managers. The aim was to examine their views on tourism development, in an attempt to establish overall desired directions for tourism development and to suggest effective tourism strategies and policies to reinforce positive outcomes and alleviate problems resulting from previous unplanned tourism development. The research findings identify much agreement among the three community groups suggesting that it is feasible to further develop tourism with the support of the community. Although the areas used in the sample were in the maturity stage of Butler's (1980) life cycle model and therefore it might be expected that the community would be at the antagonism stage of Doxey's (1975) model, this was not suggested by the findings. Tourism is viewed positively as a development option, and further tourism development, with conditions attached, is supported. The expansion of tourism has brought economic gains, employment creation, increased population, enhanced community infrastructure and cultural and environmental preservation. However, there is limited co-ordination of tourism activities and insufficient collaboration between the public and private sector. In addition, the island is dependent on foreign tour operators, and the tourism industry is uneven geographically and seasonally. Tourism has modified traditions and has affected the environment and society. Since community perceptions match reality (what is on the ground from development), problems are real and it is necessary to find solutions for their amelioration. As a result, policy implications emerging from the results presented in this thesis are discussed and future strategies are suggested.

Keywords: Community attitudes and perceptions, development, planning, Crete

Andriotis, K. (2003). Problems Faced by the Cretan Tourism Industry as Perceived by the Business Sector. Tourism: An International Interdisciplinary Journal, 51(1): 21-30.

by Konstantinos Andriotis

Demand for vacations in Crete has increased rapidly. The subsequent expansion of tourism activities has resulted to... more Demand for vacations in Crete has increased rapidly. The subsequent expansion of tourism activities has resulted to many problems. However, there is a lack of studies investigating the opinions of tourism business people to these problems. As a result, the current study was undertaken using as a sample 146 owners/managers of tourism enterprises with the aim of examining the problems faced by the Cretan tourism industry and to provide recommendations for their solution. From the findings it is evident that the Cretan tourism enterprises face a variety of problems demanding immediate actions by the public and private sector for their solution.

Keywords: problems, seasonality, dependence on tour operators, solutions, tourism industry, Crete

Andriotis, K. (2004). European Union Influence Over Tourism Employment. Tourism - An International Interdisciplinary Journal, 52(3): 277-284.

by Konstantinos Andriotis

This paper examines the role of the European Union (EU) in influencing employment in the tourism industry of its... more This paper examines the role of the European Union (EU) in influencing employment in the tourism industry of its member states. Tourism in EU accounts for about 5% of GDP and approximately 7.4 million persons are directly employed in tourism. The figure of persons directly employed in tourism varies from 1.7 to 7.8 depending on the member state. Due to the potential of EU tourism for generating jobs in this paper undertakes a review over the problems related to tourism employment in member states and analyses the formation and development of EU policies and initiatives towards tourism employment. Finally, this paper discusses the implications of the findings for tourism employment in EU and provides the conclusions of the study.

Keywords: tourism; employment; European Union; policies

Andriotis, K. (2005). Seasonality in Crete. Problem or a Way of Life? Tourism Economics, 11(2): 207-227.

by Konstantinos Andriotis

http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/ip/tec/2005/00000011/00000002/art00004

The tourism industry worldwide faces seasonal fluctuations of demand. These fluctuations are attributed to diverse... more The tourism industry worldwide faces seasonal fluctuations of demand. These fluctuations are attributed to diverse factors – mainly climatic conditions, human decisions, inertia or tradition and supply restrictions – and result in various problems for tourist-receiving destinations, such as seasonal environmental congestion, low return on investment for tourist enterprises, overuse of facilities and offseason unemployment. Most of the strategies adopted by both private and public sectors to overcome seasonality fall into one of three main categories: diversification of the product mix, change of the customer mix and aggressive pricing. This paper reviews these issues taking the case of the island of Crete, and examines whether seasonality poses a problem for the island and the islanders or whether it is simply a way of life.

Keywords: seasonality; determinants; strategies; tourism; Crete

Andriotis, K. (2007). A Framework for the Tourism Planning Process. In: Raj, A. (ed.), Sustainability, Profitability and Successful Tourism, Kanishka Publishers, New Delhι, (ISBN: 81-7391-919-4).

by Konstantinos Andriotis

BOOK CONTRIBUTION

Although many authors have examined various aspects of general planning, a literature review of tourism shows that,... more Although many authors have examined various aspects of general planning, a literature review of tourism shows that, with few exceptions, not many authors have been concerned with tourism planning. Bearing in mind past research negligence, this paper was written with the aim to investigate the planning process in the case of tourism, by providing a framework whereby tourism planning processes might be better described and explained, and applying this framework in the case of Greece. The findings of the study confirm that the proposed framework can be used as a mechanism for present and future problem-solving orientations of tourism planning, as a tool to provide a balance between the positive and negative effects of tourism, and as a basis for planners to evaluate whether or not the objectives of tourism planning have been fulfilled.

Keywords: Tourism planning process, Greece

Andriotis, K. (2001). Strategies on Resort Areas and their Life Cycle Stages. Tourism Review, 56(1/2): 40-43.

by Konstantinos Andriotis

In the business level there are many empirical studies suggesting various market/product strategic options. There are... more In the business level there are many empirical studies suggesting various market/product strategic options. There are also four stages of product lifecycle (introduction, growth, maturity and decline). The pattern of the product lifecycle can be utilised as a framework for examining the changing environment of a destination in relation to the expansion of tourism. Stages of destination development include: exploration, involvement, development, maturity and decline or rejuvenation. The specific features of each stage of a destination’s lifecycle call for different strategies. Bearing this in mind, it is the aim of this paper to examine the usefulness of strategies risen in the business field for resort areas and their lifecycle stages.
   
Keywords: resort lifecycle, strategic options.

Andriotis, K. (2001). Tourism Planning and Development in Crete: Recent Tourism Policies and their Efficacy. International Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 9(4): 298-316.

by Konstantinos Andriotis

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09669580108667404

Focusing on the island of Crete, the study on which this paper is based recognises the importance of tourism for the... more Focusing on the island of Crete, the study on which this paper is based recognises the importance of tourism for the economy. Due to extreme resource utilisation by mass tourism developments, insufficient planning and limited co-ordination and collaboration between the bodies involved in tourism activities, tourism can have a negative impact and conflicts may escalate. These conflicts are mainly related to the concentration of tourist arrivals in time and space, inappropriate use of resources, and limited incorporation of the community in the development and planning process. To offer solutions, various policies and strategies have been proposed/adopted at regional level. However, it is questionable whether the actions currently undertaken are efficient enough for the amelioration of tourism problems. A regional master plan is necessary in order to eliminate costs and ensure future balanced development.

Keywords: Crete, tourism policy, planning, development.

Andriotis, K. (2002). Local Authorities in Crete and the Development of Tourism. The Journal of Tourism Studies, 13(2): 53-62.

by Konstantinos Andriotis

http://www.jcu.edu.au/business/idc/groups/public/documents/journal_article/jcudev_012849.pdf

It is widely accepted that local authorities play a significant role in the development of the tourism industry of... more It is widely accepted that local authorities play a significant role in the development of the tourism industry of islands by providing various services and infrastructure. This study reports on a survey of local authorities in the Greek island of Crete and has two main objectives: (i) to explore local authorities’ involvement in tourism and their activities to the tourism development of the island; and (ii) to elicit suggestions by local authority officials for the further tourism development of the island. The results indicate that although the variety of the actions currently undertaken by the local authorities, towards the tourism development of the island, there is still a need for more efforts to promote tourism and to provide more opportunities for encouraging tourism development. As a result, this paper discusses the implications of the findings for Cretan tourism and provides conclusions for the future tourism development of the island.

Andriotis, K. (2004). Revising Porter’s Five Forces Model for Application in the Travel and Tourism Industry. Tourism Today, 4(1): 131-145.

by Konstantinos Andriotis

http://www3.hi.is/~annadora/TOURISMTODAYfall2004.pdf

This paper takes a new look at Porter’s five competitive forces model. In doing so, this work proposes a new... more This paper takes a new look at Porter’s five competitive forces model. In doing so, this work proposes a new competitive forces model centered on the travel and tourism industry that includes two additional forces, namely information technologies and government regulations, and adds an additional element to the buyers’ perspective, namely the power of intermediaries. This model is applied in the case of Greece and, although several limitations, from the findings it is proven as capable of explaining the competitive forces that affect the level of competition in the Greek travel and tourism industry.

Keywords: Porter’s competitive forces, information technology, intermediaries, government regulation, Greece, travel and tourism.

Andriotis, K. and Vaughan, D.R. (2008). Reality, Perceptions and Tourism Policy in Crete. The Interrelationship. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism, 1: 29-43.

by Konstantinos Andriotis

Academic literature contains the results of many studies that have investigated tourism development. These studies... more Academic literature contains the results of many studies that have investigated tourism development. These studies have focused on two aspects of that development: the outputs and outcomes of development and/or the perceptions of local residents of those outputs and their outcomes. The degree of match between the reality of tourism development (what has happened or is happening) and how people perceive tourism development (what they think has happened or is happening) is vitally important for the acceptance of tourism development in host areas. Depending on the match, or mismatch, between actual outputs and outcomes and the perceptions of them, different tactics are required. The danger is one of focusing policy, and its associated tactics, on the wrong aspect: the reality or the perceptions of reality. Based on secondary and primary sources, this paper investigates the match between the reality and the perceptions of the outputs and outcomes of tourism policy in Crete and assesses the implications.

Keywords: Reality, perceptions, tourism policy, Crete

Andriotis, K. and Vaughan, D.R. (2009). The Pattern-matching Approach and its Application in Tourism Development. Current Issues in Tourism, 12(4): 315-336.

by Konstantinos Andriotis

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13683500802346185

Tourism development cannot be fully understood and validated from a positivist perspective without the testing of... more Tourism development cannot be fully understood and validated from a positivist perspective without the testing of theory against empirical evidence. Thus the pattern-matching approach studies phenomena on the basis of facts and observations relevant to the testing of theories and models. This paper compares two selected tourism development theories, diffusion and dependency, against empirical evidence from Crete. In doing this it has three main objectives: to set out the nature of the pattern matching approach; to illustrate the application of the pattern matching approach, in an exploratory way; and to evaluate the approach based on the evidence of the exploratory application.

Keywords: Pattern-matching approach, development theory, case study, tourism, Crete.

A sports portfolio for the development and image of a tourism destination

by Frederic Dimanche

Co-authored with M. Sodja
published in Illes Balears Forum 2006 Academic Seminar (pp. 119-129). Palma de Majorca, Illes Balears Forum Publishing.

New Developments in the relationship between Tourism Policy and Local Economic Development in the United Kingdom

by James Kennell

Paper for the XIII International Scientific-practical conference on "Tourism and Services: Training, Problems and Prospects" Moscow, 29th October 2011

This paper examines the relationship between government tourism policy and local economic development in the United... more This paper examines the relationship between government tourism policy and local economic development in the United Kingdom. The economic contribution of the tourism industry in the United Kingdom is discussed and the ways in which the tourism policies of the previous thirteen year labour party government attempted to harness this for local economic development are critiqued. The tourism policy of the United Kingdom’s new coalition government is then analysed in the context of the global financial crisis. In order to evaluate the relationship between tourism policy and local economic development, three modes of local economic development are proposed, the third of which, progressive local economic development, is particularly relevant in the current economic context. This analysis shows that, although the current government’s tourism policy continues with many of the assumptions of previous policies about the links between tourism and economic development, it does introduce some new thinking that may create an environment in which the tourism industry can contribute to progressive local economic development that promotes sustainable economic growth. The paper ends with three practical ways that the state could support this contribution.

Engaging the Public in Protected Area Stewardship

by Steve McCool

Paper represents background to a presentation to the international Seminar on Protected Area Management I gave in 2007.