scholarly journals The collapse of tourism and its impact on wildlife tourism destinations

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Newsome

Purpose To evaluate some of the current discussion about the possible impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on wildlife tourism destinations. There could be either positive and/or negative impacts and this viewpoint provides some reflection on what the future might hold for some if not many wildlife tourism destinations when the global tourism industry resumes. Design/methodology/approach A combination of tourism and environmental impact research studies and online resources are used to demonstrate the wildlife tourism-conservation nexus and provide a commentary regarding the impact of COVID-19 on the wildlife tourism system. Findings This paper provides a context and viewpoint on the possible implications of post COVID-19 reflection for wildlife tourism operations in the future. Research limitations/implications This viewpoint paper captures only a snapshot of rapidly emerging online perspectives but at the same time draws together relevant research that emphasises the importance of wildlife tourism. Practical implications This paper enables an appreciation of the implications of not reflecting on the way that tourism and the environment are currently/recently managed and funded. One possibility is that we could arrive at a different baseline that reflects degraded wildlife tourism conditions. If, in a post COVID-19 world, a new awareness of the vulnerability of species and the tourism upon which it is dependent arises, this could open the door for improved tourism management and conservation of species that are of high tourism value. Social implications This paper offers a synthesis of views that fosters understanding of the possibility of damage to wildlife tourism resources due to the social and economic impacts of COVID-19 on the global nature-based tourism sector. Originality/value The viewpoint proffered in this paper provides scope for a rapid evaluation of the current status of wildlife tourism, its vulnerability and the need to reflect on the industry in a post COVID-19 world.

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 485-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Costa ◽  
João Gomes ◽  
Mónica Montenegro

Purpose – This paper aims to critically review the contributions made by the authors of the articles selected for this theme issue and to present the main lessons learnt, recommendations and key points for action by tourist destinations. Design/methodology/approach – Content analysis of the papers presented in this theme issue was performed so as to review the most relevant contributions made by authors. Findings – From the analysis of the different articles and proposals by their authors, it becomes clear that Portugal has managed to face the context of financial crisis in a positive manner, thus avoiding negative impacts on the image of Portugal as a tourist destination. By stimulating creativity and innovation among industry operators, new products and services have been developed and offered to the market. This outcome contrasts with the situation at the start of the economic recession when it was not possible to attract new tourists, improve the rate of repeaters or achieve strong industry performance. Originality/value – A summary of the key ideas in the articles comprising this theme issue is presented, allowing for the identification of good practices and lessons to be learned from a very tough economic and social context. Despite the unpopular measures taken by political decision-makers, the impact in the tourism industry, was positive, resulting in improved results in the main tourism indicators.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tafadzwa Matiza

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide insight into the on-going COVID-19 pandemic and its potential influence on tourist behaviour in the short- to medium-term. While the influence of the pandemic on tourist’s perceived risk and its impact on their future travel behaviour is understandably yet to be established, the present paper discusses the potential nexus. Additionally, this paper provides tourism practitioners with some recommendations for mitigating the effect of potential heightened perceived risk on travel and tourism decision-making post the COVID-19 crisis. Design/methodology/approach The present paper synthesises contemporary academic literature on perceived risk and post-crisis tourism with emerging information associated with the unfolding COVID-19 crisis. Findings This paper draws empirical evidence from studies related to previous health crises and their impact on tourism, as well as tourist behaviour. By discussing previous studies within the context of the on-going COVID-19, it is possible to anticipate the influence that perceived risk associated with the pandemic may have on the post-crisis behaviour of tourists. Also, short-term measures to mitigate the effects of risk on tourism are posited to guide practitioners in the future recovery of the sector. Research limitations/implications The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented and on-going crisis for the global tourism industry. Hence, the present paper serves as a primer to a broader discussion within the tourism discourse and provides theoretical direction for future tourism research. Practical implications Key to the recovery of the global tourism industry will be encouraging both domestic and international tourism activity. However, while the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on tourist behaviour is yet to be substantiated, previous research predicts a situation of heightened perceived risk and the potential cognitive dissonance that may negatively influence tourist decision-making. To mitigate this potential effect, governance, augmented immigration policy, destination media profiling, recovery marketing and domestic tourism will be critical interventions. Originality/value This paper is one of the first to discuss the potential influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the post-crisis decision-making process of tourists and their conative behaviour. As a primer to further empirical research, this paper sets a pertinent research agenda for academic inquiry within an evolving and increasingly uncertain global tourism market.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 569-577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sudesh Prabhakaran ◽  
Vikneswaran Nair ◽  
Sridar Ramachandran

Purpose Waste in the marine environment has become a serious task to be managed. Uncontrolled dumping creates large amounts of methane gas contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. This conceptual paper focuses on the role of community in waste management activities to reduce carbon emissions in the marine environment. Hence, this paper aims to examine using literature, the various roles of community, types of marine waste and its impact on carbon emissions and climate change. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on evaluation and criticism from previous studies and provides a hypothetical understanding of the human contribution to climate change, and its impacts which will increasingly affect climate change and sustainable tourism. Findings The results from this study can be used as a guide for policy makers to help improve community participation and public engagement in efforts to reduce the levels of waste in the marine environment. This is especially critical in rural tourism destinations where the impact of uncontrolled marine waste has serious consequences for the tourism industry. Originality/value The paper contributes to a better understanding of the role of community in mitigating waste to attain a higher quality of tourism experience and environmental benefits from emission level reductions.


Author(s):  
Vita Elysia ◽  
Ake Wihadanto

<p><strong>Aim:</strong> The objective of this paper is to review the impact of poor sanitation on global tourism development. <strong>Methodology and Results:</strong> The majority of the data for this study was sourced from World Development Indicators (WDI) dataset for more than 200 countries in 2014 from the World Bank. A regression analysis was applied to analyze the impact of access to improved sanitation on tourism development by using some indicators such as the number of tourist arrivals, the proportion of the population using improved sanitation facilities, and the proportion of the population using improved water facilities. The study found that the relationship between the proportion of the population using improved sanitation facilities and the number of tourist arrivals is significant. Poor sanitation has been shown to have huge negative impacts on public health and the economy. In terms of the economic impacts, the lack of access to improved sanitation causes economic losses related to the direct costs of treating sanitation-related diseases and the indirect cost of lost income through reduced productivity. <strong>Conclusion, significance, and impact study:</strong> Access to basic sanitation facilities is regarded as one of the aspects that should be considered to support the tourism industry, particularly in developing countries. This study suggests that providing sanitation is the best investment for promoting tourism. Decision-makers should act now, and in a concerted way, to provide adequate sanitation services and at the same time sustaining tourism growth as an essential aspect of a country’s economy.</p>


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 642-651
Author(s):  
Rong Huang ◽  
Tao Xu

Purpose As the Chinese outbound travel market has become a paramount target for world tourism with significant growth potential, the purpose of this paper is to discuss the impact that the Chinese outbound travel market has on the European tourism industry. Design/methodology/approach The paper reviews both academic and trade literature to provide an overview of the opportunities and challenges that the China outbound travel market might bring to the European tourism industry. Findings The paper presents the major topics relating to China outbound tourism research and the current research gaps. Chinese outbound tourists are not a homogenous group of tourists. The paper addresses opportunities and challenges from two key segments of China outbound travel (Chinese international students and Chinese senior tourists). Practical implications The paper calls for alternative and innovative research methods and research behaviour in tracking the impact of Chinese outbound tourists. Closer collaboration between academics and industry practitioners might provide a better understanding of this market. Originality/value The paper offers recent insights on the Chinese outbound tourism market based on an analysis of relevant literature by both academics and industry practitioners. This allows the relevant stakeholders to adopt proactive strategies to minimise potential negative impacts and maximise opportunities.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Seabra ◽  
Miral AlAshry ◽  
Kevser Çınar ◽  
Irfan Raja ◽  
Manuel Reis ◽  
...  

Purpose The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of the acceptance of national governments’ restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic on the citizens’ safety perceptions of daily life and future plans. In particular, the aim is to examine the relationship among the citizens who belong to Generations Y and Z and who represent the future of tourism markets, as tourists and as host communities, in three important receiving countries, namely, Egypt, Portugal and Turkey. Design/methodology/approach This pilot project gathers data from three important receiving countries located on two continents involving 348 residents from Generations Y and Z. To identify the factors underlying the “acceptance of restrictions and measures” and the “Impacts of the COVID-19 threat on safety perceptions” a factor analysis was carried out. Notably, Pearson's correlation coefficient and a multiple linear regression analysis allowed to analyze the relationships between the two factors and a Kruskal–Wallis test was used to assess the influence of individuals’ country of residence. Findings The results reveal that in general, young generations accepted the measures and restrictions imposed by the respective governments. In addition, the present pandemic has a strong impact on their safety perception in daily lives and future plans to travel. Moreover, results prove that between the three countries there are dissimilarities showing that the countries' situation regarding COVID-19 influences those two dimensions. Research limitations/implications This study adds to the development of studies on the impacts of health risks in tourism activity, specifically on the safety measures adopted and their impacts on local receiving communities. It shows that the current pandemic is severely affecting the daily lives and plans for the future of citizens and tourists, which is in accordance with previous studies. Practical implications The outcome of this study paves the way for policy-makers in the tourism industry because it presents experiences from Generations Y and Z members, future customers and tourist products consumers, but also from receiving communities. Social implications The results of this study bring some light on how local communities, specifically, the younger generations, are facing this pandemic period and on the impact it has on the way they face daily life, future plans and on their level of acceptance of a sector as important as tourism. Originality/value To the knowledge, besides the relevant studies already conducted on the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the tourism field, no study has yet been carried out to analyze how residents have reacted and accepted the restrictions and security measures imposed by their national governments and their impact on residents’ feelings and perceptions, daily lives and travel plans. Furthermore, the specific impacts of this crisis will have on the younger generations are yet to be analyzed.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Hay

Purpose During the 2014 independence referendum in Scotland, there was much debate about the future broader political direction of the country but little discussion about its impact on Scottish tourism. The purpose of this paper is to explore and discuss the impact of the different future political options from a tourism perspective. Design/methodology/approach From the literature, four main political drivers were identified, and using Scotland as a reference, they were used in discussions with six experts to explore how tourism could develop under different political options. The outcomes from these discussions were combined by the researcher to develop in conjunction with the experts an agreed discussion note. This discussion note formed the basis for the exploration of the impact on tourism under four different future political options. Findings Of the four political options (devolution limited, devolution plus, devolution max/fiscal autonomy/federation and full independence), it is clear that all options had different positive and negative impacts for tourism. The devolution max option, however, was perceived as most damaging to tourism, because tourism would not be considered a priority, relative to other policy issues. The study concludes with six key lessons that destination management organisations (DMOs) should contemplate when considering the impacts of different political futures. Research limitations/implications Being focussed on one country with a strong political party whose raison d'être is independence makes it difficult to extrapolate the results. Nevertheless, given the strong commonality of agreement of the impacts within the experts consulted, this study suggests that DMOs can and should engage in political debates about the future of tourism in their destination. Originality/value The 2014 independence referendum in Scotland failed to achieve its primary aim of independence for Scotland, but it did provide space for other political options to be explored. This paper provides a perspective on how tourism could develop under different political options, and so help raise its profile in any future debates, both in Scotland and other destinations.


Author(s):  
Varintra Sirisuthikul ◽  
Pichai Pusumpun

In a globalizing world, where traveling is becoming easy and accessible, tourism destinations are increasingly competing in drawing travelers into their areas. One of the biggest challenges for any destination marketers is the substitutability of their offerings and the task of positioning their destinations against the numerous competing places that offer similar features (Moilanen & Rainisto, 2009; Pike, 2012; Pike & Page, 2014). The intense competitiveness of the global tourism industry increasingly calls for the most competitive positioning for individual destinations (Miller & Henthorne, 2007; Pike 2012). Consequently, the paper attempts to investigate the positioning strategies of the 10 individual destinations of ASEAN to better understand their distinctiveness and assess ASEAN collective brand. The current research aims to fill this gap through a preliminary assessment of brand elements of ten countries in ASEAN on how they project their official tourism websites using the method of content analysis of the 10 official tourism websites. This is followed by a discussion of the desired ASEAN collective brand with the engagement of ASEAN stakeholder in tourism collaboration, focusing mainly on joint promotion of tourism destinations. Consequently, the study presents an integrative framework embracing collaborative stakeholder efforts that ultimately leads to achieve a unified and sustainable brand of ASEAN. Keywords: Collective ASEAN Brand; Positioning; Destination Branding; Sustainable Brand; Stakeholder


2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 579-590
Author(s):  
Jessica Keech ◽  
Maureen Morrin ◽  
Jeffrey Steven Podoshen

Purpose The increasing desire of consumers for socially responsible luxury products combined with fluctuating supplies in consumer markets are leading various industries to seek alternative sources to be able to meet the needs of its customers. One possible solution that may meet the demands of the future is lab-grown products. Because these products confer multiple benefits, this study aims to investigate the most effective ways to appeal to consumers by aligning the benefits of the products with their values as marketers seek to find effective promotion for these items. Design/methodology/approach We examine the effectiveness of an ethical positioning strategy for two types of luxury lab-grown (synthetic) products among high versus low materialism consumers in three experiments. Findings Findings suggest that a positioning strategy stressing product ethicality is more effective for low materialism consumers, whereas the strategy is less effective, and may even backfire, for high materialism consumers. The impact on social status consumers perceive from a lab-grown product explains why this effect occurs among low materialism consumers. Therefore, marketers should take caution and use specific appeals for different segments based on values such as consumers’ materialism levels. Originality/value If lab-grown products represent the wave of the future, it is important to understand how consumers will respond to this emerging technology and how promotion strategies may enhance their evaluation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 309-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariella Bastian ◽  
Mykola Makhortykh ◽  
Tom Dobber

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework for assessing what are the possibilities and pitfalls of using algorithmic systems of news personalization – i.e. the tailoring of individualized news feeds based on users’ information preferences – for constructive conflict coverage in the context of peace journalism, a journalistic paradigm calling for more diversified and creative war reporting.Design/methodology/approachThe paper provides a critical review of existing research on peace journalism and algorithmic news personalization, and analyzes the intersections between the two concepts. Specifically, it identifies recurring pitfalls of peace journalism based on empirical research on constructive conflict coverage and then introduces a conceptual framework for analyzing to what degree these pitfalls can be mediated – or worsened – through algorithmic system design.FindingsThe findings suggest that AI-driven distribution technologies can facilitate constructive war reporting, in particular by countering the effects of journalists’ self-censorship and by diversifying conflict coverage. The implementation of these goals, however, depends on multiple system design solutions, thus resonating with current calls for more responsible and value-sensitive algorithmic design in the domain of news media. Additionally, our observations emphasize the importance of developing new algorithmic literacies among journalists both to realize the positive potential of AI for promoting peace and to increase the awareness of possible negative impacts of new systems of content distribution.Originality/valueThe article particle is the first to provide a comprehensive conceptualization of the impact of new content distribution techniques on constructive conflict coverage in the context of peace journalism. It also offers a novel conceptual framing for assessing the impact of algorithmic news personalization on reporting traumatic and polarizing events, such as wars and violence.


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