scholarly journals Exploring of a Small-Scale Tourism Product under Economic Instability: The Case of a Greek Rural Border Area

Economies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 52
Author(s):  
Fotios Chatzitheodoridis ◽  
Achilleas Kontogeorgos

The Regional Unit of Kastoria is a rural area in Northwestern Greece, located on the borderline with Albania. Kastoria city, the capital and the largest city of the Kastoria Regional Unit, is known for the production of high-quality fur products. The fur industry has faced a marked crisis from the 1980s onwards, which has contributed to pushing the local economy towards the development of tourism. However, the tourism industry, developed during the last 20 years, has an undefined character. Specifically, tourism is characterized as small-scaled owing to the limited number of mainly domestic tourists, who, in combination with the economic crisis of the last decade, slowed down the initial accelerated trend. The purpose of this paper is to capture the opinions and attitude of Kastoria visitors towards tourism, as well as to illustrate the changes as a consequence of the economic crisis. In this context, a survey was carried out in two periods (in 2008 at the beginning of economic crisis and in 2017 at the end of this crisis) using a structured questionnaire and with a sample of 232 visitors in total. Our findings are highlighted in an effort for policy makers and marketing planners to formulate appropriate marketing strategies and to reconstruct and promote the local touristic product and attract visitors in these border areas.

Author(s):  
Md. Ziaul Haque

The tourism sector is experiencing numerous challenges as a result of the global economic crisis. After a significant contraction in 2009, tourism rebounded strongly  in  2010  and  in  2011  the  international  tourist  arrivals  and  receipts  are projected to increase substantially. The Tourism industry is expected to show a sustained recovery in 2012. The crisis has particularly strong impact and slightly negative consequences in Bangladesh. The country is undergoing a political crisis, as well, and it seems that the forthcoming elections may be the only solution for the restoration of stability and social peace.  In addition, tourism can be the driving force behind Bangladesh economic recovery. However, for its achievement the country’s policy makers should take several measures towards restructuring and improving the sector. These measures include: enhancement of alternative forms of tourism; environmental protection; creation of quality infrastructure; and boost of competitiveness through a tourism product that offers value for money


Author(s):  
Md. Ziaul Haque

The tourism sector is experiencing numerous challenges as a result of the global economic crisis. After a significant contraction in 2009, tourism rebounded strongly  in  2010  and  in  2011  the  international  tourist  arrivals  and  receipts  are projected to increase substantially. The Tourism industry is expected to show a sustained recovery in 2012. The crisis has particularly strong impact and slightly negative consequences in Bangladesh. The country is undergoing a political crisis, as well, and it seems that the forthcoming elections may be the only solution for the restoration of stability and social peace.  In addition, tourism can be the driving force behind Bangladesh economic recovery. However, for its achievement the country’s policy makers should take several measures towards restructuring and improving the sector. These measures include: enhancement of alternative forms of tourism; environmental protection; creation of quality infrastructure; and boost of competitiveness through a tourism product that offers value for money


Author(s):  
Sonari Otobo ◽  
Ekeke John

Purpose: The study examined the effect of airport marketing attributes on word of mouth communication at the Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. Design/Methodology: The descriptive survey research had a dataset of 150 domestic passengers found at the Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri during the study period in November, 2019. A well structured questionnaire containing 14 items in addition to 4 demographic items was used to elicit data from the respondents. With the help of SPSS, the data gathered was utilised to validate the model developed for the study empirically through statistical tests. Findings: The inferential statistical analysis revealed that airport terminal facilities and airport security and safety had significant effect on passengers’ word of mouth communication. Originality: The recognition of airport terminal facilities and airport security and safety as marketing attributes having effect on passengers’ behavioural intentions constitute a novel contribution in the context of Nigerian tourism industry. Practical Implications: The provision of airport facilities, safety and security measures which are part of the total tourism product could overwhelm governmental budgetary allocations. The appropriate level of government could seek and establish Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with suitable local and international venture partners with a view to building and maintaining competitive airport infrastructure and security apparatus with the aim of enhancing air passengers’ satisfaction which is capable of promoting passengers’ word of mouth communication.


Author(s):  
Lauma Nagle

In the research author developed a new gastronomic tourism product in Karsava district, which is intended to be implemented in the bakery „Dzīles”. Gastronomic tourism service providers, working in the gastronomic tourism industry, hopes for active demand and people’s interest in the provided products and services. That means that there must be a wide and unique offer of products and services. The aim of the research is to explore the theoretical aspects of gastronomic tourism and to develop a new gastronomic tourism product in Karsava district. In the research are being studied gastronomic tourism concepts, essence and significance in the development of the local economy, gastronomic tourism products offer in Karsava district. Author developed a new gastronomic product – culinary master classes – in bakery „Dzīles” in the Karsava district. Methods used in the research: sociological research method (interview); data processing method – forecasting method (planned income from culinary master classes).


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lesibana M.V. Thindisa ◽  
Boris Urban

Orientation: Participating in the agriculture and agro-processing chain has the potential to enhance the competitive advantage of small-scale agricultural enterprises in South Africa.Research purpose: The study empirically investigated the extent to which agro-processing participation is determined by human and social capital factors, while accounting for the moderating effects of transaction costs.Motivation of the study: Research is required that examines levels of human and social capital of small-scale agripreneurs, as these act as major constraints towards improved competitiveness of agribusinesses.Design: To test the study hypotheses, a structured questionnaire was administered to 166 small-scale agripreneurs at farmer gatherings across regions in South Africa.Findings: Based on the survey results, both human and social capital factors showed a positive and significant influence on agro-processing participation. The findings further highlight the importance of market access and transaction costs to small-scale agripreneurs.Practical implications: Policy-makers need to be aware of how human capital factors such as previous education and experience impact participation in agro-processing activities and help to mitigate transaction costs.Contribution: Study findings are highly relevant to South Africa as agro-processing and value-adding activities are not always scale dependent, and hence, a focus on human and social capital is valuable.


2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rohani Mohd ◽  
Badrul Hisham Kamaruddin ◽  
Khulida Kirana Yahya ◽  
Elias Sanidas

The purpose of the present study is twofold: first, to investigate the true values of Muslim owner managers; second, to examine the impact of these values on entrepreneurial orientations of Muslim small-scale entrepreneurs. 850 Muslim owner managers were selected randomly using the sampling frame provided by MajlisAmanah Rakyat Malaysia (MARA). 162 completed questionnaires were collected and analyzed. For this paper only two dimensions of entrepreneurial orientations were analyzed: proactive orientation and innovative orientation. Interestingly, the findings revealed that Muslim businessmen/women are honest, loyal, disciplined and hard working. Loyalty and honesty are positively related to proactive orientation, while discipline and hard-work are positively related to innovative orientation. The findings provide implications for existing relevant theories, policy makers, practitioners and learning institutions. 


2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 553-565
Author(s):  
Reza Kiani Mavi ◽  
Hamed Gheibdoust ◽  
Ahmad A. Khanfar

Nowadays, it is obvious that creative tourism industry has become very essential for countries and societies; therefore, governments work on constituting policies in order to develop this industry. To be successful in improving creative tourism industry, governments should identify the influential factors and focus on ones that are more important rather than investing a bit on many different factors. Because of the interrelations among factors, this research is aiming to prioritize factors that influence strategic policies of creative tourism industry in Iran using analytic network process (ANP). Data were collected during the period of May 2017 to February 2018. Participants in this research are 13 tourism experts with more than 10 years' experience in the field. Results show that the most influential criterion is "business support" and the most influential subcriterion is "supporting midsize businesses." This study helps policy makers to improve creative tourism by emphasizing on those factors that have high priority from the viewpoint of strategic policy-making.


Author(s):  
Ashok Singh ◽  
Ranjana Tiwari

The study involves identifying the important factors contributing to the level of satisfaction from the destination attributes of Udaipur, Rajasthan. An extensive review of literature was done before the study. A pre-tested and structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 350 international tourists who visited Udaipur, Rajasthan in peak tourist season. Further, factor analysis was used in order to identify the most important destination attributes contributing to the satisfaction level of the tourists. Services provided at the tourist spots were the most important destination attributes which included parking facility, communication system, cleanliness etc. Further, nine factors including accessibility and cultural factors were identified as the important factors in destination attributes. The results of this study offer practical suggestions to destination and the tourism suppliers looking to develop positioning and marketing strategies for Udaipur tourism. The study could be useful to the tour operators, tourism stakeholders or destination management organizations to focus on the most important factors leading to tourist satisfaction, which can help them to develop the strategies for further development accordingly.


Mining ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-34
Author(s):  
Tiyamike Haundi ◽  
Gift Tsokonombwe ◽  
Steven Ghambi ◽  
Theresa Mkandawire ◽  
Ansley Kasambara

In the recent years, there has been a surge in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in various districts of Malawi. Reports of a gold rush have emerged in various districts, including Mangochi, Lilongwe, Balaka, and lately in Kasungu. There has been persistence by many indigenous communities participating in ASGM activities, yet little is being done by the government to formalize and support the sub-sector. The purpose of this study was to investigate the benefits of artisanal small-scale gold mining in Malawi and expose the shortfalls so that key stakeholders and policy makers are well informed. A quantitative approach which used semi-structured questionnaires was used and the data was analyzed using Microsoft excel and Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The study shows that ASGM is characterized by people with low literacy levels, who use traditional tools (low-tech) and use methods fueled by lack of capital, and deficiency of basic knowledge of mining and geology. The study found that the government could achieve substantial socio-economic development from the sector by: (1) revising the current artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) legislation so that it embraces the customary practices whilst safeguarding the environment and improving the tax collection base; (2) providing support in form of mining related training and education to these communities; (3) leading in transfer of modern technologies for improved extraction; (4) supporting ASM cooperatives in securing credit facilities from financial institutions; and (5) closing the existing knowledge gap for ASM related issues through introduction of mining desk officers in district councils.


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