An Investigation of the Relationship Between Destination Branding and Destination Competitiveness

Empirical research focusing on the relationship between destination branding and destination competitiveness has so far been lacking. Even though destination brand is partially incorporated into the two most prominent theoretical models of destination competitiveness, there is still a need for understanding the role that destination branding plays in achieving destination competitiveness. For this reason, this study proposes a theory-based research instrument that joins the branding process implementation index and competitiveness measured by customer satisfaction. The proposed instrument is tested in the context of Croatian coastal destinations. The results confirm that a well-implemented destination branding process increases destination competitiveness.     

A comparison of the moderating effect of tourism reliance on the economic development for islands and other countries

Tourism is usually one of the top industries in most countries, especially islands. However, there is some question as to whether there is a negative potential impact if a country relies too much on tourism as a means of economic development to the detriment of other industries such as manufacturing and agriculture. The purpose of this paper is to examine the moderating effect of tourism reliance on the relationship between tourism development and economic development for regular countries and island economies, including “small island developing states” (SIDS). This study uses quantile regression on panel data from the WDI database from 1995 through 2014 for all of the countries that report tourism and economic data. The findings demonstrate that tourism reliance does have a moderating effect on the relationship between tourism development and economic development for all countries, but mainly at higher levels of economic development.     

Destination competitiveness and tourism development in Russia: Issues and challenges

With new border policies and the development of travel infrastructure, international tourism to Russia experienced double-digit growth in the past few years. Yet, few authors have reported on the challenges the country faces towards sustainable tourism development and competitiveness. This study discusses issues that have affected and that will continue to affect tourism in Russia. The tenets of destination competitiveness and sustainable development are used to guide a critical discussion of tourism in Russia. The study results from a three-year project that brought together European and Russian partners. Despite great potential, tourism development in Russia remains hindered by numerous issues such as destination image, infrastructure development, workforce training and education, quality management, and sustainable management. Beyond contributing to the tourism academic literature, this paper also aims at contributing to private and public policy stakeholders who prepare the future of Russia's tourism with Russian universities.     

Perceptions of tourism revenue sharing impacts on Volcanoes National Park,Rwanda: a Sustainable Livelihoods framework

Tourism revenue sharing (TRS) has become a popular strategy for integrated wildlife conservation and rural development in Africa. In Rwanda, 5% of tourism revenue is invested annually in communities adjacent to protected areas. However, the conservation impact of the TRS strategy has been challenged. Previous studies have revealed structural constraints of TRS, which partially explain TRS shortfalls. The TRS application is complex and needs deeper understanding of both conceptual and structural constraints. In this paper, we examine local perceptions of TRS, and use the Sustainable Livelihoods framework to conceptually understand the livelihood capability, equity and sustainability constraints of TRS at Volcanoes National Park (VNP). Results suggest that TRS has had minimal conservation impact due to acute food insecurity and limited livelihood capabilities among the poorest residents in proximity to VNP. This is exacerbated by several TRS structural constraints, such as the association membership fee requirement for TRS benefits, political influence, poor conservation linkages, and limited participation of the most socially and economically disadvantaged residents in proximity to VNP. This paper recommends restructuring of the TRS decision-making process to ensure consideration of both short-term and long-term conservation goals, wildlife conservation linkages and participation of the most economically disadvantaged residents in proximity to the park boundary.     

Smart Specialization for Smart Spatial Development: Innovative Strategies for Building Competitive Advantages in Tourism in Slovakia

This paper's novelty is based on the theoretical and empirical interconnections it traces between competitive advantage, innovation, tourism and spatial development. The tourism sector plays an important role in many regional and national economies, as well as in the global economy. It is a dynamic sector with a high potential for creating new jobs and enterprises, and for making a significant contribution to spatial development.Both Slovakia and many other countries have the potential to become attractive tourist destinations. Realising this potential is a real challenge, but innovation, smart specialization and building ʽsmartʼ competitive advantage provide opportunities to create new tourist destinations. This paper synthesizes theoretical and empirical research focused on competitive advantage, innovation and tourism and highlights their positive impact on smart and sustainable spatial development. Using those results it proposes an innovative approach to building competitive advantage in tourism.     

Is it in Germany's economic interest to allow Emirates to fly to Berlin? A framework for analysis

The economic approach (as compared to the traditional exchange of rights approach) to evaluating international aviation liberalisation proposals is gradually becoming more commonly used. With it, the various benefits and costs of liberalisation are assessed in a cost benefit framework. This approach is used to develop a framework to evaluate whether Germany will gain or lose from allowing airlines of the United Arab Emirates, and specifically Emirates Airlines, to fly to Berlin. This is something that the German government has so far refused. The economic approach is still evolving, and several new aspects of cost and benefits are being recognised and evaluated, for example the implications of foreign ownership of airlines, and benefits from inbound tourism. In this paper, a framework for determining whether Germany will gain from allowing these airlines access to Berlin is set out, and indicative conclusions are drawn.     

The effect of LCCs operations and scheduled services deregulation on air charter business in Japan

Recent aviation deregulation is producing structural changes within leisure industries in many parts of the world. This paper reviews the development of low cost carriers (LCCs) and assesses its effects on both of domestic and international charter markets in Japan since 2007. Furthermore, this paper analyzes the effect of scheduled services deregulation on international tourism to Japanese regional areas in relation to charter services. The results suggest that in the domestic market, LCC operations have seldom impacted charter traffic due to the differences in target markets and routes. In the international market, LCCs launched scheduled services to Japan but mainly on high demand routes. The deregulation of scheduled services led to a passenger shift from charters to newly scheduled flights and a concentration of tourist arrivals in regional centres. It also led to a decline in international tourist arrivals in some remote destinations. This paper indicates a current trend in which charter business is still an important sector in aviation and leisure markets.     

The planning,development and management of tourism: The case of Dangjia,an ancient village in China

“Ancient villages” are rural settlements in China that achieve this classification because of their historic, cultural and architectural values. Nonetheless, while they have long histories and are considered as tourism assets they may also face social, economic, environmental and political problems. This article analyses these issues using a qualitative and quantitative analysis derived from research at Dangjia Ancient Village, Shaanxi, China. It identifies changing patterns in demand and shifts in the modes of meeting those demands – from modes that are individually based to those that are dependent on local government interventions. Much of this change is due to deficiencies in local social and financial capital. Suggestions are made regarding ways to improve the sustainability of rural tourism, which have a wider application on a national and international scale.     

Institutions and transaction costs in foreign-local hotel ventures: A grounded investigation in the developing Pacific

This research investigates how to develop a viable hotel venture where the barriers to both tourism and business development are substantial. To this end, 48 interviews were conducted in a Pacific Island country which lacks a viable tourism industry, while being ranked one of the most difficult places to do business on the planet. Data were collected and analyzed using grounded theory method in conjunction with transaction costs economics as meta-theoretical lens. The grounded theory developed is characterized by a process approach to hotel development called Insider-Outsider Connections and Partnerships (IOCP). As opposed to the status quo approach to foreign-local hotel ventures predicated on idealistic presumptions regarding formal institutions, the IOCP elucidates how transaction costs associated with such ventures can be economized by recognizing, valuing, and utilizing informal institutions. These findings regarding working within, rather than ignoring, the institutional reality provide a revitalized platform for hotel practitioners and researchers alike.     

基于AHP的旅游供应链绩效评价实证研究

旅游市场竞争由旅游企业之间的竞争逐渐转变为旅游供应链之间的竞争,层次分析法(AHP)为旅游供应链绩效评价提供了思路.在分析旅游供应链绩效评价内涵基础上,构建了一个适用于层次分析法的旅游供应链绩效评价指标体系和绩效评价模型,并以罗定市快乐天旅行社为例,对它的上游旅游供应企业的产品价格、生产能力、信用、投诉率、管理水平进行研究,来检测AHP对旅游供应链绩效评价的效用.