Selling adventure tourism: a distribution channels perspective

This paper examines the distribution channels structure as well as the underlying factors influencing the most prominent channel choices within the adventure tourism industry. It is based on in‐depth interviews with adventure tourism operators in Queenstown, New Zealand. The findings suggest that the distribution structure is similar to other attraction sectors and that business size has some bearing on the ‘length’ of the distribution chains. However, regardless of business size, the sector places a clear priority on ‘at destination’ distribution, and the factors underlying this choice were found to be varied and reflective of both sector‐specific demand and supply characteristics. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Marketing information systems in tourism and hospitality small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises: a study of Internet use for market intelligence

This study investigates the nature of marketing information systems (MkIS) within small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) and focuses on the importance of external information and market intelligence. The sources of market intelligence are investigated with particular emphasis on understanding the usefulness of the Internet for external information gathering. The empirical research to support the study uses survey methods to investigate marketing information systems, market intelligence and Internet use within hospitality and tourism SMEs in the Yorkshire and Humber region. The findings indicate that SMEs in this sector make use of informal marketing information systems which mainly concentrate on internal and immediate operating environment data. Important wider market intelligence is underutilised owing mainly to the resource constraints of these smaller businesses. The Internet has not yet been recognised as an important source for market intelligence despite having the benefits of providing much of the necessary data more quickly and at a lower cost than many other sources. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Culinary tourism strategic development: an Asia‐Pacific perspective

Many destinations view their food and cuisine as a market niche. Operating within the Asia‐Pacific perspective, this study analyzed the key success factors in culinary tourism based on resource‐based theory in seven benchmark countries to identify the structure of promotional strategic development in culinary tourism. The methodology primarily involved in‐depth interviews and document analyses. The results identified four key success factors: (i) identifying and effectively using culinary tourism resources; (ii) evaluating governmental principles for promoting culinary tourism; (iii) adopting marketing strategies to promote culinary cultural sectors; and (iv) constructing educational environment for culinary culture and tourism. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The practicalities of a Learning Tourism Destination: a case study of the Ningaloo Coast

The complex and dynamic nature of tourism, and the need to address triple bottom line sustainability, has encouraged a search for adaptive tourism management approaches based on organisational learning. In this paper, the authors discuss a practical approach for the implementation of a Learning Tourism Destination (LTD), a new concept derived from the theory of learning organisations. Preliminary results from a case study undertaken at the Ningaloo Coast in Western Australia are discussed. The conducted surveys indicate that the LTD forms a useful framework for fostering consensus building, dialogue and collective learning processes among stakeholders. The proposed approach has the potential to improve decision‐making within the concept of sustainable tourism development by facilitating participative planning processes. The overall strategy of this paper is to explore the practicalities of the LTD implementation process, and to spark further conceptual and practical debate, based on the analysis of the Ningaloo case study. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Progressing road safety through deep change and transformational leadership

In an earlier paper in this journal, we argued that current road safety programs and thinking are constructed within a paradigm that tends to accept existing cultural arrangements. The current paper is a sequel to the earlier one, and outlines significant policy themes emerging from a research project on a holistic approach to road safety. Two overarching themes include the importance of leadership for policy change and implementation, and addressing the more transformative aspects of intervening in a system. A distinction can be drawn between “deep” sustainable change, which usually requires fundamental redesign of the systems involved, and “shallow” adaptive change. Examples of deep change discussed include the much wider application of mobility management, a strong shift to active travel and public transport, and a reconsideration of how time is structured in society, as with the adoption of “Slow Cities” principles. Transformational leadership can draw on a variety of “knowledge cultures”, which can all share in collective decision-making and possible actions for the future. We discuss especially leadership at the worldview, organisational, and community levels. Vision Zero approaches are valuable, but need to be integrated with a common vision for a sustainable transport system developed in conjunction with energy, transport, health, environment, and education agencies. In addition, Vision Zero approaches can be assisted by greater attention to and questioning of embedded cultural practices and behaviour.     

Ready for digital transformation? The effect of organisational readiness,innovation, airport size and ownership on digital change at airports

This study investigates the effect of organisational readiness, innovation and airport size and ownership on digital change at airports. Data is collected from a survey of managers at 94 airports worldwide and analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling. Organisational readiness is found to have a direct effect on digital change. Organisational readiness also has a direct effect on innovation, which subsequently affects digital change. Airport size has a direct effect on digital change while the effect of ownership is not significant. The findings show that successful development of organisational readiness can be used to speed up the rate of innovation needed for digital change at airports.     

Information and communication technology,co-innovation,and perceived productivity in tourism small and medium enterprises: an exploratory analysis

With the aim of providing new evidence and a practical instrument to measure co-innovative sources of productivity in tourism small and medium enterprises (SMEs), this article presents a newly designed questionnaire that has been validated by exploratory factor analysis. The empirical study was conducted on a representative sample of 500 tourism SMEs in Catalonia (a region in north-eastern Spain). Three factors emerged from the analysis: (1) Internet use; (2) firm innovation; and (3) new forms of work organization. Together, these factors explained 45.4% of cumulative variance. The reliability coefficients obtained for the three factors were high (α_1?=?0.76; α_2?=?0.72; and α_3?=?0.71). The study also identified a specific form of co-innovation in SMEs, which is based on bringing radically innovative products and services to the market, and on Internet use and work organization practices that are clearly orientated towards increasing income and optimizing resources. The combination between economics of the firm and statistical validation tools is a source of originality of the paper. Strategic guidelines to improve SMEs productivity have also been discussed.     

Employee Turnover Intention Among Newcomers in Travel Industry

The continual high turnover rate in the tourism and hospitality industry is the most problematic managerial topic. Using a sample of 304 travel agency employees, this research aims to identify differences in turnover antecedents between newcomers from graduate school or other industries and newcomers from the same industry. The results suggest several differences in both newcomer groups. Supervisor support is an antecedent for veterans, whereas personnel management, prospects and job‐related factors are only significant for neophytes. External causes were revealed as the most significant antecedents in both groups, whereas co‐worker support was not significant for turnover intention in either group. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Understanding the motivations of ecotourists: the case of trekkers in Annapurna,Nepal

Despite the growth in eco‐ and nature‐based tourism, relatively little is understood about the intrinsic motivations of ecotourists. In addition to furthering our knowledge of the market, such an understanding may also provide a basis for the improved management of tourists for environmental goals. This paper is based upon empirical research of the intrinsic motivations of ecotourists visiting Annapurna in Nepal. Conclusions are reached that the medium of nature is central to the fulfilment of trekkers needs and that environmental education is essential for improved management. It also is suggested that the success of tourism in Annapurna should not be judged primarily on increasing the number of visitor arrivals. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Unionisation in the Dublin hotel industry

The Dublin hotel industry experiences significantly higher levels of union density than is the case amongst hotel workers in the UK. This paper examines the context in which these different experiences of union density take place. It provides an examination of the historical roots of union organisation within Dublin hotels and explores the factors that have contributed to effective organisation within the industry today. It concludes by arguing that although the structural characteristics of employment in the UK can act as a barrier to union organisation, these can, in certain historical periods, be overcome where there is a shifting balance of power between workers and employers affecting both the hotel industry and society as a whole. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The perceived risks of local climate change in Queenstown,New Zealand

Place-embedded, resource-dependent industries are increasingly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The scientific framing of these risks can be understood through modelling; however, risks are perceived by non-scientific communities in more culturally relevant and localised frames. This empirical study utilised qualitative, semi-structured interviews with four stakeholder groups connected to the ski industry in Queenstown, New Zealand. The objectives of this research were to identify current scientific knowledge on climate change risks to Queenstown's ski industry and to critically address how the risk of climate change is perceived. This paper reports three main findings: (1) scientific reporting and expert interviews expect climate change to manifest as inter-annual variability up to the 2050s, (2) current climatic variability is perceived to be the greatest risk to the ski industry at present and (3) climate change is perceived to be distant and a greater threat to other people and other places giving rise to ‘optimistic bias’.     

The effect of continuous improvement capacity on the relationship between of corporate social performance and business performance in maritime transport in Singapore

Drawing on organisational learning theory, this study argues that shipping firms with high continuous improvement capacities have better success in transforming corporate social performance (CSP) into business performance. Survey data were collected from 223 shipping firms in Singapore and analysed using multi-sampling analysis, hierarchical regression modelling, and simple slope analysis. The results support the study’s argument and show that business performance is maximised when continuous improvement programmes targeted at CSP are carried out at a gradual pace and at regular intervals. This implies that shipping firms should adopt a dynamic, value-driven approach to improving CSP.     

Organisational forms and entrepreneurship in public transport: classifying organisational forms

This paper develops two classification frameworks in order to clarify the discussion on regulatory reform in public transport and in order to compare the organisational forms which have appeared during the last 15 years. The concept of levels of planning and control is applied to the supply of public transport services and various forms of organisation are classified such as to allow a positioning of the various real-world organisational forms in relation to ‘pure’ organisational forms. Illustrations of a number of ideal-typical organisational forms are then provided. This also illustrates the various roles competition plays within those organisational forms.     

Rural traffic management: The Burrator Reservoir experiment

The introduction of traffic management schemes has been one response of the National Parks to the problem of ever-increasing car-borne visitors and the consequent damage caused to the rural environment. By reviewing these schemes and by determining and explaining attitudes towards one particular traffic management experiment, the paper aims to deduce lessons for future policy. The analysis, based on two visitor surveys, suggests that the likelihood of success is improved when schemes are integrated, containing both ‘carrot’ and ‘stick’ elements. Since public perceptions are also found to be pivotal to its success, appropriate marketing of a scheme is vital. The paper concludes, however, that to achieve the fundamental objective of greater accessibility with less mobility, a more wide-ranging marketing effort is required intended to engender a sea change in attitude towards both the car and public transport.     

An Exploratory Use of Web Content Analysis to Understand Cruise Tourism Services

Research within the cruise industry now has the ability to utilize Web‐based content analysis. This paper provides an example of a methodology that explores patterns of co‐creation of value on board cruise ships using holiday reviews retrieved through Web content mining from CruiseCritic.com . The aim is to add to the field of co‐creation and cruise tourism by providing an approach to exploratory Web‐based data collection. With the use of a data‐driven approach to knowledge discovery, this paper provides a means to achieve a deeper understanding of guest‐to‐guest and guest‐to‐staff interactions on board cruise ships. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The UK air inclusive‐tour industry: a reassessment of the competitive positioning of the ‘independent’ sector

This paper investigates the increasing concentration in the UK air inclusive‐tour (AIT) market and the behaviour of the dominant companies (Thomson, Airtours, First Choice and Thomas Cook) operating in the sector. Arguments relating to the theoretical organisational structure of the industry are explored and regulatory investigations that have taken place are discussed. Research evidence as to the competitive position of independent tour operators in the overall UK AIT market is provided. The research indicates that a key area of difficulty for the independent sector relates to the provision of charter airline capacity although access to distribution channels and the ability to contract accommodation are viewed as further concerns. The paper concludes that regulatory authorities are faced with trying to ensure that diversity is maintained while at the same time ensuring any economies of scale derived from consolidation of the sector are passed on to consumers. In order to properly understand the true effects of industrial concentration the assembled package must be dissembled into its component parts and an increasingly a pan‐European perspective is necessary. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synergies in destination image management: a case study and conceptualisation

This paper addresses the question of how operators and destination authorities work within a destination region, illustrating a method by which the problems resulting from different geographical scales and objectives of business units can be tackled through co‐operative marketing within a strong destination image. Following a review of the literature, a case study covering the research underpinning a cooperative marketing programme involving hotels in Port Douglas, Tropical North Queensland (TNQ) is presented. The research methodology is outlined. The policy implications of the findings for the State Tourist Organisation and for organisations involved in destination image management are considered, and a conceptual model of cooperative marketing at the destination level is proposed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Rural tourism development in southeastern Europe: transition and the search for sustainability

This paper evaluates current issues surrounding the role and development of rural tourism in southeastern Europe (SEE) (Romania, Bulgaria, Albania and much of former Yugoslavia), setting this within the wider context of change in post‐communist central and eastern Europe (CEE). It examines local and global factors of development and change, particularly within the context of aspirations towards sustainability. The paper concludes that the impacts of EU membership — both of the 2004 enlargement, and later potentially for the countries of southeastern Europe themselves — is likely to be crucial in market and product development for rural tourism. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Using GPS Supported Speed Analysis to Determine Spatial Visitor Behaviour

In this paper a new approach to determine spatial visitor behaviour using GPS‐based measurement of tourists' velocity is given. I prove that GPS‐based velocity measurement is valid and feasible, even in urban areas. Furthermore, I illustrate that the possibility to interpret spatial visitor behaviour, as well as the choice of transportation type, can be drawn out of the recorded data. The suggested procedure delivers several benefits for destination and tourism management, given that the knowledge of spatial visitor behaviour is central to a successful and sustainable destination management. As an example, two studies (Freiburg, Berlin) are presented in this paper. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Beyond the rhetoric of visitor management in transboundary protected areas: the case of Peneda–Geres

Although the objectives for transboundary protected areas are often clear, in practice the development and management of these areas, particularly for tourism, are complex. Often explained, in part, by cultural and political differences evident among border partners, this complexity adds to the challenge of managing these often pristine natural areas for tourism. Through a case‐study of Peneda–Geres National Park, Northern Portugal, which forms part of the Transfrontier Park of Geres–Xures, and which encompasses the Natural Park of Baixa–Limia Serra do Xures of Galicia, Spain, this paper sets out to explore the effectiveness of transboundary partnerships for purposes of visitor management in transboundary protected areas. The paper introduces 12 core guidelines, developed by the authors, for transboundary visitor management and highlights the range of constraints and limitations that impede effective visitor management. Thereafter, the paper compares and contrasts the 12 core guidelines with the visitor management ‘actions’ and ‘decisions’, and their underlying rationale, taken by the transboundary protected area authorities of the Transfrontier Park of Geres–Xures. The paper concludes with an assessment of the success to date of the Portuguese authorities in their attempts to meet the core guidelines. Subsequently, a preliminary assessment as to the implementation of further guidelines for the future is conducted. A Portuguese perspective is emphasised throughout this paper, owing to recent developments in Portuguese National Policy aimed towards the promotion of nature‐based tourism, efforts in the establishment and embetterment of a network of Protected Areas and the political and economic importance of cross‐border activities for northern Portugal and Galicia, Spain. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.