'Heritage' Tourism in Northern Ireland: Opportunity Under Peace

Having endured terrorist violence for 30 years, Northern Ireland is on the verge of achieving a lasting peace. Tourism is well poised to benefit from the prospects of peace and the economic growth that is anticipated to follow. In this paper the first section, based on an analysis of secondary tourism data collected between 1994 and 1997 (a period during which the Irish Republican Army declared two cease-fires), assesses the extent to which tourism can benefit within a climate of peace. Heritage tourism within Northern Ireland is examined, on the basis that the majority of tourist attractions and the tourism experiences being sold to visitors fall under the heritage label. Heritage and heritage tourism is discussed within the Northern Ireland context. The second half of the paper examines what are emerging as the key challenges and issues facing the tourism industry in Northern Ireland and the opportunities for long-term growth. The paper reveals that tourism benefited for the yearsin which a cease-fire held, but that the heritage attraction is somewhat complex, with a range of heritage types ranging from natural to industrial. Discussion centres on how this 'heritage' experience is to be planned and managed, and the challenge of ensuring sustainability of a product that has the support of both 'communities' in Northern Ireland.     

优化我国蓝色国土空间开发的战略思考

党的十八大从生态文明建设的战略高度,明确部署了"优化国土空间开发格局"的战略任务,对海域空间开发优化问题提出了迫切要求。文章首先以《联合国海洋法公约》为依据,从海域的自然属性出发,阐述了我国蓝色国土与陆域国土空间开发的关系,并分析了两者在整个国土空间开发布局中的地位与作用。在深入分析我国海域空间开发面临的形势和挑战后,文章从贯彻海洋功能区划、围填海管理等方面提出了优化我国蓝色国土空间开发的具体建议。     

Halloween in a material world: trick or treat?

The contemporary secular celebration of Halloween is a far cry from its ancient Celtic pagan origins. Since it was brought over to the United States in the 1840's by Irish immigrants, its observance as an American festivity has grown in popularity, particularly since the 1980's when mass-produced and mass-marketed Halloween-related paraphernalia began to flood the marketplace allowing retailers to make it a major seasonal event. This American rendition of Halloween has somewhat ironically migrated back to Europe, where it has been readily embraced by retailers and consumers alike. This paper explores the perceptions of British consumers towards the contemporary Halloween celebration. The findings of a qualitative study of adults reveal ambivalence about the rising level of commercialisation and Americanisation of the event, yet demonstrate how an enhanced understanding of hedonic meanings attached to Halloween can lead to new insights into why consumers are so attracted to celebrating this increasingly popular festivity.