Search

The research examines a conceptual approach to proactive, resilient, and cooperative initiatives to develop destination resilience. This approach addresses internal factors of tourism service production as objects of resilient cooperation. The framework for tourism cooperative networks for co-creating value in the destination is elaborated theoretically and confirmed by experts. The synthesis of corporate, network, and destination resilience creates the model of resilient cooperative networks, Confidence-Model. The model showcases value-chain co-creation, consisting of integrative survival capacities, transition networks, cooperative resource management, leisure sharing economy, and communication collection points. Value-chain co-creation is aligned on a regional level. The Confidence-Model reiterates the embeddedness of stakeholders in destinations through the resilient business model. Transitioning towards destination resilience involves ensuring self-sufficiency in tourism supply chains and developing resilient products, ultimately leading to new experiences and the creation of meaningful livelihoods. [Display omitted] • The article suggests a new model of cooperation for destination resilience. • Internal factors of service production act as objects of resilient cooperation. • Design framework for tourism cooperative networks is elaborated. • The model of resilient cooperative networks, Confidence-Model, is synthesised. • The model presents external tourism value-chain co-creation on a regional level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of the peri-urban has been used to explore the dynamics of transition at the urban-rural interface, which has clarified the specific and diverse transitions taking place in these areas. However, research still offers little insight into tourism transitions in peri-urban areas that aim to use tourism as a catalyst for development. This paper addresses this gap with an in-depth study of tourism transitions in such a Danish peri-urban region. The analysis is based on observation, interview and documentary data collected over three years in one macro-case region and two micro-case destinations within that region. Drawing on the concept of robust action, the paper seeks a better understanding of what is termed complex challenges, associated with tourism transitions, and how specific destination development efforts can mitigate these. Four such challenges are identified relating to a lack of respectively investment, star attractions, access and accommodation. The two micro-cases illustrate how destinations can address such complex challenges through what we term robust destination development. The paper also develops a robust destination development framework and confirms its utility in a peri-urban tourism context. This framework enables destinations to cope with complex challenges and researchers to understand how they may do so. • Develops the conceptualization and understanding of tourism in peri-urban areas. • Conceptualises complex challenges in a tourism context. • Examines complex challenges involved in tourism transitions in peri-urban areas. • Develops a framework of robust destination development. • Demonstrates how robust destination development can mitigate complex challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, 'regenerative tourism' has emerged as a promising alternative to the unsustainable growth paradigm underpinning traditional tourism practices. While this topic is increasingly explored in conceptual terms, what this approach means conceptually and in practice for a range of destination management stakeholders remains unclear. The present study analysed the meanings, conceptualisations and practices associated with regenerative tourism for destination planners in Aotearoa New Zealand. Eighteen interviews were conducted with a diverse range of destination planners at regional and national levels. The findings indicate that regenerative tourism involves improving places, which comprises giving back to communities economically, socially and culturally, and enhancing local environments; as well as fostering a connection with place for both visitors and local residents, and focusing on how tourism can improve quality of life (human and nonhuman) for future generations. Other prominent themes include the holistic and interconnected nature of regenerative tourism practices; and the importance of shifting mindsets and tourism practices from mechanistic and siloed, to those aligned with living systems approaches. Another key finding was destination planners' ambivalence towards the regenerative tourism concept, which ranged from a sense of uncertainty and vagueness about this approach to strong sentiments of resistance. Further studies, particularly those that integrate indigenous worldviews, are needed to consolidate our understanding of regenerative tourism approaches in practice. • Discusses how destination planners in Aotearoa New Zealand conceptualise regenerative tourism. • Regenerative tourism viewed as improvement, not maintenance, of people and places. • Lack of clarity elicits uncertainty and resistance to 'regenerative tourism' for destination planners. • Indigenous worldviews and values should be integrated into regenerative tourism conceptualisations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the relationships among campsite attributes, tourists' experience quality, trip satisfaction, and intention to revisit campgrounds in the context of three typical mountain campgrounds (Raorao, Amanda, and Shanyu) in southwest China. Utilizing a combination of proportionate stratified and convenience sampling methods, 613 tourists visiting the three campgrounds were surveyed. The collected data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM). The results revealed that campsite attributes either positively or negatively influence tourists' experience quality. Furthermore, experience quality plays a crucial role as a significant antecedent to trip satisfaction and as a mediator between campsite attributes and trip satisfaction. Additionally, tourists' trip satisfaction positively affects their revisit intentions. These findings contribute valuable insights into the formation process of camping tourists' behavioral intentions, considering their perceptions of campsite attributes, experience quality, and trip satisfaction. The paper concludes with a discussion of the research's theoretical and practical implications, as well as limitations, and provides suggestions for future research. • The camping tourism market is growing rapidly post-COVID-19. • The mediating role of experience quality between campsite attributes and trip satisfaction is explored. • A comprehensive scale of campsite attributes in mountain camping is proposed and validated. • Service quality positively impacts tourists' experience quality. • The findings of the study contribute to developing campground improvement strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a model of an ecological security system for coastal tourism cities and performs a dynamic simulation test of it. Data for the coastal city of Dalian, China, covering the period 2001 to 2015, were used to simulate the city's ecological security from 2016 to 2030. This confirmed the validity of the model, which had a low average error. Variables were chosen to simulate a number of different scenarios. Considering the number of tourists, tourism income, the index of tourism resources and marine pollution, the low-carbon environment scenario was shown to be the healthiest, with a high level of investment in environmental protection and resource consumption and a low outcome in terms of industry development. The simulation results for the three scenarios showed that more capital and high technology should be invested to improve the treatment of marine pollution in Dalian, which can reduce its negative impact on coastal areas and create a conducive environment to attract tourists. The research provides a systems approach to evaluate potential socio-economic influences on the ecological security systems of coastal tourism cities, and to provide information useful for destination management. • Proposes an ecological security system for a coastal tourism city with three sub-systems. • Develops a systems dynamics model to perform a simulation test. • Predicts future changes in coastal tourism urban ecological security. • The low-carbon environment scenario is found to be the healthiest. • Capital and technology are the key factors needed to decrease pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Destination managers must consider whether to continue to consolidate their experiences and markets or innovate by developing new experiences and targeting new markets when planning their tourism destination development. Although these approaches are not mutually exclusive, adopting a strategic approach to identifying which experiences will be iconic visitor drawcards featured in the destination's brand image and marketing, and which markets to focus their marketing efforts on, is important to destination competitiveness. Most destination managers adopt a consolidation strategy because this is often the most efficient, safest and least controversial approach. The alternative is to innovate through developing new experiences and attracting new visitor markets to expand the destination's appeal. This paper studies this destination development challenge in a popular, yet mature tourism destination, the Gold Coast, Australia. Four experience development strategy options are proposed and organised into a Destination Innovation Matrix. These options are then tested using an online survey (N = 1759), followed by four focus group interviews. This matrix provides a new framework to assist managers to prioritise innovation opportunities for a destination. Highlights • Studies Australia's Gold Coast to show innovation in a mature destination. • Presents a new Destination Innovation Matrix. • Challenges a traditional approach of experience-market consolidation. • Improving existing experiences and growing existing markets can be innovation. • Transformational innovation seeks to create new experiences for new markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the importance of shopping tourists in tourism destinations, the examination of the movements of this lucrative segment is insufficient. This study aims to analyze attractions networks in the Seoul Capital Area that are selected by shopping tourists, as well as to identify whether their attraction networks are stable or dynamic. Specifically, the centralities and the spatial structure of 28 attractions were identified to examine the features of the changing attraction networks. The Gini coefficients of centralities were measured to detect the inequality of link distribution. It was investigated whether networks follow a power law each year to detect the changes in destination networks. Finally, changing networks were visualized through link reduction modules featuring improved readability. The results of this study are as follows: (1) this study reveals shopping tourists' attraction preference through centrality analysis. The attractions that shopping tourists visited encompass both shopping and non-shopping areas; (2) Sinchon/Hongik University and Namsan Hanok Village were identified as increasingly popular attractions for shopping tourists; (3) Gini coefficients of degree distribution for shopping tourists' attraction networks were higher over the three-year period compared with those of general tourists, indicating that the former choose tourist attractions in a homogeneous manner; and (4) Attraction networks followed the power law in 2013 but not in 2014 and 2015. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tourism can help regenerate post-colonial, post-conflict and post-disaster destinations (PCCDs), and national governments and destination marketing organisations (DMOs) play a central role in this. They face the dilemma of either consolidating tourism situations with seemingly safe, known, predictable steps, or taking more ambitious risk-prone, less tried-and-tested and more uncertain approaches. This choice can be portrayed as the respective exploitative and explorative dimensions of strategic conceptual framework of organisational ambidexterity (OA). This regional spotlight provides a conceptual analysis using the lens of OA to examine these dynamics. It focuses on the specific case of Haiti, set within the context of the Caribbean region. A range of OA effects in relation to tourist enclaves is identified. In particular, the spotlight argues for less segregation and separation between tourist and local populations, along with a need for DMOs to espouse more exploitative-explorative postures. In terms of wider implications, it can be argued that other Caribbean economies might learn lessons from the discussion of the Haitian case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research examines a downtown streetscape improvement project in a heritage tourism destination. A survey, conducted in Charleston, South Carolina, USA, provided data on merchant attitudes about the project following completion of the work, adding to two previous studies that have looked at the project pre-construction and mid-construction. The results indicate that the merchants grade the project favorably but do not credit the project for the significant recent tourism success enjoyed by the city. Concepts and issues borrowed from the urban conservation literature are considered and suggestions are provided that should be of value to destination management officials in heritage cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social network analysis is a very useful tool for planning and management of tourist destinations. This paper applies it to 16 tourist destinations in Andalusia (Spain) with different levels of tourist development in order to establish the extent to which this development is conditioned by the relational dynamics of its tourist stakeholders.Results obtained show there is a direct increasing relationship between the network characteristics of stakeholders for a tourist destination and its level of tourist development. In other words, when the operation of the stakeholder networks improves, there is an increase in the level of tourist development at destination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the 2022 Consensus on Advances in Destination Management, a research agenda for destination marketing and management. Like its predecessors, this agenda is grounded in the collaborative consensus discourse methodology. To identify relevant avenues for future research, the consensus draws on three days of structured interactions among scholarly and industry experts invested in advancing the research and practice of destination marketing and management for sustainable development of tourist destinations at the 5th Advances in Destination Management Forum in Kalmar, Sweden. The consensus details avenues for further research in five key areas that relate to (1) the role and future of DMOs, (2) tourism policy and governance issues, (3) advancing destination resilience and sustainability, (4) the measurement and tracking of visitor flows, and (5) destination development in emergent destinations. • We present a consensus research agenda with perspective for destination research. • We present five themes that discuss gaps and future research questions. • We offer overarching conclusions related to control, context and conceptualization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tourism destinations are complex systems of interrelated entities without a hierarchical chain of command. In order to enhance the ability of destinations to create a high quality, authentic tourism experience, a management perspective based on networks, personal relationships, trust, and reciprocity is suggested. However, while theoretically this ‘network approach’ represents a promising way of making the tourism industry more innovative and competitive, few convincing empirical examples have so far been published on how tourism networks can be successfully managed. This paper focuses on the gap between theory and practice. After summarizing the literature on network management in tourism, in-depth interviews with 12 network managers in Flanders (Belgium) give insights on how networks are currently managed, as well as how and why network managers choose their priorities. The main conclusion is that while all interviewed network managers claimed that they had adopted a ‘network approach’, most of them still spent most of their time and energy on traditional power-related tasks, such as the top-down provision of information, lobbying, and representing the network towards external stakeholders. Trust-related activities, such as actively pursuing member collaboration, member engagement, and facilitating proximity and partnerships with and between (potential) network members were only applied by a small minority. Network managers who actively strengthened the network structure through trust-related management activities indicated more often that their networks were resilient to external pressure. This highlights the importance for network managers of making pragmatic trade-offs between various management approaches. This might need further professionalization of the sector, including targeted training and (postgraduate) education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tourism industry is one of the most important economic sectors in Jordan. However, Jordan's geographic location in a conflict-ridden region has resulted in tourists’ misperceptions, especially given recent violent uprisings in neighboring countries and negative media portrayals of the region. The purpose of this study was to examine the US source market's perceptions of Jordan as a destination and to identify the factors that may influence their visiting intentions. Guided by the Risk Perception Attitude (RPA) framework, this study classified participants into clusters based on levels of perceived risk and efficacy beliefs. Four clusters were generated and compared based on individual characteristics, perceived safety, and visiting intentions. A series of mediation analyses were also conducted. Overall, the findings support the utility of the RPA framework in the context of tourism. Furthermore, the findings indicate that perceived safety mediates the relationship between respondents’ risk-perception attitudes and their visiting intentions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines Colombia as a practical case of branding and marketing within the context of conflict-ridden destinations. It will examine the history and development of the country brand from the tourism development point of view, relating it to the terrorism that has hit the country for the last half a century. This enormously diminished Colombia's reputation in many ways, substantially lowering tourism arrivals. This paper presents an account of how Colombia has reacted to this situation: it will show the efforts put into brand building and tourism promotion that has succeeded, inter alia, in attracting more tourists to the country in recent years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strategic management of crises and disasters is considered a vital ingredient for managing sustainable tourism development. Contemporary tourism research has so far provided several conceptual articles and agendas for research regarding this important topic, with discussions particularly intensifying after the 9/11 events. Nowadays, this topic is more critical than ever, particularly after the beach massacre in Port El Kantaoui and the preceding terrorist attack at the Bardo National Museum in Tunisia in 2015. Since that time, with the steady rise of ISIS/ISIL, terrorism has, unfortunately, turned into a persisting threat on a global level. This regional spotlight portrays the application of integrated risk management (IRM) principles to the case of Croatian tourism as a means of thinking holistically about the exposure to risks in an economy that is heavily dependent on tourism. In particular, this study focuses on the risk-assessment phase and develops an initial risk map to quantify and prioritize industry risks that may affect Croatian tourism on a season-to-season basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several conceptual models have been developed in previous studies to address destination competitiveness; Nevertheless, to our knowledge, this issue has not been examined from the perspective of developing a cogent and integrated model in the field of sports tourism. Hence, this paper's primary objective was to provide an integrated competitiveness model for sports tourism destinations. A grounded theory methodology (paradigm model) was employed to construct the model and a systematic literature review technique for collecting data. This study reviewed and evaluated 25 papers from the Scopus and Web of Science databases until May 2021. The paradigm model identified and classified related variables with the central phenomenon (competitiveness of sports tourism destinations). The most significant contribution of this paper was developing a novel and integrated model to fill a theoretical gap in the literature on sports tourism, with a particular focus on destination competitiveness. As a result of the use of this model, policymakers will be able to understand better the requirements, strategies, and consequences of promoting competitiveness in sports tourism destinations. Therefore, academics and practitioners may profit from the results of this research. • An innovative and integrated model for sports tourism destination competitiveness. • Policymakers and practitioners will better understand the strategies for developing a competitive sports tourism destination. • The model's data may help policymakers and others interested in sports tourism consider the components necessary to develop competitiveness effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper summarizes the main insights of the second Biennial Forum on Advances in Destination Management (ADM), held in St. Gallen (Switzerland). Issues in five domains preoccupied the discourse of scholars and practitioners alike: (1) the definition of ‘destination’, (2) the purpose and legitimacy of destination management organizations (DMO), (3) governance and leadership in destination networks, (4) destination branding, and (5) sustainability. For each domain, this consensus offers a purposeful research agenda grounded in the ADM׳s community of destination management and marketing researchers. This paper builds on conference participants׳ collective sense-making efforts expressed over the course of the conference and in a dedicated consensus session. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rise of neoliberal market management has contributed to an incontrovertible 'truth' that regional tourism organizations (RTOs) established and led by business actors are more effective in leading regional tourism development. Despite this assertion, little evidence has surfaced to support the idea that market-led governance offers a superior model of leadership for regional tourism. This paper adopts an embedded case study approach, undertaking a comparison of leadership in two RTOs that are operating in the same geographical location but under different governance regimes. Semi- structured interviews with executives/leaders and stakeholders/followers were undertaken in two RTOs: a market-led organization and a government-led organization. The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of governance arrangements on the capacity of these RTOs to lead tourism. Findings reveal that while dimensions of governance such as participation, efficiency, legitimacy, accountability, effectiveness and transparency influence a RTO׳s capacity to lead, good governance and strong leadership were not necessarily synonymous. RTOs can demonstrate varying levels of effectiveness in different dimensions of governance and leadership can be strong in some aspects and weak in others at the same time. The paper argues for a more nuanced approach to understanding governance and leadership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article seeks to explain why structural differences occur with destination management in New Zealand and to examine the benefits and disadvantages of particular structures. Drawing on the analysis of a wide range of documents and in-depth interviews with practitioners, these issues are analyzed by taking a functional approach, one which views functions as the building blocks of destination management, takes into account a range of associated functions and considers the various organizational structures through which these are delivered. No one model of destination management exists. Rather, the country׳s administrative regime permits a mix of statutory and discretionary functions to be carried out under a range of different structures which have been adopted by local governments and the tourism sector in each destination depending on local or regional circumstances. Different views prevail as to which functions are important, whether they should be carried out by specialized organizations or units or brought together in multi-functional bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides practical implications for local and global place marketing and management, focusing on the case of Milan's efforts to identify opportunities to enhance the city׳s perceived image in order to attract talent. By exploring different dimensions of the city׳s image, the authors provide an analytical technique for quantifying the competitive structure of Milan and its ability to attract talented people. A structural equation model is implemented to evaluate the drivers that affect the city׳s attractiveness to talented people. The results suggest that the most crucial attributes influencing Milan׳s ability to attract talent are culture and education. Social services, healthcare, tourism and internationalisation level are less important but positively affect attitudes towards the city brand. Additionally, the quality of environment has a negative impact, while job opportunities and safety are irrelevant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The destination management strategy of enhancing destination brands or market position via international sport events is one of the main reasons for destinations to engage in event bidding. The strategy raises important questions regarding the process of encoding a destination's brand values into the media reports from an international sporting event and what the perceived challenges of that strategy are. The process has been explored from a destination perspective in a case study during the recently completed 2013 European Athletics Indoor Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden using data from multiple sources before, during and after the event. Public relations strategy and the persuasive communication model have been employed to structure the description. The study shows that the destination marketing organization (DMO) is involved in two different processes in order to influence the message transmitted from the event. The TV broadcast process is negotiated before the event and the news coverage process is occurring during the event. The latter relates to the DMO's attempts to persuade gatekeepers of international media to include the destination message in their reports by the use of both direct and indirect cues and activities. One tenth of the reports from the event are about the destination rather than the sport. Key differences between the two processes are presented, as well as a synthesis model of information-based communication and persuasive communication in the setting of an international sport event. Challenges to the strategy were e.g. media professional's formal assignment and the match between event and destination values in order for the DMO to communicate a newsworthy message. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This conference communication illustrates the major outcomes emerging from the EIASM Conference on Tourism Management and Tourism Related Issues held in Nice (France), September 20–21, 2012. While a number of managerial issues pertaining to the tourism field were dealt with, this communication covers three specific areas of interest for destination management and marketing: (1) the increasing competition among tourism destinations and the rise and consolidation of BRIC countries as outbound travel markets; (2) the modification of the target markets for established tourism destinations; and (3) the increasing importance of collaboration and especially coopetition not only within a tourism destination but also among destinations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper seeks to develop a full and more explicit account of what constitutes destination management by examining how a mature coastal resort, Pattaya in Thailand, is being managed. The paper addresses two key questions: what is destination management and is destination management being practised in Pattaya? Empirical research in Pattaya was guided by a conceptual framework incorporating three basic features of management: goals, activities and management structures. The research focussed on the management of three major features of the resort identified by public and private sector interviewees: the beach zone, nightlife and the Pattaya Music Festival. If the management of these features is assessed in terms of definitions stressing integration, coordination or collaboration then destination management is not being practised in Pattaya. Rather, many of the management activities being carried out are undertaken independently by a range of agencies in accordance with their broader institutional goals and responsibilities. Where complementary activities are co-ordinated, integrated or collaborative this is generally limited to a series of formal or informal dyadic relationships rather than a comprehensive destination-wide approach. These results raise questions about the scope of destination management and the need to consider its dimensions more closely. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Although tourists are frequently cited as the central focus of much destination management activity little is known about how they regard destination management. Through a series of focus groups with guests at youth hostels in three locations in New Zealand, this study provides empirical evidence as to whether tourists consider destinations need to be managed, why destination management is needed, what it should involve and what differentiates good destinations from poor ones. The tourists’ responses endorse the need for destination management and show a broad appreciation of why destinations should be managed. The participants see a need for destination marketing, value the provision of information and acknowledge the importance of visitor management. However they strongly expressed the view that destinations should not be over-managed, raising the question of where the boundaries lie between effective destination management and over-management. The factors which differentiate good destinations from poor ones might be grouped under two broad themes: those associated with tourists’ motivations and expectations and those related to a range of destination attributes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Destinations associated with pop culture phenomena, such as destinations depicted in books and films, often experience increased numbers of visitors as well as strengthened and changed destination images. The pop culture phenomenon the Twilight Saga (book and film series) is in this paper used as an example to explore how a pop culture phenomenon can affect destinations, and how destinations manage this type of tourism. Case studies in Forks, WA, in the USA, Volterra, Montepulciano in Italy and British Columbia in Canada illustrate different tourism destination strategies. Forks has, for example, developed experiences based on a fictionally constructed reality connected to Twilight, which has reimagined the destination, and, thus, fabricated the authenticity of the place. Volterra and Montepulciano, on the other hand, have experienced a Twilight Saga tourism development characterised by deliberations regarding the immersion of Twilight Saga elements into their cultural heritage which has resulted in a strategy best described as guarding the authenticity of their respective destinations. Finally, British Columbia has had no strategy and exhibits little interest in Twilight tourism. The priority of the destination has been to satisfy the needs of film producers. The study elaborates on different paths of pop culture tourism development, i.e. it is not always advisable to fully exploit the potential that a pop cultural phenomenon can bring to a destination. Which strategy should be used by a particular destination depends on the unique character of the place and its perceived need for tourism development. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper summarizes the major outcomes of the first Biannual Forum on Advances in Destination Management, held in St. Gallen (Switzerland) over 6–8 June 2012. The summaries cover four discussion domains: (1) the definition and delimitation of destination management; (2) destination marketing and competitiveness; (3) sustainable destination development and governance; and (4) the implications that these concepts have for destination management in practice, as well as for potential research. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Smart destinations have emerged as a means of integrating physical and technological infrastructure to create seamless experiences for tourists and to improve the quality of life for residents. However, the operationalization of the smart destination concept, and especially the roles and functions of Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs), remain poorly understood. This study uses interviews with experts in destination marketing, place management and technology, alongside analysis of Destination Marketing Systems (DMSs) to identify how DMOs can lead and facilitate the development and effective governance of smart innovations. The data are used to examine several key themes including: the potential for a 'smart vision' of the destination; the contributions of DMO leadership in smart destination strategies; the functions and utility of DMSs; the involvement of key destination stakeholders; and the supporting pillars of information technology infrastructure, sustainability, livability, and governance as the foundations for smart destination development. The article concludes by providing a conceptual framework that can help to comprehend and evaluate both the components of smart destinations and the roles of DMOs in their implementation and management. • Presents a framework for conceptualizing and evaluating Smart Destinations. • Encompasses IT, e-governance, sustainability, and livability domains of practice. • Uses multimethod strategy to assess Smart Destination initiatives in USA, UK, and Asia. • Examines Destination Marketing Organization and Destination Management System roles. • Identifies the value of DMO leadership in facilitating Smart Destination transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of residents' empowerment, community attachment, wellbeing, and economic benefits on their support of festivals. A sample of 510 residents of Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, was used for data collection. The study proposes an empirical model to investigate the impacts of residents' empowerment on their support for festivals and the mediation of the link by community attachment and residents' wellbeing. The results from the structural equation model support all but one hypothesis. Specifically, residents' empowerment fosters wellbeing, community attachment, and support for festivals. Residents' wellbeing mediates these relationships, and economic benefits moderate the mediated model. These findings highlight the importance of psychologically, sociologically, environmentally, and politically empowering the residents in festival host communities. Festival planners, governments, and local authorities are encouraged to communicate the positive effects of the festivals and help to empower the communities to ensure residents' full support. Additionally, they ought to ensure that residents are fully aware of the power they hold and able to use it to their advantage to encourage support for festival development in host communities. • The study proposed an empirical model that investigated the impact of residents' empowerment on support for festivals. • Residents' empowerment triggers attachment, wellbeing and support for festival development. • Residents' wellbeing represents a vital tool for destination managers to drive support for destination development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

World Heritage Sites (WHSs) are among the most visited destinations due to their unique cultural and natural features. Their recognition by UNESCO as having 'outstanding universal value', while meant to help preserve their characteristics, also leads to increased visitation that may put them at risk. This study focuses on the changes in the cultural landscape as a result of tourism development at WHSs in the region of Bukovina, Romania. The paper offers a comprehensive picture by employing a mixed-method approach and analysing a wealth of data collected from key stakeholders involved in tourism development. The findings show that there is agreement among stakeholders with regard to the importance of preserving the cultural landscape of heritage destinations, with most believing that stricter measures should be put in place. However, the lack of cooperation between the key stakeholders in policy formulation and implementation could pose a threat for the sustainable development of tourism in the region. The study contributes to expanding our knowledge and understanding of the challenges faced by heritage destinations in developing countries in Eastern Europe, in particular their struggle to keep up with the modern life style while preserving their cultural features and thus the authenticity of the area. • Investigates the challenges faced by heritage destinations in developing countries. • Uses mixed methods to understand the view of the key stakeholders on the topic. • Finds that protecting cultural landscape is an important challenge for World Heritage Sites. • Highlights a lack of cooperation between the key stakeholders in Bukovina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The association between crime and tourism has been studied for more than 40 years. Most of the studies, however, have focused on differentiating crimes against tourists from crimes against locals despite the high correlation between the two. To date, there are only a few studies that have pointed out to the role of location and time in tourism-crime analysis despite the existence of theoretical frameworks such as routine activity, hot spot, and rational choice that validate the role of temporospatial analysis in tourism/hospitality crimes. Furthermore, prior literature has only used the predictive policing model in relation to police-criminal activities. This study, however, claims that by using the principles of the predictive policing model in conjunction with the community policing model, benefit can be derived from active public participation in preventing/disrupting crimes that have temporospatial patterns. In order to address the gap and achieve the purpose of the study, 160,947 structured observations of Orlando police public records from 2009 to 2015, types and locations of crimes, decision tree models of classification and regression (CART or CRT), and chi-square automatic interaction detection (CHAID) were employed. The results confirm that crimes at recreation/tourism and hospitality venues have a clear temporospatial pattern and, as such, they could potentially be intervened in and reduced with active participation of the public. • Hospitality and tourism venues are soft targets for criminal activities. • Investigates temporospatial patterns in tourism-crime analysis. • Community-policing can be resurrected using principles of predictive policing. • Residents/visitors can actively participate in preventive acts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, it remains very challenging for managers to combine different features of sports events into compelling product/service offerings that meet visitors' expectations. Yet, there is a scarcity of research that demonstrates how sport event managers can overcome this challenge, thereby leaving a gap in the sporting event literature. To fill part of this gap, this study used an in-depth bibliographic review to identify features commonly associated with product/service offerings at sports events and then used those features to create a new measuring instrument to examine different service offering scenarios. In this respect, seven key features were combined into 19 service offering scenarios. A total of 2229 responses were collected through structured questionnaires at six sports events in Taiwan. Then, this study used the collected responses to explore the associations amongst the 19 service offering scenarios, visitor satisfaction, and revisit intention using multiple regression equations. After examining the suitability of the models, the best fit models were then depicted with path analysis graphs for comparisons and contrasts. The findings of this study provide important insights on how sporting event marketers or destination managers can combine different product/service characteristics to build a set of product/service offering scenarios and then test the product/service offering scenarios that best meet visitors' expectations and also increase visitors' satisfaction level and their intention to come back. • Features associated with service offerings at sports events were identified. • Seven features were combined to form 19 service offering scenarios (SOS 1-19). • A positive association between the SOS, satisfaction, and comeback was found. • The best path models were found with SOS 3 , 12 , 15 satisfaction, and comeback. • This study shows how to combine different features to build better SOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theories on destination management, destination leadership and destination governance have made noteworthy contributions to the advancement of tourism research. However, current global dynamics in regards to political, social, technological and economic developments demand a revision of traditional methods and instruments of destination development. This paper suggests perspectives rooted in design and design thinking as a source for gaining fresh understandings of challenges in tourism destinations and for offering innovative solutions. This paper reflects on the possibility of integrating design approaches into the theorising on and practice of destination development. It explores how a transdisciplinary fusion of notions can ultimately result in a new vision for destination development. • This paper conceptually links destination research with design thinking. • We provide an overview on past tourism destination research approaches. • We outline core principles of a destination design paradigm. • We suggest transdisciplinary and participatory research as a main tenet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]