Islands in Europe: development of an island tourism multi-dimensional model (ITMDM).

This paper introduces an island tourism multi-dimensional model. Its aim is to develop an approach for integrating quantitative models and qualitative techniques into a coherent and useful methodology. The island tourism multi-dimensional model is divided into several modules as presented in the paper. They include geographic information system applications, economic impact assessment, forecasting modeling, accessibility modeling, seasonality modeling and alternative modeling. Forecasting models, economic impact assessments and geographic information systems can be used to project forecasts and demonstrate sustainable and economic development issues. The paper demonstrates that the outcomes of the accessibility and seasonality modules can be used to generate strategic plans of marketing segments, service engagement and community involvement. It suggests that by using alternative modeling the output of quantitative analyses and the input of private, voluntary and public sectors at community, business and governmental levels can be integrated with each other. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]