What is a Smart Destination in Practice? The Interpretation of DMO Managers from Spanish World Heritage Cities

This work intends to identify how Spanish World Heritage Cities (SWHC) are interpreting and implementing the Smart Destination Spanish Model (SD). The model has been created as a new paradigm of tourist management, and it is being sponsored by the Spanish public administration in different destinations, including Spanish World Heritage Cities. SWHC are historic, major tourist destinations with a large number of visitors. A sequence of qualitative methods has been used, consisting of documentary analysis with semi-structured interviews. The destination managers from each of the 15 cities that take part of the World Heritage Cities Spanish Group have been interviewed. In addition, an executive of the government-owned Tourism Innovation and Technologies company (SEGITTUR) has been also interviewed. The results do highlight the momentum that the model has reached, accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic, and serve to identify what kind of strategies have been put in practice.

Pandemic recovery strategies: A disaster management tourism framework

Purpose: The leisure industry is colossally impacted by varied types of crisis. Assessing the volatility;an attempt is made towards disaster planning and a response system. This chapter indicates an all-inclusive integrated approach to deal with disasters and narrates conceptual and latest factual findings in the space of disaster management. An efficient and self-equipped attraction demands a competent and efficient disaster management system in place. Methodology: This chapter devises measures to deal with the capacity of a destination during pandemic and proposes recovering strategies for the leisure business. Destination governance and disaster management techniques are well explored in the proposed chapter. Findings: An imperative study of this nature will determine the role of cultural perceptions of varied risk and threats in a pandemic scenario. Innovative practices of disaster governance and Post-disaster recovery strategies are crucial mechanisms for the sustenance of tourism and hospitality sector. Originality-Value: The conceptual ideas and outcomes obtained in this chapter helps policy makers not only to find new strategies to placate the negative impacts of COVID-19 on the organic image of tourist destinations but also assists in accelerating the recovery timeframe just after the pandemic. © 2022 Joseph Chacko Chennattuserry, Bindi Varghese, N Elangovan and H Sandhya.

Technology and Overtourism: A Paradoxical Perspective

The unprecedented growth of the tourism and hospitality sector globally correlates with the advancement of digital media and technological tools. The dominance of information and communication technology is prevalent at every stage of travelers' decision making process (i.e., from searching for a suitable destination to posting feedback on social media platforms). Not only the travelers' behavior patterns are influenced by technology, but destinations also utilize technology for marketing and enhancing consumers' experience. Nevertheless, the advancement of technology has acted like a double-axed sword for the tourism sector. Frequently, digital media is held accountable for popularising a destination to an extent that it becomes a hub for mass-tourism. Issues like tourismphobia, anti-tourism movements, and touristification etc. are gaining hype through technology and online social platforms. Alternatively, destination managers utilise technological tools to sustain tourism growth and visitor experience for better management. Information and communication technology (ICT) has played a key role in influencing tourists to visit popular destinations that led to the issue of overtourism. Likewise, the incorporation of technology is equally vital in managing the tourists' flow, and subsequently, avoiding crowding and overtourism. The chapter aims to highlight the ambidextrous role of technology in overtourism. The study is conceptual and uses short cases of various popular destinations affected by overtourism and how technology served as an emancipator to combat the unsustainable consumption patterns. The chapter discusses the practical implications of utilising technology to combat issues leading to unsustainability in tourism. It also highlights the emerging role of technology in enhancing visitors' experience in the post-COVID-19 scenario. This study presents a holistic perspective and the relationship between technology and tourism. Several studies have discussed the bright side of technology in the tourism and hospitality sector. However, the darker side is less acknowledged. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021.

In Search For New Urban Tourism Niche. Could European Cities Be Destinations For Urban Wellness Providing Food for Body, Mind and Spirit?

According to the United Nations Population Fund (2020), half of the world's population live in cities, and the number is estimated to rise to 75% by 2050. Although urbanization is seen as a major challenge from a health point of view, the development of urban wellness tourism offering would ideally benefit both tourists and locals. The growth rate of wellness tourism during the years 2015–2017 was almost twice as fast as global economic growth. Holistic wellness refers to the balanced elements of body, mind and spirit. This study argues that many European city destinations could provide the holistic wellness elements to their visitors.Tourism destinations continue competing with each other in a globalised marketplace, even more post-Covid-19. As a result, cities will invest considerable resources in their marketing activities and place branding. By recognizing and highlighting wellness tourism offering in their marketing, some urban Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) could stand out in this growing competition and get their share of wellness tourism growth.This study examines, which elements contributing to holistic wellness are currently being displayed on the visit.com websites of selected urban DMOs (N = 32) in the European Union. This is done using qualitative content analysis methodology. The findings indicate that there are several European cities that already display elements of urban wellness in their marketing. The practical implication for the DMOs in question could be to actively start developing their place brands towards urban wellness tourism niche by highlighting the supply of urban wellness they already have, for example, at their visit.com sites.

Smartphones as a Platform for Tourism Management Dynamics during Pandemics: A Case Study of the Shiraz Metropolis, Iran

During the past three years and with the spread of the pandemic, smartphones were the most important communication bridge between tourists and organizations;now more than ever, they are intertwined with the lives of tourists and destination management organizations. Although much research has been conducted in this field, the investigation of the effects of the pandemic on the technology and functionality of smartphones is one of the topics that has been less discussed. Therefore, the current research was conducted to determine the role of smartphones in tourism management dynamics during the pandemic. The research method was qualitative (content analysis, theme analysis), and 32 people participated in the interview process as a statistical sample. Then, the oral interviews were transcribed, and a thematic analysis was performed. For the analysis of the interviews, MAXQDA 2020 software was used. The results of the research indicate that smartphones were one of the most important platforms for tourism management dynamics during the pandemic, and in the event of a pandemic in the future, they can help contain the destruction to a great extent in their current position.

Sustainable tourism policies: From crisis-related awareness to agendas towards measures

The relevance of sustainable tourism policies that aim to balance the positive and negative impacts of tourism has become particularly evident during the COVID-19 crisis, which has shown the need for more research on the impact of crises on tourism policy. The findings of this study are based on twenty-four in-depth interviews with tourism organisations responsible for tourism policy development across the globe, showing that policymakers are (1) aware of the relevance of the development of sustainable tourism during the crisis, (2) agendas such as strategies for sustainable tourism are being developed and policies do translate into (3) measures related to environmental, economic, socio-cultural and community instruments. This study carries value for the development of sustainable tourism research following the theory on the penetration of environmental awareness and also informs about the variation in sustainable tourism policies in different countries and across continents. © 2023 The Authors

Sustainable tourism policies: From crisis-related awareness to agendas towards measures

The relevance of sustainable tourism policies that aim to balance the positive and negative impacts of tourism has become particularly evident during the COVID-19 crisis, which has shown the need for more research on the impact of crises on tourism policy. The findings of this study are based on twenty-four in-depth interviews with tourism organisations responsible for tourism policy development across the globe, showing that policymakers are (1) aware of the relevance of the development of sustainable tourism during the crisis, (2) agendas such as strategies for sustainable tourism are being developed and policies do translate into (3) measures related to environmental, economic, socio-cultural and community instruments. This study carries value for the development of sustainable tourism research following the theory on the penetration of environmental awareness and also informs about the variation in sustainable tourism policies in different countries and across continents.

Nuevas prácticas sostenibles en salud y bienestar destinos turísticos enfocados en la calidad de vida y bienestar

This work presents new practices that can be followed in health and wellness tourism destinations, with a greater focus on promoting human wellbeing, based on the strategy presented for the Caldas da Cavaca Thermal Spa Resort in Portugal. In this study, the methodology used was based on empirical data collection. Four techniques were used, namely a benchmarking strategy, complemented by questionnaires to managers of thermal spas, and a questionnaire survey aimed at the clients and manager of Caldas da Cavaca. In this strategy, a set of 40 strategic actions were defined. These actions are in line with the policies and strategies defined by public decision-making international, national, regional and local organizations. In this sense, with regard to the promotion of quality of life and wellbeing, it is possible to highlight 14 measures that strengthen this orientation. It should position itself as an innovative, attractive thermal wellness destination that invites to a healthy lifestyle, in a calm and peaceful environment in interaction with nature.Alternate : Este trabajo presenta nuevas prácticas que se pueden seguir en los destinos turísticos de salud y bienestar, con un mayor enfoque en la promoción del bienestar humano, a partir de la estrategia presentada para el Balneario Termal de Caldas da Cavaca en Portugal. En este estudio, la metodología utilizada se basó en la recolección de datos empíricos, se utilizaron cuatro técnicas, a saber, una estrategia de benchmarking, complementada con cuestionarios a gerentes de balnearios termales, y una encuesta cuestionario dirigida a los clientes y gerente de Caldas da Cavaca. En esta estrategia se definen un conjunto de 40 acciones estratégicas. Estas acciones están en línea con las políticas y estrategias definidas por los organismos públicos de toma de decisiones internacionales, nacionales, regionales y locales. En este sentido, en lo que respecta a la promoción de la calidad de vida y el bienestar, es posible destacar 14 medidas que fortalecen esta orientación. Debe posicionarse como un destino de bienestar termal innovador y atractivo que invita a un estilo de vida saludable, en un entorno tranquilo y pacífico en interacción con la naturaleza.

Analysis of travel mobility under Covid-19: application of network science

COVID-19 is substantially reshaping the tourism and hospitality industries but studies on the changes in travel behaviour in response to the pandemic are limited. Using tourism big data, this research applies network science analytics to determine behavioural changes in travel mobility of domestic travellers who visited Jeju Island, Korea, from June 2019 to December 2020. The findings reveal significant reductions in the number of trips to a destination but also limited spatial connectivity and diversity in travel flow during the pandemic. A higher intensity of travel mobility to outdoor and coastal areas and shorter travel distances are evident during COVID-19. © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Destination Management Solution Post COVID-19: Best Practice from Bali - A World Cultural Tourism Destination

Bali tourism faces a great threat from the pandemic issue. COVID-19 causes a sharp decline of domestic and international tourist arrivals since many countries issued travel bans. All tourism sites in Bali are closed for tourists during the pandemic as ordered by the governing law. The research investigates the solution planned and applied by the cultural tourism destination managements during and post pandemic and understands how cultural tourism in Bali adapts the new norm tourismscape from the locals’ and tourists’ perspectives. The research uses qualitative method wherein the data were collected in two Hindu temples in Bali namely Goa Lawah and Tirta Empul, where tourists regularly gaze at authentic cultural tourist attractions through field observations, face-to-face interviews with tourism sites managers and tourists who purposely selected to ensure they understand the case. The data were triangulated by comparing and contrasting the informant’s viewpoints to understand the case. The research finds that tourism site managements have applied the international health procedures prepared by management through intensive workshops and trainings to develop their competencies dealing with tourists during and post pandemic. This research claims that collaborative managements involving temple management, pecalang, police and soldiers have been dynamically adapted in mitigating the risks of COVID-19 outbreaks within the temple sites during the pandemic which distinct from the mainstream managements. © 2021 Emerald Publishing Limited.

Photographs in Tourism Destination Management Research in the Post-COVID-19 Era

Main purpose of this paper is to explore how tourist photography in the post-COVID-19 era can contribute by creating experience value in coastal tourism and in destination management. An important reference is made on how the tourist photography contributes to the upgrading of the tourist product of the area and more precisely on a mass tourism destination in Greece, Halkidiki. Further, the occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic is studied together with the consequences it generates in the destinations. More specifically, the study undertaken had to answer the following questions: What is the photographic image that tourists form in their minds when visiting Halkidiki? How does a photographic image contribute to a sustainable tourist development? Is there an increase in the display of photos from tourist destinations, in the COVID-19 and in the post-COVID-19 era, due to the greater use of the internet? How influential are photographs for traveling in the post-COVID-19 era? The study took place from March to May 2021 and was undertaken with the use of quantitative methodology. The results of the conducted research show that the creation of photographic images is related to clean and sandy beaches along with natural beauty. In addition, the photographic images can consolidate the tourism of the destination to a satisfactory level. This happens especially nowadays when virtual travel, through images, is boosted due to the pandemic COVID-19. As a general conclusion, photographic images influence the decision for a trip in the post-COVID-19 era. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Ecolabels as a Tool of Sustainable Development in Tourist Destinations

The research aimed to explore whether ecolabels could be used as innovation tools to achieve sustainable tourism development (STD) at the level of a tourist destination. The paper used results obtained by a questionnaire survey among destination management organizations (DMOs) in cities and municipalities to investigate how much ecolabels are used at the level of tourist destinations in a case study of the Republic of Croatia (in 2017 and 2021). DMOs were chosen as the subject of research due to their crucial role in the development of tourist destinations. The findings from the linear research indicate that DMOs in Croatia still do not recognize the importance and role of implementation of tourist ecolabels as an innovation tool in achieving sustainable tourism development at the destination level. The paper provides new theoretical insights into the application of ecolabels at the level of cities and municipalities as tourist destinations. Thus, it could induce future research by scholars in this field because an analysis of academic literature indicates that there is a lack of such research. Moreover, the results given by this research could provide a basis for DMOs to start to think in a different way about the application of ecolabels at the level of a tourist destination.

Rethinking destination success: An island perspective

The global tourism industry has shifted due to COVID-19, with tourismdependent islands facing a dire need to realign and reconstruct their tourism offerings to remain competitive. The traditional mass tourism model that has dominated island development has to be re-examined in this new tourism environment with new mindsets regarding the current conditions for destination success. This paper aims to promote an understanding of destination success in an island context and to identify which determinants are critical during this period to achieve optimal destination success. The findings from this study suggest that island destinations are at a critical turning point, and key strategic shifts are necessary to enable future destination success as defined by the Destination Management Organisations. There is a need to shift from management to stewardship, from product to experience, from quantity to quality, and from stakeholder presence to engagement. Core to these strategic shifts is an incorporation of locals as central to the quality of the overall experience, with less reliance on the natural resources (sun, sea, and sand) to which these island destinations have been beholden to for decades. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Island Studies Journal is the property of Island Studies Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

An Analysis of Tourism Demand as a Projection from the Destination towards a Sustainable Future: The Case of Trinidad

The objective of this work is to offer an analysis related to tourism demand as a sustainable projection for the tourist destination. The behavior of demand as a key element for subsequent decision-making in management models and strategic proposals for sustainable development centered on the tourist destination constitutes the central element of this work. The study is based on an analysis of tourist activity in the city of Trinidad. In accordance with the quantitative paradigm, an analysis of internal and external secondary information on tourism was carried out based on the results of the surveys, interviews, Likert-type scalograms and semantic differentials completed by the actors involved in the tourist activity in the studied territory. Qualitative research, which is considered a subjective view of the actors involved in the work, was also employed. The main indicators of the tourism demand for the destination and the imbalances that cause dissatisfaction are shown, such as the lack of systematic studies on tourism demand and few coordinated actions between the public and private sectors to satisfy it. It is concluded that the character of Trinidad as a Cultural Heritage of Humanity destination continues to exert an important influence on the demand for tourism in the destination. As a result, it is necessary to delve into new proposals to ensure that tourism in the local context is an economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable activity. For this, the lack of coordination between the state and private sectors must be overcome.

Resource Mapping and Place Branding as a Strategy Approach in an Attempt to Establish Cross-Border Areas of Greece and Albania as Tourism Destinations

Although place branding in cross-border (c-b) areas is challenging, various c-b areas with common eco-natural and cultural characteristics are popular tourist brands in their own right. The emergence of c-b areas as destinations is not surprising since international borders are often natural formations, which may be popular tourist attractions. Due to historical and political circumstances, the Greek–Albanian c-b area has not experienced tourism development. It bears a weak image, and although individual destinations can be found in both border areas, they do not currently form a single place brand. Thus, place branding that aims to enhance the c-b area’s attractiveness should start with building a single identity by finding common competitive characteristics upon which it can be based. This paper analyzes part of the ‘Culture Plus’ project, which aims to identify significant common eco-natural and cultural resources in the Greek–Albanian c-b area. The resources were documented using local visits, interviews, and consultations. The most significant ones were comparatively evaluated to identify the vital common assets that can support place branding efforts, with encouraging results regarding the potential branding of the unique hidden identity of the c-b area.

Sinking houseboats and swaying home stays: community resilience and local impacts of COVID-19 in managing tourism crisis in Kerala

Purpose The tourism sector of the state of Kerala in India is highly vulnerable and has been extensively impacted by the global pandemic disaster. This paper aims to analyze the impact of COVID-19 (Corona virus pandemic) on houseboat operators and homestay managers. Design/methodology/approach This paper indicates a multi-stakeholder assessment method to examine various pandemic disaster facets through a structured discussion with different destination stakeholders. This study examines qualitative data collected through semi-structured interviews from homestay owners, houseboat operators and government designators in Kerala. This study proposes a conceptual community resilience competency framework that could facilitate speedy crisis management responses. In this study, the sample comprises of nine respondents who play a pivotal role in the travel business, comprising the public sector, private sector, NGO's and community leaders. Findings The qualitative findings identify India's and the state of Kerala's roles in handling crisis management scenarios over internal strategies and strategy formulation. The results indicate that the supplementary industry practitioners explore tactical and strategic management initiatives to sustain their businesses. The dynamics of stakeholder engagement adopted by the state is given prominence. Originality/value This study suggests mechanisms to re-establish the brand image and the possible strategies and suggestions that could help in the survival of the Kerala tourism industry in the post-disaster period. The "new normal" has been substantiated in the study by incorporating strategies and precautionary methods adopted by the homestay and houseboat operators so as to address the guests' safety concerns.

Investigating Change in the Willingness to Pay for a More Sustainable Tourist Destination in a World Heritage City

The willingness to pay for sustainable tourism products and services has been widely discussed in the scientific literature. However, change in the willingness to pay over time has rarely been analysed. Such studies are important for understanding the impact that the increasing debate on sustainability, including environmental, economic, and social aspects, may have had on the willingness of tourists to pay more in order to ensure the sustainability of destinations. The aim of this article is to assess how the willingness of tourists to pay for sustainable tourism services has developed in the Spanish city of Cáceres, declared a World Heritage Site in 1986. Data from surveys conducted in 2012 and 2016 were used for this purpose. Logistic regression was applied to determine whether sociodemographic characteristics of tourists who visit the city influenced their willingness to pay in each year. A Chow test was applied to elucidate whether the differences between the years were statistically significant. The results obtained indicate that only the level of education determined willingness to pay, while origin, gender and age showed no effect. No significant change in the willingness to pay for sustainability was found among tourists in Cáceres between 2012 and 2016. These findings indicate that the willingness to pay for more sustainable tourism services did not increase during the period studied. We propose some measures such as a ‘municipal observatory of sustainable tourism’ in order to increase willingness to pay in this type of destination.

Restart of Hospitality and Tourism: System Dynamics and Scenario-Based Modelling

A tourism destination is defined as an open, complex, and adaptive system, in which numerous relations in the economic, social, and environmental spheres are generated. This paper aims to define a system dynamics model of tourism destination as a complex system and to identify future behaviour of the system after the restart of tourism in the post-covid-19 era. The main methodological approaches were system dynamics and simulation modelling. The case of a complex tourism system in the South Bohemia Region, the Czech Republic, in the form of a Stocks and Flows Diagram (sfd) is presented in this paper, focusing on the business activities at this tourism destination. The simulation results show the future behaviours of the system in various scenarios and compare the development of several economic indicators. Three possible future scenarios of a restart of the hospitality and tourism industry are compared with the theoretical situation without covid-19 disease. The proposed system dynamics model contributes to the current theory of tourism destination management systems and can be used practically by destination managers for destination planning and to formulate destination strategies. © 2021 University of Primorska. All rights reserved.

Restart of Hospitality and Tourism: System Dynamics and Scenario-Based Modelling

A tourism destination is defined as an open, complex, and adaptive system, in which numerous relations in the economic, social, and environmental spheres are generated. This paper aims to define a system dynamics model of tourism destination as a complex system and to identify future behaviour of the system after the restart of tourism in the post-covid-19 era. The main methodological approaches were system dynamics and simulation modelling. The case of a complex tourism system in the South Bohemia Region, the Czech Republic, in the form of a Stocks and Flows Diagram (sfd) is presented in this paper, focusing on the business activities at this tourism destination. The simulation results show the future behaviours of the system in various scenarios and compare the development of several economic indicators. Three possible future scenarios of a restart of the hospitality and tourism industry are compared with the theoretical situation without covid-19 disease. The proposed system dynamics model contributes to the current theory of tourism destination management systems and can be used practically by destination managers for destination planning and to formulate destination strategies.

Destination management in a post-covid environment

Purpose: This paper seeks to reflect on the impacts of the pandemic on the management of tourist destinations, discussing the role of destination-management organizations in the tourism development model, as well as the challenges that these organizations must address to ensure an effective construction of a more sustainable and competitive tourism. Design/methodology/approach: The methodology is based on a literature review linking destination management with pandemic and post-pandemic responses. Findings: The COVID-19 pandemic represents an unprecedent shock to the tourism industry's growth model since World War II, challenging tourism stakeholders (destinations and companies) with several threats and opportunities to their future competitiveness. In addition to the massive impacts in terms of business development, the abrupt reduction of tourism demand and the significative loss of jobs, the pandemic also caused significant disruption in terms of destination-management models. In less than four months, the focus of Governments and Destination Management Organizations shifted from defining development models compatible with improving the quality of life of residents due to the emergence of the so-called overtourism phenomenon, to the urgent need to support the industry's survival, to preserve jobs and ensure conditions of safety for tourists and workers. Originality/value: Demonstrates the need for a profound change in the paradigm of destination management so that the sector is prepared to face future shocks. It also proposes further discussion on the role of destination management in the recovery process of the tourism sector in global terms, given the challenges that these organizations face. The article also considers the ways in which destination management can be a fundamental tool in the process of building a more inclusive, sustainable and competitive future. © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited.