ABSTRACT
Rural hospitality and tourism (RHT) play a key role in rural revitalization, especially due to the impact of COVID-19, with more citizens choosing to travel to the countryside for a staycation. Local SMEs, especially family-owned enterprises, make up the majority of the RHT sector, not only providing services and products to satisfy tourists, but also helping with local employment. However, entrepreneurs operating in rural areas face many challenges in terms of capital, skills and education. Hence, it is important to explore the entrepreneurial intention (EI) of local people and how policies can support or change their behaviours. Current research on the RHT industry, rarely study the EI of local people, and the literature on rural entrepreneurship concentrates on developed countries. This study therefore uses agent-based modelling to explore how locals' EI in Chongming island (China) respond to the current impact of COVID-19, and whether policies will bring about changes on the supply side of RHT sector. © SW 2023.All rights reserved
ABSTRACT
The results of the fight against coronavirus are taken as indicators of the viability of states. According to the data on the number of patients and deaths per 1 million persons, there are inter-ethnic differences in success in the fight against coronavirus. It has been demonstrated that the pandemic exacerbates intercountry and intercivilizational differences and accentuates the human and social importance of geography. The impact of the pandemic on tourism is being studied. By giving primacy to national and social interests over global and economic pandemics, intangible goods have been given priority. The importance of the accelerated development of the digital economy in boosting rural tourism and dacha de-urbanization as a recreational response of the population to the pandemic was discussed. They have been suggested to be important in creating preconditions for the rehabilitation of abandoned villages. The coronavirus pandemic reinforces the importance of secluded landscapes' walks, local history, and rural tourism. The preventive value of landscape therapy was set. Landscape healing powers can be used almost all the time and almost everywhere, both in a fixed location and in a travel environment. The laws of nature are the laws of beauty. It is assumed that all places perceived as beautiful can heal. The article introduces the idea of the beauty of the landscape as an important natural and health resource. It is assumed that by trusting one's feelings, experience, and intuition, one can discover for oneself the healing power of a particular landscape. Landscape therapy integrates geography, medicine, and human science. The pandemic serves to reorient geography and ecology from the transformation and protection of nature to the transformation and rescue of man. © Russian Academy of Sciences. All Rights Reserved.
ABSTRACT
The rural tourism is a promising type of tourism in rural areas that increases the socio-economic level and well-being of the population. The entrepreneurial activity in villages provides an opportunity to expand employment, increase investment attractiveness and contribute to the improvement of rural infrastructure. Based on the analysis of data for the period 2012-2020, the forecast trends in the number of rural tourism farmsteads and their visitors in Lviv region are presented using trend analysis and the FORECAST.ETS.STAT function for the period 2021-2025. The Russian military aggression against Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic significantly affect the activities and prospects for the development of rural tourism in the country. Having built logarithmic, linear, exponential, power and polynomial trend models, the probable indicators for the specified period were forecasted. The current state and trends of rural tourism development during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the context of Russia's military aggression in Eastern Ukraine are considered. The formation and sale of quality products and services in the field of rural tourism involve providing a favorable environment and improving the quality of functioning of rural tourism estates. The development of rural tourism depends on the desires and demands of tourists, which form the demand in this area, which in turn creates supply in the market of tourist services and further development of business activities in the field of services in rural areas.
ABSTRACT
PurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate the causal configuration effect of the determinants of tourism entrepreneurship in rural tourism destinations based on the capital framework.Design/methodology/approachThe data for this research were collected from a sample comprising 140 rural enterprise owners in China and analyzed via fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis.FindingsAll the investigated capital factors were relevant to tourism entrepreneurship, although they only facilitated tourism entrepreneurship when combined. It was observed here that four capital configurations promoted tourism entrepreneurship in rural destinations, highlighting the multiple paths toward rural tourism entrepreneurship. The human and physical capitals of entrepreneurs were key to tourism entrepreneurship.Practical implicationsIt is relevant for entrepreneurs and managers to realize that there are multiple strategies for promoting tourism entrepreneurship in rural destinations. The four capital configurations revealed here offer guidelines for evaluating the potential and possibility of rural tourism entrepreneurship. Local managers and governments must prioritize human and physical capitals when the venture capital and resources are limited.Originality/valueFirst, the findings of this study deepened the understanding of the factors influencing tourism entrepreneurship using the capital framework. Second, it revealed that capital configurations determined tourism entrepreneurship and that existence and interactions of the various forms of capital affect rural entrepreneurship. Third, this study revealed that the success of tourism entrepreneurship depends on the entrepreneur's ability to combine the various forms of capital and resources.
ABSTRACT
While there have been numerous studies investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism, few research projects have examined the impact of the outbreak on using smart tourism technologies (STT), especially in developing countries. This study adopted thematic analysis, with data collected using in-person interviews. The participants for the study were selected using the snow-balling technique. We explored the process of developing smart technologies during the pandemic and its impact on smart rural tourism technology development upon travel restart. The subject was investigated by focusing on five selected villages in central Iran which have tourism dependent economies. Overall, the results indicated that the pandemic partially changed the government's resistance towards the fast development of smart technologies. Thus, the role of smart technologies in curbing the virus spread was officially recognized. This change of policy led to the implementation of Capacity Building (CB) programs to improve digital literacy and minimize the digital gap that exists between urban and rural areas in Iran. Implementing CB programs during the pandemic directly and indirectly contributed to the digitalization of rural tourism. Implementing such programs enhanced tourism stakeholders' individual and institutional capacity to gain access to and creatively use STT in rural area. The results of this study improve our understanding and knowledge of the impact of crises on the degree of acceptability and use of STT in traditional rural societies.
ABSTRACT
Rural tourism has an increasing share of the country's tourism income and significantly contributes to the rural economy. Intensive research has been conducted on how Covid-19 affects the tourism industry and the challenges and opportunities the sector face. Although the rise of rural tourism is frequently highlighted post-Covid-19, research examining the satisfaction levels of visitors involved in rural tourism is almost nonexistent. The study's main aim is to determine customers' satisfaction levels from rural activities in and around the Iznik District of Bursa province and to recommend improvement. We obtained data from a structured survey conducted with 408 people who visited Iznik at least once. SPSS 23 program was also used to analyze the data obtained. Results show that visitors' satisfaction with nature and the environment is above average, and their satisfaction with the services provided is below average. The most critical dissatisfaction was the increasing environmental pollution, the loss of natural beauty, the local government's inability to do the necessary cleaning and maintenance work, and the lack of introductory information in places with historical and natural characteristics. Participants wanted to stay in caravans and tents rather than hotels and suggested expanding and improving those facilities. They suggested that local textures are preserved, and more local food and beverages are offered. The suggestion shows that visitors demand integrating more with nature, local life and historical texture.
ABSTRACT
The rural tourism is a promising type of tourism in rural areas that increases the socio-economic level and wellbeing of the population. The entrepreneurial activity in villages provides an opportunity to expand employment, increase investment attractiveness and contribute to the improvement of rural infrastructure. Based on the analysis of data for the period 2012-2020, the forecast trends in the number of rural tourism farmsteads and their visitors in Lviv region are presented using trend analysis and the FORECAST. ETS. STAT function for the period 2021-2025. The Russian military aggression against Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic significantly affect the activities and prospects for the development of rural tourism in the country. Having built logarithmic, linear, exponential, power and polynomial trend models, the probable indicators for the specified period were forecasted. The current state and trends of rural tourism development during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the context of Russia's military aggression in Eastern Ukraine are considered. The formation and sale of quality products and services in the field of rural tourism involve providing a favorable environment and improving the quality of functioning of rural tourism estates. The development of rural tourism depends on the desires and demands of tourists, which form the demand in this area, which in turn creates supply in the market of tourist services and further development of business activities in the field of services in rural areas.
ABSTRACT
The present study investigated patrons' intricate psychological process for hotel brand choice and preference. This research uncovered hotel selection attributes in shaping brand loyalty through customer experience, brand trust, brand attachment, age, and gender in the post-pandemic world. This paper categorized hotel selection attributes into that vacationers appreciate in the domestic tourism context. The findings indicated the significant effect of hotel selection attributes on customer experience, which in turn affect brand preference. Also, the moderating effect of age was identified in the relationship between hotel selection attributes and customer experience. This research is among the first to revisit hotel selection attributes for domestic tourism amid the pandemic and the way to cultivate the loyalty toward a hotel brand.
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This chapter challenges the urban bias in studies on the middle class in India and underlines the need to focus on the significant role rural middle class plays in economic diversification. Given that more than 23% of the upper middle class are located in rural India, it is surprising to note that their contribution in supporting experience economy remains under-researched. Thus, this chapter fills a key gap in existing studies on rural tourism in India by underlining how rural middle-class has triggered a huge demand for travel within the country itself for rural cultural programmes and different schemes to promote rural heritage sights. © 2022 Gunjan Saxena.
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The contribution of this paper is a discussion on the role of cultural life and the potential of cultural tourism in the small town of Choceň in Eastern Bohemia, which is not one of the first-class tourism localities in the Czech Republic. Despite this fact, there is a richness of natural and cultural attractiveness and the organization of varied cultural events. The goal of this research was to determine the assumptions of tourist attractiveness from the point of view of local actors, based on the hypothesis that the attractiveness of the city is closely linked to the attractiveness of tourism. Local actors are the ones who can recognize the genius loci of the place, which should have been considered in development planning. The literature review is mainly devoted to the role of culture, cultural tourism, and rural tourism. This research works with primary and secondary data, with the secondary data being based on location, selection, and implementation assumptions for tourism. The primary data were obtained using a quantitative questionnaire survey method for two target groups—local visitors and local entrepreneurs. This research shows that local actors are aware of their destination's potential and support tourism development. However, cultural events are more likely intended to meet residents' needs, not visitors. It is clear that small industrial towns are rather marginally devoted to the development of tourism. Yet, all local actors need to cooperate for further rural (and tourism) development.
ABSTRACT
With low investment, countryside walking tourism contributes to the rapid recovery of rural tourism in the post-covid time. The research purpose is to examine factors that impact the interest of tourists in the state-supported countryside walking tourism. The sample consisted of 467 respondents from the general public. The SPSS software was used for processing data. The results indicated that safety, content, and price are the most influential factors. For females, slightly more important factors were related to the possibility of consuming authentic food and beverages, buying traditional handmade products, the inclusion of the local population, and the well-being of urban residents. A village, with authentic local houses and cuisine, and local tour guides, are the epicenter of countryside walking tourism. Embedding countryside walking tourism in sustainable rural tourism development policies is recommended. The research contributes to the integration between sustainable rural development and sustainable tourism development.
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Rural tourism in Serbia had its chance to shine with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to determine to what extent the quality of rural service can contribute to improving rural tourism, and predictions for the continuation of the trend in terms of increasing the number of overnight stays in rural households. The obtained results show a small number of services in the sector could be improved, but that all elements except price value can influence the future development of rural tourism and that the number of overnight stays is expected to continue to grow. The importance and innovativeness of the research is reflected in the specific methodology that was applied, and the results complement those of previous research. It has been shown that villages in Serbia can create a barrier against COVID-19 through tourism. © 2023 by the authors.
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The aim of this paper is to identify and analyze the four core driving forces that shaped the complex picture of rural tourist businesses. These driving forces are marketability, participatory, crisis mitigation and sustainability. This study focused on the scholarly perspective to study and analyze the rural tourism businesses' literature and its link with these four driving forces. By using the bibliometric analysis technique and VosViewer as a visualization tool, the results revealed that less than 50% of rural tourism literature was concerned with local businesses. Regarding the four driving forces, sustainability was the most linked force with the rural tourism businesses' scientific production. Contrarily, a relatively small body of the rural tourism businesses' literature discussed marketability, participatory and crisis mitigation, despite their significant role in the development of these local rural businesses. In addition, the results of this study showed the interest of rural tourism articles in the crisis mitigation pillar, especially recently after the COVID-19 pandemic.
ABSTRACT
Ecuador is a tourist destination for the American continent with a predominance of exuberant landscapes and a seductive historical and cultural richness. The direct incidence of COVID-19 has transformed the usual tourist patterns and favoured the identification of new leisure possibilities in rural areas. The aim of the article is to assess the changes in tourism demand in Ecuador and the potential of rural tourism for the revival of the sector. Theoretical, empirical and statistical methods were applied, including analytical-synthetic, hypothetical-deductive and documentary review, in support of the search for information and its systematisation, while descriptive statistics were used to consolidate graphs and trends that reinforce the scientific basis of the research. This it possible to confirm that rural tourism is a high-impact niche market for diversifying the Ecuadorian economy, re-establishing tourist flows and contributing to the development and preservation of indigenous communities and their culture, as it guarantees the protection of existing ecosystems and their value as an attraction.
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In European countries many measures are carried out to improve the disadvantaged conditions and socio-economic marginality of rural areas in comparison with central places. These conditions also affect the quality of travel for visitors and tourists. Therefore, in response to a ‘new' tourist demand, motivated also by the restrictions following the spread of the COVID-19 virus in recent years, the institutions and the different local actors are working more incisively to improve rural areas. The rural tourism services offer, combined with the Green Infrastructure (GI) project, at different scales—from local to regional—interesting territorial development strategies to achieve the Agenda 2030 objectives. This contribution considers the Sulcis-Iglesiente-Guspinese area, in the Sardinia Region (IT), as a case study. In this area, the landscape context is marked by past mining activity, and the project of a path of historical, cultural, and religious values has proven to be an activator of regenerative processes, in environmental, social, and economic terms. The present study proposes a methodological approach to develop an index (FI—feasibility index) to assess the feasibility of the Stop Places (SPs) project along a horse trail to integrate the current slow mobility of bicycles and pedestrians in the bioregion. © 2023 by the authors.
ABSTRACT
Rural tourism provides an environment where rural people meet different cultures, prevents immigration to already crowded city centers, becomes an element of rural development, creates income diversity and protects the environment as well as natural, cultural and historical aspects of regions. The aim of this study is to examine effects of COVID-19 pandemic on rural tourism-potential and rural planning using Cizre District, Turkey, which incorporates distinct geographical, cultural and historical elements in a rural environment. Data were collected using primary and secondary sources in the region. SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis was used to analyze data which shows an increase in migration to rural causing environmental pollution. Positive effects include increase in commerce and housing demand strengthening the economy following normalization. Findings should help to review and improve sustainable planning and policy strategies supporting new economical environment in rural. The development strategies need to focus on rural and urban being partners rather than rivals.
ABSTRACT
Rural tourism is a vigorous drive force to the development of rural economy, and an important power to lead the rural revitalization strategy in China as well. After the Pandemic of COVID-19, the demand for rural tourism products and quality continues to expand. However, during the rapid development, rural tourism showed mismatch between supply and demand. This paper took the case of Kunshan City in Jiangsu Province, based on the data of tourist market investment, using the IPA analytical method and the gap model of service quality, tried to find out the problems and countermeasures in re-matching of supply and demand in Kunshan's rural tourism industry, especially from the supply-side. This paper constructed the logical frame‐ work of supply-demand matching governance policy of rural tourism based on China's Rural Re‐ vitalization strategy. The research result can provide reference to the promotion of the quality for China's rural tourism development. (English) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] 乡村旅游是我国农村转型发展的重要驱动力，同时也是"乡村振兴”战略的引领力量。随 着疫情后客源市场对乡村旅游产品的需求不断扩大，对供给质量的要求不断提升，乡村旅游目的 地在快速开发的过程中逐渐暴露出一系列供需错配问题，制约了乡村旅游的进一步高质量发 展。将江苏省昆山市作为案例地，以游客市场调查数据为基础，采用IPA分析法和服务质量差距 模型，探查乡村旅游地供需错配现象，着重从供给侧明确了昆山乡村旅游供需错配的主要表现及 治理方向。文章将旅游地供需匹配治理逻辑与"乡村振兴”的目标要求融合，构建了基于乡村振 兴的乡村旅游供需匹配治理逻辑框架，并据此提出了昆山乡村旅游的治理思路。研究成果对推 进我国乡村旅游的高质量建设与发展具有一定参考意义。 (Chinese) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of World Regional Studies is the property of World Regional Studies Editorial Office 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 abstract 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 abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
ABSTRACT
The article discusses the prospects for developing rural tourism as one of the tools for shaping the country's image during and after the pandemic period. The tourism sphere of Kazakhstan, in which there were noticeable changes during the pandemic, is analyzed. Areas infected with coronavirus infection were shown on the map. Also, separately studied the data of the tourism sector of the Akmola and Karaganda regions during the pandemic. Marketing and sociological surveys were conducted to find determine residents' opinion of holiday destinations during the pandemic. In the example of neighboring regions of Akmola and Karaganda regions, some tourist objects contributing to the formation of the image and development of rural tourism were highlighted and marked on the map. The key strengths of rural tourism development for the Republic of Kazakhstan, which can contribute to the sustainable formation of the country's image, are identified and recommended. The article compares the effects of COVID-19 and its impact on tourism development. Thus, the pandemic allows the development of domestic tourism in the country, due to which the population began to choose and give preference to tourist sites and routes within the country. © 2023 by ASERS® Publishing. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
More than two years after the start of the coronavirus pandemic, tourism remains one of the most affected economic sectors. The present work aims to address, on the one hand, the impact of the health crisis on the behavior of consumers in the choice of tourist services, as well as to identify the methods by which these changes in behavior can positively influence the development of the rural tourism sector. Beyond momentary measures, we should look ahead to the future of tourism and identify ways to develop a more resilient and sustainable tourism offer. The experience gained during the health crisis will certainly help us anticipate new trends and consumption patterns. It should be mentioned that in order to benefit from this chance, integrated efforts must be made by all actors involved in the rural tourism sector, so that potential tourists can be guaranteed unforgettable experiences.
ABSTRACT
Despite the growing literature arguing for the consideration of community perspectives in tourism destination governance, little is understood about how residents' connection to nature affects their perceptions of and responses to tourism. This is especially relevant for rural areas rich in nature as many of them have become refugees for urban dwellers seeking recreation during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study combines the Nature's Contributions to People framework and Weber's Theory of Formal and Substantive Rationality to shed light on how rural residents of three nature-based tourism destinations connect with nature and how this connection to nature affects perceptions of empowerment from tourism and ultimately support for tourism. Results provide credence to the importance of including measures of residents' connections to nature when examining attitudes towards tourism in nature areas with connections to nature having significant and positive influences on psychological empowerment and social empowerment at all three destinations and direct and positive effects on support for tourism across two of the three destinations. Furthermore, results suggest that understanding the role nature connection plays in how residents perceive changes within their community can help manage locally emerging conflicts within rural tourism-dependent communities.