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Promoting Sustainable Tourism in the Backpacker Community

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Promoting Sustainable Tourism in the Backpacker Community Promoting Sustainable Tourism in The Backpacker Community: How Technology Devices Can Impact Local Economic Development in Developing Countries by Truc Ho A Thesis Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science in Design Approved July 2016 by the Graduate Supervisory Committee: John H. Takamura, Chair Christine Vogt Joseph Veslasquez ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY August 2016 ABSTRACT The tourism industry has been indicated to make significant contributions to the global economy. Typically categorized as a niche market within the tourism industry, backpacker tourism is an option for travelers who are looking for an alternative, and more affordable way to experience a destination. The influence of backpackers on visiting destinations has had significant impact on cultural and environmental conditions; however, as reported in the literature review, only a slight impact on local economic conditions was recorded. Based on the interesting observation above, this study aimed to explore the relationship between international backpackers and local communities in the developing world. By investigating the role of technology design in a backpacking trip, this research analyzed the potential to improve Sustainable Tourism for both international backpackers and local communities. The idea of achieving sustainability in this research is to assess both economic and cultural impact through the assistance of technology. This study originates from a grounded theory approach triangulated from literature reviews and the researcher’s observations. The research tested the suitability of this theory by using qualitative research methods, then analyzed the appropriateness of its applicability. The findings suggested some useful standards for proposing design solutions to enhance sustainable tourism within the backpacker segment. When this design approach is applied to the social movement of sustainable tourism aims, it can provide a breakthrough in the previous approaches to social problem investigation by focusing on solutions that use design thinking and technology. i TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................. vi LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................... vii CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................1 Introduction ........................................................................................................1 Section 1 Justification ........................................................................................2 Section 2 Scope and Limitations ........................................................................5 Section 3 Operational Definitions ......................................................................6 Section 3.1 Alternative Tourism ........................................................................6 Section 3.2 Mass Tourism..................................................................................6 Section 3.3 Backpacking/Backpacker ................................................................7 Section 3.4 Sustainable Tourism........................................................................7 Section 3.5 Internet Information ........................................................................8 2. LITERATURE REVIEW ........................................................................................9 Introduction ........................................................................................................9 Conceptual Framework ......................................................................................9 Section 1 A Summary of Sustainable Tourism ................................................11 Section 1.1 Sustainable Tourism Development in Developing Countries .......12 Section 1.2 Economic Impact of International Tourism in Developing countries ...........................................................................................................14 Section 1.3 Leakages and Linkages .................................................................15 ii CHAPTER Page Section 2 Backpacker Tourism ........................................................................17 Section 2.1 International Backpacker Tourism in Pacific Asia .......................19 Section 2.2 Economic Impact of Backpacker On Local Community ..............20 Section 3 Relationship Between Technology and Tourism .............................22 Section 3.1 Mobile and Internet Network in Developing Countries ...............23 Section 4 Concluding Conceptual Framework ...............................................25 3. METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................26 Introduction ......................................................................................................26 Section 1 Research Topic & Questions ...........................................................26 Section 2 Scientific Approach .........................................................................30 Section 3 Research Method One - Survey .......................................................31 Section 3.1 Survey Sampling Strategy.............................................................33 Section 3.2 Survey Data Analysis ....................................................................34 Section 4 Research Method Two - Observation ..............................................34 Section 4.1 Observation Sampling Strategy ....................................................35 Section 4.2 Observation Data Analysis ...........................................................37 Section 5 Research Method Three - Interview ................................................37 Section 5.1 Interview Sampling Strategy.........................................................38 Section 5.2 Interview Data Analysis ................................................................38 Section 6 Institutional Review Board ..............................................................39 Section 7 Limitations of Research Methodology .............................................39 Section 8 Method Justification Table ..............................................................40 iii CHAPTER Page 4. FINDINGS AND DATA ANALYSIS ..................................................................41 Introduction ......................................................................................................41 Section 1 Survey Results .................................................................................41 Section 1.1 Demographical Background of Respondents ................................41 Section 1.2 Backpacking Experience of Respondents .....................................43 Section 1.3 Travel Information in Relation with Backpacker’s Demand ........46 Section 1.4 Online Rating Impacts ..................................................................50 Section 1.5 Technology Devices Experience...................................................50 Section 1.6 Concern On Sustainable Tourism .................................................52 Section 1.7 Test 1: Relation Between Information Sources and Backpacker’s Concern ............................................................................................................53 Section 1.8 Test 2: Relation Between Backpacker’s Experience and Their Concern On Economic Growth at Destinations ...............................................54 Section 2 Observation Results .........................................................................55 Section 2.1 Airport Travel-Related Business Overview ..................................55 Section 2.2 Traveler’s Activities Flow ............................................................58 Section 3 Interview Results .............................................................................61 Section 3.1 Backpacking Experience ...............................................................62 Section 3.2 Backpacker’s Trust On Internet Information Network .................63 Section 3.3 Technology Devices Experience on a Trip ...................................64 Section 3.4 The Backpacker’s Concern On Sustainable Tourism ...................64 iv CHAPTER Page 5. DISCUSSION ........................................................................................................67 Introduction ......................................................................................................67 Section 1 RQ1 Findings Summary ..................................................................67 Section 2 RQ2 Findings Summary ..................................................................70 Section 2.1 The Influence of Internet Travel Information On The Backpacker Community ......................................................................................................70 Section 2.2 Local Business Specialized for Travel ..........................................72 Section 3 RQ3 Findings Summary ..................................................................73 Section 4 The Goal of Design Application On Social Science ........................76 Section 5 Design Implications .........................................................................77 Section 5.1 Improvement of Backpacker – Local Community Relationship ..79 Section 5.2 Internet Travel
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