DOCSLIB.ORG

Transnational Tourism After the Opening of the Borders

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Transnational Tourism After the Opening of the Borders INAUGURAL – DISSERTATION zur Erlangung der Doktorwürde der Naturwissenschaftlich-Mathematischen Gesamtfakultät der Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg Vorgelegt von Master of Science: Warangkana Thawornwiriyatrakul aus: Khon Kaen, Thailand Tag der mündlichen Prüfung: 27. Juni 2014 Thema Transnational tourism after the opening of the borders A case study from northeastern Thailand and southern Laos Gutachten: Prof. Dr. Hans Gebhardt Prof. Dr. Paul Reuber Acknowledgement Acknowledgement This dissertation has been accomplished at the Geographical Institute, University of Hei- delberg, Germany, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Hans Gebhardt. I would like to ex- press my appreciation and gratitude to my advisor, Prof. Dr. Gebhardt, firstly, for giving me the opportunity be a doctoral student at the Geographical Institute and to work on this title. Secondly I am thankful for his guidance and suggestions, his great insight and sympathy throughout the time of working on this project. I also thank Prof. Dr. Paul Reuber from the Institute of Geography at University of Mün- ster for being the second advisor. Thanks also to Associate Prof. Dr. Sekson Yongvanit from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Thailand, for his ample support since I expressed my wish to pursue a doctoral degree in Germany. It was a fortunate occurrence that he introduced me to Prof. Dr. Gebhardt in 2000. I am also grateful to Dr. Annika Mattissek from the Institute of Geography, Technische Universität Dresden, for having been a mentor with precious discussion and helpful opinions; for her companionship, and her support over the times when I encountered any difficulties. Even though there were numerous problems, many thanks to her for her encouragement and recommendations. I also would like to thank to Assistant Prof. Dr. Chaw Wayupaktr, the former director at Nong Khai Campus, Khon Kaen University, for kindly encouraging me to further my studies at the beginning of my career as a lecturer, and thanks to Dr. Patrick Sakdapolrak for our friendship and keeping me motivated. Thanks also to the late Prof. Dr. Heiko Schmid. I would like to thank to Dr. Klaus Sachs from the Institute of Geography for his concrete suggestions on statistics, former and recent colleagues and HiWis at Prof. Dr. Gebhardt’s research group – my thanks to them all, and other colleagues at BST.48 for their friend- ship and support throughout my stay in Heidelberg. I also thank all my Thai friends in Heidelberg who have been very supportive and helpful, and thanks to those friends and colleagues in Thailand who have always been cheerful and caring as well. Thanks also to the Royal Thai Government and Khon Kaen University for the scholarship granted. ii Acknowledgement Lastly but not least, I express my infinite gratitude to my father, my mother, my sister and my brother for their patience and for always giving me full support and courage to finish this dissertation through the time of prolonged study. iii Summary Summary After the opening of the borders to formerly communist countries in Southeast Asia, new opportunities have emerged for transnational tourism, combining the highlights of the Southeast Asian countries into touristic programs. This has changed remarkably the situation in some remote areas that previously enjoyed little or no tourism. This disser- tation analyzes the transformations in two of these formerly remote areas: the north- eastern part of Thailand (I-san) and the southern part of Laos near the border to Cam- bodia, an area which had remained largely untouched by tourism until the borders be- tween the communist countries of Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, and the more western- oriented Thailand began to become increasingly open. The study investigates develop- ments and possibilities for transnational tourism in the two chosen study areas and de- scribes how tourism development in these areas has taken different paths due to differ- ent socio-political circumstances in Thailand and Laos, in addition to the globalisation of both tourism destinations and tourists. The characteristics of the two studied areas and their respective tourism destinations are described, with a focus on the aspects of acces- sibility and connectivity before and after the opening of the borders. The results show that based on their similarities and differences, I-san and southern Laos attract different tourist groups. In particular, two distinct ways of “doing tourism” can be distinguished: one for Asian tourists (mostly Thais), and one for international tourists, who mainly come from Europe, North America and Australia. The development and structure of the two sub-segments of tourism are analyzed through a quantitative survey of perceptions and preferences of tourists on one hand and qualitative interviews with tourism stake- holders on the other. The empirical results show three different aspects: (1) the differ- ences in perceptions, expectations and demands in the main visitor groups, (2) the strategies of tourism stakeholders, which take different preferences of Thai and interna- tional tourists into account in planning their offers and (3) future scenarios of tourism development in northeastern Thailand and southern Laos and the possibilities for pri- vate and government agencies to improve sustainable forms of tourism that contribute to the prosperity of the region. Overall, this study illustrates an initial phase of transna- tional tourism and the development in the two similar regions, it presents the profile of tourists who have visited northeastern Thailand and southern Laos and suggests possi- iv Summary bilities for further development of the respective tourism destinations based on prefer- ence, valuations and ratings from tourists. v Zusammenfassung Zusammenfassung Die Öffnung der Grenzen zu den früher kommunistischen Ländern in Südostasien hat neue Möglichkeiten für den transnationalen Tourismus in Südostasien eröffnet, die tou- ristischen Highlights der einzelnen Länder in länderübergreifenden Touren miteinander zu verknüpfen. Dadurch hat sich insbesondere die Situation solcher Gebiete verändert, die bislang aufgrund ihrer Nähe zu undurchlässigen Grenzen im Windschatten der tou- ristischen Entwicklung lagen und nun von der Öffnung der Grenzen zwischen Laos, Kambodscha, Vietnam und dem stärker westlich orientierten Thailand profitieren. Die Dissertation untersucht vor diesem Hintergrund aktuelle Transformationen in zwei die- ser bislang touristisch peripher gelegenen Gebiete, dem Nordosten Thailands und dem Süden von Laos. Ziel der Arbeit ist es, die Entwicklungen und Potentiale des transnatio- nalen Tourismus in diesen zwei Regionen zu erklären. Sie beschreibt, wie sich der Tou- rismus in Nordost-Thailand und Süd-Laos entlang unterschiedlicher Pfade entwickelt hat, die sowohl von den jeweiligen sozio-politischen Rahmenbedingungen, als auch von Globalisierungsprozessen und den Erwartungen und Praktiken der Besucher beeinflusst sind. Dazu werden zunächst die zwei Untersuchungsgebiete und ihre jeweiligen touristi- schen Ziele beschrieben und ihre Erreichbarkeit und Verkehrserschließung vor und nach Öffnung der Grenzen diskutiert. Dabei zeigt sich, dass Nordost-Thailand und Süd- Laos jeweils unterschiedliche Typen von Touristen anziehen. Insbesondere lassen sich in Süd-Laos zwei distinkte touristische Teilmärkte voneinander unterscheiden: einer für asiatische, v.a. thailändische Touristen, einer für internationale Touristen, die aus west- lich geprägten Ländern Europas, Nord-Amerikas und Australiens kommen. Die Entste- hung und Struktur dieser zwei unterschiedlichen touristischen Teilmärkte wurde mit Hilfe einer quantitativen Befragung zu Sichtweisen, Praktiken und Präferenzen von Tou- risten und qualitativen Interviews der Anbieter untersucht. Auf der Basis dieser empiri- schen Erhebungen diskutiert die Arbeit drei Aspekte: (1) die unterschiedlichen Vorstel- lungen, Erwartungen und Wahrnehmungen der unterschiedlichen Touristen, (2) die Strategien der Tourismus-Anbieter, die sich an den Vorstellungen der jeweiligen Ziel- gruppe orientieren und (3) zukünftige Entwicklungsszenarios des Tourismus in Nord- ost-Thailand und Süd-Laos und die Möglichkeiten für private und staatliche Akteure, nachhaltige Formen von Tourismus zu fördern, die der Gesamtentwicklung der jeweili- vi Zusammenfassung gen Zielgebiete zu Gute kommen. Insgesamt stellt die Arbeit damit die Initialphase des transnationalen Tourismus in zwei Untersuchungsregionen dar, schildert die Nachfrage- Profile der Besucher in Nordost-Thailand und Süd-Laos und schlägt auf der Basis der Präferenzen und Einschätzungen der Besucher Möglichkeiten für eine weitere Entwick- lung vor. vii Table of Contents Table of Contents Acknowledgement ............................................................................................................................ ii Summary ............................................................................................................................................. iv Zusammenfassung ........................................................................................................................... vi Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................... viii List of Figures .................................................................................................................................... xi List of Tables .................................................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Representation and Spatial Practice in Varanasi (India)
    Sacred Journeys and Profane Travellers: Representation and Spatial Practice in Varanasi (India) Cristiana Zara Degree of Doctor of Philosophy December 2011 DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY ROYAL HOLLOWAY, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON Declaration of Authorship I Cristiana Zara hereby declare that this thesis and the work presented in it is entirely my own. Where I have consulted the work of others, this is always clearly stated. 2 ABSTRACT This thesis is concerned with tourist representations and practices in India. Orientalist aesthetics have often associated this country with notions of spirituality and mysticism; tourist narratives sustain and reinforce such representations by describing India as a land of ancient rituals and timeless traditions. The visual construction of India’s ‘spiritual landscapes’ has been largely deployed as a powerful tool for subduing the unfamiliar Other within reassuring epistemological categories. However, tourism research has recently become interested in exploring the role of tourist practices in landscape production. Not only do tourists ‘gaze upon’ landscapes, they also script landscapes through practices and performances. By focusing on the case of Varanasi, the Indian pilgrimage city on the banks of the Ganges, this thesis shows how tourist practices (re)produce and make sense of the city’s ‘sacredscape’. Special attention is paid to the riverfront, which epitomizes the cultural and spiritual significance ascribed to the city. Both Hindu and tourist narratives depict the riverfront as embodying a special power, a unique meaning, whether this uniqueness is held to be a ‘spiritual’ or a ‘picturesque’ one. The thesis analyses the city’s riverfront as the place where tourist, ritual, and day-to-day activities are played out and negotiated, and where the aesthetics of landscape is confronted with the materialities and the practices inherent to this place.
    [Show full text]
  • 426358 1 En Bookfrontmatter 1..13
    Geoheritage, Geoparks and Geotourism Conservation and Management Series Series editors Wolfgang Eder, Munich, Germany Peter T. Bobrowsky, Burnaby, BC, Canada Jesús Martínez-Frías, Madrid, Spain Spectacular geo-morphological landscapes and regions with special geological features or mining sites, are becoming increasingly recognized as critical areas to protect and conserve for the unique geoscientific aspects they represent and as places to enjoy and learn about the science and history of our planet. More and more national and international stakeholders are engaged in projects related to “Geoheritage”, “Geo-conservation”, “Geoparks” and “Geo- tourism” and are positively influencing the general perception of modern Earth sciences. Most notably, “Geoparks”, have proven to be excellent tools to educate the public about “Earth Sciences”. And shown to be areas for recreation and significant sustainable economic development through geotourism. In order to develop further the understanding of earth sciences in general and to elucidate the importance of earth sciences for Society the Geoheritage, Geoparks and Geotourism Conservation and Management Series has been launched together with its sister GeoGuides series. “Projects” developed in partnership with UNESCO, World Heritage and Global Geoparks Networks, IUGS and IGU, as well as with the “Earth Science Matters” Foundation, are welcome. The series aims to provide a place for in-depth presentations of developmental and management issues related to Geoheritage and Geotourism as well existing and potential Geoparks. Individually authored monographs as well as edited volumes and conference proceedings are welcome in this series. This book series is considered to be complementary to the Springer-Journal “Geoheritage”. More information about this series at http://www.springer.com/series/11639 Ismar Borges de Lima • Ronda J.
    [Show full text]
  • Linking Food and Tourism Within the Ecosystem Services Framework
    sustainability Article Nature on a Plate: Linking Food and Tourism within the Ecosystem Services Framework Marta Derek Department of Tourism Geography and Recreation, Faculty of Geography and Regional Studies, University of Warsaw, 00-927 Warsaw, Poland; [email protected] Abstract: This paper explores the links between local resources (the natural environment) and the local food on offer; i.e., what parts of nature reach the tourist’s plate. It is based on a content analysis of restaurant menus in the Great Masurian Lakes region, which is considered to be one of the main nature-based tourism destinations in Poland. The concept of Ecosystem Services (ES), closely interlinked with the idea of sustainable development, is employed as it recognizes the relationships between humans and the natural environment. The results indicate that food representing the region’s history is almost non-existent. Instead, the local food heritage is being reinvented based on the area’s iconic ES, i.e., wild food. In this way, the supply side of the ES cascade (ecosystem resources and potential) and its demand side (the benefits for tourists and the costs they pay to obtain these benefits) are encompassed on a tourist’s plate in Masurian restaurants. The findings also reveal that, in many cases, the localness of “local” food is an illusion. This, in turn, poses an important challenge for the sustainability of food (and) tourism in the studied area. Keywords: local food; restaurants; cultural ecosystem services; provisioning ecosystem services; heritage; sustainability; ES cascade Citation: Derek, M. Nature on a Plate: Linking Food and Tourism within the Ecosystem Services Framework.
    [Show full text]
  • Examining Host-Guest Relations of a Malay Homestay Program
    Asian Journal of Tourism Research Vol. 1, Special Issue, September 2016, pp. 16-38 https: doi.org 10.12982 AJTR.2016.0009 Constructing Authenticity through Hospitality: Examining Host-Guest Relations of a Malay Homestay Program Farah Syazwani Hayrol Aziz* Nor Hafizah Selamat** Universiti Sains Malaysia Abstract: This study aims to give an account of the Malaysian Homestay Tourism industry through a case study of the Relau Homestay Program. By using a qualitative approach based on participant observation and interviews, this paper will examine the Relau Homestay Program in regard to three themes. These are a) the issue of ‘authenticity’ in the host culture and in the tourist experience, b) women’s participation in the homestay program, and c) the filial dynamic of the host-guest relationship, which is discussed with reference to the concept of ‘fictive kinship’. The Relau program was found to be a cogent model of homestay operation, in many respects due to the participation and major role of female operators. Therefore, we recommend more efforts are taken by the local government to recognize the contribution of women, and enhance opportunities for their training and further education. Keywords: Authenticity, Fictive Kinship, Homestay Program, Malaysia, Women in Tourism Introduction This article seeks to evaluate the tourist Homestay programs in the rural Malaysian village of Relau in regard to three themes; authenticity, tourist- host bonding and the role of female hosts. Homestay tourism is generally understood as a form of tourism that addresses the common desire to experience a different and exotic way of life that is somehow ‘authentic’, as opposed to contrived for the tourist’s leisure and entertainment.
    [Show full text]
  • An Examination of the Extensive Forest-Based Tourism Market
    Vol. 23, n. 3, dezembro 2012 575 Viable yet Protected for Future Generations? An Examination of the Extensive Forest-Based Tourism Market Viável mas Protegido para Gerações Futuras? Um estudo sobre o Amplo Mercado de Turismo Baseado em Florestas ¿Viable sí, pero Protegido para las Generaciones Futuras? Un Estudio sobre el Amplio Mercado del Turismo Basado en las Florestas Bruce Prideaux1 Karen Elizabeth McNamara2 Hana Sakata3 Abstract This article focuses on forest tourism and rainforests in particular, and explores their potential to contribute to the global tourism industry. The specific objectives of the study were to develop a profile, including motivations, of tourists visiting the Wet Tropics rainforest of Australia and to identify previous patterns of forest visitation in both Australia and other global destinations. A survey of 1,408 visitors conducted at a number of Wet Tropics rainforest sites in the tropical north region of Australia found that over 37% of the sample had previously visited forests while on holidays indicating that forest-based tourism is a major component to the nature-based market. Countries and forested sites in South-East Asia were the most popular as holiday attractions with over 13% of respondents having visited these sites. This was followed by countries of the South Pacific, North America, South America, Central America, Africa, South Asia and China, the Caribbean and Europe. While overall this is a promising result, forest-based tourism faces a number of pressures including urban settlement, extractive industries and in the near future climate change. Keywords: forests; rainforests; nature-based tourism; Tropical North Queensland; Wet Tropics rainforest.
    [Show full text]
  • Don Sahong Hydropower Project, Lao Pdr Environmental Impact Assessment
    MFCBMFCBMFCB NCC DON SAHONG HYDROPOWER PROJECT, LAO PDR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FINAL JANUARY 2013 Prepared for: MEGA FIRST CORPORATION BERHAD Prepared By: National Consulting Company Vientiane, Lao PDR MFCBMFCBMFCB NCC ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT - DON SAHONG HYDROPOWER PROJECT TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................................................................................................VII 1 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND.............................................................................1-1 1.1 PROJECT LOCATION ................................................................................................................. 1-1 1.2 PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT ...................................................................................................... 1-3 1.3 PROJECT NEED AND RATIONALE ............................................................................................... 1-3 1.4 INSTITUTIONAL, POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK....................................................................... 1-4 1.4.1 Lao Regulatory Framework..........................................................................................1-4 1.4.2 Relevant Laws..............................................................................................................1-4 1.4.3 Decrees, Regulations and International Conventions..................................................1-6 1.4.4 Best Practice ................................................................................................................1-8
    [Show full text]
  • Karnali Province Tourism Master Plan 2076/77 - 2085/86 BS (2020/21-2029/30)
    Karnali Province Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment Surkhet, Nepal Karnali Province Tourism Master Plan 2076/77 - 2085/86 BS (2020/21-2029/30) January 2020 i Karnali Province Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment (MoITFE) Surkhet, Nepal, 2020 KARNALI PROVINCE TOURISM MASTER PLAN 2076/77 - 2085/086 BS (2020/21-2029/30) Technical Assistance WWF Nepal, Kathmandu Office, Nepal Consulting Services Mountain Heritage, Kathmandu, Nepal Advisors Hon. Nanda Singh Budha : Minister; Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment/Karnali Province Dr. Krishna Prasad Acharya : Secretary; Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment/Karnali Province Mr. Dhirendra Pradhan : Ex- Secretary; Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment/Karnali Province Dr. Ghana Shyam Gurung : Country Representative, WWF Nepal Mr. Santosh Mani Nepal : Senior Director, WWF Nepal Focal Persons Ms. Anju Chaudhary : MoITFE/Karnali Province Mr. Eak Raj Sigdel : WWF Nepal Planning Expert Team Members Ms. Lisa Choegyel : Senior Tourism Marketing Advisor Mr. Ram Chandra Sedai : Team Leader/Tourism Expert Dr. Roshan Sherchan : Biodiversity Expert Mr. Jailab K. Rai : Socio-Economist and Gender Specialist Er. Krishna Gautam : Environmental Engineer Mr. Harihar Neupane : Institutional and Governance Expert Mr. Yuba Raj Lama : Culture Expert Cover Photo Credit Ram C.Sedai (All, except mentioned as other's), Bharat Bandhu Thapa (Halji Gomba & Ribo Bumpa Gomba), Chhewang N. Lama (Saipal Base Camp), Dr. Deependra Rokaya (Kailash View Dwar), www.welcometorukum.org (Kham Magar), Google Search (Snow Leopard, Musk Deer, Patal Waterfall, Red Panda). ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Consultant Team would like to acknowledge following institutions and individuals for their meaningful contribution towards the formulation of Karnali Province Tourism Development Master Plan.
    [Show full text]
  • Social Impact Assessment
    MFCB NCC DON SAHONG HYDROPOWER PROJECT, LAO PDR SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FINAL JANUARY 2013 Prepared For: MEGA FIRST CORPORATION BERHAD Prepared By: National Consulting Company Vientiane, Lao PDR MFCB NCC SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................... 8 1.1 THE PROJECT .......................................................................................................... 8 1.2 OBJECTIVES OF THE SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT..................................................... 8 1.3 SIA PROCESS .......................................................................................................... 8 1.3.1 The SIA Team....................................................................................................................................8 1.3.2 Data collection at district level.........................................................................................................9 1.3.3 Data collection at village and focus group level ..............................................................................9 1.3.4 Data collection at household level.................................................................................................. 11 1.3.5 Data analysis .................................................................................................................................. 11 2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION..........................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Relationship Between Geography-Tourism and Tourism's
    Review of International Geographical Education Online ©RIGEO 2018, 8 (1), Spring 2018 Research Article Copyright © RIGEO 2018 To cite this article: Koca, N.; Yıldırım, R. (2018). Relationship between Geography-Tourism and Tourism’s Effects According to High School Students. Review of International Geographical Education Online (RIGEO), 8 (1), 26-52. Retrieved from http://www.rigeo.org/vol8no1/Number1Spring/RIGEO-V8-N1-2.pdf Submitted: October 25, 2017 Revised: March 26, 2018 Accepted: April 4, 2018 Relationship between Geography-Tourism and Tourism's Effects According to High School Students Nusret KOCA1 Afyon Kocatepe University, Afyonkarahisar, TURKEY Ramazan YILDIRIM2 Afyon Kocatepe University, Afyonkarahisar, TURKEY Abstract This research was designed in the screening model to determine the opinions of high school students on tourism effects and geography-tourism relations. The data were gathered from 760 students who were educated in high schools in the central district of Kütahya, identified by cluster sampling method. The data were collected with the help of a scale developed by the researchers. This process benefited from the studies carried out in the related literature. According to findings, high school students' opinions on the social and cultural effects of tourism are positive. It was observed that the students do not have a clear view of the environmental effects of tourism, and remain at a level of indecision. According to the students, tourism is an important tool in promoting the country and Turkey is a country rich in natural and cultural tourism values. However, students were not sure whether Turkey can use its full potential and whether it introduces enough tourism opportunities at home and abroad.
    [Show full text]
  • Southern Laos Tourism Booklet
    BEYOND THE ORDINARY www.southern-laos.com Supported by USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS AND WEBSITES Champasak Tourist Information Office Tel. +856 31 212 021, 252 667 Salavan Tourist Information Office Tel. +856 34 211 528 Tourist Police, Pakse Tel. +856 31 212 235, 252 127 Hospital International Poly Clinic, Pakse Tel. +856 31 214 712 Ubonrak-Thonburi Hospital, Ubon Ratchathani (Thailand) Tel. +66 45 260 285, 260 300 www.ubonrak.co.th Fire 190 Police 191 Ambulance 195 Southern Laos Tourism www.southern-laos.com Ecotourism www.ecotourismlaos.com Tourism Laos www.tourismlaos.org Mekong Responsible Tourism www.mekongresponsibletourism.org/laos CONTACTS Champasak Tourist Information Office(ຫ້ອງການຂ㛉ມູນຂ່າວສານການທ່ອງທ່ຽວ) Ban Thasalakham, Pakse Opening hours 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. / 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Phone +856 31 212 021, 252 667 Email [email protected] Website www.southern-laos.com PUBLISHING INFORMATION Graphic design QUO Concept and content development Franziska Eggimann, Swisscontact Photo credit Bart Verweij, Swisscontact (if not indicated otherwise) Maps Adrian and Anne-Kathrin Weber, Swisscontact (Data OpenStreetMap) Bicycle routes Oskar Ruch, Swisscontact First edition November 2015 Prints 5,000 / Online version www.southern-laos.com PUBLISHED BY Swisscontact Ban Naxay, Sasettha District, H.429, Unit 41, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR www.swisscontact.org Sunset cruise on the Mekong River WHAT CAN YOU FIND IN THIS TRAVEL GUIDE This booklet is your guide to a fantastic travel experience beyond the ordinary. Your participation in any of the remarkable initiatives, attractions and activities will not only provide you with a unique experience, but also directly help to improve the livelihoods of the local communities.
    [Show full text]
  • Island Tourism : Towards a Sustainable Perspective / Edited by Jack Carlsen and Richard Butler
    ISLAND T OURISM Sustainable Perspectives Ecotourism Book Series General Editor: David B. Weaver, Professor of Tourism Management, George Mason University, Virginia, USA. Ecotourism, or nature-based tourism that is managed to be learning-oriented as well as environ- mentally and socioculturally sustainable, has emerged in the past 20 years as one of the most important sectors within the global tourism industry. The purpose of this series is to provide diverse stakeholders (e.g. academics, graduate and senior undergraduate students, practitioners, protected area managers, government and non-governmental organizations) with state-of-the- art and scientifi cally sound strategic knowledge about all facets of ecotourism, including external environments that infl uence its development. Contributions adopt a holistic, critical and interdis- ciplinary approach that combines relevant theory and practice while placing case studies from specifi c destinations into an international context. The series supports the development and dif- fusion of fi nancially viable ecotourism that fulfi ls the objective of environmental, sociocultural and economic sustainability at both the local and global scale. Titles available: 1. Nature-based Tourism, Environment and Land Management Edited by R. Buckley, C. Pickering and D. Weaver 2. Environmental Impacts of Ecotourism Edited by R. Buckley 3. Indigenous Ecotourism: Sustainable Development and Management H. Zeppel 4. Ecotourism in Scandinavia: Lessons in Theory and Practice Edited by S. Gossling and J. Hultman 5. Quality Assurance and Certifi cation in Ecotourism Edited by R. Black and A. Crabtree 6. Marine Ecotourism: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea C. Cater and E. Cater 7. Ecotourism and Conservation in the Americas Edited by A.
    [Show full text]
  • Tourism Geography & Map Work
    HAND OUT FOR UGC NSQF SPONSORED ONE YEAR DILPOMA IN TRAVEL & TORUISM MANAGEMENT PAPER CODE: DTTM C206 TOURISM GEOGRAPHY & MAP WORK SEMESTER: SECOND PREPARED BY MD ABU BARKAT ALI UNIT-I: 1.IMPORTANCE OF GEOGRAPHY: Geography involves the study of various locations and how they interact based on factors such as position, culture, and environment. This can involve anything from a basic idea of where each state is in the United States, to an in-depth understanding of the population density and economic stability of various countries. A thorough grasp of this subject has immense implications on the travel industry, specifically for those in the hotel management field. As an aspiring hotel manager within the southern California area, an in-depth education of geography would help me to understand cultural differences, travel patterns, evolution of tourism in the area, and new or non traditional destinations. An understanding of these various aspects of geography would assist in the improvement of my guest service practices, marketing strategies, and investment plans, which would in turn increase the popularity and revenue of my particular hotel. Though it is critical to have a general understanding of the cultural differences a location possesses when you plan on traveling abroad, it is equally important when considering inbound tourism within the context of the hotel industry. A hotel manager must have a strong understanding of not only the local culture, but of a variety of popular cultures around the world. For example, if I am managing a hotel near the Los Angeles area and I see that a large tourist group from Japan has booked an extended vacation, it is in my best interest to research the customs and traditions of Japanese culture.
    [Show full text]