The present paper investigates whether tourism specialization is a viable strategy for development. We estimate standard growth equations augmented with a variable measuring tourism specialization using instrumental variables techniques for a large cross-section of countries for the period 1980-2002. We introduce an instrument for tourism based on the UNESCO World Heritage List. We find that there is a positive relationship between the extent of tourism specialization and economic growth. An increase of one standard deviation in the share of tourism in exports leads to about 0.5 percentage point in additional annual growth, everything else being constant. Our result holds against a large array of robustness checks.
This book explores statistical models in regional specialization, presenting a brand new measure. It begins by reviewing existing indicators and models of regional specialization before outlining a newly created, spatially embedded model of specialization based on the spatial distribution of firms. It addresses the various applications of the model, and how the model can be used in regional policy.
The aim of the Special Issue is to discuss the main current topics concerning marketing for sustainable tourism with reference to territories (i.e., tourism destinations, protected areas, parks and/or natural sites, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, rural regions/areas, etc.) and tourism enterprises and/or organisations (i.e., destination management organisations, hospitality enterprises, restaurant enterprises, cableway companies, travel agencies, etc.). In destinations where natural resources are pull factors for tourism development, the relationships among local actors (public, private, and local community), as well as marketing choices, are essential to develop sustainable tourism products. To this end, the Special Issue encourages papers that analyse marketing strategies adopted by tourism destinations and/or tourism enterprises to avoid overtourism, to manage mass sustainable tourism (as defined by Weaver, 2000), and to encourage and promote sustainable tourism in marginal areas or in territories suffering lack of integration in the tourism offer. Special attention will be given to contributions on the best practices to manage territories and/or enterprises adopting sustainable marketing strategies.
This book provides new roads, perspectives, and a synthesis for tourism and regional science research. Tourism has become one of the most dynamic sectors in the economy and has exhibited a structurally growing importance over the past decades. In many countries the economic significance of tourism now exceeds that of traditionally strong sectors like agriculture or transportation. It is noteworthy that in recent times, tourism research has gained great momentum from the perspective of: the leisure society; the psychological tension between hard work and a more relaxed lifestyle; and the productivity-enhancing or productivity-diminishing effects of leisure, recreation, and tourism. An abundance of new literature in the field of tourism management can also be found, for instance, in the areas of hospitality management, cultural events management, destination competitiveness policy and marketing, and transportation and logistics strategies, while much attention is also being paid to the opportunities provided by digital technology for the tourism sector. In addition, in the light of the many negative externalities of a rapidly growing tourism sector, there is also an abundant literature on the environmental and sustainability effects of tourism. This book has the following objectives: to explore the interwoven connection between regional science and tourism research; to suggest promising pathways for innovative regional science research at the interface of tourism and space; and to demonstrate the need for a new perspective on the tourism and regional science nexus by means of empirical studies.
Reports on the most recent national experiences in implementing Tourism Satellite Accounts and presents the results of efforts made over the past decade to develop new methods to analyse tourism and tourism-related employment.
This Special Issue addresses relations between tourism activities, smart specialization strategies, and sustainable development at different territorial levels, including the local, regional, national, and international. Framed by appropriate conceptual frameworks to define the contemporary dynamics of innovation in tourism, case studies supported by advanced quantitative methods and developed in rural and urban areas of Asia, Europe, and Africa are presented and discussed. The concept of smart specialization inspires the formulation of regional innovation policies and strategies, emphasizing the importance of endogenous resources and existing territorial capabilities. By exploring the diversity and variety of each economy to develop inter-sectoral relations, this approach aims at promoting the creation of spillover effects of innovation processes supported by adequate key enabling technologies, potentially leading to the sustainable development of places, regions, and countries. As an activity that mobilizes contributions from different economic sectors, tourism may play a central role in such strategies. As described and discussed in this Special Issue, aspects related to the creative sectors of economies, information and communication technologies, traditional products and lifestyles, food production, or diverse cultural values can be mobilized to generate innovative and sustainable solutions for tourism development.
In a world where half of the population lives in cities and more than 90 percent of urban growth is occurring in the developing world, cities struggle to modernize without completely losing their unique character, which is embodied by their historic cores and cultural heritage assets. As countries develop, cultural heritage can provide a crucial element of continuity and stability: the past can become a foundation for the future. This book collects innovative research papers authored by leading scholars and practitioners in heritage economics, and presents the most current knowledge on how heritage assets can serve as drivers of local economic development. What this book tries to suggest is a workable approach to explicitly take into account the cultural dimensions of urban regeneration in agglomerations that have a history and possess a unique character, going beyond an approach based solely on major cultural heritage assets or landmarks. The knowledge disseminated through this book will help stakeholders involved in preparation, implementation, and supervision of development investments to better assess the values of cultural heritage assets and incorporate them in urban development policies.
In the sector of global tourism, a critical challenge has taken center stage — the imperative for sustainable transformation. The World Tourism Organization has declared the theme for World Tourism Day 2025 as "Tourism and Sustainable Transformation," shedding light on the urgency to address multifaceted challenges that transcend conventional paradigms. The discourse has evolved beyond the traditional bounds of environmental sustainability, extending its reach to encompass social equality, cultural preservation, and economic viability. The tourism sector's pivotal role in achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 underscores the intricate interplay between tourism and pressing global issues such as poverty, gender inequality, and environmental degradation. Against this backdrop of urgency and complexity, the book titled Achieving Sustainable Transformation in Tourism and Hospitality Sectors offers a comprehensive exploration into viable practices necessary for inclusive, equitable, and responsible tourism. This book serves as a vital contribution to the ongoing dialogue surrounding sustainable tourism. With a focus on inclusivity, equity, and responsibility, it delves into the intricate relationship between tourism and sustainable transformation. It goes beyond mere rhetoric, providing a nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities that lie at the intersection of tourism and global sustainability goals. As the global community grapples with disparities, this book becomes a timely and indispensable resource. Policymakers, academicians, researchers, and industry practitioners are invited to contribute to this collective effort, laying the groundwork for a more sustainable and responsible future within the realms of tourism and hospitality. With a diverse array of recommended topics spanning community-based tourism, ecotourism, inclusive development, sustainable employment, and aviation, this book positions itself as an essential guide for those committed to addressing the challenges of our time. By presenting case studies, policy research, and insights into responsible tourism practices, it equips readers with the knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of sustainable transformation. As the global community strives for a more equitable future, this book offers a roadmap for shaping responsible and inclusive growth within the tourism and hospitality sectors.
Visitors to parks and protected areas impact at many levels: political, economic, social and ecological. To ensure effective park management for increasing visitor numbers, good quality global data on visitor use is necessary. This manual describes terms, approaches and techniques for gathering information about public use of parks and protected areas. It covers a mixture of options ranging from direct measurements with automatic counters to indirect measurements based on simple mathematical calculations, providing a kit for producing the most accurate and sustainable enumeration of public use of protected areas under existing circumstances.
Tourism is an important phenomenon of today's global world and is regarded as the world's biggest industry. As a concept, tourism inspires attention from different scientific areas and can be considered within an interdisciplinary context. Due to its multidisciplinary, multidimensional, and multimethod character, tourism is an area ripe for study. This book is a modest try for that end. The chapters are written from economic, managerial, marketing, and educational perspectives, using different frameworks and methodologies.