This study analyses the contribution of territorial sensitive resources related to natural and cultural features (environmental dimension), innovation capabilities and specialization patterns (smart specialization) to regional sustainable development (spatial sustainability). In the context of a fast and continuous expansion of tourism activities, particular attention is given to their impacts. The results of our path model suggest that different patterns of tourism dynamics coexist in European regions and that, for those where this sector assumes larger socioeconomic importance, the contribution to the achievement of the "Millennium Goals", as proposed by the United Nations, is relatively poor. Regions particularly endowed in natural resources reveal a weak socioeconomic performance, while showing high levels of specialization in tourism, based on large scale and low value-added products and services, suggesting that new approaches to territorial design are required. This also leads to important spatial unbalances, with the most tourism-dependent European regions revealing relatively low levels of regional gross domestic product and high levels of unemployment. Despite their relatively good performance in terms of CO2-emissions, it seems important for those regions' sustainable development to increase the value added in tourism, by reinforcing the linkages with other relevant regional economic sectors. Information and communication technologies can contribute to these achievements, through the integration of knowledge and innovations into the products and services comprising the smart tourism experiences (smart development) and their connections with related sectors (smart specialisation).
This article presents a structural modeling analysis of the performance determinants of urban attractiveness, in terms of resident population and international tourism demand, in 40 global cities. The analysis focuses on the impacts of a diverse set of innovative drivers of urban value creation and sustainable solutions for city development (urban functions), which are collectively subsumed under the heading of 'sustainable smart city'. Recognizing that the dynamics and growth processes related to these urban functions may have different impacts on different types of stakeholders, potentially leading to the emergence of serious conflicts between guests/visitors and residents, we aim to derive model-based implications for urban and tourism management in the cities concerned in order to move towards the sustainable future city as 'a place 4 all'. The results of our latent growth curve model confirm the existence of different impacts of urban functions on visitors' and residents' attractiveness. Cultural dynamics appears to be a major determinant for attracting new residents and supporting a strong international tourism industry. From an economic perspective, purely economic strength (in terms of absolute growth) appears to enhance city attractiveness for residents, while the dynamics observed in research and development activities influences the quality of employment instead of being a direct driver of population growth. While the social aspects of sustainability (framed under the concept of livability) and the urban environment typically exert higher impacts on urban attractiveness, accessibility appears mostly relevant for visitors. Our analysis suggests an uneasy balance between livability, environment, and population and visitor volume and growth.
The varied supply of tourism services -with particular emphasis on tangible and intangible cultural aspects -corresponds ideally to visitors' characteristics and wishes. This paper considers a major tourist destination, such as Amsterdam, as an export-oriented multiproduct company, characterized by spatial and functional market segmentation and monopolistic competition reflected in product differentiation. Urban branding and attractiveness may favour tourist destination loyalty. The complex decision web of motivation and satisfaction of tourists in Amsterdam is analysed with a structural equations model (SEM). The authors find that different tourist profiles, in terms of personal characteristics and motivations, can significantly impact the satisfaction received from tourism services. Furthermore, and most interestingly, the results suggest that satisfaction does not necessarily lead to improved destination loyalty, but is contingent on the source of satisfaction. In this case, satisfaction resulting from tangible or intangible cultural sources has clearly different implications for loyalty, with relevant managerial implications.
The purpose of this study is to develop and estimate an integrated structural path model of the determinants of cruise demand based on the nexus of motivation, preference and intention of cruise tourists. The paper identifies the drivers of this demand in competitive markets. The model results show that different cruise motives have a significant effect (positive or negative) on specific cruise preferences and intentions, while some significant relationships between cruise preferences and intentions could also be found. Based on this structural path model, the authors apply an ANOVA approach to compare the differences of cruise motivations and cruise preferences in Asian markets in order to trace the instrumental determinants of cruise passengers, leading to a new understanding of the commonalities and differences of cruise competitiveness in different regional markets.
Popular urban tourist destinations are attracting large numbers of both overnight visitors and excursionists. Since urban cities perform a multitude of functions, the space requirements of tourists can, at times, interfere with those of local users. This paper addresses the issue of disutilities of space congestion through a dichotomous choice experiment model in order to offer a monetary valuation of tourist crowding in urban public space. A resident survey was carried out in the city of Amsterdam in order to estimate a random parameter logit model through which the residents' willingness to pay to avoid unfavourable crowding situations could be assessed. Their willingness to pay in order to increase the use levels by visitors in the Dam area from 'not at all crowded' or 'not crowded' to 'crowded' was, respectively, €1.36 and €0.83 annually, while the mean willingness to pay for a decline in the use level from 'very crowded' to 'crowded' was estimated to be €11.06 a year. While tourism is only partly responsible for these crowding levels, the results demonstrate that the social effects of tourist consumption can be positive as well as negative, depending on the existing use level and attitudinal perceptions of residents.
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