Specific resources as bases for the differentiation and innovation of tourist destinations

Given that one type of tourist does not exist and different strategies are drawn to reach the wished "extraordinary" by tourists for holidays, there are windows of opportunities to the tourist destinations, as these give them the chance for differentiated offers and for a flexibility that opposes uniformity and gives place to variety and difference. Assuming that the development of the destinations do not obey to just a standard way, and alternatively is embedded in the historical, cultural, institutional and natural matrices of the regions where destinations are anchored, then the specific resources of a place can assume the basic role of inputs for the differentiation of the tourist destination and for the diversification of its tourist offers. Taking into account the exceptionality of tourist product as an experience, which is associated with an integrated experience offer, one can say that an idiographic perspective of a destination requires that the valuation of its specific resources pass not only for the tourist services providers to assume themselves as agents who facilitate the stay and the mobility of the tourists, but also that they need to become ambassadors of all the kind of services of the destination as well as of the region itself. Such tourist destination generates change. As it generates differentiated strategies at the regional level and as it is based on co-operation and network, these strategies and related facts make the environment propitious to the dissemination of knowledge and innovation. Innovation, in turn, generates difference, that strengthens the identity of the region, and potentially, of the tourist destination. Such strategies of differentiation, in a sustainable development frame, can be the turning point for a more selective tourist industry, and where all can win: the local communities, the tourists, the tourist agents, and the environment.Specific resources; idiographic approach; innovation; tourist destination; sustainability; regional development

Measuring Social carrying Capacity: An Exploratory Study

The tourist carrying capacity commands a growing interest given that it is closely linked with sustainable tourist development. The justification of the utility of this concept is given by means of a simple and efficient methodological proposal, by analysing the social carrying capacity. To this end, an empirical application is carried out in the Western Andalusia. In some of the cases analysed, the satisfaction of the tourist is found to decline when the levels of the tourist use are higher with respect to those attributes of the tourist destination supply. This mechanism can constitute a useful alarm signal for tourism planners.carrying capacity, tourist satisfaction, sustainable tourism, tourist destination.

Regional expression of tourism development

This paper aims to highlight the importance of tourism to strengthen the capacities of the different regions and their resources. With this goal in mind an empirical study was conducted in a tourist destination located in the inner part of Portugal (Beira Interior), which aimed to measure the satisfaction obtained by tourists and also to identify the elements of the supply that the demand considers more important to choose this destination. The research stated that the symbolic aspects related to the specific resources of the region were the most important elements that help tourists to choose their destination and the same elements are also those that make tourists more satisfied. Assuming that the symbolic contents are in fact the underlying identity of the region, one can conclude that the more the identity of the region is reinforced, the more the difference is motivating and the more this identity is a key factor of its attractivenessregional development, differentiation, specific resources, tourist destination, demand-oriented assessment

THE ROLE OF RESORT PLANNING IN SUSTAINING TOURIST DESTINATION IMAGE

The environmental quality is recognized to be an important factor while making decisions upon the destination to visit. The image of the resort will likely to be more realistic but also complex after the tourists’ visit. The complex image of the resort, where the tourist has about after visiting it, is crucial for creating loyalty and also word of mouth advertising. Therefore, if the tourists visiting the resort are to complain then the intermediaries will likely to reduce the tourism activities through that resort or the tourism activities will turn into a more hotel facility based activity. Resort planning is a continous process and defines the systemized and controlled development of the resort. Resort planning can be implemented in an actual resort or a new developing resort. The increasing importance of sustain-ability in the tourism industry emerged the need for resort planning. It’s important to emphasize that planning needs to be upgraded through the environmental and market changes. As it is a continous process the factors included in must be strict in the short run and flexible in the long run due to the changes. Resorts, generally subject to seasonal tourism activities, should have a positive image through many aspects in order to attract tourists and try to sustain it by the time. Resort planning is essential in order to shape the future and the image of the resort destination. In addition the satisfaction of the tourist will be retained if the tourist believes that they are getting high value from the destination considering their travel expenses. It is the destination image that will determine the future of the destination. Because the resort experience is intangible the competition among the resort destinations is determined by the image of each resort.tourism, planning, destination, resort, image, Agribusiness, Community/Rural/Urban Development,

Role of tradtional food in tourist destination image building: Example of the city of Mostar

The existence of tourist offer varieties does not imply the existence of high-quality approach to and management of a tourist destination, nor a quality development of tourist products, which is the case of the City of Mostar. Despite the existing potential, it is necessary to invest a lot of effort and mobilize several players in order to build a modern and attractive tourist destination, integrate the existing and develop new tourist products and develop the City brand. In the context of holistic approach to tourism development in the City of Mostar and its image building, it is necessary to look into the role of indigenous traditional products that can have a significant impact on the overall effects of tourist offer. The goal of the paper is to present an innovative approach to building a modern brand and tourist product of the City of Mostar, as a unique tourist destination that is founded on authentic, traditional products and the way of life. The paper is based on the research conducted in 2010 through in-depth interviews with players involved in tourism development and players in the tourism industry

Film-induced tourism in the UK: the role of British Film Institute on promoting the image of the country

Film-induced tourism-also referred to as Film Tourism- is a recent growing phenomenon whose main purpose is to explore the potential tourist’s motivations when planning their upcoming visit to a destination. Furthermore, this phenomenon gives power to the future filming locations in terms of creating new film heritage museums, film tours, developing new destination marketing and so on. Thus, we will study the brand new type of tourist: ‘Core Screen Tourist’. Core screen tourists are those who would not travel to a destination where a film has been shot unless they have seen it on screen previously. Films provide a powerful way to shape people's perceptions of the place, creating new and strengthening old ones. Gaining the power to increase international tourism and the entertainment industry, the development of the film is seen as a growing phenomenon, which must be taken into account for each tourism promotion strategy.Universidad de Sevilla. Grado en Turism

How to develop sustainable tourism in rural destinations in Serbia

The classical distinction between countries of tourist offer and countries of tourist demand has already been surpassed considering that many countries of tourist demand (USA, Germany, Great Britain …) earn much more from tourism than the countries of tourist offer (Italy, Greece, Portugal …). The changes in customers' behaviour are reflected through restructuring of tourist movements towards new destinations. What is essential in creating, promoting and marketing tourist destinations for the specific tourism forms development is the identification of all the positive and negative factors that influence the development of these destinations. Converting a potential into a tourist destination depends on many factors both in qualitative and in quantitative sense. Discovering an area of preserved environment that also possesses attractive motifs presents the beginning of the possible tourist destination creating. Further 'destiny' of a tourist destination depends on its planning and development intensity. Rural tourism is a significant component of integral and sustainable development and revitalization of the village, as well as a component that is missing in stimulating the local market development for agricultural and non-agricultural activities in the country, along with a special stimulation to employment. Serbia possesses remarkable natural resources and other potentials for the development of all forms of rural tourism. However, rural tourism in Serbia is an insufficiently organized field that is not being developed adequately to the possibilities available to it. That is why this paper wants to point out the potential opportunities for the development of rural tourism in Serbia through sustainable development and correct performance policy on both national and international tourist market

Integrated Quality Management Model on the Example of Destination Split

Integrated Quality Management (IQM) is argumentative and efficient method proposed by the European Commission to reach and maintain tourist products and services quality in destinations. The paper presents IQM possibilities and phases in Split where tourism could base on events and contents quality and diversity, gastronomic and catering offer or destination cleanliness and ecological acceptability. Split should accept proved quality improvement method and adopt European IQM model. Benchmarking Split with Stockholm, IQM method implementation is suggested for Split to keep its comparative advantages and enable long-term market competitiveness. Adopting IQM method completes value chain of Split tourism, depending on cooperation of all included in tourist activity: local and state authorities, tourism entrepreneurs, local population. Establishing institutional leader as destination management organisation, Split provides cooperation and partnership. Three development scenarios for Split were compared and repositioning suggested on all levels by stressing quality aspect.quality management, destination, benchmarking, partnership

VIENNA`S BRANDING CAMPAIGN – STRATEGIC OPTION FOR DEVELOPING AUSTRIA`S CAPITAL IN A TOP TOURISM DESTINATION

The fact that Vienna is an attractive tourist destination, well known internationally is undeniable. With its imperial splendour and remarkable cultural image, Vienna has become, in the recent years, an attractive tourist destination, reaching in 2010 over 10.8 million overnights, far exceeding its own targets. The study presents the key elements of the Austrian capital new branding strategy from a synthetic-descriptive perspective and examines the vectors that generated its success. The paper evaluates both quantitative and qualitative effects that had a major impact on increasing visitors number and overnight stays, on increasing familiarity and preference for Vienna among the target-groups (tourists, investors). The benefits resulting after the branding campaign were not only material, Vienna earning also a fantastic reputation around the world, and creating itself an attractive and compelling image, as a unique tourist location through its peculiarity.Brand, city brand, brand strategies, tourism, advertising campaigns, strategic development.