An Analysis of sustainable tourism certification programs in the United States

The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of state sustainable tourism programs, utilizing the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC) as a measure of baseline sustainable tourism effectiveness

Thriving Private-Community Partnerships: Perspectives from Fiji’s Upper Navua Conservation Area

Ecotourism has proven itself to be a forerunner in the advancement of environmental conservation all the while supporting cultural tradition, uniqueness, and pride among indigenous communities. Successful private-community partnerships associated with ecotourism operations are vital to the overall prosperity of both the businesses and the local communities. Such accomplishments can be seen through numerous livelihood goals including income, food security, health, reduced vulnerability, governance, and empowerment (Walpole & Wilder, 2008). Private-community partnerships also support global initiatives such as the Sustainable Development Goals (Ban Ki-Moon, 2015) and sustainable development frameworks including those proposed by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO, 2015). Understanding such partnerships assists not only large organizations such as the WTO, but it also benefits smaller ecotourism operators and entrepreneurs who are trying to achieve their sustainable tourism development goals. This study examined the partnership between an ecotourism company (Rivers Fiji) and two rural villages located in Fiji’s Upper Navua Conservation Area. Focus groups were conducted in each village. Observation journals were also used to record conversations outside of the focus groups. Data were thematically organized and analyzed to offer researcher interpretations and understandings

The Influence of a Spouse or Partner in Travel Decision-making

The purpose of this study was to determine to what extent a spouse or partner influences the decision-making process in travel to a historic destination. Individuals were asked to indicate to what extent their spouse or partner was involved in five different decisions. Results indicated that all of the travel-related decisions were influenced to some degree by a spouse or partner. Additionally, a significant difference was found between decision making behavior and trip type. The results of this exploratory study indicate that the role played by a spouse or partner in pleasure travel decision-making, especially that which is related to heritage travel, needs to be incorporated into future research

Lessons Learnt from the Westgate Shopping Mall Terrorist Attack in Nairobi, Kenya: Involving the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions Sector in Crisis Communications

The terrorist attacks in Nairobi Kenya have been widely disseminated by the world media, thus, affecting the long-term interests of stakeholders. The tourism industry is made up of a vast number of these stakeholders, with the operating sector alone including the accommodation, tourism services, transportation, entertainment, food services, adventure and outdoor recreation, attractions, meetings, incentive, conventions, and exhibitions (MICE), and travel trade sectors. Within each operating sector, there is also a variety of different stakeholders in various segments and organisations. The purpose of this manuscript is to examine tourism crisis communications surrounding the Westgate Shopping Mall attacks in Kenya. The main research question which guided this study was: did tourism communications surrounding the Westgate Shopping Mall attacks follow best practices for tourism crisis communications? Accordingly, this paper used participant observation to highlight communications surrounding the attacks from the perspective of a conference planner and a conference attendee

Strengthening the Relationship between Undergraduate Professional Preparation Programs in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism and Graduate Leisure Studies

This article stems from a conversation among academic leaders of graduate-oriented departments of parks, recreation, and tourism across North America who participated in an administrator summit at Zion Ponderosa Resort in southern Utah September 23-26, 2010. The University of Utah’s Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism hosted the summit, and among the many topics discussed was the need to strengthen the relationship between undergraduate professional preparation programs in parks, recreation, and tourism and graduate leisure studies. In many respects, the tension between undergraduate and graduate programs reflects the tension between research universities and the world of professional practice. We examine this tension in both contexts and recommend specific courses of action to relieve it

People and Nature: Toward an Ecological Model of Health Promotion

Striving for a healthier relationship among individuals, families, communities, nations, and the environment is imperative at a time in history when humankind can change the face of the earth in monumental ways. This dynamic health relationship, with an emphasis on the contributions of parks, recreation, and tourism to health promotion, is the subject of this article. A broader conception of health that moves beyond human physical and mental health to include familial, communal, national, international, and global ecological health is called for, and a more comprehensive ecological model of health promotion, including consideration of health from a holistic ecological perspective, is presented. New directions for leisure research based on an ecological orientation to health promotion conclude the article

A Qualitative Analysis of the Decision Making Process for Selecting Travel as a Value-added Incentive

The purpose of this study, using a qualitative method, was to explore and identify key factors in the decision-making process that led business owners/managers to select an advertising program which included travel as a value-added marketing incentive. During September-November 1996, a California based adventure travel company organized two incentive travel experiences to Fiji and Kenya for radio stations in San Francisco, CA and Detroit, MI. Results indicate that a program to a unique exotic destination is a factor worth considering. Other key factors derived included safety traveling within a group, reputation of the radio station, expectation for the type of trip offered, feelings that excellent accommodations were available throughout the trip, and the importance of worry free travel A number of im­portant themes emerged and are important considerations for future research in the incentive travel area

Recreation and Fire Management in Urban National Forests: A Study of Manager Perspectives

The purpose of this study was to understand U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service public land managers’ perceptions of fire management and recreational use in urban national forests of the United States. An online survey was used to understand managers’ perceptions of (a) the degree to which the presence of recreational activities and experiences are a constraint to fire management, (b) the degree to which fire management and suppression activities influence the quality of a visit to a recreation site, and (c) the relationships between fire management and recreation constraints. In all, 62 district rangers within urban national forests were asked to complete an online survey, and 33 responded (53 percent). The following items were thought to moderately to severely impact the managers’ ability to manage fire: increased urban development, budget constraints, accumulation of burnable fuels, effect of smoke on visitors, increased visitation, and the lack of trained personnel. In addition, most managers believed that recreational use of day-use areas, trails, campgrounds, and access roads conflicted moderately or slightly with fire management decisions. Over 70 percent of respondents indicated that mountain bikes on unauthorized trails, vandalism, litter, encroachment from surrounding farmland, unauthorized grazing, and, unauthorized logging did not have an impact on fire management decisions. Generally respondents did not perceive management factors as limiting visitors’ pursuit of recreation activities. In addition, most managers identified the occurrence of various management activities (e.g., campground closures from smoke, trail closures owing to wildland fires, fire suppression, etc.) as slightly to not limiting at all