The effects of SARS on China\u27s tourism enterprises

Tourism businesses are operating in an increasingly turbulent environment and are being forced to react to extreme circumstances that are outside of their control. This paper examines the affects of SARS on tourism enterprises in China through a national survey of hotels, travel agencies and other tourism-related businesses. While all types of enterprises were adversely affected, it is shown that differences existed according to the types of tourism enterprises. In particular, those located close to centers with SARS concentrations suffered most, large multinational enterprises were impacted more than smaller establishments and some attractions, particularly those in the periphery of major urban centres, benefited somewhat from the redirection of demand. The fiscal responses introduced by government to assist the industry were generally well received. There was strong agreement that the tourism market recovered rapidly following SARS and that those that had precautionary measures in place, particularly the large multi-national enterprises, recovered most quickly. Strong opinions existed on the need for governments and enterprises to set up precautionary management systems to prepare for tourism crises. There was also substantial agreement that sudden crises that affect the tourism industry will become more frequent in the future, indicating recognition that the operating environment is becoming more turbulent. Nevertheless, most respondents were optimistic about their future operating environment

Assessing Tourism Planning: Goals and Objectives for Egyptian Tourism

This study assesses tourism plans by comparing principles in the literature on tourism planning with Egyptian National tourism planning documents. Issues that are addressed relate to the choice of goals and objectives and the form that they take in Egyptian national tourism planning. It is found that Egyptian tourism planning follows the trends of according growing attention to sustainability and promoting the value of collaboration and synchronization on the part of multiple agencies. However, there is much room for improvement, particularly regarding reaping the benefits of such initiatives due to a lack of comprehensiveness in planning

Evaluating tourism potential: a SWOT analysis of the Western Negev, Israel

SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis is a widely used method of evaluation employed in the business and planning worlds, including tourism planning, but there is little documentation on SWOT analysis in the academic tourism or geography literature. In this study SWOT analysis was applied more systematically in these areas, and rules for using it are suggested. The objective of this research is to show how SWOT analysis can be made more attractive, useful and accurate in research. This paper examines the current status and the potential of ecotourism in the Western Negev, in Southern Israel. The evaluation was conducted at the national, regional, and local levels using SWOT analysis. Data was gathered through field observation, interviews with decisions makers, and questionnaires distributed to the local population between the years 2000-2006. The findings relate to both the use of the SWOT technique as a research method and an evaluation concerning the tourism potential of the Western Negev. The findings relate to both the use of the SWOT technique as a research method and an evaluation concerning the tourism potential of the Western Negev. A simple diagram of the components of an enhanced SWOT analysis framework was developed, presented and used. It is suggested that this framework has wide applicability. The tourism industry is only in its infancy in the Western Negev, and thus this analysis can assist local decision makers by estimating the potential benefits and threats to their development. It is hoped that both academics and practioners would use the recommendations offered in the article for future research and for future development of the area

"Gastroesophageal reflux disease"

Geoffrey C. Wall is an Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice in the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. He can be contacted at [email protected]: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a pathologic condition of injury to the esophagus caused by regurgitation of gastric or gastroduodenal contents into the lumen of the esophagus. Histopathology of the esophageal mucosa may or may not be present. Gastroesophageal reflux of acid and gastric contents often causes a condition commonly referred to as heartburn. This is characterized as a retro-sternal burning sensation that radiates to the throat and interscapular region. It may be confused, even in the emergency room, with anginal pain or the onset of myocardial infarction; therefore its rapid diagnosis is important. In many patients GERD should be considered a chronic and lifelong illness and maintenance therapy is often needed. Repeated exposure of the esophagus to stomach contents leads to esophagitis. In severe cases, this can actually erode esophageal tissue (erosive esophagitis). In the last five to seven years several new treatment options for GERD have become available. These include antise-cretory agents such as the proton pump inhibitors, and new surgical techniques that have improved Nissen fundoplication safety and efficacy rates(3-4). Clinicians caring for patients with this common disorder need to understand the pathology behind GERD, its common (and uncommon) clinical manifestations, and current treatment options as recommended by the American College of Gastroenterology

The importance of institutional support to sustain communities' livelihoods in marine protected area: Tun Sakaran Marine Park, Sabah, Malaysia

This study was conducted in the first and the only marine protected area in Malaysia to include private land and recognize native customary rights (NCR) especially in matters regarding land. This exploration is especially timely for the communities in Tun Sakaran Marine Park (TSMP), where some are entitled to native rights and some have been given usufruct rights by native rights holders, and yet they are living in a gazetted park under Sabah Parks administration, a statutory body under Sabah’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment,. Therefore, it is crucial to examine the livelihoods impacts of park establishment on communities living within the park and the strategies to cope with the impacts. A sustainable livelihoods (SL) approach was adopted as a framework to analyse the relationships among the institutional entitlement, which is the NCR, livelihood strategies and livelihood outcomes. In-depth household surveys and stakeholder interviews were undertaken during the fieldwork. Although co-management and ecotourism were planned to be implemented in TSMP, it was found that the local communities are not involved in management and benefited from any tourism activities. Therefore, institutional arrangement should be strengthened to support the design of more appropriate livelihoods strategies for communities in TSMP

Why Ecotourism Failed as an Alternative Livelihood in Marine Park: The importance of community’s involvement in park management

This study investigates the impacts of park establishment on communities and how institutional structures, such as customary laws, can influence communities’ involvement in ecotourism. A sustainable livelihoods (SL) approach was adopted as a framework to analyze the relationships among institutional processes and organizational structures (i.e. NCR, institutional arrangement), livelihood strategies and livelihood outcomes. In-depth household surveys and stakeholder interviews were undertaken during three months of fieldwork conducted in Tun Sakaran Marine Park (TSMP), Sabah, Malaysia. Although TSMP contains beautiful islands, and has many attributes and potential to be suitable for ecotourism development, surprisingly, this study found out that the local communities are not involved in tourism. At the same time, dive operators are bringing divers and snorkelers to the park on a daily basis. In conclusion, ecotourism as an alternative livelihood in TSMP can be achieved through efficient institutions i.e. the implementation of policies that are informed by the local situation. Therefore, institutional support should be strengthened if ecotourism is to become a livelihood strategy for communities in TSMP.Keywords: Ecotourism; Sustainable Livelihoods; Institutional Arrangement; Marine ParkeISSN: 2398-4287 © 2018. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.https://doi.org/10.21834/e-bpj.v3i9.154

Tourists\u27 Perceptions of Aboriginal Heritage Souvenirs

Heritage souvenirs are an indispensable part of indigenous tourism and the authenticity of indigenous heritage is a vital aspect of such tourism. This study adopts a mixed methods approach to explore the perceived authenticity of glass bead souvenirs of the Paiwan Tribe in Pintung County, Taiwan. The study explores differences in the evaluations of authenticity among stakeholders and the factors that influence perceptions of authen- ticity. An understanding of tourists’ perceptions of indigenous heritage offers valuable information for the creation of indigenous souvenirs and for reviving the promotion of indigenous culture