TOURIST DESTINATION COMPETITIVENESS ASSESSMENT - APPROACH AND LIMITATIONS

Polazeći od teoretskog koncepta i odrednica nacionalne konkurentnosti, rad uspostavlja poveznicu s teorijom konkurentnosti turističke destinacije, razmatra bitne odrednice i praktična ograničenja globalno poznatih konceptualnih modela konkurentnosti turističke destinacije te propituje metodološku utemeljenost u praksi primjenjivanih modela za utvrđivanje i/ili usporedbu turističke konkurentnosti različitih zemalja. Provedena analiza upućuje na sljedeće zaključke: a) konceptualni modeli konkurentnosti tudstičke destinacije, uslijed svoje kompleksnosti, imaju ponajviše obrazovno-kognitivnu funkciju te nisu od prevelike koristi za enipirijsko utvrđivanje konkurentske sposobnosti turističkih destinacija, b) u praksi primjenjivani empirijski modeli utvrđivanja konkurentske sposobnosti tudstičkih destinacija, ponajviše uslijed oslanjanja na prevelik broj pokazatelja društveno-ekonomske razvijenosti, kao i zanemarivanja doživljajnog supstrata kao temelja diferencijacije, svode se na relativno površne i ne previše relevantne indikacije "mjesta na svjetskoj ljestvici" konkurentnosti, c) problematici utvrđivanja konkurentnosti turističke destinacije potrebno je pristupiti na način koji će omogućavati proaktivnu destinacijsku politiku i postupno unapredivanje konkurentske sposobnosti, pri čemu naglasak valja stavljati ponajviše na činitelje resursno-atrakcijske unikatnosti, činitelje koji određuju uspješnost destinacijskog menadžmenta, odnosno činitelje koji podržavaju destinacijski turistički razvitak. Sukladno tome, predlaže se i altemativni pristup utvrđivanju (ocjeni) destinacijske konkurentnosti.Starting from the theoretical concept and determinants of national competitiveness, this article establishes the link with the theory of tourist destination competitiveness, considers the key determinants and practical limitations of globally recognized conceptual models of destination competitiveness, and investigates the methodological robustness of applied (empirical) models for assessing and/or comparing tourism competitiveness of various countries. The analysis leads to the following conclusions: a) apart from their educational/cognitive purpose, due mostly to their complexity, conceptual models for destination competitiveness assessment are of no great use to the practical evaluation of a destination\u27s competitive canacity; b) widely applied empirical models for determination of tourist destinations\u27 competitiveness boil down to the relatively superficial and not too relevant "rankings on the world competitiveness list", mainly because they predominantly rely on socio-economic indicators and neglect the experiential element as the basis of differentiation; c) the assessment of tourist destination competitiveness should pave the way for a proactive destination policy and gradual improvement of a destination\u27s competitive capacity. In this regard, emphasis should be put primarily on the\u27 tourism resources/attractions for which the destination is unique (distinct and/or intemationally recognizable), the factors that determine the success of destination management, as well as on the supporting factors of tourism development. Therefore, an alternative approach to the competitiveness assessment of tourist destinations is recommended

Human resources development and ICT contribution to the tourist destination competitiveness

The paper envisages aspects concerning identification of the competitive advantage of a tourist destination from a double perspective: the critical contribution of the employees and the ICT impact on promoting and selling the destination. Research methodology includes „bottom to top” analysis of the mentioned indicators. Thus, results include the eficientisation of tourist businesses and destinations due to both human element development and ICT technologies. Two essential basis of the competitive advantage are isolated: differentiation and cost advantage. ICT creates a series of new working types through new applications and its use in management and distribution of key functions such as yield.peer-reviewe

Competitiveness of tourist destinations as a research problem in the geography of tourism : analytical assumptions behind the research model

The paper explores the issue of competitiveness in the field of tourism. Assuming an economic perspective and basing on a discussion of the issue with respect to tourist destinations, the paper looks at this type of analysis in the field of the geography of tourism. The paper utilizes systems analysis to create a competitiveness research model for multifunctional tourist destinations, which factors in a spectrum of determinants driving local tourist development

Determinants of tourist competitiveness in the case of Montenegro: experts’ assessment

Purpose – The competitiveness of tourist destinations is consistently attracting the attention of the scientific community. How can they strengthen their position on the tourist market? This is a very tough question for all tourist destinations. The goal of this research is to determine the critical competitiveness points of Montenegro as a tourist destination based on experts\u27 assessments. Design – The determinants of the competitiveness of tourist destinations have been examined, based on the example of Montenegro. Actual available data about Montenegrin tourist competitiveness, the most significant models of tourist-destination competitiveness, and the applied methodology have been presented. Additionally, the research results are presented, instructions and recommendations are given and the limitations of the research are defined. Methodology – An interview-based method was used for this study, and the gathered data was processed by statistical methods: descriptive statistics; correlation; standard multiple regression; factorial analysis, and ANOVA and T-tests. Approach – A well-known model of tourist-destination competitiveness constructed by the authors Ritchie and Crouch has been used as a basis for this survey. Findings – The results obtained state that the experts\u27 assessments do not deviate from the TCI results for Montenegro, and that the critical point of competitiveness for Montenegro is destination management, while destination planning, development and policy are closely connected to this factor. Originality of research – This is the first time that the competitiveness factors of Montenegro have been assessed in this manner, and there are almost no papers that consider this topic, which makes this study a significant contribution. The paper also represents an excellent basis for future in-depth research, as explained in the recommendations

Competitividade de Destinos Turísticos: um Modelo de Aplicação para o sul de Portugal versus as regiões Mediterrânicas de Espanha: COMPETITIVTOUR

Tourism destination competitiveness analysis benefits from a growing number of theoretical and applied developments. To support competitiveness strategies and despite the paraphernalia of competitiveness indexes available, there is not just a single set of indicators that can be used for all destinations at all times. The COMPETITIVTOUR model, developed since 2009 is applied to the south of Portugal versus the Mediterranean regions of Spain, a geographical area that aggregates 14 provinces, 20.2 million inhabitants and 180.1 million overnight stays. COMPETITIVTOUR's objective is to create and apply a territorial assessment model, adapted to the common specificities of these regions, aiming to assist in guiding the complex task of destination competiveness management, with inputs from 25 official producers of information from Portugal and Spain. The outputs are aggregated in three main topics: territory management, markets, and resources&products. Critical areas were identified, with emphasis on the growing seasonality of demand, the market demand and supply adjustment and accommodation prices.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A STUDY ON EVALUATION OF DESTINATION COMPETITIVENESS MODEL

The aim of this paper is to provide some knowledge relates to the evaluation of the destination competitiveness models. Paper gives and overall idea about universal recognized 03 models related to the destination competitiveness namely, 1. Porter’s diamond model; 2. Crouch & Ritchie model 3. Integrated model of Dwayer & Kim and the practically adapted models basedon above mentioned 03 models namely 1. Armenski al’s Integrated Model of Destination Competitiveness 2. Goffi’s Conceptual Model of Destination Competitiveness 3. Mazilu and Popescu’s Conceptual Model of Destination Competitiveness 4. Kim and Wicks Tourism Cluster Development Model by highlighting, the advantages, and disadvantages of them, as in theoretical and application aspects

Explanatory Power of the Tourist Destination Competitiveness Index on the Control of the First Wave of COVID-19

The goal of this article is to provide statistical evidence about the explanatory power of the 2019 Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) on the first wave of the COVID-19. Our dependent variables include the government’s daily average stringency index, the national outbreak response time, the daily average of cases and deaths per million, the speed of contagion, and the time from the first case reported in China to the first case reported nationally. Our independent variables include the 2019 TTCI and some of its constituent sub-indexes and pillars. Our sample includes 132 countries with available data for our dependent and independent variables. We find that on average and ceteris paribus, countries enjoying the highest TTCI experienced the highest daily average of cases and deaths per million. Similarly, these countries experienced the highest average rate of contagion/spread of the virus and the quickest arrival of the virus to their communities

DIRECTIONS OF IMPROVING THE COMPETITIVENESS OF THE TOURISM INDUSTRY IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY

Abstract. The article deals with the actual problem of managing tourist destinations organization to increase the competitive potential of the domestic tourist market. To solve this problem previously not touched upon in scientific research, the authors studied the comparative advantages of the Stavropol Territory as a tourist destination that should become its competitive advantages if implemented through a comprehensive destination management system. In the result of comparison of strengths and opportunities for tourism development in the region, a strategy to improve competitiveness and increase competitive advantages has been developed. It focuses on the opportunities to maximizethe strengths and compensate for the current competitive weaknesses of tourism development in Stavropol. The complex tourist destination competitiveness model and the system of its management in the Stavropol Territory depend on creating a regional organization for tourist destination management that would coordinate practices of the key regional tourism actors, ensure their interests and develop their interaction. On the example of the Stavropol Territory, the authors propose an alternative model of the tourist destination management system, which is to be implemented through mechanisms and practices of planning, development and increasing competitiveness of the tourist destinationand to be institutionalized in the form of a regional organization for the tourist destination management. This model can contribute significantly to the social and economic development of the given region.Keywords: tourist destination, tourist market, tourist potential, control system, competitiveness, social andeconomic development, planning

Tourist competitiveness of Polish rural areas

Purpose: The process of diversifying economic activity in rural areas and incorporating new non-agricultural and non-production functions into the rural space is currently one of the key determinants of development in these areas. A comparative assessment of Poland's competitiveness against selected European countries has been made in the study. The main objective was to present the conditions of international tourist competitiveness of rural areas in Poland in comparison to other European areas. Design/Methodology/Approach: An in-depth analysis of Poland's competitiveness as a tourist region against the European countries was carried out taking into consideration individual indicators of the second pillar. The study uses a synthetic tourist competitiveness index and panel regression to demonstrate the determinants of this phenomenon. Findings: On the basis of the conducted research, it has been shown that the natural and landscape value of Poland's agricultural areas is highly assessed on a European scale. Therefore, for many consumers in the European Union, Poland is increasingly seen as an attractive region for tourists. At the same time, the importance of these factors in the demand for tourist places has been demonstrated by distinguishing selected aspects of these conditions. Economic factors affecting internal demand as well as environmental and institutional conditions turned out to be the key ones. Practical Implications: The presented considerations are of great importance for practical reasons. They constitute an indicator which, under certain conditions can influence the increase of tourist competitive attractiveness of rural areas in an international perspective. Therefore, they allow to indicate the proper structure of investments and activities aimed at valuing public goods by both private and public entities. Originality/Value: The development of rural areas in the current conditions requires the development of non-agricultural and non-production functions. The article indicates the importance of individual resources and conditions in the proposed model. Not only was their role emphasized, but mutual relations between the factors considered were determined.peer-reviewe