nep-tur New Economics Papers
on Tourism Economics
Issue of 2024‒09‒09
five papers chosen by
Laura Vici, Università di Bologna


  1. Establishing a benchmarking approach in tourism organizations and destinations By Ekonomou, George; Halkos, George
  2. Enhancing responsible tourism by establishing ‘smartness’ at destinations By Ekonomou, George; Halkos, George
  3. Applying a systems thinking approach to tourism By Ekonomou, George; Halkos, George
  4. Sustainability gaps in the Dominican Republic’s tourism clusters Puerto Plata and Ciudad Colonial By Alvarado, Jennifer; Gil, Lisette
  5. Seeing fishing tourism as a means to achieve sustainable marine and coastal zone management By Ekonomou, George; Halkos, George

  1. By: Ekonomou, George; Halkos, George
    Abstract: In our modern world, the intensity of economic activities dominates the linkages between the natural environment and the economic system. By nature, organizations and entrepreneurs strive to gain more and advance their position in terms of competitiveness, frequently, within volatile market conditions and uncertainty. In this generic situation, specific sectors have a crucial role. Tourism is a sector with a well-acknowledged potential, and its interaction with the natural environment has been discussed thoroughly in the process of tourism expansion and development. To this effort, environmental performance levels should be an issue of high importance to avoid degradation, depletion of resources, and low-quality rates. As a direct consequence, environmental benchmarking should remain at the top of the agenda to avoid market failure phenomena and negative externalities, underscoring the significant role each of us plays in sustainable tourism development. The aim of this study is to present a theoretical point of view at the interface of the tourism economy and environmental quality concerns. In parallel, this study discusses key determinants that affect sustainable tourism development and proposes its inclusion in relevant environmental management and marketing plans, promising a brighter future for the tourism industry and the environment.
    Keywords: Environmental quality; benchmarking; sustainable tourism development; management plans.
    JEL: O10 O21 Q01 Q50 Q56 Z0
    Date: 2024–08–17
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:121754
  2. By: Ekonomou, George; Halkos, George
    Abstract: Tourism growth drives considerable shifts in environmental quality levels and natural resource exploitation patterns. This study aims to develop a theoretical perspective for the context and ‘functionality’ of ‘smart’ technologies that will remove the existing barriers of traditional tourism practices with new and modern alternatives to search, educate, and learn at destinations. At a time of an increasing interest in developing destinations, this proposal stresses the importance and contribution of integrating smart technology when planning and implementing tourism programs to conceptualize and contextualize sustainability in the real world and make tourism more responsible and sustainable. This perspective might cause positive practical implicationsto the broader community of the relevant tourism beneficiaries, namely visitors and satisfaction through tourism experience, private sector and economic benefits (gains) through entrepreneurship (investments), society and well-being through the provision of environmental benefits, public policy through legislation and regulations, and mainly host communities that accommodate all tourism ventures in their territory.
    Keywords: Smart’ technology; sustainability; tourism.
    JEL: O1 O10 Q50 Q56 Z18
    Date: 2024–08–15
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:121731
  3. By: Ekonomou, George; Halkos, George
    Abstract: Tourism is a complex system with multifaceted characteristics that concern a wide range of stakeholders. Furthermore, it uses multiple natural resources as a core element of its products and services. Moreover, in recent decades, we have been experiencing tourism growth in many countries across the globe. It is significant to understand how these rates of growth interact with the good ecological status of the natural environment. Consequently, it is important to discuss how all these parties and different tourism offerings can function smoothly and act in favor of environmental improvements and advanced performance levels. This approach is at the center of this study, which seeks a way to apply a systems theory approach to the tourism system. Practical implications of this attempt include effective management plans, for instance, environmental management and tourism marketing plans in the context of sustainable development.
    Keywords: Tourism economy; natural environment; sustainable development; systems thinking.
    JEL: Q00 Q50 Q56 R11 Z10
    Date: 2024–08–17
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:121755
  4. By: Alvarado, Jennifer; Gil, Lisette
    Date: 2023–07–31
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ecr:col094:80463
  5. By: Ekonomou, George; Halkos, George
    Abstract: Coastal environments, as complex systems, are a valuable natural setting where intense economic activities take place. Their environmental values have been extensively researched due to their importance in maintaining high environmental quality. This discussion paper aims to promote the concept of fishing tourism as a strategy for preserving the safety and health of coastal environments. To this end, we present a conceptual framework outlining the content and benefits of fishing tourism within sustainable coastal zone management. This framework offers practical implications that can be applied to coastal settings in various countries. It is crucial to strike a balance between economic gains and environmental protection to ensure sustainable growth. This balance is basic to reaping benefits at the interface of nature and the economy, and effective environmental management and robust sectoral tourism policies are instrumental in achieving it.
    Keywords: Fishing tourism, coastal zones, management, sustainability.
    JEL: Q01 Q5 Q50 R50 R58 Z00
    Date: 2024–08–15
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:121732

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