nep-tur New Economics Papers
on Tourism Economics
Issue of 2026–08–17
four papers chosen by
Laura Vici, Università di Bologna
  1. How socio-economic conditions shape empowerment of indigenous women in El Alto’s tourism sector By Anna Lavooi
  2. The Long-Run Impacts of Protected Areas on Income, Birds, and Tourism in South Africa By Engist, Dennis; Englander, Gabriel; Lee, Alan; Noack, Frederik
  3. Transforming hot-spring cities into innovation hubs: a comparative cluster-based analysis of Beppu, Bath, and Vichy By Kubo, Takayuki; Yamasaki, Akira
  4. Integrating humanistic needs into tourism in Alsace: organizational and territorial strategies for sustainable development By Marie Noeline Sinapin
  1. By: Anna Lavooi (CIDES-UMSA)
    Abstract: This article examines the role of socio-economic conditions in shaping empowerment, based on an ethnograph-ic study conducted in 2022–2023 with three groups of indige-nous women working in the tourism sector in El Alto, Bolivia: Cholitas Escaladoras, Cholitas Luchadoras, and female guides. The study shows that socio-economic structures contribute to both empowerment and disempowerment. In the context of El Alto, social capital, including family networks and associa-tions, and labour relations emerge as key factors. Horizontal labour relations, which foster collaboration and shared deci-sion-making, are associated with greater economic, social, and political empowerment, while vertical structures tend to limit agencyand create dependency. These findings underscore the importance of considering contextual socio-economic condi-tions when analysing empowerment, offering a holistic under-standing of how it manifests across different groups.
    Keywords: Empowerment, Indigenous women, Tourism, So-cio-economic conditions, Social capital, Labour relations.
    JEL: Z32 J16 O15
    Date: 2025
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iad:wpaper:0225
  2. By: Engist, Dennis; Englander, Gabriel; Lee, Alan; Noack, Frederik
    Abstract: Protected areas cover 17% of the world’s land surface, yet credible evidence on their long-run economic and ecological impacts remains scarce. This paper estimates the effects of South Africa’s protected areas on household income, bird biodiversity, and tourism consumer surplus. For the income and biodiversity analyses, it develops a machine-learning counterfactual approach that recovers the present-day impacts of protected areas created up to 100 years ago. Short-run impacts of newer protected areas are small and statistically insignificant, while older protected areas generate large gains. Prior research may have severely underestimated the benefits of protected areas by only estimating the short-run effects of newly established protected areas. In aggregate, this paper estimates that protected areas increase annual household income by approximately R300 billion (roughly 10% of 2011 GDP). This yields approximately 7.6 million job-equivalents attributable to South Africa’s protected areas. Different types of protected areas play complementary roles in conserving different categories of threatened birds, demonstrating the value of South Africa’s entire protected area network. A structural travel cost model estimates that South Africa’s national parks generate R7.7 billion per year (2023 rand) in recreational value for domestic and international tourists. These results suggest that in South Africa there is little tradeoff between wildlife conservation and economic development. Realizing the economic and ecological benefits of protected areas, however, requires patience: returns to conserva tion accumulate over decades, not years.
    Date: 2026–07–23
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:11430
  3. By: Kubo, Takayuki; Yamasaki, Akira
    Abstract: Hot-spring resources are abundant in Japan, yet they have not consistently generated broad-based regional prosperity. This study examines the conditions under which hot-spring cities can evolve from tourism-dependent destinations into higher-value urban service clusters. It compares Beppu (Japan) with Bath (UK) and Vichy (France), two benchmark spa cities included among the Great Spa Towns of Europe. Using a qualitative comparative case study supported by descriptive statistical evidence and location quotient profiles, the study shows that outcomes depend less on the volume of hot-spring resources than on institutional coordination, brand credibility, and the integration of wellness, heritage, healthcare, education, and related service industries. Bath and Vichy demonstrate how relatively limited hydrothermal resources can be converted into more durable and higher-value urban development through coordinated governance, long-stay demand, and clear quality signalling. By contrast, Beppu retains exceptional resource endowments and a strong domestic tourism base but remains dependent on volume-based tourism and shows weaker cross-sector orchestration. The study argues that the developmental potential of hot-spring cities should be understood as a place-based institutional and spatial process rather than an automatic consequence of resource abundance. Policy implications are presented for Beppu and for Japanese hot-spring cities generally.
    Keywords: Bath;Beppu;hot-spring cities;industrial cluster;location quotient;tourism and regional development;Vichy
    JEL: N0
    Date: 2026–09–30
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ehl:lserod:140391
  4. By: Marie Noeline Sinapin (LITEM - Laboratoire en Innovation, Technologies, Economie et Management (EA 7363) - UEVE - Université d'Évry-Val-d'Essonne - Université Paris-Saclay - IMT-BS - Institut Mines-Télécom Business School - IMT - Institut Mines-Télécom [Paris])
    Abstract: This study provides an examination of citizen participation processes and human mediation embedded in tourism strategies in Alsace, through the lens of sustainable development and territorial humanism. The research aims to explore how these mechanisms contribute to social inclusion, community cohesion, and collective well-being in tourist areas. The methodology is based on a mixed qualitative approach. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews with institutional stakeholders, including tourism offices and local authorities, as well as members of associations and residents involved in participatory initiatives. It also included an analysis of strategic documents produced by Alsace Destination Tourisme and regional sustainable development plans. In addition, field observation was conducted across three pilot sites—a rural area, an urban area, and a cross-border area—using an analytical matrix based on Goldman's thematic model (2005). The data were thematically analyzed using NVivo to identify the factors fostering inclusion, dialogue, and social impact. The findings show that citizen engagement, when supported by mediation processes and inclusive communication, has a measurable impact on social cohesion. It leads to better local integration of tourism projects and reduces conflicts between residents and tourists. It also supports a wider range of tourism offerings, such as soft mobility, solidarity-based itineraries, and responsible accommodation, which emerge from co-construction with local communities. Moreover, it strengthens the sense of identity and territorial belonging, which is considered a key factor in long-term sustainability. However, the analysis also highlights several constraints, including uneven levels of participation between rural and urban areas. Overall, the integration of humanistic needs into Alsatian tourism appears to be an effective lever for sustainable development, provided that human mediation is institutionalized and the social outcomes of projects are systematically assessed. This research opens up new perspectives for designing a more ethical and inclusive model of tourism governance, based on shared responsibility among public, private, and citizen stakeholders.
    Abstract: Cette étude offre un examen des processus de participation citoyenne et de médiation humaine incorporés dans les stratégies touristiques en Alsace, sous l'angle du développement durable et de l'humanisme territorial. La recherche vise à examiner comment ces mécanismes contribuent à l'inclusion sociale, à la cohésion communautaire et au bien-être collectif dans les zones touristiques. La méthode s'appuie sur une approche qualitative et mixte. Rassemblement d'informations : réalisation d'entretiens semi structurés avec des intervenants institutionnels (offices de tourisme, autorités locales), des membres d'associations et des résidents engagés dans des initiatives participatives. Étude des documents stratégiques d'Alsace Destination Tourisme et des plans régionaux de développement durable. Observation pratique réalisée sur trois lieux pilotes (zone rurale, zone urbaine et zone transfrontalière), en utilisant une matrice d'analyse basée sur le modèle thématique de Goldman (2005). Nous avons utilisé le logiciel NVivo pour analyser thématiquement les données et déterminer les éléments favorisant l'inclusion, la conversation et l'impact social. Les résultats indiquent que l'engagement citoyen, à condition d'être soutenu par des processus de médiation et de communication inclusive, a un impact quantifiable sur la cohésion sociale : Une meilleure intégration locale des projets touristiques et une diminution des conflits entre résidents et touristes. Une variété d'offres touristiques (mobilité douce, circuits solidaires, hébergements responsables) issue de la co-construction avec les communautés locales. Un accent accru sur le sentiment d'identité et de rattachement territorial, considéré comme un élément de pérennité. Toutefois, l'analyse souligne aussi des contraintes : disparités de participation entre les régions rurales et urbaines. L'intégration des besoins humanistes dans le tourisme alsacien apparaît comme un levier efficace de développement durable, à condition d'institutionnaliser la médiation humaine et d'évaluer systématiquement les retombées sociales des projets. Cette recherche ouvre des perspectives pour la conception d'une gouvernance touristique plus éthique et inclusive, fondée sur la co-responsabilité entre acteurs publics, privés et citoyens. L'intégration des besoins humanistes dans le tourisme alsacien apparaît comme un levier efficace de développement durable, à condition d'institutionnaliser la médiation humaine et d'évaluer systématiquement les retombées sociales des projets. Cette recherche ouvre des perspectives pour la conception d'une gouvernance touristique plus éthique et inclusive, fondée sur la co-responsabilité entre acteurs publics, privés et citoyens.
    Keywords: Sustainable Tourism, Social Cohesion, Human Mediation, Citizen Participation, Médiation humaine, Cohésion sociale, Participation citoyenne, Tourisme durable
    Date: 2026–05–05
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05657120
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