- Email: [email protected]
Geographical approach to international tourism
uptlv discussed both the mamtenance of kcommodation standards and the problems of coordinating accommodation units scattered o\er a large area. These topics are particularly relevant to the development of a rural tourism industrv in Portugl. which for the foreseeable future is going to maintain its heavy dependence upon international visitors. (6%90”0 from the UK). Speakers from Spain and Italk completed the broader European perspective. The conference concluded by recommending a range of measures to guide the further development of rural tourism in Portugal. These included the need to integrate tourism into rural society at various levels. in the manor house. in the village and on the farm thus providinp a vital economic input into all levels of the community. The appropriate administrative and financial structures \\ere proposed to allow for the cooperation of the public and private sectors in ensuring the continuation of viable rural cultures and communities. The need to increase the professionalism of promotional and marketing activities aimed at a sophisticated international audience \vas highlighted. as was the need for hosts to appreciate fully the level of hospitality required to run a successful operation. Ten years ago, there \vere effectively no rural destinations available for visitors to Portugal. At the end of the first decade a start has been made in the northern provinces and delegates had the chance to see for themselves the quality and potential of this resource. The next decade will show whether all the recommended proposals, and the examples from other countries, put before the essentially domestic audience, do guide the future development of a tourism sector so vital to the Portuguese economy. Jonathan Edwards Department of Tourism Dorset Institute, UK Note: Those wishing to obtain further details of the availability of conference proceedings are advised to contact Dr Francisco Sampaio, Director, Regional Tourist Board of the Alto Minho. Viana do Castelo. 4900 Portugal.
74
Geographicalapproach international tourism
to
Dr S.J. Page of the Department of Geography, Christ Church College, Canterbury, reporfs on the proceedings of a conference organized by the International Geographical Union (IGU) Commission of Tourism and Leisure, 13-20 August 1988, at Christchurch, New Zealand. This was a pre-congress meeting with the theme of ‘International tourism’ and papers covered a wide range of tourism subjects from the perspectives of both the developed and developing world..
The broad theme of the conference was ‘International tourism’ \\ hich attracted geogaphers from I2 countries. Some 26 papers were presented which adopted a varirty of approaches to tourism. Following the keynote address by Professor B. Barbier (University of hlarseille, France) on the ‘Geography of international tourism’. the first session of papers entitled ‘International and domestic tourism‘ commenced kvith Dr D. Pearce‘s (University of Canterbury. New Zealand) thoughtful discussion of the relationship between ‘International and domestic tourism: interfaces and issues’. This raised ;I number of important methodological and conceptual issues which were absent from man) of the other conference papers. ;LI. Johnston’s (University of Canterbury. New Zealand) paper on ‘Risk esperiences of international and domestic tourists’ examined the dangers associated with outdoor recreation pursuits. J. Shultis (University of Otapo. Newt Zealand) continued with the theme of outdoor recreation. emphasizing the diversity and variety of protected areas and national parks in New Zealand. R. Heath (University of Zimbabwe) presented an interesting paper on ‘Domestic and international tourism in Zimbabwe with reference to Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park and Lake Kariba’. This paper highlighted the paucity of research on Third World countries by their o\vn geographers who often had a better understanding of the social and cultural significance of tourism and recreation in such areas. These arguments were reinforced by Professor F. HelIeiner’s (Trent University, Canada)
discussion of .Domshtic and intcrnntional tourism in Third World countries’ where the indigencjus population has a different understanding of the term ‘tourist’ to that used by geographers in dcvclopsd countries. The second theme .Transport and travel’ commenced with a paper by Dr C. Kissling (Canterbury United Council. Ncn Zsaland) on ‘International tourism and civil aviation 111the South Pacific‘ which emphasized the difficulty of air travel in the resion and the importance of tourism as a form of ‘trade with dignity’. Dr B. Anderson (I_Jnivcr\ity of Alberta. Canada) considered the procesh of learning among Japanr>e students \vhu travelled to Canada to attend a ~ummc‘rschool. Dr Xl. Rafferty (SW 1Iissouri University. USA) also presented a paper on student perception. lookinp at imapes of world tourist regions. a theme familiar to many conference participants. The last paper in this session by Professor L. kludman (Brigham Younp University. USA) also considered students and their significance as ~OLIII~ international touribts. The session entitled ‘Hallmark events and tourism in metropolitan areas’ produced a \+ide range of papers. ht. Hall’s (University of Ne\% Enpland, Australia) presentation on ‘Hallmark events‘ examined the sisnificance of stased tourist events in terms of who benefited and who was adversely affected. Dr W. Gartner (University of Wisconsin-Stout, USA) then presented the results of a surve], of Korean attitudes to the 19% Olympics in Seoul. Dr S. Page (Ealing College of Higher Education. London) examined the impact and signifi-
TOURISM
MANAGEMENT
March 1989
Rrpom cance of the
London Docklands De. velopment Corporation in planning and directing tourist development in London in the 1YSOs and IYYOs. N. Leiper (htassey Unit-ersitv, New Zealand) considered ‘Gambling behaviour and the significance of gamblers in tourist markets’ and the controversy surrounding the proposals for casinos in New Zealand. The session on ‘European perspectives’ of tourism commenced with Professor A. Gosar‘s (University of Llubjana. Yugoslavia) analysis of Yuposlavia’s recent expansion as an international tourist destination. In contrast, Professor P. Weber (University of bliinster. \\‘est Germany) focused on the activities and orientation of domestic tourists in West Germany and Dr E. Pvlareschi (University of Padua. Italy) looked at the problems posed by international tourism in \‘enice. The last paper in the session, by Dr T. Flogenfeldt (Oppland ColIese, Norway) provided a detailed insight of the seasonal fluctuation of labour force requirements among tourist firms in spnrsely populated areas of Norway. Each of the European papers raised common problems related to the pressures of tourism on the physical human environment in each area. The session on ‘r\merican perspectives’ provided an interesting contrast to the European approach to tourism. The main difference here lay in the American use of a regional approach to the analysis of tourism. While the regional framework is probably the most appropriate geographical unit for the analysis of tourist resources and activities, there was a tendency for the majority of these papers to emphasize the unique and particular at the expense of deriving generalities from
TOURISM
MANAGEMENT
March
their studies. Therefore, the four papers on ‘International tourism in Virpinia’ (Professor A. Andrews, George Washington University), ‘Florida’s International Tourist Industry‘ (Profsssor R. Marcus, Lrniversity of Florida), and tourism planning in ‘Tourism Ohio’ (Professor R. Smith. Miami University) and ‘Tourism pattern determinants in the Great Lakes area’ (Dr M. Chubb, &Iichigan State University) anulysed the situation in each region without any detailed reference to national trends and problems in American tourism. This was not SO much a weakness of the papers, which were well presented and directed at specific areas. instead it reflects the need for a common model or structure to analyse tourism at the regional level to allow comparisons to derive generalizations. The last American paper by Professor R. Butler (Canada) focused on the ‘Influence of the media in international tourism patshaping terns’ which provided a stimulating discussion of how the media can influence the tourist and raised a number of important areas for future research. The final set of papers on ‘Tourism in developing countries’ began with an intriguing and lively presentation by Professor V. Smith (California State University, USA) on ‘Drifter tourism in Boracay, Philippines’ which considered the social, cultural, economic and environmental impact of such tourists Professor
on small island communities. C. Ciacco’s presentation
on
in Senegal’ identified the middle class participation in tourism while Dr K. Jain (India) analysed the evolution and impact of international tourism on Khajuraho, India. The last paper, by Dr C. Burlo (Burlington, USA) concluded the formal proceedings of the conference with a discus‘Tourism
1989
sion
of
‘Tourism
development
local group participation Despite
many participants
common
problems
sources,
conference importance
their
field-trip
The
It provided
the oppor-
a ‘tourist’
a typical
of
land. The
New
the
in the geograand
‘tourist
Zealand’s
to
circuit’,
visiting the areas of outstanding beauty
the post-
reinforced
of fieldwork
to become
experience
to restrict
research.
phy of tourism. tunity
suit-
from secondary
which seemed
of
reported
in obtaining
able data on tourism
scope
of the papers
the diversity
presented,
and
in Vanuatu’.
scenic
South
Is-
with people work-
meeting
ing in the tourism industry at Queenstown and Mount
Cook
value
in understanding
tion.
operation
problems
the organiza-
and
facing
were of great development
the tourism
industry
at these locations. The large number the conference
of participants
larity and the papers presented be
in two
published
entitled Countries’
at
was a sign of its popu-
‘Tourism and
special in
are to
series
Developing
‘American
Persprc-
Rwrerrpapissue of C;1’0joi(n20/ in
tives on Tourism’
in Toltrisnr
tiorz Resmrch and the remaining ers in a special 1990. Despite
the high cost of travell-
ing and attending the venue I found it to be one of the most academically rewarding and worthvvhile conferences I have attended and it has certainly broadened the participants’ horizons on tourism and provided a unique opportunity to understand tourism in an international contest.
S.J. Page Department of Geography Christ Church College Canterbury, UK
75
74
Geographicalapproach international tourism
to
Dr S.J. Page of the Department of Geography, Christ Church College, Canterbury, reporfs on the proceedings of a conference organized by the International Geographical Union (IGU) Commission of Tourism and Leisure, 13-20 August 1988, at Christchurch, New Zealand. This was a pre-congress meeting with the theme of ‘International tourism’ and papers covered a wide range of tourism subjects from the perspectives of both the developed and developing world..
The broad theme of the conference was ‘International tourism’ \\ hich attracted geogaphers from I2 countries. Some 26 papers were presented which adopted a varirty of approaches to tourism. Following the keynote address by Professor B. Barbier (University of hlarseille, France) on the ‘Geography of international tourism’. the first session of papers entitled ‘International and domestic tourism‘ commenced kvith Dr D. Pearce‘s (University of Canterbury. New Zealand) thoughtful discussion of the relationship between ‘International and domestic tourism: interfaces and issues’. This raised ;I number of important methodological and conceptual issues which were absent from man) of the other conference papers. ;LI. Johnston’s (University of Canterbury. New Zealand) paper on ‘Risk esperiences of international and domestic tourists’ examined the dangers associated with outdoor recreation pursuits. J. Shultis (University of Otapo. Newt Zealand) continued with the theme of outdoor recreation. emphasizing the diversity and variety of protected areas and national parks in New Zealand. R. Heath (University of Zimbabwe) presented an interesting paper on ‘Domestic and international tourism in Zimbabwe with reference to Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park and Lake Kariba’. This paper highlighted the paucity of research on Third World countries by their o\vn geographers who often had a better understanding of the social and cultural significance of tourism and recreation in such areas. These arguments were reinforced by Professor F. HelIeiner’s (Trent University, Canada)
discussion of .Domshtic and intcrnntional tourism in Third World countries’ where the indigencjus population has a different understanding of the term ‘tourist’ to that used by geographers in dcvclopsd countries. The second theme .Transport and travel’ commenced with a paper by Dr C. Kissling (Canterbury United Council. Ncn Zsaland) on ‘International tourism and civil aviation 111the South Pacific‘ which emphasized the difficulty of air travel in the resion and the importance of tourism as a form of ‘trade with dignity’. Dr B. Anderson (I_Jnivcr\ity of Alberta. Canada) considered the procesh of learning among Japanr>e students \vhu travelled to Canada to attend a ~ummc‘rschool. Dr Xl. Rafferty (SW 1Iissouri University. USA) also presented a paper on student perception. lookinp at imapes of world tourist regions. a theme familiar to many conference participants. The last paper in this session by Professor L. kludman (Brigham Younp University. USA) also considered students and their significance as ~OLIII~ international touribts. The session entitled ‘Hallmark events and tourism in metropolitan areas’ produced a \+ide range of papers. ht. Hall’s (University of Ne\% Enpland, Australia) presentation on ‘Hallmark events‘ examined the sisnificance of stased tourist events in terms of who benefited and who was adversely affected. Dr W. Gartner (University of Wisconsin-Stout, USA) then presented the results of a surve], of Korean attitudes to the 19% Olympics in Seoul. Dr S. Page (Ealing College of Higher Education. London) examined the impact and signifi-
TOURISM
MANAGEMENT
March 1989
Rrpom cance of the
London Docklands De. velopment Corporation in planning and directing tourist development in London in the 1YSOs and IYYOs. N. Leiper (htassey Unit-ersitv, New Zealand) considered ‘Gambling behaviour and the significance of gamblers in tourist markets’ and the controversy surrounding the proposals for casinos in New Zealand. The session on ‘European perspectives’ of tourism commenced with Professor A. Gosar‘s (University of Llubjana. Yugoslavia) analysis of Yuposlavia’s recent expansion as an international tourist destination. In contrast, Professor P. Weber (University of bliinster. \\‘est Germany) focused on the activities and orientation of domestic tourists in West Germany and Dr E. Pvlareschi (University of Padua. Italy) looked at the problems posed by international tourism in \‘enice. The last paper in the session, by Dr T. Flogenfeldt (Oppland ColIese, Norway) provided a detailed insight of the seasonal fluctuation of labour force requirements among tourist firms in spnrsely populated areas of Norway. Each of the European papers raised common problems related to the pressures of tourism on the physical human environment in each area. The session on ‘r\merican perspectives’ provided an interesting contrast to the European approach to tourism. The main difference here lay in the American use of a regional approach to the analysis of tourism. While the regional framework is probably the most appropriate geographical unit for the analysis of tourist resources and activities, there was a tendency for the majority of these papers to emphasize the unique and particular at the expense of deriving generalities from
TOURISM
MANAGEMENT
March
their studies. Therefore, the four papers on ‘International tourism in Virpinia’ (Professor A. Andrews, George Washington University), ‘Florida’s International Tourist Industry‘ (Profsssor R. Marcus, Lrniversity of Florida), and tourism planning in ‘Tourism Ohio’ (Professor R. Smith. Miami University) and ‘Tourism pattern determinants in the Great Lakes area’ (Dr M. Chubb, &Iichigan State University) anulysed the situation in each region without any detailed reference to national trends and problems in American tourism. This was not SO much a weakness of the papers, which were well presented and directed at specific areas. instead it reflects the need for a common model or structure to analyse tourism at the regional level to allow comparisons to derive generalizations. The last American paper by Professor R. Butler (Canada) focused on the ‘Influence of the media in international tourism patshaping terns’ which provided a stimulating discussion of how the media can influence the tourist and raised a number of important areas for future research. The final set of papers on ‘Tourism in developing countries’ began with an intriguing and lively presentation by Professor V. Smith (California State University, USA) on ‘Drifter tourism in Boracay, Philippines’ which considered the social, cultural, economic and environmental impact of such tourists Professor
on small island communities. C. Ciacco’s presentation
on
in Senegal’ identified the middle class participation in tourism while Dr K. Jain (India) analysed the evolution and impact of international tourism on Khajuraho, India. The last paper, by Dr C. Burlo (Burlington, USA) concluded the formal proceedings of the conference with a discus‘Tourism
1989
sion
of
‘Tourism
development
local group participation Despite
many participants
common
problems
sources,
conference importance
their
field-trip
The
It provided
the oppor-
a ‘tourist’
a typical
of
land. The
New
the
in the geograand
‘tourist
Zealand’s
to
circuit’,
visiting the areas of outstanding beauty
the post-
reinforced
of fieldwork
to become
experience
to restrict
research.
phy of tourism. tunity
suit-
from secondary
which seemed
of
reported
in obtaining
able data on tourism
scope
of the papers
the diversity
presented,
and
in Vanuatu’.
scenic
South
Is-
with people work-
meeting
ing in the tourism industry at Queenstown and Mount
Cook
value
in understanding
tion.
operation
problems
the organiza-
and
facing
were of great development
the tourism
industry
at these locations. The large number the conference
of participants
larity and the papers presented be
in two
published
entitled Countries’
at
was a sign of its popu-
‘Tourism and
special in
are to
series
Developing
‘American
Persprc-
Rwrerrpapissue of C;1’0joi(n20/ in
tives on Tourism’
in Toltrisnr
tiorz Resmrch and the remaining ers in a special 1990. Despite
the high cost of travell-
ing and attending the venue I found it to be one of the most academically rewarding and worthvvhile conferences I have attended and it has certainly broadened the participants’ horizons on tourism and provided a unique opportunity to understand tourism in an international contest.
S.J. Page Department of Geography Christ Church College Canterbury, UK
75