This book provides a framework for understanding the complex and multifaceted nature of the factors that affect destination competitiveness. It offers guidance on how to create successful destinations by developing and presenting a conceptual model of destination competitiveness that recognizes the importance of sustainability for long-term success. The book presents a strong theoretical background for managerial decision-making, giving destination managers a range of tools with which to analyse and increase the competitiveness of their areas.
Advanced students and researchers in tourism, and practitioners in destination management
1. The Evolving Nature of Competition and Sustainability
Destination Competitiveness: Its Nature and Its Evolution
Components of the Competitive Universe
The Dimensions of Tourism Competitiveness
Economic Competitiveness
Political Competitiveness
The Renaissance of the City-State
Socio-Cultural Competitiveness
Technological Competitiveness
Environmental Competitiveness
Some General observations on how the Competitive Environment is evolving
The Evolution of Travel Experience Demanded
Demographics are Redefining the Foundations of Competitiveness
Crisis and Renewal are Being Forced Upon Destinations as a Strategy forCompetitiveness
2 Part I: The Competitive Tourism Destination
The Competitive Destination
Competitiveness: Theoretical and Managerial Dimensions
What is This Thing Called Competitiveness?
A Framework for Understanding Competition
Competitiveness in the Service Sector
The Nature of Comparative and Competitive Advantage in Tourism
Linking Destination Competitiveness to Performance
Tourism Markets
Target Market Strategy
Destination Performance
Summarizing the Steps to Destination Success
The Philosophy of Sustainable Competitiveness for Tourism Destination Development
Charting the Destination's Sustainable Course: Crafting a Vision and Establishing Goals
Tourism Planning in the Context of Overall Social and Economic Development
Allocating Resources: Tourism's Share
2 Part II: The Sustainable Tourism Destination
The Birth and Evolution of Sustainable Tourism
Sustainable Tourism: a Comprehensive Examination
The Parallel Emergence of Ecotourism
WTO and Ecotourism
Some Concluding Observations
Managing Tourism from an ST Perspective
Ecological Sustainability
Economic Sustainability
Socio-Cultural Sustainability
Political Sustainability
Achieving Sustainable Tourism
Creating and Managing a Sustainable/Ecotourism Destination
In Conclusion
3. A Model of Destination Competitiveness
The Origins of a Conceptual Model
An Overview of the Model
The Global (Macro) Environment
The Competitive (Micro) Environment
Core Resources and Attractors
Supporting Factors and Resources
Destination Policy, Planning and Development
Destination Management
Qualifying and Amplifying Determinants
4. The Macro Environment: Global Forces Shaping World Tourism
Global Forces: An Onion Skin Taxonomy
The Outer Layer
The Intermediate Layer
The Inner Layer
The Interdependence of Global Forces
Analyzing and Understanding Global Forces
Global Forces and Tourism Demand
Global Forces and Tourism Supply
Assessing the Impact of Global Forces on Destination Performance
Global Forces and Destination Policy
Global Forces and Destination Management
Global Forces and Destination Organization
5. The Competitive (Micro) Environment: The Destination and the Tourism System
Suppliers
Tourism and Hospitality Enterprises
Marketing Intermediaries and Facilitators: the Industry's Lubricants
Customers: The Ultimate Driving Force
Related and Supporting Industries
Destination Management Organisations
Publics: Stakeholders and Watchdogs
The Destination: Internal Environment and Modus Operandi
Other Competing Destinations
The Tourism System: Integrative Impacts
6. Core Resources and Attractors: The Essence of Destination Appeal
Destination Physiography and Climate: the Natural Edge
Destination Culture: the Lure of Human Distinctiveness
The Elements of Culture
What is Culture?
Major Dimensions of Cultural Attractiveness
Forms of Culture
Culture and Consumption
Activities: The Nike 'JUST DO IT' Mentality of Travellers
Special Events: in Search of the Stroke of Genius That Creates Destination Uniqueness
From Local Insight & Entrepreneurship
Entertainment - the Show Must Go On!
Developing and Managing 'Entertainment Tourism'
Tourism Superstructure: 'If you build it, they will come!'
Market Ties: the Ties that Bind
Personal Ties
Organizational/Professional Ties
7. Supporting Factors and Resources: Elements Which Enhance Destination Appeal
Infrastructure: Providing a Foundation for Successful Tourism
Accessibility: Addressing the Curse or Blessing of Location
Facilitating Resources: Human, Knowledge, and Financial Capital
Hospitality: Resident Attitudes Towards Tourists and Tourism
Enterprise: the Generation of Human Energy
Political Will: is Tourism Part of the Political Landscape?
8. Destination Policy, Planning and Development
The Nature of Tourism Policy, Planning, and Development
Distinguishing Between 'Destination Policy Planning and Development' (DPPD) andDestination Management (DM)
Tourism Policy: a Definition
Why is Tourism Policy Important?
Areas Addressed by Tourism Policy
Types and Levels of 'Tourism Destinations'
Tourism Policy: Context, Structure, Content, and Process
The Context of Tourism Policy
The Components of Tourism Policy
Destination Positioning/Branding
Destination Development
Destination Audit
Relating Policy to Strategy and the Development Process
Supply Development Strategies
Demand Development (Marketing) Strategies
Organizational and Development Policy
9. Destination Management: The Key to Maintaining a Sustainable Competitive Advantage
The Process of Destination Management
Marketing (Promotion?)
Identification of Strategic Markets for the Destination
Measuring Destination Awareness and Image
The Monitoring of Destination Awareness and Image
Assessing Destination Brand Effectiveness
Developing Logos, Themes, and Advertising Support
Managing the Quality of Visitor Service and the Visitor Experience
Management Implications of Adapting a Quality of Experience Framework
Managing Information/Research (I/R)
Managing Inward I/R Flows
Managing Outward I/R Flows
Human Resource Development
Visitor Services and Visitor Management
Services and the Experience Economy
Systems for Visitor Management
Stewardship - Taking Care of the Tourism Resource Base
Mechanisms to Deal with Crises
Organizational Systems
Destination Stakeholders
Crisis Management Scenarios
10. Qualifying and Amplifying Determinants: Parameters Which Define Destination Potential
Destination Location: Blessing or Curse?
Destination Safety: Security of Threat?
Destination Cost Levels: Reality or Perception?
Destination Interdependencies: Synergy or Substitute?
Destination Image: Perceptions of People and Place
Carrying Capacity: Hard and Soft Constraints to Growth
11. The Destination Audit: Putting the Model to Work
The Philosophy of the Audit Concept
The Nature of a Destination Audit
Preparing for a Destination Audit
Implementing the Audit
Destination Diagnostics