Anahita Malek

Bio: Anahita Malek is an academic researcher from University of Aveiro. The author has contributed to research in topics: Tourism & Community development. The author has an hindex of 5, co-authored 11 publications receiving 99 citations.

Integrating communities into tourism planning through social innovation

Abstract: This study proposes a framework that provides a new combined effective strategy for implementation of community participation into tourism planning as a social innovation phenomenon. The underlying idea is creation of innovative and appropriate development strategies to involve local communities as a key agent in the decision-making and planning of tourism destinations in order to ensure positive local attitudes and improvement in communities' quality of life. Utilizing the information gathered from the (ECoC), Guimaraes 2012, as the case study, this paper discusses a complex concept that encapsulates the main dimensions of the community tourism development and social innovation in practice. Community-based development initiatives of the city of Guimaraes included in the development programme for the ECoC 2012 are evaluated in the context of governance structure, networking and direct participation of local communities. Results not only indicate operational constrains in governance arrangements an...

An analysis of conference attendees’ motivations: Case of international conference attendees in Singapore

Abstract: This research intends to capture the underlying motivations for the decision of conference attendees to participate in an international conference. This study also aims to investigate if motivational differences exist among attendees with different gender, age, and nationality. Data were collected through a survey, target specific information about the motivational attitudes of conference attendees. The findings revealed that there are four dimensions of conference motivations: professional and prestige, pleasure seeking, destination factors, and conference factors. The results also showed that the relationship between demographic characteristics and the motivational attitudes are statistically not significant.

Why Tourists are Attracted to Boutique Hotels: Case of Penang Island, Malaysia

Abstract: The primary objective of this paper is to identify tourists’ perception toward boutique hotel attractive attributes through the detection of those factors that drive guests to this special type of accommodation. Furthermore, this study attempts to find the underlying dimensions of attractive attributes of boutique hotel from tourist after actual experience of this type of accommodation. The empirical study is supported through data from a sample of 133 individuals who stayed in Penang Island boutique hotels. The findings show that hotel guests’ perceptions of boutique hotels characteristics have four dimensions, namely: special services, room features, convenient and hotel design. However, results revealed that boutique hotels attractive elements after the actual experience of tourists have four slightly different dimensions special services, hotel facilities, price and location, and hotel design and image. From findings of this research practical suggestions are made to help hotel operators and those wishing and willing to enter the market. Furthermore, this study can help marketers gain substantial insight in order to market and promote this particular segment of the accommodation industry.

Employment Situation of Tourism Graduates Working In and Outside the Tourism Sector

Abstract: This paper looks at the employment situation of Portuguese tourism graduates, particularly to the differences between the work situation of those employed in the tourism sector and those who are working outside this sector. Data was collected through an online questionnaire applied to the Portuguese tourism graduates in Portugal, comparing their salaries, working hours and schedules, contractual situation, hierarchical position and job satisfaction. Results evidenced that the tourism sector is not taking advantage of the available qualified human resources. Moreover, data suggests that tourism graduates employed outside the tourism sector are facing poorer working situations than those graduates employed within this industry.

Convention Decision Making Modeling

Abstract: 54 Abstract—There are a few studies in which conceptual models explaining conference participation decision-making process are constructed and estimated. This study focus on convention decision making conceptual models and addresses those components which appear to be important and influential in the decision-making process. Understanding convention decision making factors helps association marketers to attract more delegates and thus gain more benefit from this important sector of tourism industry in future.

Tourism: a community approach

Abstract: guidance\" (p. xii). They have to some extent succeeded in their objectives. Certainly the compilation of references related to aesthetics and visual resources is a valuable contribution in itsell As is evident from this reader’s perspective, however, the poor organization and execution of the book unhappily detract from its effectiveness. Nora Laughlin is the Forest Landscape Architect and Assistant Recreation Staff on the Six Rivers National Forest, Eureka, California 95501.

Smart tourism destinations: ecosystems for tourism destination competitiveness

Abstract: Purpose – Grounded in service-dominant (S-D) logic, the purpose of this paper is to explore the core components of smartness to present a framework for the development of the smart tourism destination. Design/methodology/approach – The paper explores the core components of smartness through case study analysis of well-established smart cities. Findings – The paper conceptualises smartness and argues ICT, leadership, innovation and social capital supported by human capital are core components of smartness. Although ICT is a critical enabler for smart tourism destinations, it is insufficient on its own to introduce smartness. The combination of hard and soft smartness components within a S-D logic ecosystem structure holds the potential for sustained competitive advantage and enhancement of quality of life of both residents and tourists in smart tourism destinations. Originality/value – The paper extends the application of S-D logic to the context of smart tourism destinations, specifically to examine the s...

Culture and vacation satisfaction: A study of Taiwanese tourists in South East Queensland

Abstract: Taiwan has been targeted as one Asian market with the potential to supply large numbers of tourists to Australia however, after a promising start in the first half of the 1990s growth in this market ceased. This paper examines the role of material culture in determining visitor satisfaction amongst Taiwanese tourists. One hundred and fifty Taiwanese tourists travelling on inclusive tours were surveyed in South East Queensland. The major findings were that most Taiwanese respondents believed that culture did not play a major role in determining their satisfaction levels and they expressed a high level of satisfaction with their visit. The implications of these findings are that, while Taiwanese culture is important to the Taiwanese visitor in a holiday situation, they are tolerant of cross-cultural differences and therefore do not evaluate their vacation based on these differences.

Towards a Tourism and Community-Development Framework: An African Perspective

Abstract: This article examines the perceptions of local people concerning the potential of tourism to alleviate poverty and bring about community development in the Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe. In-depth interviews, direct observations, and informal conversations were used to collect data in the four districts of Manicaland where there were functional community-based tourism (CBT) projects. After establishing a poverty criterion, data were collected from 43 local poor people in the four districts of the case study area. The results show that tourism development in Manicaland brought about community development through social, economic, environmental and cultural benefits. The authors suggest that there are interrelationships between tourism, poverty alleviation and community development. They show these interrelationships through a tourism and community-development framework which they developed based upon the results of the various methods of data collection used in this study.

Designing tourism governance: The role of local residents

Abstract: Governance offers major potential for the management of tourism destinations. Tourism governance explores the constituents of tourism destinations and focuses on providing direction and boundaries for destinations. Previous research has considered powerful actors as important partners of governance, but paid little attention to the role of local residents. This is especially relevant since the design of tourism systems is becoming increasingly important and highlights the potential to include multiple actors. Local residents feel responsible for the destination and can provide stimuli for destination design since they are concerned about local conditions and circumstances. Through enabling the participation of local residents by involving a broader community to negotiate consensus and adjust development intentions, long-term development is secured. As a result, local residents’ participation is an essential aspect of effective tourism governance. This paper builds on a systematic literature analysis in order to determine the status quo of tourism governance research in the field of local residents. This analysis shows that tourism governance arrangements in destinations influence participation but frequently do not involve local residents. It also shows that innovation-centered approaches and destination leadership provide opportunities to revitalize participation in tourist destinations. Finally, the literature analysis emphasizes that tourism governance needs to include local residents and that further research is needed in order to design participatory tourism governance arrangements.