Bruce Prideaux

The role of the transport system in destination development

Abstract Although the transport industry provides the link between tourism generating and destination regions the industrys role as an agent in destination development has been largely overlooked. If the ability of tourists to travel to preferred destinations is inhibited by inefficiencies in the transport system there is some likelihood that they will seek alternative destinations. This paper outlines a transport cost model that identifies the significance of transport as a factor in destination development as well as in the selection of destinations by intending tourists. The model demonstrates the dynamic relationship between categories of holiday expenditure and tourists’ point of origin. Increased distance generally leads to increased transport access costs and represents a significant factor in total holiday cost. The model is tested by analyzing the role of transport in the development of Cairns as a destination by examining the effect of distance, transport access costs and competing destinations.

Achieving voluntary reductions in the carbon footprint of tourism and climate change

This study examines attitudes to tourism and climate change among residents of Hong Kong and evaluates their willingness to voluntarily modify travel behaviours to reduce environmental impacts. Previous studies on environmental behavioural change identified a significant gap between awareness and action, with some studies even suggesting that the most aware individuals are unlikely to change their behaviours. Similar findings were noted in this study. Cluster analysis identified four cohorts of tourists, ranging from the regular international tourist to the least travel active. The regular international tourist group was most aware of global warming and climate change, but least willing to alter its travel behaviour. By contrast, less travel active tourists seem most willing to travel less. The paper concludes that government intervention may be required to create meaningful behavioural change in travel patterns.

Events in Indonesia: exploring the limits to formal tourism trends forecasting methods in complex crisis situations

The desire to know the future is as old as humanity. For the tourism industry the demand for accurate foretelling of the future course of events is a task that consumes considerable energy and is of great significance to investors. This paper examines the issue of forecasting by comparing forecasts of inbound tourism made prior to the political and economic crises that engulfed Indonesia from 1997 onwards with actual arrival figures. The paper finds that current methods of forecasting are not able to cope with unexpected crises and other disasters and that alternative methods need to be examined including scenarios, political risk and application of chaos theory. The paper outlines a framework for classifying shocks according to a scale of severity, probability, type of event, level of certainty and suggested forecasting tools for each scale of shock.

Marketing and destination growth: A symbiotic relationship or simple coincidence?

This paper examines the relationship between destination growth and destination marketing by investigating the relationship between destination marketing organisations and local government authorities. A case study approach is adopted to explore this issue using two Queensland destinations, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. The findings of this research suggest that the manner in which private and public sector stakeholder organisations work together through a recognised destination marketing organisation will influence the overall rate of growth of destinations, particularly when origin markets are located in another state or overseas. In particular the study supports previous research findings that the role of local government authorities is essential if destination marketing authorities are to operate effectively.

The resort development spectrum — a new approach to modeling resort development

Abstract The role of the market has been largely ignored in existing research into the development of resort areas. This paper argues that a new approach to the issue of resort development is required and proposes a new model, the Resort Development Spectrum. The model is based on the operation of the market specifically focusing on the operation of the supply side. Tourism development in resort areas is found to occur in four phases commencing with local tourism and concluding with a fourth phase where the resort develops a strong international profile. A possible fifth phase of decline, stagnation or rejuvenation is also postulated. The model does not find that growth is automatic or even sequential through the phases. A major feature of the model is its ability to be operationalised through the use of scenario generation and multiplier analysis, although these aspects of the model are not developed in this paper.

Factors affecting bilateral tourism flows

Abstract This paper examines the structure of bilateral tourism and identifies five broad categories of factors that may affect the overall size of tourism flows. Such analysis of tourism is important because diplomacy and trade continues to be conducted on a nation-to-nation basis despite a growing shift towards multilateralism in free trade blocks such as the European Union and the North American Free Trade Agreement. Further, Bilateralism is important because countries have reduced abilities to control tourism imports in an era of growing globalization. A framework that may be employed to analyze problems in bilateral tourism flows is also outlined.

Implications of population ageing for the development of tourism products and destinations

Population ageing has been identified as a critical element of demographic change which is a key driver for future consumer demand. Driven by the size of the baby boomer generation, population ageing is likely to affect the future choice of tourism activities and destinations. As the baby boomers retire, their demand patterns and preferences will grow in significance and will strongly influence the future structure of tourism product development. Two case studies are used to demonstrate possible impacts of population ageing on tourism demand and the potential implications for product and destination development. The paper discusses the need to consider demand preferences that are influenced by generational membership and identifies the conditions that may lead to the emergence of a product gap if the changing patterns of demand are ignored.

Crisis Management: A Suggested Typology

SUMMARY This paper explores the current state of research on the study of crisis and its management from a tourism perspective. Given the increasing interest in this area of research the authors suggest a typology of terms used to describe research into issues related to tourism crisis. The aim of the paper is to offer a common starting point for discussion but not to attempt to provide prescriptive definitions.

The need to use disaster planning frameworks to respond to major tourism disasters: analysis of Australia's response to tourism disasters in 2001.

Summary This paper looks at the Australian federal governments response to a series of tourism disasters and crises that affected the Australian tourism industry in 2001 and measures these impacts against the response mechanism suggested in the Tourism Disaster Framework Model developed by Faulkner (2001). The paper finds that as shocks often occur with little warning, the establishment of a formal disaster management framework should be given a high priority by government and receive support from the private sector. Had such a mechanism been in place in Australia prior to 2001, the government may have been able to respond to the disasters in a more considered manner.

The senior drive tour market in Australia

Seniors are increasingly being recognised as a significant group of tourists by both the private sector and academic researchers. Drive tourism is also recognised as a significant market with the potential to stimulate new tourism development in regional areas. Together, seniors and drive tourism constitute a significant tourism market sector that has to date received little attention. This paper examines aspects of the seniors drive tourism market and finds that the majority of seniors who go on holiday travel by car, preferring the cooler non-school-holiday periods for travel. Word of mouth was found to be a significant information source for seniors. The paper also examines the likely impact of baby boomers on the senior drive market in the future, and finds that this group will have different demands from current seniors.