Constantia Anastasiadou

Tourism Interest Groups in the EU Policy Arena: Characteristics, Relationships and Challenges

Despite the European Union’s (EU) influence on tourism, surprisingly little is known of tourism interest representation and the nature of their relationship with the EU institutions. Empirical evidence drawn from a study on the EU tourism policy environment demonstrates that the difficulty interest groups experience at the national level in influencing the policy agenda permeates at the supranational level, where it is augmented by the added complexities of this policy environment. Fragmentation, overlap and conflict are key aspects of tourism interest representation, which condition the ability of groups to form coalitions or single voice platforms. Due to the large number of actors, lobbying and agenda setting are more complex and challenging. In addition, the characteristics of an issue network, rather than a policy community for tourism, are identified, but it is recommended that further investigation of the EU tourism policy environment that encompasses a wider range of interest groups and other stakeholders should be conducted.

Tourism and the European Union.

This chapter provides examples of the EUs involvement in tourism and discusses potential areas of involvement as these have been suggested in the tourism literature and were identified by institutional stakeholders at the supranational level. It is indicated that an implicit policy created by the impact of other policy areas rather than an explicitly stated EU policy or strategy for tourism is in place. The European Constitution has presented tourism interests with the opportunity to have tourism included on the EU agenda on equal terms as other policies and it constitutes a long anticipated expression of greater commitment to tourism.

Community Involvement in Festivals: Exploring Ways of Increasing Local Participation.

Despite the existence of measurement indicators for the social impacts of festivals, there has been limited research on how communities feel part of and contribute to the festival experience. This study examines how festivals involve local people and identifies ways of appraising and widening community participation. To this end, the organizers of four community-based festivals in edinburgh were interviewed and a focus group discussion featuring members of the public with a community interest was held. By combining relevant literature with the primary research findings, a framework to assess community involvement in festivals is proposed consisting of five indicators: involvement of schools; volunteering opportunities; participation in decision making; accessibility; and business cooperation. After further development and testing, the proposed framework could help organizers, councils, and tourism bodies improve their understanding and identify better ways of involving local people in the festivals that impact on their communities.

The role of regional trading blocs in the development and management of tourism: an analysis of the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations

Abstract The establishment of regional trading blocs is considered an important aspect of the process of economic and political globalisation. Focusing on the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, this paper considers whether the involvement of regional trading blocs in tourism is desirable and if so, what form future participation might take. Based on the findings from two qualitative studies, examples of best practice are identified and recommendations are made. Greater co‐operation over facilitating tourist movement and crisis management are suggested, but it is concluded that ultimately, the relevance of regional trading blocs in tourism needs further endorsement by the member states. Copyright

Individualized Tourism Brochures as a Novel Approach to Mass Customization

ABSTRACT Tourism is an information intensive business and technological advances have transformed the way in which information is stored, managed and transmitted to potential visitors. Despite the wide adoption of Internet technologies in tourism marketing, information is still largely disseminated through printed brochures that have remained unchanged and unaffected by personalization trends. This conceptual paper argues that technological innovations such as digital printing allow the creation of dynamic, customized brochures at a lower cost than that of conventional tourist brochures. The main aim of this paper is to propose a framework for cross-media customization of tourism and travel brochures. The paper concludes that empirical research is necessary to assess the optimum levels of individualization for tourism brochures.

Tourism mobility in regional integration schemes: a case of political deregulation?

Tourism mobility has been discussed in certain contexts in the relevant literature but has received limited treatment in the context of regional integration schemes. The purpose of this paper is to establish to what extent such schemes support or facilitate the deregulation of tourism mobility. Tourism, migration and mobility are interrelated concepts and in order to understand the factors that influence tourism mobility, they need to be considered in unison. Using examples of both micro-regional and regional integration schemes from across the globe, the analysis demonstrates that tourism mobility has been partially positively affected by regional integration schemes but barriers to mobility persist even in the most advanced types of regional integration schemes. In addition, the approach of each regional integration scheme to the free movement of people ultimately conditions the deregulation of tourist mobility for intra- and inter-regional tourists. The paper also highlights the importance of regional consciousness in improving cross-border relations in regional integration schemes and the potential contribution tourism could make in the development of a regional identity. Finally, it is concluded that regional integration schemes simultaneously remove and increase the barrier effect of borders and are often creating temporary, asymmetrical and uni-directional mobilities.

Digital Revolution or Plastic Gimmick? Authenticity in 3D Souvenirs

Abstract Mass-market production of souvenirs, their disposability and their mixed up, interpretive styling may detach the tourist from the actual experience. Conversely, it is the personal relationship that is formed between the tourist and the souvenir that makes the object authentic. The personalization of souvenirs, through 3D printing, offers opportunities for a different approach to manufacturing that influences notions of authenticity. In this way, it is possible to escape the serial reproduction of culture, engage tourists in the creation of meaning, and (re)frame the connections among them, their visited places, and their souvenirs. This chapter considers how the personalization of souvenirs through 3D printing technologies challenges and redefines existing notions of authenticity in touristic consumption.

Foreign Direct Investment in Zimbabwe and Botswana: The Elephant in the Room

Purpose: In Sub-Saharan Africa, FDI performance is considerably different between Zimbabwe and its neighbouring countries. This chapter examines FDI determinants for Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) with particular emphasis on the comparison between Zimbabwe and Botswana.Design/methodology/approach: Using secondary data analysis, the study examined why Botswana was attracting more FDI than Zimbabwe in the period 2002-2012.Findings: Botswana is attractive due to the stability of the political and legal environments, high human capital and governance that promotes technological adoption. In contrast, Zimbabwe’s political instability and the government’s unwillingness to address the challenges the country is facing impedes FDI attraction and retention.What is original/value of the chapter: The chapter is of value to policy makers, as they plan and implement policies and foreign investors, in understanding how different determinants impact on location attractiveness.Research limitations: The study was based on secondary data analysis. Finding comparable data outside the study period was challenging.Practical implications: Zimbabwe needs to address the impact of its policy formulation and implementation on brand image and FDI attraction.

A study of the relationship between personalised 3D printed ‘Souvenirs of Place’ and public perception of modern architectural heritage.

Abstract At present, there is a disconnection between academic and public perception of Modern heritage, particularly Brutalist architecture. This research utilises the processes and experiences of making 3D printed ‘souvenirs of place’ to investigate their potential applications with regards to Modern ‘overlooked’ heritage. This project develops from the concept that souvenirs are not just commercially produced ‘keepsakes’ with a purely utilitarian value. Souvenirs can be tangible reminders of special moments and events which locate and define a fleeting, transitory experience, can mediate experiences in time and space with the ability to give ordinary experience something of the quality of an extraordinary experience. The souvenirs of this project will help participants consider the buildings as more than ‘architectural artworks’ or the materials or architectural details, which they may not fully understand or appreciate, but as ‘holistically’ beautiful in terms of people and memories.