Ian Baxter

Commerce, empire and faith in Safavid Iran : the caravanserai of Isfahan

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is twofold: to explore how commercial hospitality has contributed to the development of urban areas in relation to commerce, hospitality, religious and imperial patronage in early modern, Safavid Iran (c. seventeenth century). Second, to combine material culture research methods in an analytical framework for future use.Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected during 27 site visits over three years to 14 caravanserai six bazaar complexes. A material culture methodology is proposed, designed and implemented, supplemented by analysis of textual sources.Findings – The form and function of caravanserai at Zein‐i Edin broadly reflect the form and function of desert caravanserai common in much of the Islamic world. However, the complex within the Qaysariyya Bazaar in Isfahan reflects the convergence of specific dynastic, geopolitical and economic issues facing seventeenth century Safavid Iran shaping both urban form and commercial focus. These are consolidation of th...

Exploring Pompeii: discovering hospitality through research synergy.

Hospitality research continues to broaden through an ever-increasing dialogue and alignment with a greater number of academic disciplines. This paper demonstrates how an enhanced understanding of hospitality can be achieved through synergy between archaeology, the classics and sociology. It focuses on classical Roman life, in particular Pompeii, to illustrate the potential for research synergy and collaboration, to advance the debate on hospitality research and to encourage divergence in research approaches. It demonstrates evidence of commercial hospitality activities through the excavation hotels, bars and taverns, restaurants and fast food sites. The paper also provides an example of the benefits to be gained from multi-disciplinary analysis of hospitality and tourism.

Travelling for Umrah: destination attributes, destination image, and post-travel intentions

ABSTRACT This paper examines the links between cosmopolitanism, self-identity, and a desire for social interaction on perceived destination image and behavioural intentions. A model was tested using a sample of 538 Iranian visitors to Mecca for the purpose of Umrah. The result from the structural model suggests that destination attributes influence perceived destination image. Further, such tourists are likely to revisit or recommend Islamic destinations if their experience matches their perceived image of the destination. This implies that, while the religious characteristics of the destination remain important, destination managers cannot disregard the tangential, non-religious attributes of a destination which are crucial in order to satisfy more conventional tourist desires. As such, this study suggests that those managing religious travel destinations should endeavour to foster a welcoming image, where experience, interaction, and tolerance are at the forefront of the destination’s offering.

Negotiation, bargaining, and discounts : generating WoM and local tourism development at the Tabriz bazaar, Iran

This paper examines the effects of negotiation intention, bargaining propensity, and discount satisfaction on word-of-mouth (WoM) behaviours for tourists visiting Tabriz bazaar, Iran. Data from 615-survey respondents highlight that tourists are motivated to conduct WoM behaviour when they are experientially satisfied with the opportunity to negotiate and bargain, and when they are satisfied with the discount they receive. This paper makes theoretical contributions to social exchange theory and presents managerial implications for policy-makers to generate tourism development.

Mainstreaming policy and pragmatism: Whither the historic environment?

What has the Coalition done for the historic environment? This article attempts to count the ways by considering the sector in terms of its treatment within the realm of policy development, politics, and the effects of its own operational changes. This is framed with the sector’s aspiration of “mainstreaming”, and an exploration of the implications of changed perception and treatment of historic environment issues culturally and politically. The Coalition period can be characterised as one of distinct anxiety both within the sector and amongst those interested in policy. This has been due, in the main, to the global economic downturn and the national budget deficit. These led, in turn, to a re-evaluation of the value of culture and to heightened tensions over assertions of heritage’s intrinsic value and its over-riding instrumental or utilitarian value. This was vociferously played out in the press in mid-2013, not least in response to the Scottish culture minister’s reaction to the English Secretary of State’s comments (Miller, 2013). The former criticised the latter as reductive, and claimed that the English focus on the economic benefits of the cultural sector meant that in policy terms it amounted to “nothing more than a commodity” (Hyslop, 2013). Considerable anxiety has also resulted from the successful move to “mainstream” many aspects of heritage into everyday considerations. Success can be seen as a double-edged sword. The economics and wide-ranging consideration of the value of heritage have been at the fore of many discussions during the Coalition. Dave O’Brien’s (2010) policy review reinvigorated discussions of value at policy and academic levels, triggering greater sophistication in economic consideration. Whilst the economic slowdown has had a significant impact on physical development, the campaign on reducing the Value Added Tax (VAT) burden for building repairs and restorations was reinvigorated. This argued that the existing regime was unsustainable compared to zero VAT rates for new-build developments (Heritage Alliance, 2013). Pressures elsewhere, especially funding cuts from local authorities to museum services, prompted both the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and English Heritage to focus on resilience and positive messages of heritage conservation (English Heritage, 2013; Heritage Lottery Fund, 2013). The Coalition’s focus on growth and stimulants to kick-start developments provided further openings for the sector to place itself at the heart of regeneration opportunities. This moved English Heritage into facilitating proactive development for the historic environment. Inequality of funding and the distinct differences in the regional economies around the country also rose up the agenda; shifts in public spending highlighted disparities across the arts and culture portfolio. This has been less pronounced within heritage, although the HLF has noted that it remains heavily oversubscribed for both capital and other significant funding

Contemporary issues in museums and heritage marketing management: introduction to the special issue

Recent trends in museums and heritage marketing management suggest a move from passive consumption spaces to more pleasant, engaging and transformative spaces. Since Mclean’s (1995) and Goulding’s ...

Auditing the historic environment: Measurements, datasets and English heritage's state of the historic environment report 2002

Abstract This chapter sets out the current context for historic environment management, and the associated information requirements to manage organisations successfully within the sector for the benefit of the countrys heritage. The initiative undertaken by English Heritage (the English governments conservation advisors) in developing a pilot State of the Historic Environment Report is used as a case study in the collation of management information for advocacy purposes. Political support for such a development is considered, as well as the history of the reports development with its roots outside the heritage sector. The challenges of project management for report delivery are discussed, particularly where information collation and analysis is reliant on third‐party data sources, often created for separate purposes. Tourism data is focused on, showing how results from the former English Tourism Councils annual surveys of visitor attractions were used to inform key messages in the heritage sector. Comments are made on specific types of data used, and a review given of the methodology for collecting dedicated heritage management organisational data.

The traditional marketplace: serious leisure and recommending authentic travel

ABSTRACT Services reliant on revenue generated from tourism are often beholden to how authentic visitors perceive their offering to be. From a managerial perspective, this is exacerbated when they serve a dual-purpose, as both actively ingrained in local culture and showcased international tourist attractions. As such, this study contributes to Kolar and Žabkar’s (2010) consumer-based model of authenticity by assessing the relationships between serious leisure, object-based and existential authenticity, and visitor word-of-mouth (WOM) recommendations in Iranian cultural tourism. Utilising partial least-squares structural equation modelling, and drawing upon responses from 615 visitors to the Tabriz Grand Bazaar, it thus extends the model’s applicability to the developing Middle Eastern context. The results extend extant research by emphasising the importance of object-based authenticity, as opposed to existential authenticity, in stimulating positive visitor WOM recommendations. Consequently, this study advances the prevailing understanding of the role of authenticity in stimulating positive behavioural intentions by highlighting how destinations can stimulate visitor recommendations.

Servicescape and shopping value: the role of negotiation intention, social orientation, and recreational identity at the Istanbul Grand Bazaar, Turkey

ABSTRACT This paper examines the influence of negotiation intention, recreational shopper identity, and social shopping orientation on both servicescape and visitors’ overall shopping value in the Istanbul Grand Bazaar, Turkey. We developed and tested a conceptual model using a sample of 300 international visitors to the Bazaar. The results demonstrate that bargaining intention, recreational functions, and social interactions influence servicescape. This implies that, when tourists are motivated by bargain hunting, recreation, and socialisation, their attitude towards the shopping environment is more positive, which subsequently results in increased overall shopping value. Implications for managerial practice are also presented alongside suggestions for future research.

Exploring Services Provided by Top Italian Museums Websites: What are They Used for?

Even though a number of studies have focused on museum websites, specific studies about top Italian museums and the services provided online have not been found. This paper aims to fill this gap in the literature and investigate the online services performed by top Italian museums. The objective is to determine whether these museums have developed their own website, and what kind of services they provide to their online visitors. The presence or lack of services provided was recorded with the adoption of a descriptive approach, based on qualitative content analysis principles. Results are shown in terms of three kinds of services provided (virtual visit opportunities, e-commerce services, and e-relation tools). Results provide managers a mapping of the services provided by their specific museum. Nevertheless, they need to be expanded with further primary research.