Lauren N. Duffy

Machismo-marianismo and the involvement of women in a community-based tourism project in Ecuador, South America.

The purpose of this research was to examine the effects of machismo-marianismo gender ideology on a tourism planning dialogue within a community-based tourism planning project. Using community-based research methodology, three focus groups were conducted in a rural Ecuadorian community. Findings indicate that gender ideology influences the planning discourse in various ways, which affect if and how women are involved in the tourism industry. This study provides evidence for why tourism planning frameworks need to be critical of existing power structures such as gender ideology. Recommendations include the application of gender-aware development frameworks and gender impact assessments throughout the planning process.

Transformative Learning Theory: A Systematic Review of Travel and Tourism Scholarship

Transformational education is emerging as a key area of study in travel and tourism research. Determining how to facilitate theory-driven transformational education is vital to the success of this emergent academic agenda. The purpose of this article is to: (a) recommend John Mezirow’s transformative learning theory (TLT) as a framework to guide this agenda, and (b) systematically review travel and tourism research, using TLT as the screening criteria, to identify strategies for successfully implementing this framework as educators. Fifty-three articles were identified, with only 14 published in tourism journals, indicating that research utilizing TLT in travel and tourism is in its infancy. Results suggest that a greater understanding of the theoretical basis of TLT, as well as scholarship highlighting intentional, creative, and effective uses of TLT in the tourism classroom is needed.

An exploratory study of community awareness of impacts and agreement to sustainable tourism development principles

Before informed, active, full, or meaningful participation can be achieved, tourism planners need to evaluate stakeholder level of awareness and perception of tourism, the tourism process, impacts, and principles of sustainability. Framed with stakeholder theory, this study developed and piloted the Stakeholder Understanding of Sustainable Tourism Development Index (SUSTDI), a tool that assesses awareness of tourism impacts and agreement to principles of sustainable tourism development. The results produced a six-factor solution (α = .93); resource preservation, environmental education, stakeholder inclusion, economic planning, cultural awareness, and community resource identification. Differences between community groups were also examined. Though continued validation of the SUSTDI is needed, this is an initial step in providing a tool for tourism planners to assess a community’s level of awareness and agreement as a precursor to developing education and training programs to increase understanding and knowledge of sustainable tourism development.

Understanding the traveling behavior of Muslims in the United States

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the influence of Islamic beliefs and practices on leisure and travel behavior of Muslims in Clemson, South Carolina. With the increase of Muslims in the USA, from both conversion and immigration, it is important to examine the effects of their religion on leisure and travel behavior. Design/methodology/approach – Using the grounded theory approach, semi-structured interviews with six Muslim men and six Muslim women of different nationalities were conducted in English in the local Mosque of Clemson, South Carolina, in the fall of 2011. Findings – The results provide some evidence that Islamic beliefs and behavioral practices influence leisure and travel behavior of Muslims in the USA. The study identifies seven major themes that play an important role in determining leisure and travel behavior of Muslims in Clemson. These are the importance of mosques, traveling with a Mohram, Hijab and a dress code for men and women, drinking alcohol and being in places wh...

Community development through agroecotourism in Cuba: an application of the community capitals framework

ABSTRACT This study explores the relationship between a Cuban organipónico, an urban, organic cooperative farm, and the surrounding community, particularly in regard to increasing agroecotourism. This was examined through the community capitals framework which allows for the use of a systems approach to inventory and analyse assets and wealth stocks within the community. Individual interviews were conducted in the summer of 2013 with members of the farm cooperative to explore the relationship between the farm and the community, and the way tourism to the farm has improved community capitals. Overall, this study demonstrated the ability for agroecotourism to help support goals of food security, beyond acting only as a tool for economic diversification, but also by influencing other community capitals. The study also adds to the literature on agroecotourism, tourism development in socialist contexts, and the way in which tourism can help support and grow sustainable agriculture.

Tourism development in the Dominican Republic: An examination of the economic impact to coastal households:

Coastal tourism projects are promoted in the Dominican Republic as national-level economic development initiatives that will create jobs for local residents, subsequently benefiting the households in these communities. However, the economic benefits of tourism can be severely weakened as a result of the neoliberal economic policies that guide such projects. Like other economically developing countries—particularly small island nations—the Dominican Republic embraced neoliberal policies that have ultimately reshaped the country’s economic, political, cultural, and physical landscape. As a result, transnational companies, foreign investors, and large-scale enclave tourism projects are the dominant form of tourism development in the Dominican Republic. Though companies’ revenue and profit data are not available for analysis of economic leakage, households can be investigated to understand the level of economic benefits obtained by residents of the local communities. Toward this end, 360 household surveys were collected to examine household income and material assets across 12 coastal communities in three regions of the Dominican Republic. Because of the noted differences in previous development literature, gender of the head of households and whether the household was dependent on income from tourism employment were compared across these measures after adjusting for regional differences. Results indicate that the gender of the head of the household and tourism dependency positively predicted household income, while only gender of the head of the household predicted material assets.

Funding sustainable paddle trail development: paddler perspectives, willingness to pay and management implications

Paddle sports (kayaking, canoeing) are a growing tourism niche and an activity that can bring sustainable rural tourism development and economic regeneration. Managing sustainable paddle trail growth is complex, involving coordination among government bodies, consensus from landowners and funding acquisition for safe access sites, signage, maps and other amenities. This paper explores the paddle-trail-related literature and the many different funding options to manage the creation and maintenance of paddle trails. An Internet survey of 1851 respondents determined support for a variety of user funding mechanisms for trail development as well as paddler perceptions about trail development as a viable form of economic development. The results indicate that women and recreational paddlers are more likely to support funding mechanisms, in addition to paddlers who consider paddle trail development a form of economic development. Paddlers who did not support any user funding mechanism were male, employed in the private sector, avid paddlers, and those who owned boats. It is observed that awareness of paddle trails’ value as an economic regeneration tool increases the willingness to pay. A range of management implications from this research are discussed, including information and educational programs, marketing partnerships and targeted incentive offers to those groups that are unwilling to pay.

Complexities of Tourism Planning and Development in Cuba

Within the last ten years, Cuba has undergone many social, economic, and political changes. Since President Raul Castro took the reins from his brother, Fidel Castro, he has restructured several core economic principles within the island nation to allow for more legalized private enterprises, reduce the number of State-employed workers, and foster additional outside investments in order to tackle economic stagnation. These reforms have created a surge of entrepreneurial activity in tourism among Cuban residents who are entering into the private sector, offering new products or expanding traditional ones such as opening paladars (private restaurants) or operating their homes as casa particulares (bed and breakfast enterprises). Paralleling the changes in Cuban domestic economic policies, there has also been increased interest in the potential for significant transformation in the relationship between Cuba and the US that led to speculation and attention among researchers, politicians, and investors alike. Though the current diplomatic climate suggests uncertainty foreseeable future, the ripple effects of the possibility of a thawed relationship went beyond the two countries with an unexpected surge in international travels looking to experience Cuba before it was opened up to US travelers.

Fostering tourism and entrepreneurship in fringe communities: Unpacking stakeholder perceptions towards entrepreneurial climate

The success of entrepreneurial ventures in tourism is tied to the community ecosystem that supports it. As such, communities are continuing to assess their entrepreneurial climate to identify areas where new programs might enhance entrepreneurial success. Based on previous measures of entrepreneurial climate, the current study furthers the entrepreneurial ecosystem literature within the context of fringe communities as it relates to tourism development. Fringe communities, which are found in the peri-urban outskirts of major cities, have increasingly grown as the urban–rural divide continues to blur. Amenity migrants flock to these communities with access to “best of both worlds” with regard to having access to the resources available in both areas. Given the complexity of community demographics emerging in these communities, this study explored whether stakeholder demographics and relationship with the community affects perception of the entrepreneurial climate. Specifically, this research examined residents’ perceptions in a location demonstrative of fringe communities: Moore County, North Carolina, US. The study found that the most differing views were held on Basic Community Needs, Community spaces/green spaces, Innovative, supportive & celebratory environment, and Community spirit.

Facilitating adolescent identity development through sister cities international

In this article, the authors qualitatively investigate the travel experiences of adolescents from the southeast US who engaged in an 11-day Sister City International exchange program in Northern Ireland that is characterized by a mix of service-, civic-, and tourism-based activities. Situated within the theoretical frameworks of identity development theory and rites of passage, the authors explore identity development among adolescents as a result of participation in the exchange program. Findings indicate that participants engaged in processes of identity exploration and commitment, marked by identity-related motivations, an acknowledgment of normative behaviors, greater appreciation for their national and cross-cultural identities, and a desire to integrate travel into their lives. Significant life events, such as travel experiences, may create liminoid spaces, which can initiate positive identity development when reinforced by peer support, positive and immersive engagement with host communities, and meaningful service.