Malcolm A. Noden

Applying geographic information systems: Siting of coastal hotels in Costa Rica

By comparing composite geographic information against decision criteria developed by field research, an analyst can use geographic information systems (GISs) to determine optimum hotel-development sites. A GIS uses digital geographic information (often from many maps) to create a single composite map of sites that meet specified criteria, which can include the environment, demographics, infrastructure, and political boundaries. Those criteria are set according to a stepwise process that begins with defining the land-use problem and selecting the area to be examined. A key aspect of the process is to define the essential or limiting factors that control the outcome of the analysis. The final step is to compare the prospective sites against the diagnostic characteristics. A case study of Costa Rica shows how the GIS operates, comparing such limiting factors as appropriate soil characteristics and proximity to coastal areas, highways, and natural areas against the geographic characteristics of potential development sites. The authors developed the limiting factors based on surveys of existing hotel operations and of government agencies. The GIS analysis found just 4,400 hectares of suitable sites out of 39,000 hectares being studied. Of 19 existing hotels, just five were in locations deemed appropriate by the GIS analysis. Interestingly, those five showed better financial results than those properties not sited in optimum locations.

Europe 1992: Neglecting the Tourism Opportunity

professor of marketing, and Malcolm A. Noden, who was born in England, lived in the Middle East, and owned a travel business in the U.S., is a senior lecturer in tourism. TOURISM HAS a substantial impact on the economies of the 12 member states in the European Community. It represents 5.5 percent of the EC’s gross domestic product and directly employs 7.5 million persons. While a substantial portion of travel to European Community nations arises within Europe, nearly 18 percent of the the travelers in 1985 came from other parts of the world, chiefly North America.1 In 1988, the flow of international tourists in Europe represented a turnover of

Brand Europe: European integration and tourism development

195 billion, or seven percent of the world trade in goods and services.2 In spite of its economic importance, tourism seems to have a low priority ranking in the many issues the EC must tackle before the end of 1992. The European Commission that is charged with creating a unified market after 1992 has done little to develop a tourism policy. Although it has its

After tax reform

Excerpt] A lot of water has flowed under the Pont Neuf since we first exhorted European trade-policy makers not to ignore the tourism opportunity afforded by European integration. Since then, tourism flows to Europe have continued to grow despite political and economic upheaval. Our research on this subject indicates that, while some organizational progress has been made by the European Union (EU) on this subject, much remains to be done if there is to be an integrated community-wide policy on tourism. Reflecting on our original 1990 paper, we offer this commentary on the state of European tourism.’

Analyzing condominium returns.

Tax reform correctly teaches us that investments should be economic and realistic. Therefore, “material participation” is going the way of the dodo bird. Instead, condominiums should be structured as securities—separating the real-estate and hotel components of the investment

Europe 1992: Neglecting the tourism opportumty

Although the investment structure discussed in this article cannot be used in all condominium-hotel projects, those investors who can use it could see positive tax consequences. Here are sample calculations

The Hocking decision: condominiums as securities.

Tourism has largely been overlooked in the effort to combine the 12 members of the European Community into a single market. But the further development of European tourism is too important to leave to individual efforts

Neglecting the Tourism

Most sales of resort condominiums constitute securities offerings, according to a recent court ruling. Here are some of the consequences of that decision