Russell Arthur Smith

Beach resort evolution: implications for planning

Abstract This research concerns the development of contemporary beach resorts as they evolve from natural beaches to become cities by the sea. Despite many positive aspects to this process, as resorts urbanize, increasing negative effects of development tend to have an impact on the resort quality, with implications for tourists, residents, managements, developers, and governments. Pattaya, Thailand, is one beach resort that has experienced many of the problems typical of this form of development. Analysis of this case reveals some of the underlying causes for the failures of beach resort development. A tentative pattern of beach resort evolution is presented.

Perception and reality of managing sustainable coastal tourism in emerging destinations: the case of Sihanoukville, Cambodia.

The emergence of Sihanoukville as a coastal destination came at the time when the global community was calling for sustainable practices. As one of the newly emergent coastal resorts in Asia, Sihanoukville has the advantage of learning from other, less sustainable Asian destinations. The Cambodian Government has partnered with international agencies in drawing up programs and incorporating practices to make the destination more sustainable. This research seeks to better understand the effectiveness and success, or otherwise, of implementing sustainability programs for tourism development, especially for an Asian coastal destination. The aim is to compare the sustainability practice outcomes according to differing stakeholders and their perceptions of sustainability. The research identifies gaps between policies and their implementation where the intent is to highlight those aspects of contemporary resort growth that need greater attention by policy makers and planners. Generally, it was found that there was alignment between the perceptions and the reality of sustainable tourism practices within and across the stakeholder groups. Where notable differences in perception arose, it was often linked to the groups mission or self-interest that influenced the views of these stakeholders. The research also points to the challenges ahead for all stakeholders in managing coastal destinations sustainably.

Corporate Social Responsibility and the Operationalization Challenge for Global Tourism Organizations

Tourism businesses have increasingly sought to contribute to society through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Larger tourism organizations normally seek to institutionalize CSR under their corporate CSR policy and strategy that is common for their whole organization. This presents challenges for organizations with global operations. This article examines the operationalization of CSR policy by hotel properties in coastal destinations in Thailand. The research found that stakeholders other than the hotels played pivotal roles in the implementation of CSR programs and that there was a preference for involvement by hotels in local projects, over those situated elsewhere in the country or internationally. These hotels tended to partner with other non-hotel stakeholders to execute their external CSR programs and for these to be directed at social issues rather than environmental issues. Overall it was concluded that there are limits to the extent that corporate headquarters may direct the implementation of CSR.

The Informal Tourism Economy at Beach Resorts: a Comparison of Cha-Am and Laguna Phuket in Thailand

Abstract The subject of this paper is aspects of the informal tourism economy at conventional and new style integrated beach resorts. It reports on the results of surveys of informal tourism commerce practised by vendors at Cha-Am and Laguna Phuket in Thailand which reveal considerable activity, but also contrasts related to the type of resort. Informal vendors EIS a whole are shown to be attracted by and dependent upon the formal tourism economy while making a distinctive contribution to the overall tourism industry. They may also exercise an influence over resort development and morphology, although there is scope for tension with formal industry representatives and destination officials. Further research is necessary to improve understanding of this area of tourism and it is argued that efforts should be made to build a better relationship with its formal counterpart for the benefit of all involved parties, including tourists.

Analysis of the serviced apartments sector and its prospects in Southeast Asia.

Serviced apartments are a distinct and sometimes neglected form of accommodation which is growing in commercial significance in the Southeast Asian region and beyond, marked by the emergence and expansion of international companies offering a variety of brands. Traditionally located in cities and targeting business travelers, there may be unrealized potential at alternative sites related to leisure tourists. Beach resorts and vacationers are one such opportunity, but there are constraints on development evidenced by market conditions in the popular Thai destinations of Phuket and Pattaya. The analysis of key attributes and trends concludes with some suggestions about avenues for further research.