Tourism as Factor for the Presence and Continuation of Harm Full Traditional Practices in Hamer Community, Ethiopia (Published)

The main objective of this research is to examine whether tourism is key factor for the presence and continuation of HTP in Hamer. In order to collect necessary data, structural interview survey with local people, informant in-depth interview and focus group discussion were conducted. Data collected from local people through interview was entered into SPSS version 20 and then analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, chi-square test and binomial tests. Data collected through focus group discussion and in depth interview were analyzed using descriptive, explanatory and narrative methods of qualitative data analysis techniques. The finding shows that out of the three most prevalent HTP, Whipping of women (as part of the bull jumping ceremony) was found to be directly influenced by tourism.  Chi-square analysis shows that there was no significance difference between the supporter and opponent of continuation of the practice of whipping among Hamers. Local peoples, local government, local associations, private hospitality and tourism sectors have gained economic benefit from tourism. Majority of local people constituting 90 percent practiced bull jumping and evangadi dance primarily for non-tourism related purpose. 67.5 percent local people believed that tourist could visit their village in the absence of bull jumping and evangadi dance. Informant and deductive analysis shows tourism is factor for the continuation and practice of whipping in Hamer community. Therefore, special attention should be given to whipping besides to teaching females of the community

Keywords: Hamer, Impact, Tourism, harmful traditional practice

City Branding: Exploring the Brand “Beirut” As a Tourism Destination in the British Market (Published)

In this study, the Beirut brand is evaluated in the context of British consumers. Tourism and Destination Branding Tool was used in determining the questionnaire. Accordingly, questionnaire was designed and distributed to randomly chosen 383 British people. Sample size was achieved through using sample size calculator over the internet.  However, only 100 questionnaires were totally filled by the participants and therefore, only those were included in the analysis. Descriptive statistics were used just as it is used in STCRC study. In this perspective tourists’ general expectations from the short and long term holidays were determined and compared with the results of experience gained in Beirut. Findings showed that British people mostly look for fun and entertaining places which also have a good accommodation. In long holidays they also look for good restaurants and sport facilities. Nevertheless, Beirut is found by them as far below compare to their expectations. In fact, they were not satisfied with their stays in Beirut and not willing to come back to the city in the future. This result also showed itself in the drop of the tourist coming to the city. In this context number of preventive measures should be taken by the government urgently to correct this situation.

Keywords: Beirut, Brand Image, City Branding, Tourism

On The Role of Printed Media on Choice of Tourist Destinations (Published)

This paper examines the role of brochures and allied printed materials for tourists, in terms of determining their chosen destinations and also, deciding upon activities to engage in at these destination sites. Data was collected during 2016; we examined 1,560 responses of hospitality professionals at multiple locations in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland and Greece. The key finding is that the role of brochures and printed material still play a significant role in tourists’ choices, and has not been adequately replaced by the Internet, kiosks, or other “more modern” marketing/promotional channels.

Keywords: Brochures, Tourism, Travel, Visitor information sources

The Effect of Syrian War on French People’s Decision to Travel to Lebanon: Remedy through Branding (Published)

The aim of this study was to find out the effects of War in Syria on the decision of French people to travel to Lebanon. Based on a survey, the study findings showed that people in France are aware of the Syrian War as well as the subsequent occurring refugee crisis. The war and refugee crisis are highly affecting their decisions to travel not only to Lebanon but also to other Middle East countries such as Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Jordan. Demographic characteristics of the people play as well an imperative role on their decisions to travel to Lebanon. Branding Lebanon as a tourist destination based on the attributes that influence French travellers can be a fundamental part of the remedy

Keywords: Destination Branding, French Tourists, Lebanon, Refugee, Syrian War, Tourism, Tourist decision., crises

Tourism as Factor for the Presence and Continuation of Harm Full Traditional Practices in Hamer Community, Ethiopia (Published)

The main objective of this research is to examine whether tourism is key factor for the presence and continuation of HTP in Hamer. In order to collect necessary data, structural interview survey with local people, informant in-depth interview and focus group discussion were conducted. Data collected from local people through interview was entered into SPSS version 20 and then analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, chi-square test and binomial tests. Data collected through focus group discussion and in depth interview were analyzed using descriptive, explanatory and narrative methods of qualitative data analysis techniques. The finding shows that out of the three most prevalent HTP, Whipping of women (as part of the bull jumping ceremony) was found to be directly influenced by tourism.  Chi-square analysis shows that there was no significance difference between the supporter and opponent of continuation of the practice of whipping among Hamers. Local peoples, local government, local associations, private hospitality and tourism sectors have gained economic benefit from tourism. Majority of local people constituting 90 percent practiced bull jumping and evangadi dance primarily for non-tourism related purpose. 67.5 percent local people believed that tourist could visit their village in the absence of bull jumping and evangadi dance. Informant and deductive analysis shows tourism is factor for the continuation and practice of whipping in Hamer community. Therefore, special attention should be given to whipping besides to teaching females of the community.

Keywords: Hamer, Impact, Tourism, harmful traditional practice

Sustainable Tourism Practice; a Panacea for Reviving Bilikisu-Sugbon Tourist Attraction and Reducing Poverty in Oke-Eri, Ogun State, Nigeria (Published)

This study investigates the current status of the Bilikisu Sugbon tourist attraction in Oke-Eri, Via Ijebu-Ode-Ibadan Express way, Ogun State, Nigeria. It also assess the standard of living of the residents of the Oke-Eri community. The attraction, haven received lots of attention from scholars in archaeology and other disciplines, and also government of Ogun State in the past with the goal of making it a befitting tourist destination has remained in a poor state.A survey was conducted to gather information on the current status of the tourist site. Random sampling technique was used to select 100 local residents of the community and 50 tourists during the 2015 Christmas celebration and another 50 during the 2016 Eid’L Fitri Festival celebration, and questionnaires were administered to them accordingly. Also, purposive sampling method was used to select specific people and groups in the community for personal interview and focus group discussion respectively. Key informant interview method was also used to gather information from three community chiefs and two management staff of the Ogun State Tourism Board. Data gathered were subjected to analysis and presented using frequency counts, simple percentile, charts, chi square.Findings of the study revealed that, the economic activity in Oke-Eri is very low (P<0.05) and there is a high level of poverty in the community despite the tourism potentials present there. It was found that, reviving the Bilikisu-Sungbo tourist site would help in reducing poverty and enhance the socio-economic status the community (P<0.05). The study also revealed that what led to the dilapidation of the attraction after it was earlier developed by the Ogun State Government in the early 1980s was political instability and lack of sustainable development practice. The study concludes that, there is urgent need for the Ogun State government to be committed to the reconstruction of the Bilikisu-Sugbon tourist site in Oke-Eri either through direct investment or encouraging public-private-partnership (PPP) initiative, in order, to redeem the image of the attraction, foster socio-economic growth of the community and reduce poverty in the community. The study therefore recommends that there must be a sustainable master plan in place, public-private-partnership (PPP) initiative should be considered and the local community should be actively involved in the reconstruction process and management of the attraction when re-opened to the general public as a tourist site as part of requirements for ensuring sustainability.

Keywords: Panacea, Poverty, Revival, Sustainability, Tourism

Domestic Tourism: Untapped Opportunities for Sāmoa (With Special Reference to Accommodation Providers) (Published)

Tourism is both a key contributor to the economy of Sāmoa  and the leading source of foreign exchange. The seasonal nature of tourism is particularly detrimental to the accommodation sector. In many countries, the development of domestic tourism is actively promoted as it plays a vital part in tourism sustainability. Sāmoa however, like many other countries appear to be overlooking the potentials of domestic tourism in their development and tourism strategies. The present study uses secondary data and case studies to examine the advantages and opportunities created by domestic tourism. Secondary data found that the key areas of focus highlighted in the Strategy for the Development of Sāmoa SDS) 2005-2007, 2008-2012, Sāmoa Tourism Development Plan (STDP) 2009-2013, Sāmoa Tourism Sector Plan (STSP) 2014-2019, and Sāmoa Tourism Strategic Marketing Plan (STSMP) 2014-2019, indicate that domestic tourism development is not a key focus of tourism development. Using Talanoa research method (TRM), primary data was collected from 20 stakeholders in the tourism industry. Using Thematic Analysis, it was found that there were a mixture of views for and against the development of domestic tourism in Sāmoa.

Keywords: Development, Domestic tourism, Sāmoa., Tourism

Economic Impact of Tourism in Jammuand Kashmir (Published)

Jammu and Kashmir State has a tremendous potential to become a major global tourist destination. Importance of tourism in J&K economy is known for decades now and its role in economic development has been an area of great interest from policy perspective. To understand the economic impact of tourism in the J&K state, present paper uses secondary sources of data and tries to examine various parameters of economic development such as tourist inflow, employment generation, State Gross Domestic Product, development of infrastructure and regional development. We found apart from agriculture sector, tourism sector is the most popular source of income and employment generation for the state economy.

Keywords: Employment, Infrastructure, Regional Development., Revenue, Tourism, Tourist Inflow

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RWANDA DEVELOPMENT BOARD TOURISM REVENUE SHARING PROGRAM TOWARDS LOCAL COMMUNITY SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: A CASE STUDY OF NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK (Published)

Development agencies and policymakers are increasingly advocating tourism revenue sharing as an effective way to increasing local development around protected areas. In Rwanda, through its outreach programme, the Tourism Revenue-Sharing (TRS) programs, Rwanda Development Board (RDB) usually remits 5 per cent of the park entry fees every year to fund various community projects where given tourist attraction is found. The study was guided by the following key objectives; to examine the social economic impact of tourism revenue sharing program towards the development on local communities, and analyse the challenges faced by local administration and beneficiaries in management of these revenue sharing. To archive the set objectives, a cross sectional research design was used, combined with qualitative and quantitative approach. Primary data was collected from community members living adjacent to Nyungwe national park, community leaders and RDB staff through questionnaires and interviews. The study adopted descriptive and statistical approaches in processing data and Special Program for Social Scientist (SPSS) computer program was employed in data analysis. The survey findings indicated that the revenue sharing program had contributed to social-economic development as it had facilitated the construction of 6 health centers and 10 schools, ensured communities access to safe water supplies and improved housing condition. Several agricultural projects were supported directly through the revenue sharing scheme; it had created employment, promoted local enterprises and sustainable use of natural resources in Nyungwe national park. However, the study revealed some challenges in management of revenue sharing and among those were; inadequate funds, corruption, inadequate skilled manpower, poor communication and elite capture

Keywords: Local Community, Revenue Sharing, Tourism

The Impacts of Tourism Industry on Host Community (Published)

It is a well-known fact that tourism is a sector that can contribute to the economic growth of a region. Moreover, tourism produces social benefits to the region (i.e. small and medium-sized enterprises’ development, creation of new jobs, improvement of infrastructure etc.). Culturally, tourism is said to be an element of community enrichment, thanks to the meeting of different cultures. Also tourism can positively contribute to the maintenance of a natural environment by protecting, creating or maintaining national parks or other protected areas. This paper focuses on the tourism sector and its impacts on the economy, environment, politics and the socio-cultural being of the host community. The main aim of this research is to highlight the well-organized and managed economic impacts by host communities on the host community.

Keywords: Economic Impacts, Environmental Impacts, Social and Cultural Impacts, Tourism