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The profile of the tourist to Asia is changing fast. No longer is Asia the backpackers paradise and a new region to be explored, and the local tourism industry needs to move fast to re-invent reaons for people to visit Asia. Our own research last year demonstrated that international tourists generally look for something different when choosing destinations. With Asia looking more and more like the West every year, with the same skyscrapers, modernity and comforts, and previous idyllic resorts becoming over-crowded or polluted by unsustainable development, the challenge is really up to the tourism industry as a whole. Thailand was the early winner in a competitive field, helped by both good management, a nicely positioned brand of "Amazing Thailand", but also perceptions of instability and air pollution in neighbouring capitals. Yet the competition is hotting up now with Singapore bouncing back in tourist arrivals, and South Korea and Malaysia planning new campaigns. Even Cambodia is joining the fray. Nowadays, the domestic tourist market is increasing daily as the crisis receeds, and Asian touists realise that there are great destinations closer that are far cheaper and easier to get to than traditional European Americas destinations. This week we present articles from India, Singapore, Hong Kong, and some relevant international case studies as well. Just as a reminder, you should note the Volume and Issue Number of the articles you are interested in before entering the database, as there is no search facility for the Journals of the Week - only browse facilities issue by issue are provided for the free download.
Ten years later, Goa still uneasy over the impact of tourism Sourced by local newspaper articles, discusses the impact on Goa of the increasing numbers of tourists. Increasing land prices, increasing levels of consumption, violation of building and land use regulations are all prevalent. Locals feel threatened and degraded by inappropriate behaviour of tourists. There has been an escalation in violence, child sex abuse and prostitution. Drug abuse and drug trafficking has increased. Local people feel exploited and few benefit from the tourist trade. What can be done?
Keywords: Ethics, India, Sustainable development, Tourism
Hospitality trends in the Asia-Pacific: a discussion of five key sectors This paper reviews recent trends in major hospitality sectors in the Asia-Pacific region. Observes that the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE), backpacker, and bed and breakfast sectors are growing, characterised by burgeoning market demand, proliferation of specialist infrastructure, sector-specific education and training, and dedicated development and marketing strategies. The casino sector is facing major challenges, seeing declining demand in some areas. Competitive forces are evident in the licensed clubs sector, where a proliferation of gambling options has undermined traditional sources of revenue. Conversely, the hotel and restaurant sectors can be considered mature. There is increased attention to facilities development, asset management, market segmentation and use of new technologies, and the restaurant sector appears focused on product revitalisation. Concludes that the recent economic turmoil in Asia will no doubt produce new challenges, as well as opportunities, in the lead up to the next millennium.
Keywords: Asia-Pacific, Hospitality industry, Hotel and catering
The current and future impact of Asia's economic downturn on the region's hospitality industry Before the economic downturn, most analysts considered Asia as one of the most active regions in the world. Now, the sentiment has changed, and many people are beginning to worry about its future prospects. This paper first examines the impact of the Asian economic downturn on the hospitality and tourism industry. It then turns to review the region's hospitality trends and environments. The information should be of interest to hotel operators, governments, and research institutions.
Keywords: Asia, Hospitality industry, Recession
Wanted: tourists with a social conscience Ordinary Third World people (as opposed to the élites) find tourism in its present form highly exploitative and socially damaging, a new form of imperialism. It is characterised by gross economic disparities between tourist and host, racism and the flouting of economic and social rights of communities. A global code of ethics will only tinker with the problem, the roots of which lie in a profit driven system which disregards social costs. The beginnings of a new, just tourism order requires governments to provide basic protection to powerless communities and their environment, and Christian churches to exercise moral authority to bring about justice. Above all, Northern tourists and their NGOs need to develop solidarity networks with the poorer communities, help fund community projects and think of ways of encouraging reciprocal flows from South to North.
Keywords: Capitalism, Race relations, Rights issues, Third World, Transnationals
Sex tourism in South Asia Sex tourism is the dark side of the global phenomenon of tourism. Every day we read about the benefits of tourism, its income and employment potential, its ability to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor, its potential to overcome uneven development in backward regions of the world. Above all, its contribution to the balance of payments and foreign exchange earnings for the decolonised and third world countries that must enter the capitalist mainstream if they are to make the transition to the twenty-first century. Asks why sex tourism is being condoned and wonders why more voices are not raised in protest against its continuance.
Keywords: Asia, Ethics, Tourism
Customer satisfaction and its measurement in hospitality enterprises Reviews and discusses the topic of customer satisfaction and its application to the hospitality and tourism industries. Defines the concept and analyzes its importance to services in general and to hospitality/tourism services in particular. Following a discussion on the dimensions and attributes of satisfaction, lists the main methods of measuring satisfaction and concludes with a review of global and cross-cultural issues that affect satisfaction.
Keywords: Customer satisfaction, Service quality, Hospitality industry.
International labor markets and the migration of labor forces as an alternative solution for labor shortages in the hospitality industry The hospitality industry attracts a wide variety of workers from a number of different labor markets. Since the world is growing smaller with advanced technologies, finding required labor around the globe has become much easier than ever before. Therefore, considering only locals as a source of labor maybe an outdated recruitment strategy. Continued globalization of the free market economy will encourage the migration of international labor. This paper discusses international labor markets and the migration of labor forces in the hospitality industry worldwide. It proposes that current trends and patterns of worldwide population growth need to be accounted for in developing strategies for addressing labor shortages.
Keywords: Hospitality industry, Labour force, Labour mobility
Contract catering: the skills required for the next millennium In recent times the contract catering sector of the hospitality industry has grown substantially in size and scope. However, there have been few management studies carried out within this market sector. This study aims to bridge this knowledge gap by determining the essential competencies required by contract catering managers. These results are then compared with how managers spend their time. The differences between contract catering sub-sections are discussed, in addition to the differences between contract catering and other sectors of the hospitality industry. Concludes that there is a need to develop the knowledge and skills of contract catering managers to assist in bridging the current gap between industry and education.
Keywords: Hotel and catering, Subcontracting
Multi-unit management in the hospitality industry: a late twentieth century phenomenon In the next millennium there will be more large firms in the hospitality industry, and these large firms will get larger. But despite the fact that we have had such chains for nearly 50 years, we know remarkably little about the operational management of chains. This article considers the importance of chain operations and reviews alternative theoretical perspectives on how such chains should be managed. It proposes a new model of multi-unit management based around six key activities - integration, location, configuration, organisation, implementation and adaptation.
Keywords: Hospitality management, Hotels
Searching for a balance in tourism development strategies This article introduces the ethical reasons for tourist destinations to follow market-led or supply-oriented strategies when developing tourism as an economic option. Economic, environmental and social issues will be used to exemplify the consequences of either pure strategy. The article argues that there is a need to take into account the public sector, the private sector, non-profit organizations and the residents in order to design sustainable tourism strategies.
Keywords: Public sector, Strategy, Tourism As always we have only skimmed the surface of relevant articles this week and only those that are particularly relevant for Asia-Pacific managers. Many other articles are available as well including those focusing on other countries and international perspectives.
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