Tourism Education in the UK: Lesson Drawing in Educational Policy

RIVANDA MEIRA TEIXEIRA* - TOM BAUM**
Federal University of Sergipe
University of Strathclyde

ABSTRACT
Tourism education is fast growing across most tourism receiving countries in the developed and developing world. Traditions in this area have seen models of tourism education transplanted from, generally, a developed country context to that of countries in varying stages of development, frequently in an uncritical and unplanned manner. This paper aims to provide a framework whereby the best of a national case study in tourism education (here based on the UK) can be translated in a critical and sensitive manner, elsewhere The context of the research upon which this paper reports was a trans-national study which aimed to draw lessons from the UK experience for application elsewhere. The paper is based on a field study of tourism education in the UK and reports the findings in a manner that can have transfer value elsewhere. The paper concludes with a number of key questions that can be extrapolated to other contexts from the process of lesson drawing.

Keywords: tourism education, education policy, lesson drawing, UK.


Designing a Model for the Development of a Theme Park in Côa Valley, Portugal

CASSIANO PAIS* - CARLOS COSTA** - ANTONIA FERNANDES***
University of Aveiro
University of Aveiro
University of Aveiro

ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to design a model for the development of a prototype theme park to be located at the site of open-space rock art engravings recently founded in the Côa valley, northern Portugal. An original stage model was used as premises for the research procedure. Three parts of the model were thoroughly probed: a) identification of the need for the development of a prototype theme park through assessment of the interest of the visitors of Côa Valley Archaeological Park (PAVC) in the project; b) evaluate present facilities in the area; c) development of plans for establishing a Palaeolithic space-oriented theme park in Côa valley. In order to investigate parts a) and b) of the model a Visitors' Attitude Survey of the population was applied to 1,400 visitors of the PAVC, major tourist destiny of the region. Eighty percent of them were returned. Findings demonstrated a very positive interest of the visiting population in developing the project. Mainly, part c) of the model was investigated through the feasibility study based upon external variables of planning.

Keywords: tourism planning, tourism development, theme parks, Portugal.

A Framework for a National Tourism Information System of Turkey

BIRGUL EGELİ* - MELTEM ÖZTURAN**

*Bogazici University
**Bogazici University

ABSTRACT
Throughout the world, information plays an important role in decision-making, as well as problem solving in business. Information systems are widely used for collection and dissemination of information. Due to the complex set of interrelationships between people, places and products that information involves, tourism is one of the areas in which technology-based information systems are commonly used. Turkey has a great potential in tourism industry. However, she has problems in collecting and disseminating tourism information. A research project has been activated to explore the existing tourism information, computer infrastructure and tourism information needs of Turkish tourism organizations. Furthermore, it is also aimed to gain insights into the preferences for the organizational aspects of a national tourism information system. As a result of this research, an organizational model for development and management of a National Tourism Information System for Turkey is proposed.

Keywords: tourism, information, information system, Turkey.

Restaurant Tipping by Tourists in Hong Kong

B.W.A. (BEN) DEWALD
Hong Kong Polytechnic University

ABSTRACT
This article revisits the topic of international differences in restaurant tipping. Taking a different approach, this study examines the tipping habits of tourists from seven distinct countries, four Asian and three Western, while in Hong Kong. Restaurant tipping is a sensitive topic, especially in Asia, where breaches of social convention are taken more personally than they would be in the West. Tipping practices are widespread and rewarding good service without causing anyone to "lose face" can be difficult. Tipping is not a Chinese custom but with Western influence came the practice of tipping. Though there is a ten-percent service gratuity added to most restaurant bills, tips are still expected. This study shows that there are significant adaptations to local tipping habits. North American tourists reduced their usual tip by 50 percent when in Hong Kong restaurants, whereas Asian visitors increased their tips. Australian tourists tipped similarly at home and abroad. Service was mentioned by the Americans, Australians, Canadians, Malaysians and Singaporeans as the main reason for increasing tips, but only 50 percent of the Taiwanese and 45 percent of the Mainland Chinese chose service as the reason to tip more. The server's attitude was chosen as the main reason by 75 percent of the Taiwanese, 20 percent of the Mainland Chinese, and between 5 and 10 percent of each of the other nationalities.

Keywords: restaurant tipping, service charge, customer satisfaction, national culture.

Winter Tourism, Development of Mountainous Areas and Visitors' Attitudes Towards Landscape Protection

OLGA G. CHRISTOPOULOU* - IOANNIS J. PAPADOPOULOS**
*University of Thessaly
**University Forest of Pertouli

ABSTRACT
The main objective of this investigation is the evaluation of the demand for mountain tourism at the Pertouli ski-centre and in the surrounding communities of the municipality of Aethikes. The research shows that the contribution of the ski-centre's operation is of significant importance to the development of the surrounding mountainous area. In addition, an examination the factors which affect demand for the ski centre over a period of time reveals that this demand varies according to some factors (income, job), and is stable according to some other factors (skiing or visiting, distance). The visitors are willing to contribute to the landscape conservation by making cash donations and/or active participation in conservation projects.

Keywords: ainter tourism, ski areas, mountainous region, environmental protection, and visitors' attitudes.

Trends of Tourism Market for Agro-Tourism

OLGA IAKOVIDOU* - MARIA EMMANOUILIDOU - THEODOROS STAVRAKAS - POLIMACHI SIMEONIDOU - DIMITRAIOS CHRISOSTOMIDIS
*Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki

ABSTRACT
Contemporary "quest" trends are defined by a demand for an agro-tourism product that is not defined to offering bed and breakfast. Agro-tourism product must be diversified and it must be based on what is demanded from the visitors of rural areas. The aim of this paper is to identify the features and motives of potential visitors from Thessaloniki area to the broader region of Mt. Kerkini, in Central Macedonia, as well as their choice of activities, as these define their choice of agro-tourism as a form of alternative tourism. Analysis of data has shown that people who select agro-tourism are usually young, of a high educational level and high income. They often prefer "mini breaks" lasting a few days and spread throughout the year and are prepared to spend relatively high sums of money on their accommodation. Short breaks and their distribution over the year make agro-tourism a kind of secondary complementary holiday. They prefer a structured agro-tourism product, which apart from the main services - bed and breakfast - it includes leisure activities, as well as cultural events and activities connected to environment.

Keywords: agro-tourism, agro-tourist, Greece.

Information on Some International Journals of Tourism, Leisure and Recreation: The Results of a Survey

HASAN ISIN DENER* - NAZMIKOZAK**
*Hacettepe University
**Anadolu University

ABSTRACT:
In 1998, the editor-in-chief of the present journal, Nazmi Kozak planned to collect journal information of learned journals of tourism and allied disciplines, by means of a questionnaire. The data obtained out of 40 responses that were received, was not an adequate sample in order to make an analytical research of the data -due to various reasons. Today, as the time has come to realise another survey of the kind, the relevant results of the previous survey are presented in possible detail.

Keywords: Tourism journals, journal information, questionnaire survey.