The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and its impact on Sustainable Tourism

DARREN HOAD
Edge Hill University College

ABSTRACT
After years of negotiation between members of the World Trade Organisation, the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) is due to come in to force at the end of 2002. GATS is the first multilateral trade agreement covering the provision of services. The agreement, covering a range of sectors promises to have a significant effect on tourism service provision and perhaps pose a significant challenge to the efforts to develop sustainable forms of tourism. GATS is already the subject of considerable controversy and is heavily criticised by human rights, environmental and developing world activist groups many of whom see it as nothing more than a front for corporate domination of global markets. This paper aims to outline the GATS, examine its legal principles and explain the enthusiasm of its supporters and the concerns of the critics. Furthermore, it considers the potential impact of GATS on issues such as local community participation and tourism governance issues.

Keywords: sustainable tourism, tourism laws, GATS


GIS Applications in Tourism and Hospitality Marketing: A Case in Brown County, Indiana

RUOMEI FENG* - ALASTAIR M. MORRISON**
* Purdue University
** Purdue University

ABSTRACT
Since tourism has a close relationship with space and geography, using geographic information systems (GIS) in tourism and hospitality research and marketing practice seems both relevant and potentially effective. However, GIS applications, especially in tourism and hospitality marketing, have been limited to date, presumably because of a lack of familiarity with GIS and its benefits. This paper explores potential GIS applications through the five-step PRICE system model of tourism and hospitality marketing developed by Morrison (2002). Next, a case study is presented in which GIS is applied in a destination market analysis for Brown County, Indiana, USA. Three major conclusions were drawn from the review and case study.

Keywords: information systems (GIS), marketing research, spatial analysis, computer technology, tourism and travel

Attitudes of Local Residents vs. Residents of Surrounding Areas Towards Tourism Development

AVAID ISRAELI* - ILAN ALON** - ARIE REICHEL***
*Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
**Natna UrIely
***Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

ABSTRACT
The study examined local residents vs. residents of surrounding areas in terms of their attitudes toward tourism development in the city of Nazareth by focusing on the Nazareth 2000 millennium celebrations. The attitudes of Arab residents in Nazareth and the Galilee area about the economic role of tourism in Nazareth, the planned millennium festivities, and the existing problems that might affect these celebrations were studied. The study found that residents of surrounding areas rather than local residents expressed a stronger belief in the role of tourism as leverage for economic development, and at the same time expressed a deeper concern about potential conflicts that might undermine the success of the planned mega-event.

Keywords: attitudes, tourism development, spatial proximity.

What You Encourage is What You Get: The Case of Turkish Inbound International Tourism

SUKRU YARCAN* - BENGI ERTUNA**
*Boğaziçi University
**Boğaziçi University

ABSTRACT
The aim of this study is to demonstrate the relationship between tourism supply and tourism products that a country builds and the characteristics of the international tourism demand of inbound visitors to Turkey. The developments that are observed in the inbound international tourism to Turkey over time indicate that the investment incentives provided by the government determine the nature of the inbound international tourism demand by shaping the tourism supply that is actually built. The relationships that stem from the Turkish inbound tourism development case will help to clarify the factors inhibiting international tourism development in other developing countries. The development stages of mass tourism in Turkey can suggest policy implementations for other developing countries with natural resources and which aim to enter inbound mass tourism market.

Keywords: International tourism, investment incentives, tourism supply, dependence.

Tourism Redevelopment Strategy: The Case of the Kangwon Land Resort Casino

MINHO CHO
Hanyang University

ABSTRACT
Tourism is a potential tool for regional redevelopment. Especially, casinos are often considered a catalyst for the redevelopment of a tourism industry providing new tax revenues, employment, and general economic enhancement. Casinos, a legal, legitimate, and highly regulated industry is experiencing growth in Korea. Jeongseon-kun County where mining was the key industry has become the largest casino in Korea. It is the symbolic result of a local government redevelopment strategy. The potential role of casino development as a strategy for the economic rejuvenation of the mining county is well recognized. However, concerns continue to center around the social impact on the county. Specific examples of economic benefits and social costs of the casino redevelopment in the county are provided.

Keywords: redevelopment, social costs, economic benefits, casino tourism, Korea.

MUDs and Their Potential Contribution to Tourism

YANIV PROIA* - ALEX S. TAYLOR**
*Ben Gurion University of the Negev
**University of Surrey

ABSTRACT
This paper describes how multi-user domains (MUDs) - a specific type of online discussion forum - can be used as a tool in tourism studies. MUDs provide a communication channel with specific characteristics that support discussion on particular topics, such as tourist-related activities. The findings gathered from the study of one specific tourism MUD are presented, including quantitative and qualitative data concerned with the content of the discussions. The principal conclusion of the paper is that the MUDs may have significant implications for tourism research and tourism marketing.

Keywords: MUD, communication, computer-mediated-communication, research, marketing.