Understanding how sporting characteristics and behaviours influence destination selection: a grounded theory study of golf tourism

Sports tourism has received growing attention in academic research over the past two decades (Weed and Bull, 2009, Gibson, 2005) but greater understanding of the consumer is needed, particularly the factors influencing decisions to include sport as part of a leisure trip. This paper provides, through a focus on the sport of golf, insight into the characteristics of the sports tourist and how sports tourist behaviours influence the selection of locations deemed suitable for sports participation. This qualitative research employs a grounded theory methodology, underpinned by a constructivist epistemology, to evaluate twenty-six in-depth interviews with golf tourists. The findings propose a model which explains the relationship between golf tourist behaviours and destination selection. This identifies six strands which determine the relationship between the golf tourist, golf behaviours and destination selection (constructing the golf holiday, emotional rewards of taking a trip, total trip spend, amenities and support facilities, course characteristics and reputation of the destination). Furthermore it illuminates the complexity of these relationships through recognition of four spheres of influence (group dynamics, competition and ability, golfing capital and intermediaries). Discussion elucidates how this increased understanding of the golf tourist behaviours and destination selection might be applied to other sports, with conclusions exploring implications for the sports tourism industry and destinations.

The rejuvenation of tourism in Barbados 1993-2003 - Reflections on the Butler model

This article examines how Barbados as a mature resort destination has set about rejuvenating its tourism product since the early 1990s, when the number of stop-over tourist arrivals showed year-on-year declines. This has been achieved in three principal ways: the extensive upgrading of existing hotel facilities, especially at the luxury end of the market: the increase of overall tourist capacity, and the development of niche markets, especially golf tourism. At both the outset and the conclusion, the rejuvenation of tourism in Barbados between 1993 and 2003 is viewed in light of Butler's (1980) model of resort-cycle development.

Oportunidad de inversión en Fusagasugá

Estudio a nivel de prefactibilidad de las alternativas de inversión en un predio de 120 hectáreas localizado en el sector de Chinauta en el municipio de Fusagasugá que permita a potenciales inversionistas tomar decisiones para estructurar un proyecto a nivel de factibilidad y plan de negocios.

How to increase profitability of Golf Industry in Lisbon?

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Management from the NOVA – School of Business and Economics

Pla de màrqueting de Barcelona is golf

El turisme és una de les indústries més importants del país, representant prop de l’11% del PIB espanyol, segons dades de el “Instituto de estudios turísticos” de 2012. Un 86% dels estrangers que visiten el país ho fan per raons vacacionals i són vàries les motivacions que porten a aquests turistes a escollir Espanya i Catalunya per al seu període d’oci: sol i platja, cultura, gastronomia o esports, per exemple. El golf l’inclouríem dintre aquest últim grup. Espanya, té destinacions de turisme de golf que gaudeixen d’una reputació mundial ben merescuda. La Costa el Sol s’emporta un percentatge molt elevat de turisme de golf, seguit per les illes Canàries, les Balears i la Costa Brava. Aquesta última, és una destinació en desenvolupament i que està agafant cada cop més prestigi, tot i que encara està molt allunyada dels números que presenten les altres destinacions que hem comentat, podríem considerar-la ja, com una destinació de golf. En canvi, Barcelona, que segons la Organització Mundial del Turisme és una de les destinacions turístiques més importants del món i que compta amb una molt bona infraestructura de camps de golf, no és reconeguda com una destinació turística de golf i els camps, fins ara, vivien d’esquena al turisme, acomodats en les quotes anuals que els seus socis locals els proporcionaven. Barcelona, a dia d’avui, no figura en cap catàleg de tour operador europeu especialitzat en golf. Per tant, és un repte intentar descobrir si Barcelona pot esdevenir una destinació turística de golf reconeguda i, el que és més important, veure com uns clubs de golf amb una estructura molt arcaica i sense experiència en el sector del turisme, poden encarar aquest nou repte. Resumint, aquest treball ha de respondre a la pregunta; Com es pot crear la marca de golf Barcelona? I també ha de resoldre el: Com s’han d’organitzar els clubs de golf per desenvolupar, tots junts aquest model de negoci? A partir d’aquí vaig començar a estructurar el treball i a intentar respondre aquestes preguntes i d’altres que anaven sortint conforme anava recopilant informació i parlant amb els responsables dels camps de golf

Understanding Golf Country Club Members’ Loyalty: Factors Affecting Membership Renewal Decisions

Many private country clubs across the United States have experienced a declining or flat membership and smaller waitlists of members wanting to join. The objective of this study was to investigate whether member involvement, service quality, and perceived value, influence member satisfaction and intention to renew membership for members of private country clubs. An online survey instrument customized for the country club industry was distributed to members of two country clubs in northeast Ohio. Results indicate that involvement level of members and perceived value impact country club members’ satisfaction and intention to renew their membership. Managerial implications are discussed.

Proposta de plano de comunicação: Curia Palace Hotel Spa & Golf

O presente projeto propõe-se a contribuir para a melhoria da comunicação do Curia Palace Hotel Spa & Golf de forma, a que este recupere o brilho de outros tempos. O livro inicia-se com uma apresentação do turismo mundial e em Portugal (com todas as suas características e tendências), assim como a hotelaria e o marketing a ela associado. Segue-se toda a informação da unidade hoteleira em questão e o perfil dos seus clientes (considerando os dados recolhidos através de inquéritos), e a proposta de um plano de comunicação usando como base o perfil previamente estabelecido.

Epidemiological study on leishmaniasis in an area of environmental tourism and ecotourism, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, 2006-2007

The aims of this study were to carry out a serological survey of canine leishmaniasis and identify the phlebotomine fauna in the urban area of Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul. The serological survey was conducted on a sample of 303 dogs, by means of the indirect immunofluorescence test. Phlebotomines were captured using automated light traps. The serological survey found that 30% of the dogs were seropositive, both from the center and from all districts of the town. A total of 2,772 specimens of phlebotomines were caught and the species most found was Lutzomyia longipalpis (90.4%), which corroborated its role as the vector of for canine visceral leishmaniasis in the region. Phlebotomines of the species Bichromomyia flaviscutellata (the main vector for Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis) and Nyssomyia whitmani (the vector for Leishmania (Viannia) brasiliensis) were also caught. The findings indicate the need for continuous epidemiological surveillance, with attention towards diminishing the vector breeding sites and the transmission of these diseases in that region.

The development of social tourism in Brazil

This article reflects on the origins and development of social tourism in Brazil, with particular reference to the socio-economic conditions in the country. It discusses the theoretical conceptualisation of social tourism and its implementations in the non-European context. The case study presented here is based on a secondary bibliographical research of existing definitions and an in-depth analysis of the political conditions that have framed its development. More particularly, this article will discuss public initiatives since the Labour Party gained power in Brazil in 2003. Apart from public sector involvement in social tourism, this article also examines the role of the third sector in provision. The example of Social Service of Commerce will be presented. This article will conclude by evaluating the phenomenon of social tourism in Brazil, highlighting where progress has been made and which are the key challenges that need to be overcome.

An external focus of attention results in greater swimming speed

We examined effects of attentional focus on swimming speed. Participants` task was to swim one length of a pool (16 m) using the front crawl stroke. In Experiment 1, intermediate swimmers were given attentional focus instructions related to the crawl arm stroke or the leg kick, respectively. Participants were instructed to focus on ""pulling your hands back"" or ""pushing the instep down"" (internal focus), or on ""pushing the water back/down"" (external focus), respectively. Swim times were significantly shorter with an external focus. In Experiment 2, a control condition was included. Times were significantly faster in the external focus compared with both the internal focus and control conditions. These findings have implications for enhancing performance in swimming.

Characterization of tree-rings of Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis Barr. et Golf. trees by X ray densitometry

This work aimed to determining the anatomical structure of wood, through methodology of histology and X-ray densitometry, of resin-tapped and not resin-tapped Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis trees samples, of three diameter classes. Pine trees, in forest plantation established in 1969, in the Ecological Experimental Station of Itirapina, from the Forestry Institute of Sao Paulo State, were measured and stratified into three classes of trunk diameter. The pine trees were resin-tapped since 2004, with the opening of two simultaneous and opposing panels. Sixty samples of pine wood trees were extracted from the tree trunk through a non-destructive method and in the laboratory. Tree rings were determined in the laboratory and wood apparent density by X-ray densitometry. The test results showed that: (i) false tree rings occur in the early wood and late wood of the tree rings due to climate change; (ii) the X-ray densitometry allowed the demarcation of the tree rings limits; (iii) the wood apparent density average was significantly different between the trees in high class diameter and in the medium-low class; (iv) the wood characteristics from the resin-tapped and non resin-tapped faces did not show significant differences.

Concepts and tools for comprehensive sustainability assessments for tourism destinations: a comparative review

This paper reviews a wide range of tools for comprehensive sustainability assessments at whole tourism destinations, covering socio-cultural, economic and environmental issues. It considers their strengths, weaknesses and site specific applicability. It is intended to facilitate their selection (and combination where necessary). Tools covered include Sustainability Indicators, Environmental Impact Assessment, Life Cycle Assessment, Environmental Audits, Ecological Footprints, Multi-Criteria Analysis and Adaptive Environmental Assessment. Guidelines for evaluating their suitability for specific sites and situations are given as well as examples of their use.

The Learning Tourism Destination: The potential of a learning organisation approach for improving the sustainability of tourism destinations

Globalisation, increasing complexity, and the need to address triple-bottom line sustainability has seen the proliferation of Learning Organisations (LO) who, by definition, have the capacity to anticipate environmental changes and economic opportunities and adapt accordingly. Such organisations use system dynamics modelling (SDM) for both strategic planning and the promotion of organisational learning. Although SDM has been applied in the context of tourism destination management for predictive reasons, the current literature does not analyse or recognise how this could be used as a foundation for an LO. This study introduces the concept of the Learning Tourism Destinations (LTD) and discusses, on the basis of a review of 6 case studies, the potential of SDM as a tool for the implementation and enhancement of collective learning processes. The results reveal that SDM is capable of promoting communication between stakeholders and stimulating organisational learning. It is suggested that the LTD approach be further utilised and explored.