Promoting Cultural Heritage in the Form of Events within the Tourism Industry

Introduction

Tourism became one of the propellers of the nations’ economy. With an aim to deliver the leisure for the foreigners, many industries are opted to serve by utilizing the natural resources, additional construction and facilities, and many others just to satisfy the visitors of the country. Because of the need for the additional investments on these projects, the tourism industry is looking for the effective way to deliver the kind of service and varieties of products that the visitor will surely won’t forget.

Background and Problem Statement

Every country offers different kind of tourism which is basically inspired by their natural culture. Therefore, the tourism is another way of introducing the best history and culture on the foreigners. But apparently, the connection between the culture and the tourism has been established. This joint force created an impact in the country which is both good and bad. The culture tourism is the beginning where the culture, its heritage and its value are not only introduced but can also experience. As defined by the World Tourism Organization (WTO), tourism comprises the activities of persons travelling to and staying in place outside their usual environment for not more than one year for leisure, business and other purposes. On the other hand, the cultural tourism is more about introducing the natural assets like sites and monuments and focused on the visitor’s motivations and perceptions. However, what would be the impact of the promotion of cultural heritage in the country? And how will it boost the tourism industry?

Research Aim and Objectives

The main aim of the study is to investigate the promotion of cultural heritage in the form of events in within the tourism industry. In order to gain the information regarding the stated problem, there are four objectives that can be used as guidelines. First is to determine the activities involved in cultural heritage for the tourism. Second is to recognize the countries that use this kind of strategy in their tourism industry. Third is to gain the ideas regarding the benefits and drawbacks of introducing the cultural heritage in the tourism. And fourth is to describe the potentials of the cultural heritage and the ways to reduce the drawbacks recognized.

Literature Review

The typical types of sites or attractions which are considered to attract cultural tourist are archeological sites and museums, architectures like ruins, famous building, or whole towns. The art, sculpture, crafts, galleries, festivals, events are also included. Music and dance whether classical, folk, or contemporary; drama in theatre, films, and even the dramatists are part of the natural heritage that can be introduce to the visitors. The language and literature study, tours, events, religious festivals, pilgrimages, cultures and sub cultures are the other attractions that the visitors might be interested are also offered in the cultural tourism program (Olsen, 2005; Uger, Gurer, and Sat, 2006). The promotion of cultural heritage is a good strategy to boost the tourism industry. However, there has been little attention paid to value the protection of the heritage sites that was destroyed by the commercial introduction of the cultural tourism. For many cultural heritage sites, an important component of values are the history that goes with it – in which nobody can assessed even if they try different market computations. The challenge now is how to preserve the existing value of every heritage founded in one country. Another issue that may arise is the restoration of the cultural values and heritage where nobody can ever assess on how much it will cost them (Rolfe and Windle, 2003). The restoration can only alter the authenticity of a cultural heritage and lose its value not only in the eye of the local residents but also in the eye of the visitors.

Methodology

The applied method in the study is the use of use both primary and secondary data collection methods which can supply quantitative and qualitative data. The secondary data can be collected through the use and review of the published works from books, newspapers and magazines, research reports and market surveys of tourism-related companies, and electronic sources like on-line databases, Internet that will be the subject for analysis and re-interpretation. The primary data is based on the surveys and interviews among the firms under the tourism industry and the specific information can help the study to analyze their perceptions and recommendation of strategies regarding the promotion of cultural heritage.

References:

Olsen, D., (2005) Issues in Cultural Tourism Studies, Journal of Cultural Geography, 23(1)

Rolfe, J., & Windle, J., (2003) Valuing the Protection of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Sites, Journal of Economic Record, 79(245)

Ucer, A., Gurer, N., & Sat, N., (2006) Cultural Tourism as a Tool for sustaining Local Values: Beypazari Case. [Online] Available at: http://www.hsse.nie.edu.sg/staff/changch/seaga/seaga2006/proceedings [Accessed 29 September 2010].

Significance of Paragliding to Tourism industry in Kenya

Introduction

Tourism is the most growing industry in each and every country that supported more than half-percent of their economy. The growth of tourism is beyond the knowledge of every person who is not engaged in it, but for those who are involved in tourism businesses their understanding is more than of the reality. Because of the lovely place and beauty of the country, the authorities identified that those assets should not be wasted, but instead be their source of national income. The idea of tourism involves the marketing of the culture of the country and presenting its finest for the tourists.

Background and Problem Statement

Tourism offered opportunity in the countries that specialized in delivering hospitality and a better future for the developing and underdeveloped countries. All of the countries that offered culture, heritage, history, and others are bound to represent their country in the different destinations that can mesmerize the eyes of the tourists. Long-built castle, enormous bridges, and old-aged monuments are part of the tourism which underpins the development in economy, environment, social and cultural. Kenya is one of the most popular tourist destinations because of the large wildlife population and diversity. The country also extended its tourism offers through the introduction of other outdoor activities that will surely enjoyed by the families and friends visiting their country – paragliding. This kind of adventure tags along with the mountain climbing, bungee jumping, etc. However, because of the potential growth of tourism in the country, how will the industry fund such activities and support the sustainable tourism?

Research Aim and Objectives

The main aim of the study is to investigate the contribution of paragliding activities in the boosting the tourism industry of Kenya and support the sustainable tourism. In order to facilitate this investigation, there are three objectives needs to be considered. First is to identify the other activities offered in Kenya and its effectiveness in attracting the tourists. Second is to describe the safeness included in the activities. And third is to recognize the support gained by the industry from the government.

Literature Review

Sustainable tourism does not stand alone in the industry of tourism. There are many things to be considered in determining if the country is sustainable enough to support the principles of tourism and the sustainable development. Every country promotes different tourist attraction such as the historical background, human environment, and nature. Sustainable tourism is a kind of tourism that is associated with infrastructures that is present and future operations. To specify the word ‘sustainable’, the tourism of one country should operate within the natural capacities for the regeneration and future productivity of natural resources being recognized the contribution of people and the communities. Part of it the customs and lifestyles to make tourism inevitable for the visitors which in return, acquire the equal share of economic benefits of people and the communities in the host areas. In other words, sustainable tourism is also based on the destination which is an emerging recognition in promoting sustainable development at every destination.

To answer the popularity growth of the area subject for tourism, the ongoing development is established that bounds to meet the present needs without compromising the future preferences. With these sustainable developments, further project and proposal has been part of every strategic approach in developing a sustainable tourism destination. This sustainable tourism destination can be scoped in two different aspects. One is managing all the resources that are allocated for tourism which only focuses on the needs of the tourists and the host community, and the other is taken to consider all or broader view of developing the sustainability of the destination. For Kenya, to gain the sustainable tourism in the country, the industry should provide appropriate approach wherein they can gain advantages. Aside from the offers of Savannah wildlife or the Safari adventure, the activities that will include the adrenalin for the tourists can catch their attention, especially those people who love the adventure.

Methodology

The method in the study is the use of secondary information. The materials that can be use as references are the tourism report coming from Kenya and the consumer’s case studies regarding the tourism in Kenya. In addition, the paragliding activities being offered in Kenya as well as in the other countries will be investigated, particularly in the area of its funding, the significant benefits, return of investments, and the long-term success.

References:

Butler, R., (1999) Sustainable Tourism: A State-of-the-Art Review, 1(1) [Online] Available at: http://www.informaworld.com/ [Accessed 13 August 2010].

Cihar, M., & Silovsky, V., (2002) The Tourism Potentials and Impacts in Protected Areas, Agency for Nature Conservation and Landscape Protection. [Online] Available at: http://www.cbd.int/doc/case-studies/tour/cs-tour-sumava-cz-en.pdf [Accessed 13 August 2010].

Lee, K. F., (2001) Sustainable Tourism Destinations: The Importance of Cleaner Production, Journal of Cleaner Production 9(4) [Online] Available at: www.cleanerproduction.net [Accessed 13 August 2010].

The Role of Tourism in Rural Development System

Introduction

Development is the most desirable option available for every country. The aim for development is not necessary mean to change everything but to enhance the elements and factors that contribute the progress of the community. There should be a system that can guide the process of development. In this paper, the discussion of the rural development will be criticized under the influence of tourism. Among the other developing countries, Nigeria aims the same and through the observation coming from the other countries that successfully manages the development, the suggestions or recommendations on the role of tourism can be drawn.

The Characteristics of Rural Development

The development is identified to be characterized with six features. First is the capacity-building that considers as the foundation of the development programs that facilitates the planning and ability to implement the proposed plans. Here, leaders need the essential knowledge and organizational skills to act according to their roles and responsibilities. Second is the empowerment that supports the capacity-building. This requires the participation of the residents living in the rural areas in order to build the decisions generated by the government. Third is collaboration that is considered as one of the most important aspect in times when the problems exceeds in the rural development agenda. The nature of collaboration involves the activities and interests with other organizations and move for the cooperative relationships. All the collaborative efforts of the organizations attempt to create the appropriate action towards the holistic growth.

Fourth is the expansion of the activities. As the communities or rural areas continuous to progress, it is important that there are regional development opportunities available for the people. The examples are fostering the local entrepreneurship that will complement in the economic development, integration of the small firms with various associations such as trading organizations, strengthening the government structures and many others. Fifth is opening the access to information that can be available for the universities, government, and non-government organizations. The valuable information can be effectively deployed through the use of broadband technology. And sixth characteristic is to be comprehensive but nit categorical. This means that the policy imposed should not focus on one certain area because development should target the all the rural areas and to be comprehensive even in continuous evolution and reorganization.

Tourism

The system of rural development is associated with the objectives and policies formulated by the governments. Obviously, when policies are not clearly formulated, the international standards are then used for the good practice. In other countries like UK, the national objectives for the rural development centers in three aspects: (a) the economic and social regeneration, (b) social justice for all; and (c) enhancing the value of countryside. We can say, that the policies and objectives involved in rural development and generation of a system differs in every country, so much to the developed and developing countries, because of the status and present situations.

Tourism is already recognized as a powerful force towards the change in the economy of both developed and developing countries. The growth in tourism can answer the problems in employment and expected to increase the growth for total employment. Tourism is also considered to be the potential answer for many of the rural areas as well as helping to preserve the local jobs, creates new jobs, and diversifies the employment. In tourism industry, the enterprises identified that might contribute such good solution in employment problems of rural areas are the hotels, restaurants and cafes, transport and travel, and recreational, cultural and sporting activities. In the analysis of the contribution of tourism, it is noticeable that the characteristics in rural development can be satisfied. In the comparison with the Poverty Reduction Strategy of Zambia, the sector of tourism is expected to affect both national and regional areas because of the encouragement the government made in terms of investment.

Conclusion

In order for a country to gain the development on its rural areas, they must strengthen the factors that might contribute to the total development. Tourism is viewed as one of the possible solutions available. The possibility to break the problems in rural areas is to emphasize the creation of new jobs and focus in the sustainability. Since, tourism can deliver both of the elements, the principles for the development in rural areas is a great significance for the future of Nigeria. Furthermore, the government should recognize the other tourism activities that can deliver the same benefit for the rural areas but will not destroy the natural environment.

References:

FOA, (2007) National and International Rural Development Policies, Handbook on Rural Households’ Livelihood and Well-Being [Online] Available at: http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/ess/pages/rural/files/1.8_Chapter_II_National_and_International_Rural_Development_Policies.pdf [Accessed 11 August 2010].

Pigg, K., & Bradshaw, T., (2006) Catalytic Community Development, Rural Sociological Society, No. 6 [Online] Available at: http://ruralsociology.org/StaticContent/Features/brief6.pdf [Accessed 11 August 2010]

Udovč, A., & Perpar, A., (2006) Role of Rural Tourism for Development of Rural Areas, Journal of Central European Agriculture, 8(2): 223-228 [Online] Available at: http://www.agr.hr/jcea/issues/jcea8-2/pdf/jcea82-13.pdf [Accessed 11 August 2010].

Development of Tourism and Hospitality sector in Bangladesh

Introduction

The hospitality industry is considered as one of the largest industry in every nation and it can help the country gain additional economic improvements. The idea of tourism and other hospitality business gave birth is both introducing the beauty of the country and at the same time, maintaining its beauty for the sake of the future. Tourism and hospitality are very favorable for the countries that are under the series of development and the people are seeking for the opportunities, even if there are many challenges due to globalization.

Background and Problem Statement

The increasing attention on tourism reached in both sides of the world. Through creating the main idea that tourism and hospitality industries plays an important role in navigating the success of an economy still, the continuous growth is what truly accounted for. Basically, through the various tourism and hospitality activities being offered in the industry, there is a significant boost that might increases in economic growth, disposable income and leisure time, political stability, and aggressive tourism campaigns. For such, developing countries are doubling their effort to provide solution into their tourism and hospitality opportunities. Bangladesh is a developing country in Asia, which draws interest in the tourism because of its potentials. Moreover, Bangladesh has been an attractive destination for tourists. But at present, its position is not significant in terms of the international tourism market. The overall objective of this research is to identify the issues and challenges in tourism marketing facing Bangladesh (Nazrul, 2009). The hospitality management is in the middle of risky decisions. First is the challenge in terms of the globalization and second is the challenge of economic recession. Most of the developing countries are on the focus of the effective ways to bringing back the life in their economy.

Research Aim and Objectives

The main aim of the study is to discover the developments in the tourism and hospitality industry. In order to support the aim of the study, there are five important that are needed to fulfill.

· To develop tourism as a driving force for poverty and vital force for the economic growth of the country.

· To initiate a key sustainable development of local tourism as the tool of protecting environmental and community that leads to quality life

· To describe Bangladesh as a global tourist destination and its ability to attract tourists from all over the world.

· To determine the various developmental factors towards research in tourism and training of both business and people.

· To measure the attractiveness created by the country in facilitating investments for the continuous economic growth.

Literature Review

Tourism has become a very important and dynamic sector both in the world economy and particular in the developing countries. Its growth affects not only the activities directly linked to tourism but also other sectors. Tourism is already an important sector in some developing countries and will become so for others. Developing countries have been fast growing in tourism industry terms in the world over the last decade. Tourism is one of the most important sectors in a large number of developing countries (Nazrul, 2009).

Apparently, most of the issue being faced by various countries in tourism is the problem with the solid wastes and its management. The solid wastes management requires the organizations to make decisions in terms of the economic, social, environmental and institutional aspects (Visvanathan and Alamgir, 2005). The ongoing development of the tourism and hospitality industry can duly promote the national festivities and heritages as part of the tourism product to welcome the foreign visitors into their culture and create a long-term impression. This idea can definitely increase the rate of return in the country (Rahman, 2008).

Methodology

The proposed methodology in the study is the use of the secondary information. Through the application of the method, the appropriate techniques that were incorporated by the various hospitality organizations can be an essential tool to help the industry breathe even in the rapid changes in terms of globalization. The method will provide the study an opportunity to measure the effectiveness of each technique and therefore, the study can generate its own analysis regarding the issue on boosting the tourism industry.

References:

Nazrul, S.M., (2009) “Tourism Marketing in Developing countries: a study of Bangladesh”, Accessed 17 June 2010, from http://home.wmin.ac.uk/docs/SABE/Events/S_M_Nazrul_Islam.pdf

Rahman, M., (Pres.) (2008) “Objects of Bangladesh Tourism Foundation”, Bangladesh Tourism Foundation, Accessed 17 June 2010, from http://www.tourtobangladesh.com/btf.php

Visvanathan, G.U., & Alamgir, M., (2005) “Integrated Solid Waste Management in Least Developed Asian Countries: A Comparative Analysis”, International Conference on Integrated Solid Waste Management in Southeast Asian Cities, Accessed 17 June 2010, from, http://www.sea-uema.ait.ac.th/Publications/abstracts/material/Abstract_cambodia_2005.pdf