Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

Foresight is a relatively new field of study which initially arose to make provisions for the future in science and technology, but nowadays it is increasingly being used in territorial issues. Although the use of foresight tools in the tourism realm has been limited, there is a growing need to manage the increasing uncertainty that surrounds tourism development. Based on these premises, this paper tries to prove the capability of foresight tools to anticipate the impacts of complex global challenges on the tourism field. This assumption is tested through a future vision exercise which explores the evolution of tourism demand segments and its implications in planning tourism destinations. Two major demand segments are visualised for the year 2020 horizon: “Niche and Innovative Demand” and “Massive and Predictable Demand”. For both segments, the tourism consumption chain value is displayed and spatial design guidelines are recommended for sun and beach destinations.

Despite the inexistence of a formal plan, a series of underlying factors generated a project that hoped to hybridize tourism and landscape by safeguarding and protecting Lanzarote´s environment as well as adapting the region to this economic activity.So as to remain faithful to the Island´s nature, solutions were not adopted as isolated fragments but as part of a comprehensive system. This resulted in an outstanding model of human interaction with the environment while creating a different and competitive image within the tourism market.

The Caribbean is challenged to remain competitive in a dynamic global tourism arena. Tourism education plays a critical role in preparing individuals to effectively manage this industry in order to gain that competitive edge. The focus of this study is the determination of the essential management competencies of tourism graduates. The findings reveal that the focus of the tourism programme should be on producing graduates that are flexible, ethical and knowledgeable. The onus is on tourism educators to establish close collaboration among key stakeholders to ensure that there is understanding as to what is of critical importance in preparing future Caribbean leaders.

Currently tourist destinations are promoted through multiple media, but we must recognize that in these moments is the most important Internet and especially mobile applications, being the holder by which the tourism business sector are channeling their offer to improve tourist experience. In this research we present the relationship between business management-tourist as the skeleton holding the economy long-term fate. The competition among tourist destinations has forced all stakeholders to be more creative, proactive and especially knowing differentiate ourselves. The methodology used in this research project has been mainly qualitative, gathering information about our study problem. The interest of this research mainly focuses on analyzing the relationship between business management-tourist through mobile applications, consider this node as a tourist differentiating element and said tool is being implemented in the sector.

In a context of general economic crisis and budget deficit, in 2012 the Generalitat de Catalunya -one of the first tourist destinations in Europe and the Mediterranean region- created a tourist tax also known as the Tax on stays in tourist establishments in Catalonia. This tax was intended to alleviate this deficit and to have a fund that would allow maintaining investments in tourism promotion and its proper management.This article takes stock of the collection of the first two full years (years 2013 and 2014) of the validity of the tax and assess the actions taken with the funds obtained, especially in the use of TIC, both in promotional campaigns as in actions to manage this activity.Among the main conclusions of the study is that the entry into force of the tax has allowed beneficiary destinations to encourage the creation and promotion of new tourism products and the use of new tools of tourism planning and management, more efficient and better adapted to the needs of the current tourist demand. 

Since the late twentieth century, the duality tourism and cinema, commonly referred to as film-induced tourism, has become one of the most emerging and dynamic tourist modalities. Amongst the various types of film-induced tourism accepted by the academia, this research has been based on one that has a double filmic identity: as film destination and as film setting. Meaning a film that is shot in a particular place but is actually representing elsewhere. The main objective of this research is to identify and analyse the international audio-visual productions or co-productions that have been partially or completely shot in Barcelona yet in fiction represent another city. The results were essentially obtained from an analytical-descriptive methodology. As a main conclusion of the study, it can be stated that international films which are shot in Barcelona but represent elsewhere in the film, have great potential to strengthen or create a competitive offer of film-induced tourism in Barcelona.

This article aims to analyze the tourism potential of Ulithi Atoll, in the Federated States of Micronesia. It identifies possibilities for sustainable tourism development, while taking into account the major issues that threaten the environment, the cultural integrity and the future of the local community. Through a review of existing research and an assessment of the web presence, the study develops a diagnosis of the current situation of the tourism sector in the destination. The tourism potential of Ulithi mainly relies on its beautiful physical environment and authentic cultural heritage, but it is still largely untapped due to limited development. Tourism represents a strategic tool for the economic growth and empowerment of Ulithi community. Presently, however, the atoll’s biggest problem is the recovery from the recent disastrous Typhoon Maysak. Other pressing challenges are climate change and the erosion of traditional knowledge. The study identifies ecotourism and voluntourism as key niche market opportunities for the destination. Encouraging greater participation among the stakeholders and a concrete commitment to sustainability within the strategic plans are some of the recommendations that aim to build the tourism industry in a way that supports the local culture, the natural resources and the way of life.

Cultural tourism provides tools to create differentiated tourism products; especially in consolidated sun and sand destinations where it can complement the existing offer or contribute to the renewal of the image of the destination.From this concept develops this article; whose main objective is to present the current situation of the cultural heritage of the Colonial City of Santo Domingo; Dominican Republic.By using an inductive-deductive method with mixed approach and an analytical-descriptive typology; an inventory and an evaluation form of the resources and cultural attractions of the area were applied simultaneously. Before fieldwork; an exploratory study was conducted which allowed to know the information regarding on historical data; social aspects and the main activities of the city.The results of this research provide an overall picture of the city as a World Heritage Site; show its tourism potential and highlights the need for the inclusion of the intangible cultural heritage in the concepts used to create mediation tools to enhance the value of the tourism product and support the collective memory.

The goal of this paper is to highlight those actions that can change the experience of the customer during their staying by the design in the guestroom. The research carried out chose hotels located in the United States and Europe in order to find out and compare strategies of each one.The research covered ten case studies, which were chosen by obtaining LEED certification. Once we obtained their design actions developed for getting indoor air quality, the research compared which of them were influential on the customer experiences during their stay by reviewing Tripadvisor reviews and pictures of costumers. The results show us how the LEED certified hotels have a relation between the design action of LEED and the costumer’s experience in rooms. In additions, the paper reveals a group of emotional codes in terms of comfort, relaxing and visual relations between built and natural environments.

The image airports project via their applications (apps) affects -- directly or indirectly--passengers’ satisfaction. Today, airports are competing among each other to attract more airlines and passengers to improve commercial revenues. Airport apps (as mobile marketing tools) are offering a wide range of opportunities to both passengers and airports. Apps are the best solution if airports want to improve the passenger experience as well as differentiate themselves from their competitors. The results from this investigation reveal that an airport’s image-perception has either a positive or negative effect on customer satisfaction. Our structural equation model confirms that the projection of the airport image on an app improves passengers’ sense of security-control, along with cross selling. This paper provides a glimpse to how commercial activities in airports will function with interactive media.