Matching Items (34)
Description
Cuisines are becoming increasingly significant in a tourist's experience and as such looking into different cuisines and their effects on the tourist's destination provides strong indicators of the outlook for the destination. Metropolitan areas within the United States have a history of being known for specific food items as well as types of cuisines. This study explores the Metropolitan area of New Orleans and the cuisine specific to this region: the Creole cuisine. A mixed methods approach was used to identify the Creole cuisine within the New Orleans area as both a regional cuisine and as a culturally significant cuisine, within the context of the United States of America. Once established, and through the help of the local New Orleans' Convention and Visitors Bureau, an online questionnaire was distributed to individuals that had shown an interest in visiting the New Orleans area. The questionnaire identified the characteristics of the Creole cuisine and the respondents' most recent trip to New Orleans. The Brief Sensation Seeking Scale, adjusted for cuisine tourism, provided a categorical separation of the respondents into three groupings: "Foodies", "Semi-foodies", and "Non-foodies". Two important findings emerge from this study, the cultural significant cuisine segmentation model and the foodie scale. These two findings allow for an in depth look at characteristics of regional cuisines and food tourists, while providing a way to predict food characteristics of both destination and individual.
ContributorsSeery, Paul S (Author) / Tyrrell, Timothy (Thesis advisor) / Timothy, Dallen (Committee member) / Beezhold, Bonnie (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2010
Description
The Northern Gulf of California is characterized by an extreme tidal range and temperature fluctuations between seasons, as well as a large variation in microhabitats along its shoreline. As a result, the intertidal regions exhibit a diverse and distinct collection of species that have adapted to these environmental conditions, with roughly 4.6 percent being endemic. Minimal knowledge of these ecosystems existed until the 1940’s, when the renowned author John Steinbeck accompanied marine biologist Edward Ricketts on an expedition with the purpose of documenting the biodiversity of the Sea of Cortez. Today, the majority of research in the Northern Gulf of California is directed by CEDO, the Intercultural Center for the Study of Deserts and Oceans. The purpose of this project is to compile a literature review of research on the intertidal areas of the Northern Gulf and produce an illustrated brochure that educates beach visitors on local biodiversity as a collaboration with CEDO and the Clean Beaches Committee of Puerto Peñasco. This brochure aims to increase respect and appreciation for these species, as increased tourism over the past few decades has led to detrimental effects on the ecosystem. Additionally, it serves to promote the success of the Blue Flag certification of El Mirador beach in front of Manny’s Beach Club.
ContributorsPotter, Jessica Noel (Co-author) / Potter, Jessica (Co-author) / Neuer, Susanne (Thesis director) / Mangin, Katrina (Committee member) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2021-05
Description
Prior to COVID-19, tourism was one of the world’s largest and fastest growing industries. Consequently, extensive scholarly research has been conducted on various aspects of tourism. However, the majority of this research has primarily focused on the experiences of tourists, leaving the impacts and dynamics on host destinations, especially in developing countries, relatively understudied. This dissertation examines the dynamics of tourism in Upper Mustang, Nepal. Using a confluence of mixed methods, the three research papers in this dissertation address the gaps in existing literature and provide insights into the complex dynamics of tourism in the region. These studies investigate the effects of COVID-19 on global migratory networks and trans-local kinship relationships, examine the impacts of tourism and power relationships, and analyze the factors that influence tourism-based livelihood diversification. The first paper analyzes migration, mobility, and precarity within the trans-local Himalayan community, particularly in light of the COVID-19’s disruptions. The second paper explores Upper Mustang residents' perspectives on tourism impacts and considers power relationships. The third paper investigates the factors influencing households' decisions to adopt or avoid tourism-based livelihood diversification in Upper Mustang. The findings highlight the dependence of Mustangs' well-being on global migratory networks and trans-local kinship relations. Perceived tourism impacts varied based on geographical location, which defined the presence of tourists. The study reveals an uneven distribution of tourism benefits among the local population, stemming from historical social structures that pre-date tourism. Furthermore, it identifies factors that positively or negatively influence households' choices to diversify their livelihoods into tourism. The research underscores the disruptive nature of migration on the trend of livelihood diversification. Overall, this study contributes to a comprehensive understanding of tourism complexities and effects in the context of Upper Mustang, which are relevant to tourism impacts experienced globally. By addressing multiple dimensions, including migration, power relationship, and livelihood decisions, it sheds light on the intricate dynamics of tourism for the region and connects local tourism to global processes of migration and livelihood change. The research emphasizes the need for a balanced exploration of host destination perspectives and expands knowledge on the impacts of tourism.
ContributorsGurung, Tashi Wongdi (Author) / BurnSilver, Shauna S (Thesis advisor) / Marty Anderies, Marty M (Thesis advisor) / York, Abigail A (Committee member) / Shrestha, Milan M (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2023
Description
ABSTRACT
The tourism industry continues to mature as many consumers are demanding more responsible and sustainable development. Mindfulness has been studied in tourism as a cognitive trait recognized by actively processing information through an acute sensitivity to an individual's environment and openness to new information. Mindfulness has been shown to predict behaviors related to tourism and recreation. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) has been extensively applied to understand human behavior. Despite TPB's extensive history in the social sciences, researchers continue to incorporate new social factors to explain behavior. This study employs an emerging psychological construct, mindfulness, into the TPB model as an enhancement to conceptual and empirical discrepancies.
This study aimed to: (1) understand the presence of mindfulness among those who travel, and (2) test a hypothesized relationship between mindfulness and intent to be sustainable on vacation. The research seeks to answer - does mindfulness add to a traveler's likelihood to behave sustainably in a destination with active sustainable initiatives? The purpose of this study is to showcase emerging consumer traits, like mindfulness, to enhance visitor experiences through sustainability initiatives.
A survey research method was employed to provide a broad, generalizable set of findings from a group of people who were planning a trip and may have visited a specific destination. This study partnered with Sedona Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau to access such a population. The survey was conducted with a self-administered online survey and 550 completed surveys were obtained. Behavior intention to be sustainable, in any visited destination, was regressed twice to address the research question. The first regression included original TPB independent variables (such as attitude, social norms, perceived behavioral control). The second regression added the mindfulness variable. The mindfulness variable was found to be positive and significant in a general context. The model was tested for those who traveled to Sedona and mindfulness and actual behaviors associated with sustainability were strongly related. A traveler's perception of their ability to control behaviors had a significant role when paired with mindfulness. Results suggest the TPB model has availability to incorporate new consumer behavior traits to understand behavior intention.
The tourism industry continues to mature as many consumers are demanding more responsible and sustainable development. Mindfulness has been studied in tourism as a cognitive trait recognized by actively processing information through an acute sensitivity to an individual's environment and openness to new information. Mindfulness has been shown to predict behaviors related to tourism and recreation. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) has been extensively applied to understand human behavior. Despite TPB's extensive history in the social sciences, researchers continue to incorporate new social factors to explain behavior. This study employs an emerging psychological construct, mindfulness, into the TPB model as an enhancement to conceptual and empirical discrepancies.
This study aimed to: (1) understand the presence of mindfulness among those who travel, and (2) test a hypothesized relationship between mindfulness and intent to be sustainable on vacation. The research seeks to answer - does mindfulness add to a traveler's likelihood to behave sustainably in a destination with active sustainable initiatives? The purpose of this study is to showcase emerging consumer traits, like mindfulness, to enhance visitor experiences through sustainability initiatives.
A survey research method was employed to provide a broad, generalizable set of findings from a group of people who were planning a trip and may have visited a specific destination. This study partnered with Sedona Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau to access such a population. The survey was conducted with a self-administered online survey and 550 completed surveys were obtained. Behavior intention to be sustainable, in any visited destination, was regressed twice to address the research question. The first regression included original TPB independent variables (such as attitude, social norms, perceived behavioral control). The second regression added the mindfulness variable. The mindfulness variable was found to be positive and significant in a general context. The model was tested for those who traveled to Sedona and mindfulness and actual behaviors associated with sustainability were strongly related. A traveler's perception of their ability to control behaviors had a significant role when paired with mindfulness. Results suggest the TPB model has availability to incorporate new consumer behavior traits to understand behavior intention.
ContributorsAzzi, Maya Violette (Author) / Vogt, Christine A (Thesis advisor) / Buzinde, Christine (Committee member) / Cloutier, Scott (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2017
Description
The COVID-19 pandemic arguably affected the travel industry more than any other global industry. In what felt like overnight, both domestic and international travel was halted due to the spread of the virus. Travel organizations, such as The Travel Corporation, had to learn to adapt and create policies and procedures to help mitigate the consequences of the pandemic. This qualitative research examines the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the travel industry to provide an understanding of future travel implications and restrictions for travelers and guided travel companies, utilizing The Travel Corporation as an example. A total of 36 employees of The Travel Corporation were surveyed regarding their views on how the company handled the pandemic. The research shows that the travel industry needs to have policies in place that ensure resilience against any future catastrophes.
ContributorsBurg, Amber Dawn (Author) / Akpan-Obong, Patience (Thesis advisor) / Veach, Paula (Thesis advisor) / Todd, Megan (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2023
Description
Social Carrying Capacity (SCC) has been used commonly in the past to study the impact of increasing numbers of tourists on tourists’ satisfaction with a destination. However, it has been used less commonly to research the impact of increasing levels of tourism on residents of tourism destinations. As definitions of sustainable tourism shift to be more inclusive of residents, commonly used constructs should also be refined or modified to reflect this ontological shift. Current operational definitions of SCC tend to focus on crowding as the major indicator SCC has been reached. Even the theories commonly used to study SCC, stimulus-overload and expectancy theories, relate directly to crowding. This Master’s thesis aimed to expand the concept of SCC to be more representative of the manifold impacts experienced by residents of tourism destinations as tourism increases. This aim was accomplished through an exploratory mixed methods study ultimately resulting in the creation of a new SCC measurement tool.
The qualitative phase of this research consisted of four focus groups in three sites with varying levels of tourism development. The data from the focus groups were used to inform item writing of a measurement tool that represented a greater number of SCC indicators than crowding to confirm the validity of the indicators in the quantitative phase of the research. After the instrument was distributed via a statewide poll, two structural equation models were fit to compare the operational definitions. A better understanding of the relationship between one of the supporting theories, stimulus-overload theory, and SCC was uncovered with evidence of an emergent connection between SCC and tourism-related stressors.
The results of the research indicate that there are multiple indicators of SCC experienced by residents of tourism destinations which can change in degree and expression as tourism development in a community increases. The operational definition including these indicators explained more variance in support for tourism development than overcrowding alone. A greater awareness of these indicators and their evolution can strengthen the theoretical foundation of SCC and enable practitioners to make multi-faceted, proactive decisions when managing a destination.
The qualitative phase of this research consisted of four focus groups in three sites with varying levels of tourism development. The data from the focus groups were used to inform item writing of a measurement tool that represented a greater number of SCC indicators than crowding to confirm the validity of the indicators in the quantitative phase of the research. After the instrument was distributed via a statewide poll, two structural equation models were fit to compare the operational definitions. A better understanding of the relationship between one of the supporting theories, stimulus-overload theory, and SCC was uncovered with evidence of an emergent connection between SCC and tourism-related stressors.
The results of the research indicate that there are multiple indicators of SCC experienced by residents of tourism destinations which can change in degree and expression as tourism development in a community increases. The operational definition including these indicators explained more variance in support for tourism development than overcrowding alone. A greater awareness of these indicators and their evolution can strengthen the theoretical foundation of SCC and enable practitioners to make multi-faceted, proactive decisions when managing a destination.
ContributorsMoran, Casey D (Author) / Vogt, Christine (Thesis advisor) / Jordan, Evan (Committee member) / Andereck, Kathleen (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2020
Description
This dissertation presents a new tool for analysis of the way difficult experiences
or phenomena influence the process for constructing self-identity in the performance of everyday life. This concept, refraction, emerged as part of a grounded theory methods analysis of ethnographic fieldwork conducted in Itacaré, Bahia, Brazil from January to July 2014. The work here contributes to the field of performance studies as a possibility for examining how affective responses to difficult experiences contribute to a shift in perspective and subsequently shifts in the performance of self in everyday life. This research was conducted with critical and reflexive autoethnographic methods in order to hold the research accountable for the ways subject position influences the research. In this case the most salient theme that emerged from these autoethnographic methods was an unpacking of unacknowledged tourist privilege in this setting. The resulting work-in-progress
performance will offer ways for spectators to question their own assumptions
regarding tourist privilege in Brazil, and in so-called developing countries in similar
tropical climates. An additional contribution to the field of performance-based research that resulted from this dissertation is the articulation of a dynamic locus of creativity wherein rigorous established qualitative research methods complement creative practices in conjunction with a spectrum of tacit knowledge and theoretical sensitivities. This juncture becomes the theoretical space where creativity in research can be articulated in ways that are legible to both artists and researchers.
or phenomena influence the process for constructing self-identity in the performance of everyday life. This concept, refraction, emerged as part of a grounded theory methods analysis of ethnographic fieldwork conducted in Itacaré, Bahia, Brazil from January to July 2014. The work here contributes to the field of performance studies as a possibility for examining how affective responses to difficult experiences contribute to a shift in perspective and subsequently shifts in the performance of self in everyday life. This research was conducted with critical and reflexive autoethnographic methods in order to hold the research accountable for the ways subject position influences the research. In this case the most salient theme that emerged from these autoethnographic methods was an unpacking of unacknowledged tourist privilege in this setting. The resulting work-in-progress
performance will offer ways for spectators to question their own assumptions
regarding tourist privilege in Brazil, and in so-called developing countries in similar
tropical climates. An additional contribution to the field of performance-based research that resulted from this dissertation is the articulation of a dynamic locus of creativity wherein rigorous established qualitative research methods complement creative practices in conjunction with a spectrum of tacit knowledge and theoretical sensitivities. This juncture becomes the theoretical space where creativity in research can be articulated in ways that are legible to both artists and researchers.
ContributorsPorter, Laurelann (Author) / de la Garza, Sarah Amira (Thesis advisor) / Underiner, Tamara (Thesis advisor) / Mcelroy, Isis (Committee member) / Gomez, Alan (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2015
Description
Above and Beyond ASU's Campus is a blog created for college students at Arizona State University in order to suggest opportunities to explore in Arizona out of the Tempe region. The purpose of this blog is to encourage students to go and gain life experiences that cannot be found directly on campus and allow them to make the most of their time in this desert landscape. The blog is divided into three categories consisting of outdoor activities, historical locations, and popular culture events. The blog is written from both my first-person point of view along with researched information in regard to each activity. The goal of the blog is to be relatable to the student as well as be a one-stop, easy format for finding a variety of information. The blog format was chosen in order to appeal to the target audience with its appearance, simple format, and ability to write in a relatable tone.
ContributorsDollarhide, Hannah Marie (Author) / Lynch, Jacquelyn (Thesis director) / McWilliams, Claire (Committee member) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor, Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
The following honors thesis analyzes the history of advertising in the state of Arizona since the late 19th century and its overall impact on economic development. Advertising is defined as the action of calling something to the attention of the public, especially by paid announcements; and economic development is defined as the process whereby simple economies are transformed into modern industrial economies. This paper will analyze the influence of key people, events, locations, and publications on consumer behavior and discuss how they contributed to tourism in the state and, subsequently, economic growth. By speaking to experts on Arizona history, economic development and tourism as well as analyzing a variety of historical multimedia, I will discuss how advertising methods evolved over time and how they contributed to increased interest and growth within the state.
ContributorsTatom, Julia Kathryn (Co-author) / Tatom, Julia (Co-author) / Eaton, Dr. John (Thesis director) / Mokwa, Dr. Michael (Committee member) / Department of Marketing (Contributor) / Department of Economics (Contributor) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
The purpose of this study was to examine the history of pilgrimage tourism and its marketability to a modern consumer. It was also to examine the role of government in promoting tourism activities. Through a case study on el Camino de Santiago and the Xunta de Galicia, I discovered a market gap and created a communications strategy aimed towards closing the gap and smoothing demand fluctuation. Target market research indicated consumer interest and supported the marketing strategy. The study was conducted through historical, statistical, ethnographic, and psychographic research and analysis. The major findings of this study were that the American consumer is not as religiously motivated to travel as their European counterparts. However, they find many other aspects of the pilgrimage experience very appealing. Their lack of interest in the religious aspect of travel experiences segments them into a group that can potentially help flatten demand fluctuation amid Holy Years along el Camino de Santiago. The modernization of the pilgrimage contributes to its movement away from pious tourism towards secular tourism and offers an opportunity for an untapped market to support pilgrimage tourism economies.
ContributorsPowers, Molly Kathleen (Author) / Eaton, John (Thesis director) / Eaton, Kate (Committee member) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / Department of Marketing (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05