Sustainability is an increasingly powerful slogan for environmental consciousness in business and commerce. For all its benefits in enabling our current living standards, the use of plastic has proven to cause significant health and environmental damage. For the tourism industry, food services are of obvious aesthetic importance and are largely marred by the use of plastic items. This article explores the growing interface between all these factors as an increasing segment of tourists bring their health and environmental awareness with them to the dinner table. A co-creative approach to addressing the mounting plastic refuse problem is proposed, with potential benefits to participants. The proposal here is simple: (1) note the plastic items at a place setting, and (2) seek a sustainable alternative.

 

Key words: food services, health, plastic, pollution, sustainability

 

HELENA NEMEC RUDEŽ: Segmentation in tourism: a holistic approach for future research

 

1/2012

Full texts available

NATAŠA SLAK VALEK, EVA PODOVŠOVNIK AXELSSON: Who spends more: sport-active versus active tourists

This study empirically investigated the influences of gender, age and educational level on the main motive for travel, which then explored the relationship of these influences to travel spending. Furthermore, sports-active tourists were compared with other tourists who are interested in active travel. Active traveling, in this present  study, includes tourists with other main motives of traveling, but not those whose main motive is “rest and relaxation”. Slovenian tourists traveling within Slovenia and those traveling abroad were compared. We found that men, younger tourists and better educated tourists mainly choose sports related travel. Further research explains the influences of the main motives for travel spending and revealed who tends to spend more between sports-active tourists and other active tourists. For a potential sports-tourism destination is it vital to know the presented data. The implications of the results are discussed in the context of sport tourism marketing.

Key words: sport tourism, active tourists, travel expenses, sports tourism marketing

SERGEJ GRIČAR, ŠTEFAN BOJNEC: Adoption of the euro and catering industry prices:The case of Slovenia

This paper focuses on the Euro adoption in Slovenia and its transmission to catering industry prices. The empirical approach uses three different methodologies: the principal component analysis, factor analysis and regression analysis on the monthly statistical data collected during the period from 2000 to 2007. In the regression analysis the dependent variable is used as the differential between the catering industry price index and the consumer price index. The regression analysis confirmed that the catering industry price index and the differential of the catering industry price index and the consumer price index, respectively, are positively associated with wages, tourist arrivals, and with the Euro adoption, respectively. The two common components are identified by using the principal component analysis: first, the general level of prices and wages in the catering industry and second, the Euro price adoption and later Euro price stabilization, and demand for catering industry services. We also used factor analysis to check the robustness of the principal component method results.

Key words: Euro adoption, catering industry prices, wages, Slovenia

MARJAN TKALČIČ: The superior-subordinate relationship and work
climate in the Slovenian tourism industry

The purpose of this paper is to find out how managers, executives and operational workers evaluate the superior-subordinate relationship and what is the work climate and what infuence does the work climate exert on the quality of work in Slovenian tourism organizations. Based on our empiric quantitative research, conducted as a questionnaire-based survey, some characteristics of the sample organizations and respondents were explained using the descriptive method. For comparison, evaluation and interpretation of individual causal relations, we have applied the correlational-explanatory method. We have identified the relevant factors on the level of the relationship where the employee is placed, his identification with the organization, the involvement of their personal goals with the common goal of the organization, their understanding of their assigned tasks, decision-making and implementation thereof, as well as success in achieving goals. A significant contribution to a good work climate comes from the management team, whose professional correctness in resolving conflicts has a bearing on the motivation of employees to engage in responsible and efficient work. Good relations and a pro-active attitude among the team members is a pre-requisite for the innovative and creative work of an individual.

Key words: human resources management, relationship superior-subordinate, work climate, Slovenia

SUZANA MARKOVIĆ, SANJA RASPOR, JELENA KOMŠIĆ: Service quality measurement in Croatian wellness tourism: An application of the SERVQUAL scale

The purpose of this study is to contribute to the conceptual and empirical knowledge of service quality in well-ness settings. The aim is to provide a theoretical background of the main concepts of interest and to empirically assess customer expectations and erceptions, as well as to determine the overall quality of wellness services. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire, based on the dimensions of the SERVQUAL scale (Parasuraman, Zeithaml & Berry, 1988). The questionnaire was divided into three parts. First, the respondents’ expectations regarding service quality in wellness settings in general were measured. The second part examined the respondents’ perceptions of service quality in wellness centers in Croatian hotels. The third part of the questionnaire consisted of demographic questions. Factor analysis and reliability analysis were conducted to identify key factors of wellness service quality and to test the reliability and consistency of the measurement scale. The results revealed high customer expectations and perceptions of wellness service quality. Moreover, three factors were identified that best explained expected wellness service quality and all were highly reliable. On the other hand, two highly reliable factors were identified regarding the perceived quality of wellness services.

Keywords: service quality, SERVQUAL, statistical analysis, wellness tourism, Croatia

LIM KHONG CHIU, OMAR. A. ANANZEH: Evaluating the relationship between the role of promotional tools in MICE Tourism and the formation of the touristic image of Jordan

Several factors have been shown to have a vital role in the formation of the touristic image of destination. Promotional tools are considered a critical factor in destination image formation. This study aims to evaluate the role of promotional tools utilized to promote MICE tourism on the formation of the touristic image of Jordan. The differences in the perceptions of local and international MICE participants on the importance of promotional tools in terms of their sociodemographic characteristics were also examined. The T-test, ANOVA and simple regression analysis are used to test the hypotheses. Results show the significant differences among MICE participants’ perceptions on the importance of promotional tools and the role of promotional tools to influence the touristic image of Jordan. The results of the study could be assessed by event planners, event  organizers, and other MICE event stakeholders, as well as enriching the limited research in MICE tourism in developing countries.

Key words: MICE tourism, promotion, destination image, cognitive image, affective image

PETRA ZABUKOVEC BARUCA, ŽANA ČIVRE: How do guests choose a hotel?

Predicting consumers’ hotel choice is influenced by several different factors. The consumer decision-making process in hotel choice selection is influenced by hotel product, received information, and personal preferences. This study focuses on different factors which represent the reasons for consumer’s decision making in hotel selection and market segmentation with regards to the analysis of hotel attributes (factors) sought byinternational consumers. The findings of the study indicate that hotel guests can be divided into four different segments (clusters) with similar characteristics based on the reasons why customers choose a particular hotel. The results of the study can be applicable in defining an appropriate mix of marketing strategies on the part of hotel management.

Key words: hospitality industry, consumer decision process, hotel selection, consumer segmentation, cluster analysis

INETA LUKA, AGITA DONINA: Challenges of tourism education: Conformity of
tourism curriculum to business needs

This study was conducted in the fourth largest tertiary education institution in Latvia, which also provides higher education in the field of tourism. The purpose of the research is to study stakeholder needs and to evaluate the knowledge of tourism students, as well as the level of skills and abilities necessary for work in tourism business and to determine opportunities for curriculum development. The study is comprised of three stages: context analysis; a survey of 262 tourism students and 192 employers applying a similar Likert Scale questionnaire; comparing findings with the findings obtained in similar studies in other countries and elaborating conclusions and suggestions regarding curriculum improvement. A quantitative approach conducting primary data analysis (descriptive statistics) and secondary data analysis (Levene’s Test for Equality of Variances, Anova test) is applied to study stakeholder opinion. Findings of the study reveal the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to succeed in tourism business. It indicates that the present curriculum corresponds to the requirements of the industry and student needs. Students highly value the knowledge acquired and the skills and abilities developed during their studies. The employers’ high evaluation of student knowledge, skills, and abilities verifies this fact. The curriculum might be improved by creating modules of related courses, applying a cross-disciplinary approach to studies, using corresponding teaching-learning methods and creating a supportive learning environment, initiating autonomous learning for the students and motivating them for studies.

Key words: tourism curriculum, knowledge, skills, abilities

ZOLTAN BUDJOSO, CSABA SZUCS: Beer tourism – from theory to practice

Due to the interest in the development of gastronomy and the food and beverage culture of different countries and regions, culinary travel is gaining in popularity all over the world and gastronomic tourism has become an independent product on its own within tourism. Beer tourism has become an integrated part of gastronomic tourism. The purpose of this paper is to place beer tourism, which attracts a growing number of visitors, as a product into the system of tourism as well as to review its outward forms and future deve-lopment possibilities.

Keywords: gastro tourism, theory, beer tourism, practice

 

2/2011

Full texts available

DISCUSSIONS:

RODOLFO BAGGIO: The mechanism for spreading online reputation

 

 Acquiring a good reputation and being able to convey to an audience the good image of a company or a destination is a vital issue in today’s virtual world. The quality of what is transmitted and the influence of social networks through which the promotional or marketing messages are spread are the major elements at play.This work examines the second issue: how messages are spread over a social network. Through a series of numerical simulations this paper highlights the main factors affecting the diffusion of information in a social networked group and clarifies the role played by different actors with respect to the influence and importance of their position in the network.

Keywords: online reputation, social networks, information diffusion

MILOŠ BIGOVIĆ: Quantifying seasonality in tourism: a case study of Montenegro

 

 The purpose of this paper is to quantify seasonal variations in tourism and to benefit from an understanding of seasonality. The investigation was based on data regarding the number of tourist arrivals in Montenegro and the approach is based on five measures –seasonal range, coefficient of seasonal variation, seasonality ratio,seasonality indicator and the Gini coefficient. The results of quantifying show a pronounced seasonality that is constant with only negligible variations over time. There are no vital discrepancies among the results obtained using different measures. These findings suggest the following: to understand the nature of seasonality it is enough to use only one measure and there is no need for a holistic way of measuring.

Key words: seasonality, tourist arrivals, measures, Montenegro

SIMONA ŠAROTAR ŽIŽEK, SONJA TREVEN, MATJAŽ MULEJ, MARTINA VANER: The integrative and innovative model of HRM in slovenian tourism

Tourism is important for the worldwide economy as well as for Slovenia. It is vital to strive to become a country with a developed culture of tourism comparable to other European countries within the next ten years. It is important to develop a modern model of human resources management by which Slovenian tourism shall exceed the gap between various educated personnel and the offer on the labour market and to acquire top professionals. Changing values, higher education and experiences, as well as the increasing needs and requirements of new consumers in tourism require an educated, communicative and innovative labour force capable of creating value for consumers. It is therefore necessary to employ highly qualified workers for the distribution, operation and management of the tourist product which depends on the knowledge, capabilities and abilities of the employees. The development and qualification of human resources aiming at improvement of individual’s efficiency is of key importance. For the layout of the model of HR-management, attention should be paid to other important aspects as well.

Key words: management, tourism, Human Resources Management, model of HR-management, model of HR-management for Tourism

HELENA CVIKL, JANEZ MEKINC: Safety and security as systematic component of wellness centres in Slovenia

The following study presents a legal review of all formal and technical regulations which directly or indirectly affect the safety standards in wellness centres in Slovenia in a systematic and comprehensive manner. One can define the significance of security as a competitive advantage in wellness oriented business activities. As well,security is becoming more and more important in the marketing of wellness oriented businesses as well as other tourism services. Due to the specific nature of wellness oriented offers, there are many different segments of security incorporated therein. Among these are care and concern for the health of guests, for their personal safety, the safety of their property and probably most importantly, care for the security of their personal information.It is this last element which enables guests to place their trust in a particular wellness centre since careful protection of personal information ensures the personal safety of guests.

Key words: wellness, security, personal integrity, quality, technical standards

ANDREJ RASPOR: The use of techniques for increasing servers’ tips

 

 In a 1996 article in Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly, Michael Lynn introduced the idea that restaurant managers could increase tips for there servers, and therefore reduce turnover, by training servers to engage in one or more of seven tip-enhancing behaviours. Since then, the list of tip-enhancing behaviours has expanded. We tested fourteen techniques to increase tips. The study was carried out among 294 employees or 197 waiters in the Slovenian catering industry in order to find out how they use these techniques and which methods can bring about an increase in their tips. The study showed that Slovenian waiters don’t use any of these techniques, and that waiters who do use them tend to receive tips more often. The findings imply that managers and employees should be informed of these techniques in order to increase tips and their overall income.

Key words: waiters, tip, tipping behaviour, catering industry

A VIEW FROM PRACTICE:

EDNA MRNJAVAC, CHRISTAN STIPANOVIĆ, NADIA PAVIA: Directing changes with the aim of improving Croatian hotel management companies

When it comes to the re-conception of contemporary Croatian hotel management companies, the new business culture should be based on dynamic forces, change, transformation, perfection and qualitative innovation. The priority is to raise awareness about the importance of change, to encourage change, to actively proceed towards the future and to use one’s ingenuity to cross barriers. Changes are taking place right now, and will also take place in the future. Important tools in competition are inventions based on intellectual capital. Being competitive implies understanding one’s customers and anticipating their desires and needs (it does not suffice to adapt to contemporary taste, but a new offer and proactive marketing should be ahead of the curve). This paper defines tourism trends in the 21st century and assesses the competitiveness of Croatian tourism. Research in this particular case represents an innovation of offer in Croatian hotel and tourism management companiesas a qualitative response to a globalized offer of foreign brands.

Key words: change, innovation, intellectual capital, Croatian hotel management companies, reengineering

NEVEN ŠERIĆ, SILVIJA VITNER MARKOVIĆ: Brand management in the practice of cross-border

A common brand management of cross-border tourist destination provides the ability to efficiently consolidate competitive advantages to multiple destinations. A brand management for such areas is in the function of unifying the overall tourism through a recognizable tourist brand. The creation of a joint tourist brand of border areas helps to create competitiveness and a higher differentiation of the comprehensive tourist product in the global tourist market. The vision, based on the long-term aims of managing a recognizable tourist brand, helps the overall economic development of the area. To jointly manage the brand cross-border tourist destinations effectively it is necessary to achieve a synergy of tourism destinations. One possible approach is to design a specific model which brings together all the available resources of the area. This introduces a cluster concept which is a useful platform in creating an efficient marketing strategy. Such an approach encourages faster and more efficient social-economic integration. The presented research is based on the author’s model developed for an efficient evaluation of tourist resources on the Croatian-Slovenian border. Research was done through the future perspective of the development of the border area of the Karlovac County (CRO) and Southeast Slovenia (SLO) with the aim of creating a recognizable cross-border tourist product. Economic contribution is efficient tourism branding of different cultural border areas. The aim of the paper is to point out the possibility of brand management for cross-border tourist destinations on the basis of common and partial elements of recognition of the area.

Key words: management, branding, cross-border, tourism, development

MEHMET ERGUL, COLIN JOHNSON, ALI SUKRU CETINKAYA, JALE BOGA ROBERTSON: An Exploratory Study Linking Turkish Regional Food with Cultural Destinations

Food and tourism may be considered as two interrelated elements that bring people and cultures together on many different occasions. Research indicates that food could be viewed as a peak touristic experience and a major tourist attraction. The main purpose of this paper is to identify and evaluate the significance of food tourism for Turkey and to create a number of innovative regional food related itineraries that would be replicable. Four main results emerged from the analysis of the interviews. The major recommendations from the study include developing an action list for the Turkish Ministry of Tourism, developing new food tourism itineraries and creating an official food guide. The findings of the study could be used as a base for further exploring the application of new technologies in food destination sectors.

Key words: Food tourism, Turkey, regional cuisines, innovation 

1/2011

Full texts available

DISCUSSIONS:

ALFONSO VARGAS-SÁNCHEZ, FRANCISCO RIQUEL-LIGERO: An institutional approach to the environmental practices of golf courses

As it is well known, the number of golf courses has increased exponentially in many tourist destinations, which has generated a public debate about its environmental impact. In many Spanish destinations such as Andalusia, this sport has become one of the products with greater pull in their tourism offer, with signifcant economic impact in this territory. All this has prompted the generation of a highly institutionalized context.This paper attempts to analyze this context in a sample of golf courses located in the Spanish region of Andalusia and to test empirically the relationships between environmental practices and institutional context with its corresponding coercive, normative and mimetic mechanisms. Finally, its relationship with the performance of these organizations is established, testing if a direct or indirect relationship exists through the search for legitimacy, as suggested by the Institutional theory.

key words: Institutional theory, golf, tourism, environmental management

 

ANA VIZJAK, DANIELA GRAČAN, ANDREJA RUDANČIĆ-LUGARIĆ: Intelligent systems in the international economy

The scientific, technical and information-communication revolution has had a significant effect on the general changes occuring in the modern economy, determined by places, roles and the contributions of modern systems. The existing intelligent operating systems in turn establish the conditions necessary for the further development of modern society in general. The factors which refer to the above statement result in the need for key changes in the previously existing level of knowledge, abilities, creativity, innovativeness, motivation, and the productivity of human resources which work and create new technical-technological conditions. They should adjust to the newly-created situations better and faster, as well as provoke and develop new changes. This especially refers to leading entrepreneurial, managerial, expert and other specialised human resources of enterprises, whose obligation it is to introduce its business to the market and to achieve the best economic effect possible. After successful international activities undertaken by the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the role of small and medium-sized enterprises in the international economy has been growing stronger. The need for further successful operations by economic and other entities in new, creative conditions should be based on contemporary scientific achievements which should make use all the benefits of intelligent systems. Nowadays, an increasing number of companies are using modern technologies in their business operations and internet technology is a very significant part of this process.

Keywords: intelligent systems, economy, co-operation, innovativeness, human resources

VIOLETA BULC: Innovation ecosystem and tourism

The creation of an innovation ecosystem is becoming an important facilitator of sustainable development of any industry or community.  In my article I intend to show the constituent elements of an innovation ecosystem within sustainable development models and suggest how this could be applied to tourism.   Special emphasis will be placed on participants, tools, principles and types of innovation that can be present in such an ecosystem and I will draw examples from business and social environments. The article will also include recommendations on various courses of action and a list of issues that need to be addressed when the principles of innovation communication are applied to a specific environment.

Key words: innovation, innovation ecosystem, innovation communication, sustainable development, and tourism

GORAZD SEDMAK, TANJA PLANINC: The efect of the economic crisis on tourist behaviour

In 2008, the world was struck by the largest economic crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s. The collapse of several branches of industry, growing rates of unemployment and uncertainty also affected the flow of tourism. While for some tourist destinations, the decrease of the tourist arrival numbers was almost fatal, others did not suffer any substantial losses. The reason lies in the different income elasticity of demand in various tourist segments and in the very complex dynamics of the flow of tourism. Since a part of the demand side only exchanged destinations traditionally visited with the nearer and/or cheaper ones, a partial loss of one segment in these destinations was replaced by visitors usually visiting more distant destinations. The results of a survey carried out on a sample of (potential) Slovenian tourists are presented in the article. Reactions to the ongoing crisis were measured and compared for different segments of interviewees. Understanding their decision-making patterns can help the tourism industry and the destination management organizations in developing tourism products that are less sensitive to changes affecting income.

Keywords: tourism, consumer behaviour, economic crisis, income elasticity

JANJA ŠTOKELJ, ALEKSANDRA BREZOVEC, DORIS GOMEZELJ OMERZEL: Marketing information systems in tourism companies

This paper presents a survey of the characteristics of marketing information systems (MkIS) and marketing information usage within Slovenian tourism companies. In order to investigate the overall status of MkIS, a questionnaire based on theoretical background and previous research was created. The study focused on marketing information management investigation – gathering, processing, distribution, usage and storage of information. Furthermore, it examined whether the information systems have been used by marketing departments and if the MkIS has been used for decision making. Finally, the level of satisfaction with MkIS was evaluated. The results of the survey's descriptive analysis were compared to those of preliminary studies on MkISs. In conclusion, the limitations of the study are presented and directions for future research are proposed.

Key words: marketing, marketing information, information systems, tourism, Slovenia

ARMAND FAGANEL: Developing sustainable agrotourism in Central and East European Countries

Tourism is one of the fastest growing industries and is being accelerated by globalization. The fast spread of information communication technology, excellent infrastructure, changes in patterns of spending free time and the need to get away from the stress of the city are all factors that affect the emerging agrotourism industry. Today’s tourists are willing to pay for the preservation of the natural and social environments they seek to explore. Agrotourism is a softer way to develop sustainable tourism in rural areas and also acts as farm tourism; agrotourism is seen as a kind of rural tourism related to agriculture. Visitors become acquainted with the cultural landscape, local products, traditional cuisine and the daily life of the people, as well as the cultural elements and the authentic features of the area, while showing respect for the environment and for tradition. Agrotourism mobilizes the productive, cultural and developmental forces of an area, contributing to the sustainable environmental, economic and social development of the rural zone.  The objectives pursued in this paper are to research important implications and trends of sustainable agrotourism development in central and east European (CEE) countries. Tourism as a quickly growing industry allowed many developing countries to integrate culture, landscape, agriculture products, and heritage as a part of their strategy in attracting tourists to these countries. We need to understand that as much as tourism needs globalization to grow as an industry, it is due to tourism that globalization became such an important aspect of interaction across places and countries. The main challenge that agrotourism faces is to sustain the growth of rural economies while ensuring the long-term protection of the social and natural environment.

Key words: agrotourism, central and eastern Europe, Slovenia, sustainable development

IGOR STUBELJ, MATEJA JERMAN, PRIMOŽ DOLENC: Does the hotel industry create value for owners? The empirical analysis of residual income: The case of Slovenia and Croatia

This paper aims to analyze the residual income of the Slovenian and Croatian hotel industry for the period covering 2005–2008. The residual income not only looks at return on invested funds, but also implicitly compares it with the risk adjusted opportunity cost of such an investment. This parameter is therefore a better performance measure than simply accounting performance measures. The results of the analysis prove that residual incomes of Slovenian and Croatian hotels were far from being positive during the whole period. The obtained findings demonstrate that hotel companies in aggregate did not create value for their owners and that they did not generate enough profits to cover the appropriate cost of capital i.e. the cost of capital that takes into consideration the risk adjusted opportunity cost.

Key Words: residual income, hotel industry, tourism, risk-adjusted cost of capital, performance measure

EMIL JUVAN: Development of regional tourism organizations: Conditions, expectations and contradictions

This paper discusses perceptions of quality of the destination management functions within different tourism organizations and companies in three Slovene regions. The main objective is to identify current conditions, expectations and contradictions which might slow or even stop the process of the formation of regional tourism organizations thus establishing an integrated model of destination management (DM). Two hundred-forty businesses were included in the survey, representing over half of all tourism related businesses within the area. Major conclusions are that the perceived quality of DM functions is low; expectations go for a more integrated model of DM with some contradictions. The latter are more likely related to personal (i.e. micro) characteristics of the respondents, rather than organizational (macro) characteristics.

Key words: destination management, regional tourism organizations, destination management functions, expectations, contradictions.

ŽIVA ČEH: Enhanced teaching of word combinations in tourism study programmes in Slovenia

The paper reports on a research into teaching English with special attention to word combinations recently conducted at the Faculty of Tourism Studies in Portorož, Slovenia. The study involved two groups of students studying English as a foreign language. We aimed to find out whether enhanced teaching of word combinations influences students' test results in general language tests. While the control group was taught with no special attention paid to word combinations, the experimental group received a considerable amount of exercises and the students were constantly reminded of the importance of word combinations in the English language. Both groups were tested at the beginning and end of the academic year with two tests, the Oxford Placement Test and the Test of English for International Communication and students also had to fill in Common European Framework Self-assessment Forms. The data analysis indicates that the experimental group scored better results.

Key words: teaching English for specific purposes, language of tourism, word combinations

NADIA PAVIA, CHRISTIAN STIPANOVIĆ, EDNA MRNJAVAC: Innovation of business culture with the aim of developing Croatian tourism – case study of Valamar Hotels & Resorts

Croatian tourism must apply a new concept of development in order to transform natural resources (comparative advantages) into a competitive tourism offer based on innovation. The ultimate goal of this is to multiply profit and sustainable growth. The main impetus for development is the intellectual capital and new system of values based on knowledge and an individual approach to each customer. The education of a new generation of managers is the prerequisite for the development of tourism on the macro and micro level. The new managers should be able to anticipate and actively design the future and bring about changes. It no longer suffices to be up to date with the demand and follow the competition. Instead, one should introduce new content in order to achieve a leading position. Employees must aim towards self-realisation in order to make their company more competitive. It is necessary to constantly educate employees, introduce cross training techniques, authorisation in order to establish an organisation which is able to learn and thus advance. The importance of business culture is shown in this paper using the positive example of the development of the Croatian hospitality management company (Valamar Hotels & Resorts) based on management of knowledge and learning culture.

Key words: business culture, learning organisation, intellectual capital, Croatian tourism, Valamar Hotels & Resorts

A VIEW FROM PRACTICE:

DEJAN KRIŽAJ, TINA HEDI ZAKONJŠEK: National mechanism for spurring innovation in Slovenian tourism

Innovation has been part of tourism since its beginnings but only recently has it attracted the attention of researchers and policy makers. In Slovenia a national mechanism has been developed to spur innovation in Slovenian tourism. The story began in 2004 with the Sejalec Award (Slovene for “sower”), an award for creative and innovative tourism achievements that contribute to the recognition of Slovenian tourism, continued with Bank of Tourism Potentials in Slovenia (BTPS) in 2006, Snovalec (Slovene for  “creator”), financial support for inventive tourism ideas  in 2009, and Innovative Slovenian Travel and BTPS Challenges in 2010. Numerous awards, including those of UNWTO and the European Commission prove that mechanisms for development and promotion of innovation in Slovenian tourism are heading in the right direction.

Key words: tourism innovation, innovation systems, tourism policy

 

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ACADEMICA TURISTICA -

Journal of Theory and Practice in Tourism ('08-'10)

 

1-2/2010

Full texts available

ŠTEFAN BOJNEC: Rural Tourism, Rural Economy Diversifcation, and Sustainable Development

DANIELA GRAČAN, ZRINKA ZADEL, ANDREJA RUDANČIĆ–LUGARIĆ: Strategic Management of Cultural-Tourism Resources

TOMAŽ GRUŠOVNIK: Tourism as a Vehicle of Sustainability

TANJA KOSI, ŠTEFAN BOJNEC: Tax Competitiveness of Croatia and Slovenia as Tourist Destinations

MIRJANA KOVAČIĆ , SREČKO FAVRO, MATE PERIŠIĆ: The Issue of Coastal Zone Management in Croatia – Beach Managing

NOR AZILA MOHD NOOR, AZILAH KASIM, CEZAR SCARLAT, AZLI MUHAMAD: Importance of Organizational Commitment, Job Motivation and Front Liners Self Efficacy. Towards the Marketability of Hotel Industry in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

NEVEN ŠERIĆ, TIHOMIR LUKOVIĆ: Marketing and Environment Management for Tourism: Croatian Experiences

 

3-4/2009

DISCUSSIONS 

ZLATKA MEŠKO ŠTOK, MAJA MEŠKO: Tourism Demand, Green Energy Supply and Sustainable Development

HELENA CVIKL, RUDI RUMBAK: Primerjalna analiza standardov kakovosti v izbranih evropskih državah

ALENKA FIKFAK, MATEJ ROZMAN Trajnostni razvoj  in ekoturizem: razvoj omrežja turističnih poti

VALENTINA FRANCA, MARKO PAHOR: Pomen blagovne znamke delodajalca v turizmu

GORDANA IVANKOVIČ, MATEJA JERMAN, SANDRA JANKOVIČ: Primerjalna analiza finančne uspešnosti hotelskega sektorja med Slovenijo in Hrvaško

METOD ŠULIGOJ: Nagrajevanje menedžerjev v hotelskih organizacijah v Sloveniji

VESNA ŽABKAR, TANJA DMITROVIĆ, MAJA MAKOVEC BRENČIČ: Management multiplih točk/procesov za CRM v hotelskih podjetjih

 

1-2/2009

DISCUSSIONS

ŠTEFAN BOJNEC, DRAGO PAPLER: Tourism Demand, Green Energy Supply and Sustainable Development

TAMARA GAJIĆ: Management of Tourist Demands, Offers and Sustainable Development

of Rural Tourism in Southern Backa Region

JASMINA GRŽINIĆ, ALJOŠA VITASOVIĆ: Cultural Experience in Tourist Destination

JERNEJA KAMNIKAR, TADEJA JERE LAZANSKI: Conjoint analiza za ugotavljanje optimalne storitve cateringa na posebnem dogodku

TANASE MIHAIL OVIDIU, MINCIU RODICA, NISTOREANU PUIU: Development Model for a Rural Community Located in the Mountain Area of Romania – the Tourism Holding

CLAUDIA ELENA TUCLEA, MIHAELA PADUREAN, REMUS ION HORNOIU: A Certification System for Ecotourism Services in Romania

NATAŠA ARTIČ: Raznolika problematika na področju mednarodnega turističnega prava

METKA ŠPES: Pomen ekološkega ravnovesja za sonaravni razvoj turizma v občutljivih

ekosistemih

KATJA VRTAČNIK GARBAS: Razvojne možnosti zimskošportnih središč v Sloveniji v luči klimatskih

sprememb

CONTRIBUTIONS OF STUDENTS

SAŠA NOVAKOVIČ: Analiza turistične potrošnje RS v tujini v obdobju 1995-2005

BOOK REVIEWS

GORANJA HORJAN, ALEŠ GAČNIK: Tradicionalne obrti – izziv za kulturni turizem: Zbornik del iz mednarodne konference, 30. in 31. januar 2008

 

3-4/2008

DISCUSSIONS

HELENA NEMEC RUDEŽ, KSENIJA VODEB, KLARA DODIČ PEGAN: Residents’ Perceptions of Tourism External Effects on the Slovenian Coast

DEJAN KRIŽAJ, UROŠ ČRNIGOJ: Virtual Internet Worlds and Real European Tourist        

Destinations: Innovation Adoption Dilemma

TADEJA JERE LAZANSKI: Systems Thinking and Complex Systems Modelling

HELENA CVIKL: Podlage za posodobitev sistema kategorizacije nastanitvenih obratov v Sloveniji

MITJA GORENAK: Delovno specifične kompetence delavcev v turizmu

JOŽEF OVSENIK, MARIJA OVSENIK: Storitev v turizmu kot človeško delo  - z organizacijo in managementom znotraj dejanja

SIMONA ŠAROTAR ŽIŽEK:  Pomen osebnega in osebnostnega razvoja človeških virov v     

(slovenskem) turizmu

BOŠTJAN BIZJAK: Uporaba merskih lestvic v raziskavah v turizmu

LILIANA BROŽIČ: Metodologija spremljanja izobraževanja in usposabljanja v turizmu

ŽIVA ČEH: English as a Lingua Franca

JANJA GABRUČ: Banka človeških virov in njen doprinos k razvoju človeških virov v turizmu

GORDANA IVANKOVIČ: Vpliv hotelskega managamenta na uspešnost destinacije

URŠKA JOVANOVIĆ, MARIJA OVSENIK: Pomen izobrazbe v turizmu na primeru Slovenije

TANJA SODJA: Pomen duhovnega razvoja civilizacije za upravljanje in organizacijo turističnih struktur ter razvoj človeških virov

BOOK REVIEWS

SUSAN PITCHFORD: Identity Tourism: Imaging and Imagining the Nation

SLAVOJ ŽIŽEK: Violence

ZORAN MILIVOJEVIĆ: Emocije

 

2/2008

DISCUSSIONS

FLORIAN HUMMEL: Match or Mismatch? The Bologna Declaration and the Demand for 

Tourism Labour in Emerging Economies

ANDREEA MARIN – PANTELESCU, OLIMPIA STATE: The Consequences of Globalization Upon “safe” Tourism.

RISTO RECKOSKI, JOVAN STOJANOSKI: A new Effort for Tourism Growth in Western Balkan Region: National Strategy for Tourism Development in the Republic of Macedonia 2008 - 2012

CAROLINE RITCHIE: Industry and Academia Working Together: a Case Study Linking the

Hospitality Management Programmes at UWIC with Local Industries in Cardiff

TERRY STEVENS, YVONNE CROOK: Innovation: The Key to Creating Competitive Tourism Destinations

GABRIELA TIGU, OCTAVIAN ARSENE: Redefining Romania as Tourism Destination: a Strategic Approach

HELI  TOOMAN: Service Culture as a Message of Quality. Theoretical Aspects of Service

Culture and the Case of Estonia

JIŘÍ VANÍČEK, STANISLAVA PACHROVÁ: Sustainable Development of Tourism – Opinions of People from Several Countries

CONTRIBUTIONS OF STUDENTS

MOJCA STOJČEVSKI: Importance of Communication in Tourist Industry

BOOK REVIEWS

BRANKO BLAŽEVIĆ: Tourism in the Economy System 

GRAHAM BERRIDGE: Events Design and Experience

 

 

1/2008

DISCUSSIONS

MAJA URAN: Assessing Organisational Gaps in the Slovenian Hotel Industry

JANJA JERMAN: Contemporary Practices and Human Resource. Management in Slovene Hotel Companies

TADEJA JERE LAZANSKI: Systems Approach to a Context Dependent Modelling of Complex Systems and a Problem of Validation

ALEKSANDRA BREZOVEC: Holistični koncept imidža države kot turistične

destinacije – primer Slovenije

ROK OVSENIK: Perspektive in protislovja razvoja turističnega področja; model turističnega managementa na območju slovenskih Alp

GORAZD SEDMAK: Vloga avtentičnosti v trajnostnem razvoju turistične destinacije

KSENIJA VODEB: Turistični menedžment in oblikovanje turistične ponudbe obmejnih regij

HELENA RUDEŽ NEMEC: Intelektualni kapital v slovenskih turističnih podjetjih

IGOR JURINČIČ: Analiza nosilne zmogljivosti Slovenske Istre za turizem

GORDANA IVANKOVIČ: Razvitost poslovodnega računovodstva in uspešnost v slovenskih hotelih

ŽIVA ČEH: Vpliv sistematičnega poučevanja kolokacij na izboljšanje jezikovnih zmožnosti

BOOK REVIEWS

ZDENKO CEROVIĆ: Animacija u turizmu

JEREMY RIFKIN: Konec dela. Zaton svetovne delovne sile in nastop posttržne dobe