This e-book looks at the role of modelling in tourism management. In the last five decades, the role and importance of quantitative research in tourism has been well understood because of the emerging need for methodological evidence related to theoretical assumptions. Furthermore, the inter-disciplinary characteristics of tourism management enabled tourism researchers to undertake more collective studies with researchers from other disciplines (such as economics, psychology, sociology and biology). With its growing scope of research and complex characteristics, tourism management has become therefore an attractive research field for all researchers.

Fierce global competition in the tourism industry is now focused on integral parts of supply chains rather than on individual firms. The highly competitive environment has forced tourism firms to look for ways to enhance their competitive advantage. Tourism products are often viewed by consumers as a value-added chain of different service components and identifying ways to effectively manage the interrelated tourism business operations will enable tourism firms to better meet customer needs and accomplish business goals thus maintaining competitive advantage over their equally efficient rivals

This book contains coverage and analytical discussion of key areas of contemporary tourism management: evaluation of the most important global trends in tourism, analysis of the impact of crucial environmental issues and their implications and the major factors affecting international tourism. It covers tourism marketing issues and other areas of functional management as well as strategic planning and tourism. The book is structured in four parts: the tourism environment (2 chapters); tourism marketing management (3 chapters); functional management in tourism (4 chapters) and strategic planning in tourism (4 chapters).

Strategic Management for Hospitality and Tourism is a vital text for all those studying cutting edge theories and views on strategic management. Unlike others textbooks in this area, it goes further than merely contextualizing strategic management for hospitality and tourism, and avoids using a prescriptive, or descriptive approach. It looks instead, at the latest in strategic thinking and theories, and provides critical and analytical discussion as to how and if these models and theories can be applied to the industry, within specific contexts such as culture, profit and non-profi

Strategic Management in the International Hospitality Industry: content and process, is a vital text for all those studying cutting edge theories and views on strategic management. Unlike others textbooks in this area, it goes further than merely contextualising strategic management for hospitality and tourism, and avoids using a prescriptive, or descriptive approach. It looks instead, at the latest in strategic thinking and theories, and provides critical and analytical discussion as to how and if these models and theories can be applied to the industry, within specific contexts such as culture, profit and non-profit organisations. Key features: Cutting edge approach: applies advance and recent strategic management views into tourism and hospitality field. Critical treatment: provides critical discussions about whether and how strategic models/theories can be applied into the hospitality and tourism field. Sensitive to specific contexts: As the tourism and hospitality industry has become one of the largest industries worldwide, discusses how strategic management concepts can be applied in different cultures and profit and non-profit tourism organizations. With supporting case studies related to the strategy content, context and process, from international industries such as, Radisson, McDonalds, Carnival Cruiselines and Disney, this text consist of five main sections: introduction, strategy content, strategy context, strategy process and cases. Each of the chapters within these sections has a thorough pedagogic structure consisting of a bulleted introduction, examples and vignettes, discussions points, exercises, case studies and further reading and web sites. Strategic Management in the International Hospitality and Tourism Industry: content and process also provides online support material for tutors and students, in the form of guidelines for instructors on how to use the textbook, PowerPoint presentations and case studies plus additional exercises and web links for students. * Comprehensive coverage of both traditional and contemporary perspectives within strategic management in the applied context of the international hospitality and tourism industry. * Critical discussions about whether and how strategic models/theories can be applied into the hospitality and tourism field. * Up-to-date case studies related to the strategy content, context and process from an international overview, including Carnival Cruiselines, Four Seasons Regent Hotels, Disney and McDonalds.

Sixty years after its birth, contemporary tourism is at crossroads. It has grown to become a key element of economic well-being, but it is threatened and threatening. Its enemies are congestion, destruction of natural and cultural environments, and social unrest. However, it also contributes its fair share to these evils. How can tourism really become a fulcrum for development and sustainability in the 21st century? This is a matter of crucial importance for entrepreneurs, governments, and civil society stakeholders, and Knowledge Management in Tourism: Policy and Governance Applications provides these key players with answers and queries, and above all with the strategic tools to understand and act. Knowledge Management in Tourism: Policy and Governance Applications is an indispensable instrument for everyone interested in the theory and practice of this very important human pursuit: the quest for effectiveness, efficiency, and equity of tourism activities in helping build the future of mankind.