Graham Brown

This case study investigates the response of female service managers of Ryokans, so called Okami-sans, to the Great East Japan Earthquake. At a time of exceptional risk and uncertainty, the Okami-sans played key roles in supporting the local community and promoting regional recovery. The Ryokans/hotels were used as a base for evacuees throughout the region, providing shelter and essential services. Despite the damage caused by the tsunami, an entrepreneurial approach to recovery was initiated. The development of tourism was an important part of the strategy which also sought to offset long-term population decline. It was found that the entrepreneurship of Okami-sans saved the lives of residents and supported the regional recovery with the Ryokans and their networks providing a valuable form of social capital.

This paper uses the tourism destination competitiveness framework to support the formulation of a tourism development strategy for the Miyagi Zaō mountains area in Japan. The study area experienced major disruptions associated with the 2011 earthquake, the Fukushima nuclear accident, and the 2015 and 2018 volcanic eruption warnings. The disasters had a significant impact on tourism, which plays a key role in the sustainability of Zaō town and the surrounding region. Zaō town is faced with an aging population and a shrinking economy. A survey of visitors (demand side) and local company representatives (supply side) was conducted to determine perceived strengths and weaknesses of the regional tourism destination. Nature-based activities were awarded the highest scores by both sides. Based on the findings from the destination competitiveness analysis, a nature-centric tourism development strategy is proposed to achieve destination competitiveness and sustainability of the local society and the natural environment.

Research question: Does event satisfaction influence future intentions to attend events and participate in sport? The research addressed this question by focussing on participation in swimming and the influence of watching the London 2012 Olympic Games; an event which sought to create a legacy of mass sport participation. Research methods: Surveys were conducted at the Olympic Aquatics Centre (n = 185) and at a Leisure Centre in Plymouth in south-west England (n = 135) making it possible to test for differences between people who experienced the London Olympic Games as a live event and those who watched the event on television. Exploratory factor analysis and partial least squares structural equation modelling were used to analyse the data. Results and findings: Although there was a positive relationship between event satisfaction and intention to watch swimming events in the future (as a spectator and on television), this was not true for event satisfaction and intention to participate in swimming. Implications: The findings are consistent with previous studies which suggest that mega-events are unlikely to create sport participation legacies. However, longitudinal studies are needed to test for behavioural changes and to identify the significance of factors associated with access to sport facilities.

Attention is directed to the difference in event legacies created by mega-events which often cause dramatic physical changes in urban environments and those which accompany events which leave very little imprint on the landscape where they are held. The Tour Down Under cycle race, which is held annually in South Australia, is examined as an example of the latter. The spatial pattern of the event and the range of settings which support it are presented as an eventscape by drawing on concepts such as Bale's [1994. Landscapes of Modern Sport. Leicester: Leicester University Press] sportscape and Bitner's [1992. “Servicescapes: The Impact of Physical Surroundings on Customers and Employees.” The Journal of Marketing 56 (2): 57–71] servicescape. These interpretations are used to identify legacies. It is suggested that the creation of positive legacies requires communities that are part of the eventscape to engage in imaginative leveraging that is consistent with long-term strategic objectives. The paper offers a new definition of eventscape.

This paper identifies factors that influence the decision to select a travel agency when purchasing domestic package tours in Iran. The analysis of 176 questionnaires reveals the relative importance placed on “product features”, “service delivery”, “price”, “advertising”, and “image and accessibility of travel agency”. It is found that females attach more importance to “product features” while retirees place more emphasis on “service delivery” compared to other groups. Comparison of questionnaires completed by managers and tourists indicates significant differences in the effectiveness of seven attributes. Travel agencies can use the findings to more effectively meet the needs of tourist markets.