Abstracts Vol-1 No-1 (July 2008-June 2009)

Impacts of Tourism Development in Langkawi Island, Malaysia: a Qualitative Approach

Azizan MARZUKI

School of Housing, Building and Planning, University Sains Malaysia, 11800 Minden, Penang, MALAYSIA.

Abstract

Nowadays, tourism is always regarded as an important means to benefit local communities. The success of the developed countries in expanding tourism industry has inspired many developing countries including Malaysia to give a due recognition to the industry as the main driver in the nation’s economic development. Based on a case study conducted in Langkawi Island, this article attempts to track the progress of tourism development of the island since 1986 until year 2004. The Government and private sector had invested a lot of money in providing public infrastructure and facilities to boost the tourism industry in the island. Despite the massive amount of money spent on tourism development, no study had been conducted to relate tourism spending with the impact of these developments towards the local economy and socio-culture.The case study was conducted from March to July 2004. The main focus of the study is to explore and identify economic, environmental and socio-cultural impacts of tourism development in Langkawi Island. Forty semi-structured interviews with local stakeholders involving hotel managers, government and non-government organizations representatives, resort and tourism developers and community leaders were conducted and analysed using Ritchie and Spencer’s ‘framework method’. Two key issues were identified and discussed further. Those are: (1) the benefits of tourism development; (2) the costs of tourism development. The analysis also found that despite the limitation and development issues, the benefits of tourism development in Langkawi far outweighed the costs accrued to the local populace.

Keywords: Langkawi Islands, tourism development, economic opportunity, benefit, cost.

Human Resource Management and Performance in the Hospitality Industry: Methodological Issues

Anastasia A. Katou*

Department of Marketing and Operations Management

University of Macedoni, 540 06 Thessaloniki, Greece

E-Mail: akatou@uom.gr

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to review methodological issues highlighted in the empirical literature in the field of strategic human resource management that may be applied to the hospitality industry, and to propose possible solutions to overcome methodological problems. The paper makes use of a general HRM-performance linkage framework that refers to the ‘black box’ in strategic human resource management, and is based on the three HRM perspectives (universalistic, contingency, and configurational).

Key words: Human resource management, Performance, Methodological issues, Hospitality industry

Peace and Tourism vs. Tourism and Peace: Conceptual Issues

Youngsun Shin

Honam University , 59-1, Seobong-Dong, Gwangsan-Gu,

Gwangju, 506-714 ,South Korea

Email: yshin@honam.ac.kr and ysshin67@yahoo.com

Abstract

This study clearly demonstrates that a close connection has been observed in many parts of the world between various forms of peace through tourism and tourism through peace. “The relationship between tourism and peace” issue as was found in the literature concentrates mainly on with the socio-psychological attitudes towards tourism, although economic studies measuring the impact of peace on tourism are relatively few. Moreover, while it may be overstating reality to argue that tourism is necessarily a force for peace, it may be that this particular type of tourism is a precursor to and a positive influence on the improvement of diplomatic relations between divided nations, and may ultimately lead to the establishment of more conventional tourism between these units as their relations improve.

Key Words: Peace and tourism, tourism and peace, political boundaries, peace promoter

SCIENCE, SPIRITUALITY AND TOURISM

R.K.Deswal

Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy,

Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra-136119, Haryana

Abstract

Since time immemorial, India has been known for its spirituality, religious tolerance and its secular character. India is called the "yogabhoomi" and the gateway to the heavens. Innumerable saints and seers, in their quest for knowledge, have contributed largely to the development of various religious monuments. Over the years the science and technology has changed the life style of human beings. However, Indian spirituality has remained the central stage for the quest of moral value at global. The aim of the present philosophical discussion is to examine the relationship and relevance of science and spirituality in the present day of global society of science & technology and its impact on the development of tourism.

Key words: spirituality, science, tourism, moral values.

ECONOMIC IMPACT OF VAISHNO DEVI PILGRIMAGE: AN ANALYTICAL STUDY

* S.K.Gupta

**Rajesh Raina

*Reader, Centre for Mountain Tourism and Hospitality Studies, H.N.B.G.U.

**Asst. Manager, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Jammu

Abstract

In recent years, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine has become very popular destination among pilgrims. Pilgrimage Tourism to Vaishno Devi Shrine constitutes an important component of total tourism in Jammu and Kashmir and has contributed effectively to the growth and development of the place. Every year around 7 million pilgrims visit the Shrine which is influencing the socio-economic environment of the region and the present paper is throwing light on the economic impact of the Shrine related tourism. This paper is based on the methodology adopted for estimation of economic impact of the Shrine related tourism on the economy of katra town by estimating the income and employment generation. In the present paper, the methodology adopted for estimation of income and employment is based on extrapolation of the sample research findings. The figures for universe population with respect to the sample have been taken from the Municipality of Katra, Shrine Board and other Government as well as private agencies like various business associations. The income generated is taken from all the five basic component of industries or sets of people, primarily at Katra, which are directly and more or less totally dependent on the tourism viz. the Hotel Industry, Transport Industry, various commercial establishments including all types of shops operating at Katra, Pithoos and Ponywallas.

Key Words:, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, Shrine Board, Economic Impact, Hotel Industry, Transport Industry, Pithoos and Ponywallas.

Human Resource Accounting: an Implication for Managerial Decisions in Indian Hotel Industry

Mohinder Chand*

Heera Lal**

* Associate Professor, Department of Tourism and Hotel Management

Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra (HR)

**Senior Lecturer, BPR College, Kurukshetra (HR)

Abstract

Hotel and tourism, with its immense employment generation capability is very often called ‘people intensive industry’. In this industry, human resources constitute a higher element of total operating cost. Obviously, the effective and extensive Human Resource Management (HRM) is critically significant to control the operating cost for long run survival. The Human Resource Policies and practices of every hotel company will have direct impact on procurement costs, quality human resources, delivery of quality products \ services and reduce employees turnover. Therefore, management needs to ensure that HR activities should add value to the business. Today, managers are increasingly being asked to justify their decisions in financial terms. This development has proven to be especially difficult for HR managers as their activities are usually evaluated in behavioural /statistical terms rather than financial ones. In this paper the endeavour is primarily to examine the extent to which hotel companies can, and do measure the value of their human resources in financial terms. It also focuses on to promote an understanding and significant of HRA information for making vital Human Resource decisions in hotel companies in India.

Key Words: human resource accounting, hotel industry, human resource management

Pilgrims’ Expectations and Satisfaction in the Hospitality Industry – A Case of Katra

Bharti Gupta* Sonia Sharma**

* Research Scholar, Centre for Hospitality & Tourism Management, University of Jammu, Jammu (J&K)

** Tourism and Hotel Management Course coordinator, UttraKhand Open University, Haldwani (Uttaranchal)

Abstract

Hospitality is one of the most important components of tourism industry. In many regions the hospitality industry thrives only due to the presence of tourism. The service providers add facilities and features so as to attract and retain customer base. The hospitality industry of Katra township of J&K is based on the pilgrims’ flow to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi. This paper tries to determine whether the hospitality industry of Katra really looks in to the customer satisfaction which is in this study the pilgrims’ satisfaction when the customer flow is constant. . In order to determine this, the paper tries to find the religious expectations of pilgrims from the hospitality units like hotels of Katra; and their satisfaction level by finding the extent to which the pilgrims’ expectations are met. The paper also examines the difference between male and female level of expectation and satisfaction.

Key words: hospitality industry, satisfaction, pilgrims, expectations .