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The Degrowth of Tourism Industry in the Island of Crete, Greece. Is it Desirable and Feasible?

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The concept of degrowth has been developed recently as an alternative paradigm to continuous and unlimited growth which prevails nowadays. The degrowth of tourism industry has been proposed in overcrowded tourism destinations balancing the satisfaction of tourists and local residents with the sustainability of the natural ecosystems. The island of Crete, Greece is located in eastern Mediterranean basin hosting an increasing number of visitors every year. The tourism industry in the island is well developed having a high economic impact. The prosperous tourism industry in Crete has surpassed the carrying capacity of the island threatening its fragile ecosystems causing phenomena of overtourism with undesired and harmful impacts in the local societies. The degrowth of the local tourism industry can be conceived as an alternative paradigm of the current growth model of tourism which threatens its long-term sustainability. It rejects the current model of continuous and unlimited growth of tourism promoting the values of locality, development of small-scale enterprises, quality of life, environmental sustainability, reduction of carbon emissions, decommodification of tourism activities and smaller production and consumption. The adoption of tourism degrowth in Crete requires the mobilization and the active participation of the multiple stakeholders of the tourism industry in the island while it promotes their long-term interests which are currently threatened by overtourism, climate crisis and overconsumption of the limited natural resources.

The Use of Chat GPT in Assessing the Tourism Industry in the Island of Crete, Greece. A PESTEL Analysis

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The tourism industry in Crete, Greece is well developed nowadays hosting an increasing number of visitors every year. However, it is affected from various external factors which might reduce its attractiveness as a popular tourism destination worldwide. PESTEL analysis can facilitate the development of a strategic management plan for the local tourism industry. The PESTEL methodology analyzes the political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal factors which affect the hospitality industry in the island.  Instead of using the opinion of tourism experts and tourism stakeholders the opinion of Chat GPT was used in the current study. The language model responded promptly and rapidly and its answers were further analyzed. Chat GPT identified four to five factors in each PESTEL category affecting the tourism industry in Crete. Its answers were almost similar with the opinion of several stakeholders regarding the external factors influencing the tourism in the island. The results of our study are innovative and useful while they could be used for the development of a strategic management plan for tourism in the island. This is necessary for the promotion of its sustainability and attractiveness as a global tourism destination. Our study could be useful to several stakeholders and policy makers of the tourism industry in the island in order to develop a strategic management plan for the hospitality industry in Crete.

Cultural Differences in Tourist Behavior: A Cross-Cultural Psychological Study

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Tourism is a global phenomenon that bridges cultural divides, yet it is also shaped profoundly by the diverse cultural identities of those who travel. This study examines the psychological and behavioral differences in tourist behavior across cultures, drawing on cross-cultural psychology and Hofstede’s cultural dimensions as key theoretical frameworks. The study highlights significant variations in tourist preferences and behaviours by analyzing how cultural norms, values, and practices influence decision-making, social interactions, and experiences. Data from 500 tourists representing diverse cultural backgrounds reveal distinct patterns in travel planning, risk-taking, and leisure activities, shaped by factors such as individualism, uncertainty avoidance, and indulgence.

The findings underscore the need for culturally sensitive tourism management and service delivery approaches. This research provides actionable insights for tourism operators, governments, and policymakers to enhance intercultural understanding, improve tourist satisfaction, and promote sustainable tourism practices. By fostering a deeper appreciation of cultural differences, the study contributes to the broader discourse on how globalization and cultural diversity intersect in the tourism industry.

Type of Tourism Attraction and Revisit Intention of Female Traveller

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This research was conducted with the aim of gathering information on the motivations of female tourists to make repeat visits to Yogyakarta. Women were chosen as respondents because women are considered to have maturity and make better decisions in their families, as well in tourism activities. The research was conducted using a non-probability sampling model on 100 respondents who had finished their trip. The survey was carried out at tourist entry points such as at tourist attraction locations, railway stations and airports. There are three variables tested, namely Perceived Satisfaction of Cultural Attraction (CUL), Perceived Satisfaction of Natural Attraction (NAT), and Perceived Satisfaction of Shopping and Culinary Attraction (ShoC). Using the classic assumption test and multiple linear regression, the results show that female travellers have the intention of making a return visit (RI) because of the satisfaction factor on cultural tourist attraction (CUL) and the satisfaction factor on shopping and culinary attraction (ShoC). The attractiveness of Natural Attraction (NAT) does not significantly influence female travellers having intention to revisit.

From an ‘Imagined Landscape’ to Iconic Destination: Bollywood Film and Its Impact on Tourism

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Tourism destinations are a product of the ‘brand personality’ of the space and depend on the cultural influence and collective consciousness. The tourists look for the emotional connection with the destination and re-imagine the self as part of larger community. Thus people’s choice of travelling gets influenced by the representation of the landscape on the screen enveloped in symbolic connotation, narrative emotion and cultural nostalgia. Being one of the biggest film industries all over the world Bollywood, has its own impact over the audience of India and also cater to the global market with specific agenda. The constant construction, reconstruction and representation of space in Bollywood films through its production promote ideology of consumption. With its ever growing market Bollywood film makes an impact over Indian Diaspora. The search for root and identity inspire the NRIs to travel back to the ‘Homeland’. Their journey back to new modern India is a voyage from West to East, Modern to Tradition, ‘Others’ to ‘Self’. Each space on screen put forward interpretations, specific to the character, local and identity. Travelling to a geographical landscape gets attached with the process of self discovery. The onscreen emotion engages in a conversation with the off screen domain as tourist destination. The Bollywood stars become the face of tourism industry. This paper critically examines the impact of film on tourism.  How the Bollywood promotes tourism, plays a huge role in constructing the collective identity and influence the economic and social development.

Transforming NGO Projects into Social Enterprise

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Introduction: Non-Government Organization (NGO) is Non-Profit Organization founded to create social impact without looking for profit. NGOs are generally funded through charitable donations, however, many of those sources of funds have dried up. For sustainability, NGOs need to find ways to enhance their sustainability, diversify their income source and become less dependent on donors. This research will study Global Peace Foundation Indonesia using Gap Analysis to find how to transform an NGO into a Social Enterprise and the innovation of the business model needed.

Literature Review: This research benchmarks Fowler’s steps of social enterprise, Ann Mei Chang’s hybrid organization, and Burkett’s social business model.

Research Methodology: This research collects primary and secondary data through interviews, FGD, and desk research. The data obtained data from the collection methods will be processed and analyzed with a qualitative approach: logic model, PESTEL Analysis, and SWOT Analysis.

Result and Discussion: From the logic model of Global Peace Foundation Indonesia, can be seen that some projects can potentially be transformed into a social enterprise, and the nearest industry to those projects are Tourism Industry. Continuing the logic model analysis, PESTEL Analysis was done, and the result showed some positive opportunity in the tourism industry that relate to what Global Peace Foundation Indonesia value. As there’s a positive opportunity, SWOT Analysis was used to find the strategies to implement. Those Analyses were used to produce the Value Proposition Canvas and Social Business Model of Global Peace Foundation Indonesia.

Conclusion and Recommendation: Fowler’s steps of Social Enterprise are slightly different from the transforming steps of Global Peace Foundation Indonesia. This research can be used by other field affiliates of the Global Peace Foundation and other NGOs who want to transform into social enterprises too. Future research can focus on the assigning human resource and leadership to the transformation process.

Proposed Marketing Strategy for Sales Increase for PT Aino Indonesia

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Tourism is one of the key drivers of the Indonesian economy, and the B2B (business-to-business) segment is a critical component of the tourism industry. A 2019 report by Indonesia Investments summarized that President Joko Widodo of Indonesia emphasized that the tourism industry should become the biggest industry in Indonesia in terms of foreign exchange earnings at the time. Indonesia with its huge number of islands (more than 17.000 islands) has so much potential ranging from beautiful beaches and countryside, flora & fauna, diving spots, wildlife, culture, culinary, historic relics as well as vibrant city life. Its inability to be able to realize its full potential and exploit it is the challenge for Indonesia to grow.

Aino Indonesia is a B2B company focusing on internet technology and creates solutions for different industries, one of which is the tourism ticketing system. Aino as an innovation technology company realizes that the world’s challenges during pandemic are getting higher, therefore always creates the latest innovation to provide the best value for clients. Currently, Aino has not achieved its annual revenue target. With the case in mind, Aino needs a marketing strategy to increase its sales revenue. The investors of the company are expecting Aino to reach its promised revenue projections as there will be a huge change of the government and political structure in future years that might be a huge obstacle.

The results of the study show Aino Indonesia require the development of the right strategy to maximize all internal and external aspects. On internal factors, Aino Indonesia has advantages ranging from customized product development, multi apps linked environment, university network, multiple offices, salespeople with personal connections, product team experiences, and payment gateway license from Bank Indoensia. While in the external factors, Aino Indonesia has a great opportunity by looking at the increase in tourism trends in Indonesia, increase of spending ability of local people, increase in ability of using technology and ticketing system, supporting legal influences from the government, and little impact to the environment due to less paper being used to create a ticketing gateway. Therefore, Aino Indonesia needs the right strategy to increase its sales.

BUMDes Partnership Model with Microfinance Institutions in the Context of Developing the Tourism Industry and Creative Economy in Madura

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Independent Village as a dream of the ideals of National Development, so far it has faced many obstacles. The Social and Economic Sector is one of the many factors faced in the village. In the economic sector, there are still many people who are below the poverty line. Data from BPS (Central Statistics Agency) in 2017 there were 26.58 million people or 10.12% of Indonesia’s population below the poverty line. Meanwhile, in the social sector, the nature of mutual cooperation has begun to fade among rural communities. One of the efforts that can alleviate poverty and increase economic growth in rural areas is the existence of BUMDes in the Labang Bangkalan District, Madura, which is spread over 3 villages. There are 3 active BUMDes in the Labang sub-district, namely in Labang, Sukolilo Barat and Bunaji villages.

To improve the village economy, there are two approaches that can be taken: a) Community needs in making changes. b) Political will and the ability of the village government together with the community in implementing the plans that have been prepared (Rutiadi, 2001 in Bachrein, 2010)

This study aims to see the appropriate partnership model between BUMDes and Microfinance Institutions in improving the tourism and creative economy sectors in Labang sub-district.

An Exploratory Study of Digital Assets to Stimulate Consumer Experience through Consumer Journey on Pre-Visit and Post-Visit at Tourism Sector

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This study aims to explore how digital assets can be used as a stimulus to create a cognitive and affective response in two-level stages through consumer experience journey theory. 21 semi-structured interviews were conducted to identify two psychological states: utilitarian (as a cognitive response) and hedonistic (as an affective response). The results show that several categories of information (location, place condition, and tourist site objects) lead to several cognitive responses, such as curiosity. The visual based video has become the visit intention triggered with four situational facilitators which are richness, vividness, fluency, and novelty. The images of places, moments, and views of tourism experience video triggers recollection memories process and evoked a positive emotion that refers to the sense of longing for a particular tourist site and affect consumers’ word-of-mouth intention. This study also discovered that consumer responses to the same stimulus can differ depending on age, gender, occupation, and background.

Project-Based Learning Method in Japanese Language Learning

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Learning Japanese at State Polytechnics of Bali and Hasanuddin University has similarities to one of the subjects studied by students, called the Japanese Language for Tourism. It takes students’ critical thinking and attracts students’ interest in this learning. For this lesson, the use of Project-Based Learning is a suitable learning model for students to hone and develop their creativity in introducing Indonesian tourism using Japanese. The aim of this research was to increase the critical thinking and creativity of the students by using the Project-Based Learning method in Japanese for tourism lessons. The design of this research was an analysis study. In this research, the writer wanted to find the use of the Project Based Learning method in Japanese language classes. In this research, the writer used a qualitative method. The inductive process of data analysis started by gathering information through observations, interviews, documentation, and triangulations. The result showed that there are several projects like videos and brochures produced by students in Japanese language classes using the PBL Method as developed by The George Lucas Educational Foundation, such as: (1) Start with the Essential Question; (2) Design a Plan for the Project; (3) Create a Schedule; (4) Monitor the Students and the Progress of the Project; (5) Assess the Outcome; (6) Evaluate the Experience.