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Giving Voice To Australia’S Professional Tour Guides: Perspectives Of Their Social Identity, Birgitta E. March Mrs, Kim Williams Dr, Caroline Winter Dr

International Journal of Tour Guiding Research

Professional tour guides (PTGs) play an instrumental role in Australia’s tourism industry, however, there is little understanding of their perspectives regarding their challenges, expectations, belonging, and recognition. Anecdotal evidence suggests that they lack a voice and feel neglected within the tourism industry. This study adopted an interpretivist approach to capture the voices and perspectives of 19 Australian PTGs, through focus group discussions and one-on-one interviews. This qualitative study was seen through the lens of Tajfel’s Social Identity Theory (1974). A key finding is that the tour guides’ strong sense of belonging is the motivating factor to address the lack of …

Fearless Women Travellers: Religion And More, Antonietta Ivona, Donatella Privitera

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

The term ‘pilgrim’ is derived from the notion of pilgrimage. Historically a pilgrim was as a person who walked to a shrine or holy place out of religious motivation. Also, the experience of pilgrimage embodies the pilgrim’s desire to seek or manifest his or her identity and value as a person. Using gender as a lens, women in all cultures, sometimes even without the ability to read or write, have found ways to travel in spiritual ways of knowing. The testimonies of women travellers go back a long way in the centuries; there are many who have challenged the risks …

Religious Celebrations And Tradition: The Case Of ‘Panigiras’ In Sifnos Island, Polyxeni Moira, Dimitrios Mylonopoulos, Eleni Synagridi

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Religions presuppose a set of symbols that evoke feelings of respect or awe and are associated with various rituals (e.g. religious services) in which a community of believers is involved. Ritualistic religious acts include prayers, hymns, dances, use or abstinence from food, fasting, use of symbols, lighting a candle, offering food or flowers to a deity, etc. Religious worship rituals are performed individually by a person or collectively by groups of believers. The formal rituals are ceremonies which take place in sacred places such as churches, temples, mosques, pagodas (depending on religion). The informal rituals are festive events (e.g., fairs, …

Progress Reimagined: A Generation Z Perspective On Belfast In Relation To The Unsdgs., Lucy Love Haman, Rebecca F. Macleod, Emilee E. Ernster, Camryn Moore, Erin Miller, Daron Baltazar, Ricardo Jackson

Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

This research explores a contemporary outsider view of Belfast, through the eyes of Generation Z visiting college students, in relation to how three United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are carried out (Good Health and Well-Being, Climate Action, and Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). To learn through firsthand accounts, the researchers utilized ethnographic and phenomenological methods, as interacting with locals to gather community inputs, surveying different groups in the city, Abstract: recording quotes said by citizens and displayed at billboards, and For Peer Review applying personal sensory experiences. It was found that a political deadlock plays a major role in the …

Pilgrimage Routes As Opportunities For Local Development: Case Study Of The Way Of St James In The Alto Minho Region, Portugal, Mariana Oliveira, Goretti Silva

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

The policies implemented by the Member States of the Council of Europe have as their main purpose to protect and realise the ideals and principles which are their common heritage and facilitate economic and social development (Statute, 1949). The Council of Europe considers cultural itineraries, including pilgrimage routes, which make a significant contribution to the cultural tourism sector, and a key role in territorial development policies, in economic, social, and cultural terms.

The Way of St James (Camino de Santiago), one of the main pilgrimage routes in the world, was the first Cultural Route certified by the Council of Europe …

Ways Of Saint James In The Interior North Of Portugal: An Analysis Of Touristic Routes, Pedro Ricardo Coelho De Azevedo

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

The Ways of Saint James are ancient routes of pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela travelled from the 9th century and which in recent years have seen a profound revitalisation of tourism, based on the conversion of these routes into tourist-cultural routes, which in turn allows these routes to be valued and the existing heritage assets to be articulated. This study has as main goals to identify and analyse the transformation of the existing Ways of Saint James in the interior north of Portugal into tourist-cultural routes. At the same time, it is intended to demonstrate how these tourist routes allow …

Editorial: Pilgrimage-Induced Transformations: The 12th Annual International Religious Tourism & Pilgrimage Conference In Braga, Emese Panyik, Vincent Zammit

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

No abstract provided.

‘Unlikely Adventures’ In Sacred And Secular Space: India And The Sikh Diaspora, Dorothy Lane

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

The Sikh relationship with pilgrimage models is ambivalent and complicated; however, this relationship has been revived and reinvented because of several historical, cultural, and political transitions: the extensive Sikh diaspora; familiarity of pilgrimage in the Indian subcontinent; the effects of Partition and Sikh independence initiatives; and the secular and tourist components of pilgrimage. The shift from adherence to the wisdom of the Guru as the focus of the pious life to a physical journey involving geographical sites is a phenomenon that partly resulted from the partition of the Punjab in 1947; thus, the personal, social, and spiritual intersect intriguingly with …

Peregrinatio Interrupta: An Eclectic Success Of A Failed Pilgrimage, Noel Buttigieg, Dane Munro

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

This study explores the case study of two Quaker nuns, Ms Catherine Evans and Ms Sarah Cheevers. Their coincidental connection with the Mediterranean island of Malta caught the attention of several researchers, primarily interested in the micro history of the Quakers movement. Originally, Evans and Cheevers were entrusted to travel to Jerusalem, expecting to convert Christians at the epicentre of Christianity to Quakerism. After their ship called into the port of Malta en route to the Holy Land, their mission was interrupted due to their polarising and confrontational behaviour towards the Holy Office of the Roman Inquisition. Their intended short …

Exploring Memorable Sacred Tourism Experiences And Place Attachment, Carla Silva, José Luís Abrantes, Manuel Reis, Cláudia Seabra

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Ever since people have travelled to sacred places, religious and sacred sites have become some of the most visited destinations globally (Griftiths, 2011; Nyaupane et al., 2015), providing fascinating forms of travel (Griffin & Raj, 2017). However, despite the global importance and popularity of religious tourism and sacred places, few studies measure the tourists’ experiences in those destinations (Albayrak et al., 2018). Moreover, the standardisation of tourism products, including sacred ones, and the competitive market, requires that tourism destinations distinguish themselves by creating unique experiences. Currently, tourists seek appealing, unique, and memorable experiences that enhance their emotional link with tourism …

Ijrtp Volume 11(V) Table Of Contents, Kevin A. Griffin, Razaq Raj, Carlos Fernandes, Vincent Zammit, Emese Panyik

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

No abstract provided.

Universal Accessibility On The Portuguese Coastal Way To Santiago In Porto Municipality, Fátima Matos De Silva, Isabel Borges, Marta Arreiol

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

In this article, the authors seek to understand if improvement to the conditions of universal accessibility on the Portuguese Coastal Way to Santiago was one of the factors that contributed to the development of this Way and consequently the increase of pilgrims.

To this end, an evolutionary analysis of the number of pilgrims was carried out, which involved a study of the universal accessibility of the Portuguese Coastal Way to Santiago and its religious heritage in the municipality of Porto. An analysis was also undertaken of the guiding and explanatory signage and the elements of innovation introduced, as well as …

Mapping Pilgrimage In The Marketplace: Social Contexts Of Bisnis Hajj Dan Umroh In Indonesia, Shin Yasuda

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

in which private commercial tour operators organise pilgrimages to Makkah (hajj and umrah). As a result, the development of these religious tour operators has formed a market, which is described as bisnis hajj dan umroh (pilgrimage business). Thus, this study examines social space and context in the commodification of Islam in Indonesia, by analysing the bisnis hajj dan umroh. In conclusion, the study shows that the development of the pilgrimage market in Indonesia has cultivated new social space among stakeholders, and creates social context based on individual piety, connecting economic development with personal spiritual commitment. The quality, popularity, and …

How Do Restaurants Grapple With Stress When Attempting To Achieve And Keep The Michelin Star? A Qualitative Investigation In The Canadian Market, Alexander Owens, Mark R. Holmes, Cyrus Cooper

TTRA Canada 2023 Conference

With The Michelin Guide’s recent expansion into the Canadian market, and the highly stressful environment associated with the restaurant industry, this qualitative study looks to understand the stress that comes from trying to acquire and retain a Michelin star rating, along with the strategies restaurants employ to mitigate these stressors.

Examining Sustainable Food Practices In Luxury Gastronomic Restaurants: A Comparison Between Michelin-Starred Restaurants And Luxury Fine Dining Restaurants, Hiran Roy, Thomas Gomes, Vikas Arya

TTRA Canada 2023 Conference

Abstract
Sustainable practices are increasingly promoted in the restaurant sectors. While sustainability in luxury gastronomy restaurants (hereby Michelin-starred and luxury fine dining restaurants) has rarely been explored especially from Vancouver context. Michelin-starred and fine dining restaurants are significant influencers of sustainable food promotion. Therefore, this study explores chefs’ motivations to adopt and promote sustainable food experiences through extrinsic (planet and people) and intrinsic (plate, pleasure, and place) factors. A qualitative approach (semi-structured interview) will be employed to collect data from a sample of Michelin-starred and fine dining restaurants. It is anticipated that this study will be strengthening the existing literature …

Hosting Friends And Relatives In The Yukon, Tom Griffin Dr., Department Of Tourism And Culture, Yukon Government

TTRA Canada 2023 Conference

This study includes qualitative interviews of 54 residents of Whitehorse, Yukon, about their experiences of hosting friends and relatives, with implications for destination marketing and community development.

Volunteer Preparedness For Emergency Management At Festivals, Debbie Toluwanimi Olotu, Christine Van Winkle Phd

TTRA Canada 2023 Conference

This research provides insight into emergency preparedness and Management at Festivals. The study aims to enhance practice, advance theory and contribute to safe and secure event management, reducing risks for communities and event attendees. By using a service-dominant logic (SDL) framework, the study provided insight into the role of a festival stakeholder group, volunteers, and their contributions to emergency management.

Exploring Post-Secondary Students’ Perceptions Of The Quality Of Their Summer Tourism Jobs, Rebecca Gordon, Bruce Mcadams

TTRA Canada 2023 Conference

This exploratory study captures job quality perceptions of 14 post-secondary school students employed in summer tourism jobs. Students that lacked training, managerial support and consistent work hours saw their job as low quality and were less committed to their employer.

The Use Of Historical Heritage As A Factor In Sustainable Tourism Development: The Case Study Of Akbarieh Garden, A Unesco World Heritage Site In Birjand, Mahdieh Jahangir Bolourchian, Mahdi Hajikhani, Eghbal Chehri Dr.

TTRA Canada 2023 Conference

The research explores the role of historical heritage in bolstering sustainable tourism, with a keen focus on Akbarieh Garden, a renowned UNESCO world heritage site situated in Birjand, Iran. Historical heritage sites often present a unique intersection between the preservation of cultural legacy and the promotion of local economies through tourism. Sustainable tourism emphasizes the balance between environmental, economic, and socio-cultural aspects, ensuring that these attractions remain preserved for future generations while still benefiting present-day communities.

Destination Design: A Design Thinking Approach To Tourism Development Through The Evolution Of Destination Management Organizations, Matthew Hardy Thomas

TTRA Canada 2023 Conference

This research examines using design thinking methodologies to develop resilient tourist destinations amidst emerging trends. It explores the changing role of destination managers and their transition into designers rather than managers of communities. The proposed Destination Design Methodology provides a new approach to strategic planning, stakeholder partnerships, and establishing KPIs.

Does The Rising Tide Lift All Boats? : Navigating Datascapes At The Local Level, Scott Peters Msc, Peter Keller Phd

TTRA Canada 2023 Conference

The rhetoric surrounding data in tourism studies has undergone a shift from that of data scarcity to that of superabundance, but how does this actually play out with stakeholders on the ground? This paper explores the application of ‘datascapes’ to get a better understanding of data applications for tourism stakeholders.

From Crisis To Recovery: Analyzing Government Support For Canadian Restaurants During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Julie Kellershohn, Wayne W. Smith, Stephen W. Litvin, Robert Frash

TTRA Canada 2023 Conference

This study, utilizing qualitative analyses, evaluates the effectiveness of Canadian government policies and subsidies in providing relief to the restaurant industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Insights into the effectiveness of support measures (mandatory closures, wage subsidies, rent relief, and business continuity support) and recommendations for future policymaking are provided.

Immigration And Workforce Diversity In The Canadian Hospitality And Tourism Sector: An Opportunity Not To Be Missed, Frederic Dimanche, Maggie Perzyna

TTRA Canada 2023 Conference

Immigration, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are essential aspects of Canada, a multicultural country that relies on immigration. The paper describes the state of diversity management in Canadian tourism and makes recommendations to help foster a competitive tourism sector with improved worker management practices.

Why It Matters: The Tourist/Traveller Dichotomy In The Context Of Pandemic-Era Overtourism, Kelley A. Mcclinchey

TTRA Canada 2023 Conference

This research investigates the traveller/tourist dichotomy through a discourse analysis of online blogs and travel writing in the context of pandemic-era overtourism. Results indicate that travellers/tourists are perceived in ways that validate one over the other, yet both are intricately weaved within the neocolonial structures of tourism, grounded in imperialism and the power dynamics visitors have on a place.

Leveraging Accessible Tourism Development Through Mega-Events, And The Disability-Attitude Gap, Michael Duignan, Ian Brittain, Marcus Hansen, Alan Fyall, Simon Gerard, Stephen Page

Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Able-bodied, and increasingly people with disabilities, represent a key audience for mega-events; occasions that act as crucibles where social problems endemic to host destinations can be exposed and tackled through targeted social policy. Drawing on the social model of disability, the paper examines how Japan utilised Tokyo 2020 as a field configuring event to disrupt systems of ableist thinking and tackle physical and attitudinal barriers restricting Persons with Disabilities (PwD) to accessible tourism. Qualitative evidence reveals national commitments to relegitimise, improve accessibility for - and acceptance toward - PwD in Japanese society, through transformations to the built environment, national awareness, …

The Representation And Definition Of Shinto Within Travel Guidebooks, Pascal Von Beuningen

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Japan is a country that is home to polytheistic religions, namely Buddhism and Shintoism. However, in comparison to Buddhism, which is spread widely, Shinto is mainly found in Japan. Thus, foreign visitors are most likely to encounter Shinto and Shinto shrines for the first time when they visit Japan. It can be argued that developing an understanding of the major religion(s) of a country can enhance cultural understanding. However, a clear definition of Shinto is an ongoing debate in Japan and among scholars across the world. Hence, this research tries to understand through Content Analysis of English and German language …

Events, Christian Faith Communities, And The Public Square, Ruth Dowson (Rev.), Daniel H. Olsen

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Living as members of a faith community can be problematic in world regions where secularism controls the public sphere. The secularisation of European society, for example, has made it more difficult for religious groups to have a voice in public affairs. However, in many instances, religion has seen a revitalised role in the public square. Even in places where religion is believed to be best served as a muted witness in the private realm, Jews, Christians, and Muslims share a long tradition and heritage of political dissent, such as gathering on street corners to express their faith and their views. …

Strategic Intelligence For Sacred Sites, Pierre Fournie

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

The polysemous aspect of pilgrimage constitutes a very old human activity, sometimes religious and alternatively secular, make it a complex matter to approach and handle. The exact number of pilgrims visiting sacred sites remains undetermined, and ranges, according to sources, between 200 and 400 million people yearly (Griffin & Raj, 2017). Pilgrimages are often associated with tourism and generate, in several countries, comfortable amounts of revenue. Public or private companies manage sacred sites and at the same time, areas of services for pilgrims and accompanying persons, and an intense network of shops, places for food and accommodation, grow, sometimes haphazardly. …

Representation Of Pre-Christian Baltic Religion In The Balts’ Road Tourism Route In Lithuania And Latvia, Michael Strmiska

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

The Balts’ Road tourism route in Latvia and Lithuania is an interesting example of how religious tourism may be packaged within a framework of cultural heritage tourism. The Balts’ Road offers travellers insight into the medieval Baltic world before the coming of Christianity. In this context, pre-Christian religious beliefs and practices constitute but one dimension of the historical tableau that the tourism route is intended to conjure. This article examines the manner in which the pre-Christian Baltic religion is represented on the Balts’ Road, displaying a certain ambivalence that seems related to the past religious history and current religious power …

Perspectives On Holy Springs As A Religious Tourism Resource: A Comparative Study Of The Baltic States And India, Janis Bikse, Mahender Reddy Gavinolla

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Holy springs played an immense role in religious tourism globally over centuries. It is widely believed that visiting holy springs as part of religious practice symbolises the washing away of sins and enhances ones’ health condition and well-being. Both in India and the Baltic States, a significant number of holy springs have various religious significances. However, over a period of time, due to changes in socio-cultural and political conditions, the use of springs for religious purposes and health reasons has also changed. The aim of this article is to analyse the change in the use of holy springs as religious …