Tourism Commons^™

The Ethics Of “Educational” Prison Tours, Alessandra Milagros Early, Nicole Mckenna, Alison Colby, Lucas Alan Dietsche, Ashley Kilmer

Feminist Pedagogy

Research examining undergraduate student attitudes toward corrections suggests that criminal justice majors hold more punitive sentiments in comparison to their peers in other fields (Mackey & Courtright, 2000). While taking criminal justice courses can shift attitudes (Farnworth et al.,1998; Lane, 1997), how classes are taught can impact student sentiments. Experiential learning, for example, expands learning beyond the classroom (Stacer et al., 2017). Although disciplines have embraced this method, incorporations in criminal justice curricula sometimes manifest as tours of active correctional institutions (Smith et al., 2009) which can be extractive and dehumanizing for people who are incarcerated (C. Agans, personal communication, …

Sustainable Cities Report: Healthcare Professions Seminar, Catherine Stemmans Paterson

2025 Fall Reports (Terre Haute)

The primary objective of this project was to ensure that community members understood both the dangers associated with these extreme weather events and the steps they could take to protect themselves and their families. The campaign aimed to reach a broad audience quickly and effectively, particularly during times when timely information is critical. The content emphasized the importance of staying informed through official channels and encouraged proactive measures to reduce vulnerability. This collaborative effort not only enhanced public safety but also strengthened the connection between the city and its residents by promoting trust and transparency. Overall, the project demonstrated the …

Location Design For Ev Charging Stations In Terre Haute, He Wen

2025 Fall Reports (Terre Haute)

This project aims to support the City of Terre Haute in expanding electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure using a comprehensive framework that integrates engineering feasibility, system safety analysis, engineering economy, and project risk management. Students evaluated multiple candidate locations across Terre Haute and developed recommendations aligned with the city’s sustainability goals and long-term mobility planning. Drawing on spatial discovery, stakeholder input, and technical analysis, five priority locations emerged from student evaluations: Walmart East (SR-46/I-70), Meijer on Margaret Drive, Honey Creek Mall/Haute City Center, ISU Lots 5 & 14, and Plaza North. These results are based on the aggregated student ranking …

Generations Observation Project: The Rise Of Gen Z: From Boomers To Zoomers, Whitney Nesser

2025 Fall Reports (Terre Haute)

A small group (n=4) of Honors College students developed and distributed a survey to observe the thoughts and concerns of different generations regarding how technology could be implemented in the forthcoming development of growing cities, such as Terre Haute. The project culminated in a poster presentation at the Sustainability Symposium.

Terre Haute Residential Design, Kimberly Smith

2025 Fall Reports (Terre Haute)

After meeting with Maitri Desai and Caleb Williams, the project scope was finalized and included a one- or one-and-a-half story home with two to three-bedrooms; the design of the house was to reflect typical architecture styles within the neighborhood surrounding the 19th and Beech streets. The design was to reflect a modest home within the price range of $125,000 and 1400 square feet. Students conducted a site visit to the proposed area to assess the development site; during this visit additional information was gathered by the students such as site analysis and walkability of the neighborhood. Further research was conducted …

Interpretive Education Stations: Keeping Terre Haute Informed, Sara E. Watson

2025 Fall Reports (Terre Haute)

Public communication of scientific findings is an important, but often neglected, part of creating solutions to environmental issues facing our communities. To address this gap, students from the ENVI 110: Introduction to Environmental Sciences class worked in small groups to design education stations to be placed around the city of Terre Haute to inform the public about topics in environmental sciences with relevance to local residents. Themes identified by ENVI 110 students for development into interpretive installations include, but are not limited to, food waste, identification of native and invasive plant and animal species, wastewater treatment, conventional and organic farming …

Identifying Climate-Appropriate Tree Species, Christy Pearison

2025 Fall Reports (Terre Haute)

The Tree Species Sustainability Symposium project was developed through a partnership between BUS 100-004 students at Indiana State University and the City of Terre Haute as part of the Sustainable Cities Program. The city’s goal for this project was to strengthen public awareness of climate-appropriate tree species, promote biodiversity, and encourage community participation in preserving Terre Haute’s award-winning urban tree canopy. Students collaborated with city and university sustainability leaders to research native tree species best suited for Terre Haute’s environment, focusing on Sycamore, Red Maple, and Eastern Redbud trees. These species were selected for their ecological benefits, resilience to climate …

Building Community Resilience For Disasters In The Wabash Valley, Nathan Myers

2025 Fall Reports (Terre Haute)

As part of the 2025 Indiana State University Sustainable Cities Initiative, we worked on two interconnected research projects: conducting a community needs assessment (as requested by Catholic Charities) and developing a climate-related disaster plan for the City of Terre Haute, Indiana. To complete this work, a student research team examined current statistical information for the Wabash Valley region (including Vigo, Clay, Parke, Vermillion, and Sullivan counties), as well as conducting and analyzing interviews, focus groups, and survey data to determine strengths, challenges, opportunities, and threats related to community resilience in the area. This same information, in conjunction with information from …

Reimagining Terre Haute's Parks: Smart Parks For A Connected Community, Natasha Rascon

2025 Fall Reports (Terre Haute)

Through collaborations with the City of Terre Haute, the following community issue was identified: Resiliency Education (RE-1) Smart parks - Sign designs, Web page design, a community survey to determine park attendance, ideas for ways to track park attendance, recommendations for improvements in high-risk parks, Finding and/or helping with grant applications. To address the identified community issue, students enrolled in Comm495 Senior Capstone partnered with the City of Terre Haute to provide possible solutions. The students in this class conducted research to identify areas of opportunity relevant to the city of Terre Haute to produce their suggestions. The students formed …

The Leaf Composition & Sustainability Initiative, Christy Pearison

2025 Fall Reports (Terre Haute)

The LEAF Composition & Sustainability Initiative was developed by students in BUS 100-005 in collaboration with the City of Terre Haute and Indiana State University’s Office of Sustainability. The primary goal of this project was to raise awareness of leaf and organic waste management, encourage composting, and strengthen community engagement around sustainable practices. Students explored the environmental impact of leaf waste and food waste, discovering that while the United States produces approximately 66 million tons of food waste annually, only a small percentage is composted. Locally, Terre Haute sends thousands of tons of yard waste to landfills each month—material that …

Mountain Communities During A Time Of War: A Case Study Of The Hutsul Region In The Carpathian Mountains Of Ukraine, Pavlo Rybaruk

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the ethno-ecological technologies employed by the Hutsul people within the highland agrarian economy of the Carpathian Mountains. Over centuries, the Hutsuls have developed ethno-ecological technologies that maintain ecological integrity while supporting community livelihoods.

The study addresses three primary research questions: What are the most important ethno-ecological technologies of the Hutsul highland economy? How might these traditional ethno-ecological practices be applied to economic, agricultural, and tourism development in the Hutsul region? How might these traditional ethno-ecological practices be combined with contemporary approaches to encourage sustainable development in the region?

The research explores the devastating impact of the Russian …

Box Elder County Tourism Adventure Passport: Pilot Program Geospatial Analysis, Evaluation, And Next Steps., Janessa Knotts

Geography and the Environment: Graduate Student Capstones

The Box Elder County Tourism Office created the Tourism Adventure Passport Program and launched a pilot program in July 2025. GIS was used to engage and encourage visitors and locals to visit some or all sites listed and submit information, including GPS points, to participate in the program. To promote tourism in Box Elder County, the program highlights well known sites like the Golden Spike National Historic Park, along with other, less-known sites. The pilot program data was used to create a geospatial analysis and an analysis of the number of visits each site received and number of visitors were …

El Maya Yucateco En El Paisaje Lingüístico De Cancún (México): Entre Invisibilidad Y Comodificación De Autenticidad, Jannis Harjus, Benjamin Peter, Linda Yoksulabakan-Harjus

Journal of Maya Heritage

The goal of this contribution is to analyze the presence of different languages in the linguistic landscape of Cancún, Quintana Roo. Cancún has a population of about 650,000 inhabitants. As a main tourist destination, the city also remains a top migration destination for Mexicans from other (rural) Mexican areas. Therefore, in addition to autochthonous speakers of maya yucateco, speakers of other indigenous languages, e.g., tzotzil and chontal, also migrate to the Cancún metropolitan area. In this paper, we analyze to which extent Cancún’s linguistic superdiversity is reflected in its urban landscape. In order to achieve that, we first created photo …

Balispirit Festival As A Regenerative Event Transformation Model: The Tri Hita Karana Framework In Support Of Sustainable Spiritual Tourism, Maha Dewi

Journal of Indonesian Tourism and Policy Studies

The global tourism sector is undergoing a transition toward Regenerative Tourism (RT). RT emphasizes active ecosystem restoration and community empowerment, surpassing the objectives of passive sustainability. In Bali, this transition appears in the Trilogy of Serenity, Spirituality, and Sustainability. This study examines the BaliSpirit Festival (BSF) as a case study that operationalizes the local Tri Hita Karana (THK) philosophy. This philosophy integrates spiritual (Parhyangan), social (Pawongan), and environmental (Palemahan) harmony as its foundation. The study uses a descriptive-analytical qualitative methodology to evaluate BSF's practices in advancing Sustainable Spiritual Tourism (SST). Results show BSF has established a culturally grounded regenerative event …

Digital Marketing Opportunities For The Advancement Of The Tourism Industry Case Study: Indihome Pt. Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Abiyyu Sangaji

Journal of Indonesian Tourism and Policy Studies

Digital marketing is becoming increasingly important in the tourism industry as a way to reach a wider target market and increase sales. This study uses a qualitative descriptive method aimed at exploring digital marketing opportunities in the tourism industry through a case study of IndiHome PT. Telekomunikasi Indonesia. The results of the study indicate that digital marketing can provide significant opportunities for the tourism industry, particularly in terms of the use of social media, websites, and engaging visual content. Furthermore, the results also show that the use of data and analytics can help companies optimize their digital marketing campaigns. However, …

Analysing Visitor Perceptions Of Storytelling: The Eileen Gray Exhibition, National Museum Of Ireland, Dublin, Keeva Burns, Jacqui Doyle

International Journal of Tour Guiding and Visitor Attraction Research

Eileen Gray is widely regarded as a pioneer of twentieth century interior and furniture design. An exhibition of her work is on display in the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Dublin. This research aims to shed light on the perceptions and experiences of visitors to the museum. Specifically, the purpose of this study is to provide insights into the quality and standard of the museum storytelling in order to generate recommendations for the enhancement of the current visitor experience. A pragmatic approach is taken, utilising both quantitative and qualitative methods of surveys and participant observation. The findings reveal that …

Ijtgr Volume 4 & 5 Table Of Contents, Kevin A. Griffin, Luis Miguel Brito, Glen Farrugia

International Journal of Tour Guiding and Visitor Attraction Research

Table of contents for Volume 4 & 5 of the International Journal of Tour Guiding and Visitor Attraction Research

Community Empowerment For Strengthening The Local Economy Based On Cultural Heritage In Kampung Tudong, Pontianak City, Siti Fatimah, Egy Abdi, Winda Chelsea Meisari

Journal of Indonesian Tourism and Policy Studies

Kampung Tudong, located in Bansir Laut Subdistrict Pontianak City represents a local community that has successfully revitalized its cultural heritage through a traditional product called Tudong (a protective cover) made from mengkuang leaves that has existed since 1915. This product not only serves a functional purpose for the local community but also symbolizes cultural identity and has become a driver of the local economy across generations. The establishment of Kampung Tudong was driven by local residents’ concern for social and economic conditions and their independent initiative to build a craftsman village for Tudong production. This study employs a qualitative approach …

Literary And Artistic Property Rights Between Regular Courts And Administrative Courts: A Comparative Study Of Jordan And Egypt, Noor Al-Hindi

Jordan Journal of Applied Science-Humanities Series

This study addresses literary and artistic property rights within the context of the ordinary and administrative judiciary, focusing on the legal framework for the deposit of these rights under the Jordanian and Egyptian Copyright and Neighboring Rights Protection Laws. The research findings indicate that legal deposit is an obligation of the rights holders of the work to submit a copy of the published work to a government authority. In Egypt, the rights holder is required to submit a licensing application to the General Department for the Control of Works, accompanied by certain data. The department is responsible for maintaining records …

Students' Purchase Intention Of Street Food In Front Of De La Salle University - Dasmariñas Cavite, Patricia Jana J. Abeabe, Shanin S. Albios, Brent Louis C. Aure, Jimford U. Tabuyo

ICHRIE Research Reports

This study examined the factors that influence students' buying intentions for street food. A quantitative descriptive research design was employed to assess students' purchasing intentions toward street food in front of De La Salle University - Dasmariñas Gate 1. The study utilized convenience sampling, with 371 respondents consisting of undergraduate, masters, and doctoral students. Data were collected through an online survey using a Four-Point Likert Scale questionnaire. Statistical tools are weighted mean and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) T-test. The findings revealed that perceived food quality and convenience significantly influenced students' buying intentions, while perceived food value also played a crucial …

Re-Imagine Paradise: The Impacts Of The Illegal Annexation Of Hawai'i & Tourism On Native Hawaiians, Paige Edwards

SMU Journal of Undergraduate Research

This literature review presents a vital exploration of colonialism, the illegal annexation of Hawai’i, and the subsequent emergence of the tourism industry as a neocolonial enterprise. Neocolonialism is the process of colonial dominance through modern exploitation, which is masked through economic opportunities and has left territories and their native people dependent on it. By tracing the major historical events in Hawai’i highlights how education was a vital aspect of Native Hawaiian culture, empowering its people - a stark contrast to the current education system where the education system perpetuates the commodification of Native Hawaiian culture. Education has played a pivotal …

Telkomsel Siaga Rafi Annual Event Strategy To Improve Brand Image By Senusa Indonesia, Margareta Manalu, Qusnul Khotimah, Alain Rishi Zacharias

Journal of Indonesian Tourism and Policy Studies

This research aims to analyze the strategy of Telkomsel Siaga RAFI annual event organized by Senusa Indonesia in order to improve Telkomsel's brand image. Through this activity, Telkomsel seeks to strengthen relationships with customers and expand its social reach, especially during Ramadan and Idul Fitri 2025. The main focus of this final report is to explore the role of event management strategies in influencing the brand image of Telkomsel. Using brand image theory and direct observation techniques, this research also identifies the steps taken by Senusa Indonesia in designing and implementing events that include knowledge sharing and donations. The results …

Examining Whiteness: A Narrative Inquiry Into Racial Identity Among White Women In Study Abroad Programs, Audrey Moreno Townsend

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this narrative inquiry study was to better understand race in contexts both domestically and abroad through the perspectives and experiences of white women who studied abroad outside of Europe and the Anglosphere. The investigation explored on how these experiences shaped white women’s understanding of racial identity upon returning to their home institutions. The research question which was addressed was: How do white women experience study abroad programming? Research highlights a critical gap in existing literature on this topic. While white women are centered in the study, it is contextualized considering how People of Color experience the world. …

Shark Wildlife Tourism’S Influence On Conservation Efforts, Elizabeth C. Saraf

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Shark wildlife tourism has the potential to shape pro-environmental values and attitudes, fostering meaningful conservation behaviors. Understanding the influence of participating in shark tourism activities provides valuable insights into its effectiveness as a conservation tool. This study compared different intervention types related to wildlife tourism, including both direct (i.e., swimming with sharks) and indirect (i.e., viewing a related documentary) interactions with sharks. To evaluate the impact of these intervention events, participants were surveyed at three time intervals: before, immediately afterwards, and one month after the event. The surveys assessed respondents’ psychological constructs related to the environment, specifically their value orientations, …

Do Themes Improve Visitor Outcomes In Interpretive Programs?, Amber K. Hawes

All Theses

Thematic interpretation is widely promoted as being integral to an effective interpretive program. Some studies have suggested that thematic interpretation may enhance visitor outcomes; however, park visitor demographics have changed over the last decade, and others have suggested alternative approaches. In this study, we systematically observed live interpretive programs at 330 programs at 52 National Parks across the United States, monitored the extent and characteristics of theme usage, and collected visitor surveys immediately following each program. We used these data to determine the influence of the presence and characteristics of themes and theme questions on visitor outcomes. The results suggest …

When Culture Becomes Law: Mayan Heritage And The New Constitutional Recognition Of Collective Rights In Mexico, José Israel Herrera, Victor Manuel Colli Ek

Journal of Maya Heritage

Abstract. The constitutional reform of September 30, 2024 to article 2 marks a substantive change in the recognition of indigenous peoples as subjects of public law, with their own patrimony, valid normative systems and express right to conserve, protect and develop their cultural, material and immaterial heritage. This article analyzes the legal implications of this reform in the context of the Maya people, especially with regard to collective intellectual property, the right to prior consultation and the constitutional recognition of bioculturality. A critical reading of the new normative framework is proposed, with emphasis on its transformative potential for the territorial …

Extractivism And Water Crisis In The Moroccan Draa Oasis: Global South Reflections On Responsibility And Resistance, Ahmed El Khatabi

Journal of Maya Heritage

Abstract. The Draa Oasis in southeastern Morocco is experiencing severe water scarcity, driven by climate change and intensified by the expansion of watermelon agribusiness and desert tourism. This article explores how external investors, empowered by national agricultural policies, have disrupted traditional water governance systems rooted in collective management. Through ethnographic fieldwork involving interviews, focus groups, and spatial mapping, the study examines the socio-environmental consequences of groundwater depletion and land commodification. It argues that investors fail to assume ethical accountability for the ecological degradation they cause, despite being aware of the oasis’s fragile ecosystem. Meanwhile, local communities and civil society actors …

Vulnerabilidad Socioambiental A Inundaciones En Dos Humedales De San Cristóbal De Las Casas, Chiapas, México, Ender Fabian Toledo Alcázar, Salvador Adame Martínez, Marcelino García Benítez

Journal of Maya Heritage

Abstract

This study encompasses the following urban wetlands: "La Kisst," situated in the city center, and "María Eugenia," located in the southern part of the city of San Cristóbal de las Casas. There are four wetlands within the municipality, all of which have been protected as natural areas by a Ramsar decree since 2008. The research aims to assess the socio-environmental vulnerability of the two wetlands using indicators in the environmental, social, and legal dimensions, thereby establishing the degree of vulnerability of the urban population exposed to flooding. The methodological process is defined by the proposal of CENAPRED, which establishes …

L2) The Bountiful: Mormon Tourism On Islamic Land? Examining Lds Church Members Intentions Toward Arabia, Kristel A. Kessler

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

The Sultanate of Oman has gathered interest from scholars due to its potential connections to the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (often referred to as the LDS Church or Mormon Church). Discussions have centred around the narrative of prophet Lehi, who constructed a ship to reach the promised land, as described in the Book of Mormon. This account details his journey to a land referred to as "Bountiful" during his exodus from Jerusalem. Recent explorations suggest that Khor Kharfot in the Dhofar region may be the most plausible location of Bountiful and could even contain …

L1) Modern Day Saints And The Production Of Contemporary Pilgrimage Sites: Analysis Of Padre Pio Of San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy And Sai Baba Of Shirdi, India, Kiran A. Shinde

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

Places valorised by saints have attracted pilgrimage for a very long time as devotion to saints is a way to achieve both material wellbeing and spiritual growth. Yet, the cult following of modern-day saints in contemporary societies has become a topic for exploration only in recent years (Di Giovine, 2010; Srinivas, 2008). A few excellent hagiographies discuss the material and non-material world created around charismatic modern-day saints (Shepherd, 1986). Adding to this scholarship, this paper aims to explore the creation of contemporary pilgrimage landscape of modern-day saints using a cross-culture comparative analysis. The saints are Padre Pio of San Giovanni …