Papers by Denis Tolkach
Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, 2015
This paper explores current and emerging tourism trends in the Asia Pacific region via content an... more This paper explores current and emerging tourism trends in the Asia Pacific region via content analysis of industry publications and subsequent review of related academic literature. Experience economy and activity-oriented travel lead the development of the sector in the region and impact other trends. Economic growth, favourable political environment and improved infrastructure have sustained continual growth in visitor numbers from long-haul and intra-regional markets. However, the profile of travellers and their interests are increasingly diverse. Additionally, technology has been playing a significant role in hospitality and tourism industries, while human resources remain one of the biggest challenges in the region. Despite the huge increase in academic literature on sustainability, the industry has not appeared to be engaged with the subject. A number of knowledge gaps are identified for future research to better understand tourism development in the Asia Pacific region.
Encyclopedia of Tourism, 2014
Encyclopedia of Tourism, 2014
Journal of Destination Marketing & Management, 2015
Many commentators suggest that tourism could help fund the ever growing number of protected areas... more Many commentators suggest that tourism could help fund the ever growing number of protected areas. The traditional reliance on government sources to support protected areas is increasingly untenable, in both the developed and developing world. This paper reviews the relationship between tourism and protected areas to assess opportunities for sustainable funding to assure effective stewardship. It explores a range of innovative and creative alternative funding mechanisms which could be consistent with a positive evolving relationship between tourism and protected areas. An outline classification of four protected area archetypes for management and funding purposes is suggested, based on a combination of visitation and biodiversity levels. To service the management of those four types, a series of non-government revenue streams are explored such as payments for ecosystem service (ES), environmental mortgages, intrinsic value funding, carbon abatement funding and research dividend funding. Issues discussed include: the willingness to pay on the part of potential visitors, the potential impact of fees on visitation, “quarantining” particularly valuable ecosystems from visitation and intrinsic value funding, the unpredictability of environmental mortgages and the potential stability of ES payments. Further research is required in data analysis and into the design of land tenure systems and regulatory mechanisms.
Tourism Planning & Development
This conceptual paper proposes the adoption of a collaborative network approach as a prospective ... more This conceptual paper proposes the adoption of a collaborative network approach as a prospective means of improving success in implementing community-based tourism (CBT) initiatives. Drawing upon relevant literature, the researchers identify the key attributes that characterise a network-based approach. By proposing alternatives for each attribute, the research provides CBT practitioners with options for making informed decisions about how to build collaboration connecting individual CBT initiatives in multiple locations. The researchers discuss the implications of different approaches for power relations between stakeholders. The proposed framework provides a means of classifying existing CBT networks and analyses the types of network and the circumstances which lead to better outcomes for community development. Further empirical research is required to test the validity of the key network attributes and to develop a comprehensive classification system of CBT networks.
This paper discusses the concept of community-based tourism (CBT) as an approach to tourism devel... more This paper discusses the concept of community-based tourism (CBT) as an approach to tourism development that emphasises the central role of local communities, community development and capacity building. CBT often experiences difficulties associated with promotion, skills development and financial sustainability. Timor-Leste is one destination which has encountered such issues, as it has started to develop CBT. Located on the eastern part of Timor island north of Darwin it is at the fledgling stage as a nation. A collaborative network approach is proposed as a possible strategy to tackle these issues. In recognising the importance of stakeholder support for this strategy, the place of CBT in Timor-Leste and the prospects from a collaborative network as a solution to current CBT-related issues were discussed at a workshop held during a recent conference on development. A variety of representative stakeholder groups suggested that tourism in Timor-Leste should focus on nature, culture and adventure. CBT was not found to be a major type of tourism for Timor-Leste, nevertheless participants suggested that any type of tourism in Timor-Leste should recognise the central role of local communities in the development of tourism. Further discussion identified that a collaborative network is seen as beneficial for CBT development in Timor Leste. In order to be capable of providing common goals and strategies, the network should have a medium level of integration, without disempowering individual communities. Since there was general support for a CBT network, and little variation in the responses of various stakeholder groups across the majority of questions, collaboration between workshop participants may become the basis for future network establishment. To gain a thorough understanding of potential future network structures and functions, further research is needed.
CAUTHE 2011 National …, Jan 1, 2011
Tourism has a significant importance for many developing and least developed countries. The benef... more Tourism has a significant importance for many developing and least developed countries. The benefits, which this industry can bring, have been well-known for a long time, however projects which concentrate on poverty alleviation through tourism are relatively recent. Such an approach to tourism is known as pro-poor tourism (PPT). This relates to any tourism development, which aims to bring significant benefits to local communities, especially to the poor. Research studies, which assist in understanding processes that affect PPT projects and provide practical recommendations, are much needed.
CAUTHE 2011 National …, Jan 1, 2011
This working paper examines the prospects for maximising community benefits through the creation ... more This working paper examines the prospects for maximising community benefits through the creation of collaborative community-based tourism (CBT) networks. It outlines a proposed research approach to explore opportunities to strengthen CBT in the case of Timor-Leste, one of the world's most recently established nations and a least developed small island state.
Book Reviews by Denis Tolkach
This is a Book Review of: Li, Xiang (Robert) (2016). Chinese Outbound Tourism 2.0. New Jersey: Ap... more This is a Book Review of: Li, Xiang (Robert) (2016). Chinese Outbound Tourism 2.0. New Jersey: Apple Academic Press. 389 pages. ISBN 978-1-77188-180-7 (Hardcover). For publication in the European Journal of Tourism Research (October 2016)
Papers 2011~ Present by Denis Tolkach
A manifestation of early destination development, Community-Based Tourism (CBT) enterprises have ... more A manifestation of early destination development, Community-Based Tourism (CBT) enterprises have been emerging across Timor-Leste as a rural development strategy. In the context of this fledgling and oil revenue dependent nation, CBT enterprises will need to overcome various challenges if they are to fulfil their potential. The present paper explores stakeholder perceptions towards the prospective shape and structure of a nationwide CBT network using a multi-stage qualitative research approach. Respondents broadly agreed that a CBT network can support the development of tourism and help enterprises to confront the challenges of deficient knowledge, funding and marketing, prospectively improving rural livelihoods. The researchers consider neo-colonial, social economy and community development perspectives when applying the prospective CBT model in a resource dependent developing country setting. The success of a CBT network relies on an authoritative funding body and on communications between managers and stakeholders that maintains a balance of power.
Conference Presentations by Denis Tolkach
This paper reports on the analysis of Asia Pacific tourism trends by means of content analysis of... more This paper reports on the analysis of Asia Pacific tourism trends by means of content analysis of news articles published online. The results are then discussed in light of previous tourism trends publications. It is noted that the prevalent topics have not changed significantly since 1980s-1990s, among them: marketing, economic growth, government planning, infrastructure, human resources and technology. The paper also raises questions for further investigation regarding the lack of public interest in tourism research and the extent to which academic research impacts tourism trends and resolves tourism-related issues.
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Papers by Denis Tolkach
Book Reviews by Denis Tolkach
Papers 2011~ Present by Denis Tolkach
Conference Presentations by Denis Tolkach