Shaul Krakover | Ben Gurion University of the Negev (original) (raw)

Papers by Shaul Krakover

Tourism Planning & Development, 2015

ABSTRACT This paper explores the potential contribution of niche products to the development of s... more ABSTRACT This paper explores the potential contribution of niche products to the development of sustainable tourism in small peripheral places. The exploration is conducted on the case study of Belmonte, a small peripheral Portuguese town, employing a strategy of niche tourism in the framework of “museum park” development. This park is comprised of different sorts of local heritage, including the town's unique Jewish history. Empirical research was conducted using an inductive methodology based on several primary and secondary sources of data. Results indicate that Jewish heritage tourism is an important and growing segment of tourism, though it does not constitute, as of yet, the sole engine of local development. Jewish heritage tourism faces the challenge of developing supportive services to sustain the growing demand and allow retaining more value in the region. It is concluded that in remote peripheral areas: (a) Niche tourism should be developed as a cluster of products; (b) Jewish heritage appears as a viable niche product within the framework of the museum parks cluster; (c) The involvement of local government is crucial for the success of tourism development; and (d) Sustainability of niche tourism products depend on joining local and global distributional networks.

Tourism Geographies, 2018

This article focuses on the management of heritage and cultural tourism related to the complex id... more This article focuses on the management of heritage and cultural tourism related to the complex identity of minority groups, where different components tend to produce different visions and practices. It highlights the impacts of globalized transnational networks and influences on political, cultural and religious identities and affiliations over long distances. In fact, diverse views, approaches, perceptions and representations may lead to disagreement and conflicts even within apparently compact ethnic or religious communities. The issues related to dissonant heritage management strategies and the related authorized heritage discourse, in terms of unbalanced power relations and diverging narratives, are considered. The theme of Jewish heritage tourism (J.H.T) is analysed, with a focus on the case of Syracuse, Italy. This historically cosmopolitan and multicultural city specializes in cultural tourism and tends to develop niche products, including J.H.T, in order to strengthen and diversify its international cultural destination status. Different components of the Jewish world, as well as non-Jewish stakeholders, practice different approaches to heritage tourism. Actors, discourses and reasons behind Jewish culture management and promotion will be highlighted and the reactions, perceptions and suggestions by the various stakeholders and groups involved will be portrayed, with the aim of contributing to the discussion about the complexity of niche heritage tourism processes in a multi-ethnic site.

Applications of the Expansion Method, 1991

The GeoJournal Library, 2002

EconStor Open Access Articles, 2021

Purpose: To introduce and define the concept of sieving tourism destinations as an umbrella term ... more Purpose: To introduce and define the concept of sieving tourism destinations as an umbrella term representing faster decision-making processes compared to destination choice models, and to demonstrate its usefulness for both sides of consumption and production of tourism attractions. Methods: Fast decision at the consumers' demand side is demonstrated via an exploratory graphic model. Producers' supply side sieving is measured by observing data elimination on two public serving internet platforms compared to a baseline taken from special interest group tour operators representing Jewish heritage attractions in Sicily and Thessaloniki. Results: On the demand side, nowadays market conditions enable destination choice decision making in a few simple steps often interpreted as spontaneous, intuitive, or irrational. Quantitative analyses on the supply side provided measurable sieving ratios. They reveal careful partial sieving performed at local level editorship, while much harsh...

Tourism Geographies, 2017

Issues arise when trying to understand the motivation of policymakers to preserve the assets of c... more Issues arise when trying to understand the motivation of policymakers to preserve the assets of cultures that do not belong to the mainstream population. Tunbridge and Ashworth's seminal study on 'Dissonant Heritage' and Bennett's developmental model of intercultural sensitivity (DMIS model) provide a basis to evaluate both the motivations and the existence of a cultural dissonance. As there is a growing worldwide trend towards preserving and developing Jewish heritage tourism (JHT) this study examines Jewish heritage sites in three Macedonian cities endowed with rich Jewish history. Unlike previous studies concentrating on the notion of dissonant heritage, this research focuses on the motivation for preserving such sites, an issue hardly tackled before. Previous studies suggested the prevalence of six possible motives: guilt, facing harsh history, emphasis on dark tourism, revival of a harmonious past, respect, and economic benefits. Data were obtained via face-to-face interviews conducted with policy-makers from central and local governments. The interviews were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively in order to determine the leading motives for preservation. The findings indicate that by establishing and maintaining Jewish Heritage sites, stakeholders reflect sentiments of respect and admiration for the perished Jewish community and a longing for the revival of an elusive harmonious past. The potential economic benefits and dark tourism surfaced only as minor motives. Practically, JH preservation is used to revive dialogue with a forgotten past that may also contribute to urban tourism development in the future. Conceptually, the interviews did not reveal any indication of heritage dissonance, a finding that stands in sharp contrast to the dissonant heritage theory.

Regional Studies, 1986

"This paper compares the distribution of growth of several economic sectors in an attemp... more "This paper compares the distribution of growth of several economic sectors in an attempt to trace and analyse their spatiotemporal sequence of decentralization. The paper applies a polynomial regression model capable of dealing with detailed spatiotemporal series. The application of the model to the urban field of Philadelphia [Pennsylvania] shows population to be the farthest spread followed by manufacturing industries. Despite, or probably because of, their extensive spread, both sectors display low levels of growth." In addition to population and manufacturing, the patterns of growth in retail and wholesale trade, services, and the provision of financial, insurance, and real estate services are examined for the period 1960-1980. (summary in FRE, GER)

Enlightening Tourism: A Pathmaking Journal, 2013

This paper aims to study the supply side of an emerging new tourism attraction. Specifically, the... more This paper aims to study the supply side of an emerging new tourism attraction. Specifically, the research focuses on the transformation of Jewish heritage to a unique tourism product. Actual objectives are to assess the physical elements composing the Jewish heritage product and to examine their diversity in a sample of twenty Spanish towns and cities, members of Red de Juderias de Espana organization. Affiliation with a central actor raised the question to what extent different localities are affected by the central guidelines so as to generate a homogeneous product of a repetitive nature. A survey of all artifacts related to Jewish heritage tourism in these cities provided the data for the assessment. The results shed light on the process of converting abstract heritage to a tangible tourism product. The Jewish heritage product embraces a set of specific elements listed in descending order of their appearance: Jewish quarter, Jewish museum, a synagogue, a local Jewish persona, ot...

This paper will address itself toward a better understanding of the urban field concept, so as to... more This paper will address itself toward a better understanding of the urban field concept, so as to open the way for further research. The structure of the paper will follow this path: First we will try to define and characterize more precisely the concept of the urban field as perceived by its originators. In order to gain more knowledge about it we will relate it to other terms associated with the growing urban area. The first and closest term is the "Daily Urban System" (DUS), which was used recently to delineate the twenty historic core cities of the United States (Adams, 1976). The other term is the "urban fringe", which has generated much literature about the expanding area of the city. A comparison of these concepts may provide a better insight into the evolving pattern of the urban field. With this insight we will relate the urban field to the classical urban model, and examine their validity for the new urban unit. Finally, we will close our discussion wit...

It is logical to assume that coordinated marketing among all partners involved facilitates dissem... more It is logical to assume that coordinated marketing among all partners involved facilitates dissemination of knowledge regarding the marketed object. This study sets out to prove to what extent this assumption operates in marketing places for tourism. Specifically, the study explores the coordination between a regional agency and local municipalities in their efforts to introduce a new tourism product that of Jewish heritage tourism in the peripheral towns of Serra da Estrela, Portugal. The study utilizes internet site content analysis as its source of data. The data provide evidence that coordinated marketing is rewarded by synergic dissemination of knowledge regarding the new tourism product offered in those locations cooperating with the regional agency, and vice versa.

Geobalcanica Proceedings 2017

The study investigates the main motives for preservation of sites of Jewish heritage tourism (JHT... more The study investigates the main motives for preservation of sites of Jewish heritage tourism (JHT) by studying three locations in Macedonia: Skopje (the capital), Štip (the largest city in the east part of Macedonia) and Bitola (the largest city in the southwest part of Macedonia). The article assesses the presence of several motivations, like: (i) Guilt; (ii) Interest in national history; (iii) Revival of a glorious Past; (iv) Economic benefits; (v) Display of sympathy; and (vi) Dark tourism development. The analysis is based on a qualitative research method and incorporates: (a) Qualitative data analysis, by conducting interviews in June 2016 with key stakeholders from central and local governments as the main policy makers; and (b) Analysis of secondary data sources, achieved by reviewing literature, historical, and statistical data related to Jewish history in Macedonia. Generally, the results point to the presence of strong iconic connection among Macedonians and the Jews that lived in Macedonia. The general findings indicate that by establishing and maintaining JH sites, stakeholders reflect sentiments of sympathy and even admiration to the perished Jewish community and a strong desire to revive a glorious past. Only in the case of Bitola, the potential economic benefits were surfaced as the main motive for initiating activities and investments in JH sites. Finally, the study recommends design and development of JHT product and tailor-made tourist packages as key elements that may boost tourism development in Macedonia alongside with commemoration of the Jews and their ties with the Macedonian people.

Journal of Heritage Tourism, 2016

ABSTRACT Models referring to tourism product development are rather rare. This paper suggests a m... more ABSTRACT Models referring to tourism product development are rather rare. This paper suggests a model of heritage tourism formation. The model is based on observations made and interviews conducted in three Balkan States and southern Hungary with respect to the formation of Jewish heritage products. Results indicate that the formation of the heritage product follows a structured line of development. This is presented in two phases, an initial phase concerning the development of major tangible products and a mature phase taking care of the addition of minor artifacts some of them of intangible nature. Each phase is composed of several steps, providing together a sort of protocol for heritage product formation. Although the suggested model does not fit all heritage sites, it appears to be applicable to several heritage products such as churches and shrines of other religious denominations, heritage of famous figures like writers, painters, musicians, and others, and sites of prominent events such as battles, films and the like.

The Journal of Developing Areas, 1977