Toward the Evolution of the Tourism’s Conceptual System (original) (raw)

Systems Approach to Tourism: A Methodology for Defining Complex Tourism System

The complexity of the tourism system, as well as modelling in a frame of system dynamics, will be discussed in this paper. The phaenomenon of tourism, which possesses the typical properties of global and local organisations, will be presented as an open complex system with all its elements, and an optimal methodology to explain the relations among them. The approach we want to present is due to its transparency an excellent tool for searching systems solutions and serves also as a strategic decision-making assessment. We will present systems complexity and develop three models of a complex tourism system: the first one will present tourism as an open complex system with its elements, which operate inside of a tourism market area. The elements of this system present subsystems, which relations and interdependencies will be explained with two models: causal-loop diagram and a simulation model in frame of systems dynamics. Design/methodology/approach: Systems methodology will be shown as the appropriate one, when we discuss complex systems challenges. For illustration, systems approach and systems methodology will be applied to tourism models. With building a qualitative causal-loop diagram we will describe the tourism system complexity in forms of system's elements relations. Mutual influences among the elements will be presented with positive and negative loops, which forms circles of reinforcement and balance. This will help us to discuss the problem categorically. The final model will follow the causal-loop diagram. This will be a simulation model in a frame of system dynamics as an illustration of the discussed methodology. Results: The methodology offers the solution of effective and holistic promotion of complex tourism system transformation, which has the potential to go beyond the myth of sustainable tourism and create significant shifts in the approach and acting of the participants (elements of the system) involved. Systems approach brings to tourism and the society, in general, broader dimensions of thinking, the awareness interdependency, interconnectivity, and responsibility for the behaviour of a system, which can be observed by feedback loops. Conclusions: Findings about meaningfulness of systems thinking presented in the paper, are rarely presented to tourism society systemically and with the aim of designing sustainable complex tourism system. They show new approach, systems awareness and teaches thinking "out of the box". Consequently, the sustainable behaviour is achieved: tourism supply and demand meet on responsible base and they connect to responsible stakeholders.

Systems Approach for Contemporary Complex Tourism Systems

2016

Systems approach represents thinking outside the box and is connected to the transformation of common linear approach and thinking. Western society followed rules of classical western science, which form many centuries took analysis as mainstream of thinking and researching. One can find perfect and logical explanation for this. In the past, classical science researched matter and reached optimal results with analysis and analytical thinking. Nowadays more and more scientists research intangible world around matter and cooperate with prevailed, fastest growing service industry such as tourism. Following paper presents systems approach in tourism, which defines wideness, co-dependency among tourism system elements, and "big picture" point of view. In a frame of systems methodology, we will show the importance of systems approach in order to understand complexity in the area of tourism. At once an excellent example of the analytical approach will be shown in so called "...

RETHINKING THE THEORY OF TOURISM: WHAT IS TOURISM SYSTEM IN THEORETICAL AND EMPIRICAL PERSPECTIVE?

Journal of Business on Hospitality and Tourism, 2019

Tourism within the practical scope has gone beyond the development of tourism theory itself. Considering the importance of theory as a foundation for knowledge and understanding of a phenomenon, especially in the scope of tourism. Therefore this study attempts to fill the gap between the tourism theory that has been built with the latest empirical facts. In developing tourism theory, this research used the creation of theory approach. Where in the process, the creation of theory is more inductive (or can be regarded as a qualitative approach). The result of this research is that tourism as a system consists of two kinds of subsystem that is internal and external subsystem. The internal subsystem is the interaction between person or the tourist termed as the tourist demand, from the tourist generating region and during a trip to a destination called the tourism supply, linked by the intermediaries elements, to return to its original territory. While external subsystem consists of international trade factors, safety and security factors, natural or climate factors, social-cultural factors, technological factors, economic or finance factors, political factors, demographic, and geographical factors. The relationship between the internal and external subsystems not only determined the existence of tourism, but otherwise the existence of tourism can also affect the two subsystems (internal and external). The interesting thing about this research is that the phenomenon of tourism can be 'limited' by its own point of view which is described through a comprehensive and integrated system. Keywords: Tourism system, Model and Framework, Theory building, Theoretical and Empirical perspective "I have no clue how I develop theory. I don't think about it; I just try to do it. Indeed, thinking about it could be dangerous" (Mintzberg, 2005)

Systems thinking on complex tourism systems

2015

The complexity of tourism systems requires holistic and accurate decision-making. Systems thinking became a mode of thinking in the last century; it is a point of view that approaches tourism and its challenges as a whole. Through systems methodology, methods of modeling and simulation, we present a survey of tourism systems as a very important branch of welfare through feedback loops and a simulation model. Such a model usually consists of a causal loop diagram. Simulation becomes a multidisciplinary approach to solving problems of complex systems. This paper demonstrates that simulation results are evaluated with the group decision-making support system and with expert systems. Conclusions derived from a model understanding and model simulation give optimal results to the decision-makers. Thus, systems thinking principles lead towards thinking of cooperation and co-creation in tourism and life in general.

SYSTEMS APPROACH TO COMPLEX SYSTEMS MODELLING WITH SPECIAL REGARDS TO TOURISM

In this paper, the importance of context dependent modelling of complex systems, depending on the observer's point of view will be discussed. Thus, context is synonymous for the content of a problem in a frame of the goals, starting points and ways to achieve these aims. In this light, difficulties of model validation and a general method how to overcome them will be discussed. The relations among subject – object – model in the light of a systems approach; Charles Sanders Peirce's triad principle and the semiotic principle of communication will be also discussed. The appropriateness of a system dynamics methodology, which is due to its transparency an excellent tool for modelling of complex systems for strategic decision-making assessment will be shown. The methodology will be applied to a global tourism system, which possesses the typical properties of global and local organisations. A verbal description of a tourism problem is followed by a causal loop diagram, which helps to discuss the problem categorically. We named it a qualitative modelling. At the conclusion we will present a simulation model in a frame of system dynamics as an illustration of the discussed methodology.

System Dynamics framework for tourism development management

Current Issues in Tourism, 2022

Tourism management requires an understanding of the structures that govern the behaviour of the Tourism system and its development. Despite the strong growth of this activity in recent decades, studies in this regard are still below needs. In this context, the purpose of this paper was to investigate the cause–effect relationships between variables related to Tourism development using the System Dynamics technique. A bibliographic research was carried out to provide empirical evidence for the construction of the model. The result presented is a Causal Loop Diagram composed of seven units in dynamic interaction: tourists, natural and cultural resources, attractions (attractiveness), infrastructure and superstructure, Tourism services and equipment, Tourism demand (market) and competitive rivalry (market). The microenvironment and macroenvironment of the system were also highlighted. The results show that the pattern of Tourism Development Dynamics, with two dominant loops conjugated in negative feedback, follows the behaviour of an S-Shaped Curve. However, this behaviour can be altered by the influence of infrastructure and superstructure on natural and cultural resources.

Towards A Sustainable Tourism Definition From Systems Science Perspective

2014

The tourism system has as main components, social, economic and natural subsystems, which are linked together to give rise to tourism activities in particular contexts called destinations. Tourism to be regulated under a legal framework on protected areas, to offer interpretations regarding commercial activity and the natural protection, which at first seem contrary relations, arising from excessive use of natural and cultural resources to generate tourism services. However, under the perspective of these antagonistic, Systems Science can be considered as complementary. The purpose of this paper is to study the complexity of sustainability case study taking as a destination in the Mexican Caribbean, to highlight, through the Viable Systems Model, complementary relationships between economic development and natural care which converge in production of tourism services. This implies a holistic view that encompasses the subsystems (social, economic and natural) and the system above (su...

Modelling of a Tourism Strategy in a Frame of System Dynamics

Tourism development through optimal tourism strategy is a goal of several economies irrespective of their political orientation, social development, or cultural diversity. Influences of tourism are visible in a large variety of industries, on both local and global levels. Development of a tourism strategy is based on different scenarios, model development, and a validation of the model. In order to obtain the results that can later be applied to a real tourism system, we need an optimal tourism strategy. The main aim of this paper is to show the implementation of a different approach in developing tourism strategy by using system approach. The appropriateness and transparency of modelling and a system dynamics methodology will be shown and applied to a general tourism system. The system dynamics models will be developed and presented as the illustrations of the discussed methodology.

Dominant Theoretical Paradigms in the Study of Tourism a Critical

2016

The main subject of analysis in this paper is the issue of change of the dominant paradigm in the study of tourism. In this sense, first the following key categories are being examined: pre-paradigmatic stage, paralysis, transformation or paradigm shift, borrowing and adaptation of theories from other disciplines and their applications in tourism. Then, the tourist system is being analyzed in detail, which is still the dominant paradigm, and which provides a coherent conceptualization of tourism. In contrast, there is postmodernism, which stands for discontinuity and deconstruction of existing theories and systems. This is, in fact, a post-disciplinary approach that insists on the demolition of the walls between the individual disciplines, i.e. on “forgetting separate disciplines,” and puts exclusively the research of a certain phenomenon in this specific case, tourism, in the spotlight. Also, it is strived for complete dedication and specialization of researchers, as well as the re...