System Dynamics framework for tourism development management (original) (raw)

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.

Regional Sustainable Tourism – A System Dynamics Perspective

Tourism & Hospitality - sustainability and responsibility, 2015

Sustainability has become a crucial and very widely applied concept in modern management. Although many would agree that it is necessary, it also presents a big challenge especially for the tourism industry which has a very complex structure of different stakeholders and their relationships. We think that it is necessary to use advanced methods that could help with such complexity and allow managers to foresee short-term and long-term impacts of their decisions and policies. One of the approaches that may help decision-makers with better understanding of complex systems and improve their decision-making is system dynamics – a methodology that has been developed at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management. We are presenting here a generic system dynamics metamodel of regional tourism which as we argue demonstrates both the ability of system dynamics methodology use for dealing with such complex issues and also allows to develop own system dynamics models that could help to analyse different policies, their sustainability and logical outcomes for different stakeholders in a chosen regional tourism industry.

Using System Dynamics Methodology to analyse the Economic Impact of Tourism Multipliers

2001

The importance of tourism for economic development is widely recognised . This is reflected in the great interest shown by governments by promoting foreign direct investment and freeing both public and private sector projects. Most tourism studies concentrate on analysing the economic and social effects of tourism. The impact of the multiplier has been studied widely using traditional econometric techniques.

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 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.

Ein Konzept Des Multikriteriensystems Für Entscheidungstreffen Im Tourismus Mit Systemdinamik Modellen

Tourism hospitality management, 2002

Tourism is a type of inter-organisational system with global and local properties. Problems are defined softly and phenomena are uncertain. There are demands for fast and integrated decisions for guest satisfaction as service users and tourism organisations as service providers. There are many different methodologies and methods that master softly structured problems. Here one encounters methods of systems dynamics and systems thinking. These tools were first brought into force in the educational and training area in the form of different computer simulations and later as tools for decision-making and organisational re-engineering. System dynamics models are essentially simple and can serve only as describers of the activity of basic mutual influences among variables. Attention will be paid to the methodology for parameter model values determination and the so-called mental model, which is the basis of causal connections among model variables. Thus, a connection between qualitative and quantitative models will be restored.

Complex Tourism Systems: A Quantitative Approach

2017

A growing number of researchers concur that tourism destinations are complex dynamic systems; knowing their structural and dynamic characteristics is certainly needed to reach an effective governance that in turn can allow to obtain sustainable growth and destination competitiveness. Different methods rooted in the complexity science and, broadly, in the idea that a systemic holistic view is more suitable than traditional reductionist approaches, can be used to develop such a knowledge thus allowing tourism studies to benefit from a more appropriate approach. The aim of this chapter is to briefly present and discuss the most common and used techniques (namely: agent-based modeling, non-linear analysis of time series and network analysis), their main aims and tools. Further, it aims at providing information on the requirements that these techniques in terms of data collection and software applications. In doing this, examples from recent literature are described, and implications for...

Toward the Evolution of the Tourism’s Conceptual System

The tourism is an important generator of economic spill and represents one of the main economic activities in the world. The study of this phenomenon at the present time requires a revaluation of the conceptual models that have been used for this aim, with the purpose of generating a holistic vision in its analysis. In this paper, some contributions and applications made to Tourism from the Theory of Systems, are approached and discussed. In the end we aiming to generate a new conceptual model of the tourist system under the perspective of the contemporary Science of Systems, considering that tourism has evolved toward more dynamic and more complex postures where the elements of the system that emerge of its interior, are integrated to different scales, and show a coherent structure when they are compared with the whole. It is concluded that the Science of Systems provides new elements and tools for the theoretical and praxiological approaches of the tourism.

Dynamics and Challenges for major tourist destinations (Atena Editora)

Dynamics and Challenges for major tourist destinations (Atena Editora), 2022

Tourism plays a relevant role in the economy of countries, as it provides economic movement, income, revenue and is capable of promoting cultural diversity. However, nowadays, due to advances in technology and globalization, society is experiencing complex sequential transitions. These transformations have repercussions in all areas, such as economic, social, political, cultural, legal. Despite the recognition of tourism as an extremely relevant activity for all countries and their respective societies, there are many adversities to be aligned today. Problems such as safety, roads without structure, lack of infrastructure at tourist points, adequate information for tourists, lack of organization by the Government to receive tourists, among others. In this sense, the present work intends to analyze the dynamics and challenges for major tourist destinations, considering the current scenario of world society. It can be deduced that there is a lack of analysis and research that enable the implementation of policies and actions in the tourism sector, in order to make it possible to overcome the challenges and enjoy the benefits brought about by tourism. In addition, adequate investments are required so that the tourism sector is able to overcome the challenges that arise in the contemporary context, resulting from new dynamics and social demands.

A System Dynamics Approach to Decision- making Tools in Farm Tourism Development

Background: Besides visiting the main tourist attractions in Slovenia, many tourists want to spend their free time in the countryside as well, but the number of farming establishments in Slovenia diminished distinctly in the last years. Objectives: This paper aims to develop a system dynamics model, with the goal to analyse dynamics of the diversification of agricultural holdings into farm tourism activities in Slovenia. Methods/Approach: A system dynamics methodology was chosen to model the diversification in farm tourism. First, we present a basic concept of a system dynamics model with a causal loop diagram. Further, a system dynamics model with different scenarios is presented. Results: The main feedback loops were identified, and the simulation model was used to analyse different simulation scenarios of the transition of farming establishments into farm tourism facilities. Conclusions: The model provides the answers to the strategic questions about the dynamics of transfer into tourist farms, using several simulation scenarios. The transition mainly relies on subsidies, promotion of diversification and the growth of rural tourism, which provides a relevant direction for the development of future incentives.