A REGIONAL APPROACH TO RURAL TOURISM DEVELOPMENT: TOWARDS A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR COMMUNITIES IN TRANSITION

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1 A REGIONAL APPROACH TO RURAL TOURISM DEVELOPMENT: TOWARDS A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR COMMUNITIES IN TRANSITION Rhonda L. Koster, PhD Assistant Professor School of Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism, Lakehead University 955 Oliver Road Thunder Bay, Ontario P7E 5E1 Phone: rkoster@lakeheadu.ca This paper was supported in part by a grant from Lakehead University.

2 ABSTRACT Considerable research has been conducted which examines the role and growing importance of tourism as an economic diversification strategy for rural areas. The purpose of this article is to examine how the concept of region is understood in studies of rural tourism development. An examination of the literature reveals that while the importance of regional approaches to tourism development are recognized, little research has examined the relationships between the communities that form the region and how that impacts regional participation. Instead, various theoretical conceptualizations (cultural economy, social capital, institutional thickness, agglomeration and clustering) are employed which help to define competition and competitive advantage between destination regions and capacity to undertake tourism development at the community level. This study reveals that while conceptualizations of region are limited, various frameworks of analysis may be useful for understanding inter-community collaboration and participation in regional tourism development when combined within a network analysis framework. This presentation is based on the following paper: Koster, R.L. (2007). A Regional Approach to Rural Tourism Development: Towards a conceptual framework for communities in transition. Loisir et Societe, 15(1),

3 Dr. Rhonda Koster A Regional Approach to Rural Tourism Development: Towards a conceptual framework for communities in transition

4 Introduction Rural tourism Purpose to develop a framework for examining and understanding the attributes of a regional approach to tourism development in rural areas Some definitions.

5 Definition: A Regional Approach to Tourism Cooperation and integration among proximate communities that share a sense of their own individual challenges in addressing the collective consequences of economies in transition. These communities can cooperate and integrate their collective attractions, capital, infrastructure, natural and human resources in such a way to promote the region as a destination to potential tourists.

6 Definition: Communities in Transition Rural communities Peripherally located Resource based (mining, forestry, agriculture, fishing), often reliant on a single industry Declining resources = downsizing or closure of industry, loss of jobs, loss of services, out-migration

7 Presentation Overview Literature Review Past Studies Region & Tourism Development Theoretical Threads 1.Social Networks 2.Economic Networks Discussion & A Framework

8 Past Studies Why tourism in rural areas (Butler et al 1998; Hall, 2005; Mitchell and Hall, 2005, Briedenhann & Wickens, 2004; Fleischer & Felsenstien, 2000) Importance and benefits of a regional approach (Koster and Randall, 2005; Jackson and Murphy, 2006; Mitchell and Hall, 2005; Meyer-Cech, 2005 ; Goodwin, 2003) Conceptualizations of Rural in Tourism Research Commodification (Crouch, 2006; Perkins, 2006; Liu, 2005; Leipins, 2000) Planning (Gunn and Var, 2002; Ritchie and Crouch,2000) Business (Gorman, 2005; Morrison, 1998; Wilson et al., 2001) Tourism Routes (Smith, Hetherington & Brumbaugh,1986; Meyer-Cech, 2005; Briedenhann & Wickens, 2004)

9 What do these studies tell us? There has been an homogeneous approach to community and communities within a region There are barriers to a regional approach Regions are comprised of complex layers in terms of their social, political & economic characteristics So, how do we examine this complexity?

10 Theoretical & Conceptual Threads 1. Social Networks Historic view communities are stable, consensual, distinctive, and homogeneous in their economic activity & values Contemporary View communities have multiple Contemporary View communities have multiple layers, they are comprised of communities within communities, and have multiple economic functions and value systems

11 Relationship to regional tourism development There are multiple groups within communities and they have connections beyond Ties to a single economic activity = lack of understanding for other types of economic activity Several barriers (turf protection, parochialism, historical rivalries, dedicated project manager, decision making and power) There is a difference between Networks based on projects versus Networks based on regions (Fuerst et al., 1999)

12 2. Economic Networks Linkages of interdependency between businesses and institutions for economic development Two Key characteristics in rural areas Quality of life and enterprising behaviour Rural areas can choose development paths Connection to rural tourism.

13 Relationship to regional tourism development Regional Tourism development requires agglomeration and clustering Provides a number of attractions, activities and accommodations (Agglomeration) Provides the forward and backward linkages between industries to support tourism (Cluster Theory)

14 But (and there always is one) Two gaps in the research: Limited examinations of peripheral rural regions (not adjacent to urban centers) The relationship between the communities that comprise the region SO Previous theoretical strains need to be combined into a COMPREHENSIVE NETWORK ANALYSIS

15 Comprehensive Network Analysis Combining social/political and economic networks Incorporating the complexities of community and intra-community relationships Examining rural communities in transition (i.e. rural, Examining rural communities in transition (i.e. rural, remote, resource-based communities)

16 A Framework for the Analysis for Regional Tourism Development of Rural Areas in Transition IC IC Destination Region IC IC IC = Individual Communities within a given region

17 Framework Explanation Barriers to Regional Participation Parochialism, competing local governments, lack of knowledge, competing interests Supports to Overcome Barriers Education, previous successes, partnerships, outside assistance Regional Tourism Participation Time, communication = positive outcomes

18 Conclusions Looking at regional tourism development processes is important for remote and peripheral rural communities Based on the idea that inter-community cooperation does not always occur success stories? Implications for government policy, programming and funding Further research is required Thank you.questions?

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