Journal of the Geographical Institute "Jovan Cvijic" SASA - Geographical Institute "Jovan Cvijic"
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TOURISM CLUSTERS IN EMERGING DESTINATIONS: PERCEIVED COMPETITIVENESS AND ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY
Full text linkThis study examines the development and competitiveness of tourism clusters in Kazakhstan’s Turkestan region, one of the key Silk Road destination. It also explores the perceptions of tourists, local residents, and stakeholders on the development of a tourism cluster in this selected region. Cluster analysis revealed distinct visitor segments, with cultural and ecotourism as dominant demand types, alongside the differences in income, stay duration, and spending. Using Porter’s Diamond Model, the study identified challenges such as poor sectoral coordination, limited promotion, and weak institutional support. Regression analysis showed income-related variation in preferences, while SWOT analysis underscored the need for improved infrastructure, digital marketing, and service integration. Although sustainability outcomes were not empirically measured, the findings contribute to understanding the economic dimension of sustainability by examining stakeholder views on clustering and competitiveness. The results offer strategic guidance for policy and tourism development, emphasizing Turkestan’s cultural and ecological value within the Silk Road corridor. While sustainability was not directly measured, the outcomes offer strategic direction for enhancing the region’s competitiveness and advancing its role as a vital destination along the Silk Road
INTEGRATED MARKETING COMMUNICATION (IMC) PRACTICE IN TOURISM: LESSONS LEARNED FROM BUKITTINGGI, INDONESIA
Full text linkIntegrated Marketing Communication (IMC) is the strategic coordination of marketing activities to deliver clear and consistent messages across all forms of communication, including advertising, promotion, public relations, social media, and direct marketing. It is particularly important for supporting the recovery of the tourism sector during unexpected global disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigates the practice of IMC in Bukittinggi (Indonesia) and provides insights for other places looking to rebound from a tourism downturn. Quantitative and explorative studies were used to explore how stakeholders implement IMC strategies to revitalize tourism. A total of 100 questionnaires were distributed, of which 86% met the specified criteria. The data were then analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with Partial Least Squares (PLS). Four tourism organizations were also researched to ensure an IMC process. Four variables: sales promotion, advertising, direct selling, and public relations were evaluated using 24 indicators that were related, but did not contradict each other. The study discovered a significant correlation between IMC and aspects of sales promotion, advertising, and public relations in understanding tourism development strategies. The study's findings suggest a necessity to enhance the direct selling component. Consequently, it is essential to adjust external aspects to enhance the strategy for the IMC component within the tourism sector. It was assessed that integrating the assessment results with external elements would clarify the consistency of IMC in enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of tourism sector administration
MODELING THE RELATIONS BETWEEN RELIGIOSITY, ETHNIC AND CONFESSIONAL IDENTITY IN THE CONTEXT OF SOCIETAL SECURITY IN RUSSIA’S ASIAN BORDERLANDS
Full text linkThe religion in a contemporary world still preserves strong cultural and social dimensions, ensuring diversity of modern societies, social integration, and spiritual development. In border territories, connecting culturally divergent countries, religiosity takes on fanciful shapes, reflecting historically driven patterns of resettlement of peoples and natural relationship with ethnic and confessional identities. Based on the results of sociological surveys in two regions of Russia (the Altai krai and the Republic of Altai, n = 981, structured interviews) and the Centrality Religiosity Scale (CRS), this study explores different facets of interdependence between subjectively defined and test-measured religiosity. Comparing the results with confessional and ethnic self-identification, various indicators of security allow not only the evaluation of similar tools with different functionality, but they also enable receiving insights about the congruity and divergence of religiosity, religion and ethnicity in societies with different ethnic composition. According to the results, the majority of the population in the two regions is rather “episodic” believers. In contrast, the level of high religiosity is more often found among women, residents of the national republic, and Buddhists. The highly religious Orthodox population is about 5.2%, and confessions differ not only by their dogmas and practices, but also by the configuration of dimensions of religiosity among adepts. In comparison with the CRS index, self-evaluation gives more smoothed results, showing that non-believers have higher degrees of personally defined religiosity. Statistical modeling shows that security is also a multidimensional construct, having different facets, and the salience of these facets depends on the importance of the religiosity dimension
FEMALE SENIOR ONE-PERSON HOUSEHOLDS IN MALAGA MUNICIPALITY (SPAIN). TEMPORAL EVOLUTION AND INTRAURBAN SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
Full text linkThe number of senior women (age 75 and over) living alone has multiplied notably in the municipality of Malaga. This population group can be considered as vulnerable, since living alone may have consequences on both physical and mental health. In this research, it is accounted, firstly, on the numerical evolution of this type of household in the municipality of Malaga, based on the data from the municipal register of inhabitants. Secondly, their intraurban spatial distribution, using the Location Quotient (LQ) for this was investigated. Results indicate, on the one hand, that effectively this type of household has increased remarkably, in proportion more than the total of senior women has. On the other hand, their spatial distribution in Malaga urban tissue is not homogeneous, and the neighborhoods with overrepresentation can be largely identified with the older ones. In this regard, the identification of clusters of neighborhoods where these households are overrepresented may be useful for planning within the context of ageing in place
THE IMPACT OF LIVELIHOOD ASSETS ON THE INCOME AND ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS OF HOUSEHOLD TOURISM IN SOUTHWEST VIETNAM
Full text linkThe research explores the relationship between livelihood assets (human, natural, financial, physical, and social) and livelihood outcomes such as income and environmental awareness (EA) in household tourism in the Mekong Delta. The research employed quantitative and qualitative approaches, and samples were collected through questionnaires from household-scale tourism businesses in five districts of Can Tho province using a simple random sampling method. The partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) is applied to analyze the cause-and-effect relationships between livelihood assets and outcome variables. The findings reveal that “Social assets” has the most significant positive impact on household tourism income, while “Physical assets” notably enhance EA. “Human assets” also play a crucial role in income generation, while “Financial assets” and “Natural assets” have a minimal influence on these outcomes. The study suggests that strengthening social networks, investing in eco-friendly physical assets, and enhancing human assets through training and development can promote sustainable household tourism. Significantly, it is recommended that future research refine the sustainable livelihood framework (SLF) model by incorporating external factors like policies, institutions, and community dynamics to capture the complexities of household tourism better
PROTECTED NATURAL AREAS AT THE INTERSECTION OF TOURISM GROWTH AND THREATS: RESILIENCE CHALLENGES IN CROATIA
Full text linkAs a key element in the global development of sustainable tourism, protected natural areas play a particularly important role in local and regional development and are important for strengthening resilience to crises. In Croatia, where sustainable tourism is a one of the development goals, there is a significant risk that growing tourism activities in protected areas may result in the degradation and destruction of these sites. This paper presents the results of the first survey conducted in Croatia examining the correlation between visitor numbers in national parks and nature parks and the identified threats between 2018 and 2023. The findings highlight the relationship between the level of protection, the geographic location of the parks (coastal vs. inland), and three distinct periods: before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic crisis (from 2018 to 2023). The findings of the research were also placed in the context of sustainable local and regional development for future planning of resilience to the well-being of the local population. The results indicate interesting changes in park visitation over the observed periods, as well as shifts in pressures on the core phenomenon. The recommendations highlight the necessity of monitoring and managing risks through a model of strengthening the resilience of protected areas. They can also support policymakers, park managers, local communities, and the tourism sector in ensuring the long-term sustainability of both Croatia’s protected areas and its tourism
ENHANCING WIND ENERGY PRODUCTION ESTIMATION OVER MONTENEGRO USING MODELED AND OBSERVED WIND SPEEDS AND SYNOPTIC WEATHER PATTERNS
Full text linkThis study analyses the wind conditions over complex terrain and evaluates wind resources based on synoptic weather patterns. The wind direction showed a pronounced north-south bi-directionality. The cut-out speed occurs infrequently and is mainly limited to the north-east and south-south-east winds. The observed wind speeds at location Krnovo (Nikšić) verified the wind forecast of the Weather Research and Forecasting Non-Hydrostatic Mesoscale Model (WRF NMM). The model slightly underestimated the lower average hourly wind speeds; the errors were greatest during the winter season. The best forecast was for one day ahead. The correlation coefficients between the observed and predicted winds at 90 m height for one, two, and three days ahead were 0.85, 0.83, and 0.82, respectively. The synoptic situations were analyzed to identify the underlying weather patterns that favor maximum and minimum energy production lasting most of the day. Maximum energy production was associated with a deep trough over western Europe extending in a northwest-southeаst direction and a pronounced meridional meandering jet stream. A ridge or anticyclone over the Balkan Peninsula, a more or less zonal jet stream and strong warm air advection over Montenegro characterized the atmosphere during the periods of minimum energy production. Together with reliable wind forecasts, these results can improve the use of renewable energies in the future and make them more efficient
ASSESSING WILDFIRE IMPACT ON VEGETATION IN PROTECTED AREAS USING THE DNBR INDEX: INSIGHTS FROM THE DESIGNATED LOCATION IN SERBIA
Full text linkWildfires represent one of the most dangerous hazards to vegetation. Although they can result from natural factors, the majority of wildfires are caused by human activity. In Serbia, most fires originate from agricultural burning and subsequently spread to forests and protected areas. This study focuses on a wildfire that occurred near the Special Nature Reserve (SNR) “Carska Bara” in October 2018. SNR “Carska Bara” is located in Vojvodina, northern Serbia. Based on Sentinel-2A satellite imagery and reflectance in the NIR and SWIR2 bands, the differenced normalized burn ratio (dNBR) index was calculated in GIS environment. The dNBR values were reclassified into five categories, where lower pixel values represent areas with lower burn severity, while higher values indicate higher intensity of wildfire. The high-severity category covers 0.09% of the SNR territory, moderate-high severity 4.91%, and moderate-low severity 7.49% of the territory. The category of low severity covers 39.13% of the territory, while unburned areas account for nearly half of SNR “Carska Bara” (48.38%). The study results highlight the significance of GIS and remote sensing in wildfire detection and damage assessment in protected areas. Effective wildfire risk reduction requires prohibition of illegal agricultural burning and implementation of early warning systems that provide timely fire alerts
THE NEXUS BETWEEN SOLAR ACTIVITY AND POPULATION DISPLACEMENT: THE CASE STUDY OF SOUTHERN EUROPE
Full text linkSolar activity, as the dominant feature of the Sun, has an impact on nature, technology, humans, and their activities on Earth. The aim of this paper is to investigate the linkages between solar activity, natural disasters, and population displacement in Southern Europe, particularly focusing on the characteristics of natural disasters induced displacement during different phases of solar activity. For the purpose of the paper, data on solar activity and displacements induced by hazards category and type in the period 2008–2023 (24 and 25 Solar Cycle) were collected. The quantitative analysis is supported by statistical procedures (seasonal-trend decomposition by Loess—STL, tests for stationarity, correlation analysis, cross-correlation functions—CCF, vector autoregression—VAR, linear regression model, principal component analysis—PCA, k-means) computed in the software R. The results show certain linkages between solar activity and displacements induced by weather related hazards, and indicate that the intensity of this type of displacement is significantly higher during periods of greater solar activity. This paper opens up new horizons for future research in the field of solar activity impact on population displacement
EXPLORING TOURIST PERCEPTIONS AND EXPECTATIONS OF SPA TOURISM IN MILE CITY, CHINA: A GROUNDED THEORY APPROACH
Full text linkThis qualitative study explores tourist perceptions and expectations of spa tourism in Mile City, China. The focus is on service quality, cultural authenticity, and sustainability practices. The research data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 18 participants to explore how these elements influence visitor satisfaction and decision-making. The findings highlight the critical role of cleanliness, therapist expertise, and ambiance in shaping overall satisfaction and revisit intentions. Visitors likewise place considerable importance on the incorporation of indigenous cultural components, including customary healing practices and ethnic decorations, which significantly enrich their spa experiences. Additionally, a distinct need for transparent and observable sustainability initiatives has arisen, even though existing practices remain constrained. By employing a grounded theory methodology, this research presents a novel conceptual framework to direct forthcoming investigations in spa tourism. This research offers vital insights for local spa enterprises and policymakers to enhance service offerings and align promotional strategies with modern traveler expectations, thereby promoting asustainable and culturally immersive spa tourism industry in Mile City