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Authors: Nemanja Milenković, Ana Vernot Maksić

Abstract: Tourism destinations need to activelyengage all theirstakeholders that apart from tourists, service providers, investors, and other, also includes residents that are not always in the focus of decision-makers. However,they can be a strong opponent when showing resentment towards the tourism development or the proposed plans. Therefore, the paper analyses the perception of residents towards the urban spaces of Novi Sad. The city is awarded as the European Capital of Culture for 2021 and therefore reassess its urban settingsand tourism policies with respect to the wishes of residents. Data for the research was collected by in-person interviews with 797 local residents. The results show the residents are primarily satisfied with the green/recreational areas, and the most visited point is the city centre. The essential urban markers are Petrovaradin Fortress, The Name of Mary Church, The Matica srpska, The Danube, and Serbian National Theatre. From the practical perspective, the results can enable authorities and tourism officials to identify spatially dependent attributes that are important for the destination image and residents’ quality of life.

Keywords: urban spaces, residents, place image, Novi Sad

DOI: 10.5937/turizam26-32885

Article info: 124-133

Received: Received: June 2021 | Accepted: September 2021

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Authors: Bushra Choudhary, Abdul Qadir

Abstract: The highly infectious novel coronavirus has hit hard the various segments within the tourism industry and raises questions on their survival. While the COVID-19 had severely impacted the tourism industry globally at the same time it has developed the importance of maintaining health and wellness among people. India is home of various ancient practices such as Ayurveda, Yoga, and other practices that come under AYUSH, therefore, both domestic and international tourists visit India to undertake medical and wellness tourism. This paper explores the opportunities and challenges of wellness tourism in India in the post- COVID-19 times and it further aims to provide a way to conduct future research. This paper is based on the secondary data which was accumulated through sources like newspaper articles, magazines, books, internet and the media reports. The finding of the study reveals that medical and wellness tourism is expected to rise and recuperate the Indian tourism sector in the post-COVID-19. The study also identifies the potential of the Indian wellness tourism industry and government initiatives to develop this sector in the post-pandemic times.

Keywords: health tourism, wellness tourism, post-COVID-19, opportunities, challenges

DOI: 10.5937/turizam26-34441

Article info: 134-143

Received: October 2021 | Accepted: April 2022

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Authors: Kuldeep Singh

Abstract: In the process of unlocking India after the COVID-19 outbreak, the travel and tourism industry is resuming to revive the economy. It is substantial to examine the contemporary state of transportation in India and travelers’ perspectives post COVID-19 spread. The descriptive study is aimed to investigate the effect of COVID-19 on travel patterns of Indians, their tour plans, readiness for availing transportation services, and perspectives regarding the reoperation of transportation services in India. For this study, an online survey was conducted to gather primary data. A total of 212 responses were collected through convenient sampling. This study revealed that COVID-19 has extremely affected the perspectives and choices of people regarding different transportation services. They consider transportation a major cause of spreading the Corona virus and the railway was considered the riskiest. Although half of the respondents reported their readiness to avail public transportation and stated that reoperation of transportation services was done on time. However private vehicles were their priority not only for their regular travels but for future tours also. Travelers were doubtful about the effective implementation of rules and regulations in public transportation in India. The study provides useful understandings to the tourism & transportation authorities and operators regarding the travelers’ perspective concerning transportation amid COVID-19. For further research, the perspective of transportation operators can be investigated for valuable insights and longitudinal research can also provide in-depth understandings.

Keywords: transportation, traveller, COVID-19, tourism, revival, India

DOI: 10.5937/turizam26-32307

Article info: 144-160

Received: May 2021 | Accepted: July 2022

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Authors: Chindu ChandranA, Prodyut Bhattacharya

Abstract: Ecotourism is the fastest advancing and developing market within the tourism enterprise and with faster progress; it’s leaving an acute impact on the ecosystem. One of the significant stakeholders that can promote sustainability is ecotourism accommodation providers. In order to minimize their carbon footprint and negative environmental effects, many hotels and resorts around the world have launched innovative cost-saving measures. The sustainability of a destination for ecotourism is partly dependent on the success of local eco-lodges and resorts. Certification has emerged as a strong instrument for helping to conserve natural resources and cultural heritage. The study was planned to develop performance management standard criteria and indicators (C&I) for eco-lodges and resorts in order to track sustainability and current eco-tourism activities in India. The main objective is to ensure the fulfillment of the goals of ecotourism and to evaluate the working standard that is practiced in different destinations. After the stakeholder consultation, the draft standard of criteria and indicators was developed and accompanied by a comprehensive primary survey. To test the parameters of C & I, a case study review was performed across 10 prominent eco-lodges in India, which are located near ecotourism destinations. The findings of the study include the natural, social and economic aspects, along with a set of 3 principles, 5 criteria, and 86 indicators to determine the sustainable functioning of eco-lodges and resorts. Implementation of the C & I on the resorts showed that only two resorts were fully fulfilling all the C & I showing their activeness toward better sustainable management of their operations Best practice examples from different hotels of different sizes, ownership, and locations across India are also mentioned in the paper. Such examples reflect green management initiatives that support local communities, protect natural resources and cultural practices, etc.

Keywords: health tourism, wellness tourism, post-COVID-19, opportunities, challenges

DOI: 10.5937/turizam26-30594

Article info: 161-175

Received: January 2021 | Accepted: March 2022