Click here for the full text.

Authors: Suchandra Bardhan

Abstract: The hospitality sector comprising different types of tourist accommodations is an integral part of the tourism industry. In light of climate change concerns, sustainable development, and responsible behaviour, these accommodation establishments like hotels, lodges, and guest houses need to commit to the wise use of environmental resources like land, air, water, and energy. Efficient management of Carbon emissions, consumption of fresh water, and fossil fuel-based energy are imperative to ensure their resilience and acceptable environmental performance. This requires meticulous study and assessment of these parameters leading to the hospitality eco-profiling of a particular destination. This paper aims to present the baseline eco-profiles of the tourist establishments of both Jharkhali and Bakkhali – the two naturebased destinations of the Indian Sundarbans. The result is visualized in the form of a comparative eco-profile diagram for these two locations. The methodology involves the selection of parameters, field data collection through primary survey in the two locations, multi-stage documentation in predefined formats, and finally, computation of the values of the parameters. The seven parameters selected for comparison and their respective units are total bed capacity in numbers, average built-up area/lodge in m2, user water intensity in litres per head (guest) per day (lphd), water consumption index in kl/m2/year, energy performance index in kWh/m2/ year, the capacity of captive electricity generator in kVA, and Carbon emission in kgC/m2/year. It was found that Bakkhali being a more mature destination with greater tourist visitations has much higher values for most parameters than Jharkhali. This first-ever eco-profiling exercise for the hospitality establishments in these two eco-sensitive tourist destinations is expected to help in monitoring the environmental performance of each hospitality unit, and also act as a reference for developing a regulatory framework and environmental management plan for the ecologically fragile Indian Sundarbans by the tourism administrators, planners and managers.

Keywords: Environmental footprint of hospitality buildings, Carbon emission, energy performance, water consumption index, user water intensity, sustainable development goals

DOI: 10.5937/turizam29-49364

Article info: 1-15

Received: March 2024| Accepted: March 2025

Click here for the full text.

Authors: Aleksandra Tešin, Sanja Kovačić, Marija Bratić

Abstract: City breaks have emerged as one of the most popular and rapidly growing travel segments. As competition in this market intensifies, it is becoming increasingly difficult to stand out, prompting destinations to innovate and improve their offerings. Many cities continue to prioritize classic tourism goods and services, ignoring travelers’ growing desire for distinctive and memorable experiences. Individuals may perceive travel experiences differently based on their personal and demographic background. However, the relationship between tourists’ sociodemographic traits and the memorability of their experiences remains understudied. Therefore, this study addresses a gap in the literature by evaluating the memorability of city breaks and directly examining the impact of tourists’ sociodemographic characteristics on these memorable experiences. The research was carried out among 614 international tourists in three Serbian cities (Belgrade, Novi Sad, and Niš) from December 2021 to June 2022. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics (descriptive statistics, T-test, correlation analysis, and ANOVA test). Hedonism, local culture, and refreshment stood out as the most memorable aspects of a city break trip. The results further revealed that gender, age, marital status, income, and travel companions significantly shape memorable experiences. These findings add to the current body of knowledge on this subject and can help DMOs better understand market trends, improve visitor experiences, and strengthen their tourism capacities.

Keywords: memorable tourism experience; city break; sociodemographic characteristics; tourists; Serbia

DOI: 10.5937/turizam29-54027

Article info: 16-27

Received: October 2024| Accepted: April 2025

Click here for the full text.

Authors: Kular Skhem Mukhim, Punit Gautam

Abstract: Rural women have a vital role in many parts of community life, but they aren’t usually allowed to be involved in major decisions, or their participation in any decisions is limited. In India, women are key players in tourism, but when it comes to decision making their roles are often restricted. However, in Meghalaya, women are considered and thought to be in good shape and have better autonomy when compared with other women in different parts of the country. The study of the research was conducted in the Mawlynnong village, which is found in Meghalaya. This study investigates women’s engagement in the decision-making process for rural tourism development. The Paper opted for an exploratory study using a field survey and questionnaire. The study’s participants consist of the female residents of the village who are engaged in tourism-related activities. The results show that even though women faced challenges, they were positively involved in decision-making concerning tourism development.

Keywords: Tourism, Rural Tourism, Development, Participation, Decision Making, Mawlynnong

DOI: 10.5937/turizam29-55125

Article info: 28-41

Received: February 2024| Accepted: April 2025

Click here for the full text.

Authors: Sanoj K.T., Ayoob C.P.

Abstract: Dark tourism has become incredibly popular in the twenty-first century all across the world. The growth of the notion of special interest tourism and changing tourist tastes and preferences have compelled tourism policymakers worldwide to include this segment in their mission and vision statements. Even while Kerala has made significant headway in creating specialized tourism, one particular industry Dark Tourism has not yet been developed. This study examines Kerala’s potential for creating and promoting dark tourism destinations, with an emphasis on sites with tragic, cultural, and historical importance. The study investigates how these locations which could include regions impacted by historical occurrences, natural disasters, and haunted or deserted locations can entice tourists interested in the more sinister facets of history. The research reveals new possibilities in Kerala, a state on India’s southwest coast by examining case studies and current trends in dark tourism. It also addresses ethical issues and the social effects of promoting these locations, highlighting the need for careful and responsible actions from visitors.

Keywords: dark tourism, tourist perception, tourist motives, destination marketing

DOI:10.5937/turizam29-52389

Article info: 42-53

Received: July 2024 | Accepted: May 2025