Identification of Challenges for the Reconstruction of Heritage Tourism—Multiple Case Studies of European Heritage Cities

Abstract

The process of coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic is an opportunity to create various scenarios for returning to the path of tourism development. The search for suitable and effective solutions was at the heart of the Tourism Friendly Cities project, in which eight European cities participated. The aim is to define the challenges and tools related to the sustainability of urban tourism. The empirical research was based on the opinions of experts from eight cities involved, and concerned four thematic areas: the quality of life and tourism in the city before and during/after COVID-19, tourism dysfunctions, the sources of conflicts between local stakeholders, and the tools for the sustainable reconstruction of tourism. The results confirmed the existence of a wide range of declared tools for the development of sustainable tourism after the pandemic. The conducted research indicates key areas of conflict in the field of tourism activity. The authors also come to the conclusion that tools for regulating tourist traffic should not be universal, but should meet the individual needs of the city.

Business Opportunities and Drivers for Health and Spa Tourism: A Qualitative Research on Baile Felix Spa Resort, Romania

“…-Concern for tourist contentment (satisfaction, prompt and innovative services, employee behavior, cleanliness) not only generates income but also stimulates the return of tourists [79], involves local communities and stakeholders [80], and provides a solid foundation for long-term development, competitiveness, and sustainability in the tourism business [18]; -Pricing policies (motivating tourists' destination choices amid competing offers and brands) affecting long-term competitiveness [81,82]; -Openness to technology, either to counter competition (domestic or international) [83,84] for business growth and diversification, influencing tourists' destination choices [85], leveraging technology, such as effective websites, user-friendly applications, and a strong presence on social media [86][87][88], enhancing products and destination promotion, improving tourists' perception but also "generating impactful information" [89], positively influencing the sustainability and competitiveness of tourism services, encouraging responsible environmental behavior, and interacting with stakeholders; -Being in line with trends, policies, and regulations, especially those related to environmental protection [90], cultural heritage preservation, and revitalization [91].…”

Identifying the Mobility Patterns of the Historic Centre of Syrian Cities Using Cluster and Spatial Analysis

“…Increasingly, researchers have used spatial analysis techniques, such as spatial clustering and transportation network analysis, to trace spatial patterns and relationships within historic city centers. It is worth noting that these methods allow identifying attractions and points of interest, assessing accessibility, and visualizing urban planning development scenarios [20][21][22][23][24].…”