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Abstract: Background: Besides visiting the main tourist attractions in Slovenia, many tourists want to spend their free time in the countryside as well, but the number of farming establishments in Slovenia diminished distinctly in the last years. Objectives: This paper aims to develop a system dynamics model, with the goal to analyse dynamics of the diversification of agricultural holdings into farm tourism activities in Slovenia. Methods/Approach: A system dynamics methodology was chosen to model the diversification in farm tourism. First, we present a basic concept of a system dynamics model with a causal loop diagram. Further, a system dynamics model with different scenarios is presented. Results: The main feedback loops were identified, and the simulation model was used to analyse different simulation scenarios of the transition of farming establishments into farm tourism facilities. Conclusions: The model provides the answers to the strategic questions about the dynamics of transfer into tourist farms, using several simulation scenarios. The transition mainly relies on subsidies, promotion of diversification and the growth of rural tourism, which provides a relevant direction for the development of future incentives.
Keywords: farm tourism, rural tourism, modelling, system dynamics, causal loop diagram, simulation
Published in DKUM: 13.01.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 0
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Abstract: Background and purpose: The demographic structure of the countryside shows that the number of people aged 65 or more is increasing; however, they are still active and motivated for work and help the younger generation. The research aims at studying the influence of the elderly on the organisation of tourist farms; particularly the factors which affect the organisation of operation and modernisation thereof, such as the factors of inheritance, intergenerational organisational relationships and cooperation, the frequency of further training, inclusion of the elderly in tourist farms and the effect of the perceived changes in the organisation of subsidiary tourist activities on farms on the perception of modernisation. Methodology: A critical review of secondary literature sources has been made and the findings were summarised by applying the synthesis method. Further on, a survey was conducted on tourist farms in all Slovenian cohesion regions in order to collect the data which was then analysed by multiple regression method, applying IBM SPSS software. Results: Inheritance factors do not affect the perception of the modernisation of tourist farms in a statistically significant way; the same applies for intergenerational relationships for people, aged 51 or more while the influence was established for people under 51. Furthermore, the inclusion of the elderly does not have any influence neither does the frequency of further training while education and trainings themselves are important. It has been found out that the expansion of the offer, followed by the division of work, is the most significant for the perception of modernisation. Conclusion: Survey results show good relationships among the social actors and possible solutions which can be implemented in order to help the population of the Slovenian countryside concerned.
Keywords: the elderly, modernising the organisation, tourism, tourist farms, organisation
Published in DKUM: 07.01.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 2
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Abstract: Purpose: This paper aims to analyse the main variables and causal relationships in the system structure of the diversification of non-agricultural activities on agricultural holdings using system dynamics (SD) modelling. The SD model aims to simulate depictions of the behaviour of the real system while testing the effects of alternative decisions over time. Design/methodology/approach: An SD methodology was chosen to model diversification in farm tourism. Findings: A system approach increases the authors’ understanding of the transition of agricultural holdings to farm tourism. The results indicate that the transition to farm tourism depends on the level of tourism development in a certain area. The system is influenced by subsidies allocated by authorities to expand primary agricultural activities. The model describes a situation in which the tourism and agricultural industries have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Research limitations/implications: The research is limited by the small set of available data due to the limited number of farms in Slovenia. One major problem is the difference in statistical data on the same activity collected from different institutions in Slovenia. Practical implications: The paper includes implications for understanding the transition process to farm tourism, allowing policymakers to experiment with subsidies and promotion to explore the efficacy and efficiency of proposed policies. Originality/value: This study provides a structured, systemic view of the diversification of non-agricultural activities on agricultural holdings, where the simulation results are a reliable reflection of the behaviour of the actual system being modelled.
Keywords: system dynamics, modelling, simulation, diversification, farm tourism, farm policy, Slovenia, simulation scenarious
Published in DKUM: 11.12.2024; Views: 0; Downloads: 2
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Abstract: Instagram is an essential visual social media platform where tourism organizations can present their destinations. These presentations could feature authentic natural and cultural sites, be user-generated, etc. Dubrovnik is a prominent tourism destination in Croatia. In 2011, it became famous as an onsite filming location for the globally popular TV series Game of Thrones. In this thesis, we investigate whether the Croatian National Tourism Organisation and the Dubrovnik Local Tourism Organisation present the city as a film destination featuring Game of Thrones or as an authentic destination featuring its heritage and nature. We explore destination image construction, including identity, authenticity, decision-making, and promotion. We also discuss film-induced tourism and the role of social media, mainly through user-generated content and Instagram. For our research, we employed content and thematic analysis using a summative approach to analyze photos from 2016 to 2020 on the official Instagram profiles of the National and Local Tourism Organisations, totaling 1.034 photos. The results show that the National Tourism Organisation uses Dubrovnik’s relationship with Game of Thrones to fabricate the authenticity of the destination image, while the Local Tourism Organisation focuses solely on heritage and nature, thus guarding its authenticity. This discrepancy highlights different communication strategies and underscores the importance of understanding these differences for effective destination marketing, providing insights for more cohesive and authentic promotional strategies
Keywords: film-induced tourism, social media, destination image, authenticity, Dubrovnik, Game of Thrones
Published in DKUM: 16.10.2024; Views: 0; Downloads: 8
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Abstract: This study explores the distribution of agrowellness products and services from a sustainability perspective, focusing on consumer perceptions in Slovenia’s Eastern Cohesion Region. Utilizing an empirical approach through an online survey, the research assesses how sustainable lifestyle practices influence the frequency of agrowellness goods consumption and their perceived availability. The study employs structural equation modeling (SEM) to test four hypotheses, revealing that sustainable lifestyle practices positively affect the frequency of agrowellness product usage, enhancing the perception of product availability. A critical novel contribution of the research is identifying sociodemographic factors as significant moderators of these relationships, offering more profound insights into consumer behavior. Additionally, the frequency of use mediates the link between a sustainable lifestyle and perceived availability, with gender, age, education, and the place of residence as essential moderators. The findings contribute to theory and practice, offering actionable recommendations for marketing and distribution strategies to enhance the accessibility and appeal of agrowellness products. These insights provide valuable guidance for stakeholders in agriculture, rural development, and wellness tourism, with broader implications for policy development aimed at promoting sustainable lifestyles and supporting rural economies.
Keywords: agrowellness, sustainability, consumer behavior, rural development, wellness tourism, distribution, supply chain, Slovenia
Published in DKUM: 11.10.2024; Views: 0; Downloads: 1
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