Exploring the sustainability of mass tourism in island tourist economies : a system dynamics approach

Xing, Y

Abstract

Assessing the economic, ecological and social impacts of tourism development has become a major activity within the tourism and sustainable development research communities. The purpose of this dissertation is to investigate the unique contributions of systems thinking and feedback control, which system dynamics can offer, in analysing policies for promoting sustainable tourism development.

In this thesis, after a background of sustainable development and policy analysis issues and planning technologies, three main research results are achieved. Firstly, a generic model of a tourism system is created to capture the dynamic forces. A set of tests is carried out in order to improve confidence in the model. Those tests include model boundary test, a dimensional consistency test, a physical consistency test, parameter calibration against historical data, reality check, and sensitivity check. Secondly, a series of generic scenario simulation models targeting the most critical strategic issues or questions that a particular region, especially in an island tour destination, faces are developed and analysed. Finally, a micro world or management flight simulator is developed in order to better support collaborative tourism policy making. The generic model and the modelling process developed in this dissertation will have some applications to other sustainable development policy making projects.

Citation

Xing, Y. Exploring the sustainability of mass tourism in island tourist economies : a system dynamics approach. (Thesis). Salford : University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Oct 3, 2012
• Award Date: Jan 1, 2006