Tourism Development in the Negev: An Integrative ApproachNatan Uriely

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

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Gambling and Simulated Theme Tourism in the Desert

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Gambling and Simulated Theme Tourism in the Desert

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Ecological Desert Tourism

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Tourism Development in the Negev Desert: The Current State

• The “nature-oriented” approach has dominated tourism planning and development of the Negev (Lerner & Haber 2001; Haber & Lerner 2002)

• Tourism ventures in the Negev reflect the growing trend toward rural tourism in Israel (Fleischer & Pizam 1997; Reichel, Lowengart & Milman 2000)

• The reliance on nature-oriented and “authentic” ventures failed to offer a panacea to the sparsely populated and economically deprived Negev region (Haber and Reichel, 2007)

The Study

• The study explored Tourists’ Ecological Orientation (TEO) - The higher the TEO score, the more sensitive the person’s attitudes toward the ecological

requirements and responsibilities of tourist sites.

• The study attempted to explore tourists’ attitudes toward integrative elements of new sites to be developed in the Negev - Do potential tourists find various combinations of natural and man-made features attractive components for newly developed tourist sites

*Uriely N., A. Reichel and A. Shani, 2007. "Ecological Orientation of Tourists: An Empirical Investigation". Tourism and Hospitality Research 7(3/4): 161-175.

*Reichel A. N. Uriely and A. Shani, 2008, "Ecotourism and Simulated Attractions: Tourists' Attitudes toward Integrative Sites in a Desert Area". Journal of Sustainable Tourism 16(1)23-41.

Method

• Three stage process:

1) Panel of 15 Israeli tourism researchers from various academic institutions

2) 11 in-depth interviews with tourism practitioners

3) Questionnaire (Hebrew, French and English). The sample included 253 Israelis and 200 foreign tourists

Preferred Tourist Site Themes

S.DMeanTheme

Nature and landscape

Ancient culture and tradition

Stories of the Bible

Desert animals

Archeology

Space Themes

Bird watching

The Syrian-African Rift

Desert fauna

Desert agriculture

Geology

N=452

Factor Analysis of the Suggested Tourist Site Themes

Factor 2: NatureFactor 1: HistoryThemes

0.833Archeology

0.813Ancient culture and

tradition

0.682Geology

0.564Stories of the Bible

0.814Bird watching

0.806Desert animals

0.675Desert fauna

0.659Nature and landscape

0.602The Syrian-African

Rift

0.570Desert agriculture

0.503Space-related themes

Preferred Character of Tourist Site

%NPreference

A site with a minimal development of

infrastructure and facilities

A site that combines preservation of the

natural environment along with the

development of infrastructure and facilities

A fully developed site with simulated

attractions

It doesn’t matter to me

Preferred Tourist Site FeaturesS.DMeanFeature

Serene and relaxing atmosphere

Convenient accessibility

Land cruises

Restaurants and cafes

Cultural activities

Spa services

Physical activities

Transportation to site

Usage of high-tech means

Entertainment

Organized children activities

Organized adult activities

Sight and sound shows

N=452

Factor Analysis of the Suggested Tourist Site Features

Factor 2: Outdoor

Physical Activities

Factor 1: On-site

Entertainment ServicesFeatures

0.721Restaurants and cafes

0.766Entertainment

0.627Organized children

activities

0.687Cultural activities

0.512Transportation to site

0.697Organized adult activities

0.651Spa services

0.637Usage of high-tech means

0.765Land cruises

0.577Physical activities

Tourist Preferences for Sites to be Developed in the Negev Region

S.DMeanDescription of the site

Nature and Geology related in the Ramon Crater –

including excursions and an audiovisual shows at the Crater.

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A Salt theme park in the Dead Sea – attractions about the

salt, including sculptures, audiovisual shows of Lot wife’s

story, etc.

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Outer Space Park – a star observatory in Ramon Crater

that combines star observation with outer space related

themes.

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Historic archeology sites that combine simulations that

illustrate historical anecdotes (such as the Nabatean

heritage).

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“The Syrian-African Rift Valley” Park – exhibits,

interpretations of geological processes, stimulations of

earthquakes, observation points and excursions.

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Tourist Preferences for Sites to be Developed in the Negev Region – cont.

S.DMeanDescription of the site

Sites that display Bedouin culture and tradition.6

A site that presents contemporary life in the Negev,

including agriculture, desert architecture and flood

control.

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“Ecology Park” – tourist center that promotes the

conservation of the natural environment and combines

activities and demonstrations on the subject.

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Bird watching Park.9

Sites in agricultural areas that include visit to farms

and demonstration of advanced desert watering and

gardening methods.

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Factor Analysis of Ecological Orientation

The site or hotela:

Factor 1 b:

Destination Orientation (Altruism)

Factor 2 c:

Visitor Orientation (Selfish Altruism)

Initial eigenvalues 7.823 1.417

(Cronbach's alpha) (0.935) (0.671)

Is built in a way compatible with the natural

landscape

0.638

(4.29)

Strictly adheres to environmental rules and

regulations

0.740

(4.17)

Is a fair employer 0.661

(4.17)

Provides information about the nature and

landscape of the area

0.541

(4.17)

Educates to preserve the quality of the

environment

0.764

(4.05)

Cares about the quality of life of local residents 0.801

(4.05)

Employs local residents 0.830

(3.90)

Provides information about the quality of the

local environment

0.682

(3.66)

Is environmentally sensitive 0.825

(3.58)

Employs the handicapped or the elderly 0.627

(3.55)

Recycles waste 0.842

(3.52)

Recycles paper 0.804

(3.27)

Uses responsible and honest marketing 0.832

(4.32)

Supplies health food in the restaurants 0.630

(4.18)

Controls the number of visitors 0.790

(4.17)

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Factor Analysis: Ecological Orientation

S.D.AverageFactors

0.973.73Ecocentric

0.864.02Egocentric

The Integrative Approach:“both-and” rather than “either-or”

• Combines nature-oriented themes with playful and contrived attractions.

• Combines the preservation of the natural environment along with the development of infrastructure and facilities (soft ecotourism).

• Relies on selfish-altruism.

• Entails a two-tier planning strategy in which entrepreneurial ventures are guided by a well-defined central plan.

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