Browsing by Author "Storme, Evelien (Evelien Geertrui Andre)"

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    The effects of terrorism as a form of socio-political instability on tourism governance : a study of the July 2005 London Bombings
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2007-12) Storme, Evelien (Evelien Geertrui Andre); Cornelissen, Scarlett; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Political Science.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis sets out to explore the impact of the July 2005 bombings in London on the relationship between various levels of government, the business community and organisations in the public sector, in their capacity as role players in tourism governance. The particular focus is motivated by the observation that responses by these groups to a tourism crisis may lead to a form of 'joined-up' government. This means that the activities and interests of all parties involved are aligned by relationships characterized by high levels of cooperation and coordination. The 2001 crises in the tourism sector caused by Foot and Mouth Disease and 9/11 functioned as the initial drivers behind this process in the United Kingdom, and the impact of the more recent July bombings further contributed to this trend. The further strengthening of these relationships might be the most effective way in dealing with the effects of tourism crises. Therefore the analysis of the impact of the July bombings on the quality and the nature of the relationships amongst the parties in tourism governance is important to increase the sector's preparedness and its capability to monitor and respond the impacts of possible future attacks. The ongoing and political nature of the terrorism threat, as well as the current trend of devolution of governments sets the overall background for the study. This study is primarily qualitative in nature. Data was gathered from secondary literature, government documents, media reports and personal communication with prominent representatives from all parties covered in the study. Questionnaire responses and interviews were conducted during July and September 2007. The network paradigm, used as an analytical framework in this study, provides the stepping stones to the conclusion that the July bombings had an asymmetrical effect on the horizontal and vertical networks between the bodies. The effects of the July bombings on the sub-national level of tourism governance were the greatest, with local and regional government agencies consolidating their powers. It was found that the tourism industry and organisations in the public sector demonstrate that stronger partnerships within and between them have a beneficial impact on their relationship with local and regional levels of government. The network paradigm was found to be a successful analytical tool for tourism studies with an interest in terrorism, political instability or another significant variable that may challenge the prosperity of tourism.