5. Conclusions and implications
This paper proposes an alternative model of tourism based on the principles encapsulated by chaos and complexity theory. In it, the author argues that tourism functions in a non-linear, non-deterministic and dynamical manner, where tourism systems function in a manner akin to living ecological communities. It also appreciates that turbulence and periods of intense upheaval are both an intrinsic element of the system and an essential element to promote rapid change in tourism communities. The model identities nine component elements of tourism that comprise any tourism system. A rich and complex set of relationships exists between and within each element that determines how each tourism system will perform. While an overall movement occurs through the model from consumer to outputs, it is acknowledged that significant backwards and/or vertical movement occurs between and within the elements.
The model was developed in an attempt to explain better the relationships that exist between the varied elements that constitute a tourism system that are currently not explained fully by the existing models. It was also developed in an attempt to initiate more intellectual debate about how tourism functions, a debate that seems to have entered a lull in the past few years. As such, the model does not propose any answers, nor is it intended to enter a detailed debate about the implications of chaos theory on the operations of individual tourism enterprises. These issues are worthy topics for papers in their own right. A chaos approach to tourism explains, at a conceptual level, much of the variability noted in tourism that confounds the ability of tourism policy makers to control tourism and of strategic planners to predict accurately future tourism flows. Further, appreciating the chaotic nature of tourism may force public and private sector players to reconsider their roles. The role of public sector players in a chaotic tourism system becomes one of trying to influence the direction of growth within broad parameters rather than trying to exert covert control over it. At a micro, or operational level, the role of tourism enterprises becomes one of ensuring their niche
in the rapidly evolving living tourism community by responding to or anticipating change, protecting its habitat and by continuing to evolve at least as rapidly as the system is evolving to secure a preferred habitat position
5. Conclusions and implications
This paper proposes an alternative model of tourism based on the principles encapsulated by chaos and complexity theory. In it, the author argues that tourism functions in a non-linear, non-deterministic and dynamical manner, where tourism systems function in a manner akin to living ecological communities. It also appreciates that turbulence and periods of intense upheaval are both an intrinsic element of the system and an essential element to promote rapid change in tourism communities. The model identities nine component elements of tourism that comprise any tourism system. A rich and complex set of relationships exists between and within each element that determines how each tourism system will perform. While an overall movement occurs through the model from consumer to outputs, it is acknowledged that significant backwards and/or vertical movement occurs between and within the elements.
The model was developed in an attempt to explain better the relationships that exist between the varied elements that constitute a tourism system that are currently not explained fully by the existing models. It was also developed in an attempt to initiate more intellectual debate about how tourism functions, a debate that seems to have entered a lull in the past few years. As such, the model does not propose any answers, nor is it intended to enter a detailed debate about the implications of chaos theory on the operations of individual tourism enterprises. These issues are worthy topics for papers in their own right. A chaos approach to tourism explains, at a conceptual level, much of the variability noted in tourism that confounds the ability of tourism policy makers to control tourism and of strategic planners to predict accurately future tourism flows. Further, appreciating the chaotic nature of tourism may force public and private sector players to reconsider their roles. The role of public sector players in a chaotic tourism system becomes one of trying to influence the direction of growth within broad parameters rather than trying to exert covert control over it. At a micro, or operational level, the role of tourism enterprises becomes one of ensuring their niche
in the rapidly evolving living tourism community by responding to or anticipating change, protecting its habitat and by continuing to evolve at least as rapidly as the system is evolving to secure a preferred habitat position
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