/library/oar/handle/123456789/36053 2025-11-04T14:38:35Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/82934 Title: The idea of identity in museum experience : the Quirinale Palace in rome, the Palazzo Reale in Naples, the Grandmaster’s Palace in Malta. A comparative study Abstract: Museum identity is the result of a long and complex process where many components play a crucial role. It is closely tied to collective and cultural memory and represents the constant transformation of the museum itself and its community. Historical events deeply influence this process being the ground where the other components take their shape: namely the relationship between art and politics, the urban transformation, and the museological displays. The combination of memory and identity - meant as two DNA strands directed towards past and future - allows drafting a theory on museums conceived as living structures and twenty-first century forums of debate and understanding. Description: PhD 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/82874 Title: Assessing the ecotourism potential of central Mediterranean islands with a case study on marine ecotourism Abstract: This study investigates the ecotourism potential of central Mediterranean Islands, several of which are highly sought after for Sand Sun and Sea (3S) tourism purposes and which are characterised by a rich biodiversity. The focus of this study is to investigate coastal and marine settings, proposing a sustainable alternative to 3S tourism. The possibility of having a number of close-by islands serving as a hub for marine ecotourism is studied. The area of study consists of three archipelagos; the Pelagian Islands, the Aegadian Islands and the Maltese Islands, along with the island of Pantelleria. Four study visits (one on each archipelago/island) were organised to observe and familiarise oneself with the area of study. Eventually, four ecotours were organised (one on each archipelago/island). These involved the organisation of a specific itinerary for 66 ecotourists who voluntarily accepted to participate in the trips, at their own expense. 43 ecotourists participated in one ecotour, 23 ecotourists participated in two ecotours, whereas 5 ecotourists participated in three of the ecotours organised generating a total of 94 ecotourism experiences. Surveys were conducted before and after the ecotours while three focus groups and a group interview were also held with specific participants who revisited the ecodestinations on their own initiative or who participated in more than one ecotour. 174 interviews were held with stakeholders across the entire area of study in order to obtain their views on various aspects related to ecotourism. In total 240 people participated in the study through the ecotours, surveys, focus groups and interviews. Results show that various levels of rivalry exist between islands and their inhabitants. Connectivity is a major challenge that can also impact ecotourism on islands. In terms of ecotourism venues, smaller islands were found to be more pristine whereas larger islands suffer from habitat fragmentation. Various ecotourism activities can be practiced including those targeting endemic species yet such activities need to be developed further. Ecotourism services are available but are often rather limited especially in the case of interpretation. The marketing of such destinations is mostly focused on 3S tourism which explains why such destinations are not likely to be associated with ecotourism. Several positive and negative environment and socio-economic impacts have also been identified across the area of study. In terms of ecotourism policy this is either sparse or lacks implementation. With respect to the ecotourists attracted, these mostly reflected the characteristic attributes of ecotourists as articulated in literature. Tourists attracted to the Maltese islands and who expressed lower levels of satisfaction with the ecotours are likely to have been hard ecotourists. Smaller islands in archipelagos have been found to be better suited as ecotourism destinations due to their pristine state. Attracting the “true specialists” also known as the hard ecotourists can be a challenge especially on the larger islands such as Malta due to extensive anthropic pressures, mostly overdevelopment. Archipelagos with their numerous islands, each characterised by different attributes, make such ecodestinations sought after due to the possibility of island-hopping. However, solitary islands can overcome such a challenge if well connected to smaller islands in the region. The concept of island-hopping and the creation of an ecotourism hub is also seen as a means to tackle various socio-economic impacts experienced by the local communities of the smaller islands under Italian jurisdiction. On the smaller islands, ecotourism can help to attract tourism all year round and tackle seasonality whereas on larger more established tourism destinations ecotourism can serve to make tourism in general more sustainable. The success of ecotourism in the area of study, especially on the smaller islands where the protection of habitats can impact the livelihood or lifestyle of the local community, depends on the acceptance and understanding of the local community. Ecotourism on smaller islands is also seen as an opportunity to tackle the various inequalities that exist between islands of the same archipelago. The study also contributes to knowledge in the field by describing ecotourism in a Mediterranean context. Description: PH.D. 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/38373 Title: Identifying diving tourism as a main niche tourism source for Gozo Abstract: Diving tourism in these last few years have made huge stides forward when it omes to attracting tourists to Gozo because of diving tourism. On this notion Gozo has started a journey to combine more tourism and diving together. Recently a lot of effort has been done to combine these two businesses together, to be used as a form of attracting more tourists towards Gozo. This can mean an alternative type of tourism which can be used by businesses as a means of financial benefit and on the other which can be a mean of relaxation for visitors both for those who come purely for diving and even for those to come as a holiday in Gozo and do diving toruism in one way or another. This study throws light on the current situation of diving tourism in Gozo, its infant stages and whether such a venture can be seen as becoming the main niche tourism sector for Gozo. The section of the literature review focuses on what is meant by diving tourism and this can be seen by seeing the different views of different authors. In the literature review a case study is also mentioned. In the methodolgy section one can find the ways of how the reseracher found the various sources and from where the reseracher also got all the information which is used in this study. In the analsysis part one can see the various point of views of different people which are involved in the diving tourism sector which gives a better view of the current issues and picture of the state of this sector. Description: B.A.(HONS)TOURISM 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/38371 Title: The influence of Malta-filmed productions on tourists’ selection of Malta as a destination Abstract: The reasons which motivate tourists to select a destination are various and marketers are constantly trying to identify the different reasons which influence tourist decision making so that they can refine marketing messages with greater effectiveness. Destinations are also constantly trying to feature innovative offers aimed at satisfying the needs of an increasingly segmented tourism market in which individualism and the need for hands on experiences are becoming increasingly in demand. Film tourism is one such emerging segment which is recognised by increasing numbers of destinations as being both a motivator influencing destination choice and also a tourism product which enhances the visitor experience in the destination. This long essay has been based on a thorough review of international and local publications, statements and conferences on the basis of which the importance of film-tourism has been established. It has also attempted to build a picture of the current situation prevailing in Malta through a mix of qualitative and quantitative research exercises aimed at obtaining information and opinions on the current state and future potential of the local sector and how familiar a sample of visitors staying in a range of five, four and three star hotels during Spring 2018 are with Malta’s fame as a filming location both in terms of association with films and also with filming locations. The conclusions forthcoming from this long essay are based on the combination of literature review and original research carried out specifically for this exercise and aim to provide suggestions and recommendations for the subject’s continuing development by combining foreign experiences with local realities. Description: B.A.(HONS)TOURISM 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z