Summary |
The tourism industry is the second largest contributor to North Carolina's economy. The traditional thrust behind many national and state tourism policies has focused on the industry's employment potential and opportunities for economic growth. However, consumer demand is shifting toward a more sustainable approach to tourism that balances economic growth with environmental and social-cultural enhancement and equity. Given the growing pressure placed on legislators to address tourism development, and specifically sustainable tourism, there is a clear need to better understand legislators' perceptions of tourism and enhance communication between legislators and tourism practitioners. By identifying the perceptions of elected leaders at the state level; destination marketers, advocates of sustainability, and consumers will have a better understanding of how to effectively communicate with, and lobby their local legislators. This study replicates and extends a previous study. Using a multi-method approach data were collected through a web-based survey, mail survey, and face-to-face interception; this study seeks to measure and analyze North Carolina legislators' knowledge of and attitudes towards the tourism industry and sustainable development within the industry. |
General note | Presented to the faculty of the Sustainable Tourism Program. |
General note | Advisors: Derek Alderman and Paige P. Schneider. |
General note | Title from PDF t.p. (viewed July 5, 2011). |
Dissertation note | M.S. East Carolina University 2011. |
Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references. |
Technical details | System requirements: Adobe Reader. |
Technical details | Mode of access: World Wide Web. |