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The Role of Niche Tourism Products in Destination - Repository ...

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5.1 Introduction and Contribution to Knowledge<br />

Chapter 5<br />

Conclusions<br />

As <strong>in</strong>dicated <strong>in</strong> Chapter One, the aim <strong>of</strong> this critical appraisal is to draw together the <strong>in</strong>formation presented earlier to demonstrate<br />

my contribution to knowledge <strong>in</strong> the field <strong>of</strong> tourism. This critical appraisal has demonstrated how my research publications have<br />

contributed to the development <strong>of</strong> knowledge and understand<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> the role <strong>of</strong> niche tourism products <strong>in</strong> dest<strong>in</strong>ation development.<br />

<strong>The</strong> analysis <strong>of</strong> my publications is presented <strong>in</strong> Tables 1-3, <strong>in</strong> Chapter Four, as a vehicle to order my various contributions to this<br />

field <strong>of</strong> study. I consider that I have contributed to greater knowledge and understand<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> tourism theory, practice and policy <strong>in</strong><br />

relation to the three key themes <strong>of</strong> niche tourism product development; niche tourist pr<strong>of</strong>il<strong>in</strong>g and dest<strong>in</strong>ation development through<br />

niche tourism. My work emphasises the importance <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>il<strong>in</strong>g the niche tourist, their needs and expectations; an awareness <strong>of</strong><br />

niche tourism as a form <strong>of</strong> consumer behaviour; recognition <strong>of</strong> the development <strong>of</strong> niche tourism as a dist<strong>in</strong>ct market segment and<br />

the substantiation that niche products can provide a major motivat<strong>in</strong>g factor for tourists to visit a dest<strong>in</strong>ation. Through the use <strong>of</strong> the<br />

niche tourism life cycle there is also an appreciation that niche products will have different impacts, market<strong>in</strong>g challenges and<br />

contributions to dest<strong>in</strong>ation development. This critical appraisal represents a culm<strong>in</strong>ation <strong>of</strong> a susta<strong>in</strong>ed period <strong>of</strong> tourism research<br />

and thought on the topic. <strong>The</strong> process <strong>of</strong> articulat<strong>in</strong>g and synthesis<strong>in</strong>g my thoughts from dist<strong>in</strong>ct areas <strong>of</strong> study, namely, w<strong>in</strong>e<br />

tourism, festival and event tourism and other emerg<strong>in</strong>g niche tourism products, to present a coord<strong>in</strong>ated, coherent view, has been<br />

extremely challeng<strong>in</strong>g. Through the multi-discipl<strong>in</strong>ary nature <strong>of</strong> my work I have achieved a greater academic understand<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> this

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