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

One of the key policy contributions of my research has been the development of a research agenda (ACCESS) to examine the
wider implications of festival tourism i.e. socio- cultural and political practices which are instrumental in the development of any
measurement tool to be used by policy makers and the industry. Hall and Rusher (2004) note the lack of research into the political
dimensions of events The progression of Getz’s (2002) work on festival failure in Paper 9 reveals its significance as the first cross
country examination of festival and event stakeholders.
Through my work with the Edinburgh Festival leaders (Paper 6), greater insights are also given into festival stakeholder perceptions
on creativity, innovation and failure within festivals. This addresses the gap in festival management research which to date has
‘been post-hoc and outcomes-based with very little evaluation of festival formation, strategies or management processes’ (Paper 9,
p.4). At a time when festivals are facing increasing governmental pressure to be accountable, and competition between cities as
hosts for festivals increases, these findings are significant and provide a valuable political tool for governments and local
authorities. Langen and Garcia (2009) note a key research gap as being the lack of attention towards longer term impacts and
longitudinal research. They also make reference to ACCESS and its attempts to focus wider than economic impacts, in order to
understand the complex benefits and dis-benefits associated with festivals. Earlier research within the wine tourism sector also
contributed to the development of governmental policy, with the launch of the ‘Wine Tourism Strategy for Western Australia’
(Dowling et al. 2000). This was one of the first and key regional wine tourism policies in Australia and was instrumental in guiding
the development of wine tourism in the region.
The following sections of this chapter summarise my contribution to tourism theory, practice and policy. The individual papers are
discussed under the key thematic areas of my work:
niche tourism product development;