Untitled

tend to specialise in the production of capital
goods, while the latter ones focus on the production
of �low qualified) services, such as tourism. Both
country types have their own specific manner of
carrying out trade according to their own specialisation
pattern. Not considered are the competitive
advantages of tourism destinations �special attractions
or events).
The classical Ricardo model, although also not a
complete explanation for the international trade in
goods and tourism services, is useful for understanding
the international exchange between
developing and industrial countries. The exchange
is basically complementary �raw material or island
beaches for industrial goods). For example, a
country which only has raw materials or unspoilt
landscapes with certain climate conditions must
specialise in these products in order to have goods
to exchange for industrial ones or technologically
advanced products not produced in that country.
On the other hand, developed countries having
their own natural resources such as climate,
island beaches and mountains, cultural or special
technologies, do not need to specialise to the same
degree.
See also: attraction; competitive advantage;
destination; event; marketing, destination;
opportunity costs; sunlust; wanderlust
Further reading
Porter, M. �1990) The Competitive Advantage of Nations,
New York: Macmillan.
Smeral, E. �1996) `Globalisation and changes in the
competitiveness of tourism destinations', in P.
Keller �ed.), Globalisation and Tourism, St. Gallen.
comparative study
EGON SMERAL, AUSTRIA
Comparative studies involve investigations of the
same phenomena in similar situations in the search
for commonalities and differences among them.
The term is usually used for studies which analyse
the same problem in two or more places, in a crossnational
context involving more than one social
system or, less frequently, in the same social system
at more than one point in time. Thus, for example,
one might examine the impacts of the construction
and operation of a number of hotels in coastal
destinations in the search for commonalties and
differences among them. The comparative approach
is a step in the direction of generalisation in
that it can permit the separation of typical
occurrences from those which are unique to
particular cases. Pearce �1993) has argued that
the comparative approach has yet to emerge as a
recognisable methodology in tourism research,
which has relied too heavily on case studies.
However, if the comparative approach is to be
adopted successfully, it is important that the cases
which are being investigated are not so dissimilar
that there is little basis for comparison. In a
practical context, comparative studies may also
permit the learning experiences derived from one
situation to be applied in another. For example,
interventions which have been successful in one
situation may be initiated in another similar
situation with expectations of positive consequences.
Further reading
Pearce, D.G. �1993) `Comparative studies in
tourism research', in D.G. Pearce and R.W.
Butler �eds), Tourism Research:Critiques and Challenges,
London: Routledge, 20±35.
Wall, G. �1995) `Tourism and heritage: the need for
comparative studies', in Z.U. Ahmed �ed.), The
Business of International Tourism, 256±272.
compatible
compatible 97
GEOFFREY WALL, CANADA
When tourism use or activity is generally free of
short-term negative impacts, then this is a
compatible situation. Implicit is the notion of
non-exceptional tourism management or regulatory
practices. The concept is at the bottom of a
three-level hierarchy: compatible, feasible and
sustainable. Feasible tourism implies medium term
socio-economic benefits, while sustainable tourism
implies long-term resource use, conservation
and management.