Abstract
This research investigates the intricate relationship between tourism and public resources, with a particular focus on emergency services in Newport, RI. The study examines how surges in tourism activity influence the use of emergency services, employing multiple regression analysis to analyze monthly hotel occupancy data obtained from Discover Newport, the Newport and Bristol County Destination Marketing Organization, with emergency call data from the City of Newport Police Department, over the same three-year time period. Through this analysis, the researchers discern the impact of increased tourism, particularly during peak tourist seasons, through the use of these public resources. By weighing the economic benefits of tourism, such as increased tax revenue, tourist spending, and job creation with the strain on public resources, we can provide further insight into the discussion around sustainable tourism and how to better balance the resources used with its benefits to local communities. The authors recognize limitations of the study potentially attributing changes in emergency service usage solely to tourism, considering concurrent factors such as heightened resident activity and the influx of part-time/seasonal residents. By providing a deeper understanding of the connection between tourism and public resources, policymakers can make more informed decisions to ensure the sustainable management of tourism destinations. Our goal is to illuminate the need to strike a better balance between the benefits of tourism and the resources it consumes, recognizing the multifaceted relationship between tourism and public resources, thereby advancing understanding of sustainable tourism practices and their implications.
Presenters
Melissa VaraoDirector and Department Chair - Department of Business and Economics/Associate Professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Salve Regina University, Rhode Island, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
Critical Issues in Tourism and Leisure Studies
KEYWORDS
Sustainable Tourism, Public Resources, Local Impact, Tourism Impact
