Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

Thesis (M.S.)--Montana State University--Bozeman, 2004. / Typescript. Chairperson, Graduate Committee: David M. Ward. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 60-65).

MA (Economics) / Department of Economics / Tourism is regarded as a modern day engine of growth globally. In light of this, the South African government aims to increase tourism’s contribution, both direct and indirectly to the economy. In 2012 tourism in South Africa contributed 7, 9% (R189.4 billion) to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and it is estimated to increase to R499 billion by 2020 (South Africa National Department of Tourism). The purpose of the study was to assess the sustainability of hot spring tourism in Limpopo Province with regard to their competitiveness and potential to contribute to the economy of the country. The study employed a Delphi technique which is designed as group communication process which aims to achieve a convergence of opinion on a specific real world issues. The research developed a set of appropriate indicators that determines hot spring destination competitiveness. Data was collected through two sets of questionnaires administered and addressed to experts in the Limpopo Department of Economic Development and Tourism; academic staff in the department of tourism at University of Venda and tourism managers and practitioners in the tourism hot spring sector. From the findings of the study, recommendations have been made to assist the Limpopo Department of Economic Development and Tourism in designing strategies to make hot spring destinations competitive and sustainable as a tourism activity in Limpopo province.

published_or_final_version / abstract / Ecology and Biodiversity / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Montana State University--Bozeman, 2004. / Typescript. Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Catherine A. Zabinski. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 95-103).

Les systèmes hydrothermaux non-magmatiques en contexte orogénique sont peu étudiés. Les questions qui demeurent sont : 1) quelles sont les structures efficaces pour l'infiltration des fluides météoriques ? 2) quels sont les conduits permettant la remontée des fluides depuis la profondeur jusqu'aux sources, et comment sont-ils entretenus ? 3) quels sont les régimes thermiques, la géométrie et l'amplitude des anomalies thermiques, ainsi que les interactions eau-roche dans la zone profonde ? Dans les Pyrénées Orientales (France), l'alignement de 29 sources hydrothermales (29-73°C) le long de la faille cassante de la Têt et des reliefs associés, permet d'étudier ces processus.L'approche intégrée de l'analyse par télédetection, observations géologiques multi-échelles sur le terrain, et par la géochimie du fluide hydrothermal, permet de contraindre un modèle 3D consistant couplant écoulements et transferts de chaleur. Nos résultats montrent que :1. Les fluides hydrothermaux ont une origine météorique et s'infiltrent en haute altitude (2000 - 2600 m). Les trois familles de fractures associées à trois épisodes tectoniques successifs sont des structures efficaces pouvant assurer les transfers de fluides. L'ouverture de ces fractures (c.-à-d. la perméabilité) dépend de la lithologie.2. Les sources hydrothermales sont principalement localisées dans le mur de la faille, au pieds du large relief formé lors de son déplacement normal (massifs du Canigou, Carança, Puigmal). Elles émergent toujours dans des roches cristallines, à l'interface avec des métasediments. Ce contact peut être normal, ou lié à des failles fragiles ou encore d'anciennes failles ductiles exhumées.3. La géochimie des eaux indique des interactions eau-roche similaires pour toutes les sources, ce qui suggère une zone de transfert aux caractéristiques communes. Les différences de température au sein d'un même groupe de source ne sont pas liées à des mélanges avec des eaux superficielles, suggérant que des conduits secondaires dérivent d'une même anomalie thermique. Dans les modèles numériques, les écoulements proviennent des hauts reliefs essentiellement dans le mur de la faille, ou circulent le long de la faille. Les températures des sources dépendent de la température acquise en profondeur, qui elle même dépend de la profondeur des écoulements. La répartition et la profondeur des écoulements dans la croûte dépend de la topographie, à la fois de l'escarpement et le long de la faille. Les hauts topographiques sont des zones d'infiltration et les bas topographiques des zones de résurgence.La compréhension de ces systèmes a d'importantes implications pour l'exploration géothermique. / Non-magmatic hydrothermal systems in mountain ranges are poorly studied compared to extensive ones. They likely involve similar processes than those highlighted for other hydro-geothermal continental systems, however questions remain about : 1) the water origin and the structures responsible for efficient infiltrations, 2) the type of pathways from depth to the hot springs, and the conservation of the draining capacity, 3) the geometry and amplitude of the thermal anomalies and subsequent fluid-rock interactions in the deep transfer zone.In Eastern Pyrénées (France), the alignment of 29 hot springs (29-73°C) along the brittle Têt fault and its related high topography allows studying these processes.The integrative analysis of remote sensing, multi-scale geological field observations and hydrothermal fluid geochemistry, provides strong constraints to establish a realistic 3D numerical model coupling heat transfers with fluid flows. From the infiltration areas to the springs at the surface, we show that :1. The hydrothermal fluids have a meteoric origin and infiltrate at high altitude (>2200 m). Three intersecting fracture sets, resulting from three consecutive tectonic stages, pervasively distribute on the infiltration areas. They probably are efficient structures to transfer fluids through the crust to the hot springs.2. Hot springs are mostly located close to the Têt fault, in its footwall, at the base of the most elevated topography. They always localize in crystalline rocks, at the interface with metasediments, related to unfaulted or faulted contacts by brittle or old ductile faults. Hot spring locations also match with intersections of brittle-fault damage zones.3. Geochemistry of hydrothermal fluids indicates similar rock-water interactions for all the springs, suggesting a transfer zone of similar lithology. There is no mixing with superficial water, suggesting that differences of temperatures between hot springs are related to multiple pathways deriving from a thermal anomaly. In numerical models, flows mainly come from high reliefs in the fault footwall, or circulate along the fault plane. Hot spring temperatures depend on the temperature reached at depth, which depends on the flow depth. Flow distribution in the crust depends on the topography, both of the fault scarp and along the fault. The tops of the topography are infiltration areas, while low elevations are resurgence areas.The understanding of fault and topography-related hydrothermal systems has strong implications for thermalism and for geothermal exploration.

In 2011, Calgary, Alberta based Borealis Geopower bought the geothermal rights to the Canoe Reach arm of Kinbasket Lake, near Valemount, British Columbia. New to Canada, a pilot project of a 2 megawatt geothermal power facility will begin within the next five years. The project is a positive addition to the area, as it is a non-polluting energy source with an effluent of clean hot water. This thesis proposes a maximization of this energy source by combining the power facility with an education center and bathing facility. Included in this bathing experience are ancillary cabins and paths to promote the users’ interaction and enjoyment of the project and landscape. Finally, this thesis develops a material strategy, choreographing the visitors’ experience of the geothermal resource within the site’s mountainous topography.

Geothermal research in the southern Canadian Cordillera has typically focused on hot spring systems and predicting maximum temperatures at depth, estimating fluid circulation depths, and investigating the distribution of hot spring systems and their relation to major geological features that often control thermal fluid flow. Detailed fieldwork to develop local and regional conceptual models of these systems has rarely been conducted and to our best knowledge, never in partnership with a First Nations. The scope of this project was to work collaboratively with the local First Nation to conduct detailed structural, hydrologic and hydrogeologic fieldwork to develop local and regional conceptual models of Sloquet Hot Springs, on unceded St'at'imc territory. To motivate our research and provide a successful example of geoscience research in the era of reconciliation and Indigenous resurgence, we review how resource regulation, research, reconciliation, and resurgence interact in British Columbia and detail our approach to community engagement. Detailed studies resulted in the development of a working conceptual model for the hydrogeothermal system at Sloquet Hot Springs. The conceptual model synthesizes local and regional groundwater flow, observed geothermal gradients, advective and conductive heat flow, as well as permeability contrasts in the subsurface to understand thermal fluid flow at the study site. Well monitoring, development, and pumping tests revealed numerous soft zones in the subsurface as well as bulk values for high transmissivity and hydraulic conductivity. Findings from subsurface investigations suggest bedrock in the area has significant permeability and that groundwater flow is controlled by steep hydraulic gradients caused by rugged topography in the region. The annual spring flux was calculated for Sloquet Hot Springs and used to approximate the recharge area that is required to drive the system. Although the study did not identify the primary fault that conveys high-temperature fluids, the potential locations of buried fault structures are hypothesized based on zones with observably high temperatures and flow along Sloquet Creek. / Graduate

Cette thèse a pour objet l’analyse des processus organisationnels liés à la communication web des entreprises et de leur influence sur la construction de leur identité numérique. Nous nous sommes intéressée au secteur du tourisme dans les Hautes-Pyrénées, et plus spécifiquement, aux centres thermoludiques, qui ont, au cours des quinze dernières années, redessiné le paysage économique et social des vallées de montagne. L’évolution du web dans ces entreprises a influencé leur organisation au point de faire émerger des stratégies d’investissement du web parallèles aux préconisations des agences web et de communication. Les objectifs de cette recherche se sont concentrés sur les stratégies officielles et non officielles d’investissement du web des entreprises observées. Ce questionnement lié aux stratégies nous a menée vers l’analyse du réseau d’acteurs dans lequel les entreprises observées sont impliquées, et dont les intérêts ou thématiques communicationnelles convergent. Nous avons ainsi procédé à la mise en relation de l’ensemble des discours produits sur et à propos du web par les centres thermoludiques et les acteurs de leur environnement institutionnel et concurrentiel. Notre méthodologie s’articule entre analyses sémiotiques des sites web des centres thermoludiques, entretiens semi-directifs menés avec les concepteurs-réalisateurs de ces sites web, et observations de terrain en situation professionnelle dans le secteur du tourisme de montagne. Nos résultats nous ont amenée à la constitution d’une méthodologie d’analyse de la présence et de l’identité des entreprises sur le web à l’heure du 2.0 en tenant compte du réseau d’acteurs humains et non humains dans lequel elles se situent. / This PhD thesis aims at analysing the organisational procedures used when companies communicate via the web, and their influence on the building up of their digital identity. We focused on tourism in Hautes-Pyrénées, and more specifically on hot spring resorts (spa or recreational and wellness centres). These resorts have changed the economic and social aspects of life in these valleys, which are located in the mountain range of the Pyrenees. The evolution of the web usage in these companies has so much influenced their organisation that investment strategies have emerged, following the recommendations of web and communication agencies. This research work focused on official and non-official web investment strategies of some of these companies. This questioning on the strategies leads to the analysis of the broader network of stakeholders in which these companies are involved, with similar focuses and interests. Therefore, we studied the connections between all the data collected (speeches) from these companies and their institutional and competing environment, on and about the web. Our methodology included semiotic analysis, semi-structured interviews conducted with the web and communication agencies, the CEOs of hot spring resorts, and field observations in a professional context in the field of mountain tourism. Our results have led to the design of a methodology to analyse the presence and identity of companies on the web, taking into account the network of human and material stakeholders in which they are involved in our web 2.0 world.

為提升台灣溫泉渡假村服務品質，本研究提出一套內外資源分析方法。針對台灣溫泉度假村及溫泉旅館之服務品質，包含：內部硬體、外部硬體與經營環境等層面，分析溫泉渡假村之服務需求與改善機會。本方法設計以台中市谷關區某溫泉度假村為例，自消費者廣泛蒐集溫泉旅館服務需求、自溫泉業者瞭解溫泉旅館成功案例滿足服務需求的條件，首先整理出在消費者的心中，對於台灣區溫泉旅館的服務條件，由整體環境面、旅館內外部硬體設備面，以及旅館軟體服務面的標準需求滿足為何。接著透過積分評比的方式，整理出一套用來協助個案公司各項服務需求的評分標準，並交叉比對台中市谷關區兩間成功案例個案公司的服務經營方針。進而了解個案公司相對服務品質與優缺點，並提出改善建議。期望這一套消費者需求分析與服務經營比對方法及企業轉型的建議，可以作為台灣溫泉產業未來發展提升服務品質的參考。 / In order to improve the service quality of Hot Spring resorts in Taiwan, this research analyzed internal and external resources and proposes a methodology to help Hot Spring resorts in Taiwan understand their customer needs and evaluate their competitiveness. The resources for service offering in Hot Spring resorts include internal hardware (building structures and facilities), external environment (geographic locations). Using case company A, this study collected service needs from customers, evaluated and organized the data to build customer insights. Then, by cross-case analysis on competitors the study learned success factors of service provided. Finally by consolidating customer needs, competitor strategies, and evaluation of company competitiveness improvements were initiated. It is hoped that the proposed methodology can be a useful quality improvement approach for Hot Spring resorts in Taiwan.