The diploma thesis focuses on a change of the hotel´s marketing mix to reachhigher competitiveness of the company. It compares theoretical knowledge with reality in the hotel, specifies suggestions and options, which leads to better effectivity in this branch and target region. The proposals come out of a competition analysis and customer´s demands based on questionnaires and SWOT analysis.

M. Tech. (Tourism and hospitality Management, Faculty of Human Sciences)|cVaal University of Technology / The growth of the tourism industry led to the development of various different types of tourism products. In order to remain competitive it is important that tourism products provide high-quality services for tourists. Tourists are, however, becoming more demanding due to higher education levels, more sophisticated tourists that travel more and are more exposed to various types of experiences. It is therefore important that tourism products satisfy the expectations of the guest to increase loyalty levels as well as return to the product. It is difficult today to exceed the expectations of the guest but high levels of service quality can make a difference in the customer experience and it is thus worthwhile to go the extra mile for guest. Although service quality has been measured in various research studies it has not been measured for the guesthouses in Kimberley and this information can be to the advantage of the tourism products as well as to that of Kimberley as a destination. The main aim of this study was to measure service quality levels of guesthouses in Kimberley based on the SERVQUAL instrument to gain a competitive advantage over similar tourism products and to assist these products in meeting and exceeding guest’s expectations. Questionnaires were distributed at participating guesthouses in Kimberley. A total of 500 questionnaires were distributed among guests guest of which 450 were used in the analyses. The questionnaire was divided into four sections, namely socio-demographic information, the expectations of guest, the perceptions of guest and the overall service quality of the guesthouse. The data resulting from the questionnaires was captured and analysed by means of descriptive and exploratory analyses in SPSS. A factor analysis was applied to the 29-attribute scale measuring service expectations and perceptions. The paired-samples t-tests were used to determine the differences in the expectations and the perceptions. The multiple regression analysis was done to determine the aspects best predicting the overall service quality levels in the guesthouses. From the descriptive analyses it was clear that the two main expectations from guests include the following: employees will be willing to serve and that employees will always be available when needed. The highest mean value was obtained for the first aspect mentioned. In terms of the perceptions, the main perceptions of the guest included: employees gave individualised attention, the operating hours of the guesthouse are convenient and the guesthouse provides a safe and secure environment. In the case of perceptions, the aspect that yielded the highest mean was: employees are always available when needed. The paired t-test revealed very few differences in expectations versus perceptions and this indicated that respondents are satisfied with the service levels and that the guesthouses did better than expected. The factor analyses revealed the following five factors: Tangibles, Adequacy, Understanding, Assurance and Convenience. Before visiting the guesthouse it was clear that Assurance made the strongest contribution to overall service quality but after visiting the guesthouse Understanding and Convenience made the strongest contribution to overall service quality; thus indicating what is important to the guests. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge in guesthouse management but also to service quality in accommodation establishments such as guesthouses. Knowing that service levels in the participating guesthouses adhered to the needs of the current guests guest is encouraging, but these establishments need to plan strategically for when these guests guest overnight again and might expect something additional, extra or even different. / National Research Foundation

This thesis introduces the concept of Online Mediated Commensality (OMC) as an example of contemporary hospitality provision. Since the beginning of the twenty-first century an increase of exchanges of hospitality being mediated using online technologies has changed the way in which individuals interact and challenges the traditional boundaries between strangers. While some research has been done on accommodation, little has been researched on the interactions around the meal and the online mediation of experiences. The aim of this research is to explore the role and significance of OMC and its place in contemporary hospitality provision. Through a detailed review of academic literature on concepts relating to commensality, hospitality, alternative economies and home, a conceptual understanding of the phenomenon was achieved. Due to the paucity of research on the OMC phenomenon, a review of recent non-academic and anecdotal sources (newspaper articles, reviews, books relating to experiences of OMC) was used scope the phenomenon's contemporary significance. Due to the exploratory nature of this research, and the social nature of the phenomenon, a qualitative approach to research is used to gain insight into the interactions, behaviours and social practices of those participating. Two stages of research material collection are used (Autoethnographic Participant Observation and Discussion-style Interviews) to critically understand and interpret the phenomenon. The findings identified a number of social practices around the shared meal. Interpretations of the phenomenon resulted in the identification of the ‘Home-food Economy', in which OMC is placed, which embodies and embraces ethical, shared and innovative dimensions of an alternative economy. Attractions of the phenomenon are identified as being that it is different to mainstream hospitality provision and is strongly associated with ‘traditional' norms and values relating to family, background, nationality and identity. Interactions and social practices are identified as being fleeting, transient, momentary experiences of hospitality which rarely transcend the setting of the meal. These interactions are conceptualised within a proposed ‘Social Interaction Capital', which represents the nature of social interactions experienced as well as its presence within a liquid, fluidly mobile contemporary society. The study has identified a social phenomenon which is constructed within the confines, conditions or thresholds of hospitality. In terms of future implications, this thesis suggests that while OMC will not achieve prominence over mainstream hospitality provision, it will continue to develop and grow in popularity for those who are interested in the more alternative, socially orientated experiences of hospitality and the meal. Further research on OMC could take a global perspective and highlight any cultural/social differences relating to commensality and its online mediation. Similarly, Social Interaction Capital could be further elaborated on in a range of hospitality settings to articulate its reach and contextualisation within hospitality studies and its place within contemporary society.

Acts of commemoration construct narratives of collective memory and identity, shaped by organisers' agendas. Existing literature presumes that organisers primarily use commemoration for national political, social and cultural outcomes. Contemporary commemoration, however, takes place in times of a contested role of the nation for collective memory and identity, while events are commonly used for economic outcomes in addition to political, social and cultural ones. There is hence not enough research that explores the roles and uses of contemporary commemorative events. Drawing primarily on literature from the nascent fields of memory studies and event studies, this qualitative constructionist research explores how narratives of collective memory and identity emerge at commemorative events of the fall of the Berlin Wall in the major anniversary years of 2009 and 2014. These events are an interesting and suitable context for the research as they were the first events of this kind and commemoration of the Wall poses various challenges due to the Wall's shifting meanings. Findings from a semiotic analysis of the events suggest that these events construct narratives beyond the national dimension. By interpreting the historical events to be rooted in Berlin and of international significance, strong local and international identity narratives are constructed. Findings from a thematic analysis of documents and interviews with organisers illustrate that organisers use the events for branding and event tourism development. This research argues that such emerging uses of commemoration play a significant role for the commemorative narrative. The findings further illustrate the permeable nature of the state-sponsored narrative in Berlin and the now consolidated role of Wall-related memory for local identity construction. The research contributes to the theoretical understanding of commemorative events in general and Berlin Wall commemoration in particular, as well as of contemporary German national identity. It further makes a methodological contribution on the use of semiotics in this context. An applied contribution on implications for the management of commemorative events is also made.

The thesis inquires into public administration activities in the sphere of advertising holiday destinations. It specifically concentrates on the approach of municipal authorities regarding utilization of modern technologies for the growth of the tourist industry and increase of public awareness of their towns. In the theoretical section, the role of public administration in tourism and advertising holiday destinations is described. It focuses on introducing particular methods and strategies that can be used by municipal authorities to publicise their territories, taking into account utilization of information and communication technologies. In the practical part, utilization of the delineated strategies is analysed for selected towns. The aim of the thesis is -- on the basis of this analysis -- to assess the approach of municipal authorities to modern forms of advertising holiday destinations.

Syftet med denna intervjustudie var att undersöka hur ett antal nyckelaktörer inom turismnäringen såg på matens roll och hur de arbetade med matupplevelser i praktiken. Insamling av data genomfördes genom semi-strukturerade intervjuer som transkriberades och analyserades utifrån en mall för kvalitativ bearbetning av text. De aktörer som fungerade som informanter för undersökningen arbetade samtliga med matturism på nationell, regional eller lokal nivå.  De aktörer som deltog i studien var Landsbygdsdepartementet, Visit Sweden, Regional Matkultur Småland, Smaka på Skåne, Kristianstad Kommun och Idala Gård. Undersökningens resultat visade att samtliga aktörer ansåg att maten hade en given roll inom turismnäringen.  Informanterna betonade vikten av att producenter ser matens potential till att bli en matupplevelse och synliggör den för turister. Ett skäl till att detta inte alltid görs kunde bero på den bild svenskar har av svensk mat och svensk matkultur menade informanterna.  De förespråkade en stolthet över svensk mat och mattradition. I undersökningen framkom även att matupplevelser fått en alltmer självklar plats inom turismnäringen, både som en huvudanledning till, eller som en betydande del av resan.  Informanterna framhöll att fördelen med matupplevelser jämfört med andra upplevelser var att matupplevelsen aktiverar samtliga sinnen och därmed bidrar till en total turismupplevelse. / The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine how key stakeholders see food as a part of the tourist industry and how they work with food experiences in practice. Data collection was collected by semi-structured interviews which were transcribed and analyzed within the model of processing a qualitative text. The stakeholders which participated were Landsbygdsdepartementet, Visit Sweden, Regional Matkultur Småland, Smaka på Skåne, Kristianstad Kommun and Idala gård. The interviewed stakeholders are working with food tourism at national, regional and local level. The results showed that all the participants thought food had a specific role within the tourist industry. In this study, it became clear that the respondents emphasized the importance for producers to see the potential food have to become a food experience and at the same time to make it more visible for tourists. A reason for this would be the view of Swedish food culture that the respondents think Swedish people have. It is important to see the unique assets which are available and to be proud of the culture.  It also shows that food experiences have a more obvious role in tourist industry, both as the main reason or as part of the travel. The advantage of the food experiences in relation to other experiences is the use of all the senses, thus providing a total tourism experience.

A arquitetura contemporânea vive hoje uma arriscada fusão com a publicidade e a indústria do entretenimento. Tal convergência exige uma expansão da forma arquitetônica até o limite de sua materialidade. Em busca da renda informacional máxima, característica do universo das marcas mundiais, constatamos uma inversão de seus antigos fundamentos construtivos e produtivos, subvertidos por um jogo de volumes e efeitos para além de qualquer regra ou limitação. Aliado às técnicas digitais de projeto e à reorganização dos canteiros de obra, esse novo fetichismo da forma, análogo à autonomização do poder e da riqueza abstrata no capitalismo contemporâneo, define a nova condição da arquitetura. Estudaremos essa condição tomando como fio condutor projetos dos arquitetos mais consagrados pelo atual sistema de distinção e premiação. No propósito de melhor identificar esta arquitetura da exceção, investigamos nas obras emblemáticas dos últimos vinte anos um conjunto de particularidades e recorrências, que a nosso ver define a economia política da exceção e da regra no mundo atual. Principiamos pela análise do emaranhado de significados que sustentam hoje a forma construída, passando em seguida à esfera da produção das novas modalidades de projeto digital às transformações no canteiro de obras para, ao fim, examinar como ocorrem a circulação (com a proliferação de imagens midiáticas), o consumo (especialmente por meio da indústria do turismo) e a distribuição de riquezas que essa arquitetura favorece. O que se verifica é uma produção sobredeterminada pela busca da renda monopolista derivada das propriedades intrínsecas da forma, em seu novo estágio de concepção e realização. Esperamos, assim, mostrar como a arquitetura de ponta tornou-se uma das manifestações mais expressivas da acumulação flexível e da renda das marcas sob a dominância da lógica das finanças. / Contemporary architecture is dangerously enmeshed with the entertainment industry and the field of advertising. This meshing has pushed architectural form to the limits of materiality. Architecture today searches for maximum informational rent, a process typical of global product branding; through this process, established building and production principles are subverted by a play of volumes and effects beyond any rule or limitation. Relying on digital design technologies and the reorganization of the building site, this new fetishism of form, analogous to the autonomization of power and abstract wealth in contemporary capitalism, defines the new condition of architecture. We study this condition by focusing on the work of those architects who are most successful in the current system of professional recognition and rewards. So as to identify this architecture of exception more precisely, we analyze emblematic works from the last twenty years; in these works we identify a set of particularities and recurrent issues that define the political economy of exception and rule today. We begin by analyzing the tangle of meanings associated with contemporary built form. We then move on to the sphere of production from the new technologies of digital design to transformations in the building site. Finally, we examine three processes as they relate to contemporary architecture: circulation (through the proliferation of images in the media), consumption (in particular through the tourist industry), and distribution of wealth. Our investigation reveals that architectural production, in its new stage of conception and realization, is overdetermined by the search for monopoly rent through intrinsic properties of form. We argue that cutting-edge architecture has become one of the most expressive manifestations of flexible accumulation and brand revenue under the prevailing logic of financial capitalism.

A arquitetura contemporânea vive hoje uma arriscada fusão com a publicidade e a indústria do entretenimento. Tal convergência exige uma expansão da forma arquitetônica até o limite de sua materialidade. Em busca da renda informacional máxima, característica do universo das marcas mundiais, constatamos uma inversão de seus antigos fundamentos construtivos e produtivos, subvertidos por um jogo de volumes e efeitos para além de qualquer regra ou limitação. Aliado às técnicas digitais de projeto e à reorganização dos canteiros de obra, esse novo fetichismo da forma, análogo à autonomização do poder e da riqueza abstrata no capitalismo contemporâneo, define a nova condição da arquitetura. Estudaremos essa condição tomando como fio condutor projetos dos arquitetos mais consagrados pelo atual sistema de distinção e premiação. No propósito de melhor identificar esta arquitetura da exceção, investigamos nas obras emblemáticas dos últimos vinte anos um conjunto de particularidades e recorrências, que a nosso ver define a economia política da exceção e da regra no mundo atual. Principiamos pela análise do emaranhado de significados que sustentam hoje a forma construída, passando em seguida à esfera da produção das novas modalidades de projeto digital às transformações no canteiro de obras para, ao fim, examinar como ocorrem a circulação (com a proliferação de imagens midiáticas), o consumo (especialmente por meio da indústria do turismo) e a distribuição de riquezas que essa arquitetura favorece. O que se verifica é uma produção sobredeterminada pela busca da renda monopolista derivada das propriedades intrínsecas da forma, em seu novo estágio de concepção e realização. Esperamos, assim, mostrar como a arquitetura de ponta tornou-se uma das manifestações mais expressivas da acumulação flexível e da renda das marcas sob a dominância da lógica das finanças. / Contemporary architecture is dangerously enmeshed with the entertainment industry and the field of advertising. This meshing has pushed architectural form to the limits of materiality. Architecture today searches for maximum informational rent, a process typical of global product branding; through this process, established building and production principles are subverted by a play of volumes and effects beyond any rule or limitation. Relying on digital design technologies and the reorganization of the building site, this new fetishism of form, analogous to the autonomization of power and abstract wealth in contemporary capitalism, defines the new condition of architecture. We study this condition by focusing on the work of those architects who are most successful in the current system of professional recognition and rewards. So as to identify this architecture of exception more precisely, we analyze emblematic works from the last twenty years; in these works we identify a set of particularities and recurrent issues that define the political economy of exception and rule today. We begin by analyzing the tangle of meanings associated with contemporary built form. We then move on to the sphere of production from the new technologies of digital design to transformations in the building site. Finally, we examine three processes as they relate to contemporary architecture: circulation (through the proliferation of images in the media), consumption (in particular through the tourist industry), and distribution of wealth. Our investigation reveals that architectural production, in its new stage of conception and realization, is overdetermined by the search for monopoly rent through intrinsic properties of form. We argue that cutting-edge architecture has become one of the most expressive manifestations of flexible accumulation and brand revenue under the prevailing logic of financial capitalism.

The Fourth Republic fell sort of expectations of French nation. The institutional system based on predominance of political parties could guarantee neither inner stability nor the return of France to the world political power. Weaknesses of French governments and their inability to cope with the serious political and economic issues resulted in collapse of the Fourth Republic in spring 1958. Some months later a new political system was established. It enabled to give France back its grandeur and independence. The first decade of the Fifth Republic, closely connected with the personality of President Charles de Gaulle, was greatly affected by the Algerian War of Independence in consequence of which all social and political spheres of the country were impacted. The Evian Agreements of March 1962 established an independent Algeria and enabled Charles de Gaulle to carry out his own political conception, including greater openness to the Soviet Union and its satellites. Czechoslovak-French diplomatic and cultural relations in the years 1948-1968 correspond to large extent extent to the evolution of international policy with its alternation of easing and tightening of the geopolitical tension and they also reflect the changes in domectic political situation in both countries. Since 1948 the Czechoslovak...

The dissertation is focused on changes in an attitude and initiative students at secondary special school with gastronomy orientation to study special subjects after realization a creative project: "Welcome Day - Day of Open Door - Halloween." The target group are students of Secondary School and College for Tourist Industry in České Budějovice. The dissertation is divided into fifth chapters. I the first two chapters different opinions of experts in teaching methods, classical and alternative methods of education and teaching, teachers competence and authority participation, experimental education are compared. The thirds chapter contains proposals for topics of project learning in schools with gastronomy orientation. There is an enumeration of folk traditions and their connection with the culture and gastronomy. The fourth chapter describes the project realization in Secondary School and College for Tourist Industry in České Budějovice. The fifth chapter contains the research targets, the research methods and interpretation of research results. The target of the dissertation is questionnaire comparison of students' attitudes after realization the project learning. The research assumptions are that students appreciate extension special subjects of folk traditions and do not reject to participation in the pro?ject realization.