Tourism - in particular its determinants and effects - is an issue presently attracting much attention worldwide. International tourism is considered to be the largest single item of the world's foreign trade and for some countries it is the most important export industry and earner of foreign exchange. In addition to its economic significance, tourism contributes to the quality of life. It produces intangible benefits which are directly related to the physical and psychological health of people, and the enjoyment of the right to rest and free time. This applies with equal validity to both domestic and international tourism; the latter establishing international economic, political and socio-cultural links, as well as strengthening the domestic character of a nation. At the individual level, tourism satisfies the need to travel in search for relief from the stress of work and the routine of daily life in the big urban centres. At macro (country) level, tourism is, therefore, a human and economic activity which concerns most of us in many parts of the world, directly or indirectly. One country for which foreign tourism is of considerable importance is Greece. In order to identify likely supply constraints (e. g. tourist accommodation and basic infrastructure) and to establish the major market segments of Greek tourism, the growth and structure of foreign tourism in Greece between 1960 and 1984 is examined. Special attention is given to the magnitude of tourism in Greece and its economic effects on the national economy. The non-economic effects of tourism are also considered. This is followed by the construction of a tourist profile so that the types of foreign visitors that go to Greece are identified. Subsequently, an econometric model is developed and empirical results provided to explain foreign tourist arrivals in Greece and to assess the impact of promotional expenditure by the Greek National Tourist Organisation in a number of foreign tourist generating markets. Finally, a tourism marketing planning model is devised which highlights the main variables affecting the international tourism marketing policies of the Greek National Tourist Organisation and, in particular, empirical results are used in conjunction with- a tourism market choice matrix for selecting market targeting strategies. The major conclusion emerging from the research is that as the tourist industry in Greece is of vital importance, the adoption of a strategic, interdisciplinary and integrated tourism planning process along with the establishment of a tactically orientated task unit could provide important improvements in the effectiveness and contribution of tourism in Greece. A few proposals regarding future policies by the Greek authorities are made, such as the establishment of a co-ordinating body orchestrating the efforts of the appropriate groups relevant to the multifaceted nature of tourism.

This dissertation uses a livelihood analysis approach to examine the potential role of tourism as a strategy for poverty reduction. While many studies have examined the role of tourism in economic and local area development in developing countries, this research focuses on understanding the impact of tourism upon the livelihoods of poor people, in this case Narok in Kenya. The thesis first reviews the theoretical explanations and definitions of poverty within the discourse of development studies. The key argument of the thesis is that the continued macro economic focus for tourism development in developing countries is inappropriate for targeting poverty. The macro economic discourse assumes that the benefits of economic growth from tourism will trickle down through a series of economic multiplier processes to 'poorer' sections of the population. Yet, this research shows that poor people have different definitions of poverty from those that are conventionally used in macroeconomics. Poor people's definitions are based upon their own local circumstances of making a livelihood. It is argued that it is therefore necessary to understand the term 'poverty' as defined by the 'poor' in order to produce tourism strategies that are 'pro poor'. Using multiple methods and narratives of poverty experiences in the Narok District of Kenya, the study investigates the local perceptions of poverty amongst poor people that participate in tourism livelihood activities. Using a livelihood analysis, the study examines the economic, social and political factors that affect how poor are able to access and use tourism in their livelihoods. Subsequently, recommendations are made on the institutional structures that would enhance the livelihood opportunities for poor people in Narok. The research concludes that for tourism to maximize its contribution to poverty reduction, various policy and institutional adjustments are necessary in order to shift the economic benefits of tourism towards poor people. Such changes would not only secure the livelihoods of those already involved in tourism, but also expand the potential for poor people who are currently excluded from economic participation in tourism.

Le tourisme international est caractérisé par la mise en relation d’acteurs qui ont des moyens financiers, technologiques et humains très dissemblables. Aussi, compte tenu du pouvoir de levier considérable des acteurs internationaux du tourisme, ceux-ci n’influeront-ils pas les processus décisionnels dans les destinations du Sud ? Notre analyse se concentre sur l’échelle micropolitique de la destination brésilienne de Natal. Les trois hypothèses d’analyse de cette thèse émanent de sa question centrale. La première, c’est que les bases des conflits soient occasionnées en grande partie par les propres acteurs locaux. La deuxième hypothèse est que les acteurs étrangers aient intensifié les conflits déjà existants entre les populations indigènes des territoires occupés par le tourisme. La troisième hypothèse soulève la possibilité que cette influence s’étende parfois au domaine de l’ingérence. L’ethnographie fut choisie à la fois comme une méthode théorique et comme un procédé technique. Un ensemble d’autres méthodes fut également appliqué : les entretiens, l’observation directe, la consultation et l’analyse des documents écrits et l’usage de statistiques et de données chiffrées. Les discussions théoriques alliées à l’analyse des entretiens nous confirment l’incidence des influences internationales sur les processus de prise de décision concernant le tourisme dans la destination brésilienne de Natal. Cette influence est, cependant, très nuancée par le concours et les contre-influences exercées aussi de la part des acteurs étatiques et non étatiques locaux. / International tourism is marked by the relationship of multiple actors with very dissimilar financial, technological and human resources. Also, given the high leverage power of international tourism actors, will they not influence decision-making processes in tourism destinations from the global South? Our analysis focuses on the micro-political level in the Brazilian destination of Natal. The three hypotheses of this thesis come from its central issue. The first one is that local actors themselves might largely cause the bases of conflicts. The second hypothesis is that foreign actors might have intensified the already existing conflicts between indigenous peoples from the territories occupied by tourism. The third hypothesis raises the possibility that this influence extends sometimes to the field of interference. Ethnography was chosen both as a theoretical method and as a technical procedure. A set of other methods was also applied: interviews, direct observation, consultation and analysis of written documents and the use of statistics and figures. Theoretical discussions combined with the analysis of the interviews confirm the impact of international influences on the decision-making processes concerning tourism in Natal, Brazil. This influence is, however, highly counterbalanced by the agency and the counter-influences exerted both from state and non-state actors.

The theme of this diploma thesis is the tourism of New Zealand and its impact on the economy of the state. The subject matter of the research is New Zealand as a destination of international tourism. The main aim of this diploma thesis is to analyze and evaluate position of destination New Zealand in the international tourism market. The partial aim is, for example, the description of New Zealand's economic situation and impact of tourism industry on the economy of the state, the characteristics of the New Zealand conditions of tourism development, the analysis of incoming tourism and the assessment of the competitiveness of destination New Zealand in international comparison. The findings are summarized in the SWOT analysis, which shows country's great potential for growth in the international tourism market. The end of the work is focused on the New Zealand tourism policy and on the forecasts of future developments in this area.

The diploma thesis is focused on the current economic situation of Mexico and its position in the international tourism market. The main objective of this thesis is to evaluate the relation between the economy and tourism of Mexico. The analysis is carried out through the comparison of generating gross domestic product and employment in both sectors. The diploma thesis is divided into three chapters; the first one is devoted to theoretical definitions of basic concepts. The second chapter covers the actual development of the Mexican economy, as well as detailed analysis of macroeconomic indicators (GDP, unemployment, inflation, balance of payments). The third chapter reflects the evolution in the international tourism of Mexico and through the analysis of country competitiveness it also displays the position of Mexico's international tourism market.

The master thesis focuses on Irish economy and its position in the international tourism. The aim of the thesis is to analyse economic situation in the country and evaluate position of Ireland in the international tourism. First part of the thesis contains the basic terms and definitions in the area of tourism. Second part of the thesis deals with the analysis of the country based on macroeconomic indicators and it also deals with the competitiveness in the global economy. The third part is focused on Irish tourism, its tourist regions, attractivities and evaluation of the competitiveness and position in the international tourism. Tourism organizations operating in Ireland and also the way of thein promotion in the international markets are mentioned in the third part of the thesis.

The diploma theses analyzes the influence of global economic crisis on Spanish tourism. The aim of the theses is to evaluate development of tourism in Catalonia after the global economic crisis. Firstly, the theses deals with the current economic situation in Spain and it's impact on tourism. The next part of theses is focused on economic situation and tourism of Catalonia. The impact of the crisis is demonstrated on international arrivals and revenues, hotel occupancy, number of overnights and employement. In conclusion, the theses focuses on the development opportunities of the Catalan tourism in the future.

The main purpose of the thesis is to evaluate the impacts of EU visa policy on incoming of Czech republic. For achieving this main purpose there were also defined sub-goals, which include comparison of the indicators of inbound tourism in Czech republic before and after joining Schengen Area and assessment of economic impact of applied EU visa policy on Czech republic. The diploma thesis is divided into seven chapters. The first three chapters introduce the theoretical overview of basic terms in the international tourism, statistical monitoring of tourism and visa policy. The next part of the thesis is devoted to analyzing the influence of EU visa policy on selected countries whose nationals require visas to EU. The final chapter appraises the results and brings the forecast of the situation without existence of common visa policy.

The diploma thesis is focused on Croatia's economy and position in the international tourism market. The object of the thesis is a study of Croatia's economy and tourism in connection with its accession to the European Union. The aim of the thesis is to analyse macroeconomic indicators and evaluate position of Croatia in the international tourism market along with assessment of competitiveness in both areas. First part of the thesis evaluates economic situation of Croatia and its competitiveness. Considering Croatia's accession to the European Union, the thesis provides a comparative analysis of selected macroeconomic indicators with those of member states. The next part of the thesis is focused on tourism in Croatia, its characteristics and evaluation of competitiveness and position in the international tourism market. In the last part, the diploma thesis describes problematic areas and current policies of tourism in Croatia.

This diploma thesis analyses the position of Chile in international tourism. The main purpose is to evaluate Chile´s status in international tourism based on the competitiveness of the country. At the begining of the thesis, the theory is defined. Then, the economy and political backgroud of Chile is specified, followed by the description of the preconditions for tourism development and its competitiveness in the tourism industry. Moreover, inbound, outbound and domestic tourism are analysed and followed by tourism impact on the economy of the country. Last chapter predicts future development of international arrivals to the country based on the regression analysis.