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I need help in completing my assignment. The assignment’s question is: ‘Using examples from tourism, critically discuss the relationship between agency and structure.’ I already did it using AI, but i need to reword it to remove the AI detection and make it clear and convincing.
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First Introduction:
A comparative analysis reveals the diversity in governance structures and their respective
implications for tourism in the UAE and Mecca. The UAE adopts a federal system, allowing a
degree of autonomy in decision-making at the emirate level, with collaboration and
coordination facilitated through the Emirates Tourism Council. In contrast, Mecca employs a
centralized approach under the Mecca Development Authority, ensuring coordinated efforts
in urban planning, infrastructure development, and cultural preservation. Examining these
approaches underscores the varied governance structures and their consequential impacts
on tourism development. This exploration emphasizes the practical significance, as
highlighted in empirical comparisons of destination governance. It becomes evident that
effective destination governance necessitates a nuanced understanding of context, process,
and change to navigate the complexities of sustainable and impactful tourism management
(Volgger et al., 2017).
Comparing the structure of tourism in the UAE with the agency for tourism in Mecca unveils
distinct governance approaches and influences on tourist experiences. In the UAE, the
federal governance system adopts a decentralized approach, granting each emirate
autonomy over tourism policies (Upadhya, 2016). While coordination occurs through the
Emirates Tourism Council at the national level, the emphasis remains on decentralized
decision-making. This results in a competitive tourism industry with a strong national brand
image, shaped by attraction markers and mediators. On the other hand, Mecca’s agency is
significantly shaped by the centralized influence of the Mecca Development Authority
(MDA), acting as a central governing body. Private sector entities in Mecca, while exercising
agency, operate within the framework defined by the MDA. Pilgrims exercise their agency
within the established bounds of religious, social, and cultural structures, making choices
reflective of personal beliefs and preferences.
The interconnection between agency and structure remains a central theme in
comprehending the dynamics of tourism. Through the lens of tourism attraction systems, as
outlined by Richards (2002), the intricate interplay between individual choices and the
contextual factors that shape these choices is revealed. This model, encompassing tourist
motivations, attraction markers, attraction mediators, and attraction characteristics,
provides a framework for analysing the nuanced relationship between agency and structure
in the domain of tourism.
Second introduction:
Tourism is one of the most dynamic and influential industries in the global, affecting the
economic, social, cultural, and environmental factors of various areas and international
locations. However, tourism isn’t always a homogeneous phenomenon, as it entails
extraordinary types of locations, markets, and stories. This essay will seriously take a look at
and evaluate the tourism structures of distinct areas: the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and
Mecca. The UAE and Mecca are both positioned inside the Middle East, but they have got
special characteristics, motivations, and demanding situations of their tourism sectors. The
UAE is a contemporary and numerous us of a that has developed its tourism industry as a
part of its economic diversification strategy, attracting enjoyment and business tourists from
around the sector. Mecca is a sacred and historical town that hosts hundreds of thousands
of pilgrims each yr, who go to the holy sites and perform non secular rituals. The tourism
systems of the UAE and Mecca are formed by using extraordinary governance structures and
processes, that have consequential impacts on tourism development and tourist
experiences. The UAE adopts a federal machine, permitting a degree of autonomy in
selection-making at the emirate stage, even as Mecca employs a centralized technique
under the Mecca Development Authority. The interconnection among agency and structure
is a important theme in knowledge the dynamics of tourism, because it famous the complex
interplay among person alternatives and the contextual elements that form those choices.
The main argument of this essay is that the tourism systems of the UAE and Mecca are
complex and adaptive, involving various agencies and systems that affect and are motivated
by using the changing tourism environment. The essay can even explore the emerging traits
and demanding situations that have an effect on both regions, consisting of technological
integration, cultural sensitivity, and ethical issues, and how they require crucial examination
and strategic planning. The essay can be prepared as follows: Firstly, it will evaluate the
governance structures and procedures of the UAE and Mecca, and their implications for
tourism improvement. Secondly, it will evaluate the company and structure of tourism inside
the UAE and Mecca, and their influences on vacationer experiences. Thirdly, it’s going to
examine the rising tendencies and demanding situations that have an effect on the tourism
structures of the UAE and Mecca, and how they require crucial exam and strategic planning.
Finally, it will provide a end that summarizes the primary factors and findings of the essay.
Another short introduction that I might use it:
Tourism is a dynamic and contested phenomenon that entails the interaction of shape and
organisation at more than one ranges. This essay will argue that the tourism attraction
system version by Richards (2002) is a useful framework to compare and evaluation how one
of a kind tourism systems, in particular the UAE and Mecca in Saudi Arabia, form and are
shaped via the governance machine, the employer of travelers, the visitor enjoy, and the
emerging traits and challenges within the tourism enterprise. The essay will also spotlight
the importance of moral concerns, sustainable human improvement, and local-global
partnerships in tourism planning, particularly for locations like Mecca and the UAE, which
have unique cultural and non-secular historical past and belongings.
Main body with changings:
The structure of tourism in the UAE differs significantly from that of Mecca in terms of the
degree of decentralization and autonomy, which influences the agency of tourists and other
actors in the tourism industry. In the context of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the
relationship between agency and structure in tourism is manifested through the complex
governance system. The federal structure, wherein each emirate holds authority over
tourism policies, establishes a structural framework that allows for diversity and competition
among the emirates. In contrast, Mecca employs a centralized approach under the Mecca
Development Authority, which ensures coordination and consistency in the tourism
development and management. Tourists exercise agency by choosing the UAE as a
destination based on personal motivations and preferences, utilizing various sources for trip
planning. However, their choices are bound by structural elements such as visa
requirements, cultural norms, and the diverse offerings of attractions. The UAE’s tourism
system is marked by a strong brand image and events that act as attraction markers.
According to Khudhair et al. (2021), the attractions in the UAE exhibit a variety of features,
catering to a broad spectrum of tourists and highlighting distinctive elements such as the
Burj Khalifa. This diversity is evident in Dubai, one of the most prioritized tourist
destinations, which entices tourists with shopping opportunities alongside other valuable
modern and ancient attractions. The multifaceted nature of the UAE’s tourism landscape
highlights the interrelation between agency and structure, where individual choices,
governance mechanisms, and service provision collectively shape the tourism experience. In
the examination of specific tourism systems, this sheds light on two crucial aspects. Firstly, it
emphasizes the presence of high levels of asset specificity and considerable uncertainty
surrounding the pricing of tourist attractions. Secondly, it identifies hybrid governance
forms, with a particular focus on the single voucher mechanism, as key factors influencing
coordination and minimizing opportunistic behaviour between tourist attractions and tour
agencies (Arruda et al., 2016). This empirical evidence significantly enhances the
understanding of how agency and structure interact within the broader landscape of
tourism.
The agency of tourism in the UAE and Mecca is complex and multifaceted, involving the
choices and actions of tourists, service providers, and governing bodies, within the structural
constraints and opportunities in both destinations. Tourists exercise their agency by making
choices based on motivations and preferences, utilizing various sources for trip planning.
However, their choices are influenced by factors such as the availability and appeal of
attractions, fees, visa requirements, cultural norms, and health and safety protocols. In an
analysis of online tourism information sources, No and Kim (2015) identified five attributes:
accessibility, security, information trust, interaction, and personalization. They found that
personal blogs scored highly in interaction, information trust, accessibility, and
personalization, while security was dominant on public websites. Social media sources were
perceived as less trustworthy and interactive. This underscores the nuanced nature of how
tourists interact with various online sources, with personal preferences and trust playing a
crucial role in shaping their decisions. Similarly, Richards (2002) supports the idea that
tourists play a dual role in the tourism attraction system. it found a strong relationship
among motivation, marker use, and attraction visitation, indicating that tourists are pushed
towards attractions rather than being pulled by an internal force within them. It also found
that previous visitation acts as a generating marker. This emphasizes the duality between the
structuring effect of attraction systems and the role of tourists in reproducing and
developing these systems. He suggests that cultural tourists not only follow attraction
systems but also challenge and extend them, illustrating the interconnectedness of agency
and structure in the realm of tourism. In contrast, service providers and governing bodies
exercise their agency within the structural framework defined by the governance system in
each destination. In the UAE, the federal structure grants each emirate autonomy over
tourism policies, resulting in a competitive and diverse tourism industry. Coordination is
facilitated through the Emirates Tourism Council, which acts as a hybrid governance form
that influences coordination and minimizes opportunistic behaviour between tourist
attractions and tour agencies (Arruda et al., 2016). In Mecca, the Mecca Development
Authority (MDA) acts as a central governing body that orchestrates urban planning,
infrastructure development, and cultural preservation. Private service providers in Mecca
operate within the framework defined by the MDA, while pilgrims exercise their agency
within the established bounds of religious, social, and cultural structures. The agency of
service providers and governing bodies is also shaped by the workplace culture and the
characteristics of the tourism industry, as explored by Yildirim (2020). He examines the
interplay between daily life in tourist workplaces, the unique self-representations associated
with the job, work practices, the workplace culture, and the overall characteristics of the
tourism industry. Which finds that the qualities of both the job itself and the broader
industry significantly shape how salesclerks present themselves, highlighting how structural
aspects influence individual behaviour. He also finds that this strong alignment between the
nuances of the workplace and the characteristics of the tourism industry underscores the
adaptability of individuals to structural conditions and their role in perpetuating the
industry’s overall framework.
In contrast to the Lacanian psychoanalysis approach, which focuses on the individual’s desire
and fantasy, the Mecca Development Authority (MDA) represents a structural aspect that
influences and manages the tourism experience in Mecca. The MDA is a central governing
body responsible for overseeing urban planning, cultural preservation, and infrastructure
development in Mecca. This centralized influence actively shapes and manages the tourism
experience in Mecca, as it regulates, controls, and transforms the physical and social
environment of Mecca, as well as the behavior and attitudes of the tourists. The MDA also
collaborates with private sector entities, functioning as Hajj and Umrah service providers,
who exhibit agency by adapting to various legal, economic, and technological environments.
The majority of visitors to Mecca are pilgrims, who have the autonomy to choose when and
how to travel there. However, their choices are intricately influenced by structural factors,
including social, economic, cultural, and religious considerations. The dynamic interplay
between the MDA, private service providers, and the diverse choices made by pilgrims
reflects the evolving nature of Mecca’s tourism agency. Furthermore, agency and structure
are interrelated and interdependent, continuously shaping and influencing each other in a
dynamic and evolving manner. The unique context of Mecca as a religious pilgrimage
destination adds layers of complexity to the relationship between individual choices and the
overarching governance structures that define the tourism experience (Abdullah et al.,
2020).
However, the Lacanian psychoanalysis approach challenges the MDA’s influence and
management of the tourism experience in Mecca, by introducing a radical transformation
into the sightseeing experience, surpassing the limitations of the visual Gaze (Dash & Cater,
2015). According to this approach, tourists in Mecca are driven by a desire to fulfill their
religious obligations and to experience the sacredness of the place. This desire is influenced
by the symbolic and imaginary orders of Lacan, which shape the tourists’ expectations and
perceptions of Mecca. The symbolic order refers to the social and cultural norms and values
that govern the tourist’s behaviour and identity, while the imaginary order refers to the
fantasies and images that the tourist constructs and consumes about Mecca. The tourist’s
desire is never fully satisfied, as there is always a gap between the fantasy and the reality of
Mecca. This gap creates a sense of lack and frustration, which motivates the tourist to seek
more and more experiences in Mecca. This continuous interplay between tourist fantasies
and real encounters defines the tourist as a dynamic subject, challenging conventional
narratives and emphasizing the performative nature of the tourist experience. By
incorporating contemporary perspectives on ideology and psychoanalysis, this contribution
enriches the ongoing theoretical discussions in tourism studies. It introduces innovative
vocabulary and theoretical approaches, underscoring the ethical responsibility in tourism
development and environmental politics.
To critically examine and strategically plan the tourism system of the UAE and Mecca, it is
essential to consider the emerging trends and challenges that affect both regions. The
dynamic interplay in Mecca entails the MDA, personal carrier carriers, and the evolving
alternatives of pilgrims, representing an adaptive reaction to converting marketplace wishes,
international trends, and external influences. Examining tourism severely in Mecca highlights
the functional tactics used to mold its tourism area, that is mainly driven by using spiritual
pilgrimage. Challenges in Mecca encompass managing the increasing quantity of pilgrims,
making sure infrastructure development meets call for, and adapting to changing travel
possibilities. Anticipating and addressing those challenges are vital for the sustainable
increase and development of tourism in Mecca, in addition to for keeping its cultural and
spiritual significance. In addition to Mecca, the UAE additionally famous a specific tourism
machine, that’s prompted by means of its intentional economic diversification policy, which
prioritises tourism. As a end result of this policy, famous buildings and attractions have been
developed in Dubai, notably altering the country’s tourism scene. Examining tourism
severely in the UAE exhibits the strategic vision and innovation that underpin its tourism
sector, that is in particular driven by using enjoyment and enterprise journey. Emerging
trends within the UAE encompass technological integration, impacting how vacationers
access statistics and services.
Moreover, the progress in robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) in the service industry, as
stated by Neuhofer and Buhalis (2014), exemplifies the transformative impact of
technological advancements in enhancing the tourist experience and reshaping how tourists
access information and services, aligning with the emerging trends in the UAE. However,
these technological developments also pose new opportunities and challenges for the
tourism systems of the UAE and Mecca, which require critical examination and strategic
planning.
The tourism system of the UAE and Mecca, considering the emerging trends and challenges
that affect both regions, will be critically analysed and strategically planned. The tourism
system of the UAE and Mecca is complex and adaptive, as it involves various agencies and
structures that influence and are influenced by the changing tourism environment. The
Emirates Tourism Council and the Mecca Development Authority are examples of agencies
that demonstrate adaptability in response to changing tourism dynamics. According to
Hartman (2021), complex adaptive systems provide a useful perspective to understand the
intricate nature of destination development. This perspective emphasizes the importance of
embracing complexity, promoting diversity among agencies and structures, and engaging in
ongoing strategic storytelling and visioning to guide tourism destinations toward desired
states. The UAE shows its adaptability through the establishment of the Emirates Tourism
Council, which responds to evolving tourism dynamics. Likewise, in Mecca, the adaptability
is shown through the interplay of the Mecca Development Authority, private service
providers, and the evolving expectations of pilgrims. This dynamic nature requires
responsiveness to emerging trends and challenges, to ensure the sustainability and
relevance of tourism offerings. Furthermore, the tourism system of the UAE and Mecca is
affected by global dynamics, such as the integration of technology in tourism services, which
impacts both agency and structure. Chung et al. (2019), used a social network analysis
approach to measure the complex structure of global tourism networks. While the focus is
on the UAE and Mecca’s local dynamics, it is important to consider insights from broader
global tourism perspectives. This helps to identify emerging countries, strategic factors for
tourism development, and destination management at a global level, which provide valuable
context for adapting to changing travel preferences, technological advancements, and global
trends.
The tourism systems of the UAE and Mecca are guided by ethical considerations, which
shape their sustainable and culturally sensitive approaches to tourism development. In both
the UAE and Mecca, ethical considerations are at the heart of tourism practices, shaping the
way these regions approach sustainable and culturally sensitive approaches to preserve their
unique heritage. While the UAE emphasizes sustainable tourism and cultural sensitivity,
Mecca focuses on preserving religious and cultural heritage, ensuring pilgrims’ well-being,
and maintaining the sanctity of sacred sites. These ethical considerations act as guiding
principles, steering responsible tourism practices and contributing significantly to the
preservation and appreciation of their rich cultural and religious assets. In accordance with
Dawson et al. (2011), the critical importance of responsible practices extends to the broader
context of tourism ethics, emphasizing the need for case-specific assessments and ethical
frameworks to preserve cultural, religious, and environmental assets. This broader approach
ensures the interconnectedness of ethical considerations in the tourism industry.
In conclusion:
This essay has argued that the tourism attraction device model by means of Richards (2002)
is a useful framework to evaluate and comparison how extraordinary tourism structures, in
particular the UAE and Mecca in Saudi Arabia, form and are shaped by the governance
system, the business enterprise of travelers, the vacationer revel in, and the rising
tendencies and challenges in the tourism enterprise. The essay has also highlighted the
importance of ethical considerations, sustainable human development, and nearbyinternational partnerships in tourism planning, in particular for places like Mecca and the
UAE, which have specific cultural and religious historical past and assets. The essay has
proven that the tourism structures of the UAE and Mecca are complex and dynamic,
involving diverse corporations and systems that affect and are encouraged by means of the
converting tourism surroundings. The essay has also proven that the tourism systems of the
UAE and Mecca face the need to balance modernization and preservation, economic
increase and cultural sensitivity, and opposition and cooperation. The essay has suggested
that destiny research and practice undertake a crucial and holistic technique to tourism
improvement, thinking of the numerous and evolving needs and expectancies of travelers
and other stakeholders, and the moral and environmental implications of tourism activities.
The essay has also highlighted the importance of ethical concerns, sustainable human
development, and nearby-global partnerships in tourism making plans, mainly for places like
Mecca and the UAE, which have precise cultural and religious heritage and assets. Burns
(2004) argues that tourism making plans ought to intention for responsible practices, a
stability among economies of scale and lengthy-time period sustainability, and an intensive
and cooperative method to shield cultural historical past and sell environmentally and
socially aware journey. This essay has proven that the roles of numerous stakeholders, such
as small organizations and neighbourhood groups, and the appreciation of various cultures
are critical for creating a tourism enterprise this is each economically viable and socially and
environmentally responsible. The essay has additionally tested that the primary task for
Mecca, as a spiritual pilgrimage vacation spot, is to strike a balance among modernization
and upkeep, and that the Mecca Development Authority performs a extensive position in
this procedure.
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