Critical Review of Articles: Tourism Industry & Sports Event Analysis

This report offers a critical review of two distinct articles, delving into their methodologies, findings, and implications within the context of business development. The first article investigates the tourism industry in Cuba, examining the perceptions of entrepreneurial change among stakeholders and the challenges posed by governmental factors. The research is based on primary data collection through interviews. The second article explores the impacts and implications of an annual major sports event in Shanghai, specifically focusing on the perspective of the host community. The study uses questionnaires to gather data on awareness and individual perceptions, analyzing the data with quantitative methods. The report compares and contrasts the two studies, highlighting their respective approaches to data collection, analysis, and the broader implications of their findings for the tourism and sports sectors. It emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural contexts, economic impacts, and community perspectives in these industries. The report concludes by synthesizing the key insights from both articles, providing a comprehensive overview of the complex dynamics at play in each case.

CRITICAL REVIEW OF
ARTICLES

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Article 1 Cuba in transition: Tourism industry perceptions of entrepreneurial change..............1
Article 2 Impacts and implications of an annual major sport event: A host community
perspective..................................................................................................................................4
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Critical analysis of articles helps the person in developing understanding over two similar
studies in different ways. It evaluates the methodologies used in study to collect information and
strategies utilized to analyse in order to inter- operate reliable information. The report will
outline critical analysis of two articles that is Cuba in transition: Tourism industry perception of
entrepreneurial change and impacts and implications of an annual major sport event: a host
community perspective. To make in-depth evaluation of both the studies, individuals will outline
methodologies and analysis tools used by scholar to collect data for research.
MAIN BODY
Article 1 Cuba in transition: Tourism industry perceptions of entrepreneurial change
The Article Cuba in transition: Tourism industry representation of entrepreneurial
change and impacts is based on primary data collection where information is collected through
interview of tourism stakeholders where focus of scholar was to find out perception of
stakeholders on increasing private organisation in Cuba. Further, the researcher will aim at
analysing hindrance in business operations due to fluctuations in governmental factors that is
increasing tax rates, limited organisational function and arbitrary regulations. The article has
centred on determining focus of Cuban Government, which is to create conducive and
sustainable private sector. The research is based on constructivist perspective in which the
scholar assumes that reality is combination of linguistic and cultural constructs. The data in this
study is collected BY author in July within 12 days (Hingtgen and et.al., 2015). The respondents
were group of stakeholders which comprise of tourism experts who are the owners of tourism
firm, and employees. The data is evaluated with the help of qualitative analysed by exploring
social phenomenon which is related to entrepreneurial ventures. However, during research, three
interviews were segregated by researcher for comparison in order to derive critical view on the
aim of investigation.
The study of Cuba on tourism industry first discusses about approaches to understand
tourism where scholar discussed about Cuban culture, private firms and collectivism.
Determining culture plays an important role as it is core concept which drives the climate of
organisations. It states about the families' and their culture which reflects functioning of
enterprises. In this study, it has been determined that extended family plays an important role in
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effective engagement. Further, it expressed the Family Code of 1975’ by 1989 which states that
39% of the workforce in Cuba is of women. Furthermore, it identified that economic recession
affected many families and led to shortage of funds and resources. On the other hand,
collectivism is an interdependent concept which is focused on united functioning where
individuals focus on their interest in group work which can lead to team innovation. In order to
make research more effective, the scholar first introduced tourism in Cuba where the individual
states that, developing knowledge over tourism in Cuba needs to develop focus on tourism on
island. Cuban life and tourism industry was majorly affected by United States Trade Embargo
which happened due to collapse of Soviet Union (Babb, 2011).
Trade embargo is the economic sanction which restricts the entry of some specific goods
and services from international boundaries. It is t situation when government exercises financial
penalties on some specific country which limits or restricts entry. Further, it was controlled by
president when the individuals restricted travel to CUBA and imposed charges on Cuban
American families of 500$. In this, focus of president was not to restrict entry instead it was
based on limiting entrants in order to overcome the situation which raised after collapse.
Apparently, Cuban tourism is famous because of its island location where the industry offers
room facilities on beaches which becomes attraction for tourists. 69 percent of Cuba tourism
accommodation is located on the side of beaches which has assisted industry in maximizing
business (Roland, 2013). However, 70% of rooms are located either on Varadero or Havana and
65 percent are 4 or 5 stars.
Further, the article focused on systematic issues and historical trends of tourism in Cuba
from where it has been determined that before Cuban revolution in 1959, the international
travellers especially tourists from United States who were fascinated with Sun Sea and sand
beauty of Cuba were the crucial parts of economy. Apparently, the discussion outlined that
tourism is related to various unethical activities that are gambling, drugs and prostitution. These
activities did not fit the socialist ideals of new government because the focus of authority was on
supporting international tourism in Cuba. Further, from the study, it has been identified that with
collapse of USSR, the Cuban economy drowned but tourism alleviated crisis with continuous
contribution. The discussion identified that to increase tourism in Cuba, foreign investors and
Cuban government have started investing in beach side resorts like Cayo Santa Maria and
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Varadero. However, with increasing tourism investment and legalisation of US dollar, it has been
determined that tourism business and activities have increased dramatically.
Nevertheless, to make its more accurate, the scholar stated about increase in Gross
Domestic Product from 30.69 Dollar in 2002 to 114.1 Dollar in 2010. The hike in GDP clearly
demonstrates that tourism activities in Cuba are effective and performing remarkably well. The
industry reflected major hike of 72.9 percent in comparison to every other industry. Apart from
this, the discussion in article states that Cuban tourism has grown to a high extent without any
support from US. The study outlined reason behind conflict between US and Cuba which was
restriction due to trade embargo because it restricts ability of Cuban to trade internationally. This
limitation in between Cuba and US makes it difficult of the tourists to travel.
Further, to make critical discussion over entrepreneurial activities in Cuba, scholar
framed use of table which determines entrepreneurial climate in Cuba. The table description is
about E climate category, sub component and Cuban context. The category comprises of
governance which is related to support of legislation on small organisation, structure of tax,
permission, decision making and power structure. Due to these factors in Cuba, there is limited
self-employed people; taxes are extremely high in comparison to earnings and also, it is very
difficult for the organisation to recruit and fire employees because changes in governance
structure makes management complex. Moreover, it analyses the category of business support
services which comprise of quality tourism products, general support and effective DMOs. The
category is related to Ministry of tourism which organised international tourism even in 2006 and
quality of products is focused on diversification.
Thus, from the findings of article, it can be stated that barriers to private enterprises are
centralised decision making and increasing tax rates which is a threat to enterprise because these
individual holds risk of getting shut due to inspection, limited permit of running an enterprise
and excessive regulations. Further, from the discussion, it has been analysed that tourism in Cuba
cannot manage the environmental changes of industry and therefore, its profitability and
contribution keep fluctuating. The fluctuating factors in industry include poor transportation
facility, dearth of hotels accommodation and services, limited access to internet and barrier to
development of tourism. The discussion was also on savings which was not in hands of people
due to increasing tax rates. However, due to increasing strict control of governance factors, it has
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been identified that citizens take loans to start-up their ventures because the people lack control
over savings.
The findings are focused on private firm and their services, from which it can be critically
evaluated that Cuban people lacks business skills due to lack of training facility and skill
development programme. Numerous people are unemployed and have no chance of getting
employees or starting own ventures because of strict control over permission, impose of huge
taxes, arbitrary limits and insufficient loans. In addition, findings were about the control of
wholesalers over market which impacts profitability ratio of private firm and retailers. There are
many private enterprises that pay more to suppliers because of their small business functions and
structure. Apart from this, discussion outlined about changing nature and activities of tourism
creates huge challenge for the private organisation because it creates pressure of resisting
dynamic market situation and there are time where owners faces losses due to seasonal changes
in Cuba. In addition, the respondents concluded by stating that trade embargo of United States
will not end easily and will keep impacting tourism business and contribution to economy.
However, as per the findings and discussion, it can be stated that trade embargo and
governance of Cuban government are the two major factors which impact the stability of
entrepreneurial ventures and tourism business. On the other hand, discussion of study was based
on expansion of legal categories and governance in order to benefit tourism industry. These
changes will allow the private tour entities in planning innovative packages at low cost for
increasing travellers and profits of firms (Hingtgen, Kline and McGehee, 2015). Hence, every
informant discussed about their own linkages like two respondents stated that increasing tourism
activities in Cuba assits in business of hoteliers, taxi drivers, small retailers, etc. Nevertheless,
two informants stated about cooperative who serves tourists with their needs with the help of
local residents. Henceforth, from entire study, it can be stated that respondents believe that
collaborating and integrating efforts of Cuban citizen and government can be beneficial for the
expansion of business.
Article 2 Impacts and implications of an annual major sport event: A host community
perspective
The article is based on exploring knowledge on implication of World Golf
Championship, which is related to HSBC tournament winners in China and Shanghai. The
keywords of study are, Mega Event strategy, impact of sport event, perspective of community
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and resident and golf. The methodological tools use of this research are two questionnaires
where one list was based on awareness survey. The list comprise total four questions where one
question was specified clearly and was related to developing understanding over awareness in
society over WGC-HSBC champion event (Yao and Schwarz, 2017). However, other three
questions were focused on background information that is age, participation in gold and gender.
The second questionnaire was focused on knowing about individual perception which in total
had 31 questions. In this 30Q were on WGC-HSBC champion event time scale. However, for
data collection primary method was chosen where the scholar choose six post graduate learners
from local university to collect data, from local residents, supermarkets, parks etc. The data was
collected in three steps where initially the focus of data collector was on interception local
residents to just answer questions whereas second collection was done with the help of face to
face interview with specific respondents. Lastly, for second questionnaire self administered
survey of 5 to 6 was conducted with interviewers. In addition, for sampling the focus of scholar
was on theoretical research, exploring issues and question of study. Thus, to sample strictly the
author focused on making strict distribution of respondents for the survey on the basis of gender.
Thus, the data will evaluate in the research with the help of quantified analysis where the scholar
implemented use of SPSS 2.0. Further, to derive accurate findings the scholar will implement use
of series of tools such as, one-way ANOVA, Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test, stepwise multi-regression,
t-test etc. Thus, the limitation of study was time because the survey was conducted after 10 year
of sports event. Further the study was specific and was based on individual preferences and
perception over event. Comparing and contrasting option of every single person is complex and
tie consuming process.
However, from secondary research over championship event, it has been analysed that
the travellers recognise shanghai annual sport event. From discussion, it has been outlined that
the major source of awareness is Shanghai F1 Grand Prix. Further the study compare the
awareness of Grand prix and WGC-HSBC Champions and it was noticed that HSBC is 1%
famous among travellers and prix has 24.7 percent awareness rate in total. Moreover, it as argued
that hosting event has major popularity and awareness instead of finished one because at the time
of hosting people are more interested in visiting event (Frawley and Cush, 2011). Further, as per
the views of different authors it has been determined that the awareness also depends on
knowledge of people and their support which depends on their choice. Apart from awareness, it
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has determined that impact of dynamic economic factors plays and important role in growth of
sports events. In addition, it has been identified the perception of travellers and domestic citizen
of country depends on the social, political and cultural factors which relates to cost. However,
with the discussion it has been evaluated that Golf is not only a sport instead it is a leisure
activity. Hence, from the perception discussion it has been outlined that Golf is considered as
relaxation sport and played by population but on the other hand sports events helps in creating
awareness among majority population. Apparently, scholar collected reviews of author on impact
of sport events on branding tourist destination. In accordance, to discussion, it has bee
discovered that host sports event country helps in promoting place and event both at same time.
Further, it attracts tourist and also develops loyalty and quality of place.
The theoretical framework in study is based on social exchange theory and social
representation which helps the researcher in outlining key points of discussion. The theory states
that the positive behaviour of society is analysed by engagement of people in different sport
activities. Involvement of people in activities is the best practice which represent interest and
awareness of people in certain sport. Thus, as their the scholar needs to first focus on analysing
interest of society in HSBC events (Ramchandani and Coleman, 2012). Nevertheless, social
representation is the theory which is based on preconceptions with the help of images and videos
in regard to social activity. Further, with the help of framework in article it has been identified
that Golf is not mass sport in China and therefore it is not recognized by various people. Thus, as
per this it can be said that due to lack of awareness and involvement of Chinese WSC\HSBC
event is unfamiliar sport.
Apparently, from discussion of primary data collected it has been demonstrated that
WGC-HSBC
Champions, do not create much impact on life of domestic people because of lack of awareness.
As per respondents only 18.3% people are aware about events and championship sports activity.
Further, form the survey, it has been doted that in total only 8 events per years are carried in
Macao for which respondents shred view on differently. From the findings over sports events in
Macao it has been implied that people are more concerned about their basic living necessity
instead to participation and learning about sports events (Kavetsos and Szymanski, 2010). In
addition, the results of Spss calculation represents that sports event in host district is most
popular in comparison to other districts. The individual in districts liven social promotion of
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events where other district just gets acknowledged with activity. Further, it has been analysed
that media promotion of WGC-HSBC Champions is done for creating awareness but is not
effective for local residents. The overall discussion was on awareness of events on local
residents and travellers from where it has been outlined the use of social media advertising is
done by sport organising company to create awareness but there are people who do know about
sport event due to lacking knowledge and information. The host district knows about it because
the citizens are regularly in touch with changing social and political factors. However, the other
districts are just left ignored due to advertising online.
However, from the study, it has been concluded that there are events which organised by
company on regular basis to attract local residents whereas there are mega events which act as
visitor attraction. From the findings of primary and secondary research it has been demonstrated
that the events lay different perception on trust and local residents because tourist in domestic
country are just for attraction and for specific purpose. Therefore, these activities and events are
the biggest attraction to travellers (Henderson, Foo and Yip, 2010). But on the other hand, local
residents shred different views on sports activity because according to theses people the events in
host country hampers stability of environment which creates turbulence for local people. AS per
various participants in survey it has been observed at the individual have changed their mind
with increasing champion mega events because according to these participants' success of events
leads to economic and social development of country. Thus, direct implication is related to event
managers and marketing managers of Shanghai's mega-event strategy which is considered for,
WGC-HSBC Champions in this strategy (Styles, 2012). As per discussion with marketing
manager, in this study, it has been demonstrated that use of social media advertising for creating
awareness is the best source which can assist the event management team and sports organisation
in creating awareness among host and other country. Apart from this it is the only tactic which
can helps in targeting majority population at on time. Hence, as per the discussion and findings it
can be summarized that its is way of promotion which will be beneficial of the vent team to
change perception of local people over mega sports events.
CONCLUSION
The report summarized study of two articles where one was focused on tourism in Cuba
and second article was related impact of sports event on host community. The articles were
identified systemically where scholar first focused on determining the methodology used in both
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the articles from where it has been demonstrated that article one is primary data collection where
information is collected via interview of tourism stakeholders and is analysed with the helps of
qualitative analysis. Article 2 is based on primary data collection but is analysed with use of
quantitative tool that is SPSS. However, the findings of article 1 outlined that Cuban tourist is
famous and successful but its growth is limited because of governance structure. Nevertheless,
article 2 increasing sport event activity in local districts is promoting awareness and is changing
perception of local residents of districts.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Yao, Q. and Schwarz, E.C., 2017. Impacts and implications of an annual major sport event: A
host community perspective. Journal of Destination Marketing & Management.
Hingtgen, N., Kline, C. and McGehee, N.G., 2015. Cuba in transition: Tourism industry
perceptions of entrepreneurial change. Tourism Management, 50, pp.184-193.
Frawley, S. and Cush, A., 2011. Major sport events and participation legacy: The case of the
2003 Rugby World Cup. Managing leisure, 16(1), pp.65-76.
Ramchandani, G.M. and Coleman, R.J., 2012. The inspirational effects of three major sport
events. International Journal of Event and Festival Management, 3(3), pp.257-271.
Kavetsos, G. and Szymanski, S., 2010. National well-being and international sports events.
Journal of Economic Psychology, 31(2), pp.158-171.
Henderson, J.C., Foo, K. and Yip, S., 2010. Sports events and tourism: The Singapore formula
one grand prix. International Journal of Event and Festival Management, 1(1), pp.60-
73.
Styles, K.M., 2012. Cruise Tourism in St. Lucia: Promoting Locally Owned and Operated
Tourism Businesses (Doctoral dissertation, University of Massachusetts Amherst).
Babb, F.E., 2011. Che, Chevys, and Hemingway's daiquiris: Cuban tourism in a time of
globalisation. Bulletin of Latin American Research. 30(1). pp.50-63.
Roland, L., 2013. T/Racing belonging through Cuban tourism. Cultural Anthropology. 28(3).
pp.396-419.
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