Utilising tourist-generated citizen science data in response to environmental challenges: A systematic literature review

There has been a proliferation of studies that have examined the impacts of public participation in Citizen Science (CS) that respond to environmental challenges and the recovery of ecosystems, endangered species or other important natural assets. However, comparatively few studies have explored how tourists may play a critical role in the generation of CS data and thus it has been posited that many potential opportunities remain unrealised. By systematically analysing studies that have utilised tourist-generated data in response to environmental challenges or issues, this paper seeks to establish an appraisal of what has so far been established in extant literature and to identify future possibilities for the inclusion of tourists in CS. Via our literature search, a total of 45 peer-reviewed studies were identified via the PRISMA search protocol. Our findings reveal numerous positive outcomes were reported that highlight the significant, yet largely untapped, potential of tourist integration in CS, with studies also offering a range of recommendations on how tourists could be included more effectively to expand scientific knowledge. Notwithstanding, several limitations were observed, and it is critical that future CS projects that utilise tourists for data collection purposes are acutely aware of the challenges they may encounter.

Factors influencing resident and tourist outdoor thermal comfort: A comparative study in China's cold region

Thermal comfort and environmental health in scenic open spaces, a communication bridge between tourists and their environment, are prerequisites for tourism activities. In this study, scenic open spaces in an urban area of Xi'an, China were selected. Thermal perception (thermal sensation, comfort and acceptability) of residents and tourists were investigated through meteorological measurement and questionnaire survey. Physiological equivalent temperature (PET) was used to determine thermal benchmarks of all visitors to the site. Variables that influence individual thermal perception assessment (physical, individual, society and psychology) were measured and compared. Finally, a series of strategies and suggestions were proposed based on meteorological characteristics and influencing factors of thermal perception from perspectives of designers and scenic spot managers. Results show that: 1) Neutral PET (NPET) of respondents were 17.3 °C (residents) and 15.5 °C (tourists). Neutral PET ranges (NPETR) were 8.9-25.8 °C (residents) and 7.2-23.8 °C (tourists). Preferred PET values were 20.1 °C (residents) and 19.7 °C (tourists). Thermal acceptability ranges (TAR) were 6.3-37.8 °C (residents) and 0.5-39.9 °C (tourists). 2) In winter, physical factors were primary influencers of residents' thermal perception, followed by social factors, while tourists' thermal perception was mainly influenced by physical factors. In spring, physical factors were still the primary influencers for residents, followed by individual factors. Physical factors were also dominant for tourists, followed by psychological. In summer, physical factors were the major influencing factors for residents and tourists' thermal perceptions.

Report of three cases and a literature review

BACKGROUND

Oestrus ovis is a dipteran parasite responsible of myiasis in small ruminants and reported as the causative agent of myiasis in humans particularly in sheep farming areas. In recent years, several human cases had been reported without any previous history of exposure to livestock or visit to rural areas.

CASE PRESENTATION

We describe three clustered cases of ophthalmomyiasis externa in tourists in Sardinia and Sicily and discuss them in the light of the published literature. The patients presented ocular irritation, foreign body sensation, pain, redness, and lacrimation of the eyelids. After extraction, all the larvae were morphologically and molecularly confirmed as L1 instar of O. ovis larvae.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study points out the need to draw attention and awareness among the physicians, and to consider ophthalmomyiasis when consulted for conjunctivitis in the summer and spring seasons.

A comparative study of Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2 (PfHRP2) blood levels and peripheral blood parasitemia as parameters of disease severity in individuals with imported falciparum malaria

BACKGROUND

In falciparum malaria the total parasite biomass can be estimated by blood levels of histidine-rich protein 2 (PfHRP2), a Plasmodium falciparum-specific protein, which has been widely studied in malaria-endemic regions. This study investigates the usefulness of PfHRP2 as marker for disease severity in imported falciparum malaria.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort analysis was done in 145 patients with imported falciparum malaria. Associations between PfHRP2, malaria disease severity and classic parameters of disease severity were examined by statistical analyses. Patients with different travel purposes were examined in two groups: visiting friends and relatives (VFRs) and other travel purposes (mainly tourists).

RESULTS

High PfHRP2 levels were clearly associated with disease severity. VFRs status showed to be an independent determinant protecting against severe malaria. At similar PfHRP2 levels VFRs patients had significantly lower levels of peripheral blood parasitemia compared to other patients.

CONCLUSION

Our study confirms the association between PfHRP2 and disease severity in patients with imported falciparum malaria, but for proper interpretation of PfHRP2 levels as disease severity marker in travellers, the possible presence of pre-existing acquired anti-malarial immunity should be taken into account as the correlation between PfHRP2 levels and disease severity differed significantly between VFRs patients and patients with other travel purposes.

COVID-19 and Its Impact on Tourism Industry

The current COVID-19 pandemic is leading to significant changes in terms of people's economic behavior, which will inevitably impact the tourism industry and tourism activity both worldwide and in tourism host countries. Immediate control measures, such as necessary restrictions on travel, avoiding physical contact, social distancing, as well as tourists' and patients' changes in priority making, have vanished interest in traveling away from the place of usual residence and seeking to receive tourism services. COVID-19 pandemic has caused immediate impacts across the whole spectrum of economic and social activity. The duration and intensity of the arising malfunction in tourism are not yet known; thus, it is too early to make any assessments of the financial losses that will be recorded on an annual basis. However, an initial approach is necessary in order to assess the range of to date impacts, aiming at a critical appraisal of the current situation. It will mainly help in making the appropriate pandemic management plan in the tourism industry.

Beach boys in Galle, Sri Lanka: multiple HIV risk behaviours and potential for HIV bridging

Background

There are limited data globally on HIV in men who engage in casual and transactional sex with female tourists.

Methods

In 2018 we carried out a respondent-driven sampling (RDS) survey among beach boys in Galle, Sri Lanka, to determine prevalence of HIV and other infections, HIV risk behaviours and utilisation of HIV prevention services. Eligibility criteria included men who cruise in and around beach areas and who had anal and/or vaginal sex with female or male tourists in the 12 months before the survey.

Results

We recruited 373 beach boys. Approximately 49.6% of the participants were married, while 45.7% were single and 4.7% divorced, separated or widowed. A lower percentage of beach boys reported regular partners in the past 12 months (52.3%) compared to casual partners (95.4%). Condom use at last sex with a casual partner was higher (76.7%) compared to condom use with regular partners (58.3%). Condom use at last sex with a tourist was reported by 75.3%. Ever receiving money, goods or services in exchange for sex was reported by 39.7%. For 85.5% of beach boys who sold sex, the last paying partner was a tourist (85.5%) and a woman (82.0%). In the past 12 months before the survey, 32.3% of beach boys paid money for sex, and 99.5% did so from women.

Ever been tested for HIV was reported by 35.3, and 69.1% of those were tested in the 6 months before the survey. In the adjusted multivariate analysis, significant correlates of never testing for HIV were lack of comprehensive knowledge about HIV and unprotected last sexual intercourse with tourists.

The prevalent infections were: HIV, 0.3% (95% CI 0.0–0.4%); syphilis, 0.5% (0.0–1.2%); herpes virus type-2, 5.0% (2.5–7.5%).

Conclusions

There are low level HIV and syphilis prevalence among beach boys in Galle but a high level of sexual risk taking. Beach boys may be acting as a bridge for HIV transmission between higher-risk groups (paying female tourists, men who have sex with men) and lower-risk heterosexual female population in Sri Lanka. More research is needed in South-East Asia on men who trade sexual services to female and male tourists.

Data on the relationship between traveller perceived value and traveller intention to revisit a destination

Data was collected at the OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg South Africa from 503 willing international tourists. The survey was self-administered over a two-month period. Due to the absence of a sampling frame, non-probability sampling was adopted in selecting participants. A unique conceptual model was developed to test the causal effect of traveller perceived value on cognitive and affective destination image as well as on traveller intention to revisit. In addition, the direct effect of cognitive and affective destination image on traveller intention to revisit was also measured. Analysis of data involved descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling conducted in the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 25 and Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) 25 respectively. Descriptive statistics produced frequencies on gender, age, travels, purpose of trip and holidays associated with each respondent. Structural equation modeling was conducted following a two-step process. First, confirmatory factor analysis followed by hypothesis testing. Further research could assess the possibility of a link between affective and cognitive destination image.

Molecular detection of Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma platys and Theileria equi in ticks collected from horses in Tayrona National Park, Colombia

Horses are among the domestic animals that closely interact with humans and are highly parasitized by ticks, which are the primary vectors of zoonoses. As horses in Tayrona National Natural Park (PNNT) are used as a means of transporting goods, luggage and people, they are in constant contact with wild animals, workers and tourists from different countries. These factors increase the transmission risk of hemoparasites. The purpose of this study was to determine the presence of Rickettsia sp., Anaplasma sp., and Theileria sp., in horse ticks in this protected area using conventional PCR. We collected 343 ticks of genera Amblyomma, Rhipicephalus and Dermacentor. Of the 61 samples analyzed by PCR, 18 (29.5%) individuals were positive for Rickettsia sp., 15 (24.5%) for Anaplasma sp. and 4 (6.6%) for Theileria sp. This is the first report of these hemoparasite genera in ticks associated with horses in this preserved natural area, demonstrating the importance of additional studies on the presence and epidemiology of hemoparasites and their vectors in domestic and wild animals in conserved areas with a high flow of tourists.

A review of wildlife tourism and meta-analysis of parasitism in Africa's national parks and game reserves

The recent increase of parasitic diseases associated with wildlife tourism can be traced to human contact with wildlife and intense modification of wildlife habitat. The continental estimates of parasitic diseases among visited wildlife-tourists and mammalian wildlife present in conservation areas are lacking; therefore, a general review was necessary to provide insights into Africa's parasitic disease burden and transmission between humans and wildlife. A two-step analysis was conducted with searches in Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science and Global Health. All diseases reported without prevalence were grouped and analysed as categorical data while meta-analysis of prevalence rates of parasitic diseases in wildlife from national parks and reserves in Africa was conducted. Only 4.7% of the tourist centres reported routine wildlife diagnosis for parasitic diseases. Disease intensity shows that cryptosporidiosis and seven other parasitic diseases were observed in both human and wildlife; however, no significant difference in intensity between human and wildlife hosts was observed. Schistosomiasis intensity reports showed a significant increase (P < 0.05) while entamoebiasis showed a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in humans as compared to wildlife. Visiting tourists were more infected with malaria, while wildlife was more infected with parasitic gastroenteritis (PGE). The meta-analysis of wildlife revealed the highest prevalence of PGE with mixed parasites and lowest prevalence of Giardia spp. at 99.9 and 5.7%, respectively. The zoonotic and socioeconomic impact of some of these parasites could pose a severe public threat to tourism. Pre- and post-travel clinical examinations are important for tourists while routine examination, treatment and rational surveillance are important for these animals to improve wildlife tourism.

A three-year follow-up on injuries sustained by cruise ship passengers and crew treated at the Orthopaedic and Traumatology Department at Dubrovnik County Hospital

Dubrovnik is one of the most popular destinations in the world for cruise ships. Several cruise ship passengers and crew members who have suffered different injuries have been treated at our department. This was a retrospective study to analyse injuries that occurred to crew members and passengers on cruise ships that docked in Dubrovnik over a three-year period from December 2010 to December 2013. During this period, a total of 370 patients suffered trauma that needed medical treatment. A total of 119 of these patients required hospitalisation and received medical help based on the nature of the trauma they suffered. The remaining 251 patients were treated at our outpatient clinic. Female patients in this study were exposed to osteoporotic trauma. Male patients presented mostly with injuries sustained during physical activities or because of the nature of their job on board. The leading cause of trauma accidents in the present study was falls on the same level.

Imported cases of dengue fever in Russia during 2010-2013

OBJECTIVE

To confirm dengue infection among Russian tourists returned from Southeast and Mexico in 2010-2013 with clinical signs of infection.

METHODS

Blood and serum samples from patients were collected. NS1 antigen and human IgM/IgG antibodies to dengue virus were identified using commercial tests manufactured by "Standard Diagnostics, INC.", Korea. ELISA test was used for the quantitative analyses of human IgM/IgG antibodies to dengue virus ("Orgenics Ltd.", Israel). Viral RNA was detected using commercial real-time PCR tests manufactured by "Genome Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd.", India and "Vector", Russia. Genotypes of revealed dengue viruses were determined employing nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of 5'-UTR of the viral genome.

RESULTS

A total of 98 collected blood samples were analyzed. Fifty samples were positive for at least one of four markers of dengue infection. IgM to dengue virus were revealed in 38 samples, in 25 samples IgM were combined with IgG. NS1 antigen was detected in 43 samples. 22 serum samples were positive for dengue virus RNA. The majority of samples (12 patients) from tourists returned from Thailand were positive for genotype 1 of dengue virus, 2nd and 4th genotype were identified each in 1 patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Due to laboratory confirmed cases of imported dengue fever in Russia, the differential diagnosis of dengue is strictly recommended for tourists returning from endemic areas.