Hospitality and service industries Books

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Book SynopsisEcotourism is a useful concept, but not a very well defined one; it has been debated in theory and attempted in practice for nearly two decades. Its key goal is to reduce the net environmental impact of the tourism industry, via mechanisms including minimal impact management measures, education, community involvement, private conservation, contributions to public protected areas, expansion of ecotourism enterprises and mainstreaming of ecotourism principles. Focussing on fundamental ecotourism concepts, this broad-based textbook provides a basis for studies into environment-based tourism. It covers key topics such as the management, economics and potential environmental impacts both positive and negative of this popular and growing sector. Written for tourism students and an ideal resource for undergraduate courses, Ecotourism: Principles and Practices will also interest industry practitioners and researchers.Table of Contents1: Concepts and Definitions 2: Related Sectors 3: Business 4: Products 5: Marketing 6: Economics 7: Environmental Management 8: Impacts 9: Conservation 10: Guiding, Education and Interpretation 11: Community 12: Access 13: Policy and Planning 14: Accounting 15: Conclusions

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Book SynopsisThis must-have guide to special event production resources looks deep behind the scenes of an event and dissects what it is that creates success. It analyses the resources and is an extensive reference guide to the technical details of a big event. It provides a thorough grounding on the specifications and performance of lighting and audio systems, visual presentation technology, special effects and temporary outdoor venues.This new edition includes: New content on: new audio visual technology, industry safety standards, special effect platforms, décor and new custom forms of staging for both indoor and outdoor events. Updated and new case studies from USA, Canada, India, Russia and Malaysia New Industry Voice feature, including interviews with industry experts from around the world. Comprehensive coverage of venues, staging, seating, rigging, lighting, video, audio, scenic design and décor, CADD, entertainment, special effects, tenting, elTrade Review"Great textbook for a student going into event and entertainment production. The book gives the big picture to ensure that all aspects are part of planning. I would recommend it for any student planning a career in event or venue management so they can understand all the components of the event, whether they produce the technical aspects or not" - Denise DiRienzo,Communication Studies Professor, State University of New York at Oswego "An excellent resource for special event production, covering fields rarely touched by other event management books. The book is very structured, easy-to-follow, comprehensive, and full of professionals’ experiences. Especially, the Voices of the Industry are insightful and Production War Stories are gripping. It is a must-to-have reference for special event management professionals and students." - Cathy Xin Jin, Lecturer, Department of Tourism, Sports and Hotel Management, Griffith Business School Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgements 1. Entertainment 2. Décor 3. Audio Systems 4. Visual Presentation Technology 5. Lighting Systems 6. Special Effects 7. Staging and Set Design 8. Tenting 9. Miscellaneous Technical Resources

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Book SynopsisFull-colour road atlas of Wales, with extended coverage into England and including all the major routes into the country. The detailed road mapping also includes Liverpool, Warrington, Nantwich, Shrewsbury, Hereford, Bristol and Severn River Crossings.Published at a clear 2.5 miles to 1 inch the following features are shown on the road mapping:Motorways open with full junction detail, motorways under construction and proposed, motorway service areas, primary routes and destinations, A and B roads, selected minor roads, gradients 1:5 and steeper, tolls, mileages, national and county boundaries, spot heights and hill shadingSelected places of interest, tourist information centres and golf coursesNational Park boundaries for Snowdonia, Brecon Beacons and Pembrokeshire CoastAlso included are 21 city, town, airport, or port plans for; Aberystwyth; Bangor; Cardiff; Caernarfon; Carmarthen; Chester; Colwyn Bay; Hereford; Llandudno; Llanelli; Merthyr Tydfil; Newport; Prestatyn; Rhyl Shrewsbury;

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Book SynopsisManagement Accounting for the Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Industries - A Strategic Approach 3rd edition is an up-to-date and relevant reference guide to accounting for decision making in the hospitality, tourism and leisure industries. Its’ user-friendly and easy to follow style is based on the author’s extensive first-hand experience of working with and delivering training and professional development in the sector. This third edition of this long-standing and effective text is fully revised and updated to include: • Pricing strategies to include examples of Revenue Management tactics; • Ratios such as TREVPAR and GOPPAR; • The growth of management contracts, franchising and leasing strategies for growth; • Increasing variety of funding options including crowd funding; • More detailed examples based on the author’s personal contemporary experience in training hotel financial controllers; • Further industry specific content to reflect current trends and practice. Key features include: • Up-to-date and relevant content designed to suit the needs of the current Hospitality Professional; • The latest recommendations of the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry; • Current trends and practice; • Numerous case examples and scenarios to use in class; • Online resources to support the text. See http://www.goodfellowpublishers.com/manacc3 for details. This book is an essential guide for practitioners and students who are required to study management accounting in the context of the hospitality industry. For practitioners, the book is intended to help those who need an improved grasp of accounting information to assist them in their day-to-day work. For students, the book is aimed at those who are studying accounting as part of their degree or professional studies course.Table of ContentsPART I: STRATEGIC PLANNING. 1. Introducing strategic management. 2. Introducing strategic financial management. 3. Understanding financial statements. PART II: EXTERNAL ANALYSIS. 4. Managing costs. 5. Pricing strategies. PART III: INTERNAL ANALYSIS. 6. Making budgeting work. 7. Managing working capital. 8. Performance measurement. PART IV: STRATEGIC CHOICE. 9. Sourcing expansion. 10. Capital investment appraisal. 11. Practical aspects of capital investment appraisal. 12. The cost of funds. PART V: STRATEGIC IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION. 13. Valuing a business. 14. Globalisation and internationalisation issues. 15. The way forward.

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Book SynopsisSeeks to increase understanding and description of human behavior, conscious and unconscious meaning, and implicit/explicit decision processes applied to living and making major and everyday choices from where to live, how culture affects thinking and actions; marriage, children; work choices and behavior; leisure pursuits; and, travel behavior.Table of ContentsChapter 1: Fables of the Reconstruction or Reconstruction of the Fables? Pragmatic Aesthetics for Advancing Tourism, Culture, Place, and Community. Chapter 2: Lived Experience Theory In Travel And Tourism Research. Chapter 3: Photo Website-Induced Tourism. Chapter 4: Making the memory come alive and active: using oral history in tourism and leisure research. Chapter 5: Following the recommendation by .Emerged standards undermining the validity of empirical tourism research. Chapter 6: Gender in Backpacking and Adventure Tourism. Chapter 7: Interpreting Service Processes Through Service Blueprinting. Chapter 8: Advancing Theory on Consumer Plans, Actions, and How Marketing Information Affects Both. Chapter 9: A Model of Humour in the Tourist Experience. Chapter 10: Assessing All-Inclusive Pricing from the Perspective of the Main Stakeholders in the Turkish Tourism Industry. Chapter 11: Advancing And Testing Theories Of How Visitors Assess Historical Districts As Tourism Destinations With Use Of Repertory Grid Analysis And Laddering Analysis.

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Book SynopsisA history of color and commerce from haute couture to automobile showrooms to interior design.When the fashion industry declares that lime green is the new black, or instructs us to “think pink!,” it is not the result of a backroom deal forged by a secretive cabal of fashion journalists, designers, manufacturers, and the editor of Vogue. It is the latest development of a color revolution that has been unfolding for more than a century. In this book, the award-winning historian Regina Lee Blaszczyk traces the relationship of color and commerce, from haute couture to automobile showrooms to interior design, describing the often unrecognized role of the color profession in consumer culture.Blaszczyk examines the evolution of the color profession from 1850 to 1970, telling the stories of innovators who managed the color cornucopia that modern artificial dyes and pigments made possible. These “color stylists,” “color forecasters,”

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Book SynopsisBavarian Tourism and the Modern World, 1800–1950 examines the connections between Bavarian tourism and German modernity during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries using a variety of tourist propaganda. By promoting an image of 'grounded modernity', Bavarian tourism reconciled continuity with change, tradition with progress, and nature with science.Table of ContentsIntroduction; 1. A brief history of German travel; 2. Landscape tourism in Franconian Switzerland; 3. Nature, modernity, and the spa culture of Bad Reichenhall; 4. The Augsburg tourism industry and the German past; 5. The Nazified tourist culture of Munich and Nuremberg; Epilogue.

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Book SynopsisIntroductionPART I: THE INSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK The Macroeconomic Framework for Managing Public Finances in a Global EnvironmentFiscal Rules and Public Financial ManagementThe Legal Framework for Public Finances and Budget SystemsPolitical Economy Aspects of Managing Public FinancesRole, Responsibilities and Structure of Central Finance AgenciesRole of the Legislature in Budget ProcessesStrengthening Performance in Public Financial ManagementPART II: ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES The Coverage and Classification of the BudgetPolicy Formulation and the Budget ProcessMedium-term Fiscal and Expenditure FrameworksManaging for Results and Performance Budgeting Fiscal Federalism and Intergovernmental Financial RelationsPART III: MANAGING BUDGET EXECUTIONThe Budget Execution Cycle Public ProcurementManaging Government PayrollThe Treasury Function and Treasury Single AccountsInternal Control and Internal AuditTrade ReviewThe Handbook is a welcome addition to the literature on public finance, not least because it draws on multiple disciplines in the social sciences to provide a rigorous and up-to-date analysis of all facets of this important subject. As such it will surely prove to be an invaluable resource for both academics and practitioners of public finance.'EMMANUEL TUMUSIIME-MUTEBILE, Governor of the Bank of Uganda 'This Handbook brings together an extraordinary array of public financial management experts and their collective experience to provide a comprehensive repository of cutting-edge knowledge. It is a must read for students and practitioners especially after the global financial and Eurozone crises have rudely awakened the world to the importance of the linkages between public financial and macro-fiscal management and their influence on constructing rules and institutions that can be implemented in specific political economy contexts.'SANJAY PRADHAN, Vice President, World Bank InstituteThis extremely comprehensive and well-researched volume covers topics of tremendously broad and practical interest, written by many of the world's leading experts on these subjects. I know of no other collection that comes anywhere close to addressing the whole of international financial management, from initial budget planning through adoption, execution, and evaluation. This book represents an invaluable contribution to the field, and will benefit students and government officials alike.PHILIP JOYCE, University of Maryland School of Public Policy and Editor, Public Budgeting & Finance The field of Public Financial Management has grown in sophistication and complexity over recent decades. This volume brings some of the most important topics together in thought-provoking ways. It blends technical, political and managerial perspectives in a manner that fosters honest discussion about the subject. The message it sends is clear. There is a lot to discuss, and there are many perspectives.MATT ANDREWS, Harvard Kennedy School'By providing a fresh perspective not only on the bread and butter of public financial management, but also on innovative themes, the Handbook is a valuable and comprehensive guide to the field, and sure to become a first reference for the practitioner and student.'NEIL COLE, Collaborative African Budget Reform Initiative, CABRI'This is a virtual encyclopedia of public financial management, covering all aspects of the budget cycle. I am confident the volume will become a standard reference in this critically important field.'JON BLONDAL, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD'Improving our understanding of public financial management is crucial as nations seek to correct fiscal imbalances stemming from the global economic and financial crisis. An important contribution of this Handbook is in emphasizing the importance of collaborative approaches to reform, bringing together knowledge from economics, public finance, political science, law, organizational development, computer science and human resource management.'CLAY WESTCOTT, Senior Editor, International Public Management Review'This is an important Handbook that provides a very practical 'how to' guide to all aspects of public financial management that are now taken to constitute best practice. It should be of interest to practitioners in governments and policy-related institutes around the world. The volume also contains new perspectives on the political economy of institutional change. Some of the chapters would thus be of interest to researchers working in the relatively new area of institutional change and governance, or why certain prescriptions or best practices so often fail, despite the high quality advice that is now available.'EHTISHAM AHMAD, London School of Economics and Political Science and University of Bonn 'Public financial management reform takes time, is complex and has to consider the local environment, including key political economy factors. This volume, written and edited by some of the world's leading experts on the subject, will be indispensible for all those involved with such challenges.'ANDY WYNNE, Editor, International Journal of Governmental Financial Management Table of ContentsIntroductionPART I: THE INSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK The Macroeconomic Framework for Managing Public Finances in a Global EnvironmentFiscal Rules and Public Financial ManagementThe Legal Framework for Public Finances and Budget SystemsPolitical Economy Aspects of Managing Public FinancesRole, Responsibilities and Structure of Central Finance AgenciesRole of the Legislature in Budget ProcessesStrengthening Performance in Public Financial ManagementPART II: ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES The Coverage and Classification of the BudgetPolicy Formulation and the Budget ProcessMedium-term Fiscal and Expenditure FrameworksManaging for Results and Performance Budgeting Fiscal Federalism and Intergovernmental Financial RelationsPART III: MANAGING BUDGET EXECUTIONThe Budget Execution Cycle Public ProcurementManaging Government PayrollThe Treasury Function and Treasury Single AccountsInternal Control and Internal Audit Managing Extra-budgetary FundsPART IV: MANAGING GOVERNMENT REVENUESTax Design from a Fiscal Management PerspectiveRevenue Forecasting Efficient Revenue Administration Customs Administration User Charges and EarmarkingManaging Natural Resource Revenues Managing External Aid PART V: LIABILITY AND ASSET MANAGEMENTGovernment Balance SheetsPublic Investment Management and PPPsManaging Fiscal RisksSovereign Wealth FundsLong-term Obligations and Generational AccountingCash Management and Debt ManagementManaging State-owned Enterprises PART VII: ACCOUNTING, REPORTING AND OVERSIGHT OF PUBLIC FINANCESStrengthening Fiscal Transparency Government Accounting Standards and Policies Government Financial Reporting Standards and Practices Financial Management Information Systems External Audit Role of Independent Fiscal AgenciesAbout the Editors and ContributorsGlossary ReferencesIndex

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Book SynopsisNew from bestselling author Joseph Michelli!  How Airbnb has disrupted the hospitality industry for unparalleled successâcritical lessons that apply to any 21st Century business  No one understands better than Joseph Michelli how businesses create and leverage world-class customer experiences. Over the past decade, Michelli has guided businesses in human experience transformation and revealed how Starbucks, Zappos, Mercedes, and other top companies design and execute the strategies that made them the undisputed leaders of their industries. Now, Michelli turns his attention to major disrupter, Airbnb. In The Airbnb Way, he shows how innovative leaders have managed to build an unique brand by inspiring and engaging a community of hospitality entrepreneursâa feat unparalleled in the shared economy. Inside, youâll find: â  Airbnbâs strategies and practices that drive customer engagement and loyaltyâ&nbsTable of ContentsForeword by Greg Greeley Acknowledgments 1 Airbnb’s Magical End-to-End Journey PART Ibelonging2 Make It a People Business 3 Create Belonging PART IItrust4 Design for Trust and Safety 5 Practice Helpful Disclosure PART IIIhospitality6 Be a Host 7 Think Magical and Memorable PART IVempowerment8 Maximize Impact 9 Claim and Share Your Value PART Vcommunity10 Serve Your Neighbor 11 Own Goodness 12 To Danville and Beyond Notes Index

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Book SynopsisHealth Fitness Management, Third Edition, provides an in-depth picture of the challenging and rewarding role of the health and fitness club manager. Leading experts in the fitness industry share their insights in a practical manner, making this text the most authoritative and field-tested guide to fitness management success. Whether they are providing service to members, ensuring club safety and profitability, or motivating staff to perform at their best, health and fitness club managers need the right mix of skills and flexibility to support the success and continued growth of their clubs. This third edition addresses recently emerging topics and offers practical tools that will help health club managers succeed: Opening chapter scenarios set the stage and put readers in the shoes of a club manager. New case studies emphasize the importance of thoroughly understanding legal responsibilities and obligations. Best practices and tips for managing social media pages give the reader practical ways to maximize marketing efforts and grow the business. Reproducible forms save time in creating templates for common agreements and records, such as a membership agreement, an equipment maintenance form, and a guest registration and exercise liability waiver. To further support its applied approach, Health Fitness Management, Third Edition, incorporates updated research and industry trends as it leads readers through key managerial development areas. It starts with organizational fundamentals and the payoffs of thoughtful staff recruitment, training, development, and retention. It then shifts to methods for attracting and retaining members while also increasing profitability with the right mix of products and services. Finally, it reviews operational and facility management functions, covering everything from reading financial statements and maintaining equipment to understanding and managing risk. To aid with retention and for easy reference, The Bottom Line segments sum up the key points to emphasize the most important topics in the text. Learning objectives, key terms, and a list of references round out each chapter to foster a better learning experience. Instructors will have access to an instructor guide, which contains additional practical assignments, and a test package for gauging student comprehension. Written by industry experts, Health Fitness Management, Third Edition, is the fundamental resource for the management and operation of health and fitness facilities and programs. Enhanced with practical scenarios and applied knowledge, it provides a solid foundation for students preparing for a management career in the health and fitness industry, and it serves as an essential reference for professionals already enjoying the challenges and opportunities of club management.Table of ContentsPart I. Human ResourcesChapter 1. Recognizing the Importance of Leaders and Managers Exploring Management and Leadership Theory Acknowledging the Difference Between Managing and Leading Struggling as a Manager: Pitfalls to Avoid Succeeding as a Manager: A Strategy to Manage TalentChapter 2. Understanding Organizational Design Growth and Management Positions Roles and Responsibilities Writing Job Descriptions For-Profit Organizations Not-For-Profit Community Facilities Hospital-Based Fitness Centers Corporate-Based Fitness OrganizationsChapter 3. Recruiting the Best Staff for Your Facility Analyzing Staffing Needs Utilizing Job Descriptions Designing the Appropriate Recruiting Vehicle Developing Interview Strategies Selecting the Best Candidate for the PositionChapter 4. Training and Developing Staff Five Steps to Creating Internal Training Programs Outside Resources for Training and Development Assessment of Training CostsChapter 5. Managing Staff Performance Role of the Manager in Staff Performance Steps in Managing Performance Employee TerminationChapter 6. Developing a Compensation Program Forms of Compensation Compensation and Management Compensation Program Basics Performance-Based PayPart II. Member Recruitment, Retention, and ProfitabilityChapter 7. Marketing Your Program Developing Strategic Marketing Plans Marketing Research Identifying Target Markets Defining Marketing Goals and Objectives Planning the Company Brand and Program Brand Social Media Marketing Best Practices in Modern Marketing Writing an Effective Marketing Plan Evaluating Marketing ProgramsChapter 8. Increasing Membership Sales Fostering a Partnership Between the Reception Desk and the Membership Staff Telephone Best Practices Maximizing the Face-to-Face Selling Process Corporate and Group Membership SalesChapter 9. Focusing on Customer Service Recognizing the Importance of Customer Service and Loyalty Identifying Your Customer Understanding What the Customer Wants Training Staff for Exceptional Customer Service Dealing With Difficult Customers Customer Service Best Practices Monitoring the Effects of Customer ServiceChapter 10. Retaining Members Through Program Management Membership Retention Establishing the Purpose of Programming Diversification of Activities Progression of Programs Promotion of Programs Reliability of the Schedule Accountability for Growth and Retention Programming by Logical Progression Developing a Successful Program Recognizing the Importance of Program DirectorsChapter 11. Generating Revenue Through Profit Centers Development and Organization of Profit Centers Five Common Profit CentersPart III. Operations and Facility ManagementChapter 12. Understanding Financial Management Cash Versus Accrual Accounting Financial Statements Budgeting Income Management Accounts Receivable Sales Analysis Expense Management Tax ConsiderationsChapter 13. Risk Management: Addressing Health and Safety Concerns Anthony Abbott and Mike Greenwood Creating a Safe Environment Screening Before Activity Administering Physical Fitness Assessments Designing Safe Exercise Programs Providing Safety Orientation Supervising Members Managing Emergencies Risk Management DocumentationChapter 14. Maintaining Your Facility Mike Greenwood and Anthony Abbott Maintenance Activities Four Areas of Maintenance Management Determining Maintenance Needs Performing a Needs Assessment Planning the Facility Maintenance Program Personnel Implementing a Maintenance Program Evaluating Facility Maintenance Developing a Preventive Maintenance ProgramChapter 15. Understanding Legal and Insurance Issues John Wolohan Civil Versus Criminal Liability Tort Law Contracts Employment Law Insurance ConsiderationsChapter 16. Strategic Planning and Evaluation Strategic Planning Evaluation Health and Fitness Evaluation Model Location Analysis Industry Evolution and Differentiation

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Book SynopsisClimate change is perhaps among the most serious challenges that humankind has ever faced and perhaps the greatest market failure the world has ever seen. At the same time, clean unutilised energy resources around the world are available that could help remedy climate and environmental problems while also improving peoples lives. It is likely that most of the increased demand for energy in the future will be in the developing and emerging world. This is also where most unutilised clean energy sources are located. The challenge of climate change requires strong comprehensive and firm action from the international community. Clean energy projects tend to be large, capital intensive and long term. They require long term commitment from all the players involved as well as mutual trust. International financial institutions (IFIs), including the World Bank Group and regional development banks can play a key role in promoting the use of clean energy sources by facilitating clean energy investment in developing and emerging markets. This book focuses on those challenges, mainly using geothermal energy projects as examples, but also by providing an example of a large hydropower project to illustrate how the funding and risk mitigation instruments of IFIs, as well as national agencies such as export credit agencies (ECA)s, have been used to mobilise funds in a difficult investment environment. The book is divided into eleven chapters. Chapter One discusses the current global investment regime and the absence of an international organisation for investments comparable to the World Trade Organization that focuses on cross border trade. Chapter Two examines the World Bank Group and its emphasis on loans instead of guarantees for capital mobilisation. Chapter Three discusses international financial institutions, including regional development banks and their risk mitigation instruments. Chapter Four focuses on how IFIs can make more use of their instruments to support cross border clean energy projects in developing and emerging economies. Chapter Five assesses the effectiveness of the risk mitigation instruments used by the World Bank Group. Chapter Six analyses the upfront development costs associated with geothermal development and geothermal projects. Chapter Seven analyses the costs and benefits of deploying public-private partnerships for clean energy projects. Chapter Eight focuses on contested multilateralism and the recent establishment of new international financial institutions under Chinese leadership, i.e. the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the New Development (BRICS) Bank. Chapter Nine examines Iceland with its geothermal cluster as well as how developing and emerging countries could learn from Icelands experience. Chapter Ten analyses selected cross border clean energy projects, including geothermal and hydropower, and shows how various funding and risk mitigation instruments have been used in practice. Chapter Eleven stresses the urgency for global action to address the climate crisis facing humankind. Finally, the concluding chapter shows how international financial institutions can be key instruments for successful global climate solutions. The book draws on the authors experience in three continents (Africa, Asia and Europe) as a staff member of the World Bank Group.

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Book SynopsisHow can leadership in service economies be developed and nurtured? This issue is of the utmost importance, because the mode of production and requirements of the leaders are different in manufacturing and service economies. While the focus in manufacturing industries is on do things right, the focus of services economies is on do the right things. In this book, the authors start out with the Service Leadership Model as well as the ingredients for Service Leadership knowledge, attitude and behaviors (i.e., skills). Second, psychometric properties of three validated measures on Service Leadership knowledge, attitude and behavior are presented. In these chapters, the internal consistency, convergent validity and factorial validity of the measures are presented. Third, the psychosocial correlates and norms associated with these three measures of Service Leadership are presented. Through these chapters, the authors attempt to establish the psychometric properties and norms of the scales assessing Service Leadership knowledge, attitude and behavior. It is their humble wish that the related work and the developed assessment tools can be used in the training, personnel decisions, intervention and research contexts.

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Book SynopsisFollowing terrorist attacks against the U.S. embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1983, the U.S. Department of State began an embassy construction program -- known as the Inman program -- to protect U.S. personnel. However, the U.S. Department of State completed only 24 of the 57 planned construction projects, in part due to poor planning, systemic weaknesses in program management, difficulties acquiring sites, schedule delays, cost increases, and subsequent funding limitations. Following the demise of the Inman program in the early 1990s, very few new construction projects were initiated until after the two 1998 embassy bombings in Africa. Following those attacks, the Secure Embassy Construction and Counterterrorism Act of 1999 required the U.S. Department of State to maintain a list of diplomatic facilities to be scheduled for replacement based on their vulnerability to attack. The U.S. Department of State determined that diplomatic facilities at over 180 posts -- more than half of U.S. overseas missions -- needed to be replaced to meet security standards. By 2016, over 30,000 staff were moved into more secure facilities. From October 2012 to September 2016, State evacuated overseas post staff and family members from 23 overseas posts in response to various threats, such as terrorism, civil unrest, and natural disasters. Overseas posts undergoing evacuations generally experience authorised departure or ordered departure of specific post staff or family members, potentially leading to suspended operations. On 29 September 2017 the U.S. Department of State ordered the departure of nonemergency personnel assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Havana, Cuba, as well as their families, in order to minimise the risk of their exposure to harm because of a series of unexplained injuries suffered by embassy personnel since November 2016.

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Book SynopsisThe Coast Guard, within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is charged with preventing loss of life, injury, and property damage in the maritime environment through its SAR mission. It maintains over 200 stations with various assets, such as boats and helicopters (depending on the station), along U.S. coasts and inland waterways to carry out this mission, as well as its other missions such as maritime security. Chapter 1 will review: the status of the Coast Guard's recapitalisation program; new technologies that could assist the Coast Guard; maintenance requirements of its ageing vessels; operating costs for the new vessels; and shoreside infrastructure needs and priorities. The Coast Guard's missions in the Arctic include: defense readiness, ice operations, marine environmental protection, and ports, waterways and coastal security. Chapter 2 discusses the Coast Guard's Arctic capabilities. Chapter 3 addresses the extent to which the Coast Guard has (1) a sound process for analysing the need for its boat stations and (2) taken actions to implement its boat station process results.Table of ContentsFor more information, please visit our website at:https://novapublishers.com/shop/coast-guard-capabilities-and-challenges-for-the-future/

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Book SynopsisAs a concept, tourism security has recently occupied a central position not only in tourism and hospitality fields but also in the social imaginary. The post-Westphalian nation states devote considerable energy and resources to fight against the radicalized groups but the fact is that terrorism still remains a big problem and is very hard to resolve. Unlike other past decades, today foreign tourists and journalists are targeted by these radical cells. In view of this, a book, which revolves around tourism security, is not only necessary but represents an unquestionable urgency. In this editorial project, the authors gather 9 seminal chapters which discuss-from different perspectives-the anthropological nature of tourism security as well as the next steps to follow in the years to come. Oscillating from ISIS and terrorism to climate change, without mentioning security on board of cruises or health issues, this book situates as a must-read work, which sheds light on the dichotomies between the needs of further security and the attractiveness of destinations.Table of ContentsPrefaceHow Will Tourism Security Change in a Post-Isis World?Tourism Security after Climate ChangeCruise Crimes: Onboard, OnshoreReconsidering Security in Tourism and HospitalityThe Anthropology of Heritage and Cultural TourismCruise Holiday or Deep Sea TerrorIslamophobia, Racism and Critical Race TheoryThe Reasons behind the Difficulties of Western States to Erradicate Terrorism: Who Are the Real Terrorists?The Interchange between Tourism Surety and Health IssuesAbout the AuthorsIndex.

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Book SynopsisThis extraordinary book, written by leading players in a burgeoning technology revolution, is about the merger of finance and technology (fintech), and covers its various aspects and how they impact each discipline within the financial services industry. It is an honest and direct analysis of where each segment of financial services will stand. Fintech: The New DNA of Financial Services provides an in-depth introduction to understanding the various areas of fintech and terminology such as AI, big data, robo-advisory, blockchain, cryptocurrency, InsurTech, cloud computing, crowdfunding and many more. Contributions from fintech innovators discuss banking, insurance and investment management applications, as well as the legal and human resource implications of fintech in the future.Table of ContentsIntroduction Disruption of the Financial Services Industry Singapore as a Fintech Ecosystem Landscape of Fintech Startup Companies Technology and Tools VR, Mobile and Cloud Software Development Tools Data Science and Analysis Data Science and Big Data AI and Machine Learning Overview AI and Machine Learning Techniques Distributed Ledger Blockchain and DLT Blockchain Implementation Examples Cryptocurrencies and Bitcoin Banking and Insurance Applications Digital Payment Systems Asset Servicing—Corp Bk, Trade Fin, Ops, Setmt, Credit Lending and Crowdfunding InsurTech Investment Management Applications Roboadvisory and Asset Allocation Portfolio Management and Risk Analysis Capital Markets, Exchanges and Trading Regulation and Governance Applications Regulation: RegTech Cybersecurity and Cybercrime AML, Fraud Risk, Enterprise Risk, KYC Non-finance Applications HealthTech ConsumerTech Implications of Fintech Legal Implication of Fintech HR Implications of Fintech—People, Jobs, Skills, Locations

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Book SynopsisOver 70 in-depth interviews of Fintech Founders provide lessons from some of the most successful fintech entrepreneurs that will help you understand the challenges and opportunities of applying technology and collaboration to solve some key problems of the financial services industry. This book is for entrepreneurs, for people working inside of large organizations and everyone in between who is interested to learn the secrets of successful entrepreneurs. In this advice-filled resource, Rubini gathers advice that comes from a diverse range of financial services niches including financing, banking, payments, wealth management, insurance, and cryptocurrencies, to help you harness the insights of thought leaders. Those working inside the financial services industry and those interested in working in or starting up businesses in financial services will learn valuable lessons on how to take an idea forward, how to find the right business founders, how to seek funding, how to learn from initial mistakes, and how to define and reposition your business model. Rubini also inquires into the future of fintech and uncovers provoking and insightful predictions.

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Book SynopsisEmergent innovative financial technologies are profoundly changing the way in which we spend, move and manage our money, unlike ever before, and traditional retail banks are facing stiff competition. The global financial crisis in 2007–2009 led to large losses, and even the collapse of a significant number of established banks shaking the trust of financial customers worldwide. The Digital Banking Revolution is an insightful look at how financial technology and the rapid rise of financial technology companies have brought welcome changes offering flexibility to the banking industry. The book offers a unique perspective on the consumerization of retail banking services. It delves into the many changes that financial innovations have brought about in banking, the main financial disruptors, the new era of "banking on the go," and financial innovations from countries around the world before concluding with a discussion on the future of banking including optimizing structures, new strategies for business outcomes, and human resources in the digital era.Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. Overview The past provides lessons Brief history of banking Banking in the modern era Select major international events in banking history An imperfect system – Financial crises The financial crisis of 2007–09 Financial innovation and complexity Regulatory overhaul A new potential role 2. Rapid transformation The customer shift Fintech ‑ overview Fintech ‑ outlook The financial disruptors PayPal Square Amazon Facebook Google Skrill TransferWise Alibaba Bitcoin 3. The digital financial revolution Specific changes which redefined a banking model Loss of customer trust Better service experience The millennials have arrived Mass adoption of smartphones Regulation for the financial consumer More efficient financial services Economics 101 - supply and demand An industry transformed 4. A new era of banking The rise of digital banking firms Banking on the go Contactless cards Check imaging technology Could social media shape the industry? The world of FinTech wearables Notable financial innovators Paym　 Midata　　　　　　 Are bank branches disappearing? Unlocking data for customers From incremental change to total reinvention 5. Financial innovations from around the world Global FinTech Australia Turkey Iceland New Zealand Norway and Sweden Asia region Africa The Republic of Ireland Poland United States 6. A digital blueprint for banks Digital banking value? Maximize use of existing technology Apply minor technology interventions Identified areas for sweeping transformation Cross-Selling in the Digital Era Human resources in the digital era Optimizing structure and incentives Emphasis on business outcomes Devise a new strategy for staff 7. The future of banking References

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Book SynopsisThe U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) became the nation''s 15th Cabinet department in January 2003. Twenty-two agencies with different missions, operations and cultures were consolidated and realigned into one organisation with its primary mission being that of prevention, preparation for and response to catastrophes affecting our homeland, while facilitating legitimate travel and trade (Appendix C). DHS now employs over 208,000 individuals who are located in every state and many foreign countries making it the third largest cabinet agency.

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Book SynopsisFreedom of poverty is a universal human prerogative and right. Hence the tackling of poverty in developing countries is a social obligation for governments, MNCs and MNOs at a national, intergovernmental and supra-national level especially with its institutionalisation within the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Tourism was a sector that was actively promoted by the above mentioned institutions in order to act as a catalyst for development and poverty reduction. Nevertheless in the course of times tourism did not deliver the expected result: poverty reduction. Hence this book embarks on exploring, by adopting a participatory approach to research, the extent to which the various controlling interests'', external (development agencies) and internal (government institutions), dictate and influence tourism development in the ex-colonial geographical areas under investigation and their relationships with various community constituents - mainly those in the local communities at the grass-roots level.

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Book SynopsisThis book examines the travel and tourism industry in the United States which are critical to the American economy. This growing industry offers significant potential for job creation across all regions of the country. Federal policies on matters ranging from national security to transportation and from trade to natural resources management affect travel and tourism, and its potential for growth. In a global economy, a range of businesses depend on travel and tourism policies to enable clients, customers, and colleagues to conduct business in the United States. In addition, ensuring that international visitors have a positive experience in America is an essential component of our public diplomacy and U.S. foreign policy.

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Book SynopsisThis book provides an overview of new developments and trends in the stock and securities markets in the United States. Topics discussed include the STOCK Act, insider trading, public financial reporting by federal officials, employee stock options, securities transaction tax; U.S. initial public stock offerings and the JOBS Act, and foreign investment in U.S. securities.

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Book SynopsisRecent volatility in financial markets highlights the need for prudent investment decisions if 401(k) plans are to provide an adequate source of retirement income. While plan sponsors and participants may receive help in assessing their investment choices, concerns have been raised about the impartiality of the advice provided. This book examines improved regulation of 401(k) sponsors to better protect participants from conflicts of interest; increased educational outreach and broader oversight of 401(k) plans to reduce plan fees; and investigation into investment options and practices that could restrict withdrawals.

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Book SynopsisAccording to Homeland Security Presidential Directive 10 (HSPD-10): Biodefense for the 21st Century, a national bioawareness capability providing early warning, detection, or recognition of a biological weapon attack is an essential component of biodefense. To contribute to this national capability, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) operates the BioWatch program, which uses routine laboratory testing designed to detect an aerosolised biological attack for five specific biological agents considered high risk for use as biological weapons. The BioWatch program is a federally-managed, locally operated system with collectors deployed primarily in outdoor locations in more than 30 major metropolitan areas. This book provides an overview of the BioWatch Generation-3 Acquisition program with a focus on meeting mission needs for effective biosurveillance.

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Book SynopsisThis book provides background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the Coast Guard''s programs for procuring eight National Security Cutters, 25 Offshore Patrol Cutters, and 58 Fast Response Cutters. These 91 planned cutters are intended as replacements for 90 ageing Coast Guard cutters and patrol craft. Additionally discussed is the sustainment and modernization of the Coast Guard''s polar icebreaker fleet, which performs a variety of missions supporting U.S. interests in polar regions. The issue for Congress is whether to approve, reject, or modify Coast Guard funding and modernization requests and acquisition strategies. Congressional decisions could affect the Coast Guard''s capabilities and funding requirements, the performance of polar missions and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base.

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Book SynopsisA democratic society is grounded on the informed participation of the citizenry, which in turn requires access to Government information. If officials are to be accountable for their actions and decisions, secrecy must be kept to the minimum necessary to meet legitimate national security considerations. An open documentary record of official decisions is essential to educate and inform the public and enable it to assess the policies of its elected leaders. While agencies need to modernise and improve overall records management performance, classified records pertaining to our nation''s security demand particular attention. Current practices for handling classification, declassification, and management of these records are outmoded, unsustainable, and keep too much information from the public. This book takes a look at transforming the security classification system and improving declassification efforts across government agencies.

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Book SynopsisA wide range of problems have contributed to the unease currently pervading the Intelligence Community. A significant number of the most serious problems result from shortcomings in intelligence analysis rather than from defects in collection, organisation, or management. The obvious and very public failures exemplified by the surprise attacks of September 11, 2001 and by the flawed National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) of 2002 on Iraqi weapons of mass destruction (WMD) have resulted in a series of investigations and reports that have attempted to identify the causes of those failures and to recommend corrective actions. This book examines and explores the pathways for improved intelligence analysis and curing analytic pathologies in intelligence gathering.

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Book SynopsisThe 2007-2009 financial crisis threatened the stability of the U.S. financial system and the health of the U.S. economy. To address regulatory gaps and other problems revealed by the crisis, Congress enacted the Dodd-Frank Act. Federal regulators will need to issue hundreds of rules to implement the act. Industry representatives, academics, and others generally have supported the act''s goal of enhancing U.S. financial stability, but implementation of certain of the act''s provisions has led to much debate. These experts have expressed a wide range of views on the potential positive and negative effects that the act could have on the U.S. financial system and broader economy. This book examines the losses associated with the recent financial crisis; the benefits of the act for the U.S. financial system and the broader economy; and the costs of the act''s reforms. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reviewed empirical and other studies on the impacts of financial crises and the Dodd-Frank reforms, as well as congressional testimonies, comment letters, and other public statements by federal regulators, industry representatives, and others.

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Book SynopsisThe Department of Homeland Security''s (DHS) mission includes law enforcement elements, which require the department, through its components, to manage various types of firearms. DHS''s annual ammunition purchases have declined since fiscal year 2009 and are comparable in number to the Department of Justice''s (DOJ) ammunition purchases. In fiscal year 2013, DHS purchased 84 million rounds of ammunition, which is less than DHS''s ammunition purchases over the past 5 fiscal years. DHS component officials said the decline in ammunition purchases in fiscal year 2013 was primarily a result of budget constraints, which meant reducing the number of training classes, and drawing on their ammunition inventories. This book addresses trends in DHS''s ammunition purchases since fiscal year 2008, how DHS''s purchases compare with DOJ''s, and what factors affect DHS''s purchase decisions.

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Book SynopsisThis book presents an ethnography of nature walks in a rural area of Paraná state, southern Brazil. The event is organised by government agencies responsible for implementing public policies for farming, tourism, the environment and culture, as well as by the local community of small farmers. However, a deeper inquiry into the layers of experiences and practices accumulated over the history of human walking reveals a multiplicity of lines interwoven into this event. Over the course of this book, the authors have presented different aspects and epistemological consequences of the phrase "walking is knowing".

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Book SynopsisVietnam attracts visitors from various source markets and such diversity has become commonplace in major tourism receiving areas. The practice of international tourism generally implies cross-cultural experiences on the part of both tourists and service providers. Given the marked differences between the cultures of Asian and Western travelers, and since Asian cultures are heterogeneous, an understanding of the impact of rules of behaviour between international travelers from different cultural backgrounds will be critical for the effective operation of tourism in Vietnam. This book investigates the major cultural differences between Vietnamese hosts and Chinese, French and American travelers that impinge upon host-guest social and cultural interactions. Within the tourism literature, markets have been divided on the basis of psychographics, geographic and behavioural characteristics. Amongst these methods, the common ones are nationality, benefits sought, tourist role and social class, with nationality and rules of social interaction (or rules of behaviour) being the most important segmentation variables to be included. This book has both practical and academic significance. Drawing upon the marketing, tourism, and cultural studies literature and examining cultural values in tourism settings, the research presented in this book provides some strategic directions for tourism managers and marketers. From a theoretical perspective, this book provides an enriched understanding of Rokeach''s and Argyle''s models. These instruments have previously been applied in the fields of sociology, psychology, and marketing. In the present case, these models are used with some modifications to measure the cross-cultural service interactions and the associated insights that are useful for tourism researchers, developers, marketers, and managers. This book is evidence based and can serve as a guide to meet the needs of Asian and Western tourists with particular reference to the important influence of cultural backgrounds and rules of behaviour on touristhost service interactions in cross-cultural settings. It applies the empirically based models to development-related challenges confronting the tourism sector.

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Book SynopsisThe consumer financial services market has seen the increasing use and proliferation of mobile technology to access financial services and manage personal finances. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau''s Office of Financial Empowerment issued a Request for Information (RFI) to find out more about mobile financial services and how low-income and economically vulnerable consumers are using them. This book provides a description of mobile financial services, a discussion of the opportunities and risks, and key takeaways from the comments. Furthermore, this book considers the ability of mobile financial services to increase financial inclusion among the underserved by providing them access to the banking system, retaining them in safe and sustainable account relationships, and fostering financial empowerment to improve financial stability and fulfill financial goals.

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Book SynopsisIn May 2017, Alan Pickering won the award for the `Greatest Single Contribution to Occupational Pensions (1998-2017)' at the Professional Pensions UK Pension Awards. It was a well-received tribute to the role he had played for more than twenty years. The Pickering Report, commissioned by the Blair government, had been a blunt, brutally honest and pragmatic assessment of what needed to be done if Britain's leadership position in occupational pensions was to be maintained. In this biography, Paddy Briggs, who worked closely with the subject, focuses on the world of pensions and Pickering's leading role in it. But the story is broader and more human than the highly technical world of retirement benefits. Pickering is a baby boomer who grew up in modest circumstances in the City of York. As a child, he was diagnosed with a degenerative eyesight disease, and by his twenties he was totally blind. His disability became more of a spur to ambition and accomplishment than a restraint. This included athletic achievements such as running marathons and being a serious participant in competitive race walking. He has reached the highest levels in the world of financial services and also became a well-known racehorse owner and a vice-president of the Racehorse Owners Association.

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Book Synopsis‘Fascinating and powerful.’ Sunday Times What do you do with a hundred thousand idle spies? By 1990 the Berlin Wall had fallen and the East German state security service folded. For forty years, they had amassed more than a billion pages in manila files detailing the lives of their citizens. Almost a hundred thousand Stasi employees, many of them experienced officers with access to highly personal information, found themselves unemployed overnight. This is the story of what they did next. Former FBI agent Ralph Hope uses present-day sources and access to Stasi records to track and expose ex-officers working everywhere from the Russian energy sector to the police and even the government department tasked with prosecuting Stasi crimes. He examines why the key players have never been called to account and, in doing so, asks if we have really learned from the past at all. He highlights a man who continued to fight the Stasi for thirty years after the Wall fell, and reveals a truth that many today don’t want spoken. The Grey Men comes as an urgent warning from the past at a time when governments the world over are building an unprecedented network of surveillance over their citizens. Ultimately, this is a book about the present.Trade Review‘A cracking read that will leave you as outraged by Hope's findings as he so clearly was.’ -- Peter Conradi, Sunday Times‘A mesmerising account of the crimes of the Stasi officers through the eyes of their victims that goes far beyond The Lives of Others.’ -- Michael Smith, author of The Anatomy of a Spy'Riveting.' -- The Australian‘Former FBI agent Ralph Hope evokes the trauma of those dark times… [there are] many examples of the [Stasi’s] seamless transitions to respectability, all of which amount to a warning from history.’ * Jewish Chronicle *‘As well as page after page of shocking revelations, The Grey Men holds lessons for a world which possesses more powerful surveillance tools than the Stasi could have dreamed of.’ -- Herald (Glasgow)

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Book SynopsisOffers an account of how Nike became the world's largest sports and fitness company. This book provides a glimpse into the first 33 years of Nike - from its humble beginnings to its modern guise as a global giant.

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Book SynopsisThis learner's dictionary has an emphasis on the language used in hospitality, tourism and business situations involving Japanese language in general. The dictionary should suit users who have some knowledge of the language but who are not comfortable reading written Japanese. It therefore uses a romaji script. The Japanese vocabulary and expressions have been chosen to emphasize natural rather than strictly literal translations of their English equivalents, and helpful examples of phrases common in hospitality situations are given. Unlike most other dictionaries, this dictionary concentrates on spoken rather than written language. Both everyday and more polite expressions are given, allowing hospitality providers to master the language that Japanese visitors and clients should find appropriate, and avoiding embarrassment from inappropriate usage. Useful appendixes explain some detailed topics, and the introductory notes contain helpful information about speech styles, structure and pronunciation.Table of ContentsAcknowledgements The Authors About the Dictionary Who will find the dictionary useful? Why is the dictionary different? Politeness in Japanese Speech styles; The plain style; The standard polite style; The extra-polite style; Humble speech; Respectful speech; Examples of speech styles. The Japanese Language Adjectives; Verbs; Singular and plural; Question sentences; Pronouns. Pronunciation of Japanese Romanisation; Pronunciation of English loan words. Abbreviations for parts of speech Key to Structure of Entries (examples of various features, e.g. hint to clarify meaning, extra-polite style, etc.)) Dictionary A - Z Appendix 1: Numbers Appendix 2: Counting Words Appendix 3: Time Words; Dates Appendix 4: Kinship Terms Appendix 5: Geographical Names and Currencies

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