Writing Guidelines for “Settlements Centers”
Settlement centers are places where human communities have established and developed social, economic, cultural, and political life, often serving as important attractions and destinations within the tourism system. Their historical evolution, cultural heritage, urban or rural character, and distinctive features contribute to destination identity and visitor experiences. Entries prepared for The Encyclopedia of World Tourism should present the relevant settlement center in an objective, academic, and source-based manner. The entry should examine its history, geographical setting, demographic and cultural characteristics, and significance for tourism. Where applicable, attention should also be given to heritage assets, tourism infrastructure, visitor appeal, development challenges, and sustainability issues. All information should be supported by reliable and up-to-date sources.
Entry Format
1) Entry Title
[Name of the Settlement]
(If necessary, the province, district, or affiliated administrative unit may be added in parentheses.)
2) Introductory Statement (Descriptive Sentence)
The introductory statement should not exceed 250 characters.
In one or two sentences, briefly summarize the settlement’s geographical location, its distinctive cultural and/or natural characteristics, and its relationship to tourism.
3) Main Text
The main text must contain at least 500 words.
The sections “See Also” and “References” are not included in the word count.
The entry should begin with the introductory statement.
The following headings are recommended. They may be used directly or incorporated into the narrative of the text.
3.1 Geographical Location and Basic Information
- Location: [Province/district/region; coordinates or locational description (optional)]
- Neighboring settlements: [Settlements]
- Elevation above sea level: [m]
- Climate and landforms (if applicable): [Brief information]
3.2 Brief History
- Settlement history and origins (summary): [Brief chronology]
- Historical turning points: [Brief information]
- Administrative changes (if applicable): [Brief information]
3.3 Demographic Data
- Population: [Number + Year]
- Educational attainment and literacy (if applicable): [Brief information]
- Schools operating in the settlement: [Types/number of schools]
- Civil society organizations (if applicable): [Names/types of NGOs]
3.4 Economic Activities
- Main sources of livelihood: [Agriculture, livestock breeding, services, tourism, etc.]
- Agricultural production: [Products, seasonality, scale of production]
- Livestock production: [Types of livestock and production characteristics]
- Other sectors (if applicable): [Industry, handicrafts, etc.]
3.5 Cultural and Natural Assets
- Cultural assets: [Historic monuments, mosques, churches, inns, caravanserais, bridges, baths, fountains, etc.]
- Natural assets: [Lakes, forests, valleys, caves, waterfalls, etc.]
- Museums and exhibition spaces (if applicable): [Names]
- Protection status (if applicable): [Protected site designation, registration status, etc.]
3.6 Tourism Supply: Accommodation, Food and Beverage, and Transportation
- Accommodation supply and capacity: [Types of establishments + bed/room capacity, if available]
- Star ratings or classification categories of establishments (if applicable): [Brief information]
- Food and beverage establishments: [Types and number, if available]
- Transportation services (if applicable): [Transfers, minibuses, taxis, etc.]
3.7 Transportation Infrastructure
- Road access: [Main routes and distances]
- Railway transportation (if applicable): [Station and line information]
- Maritime transportation (if applicable):
- [Port and route information]
- Air transportation (if applicable): [Nearest airport and distance]
3.8 Special Days and Festivals
- Festivals and special events held in the settlement: [Name – date/frequency]
- Content of events and their impact on tourism (if applicable): [Brief information]
3.9 Gastronomic Characteristics
- Local dishes and foods: [List + brief descriptions]
- Distinctive agricultural and livestock products: [Products]
- Geographical indication products (if applicable): [Product + type + region]
3.10 The Settlement in Travel Accounts (Optional)
- Accounts of travelers who passed through the settlement in previous centuries (if applicable): [Traveler’s name + work + brief summary]
- Short quotation or reference (optional): [Brief excerpt]