A N I M A T O R I N T O U R I S M
Ivanovski
6
Mitić
Review of the monograph:
Animator in Tourism
Animation in tourism ought to be given special attention since it represents the
key segment in the conceptualization of the tourist product (service). Moreover,
we can claim that it plays a dominant role therein, since the contemporary
changes taking place in the quality of tourist offer are directly related to the
changes occurring in the needs, wishes, and preferences of tourists. For tourists,
being involved in tourist travels represents an escape from every day routine
and a search for high quality contents that are versatile and will fully engage
them during their vacation. In fact, in today’s tough
competition at the tourist
market, animation represents an important element of the tourist offer and
usually plays the key role in the choice of the targeted destination.
The role of the animator is especially important for the providing of and
consequently carrying out the content, that is, different high quality programs
that should entail satisfaction of tourists. Bearing in mind that the animator is a
competently trained professional who knows how to adequately meet the needs
of the tourists, during the implementation of the program,
he is a figure
perceived by the tourists in many different capacities: organizer, creator, co-
participant, even a friend. Thus even though the structure of the tourists is very
heterogeneous, they all have one thing in common: the need to rest and relax.
To that end, the animator is the suitable person that will assist them in getting
involved in the various sports and recreational activities by way of which they
will meet their specific needs.
Defining tourism, recreation, and the motives by virtue of which people get
involved in tourist travels, the authors emphasize
the connection between
tourism, recreation, and animation programs as a foundation for achieving
competitiveness. Notwithstanding the best organized services offered to tourists
during their stay at a given destination, today it is imperative to provide
versatile programs that will enable the tourist to fill out their leisure time
qualitatively. Since the most frequent motives for tourist travels are rest,
A N I M A T O R I N T O U R I S M
Ivanovski
7
Mitić
relaxation, and entertainment, the designers of such programs pay due attention
to the choice of such activities. By way of presenting
practical examples of
various existing animation programs, the authors of this book also highlight the
role and significance of the animators, as well as their teams, on whom also
depends a successful realization of the programs. During the realization of the
program, in the course of which the animator often intermediates among tourists
and stimulates/encourages them to communicate and get actively involved, the
animator also represents a mediator in the process of the realization of the
program on whom the depends a successful
outcome of the overall
communication process. Emphasizing the role of the animator in tourism, not
only on the territory of Serbia, but the region at large, the authors at the same
time point out to the need to give more prominence to the promotion of these
professionals into central figures that play an important part in the realization of
these programs….
A systematic nature and interconnectedness of the
thematic contents of this
monograph shows that we are dealing with a very serious book that sprang forth
as a result of a successful binding of theoretical knowledge, practical
experience, and research in the field of animation the authors conducted. In light
of the previous research in this field, by putting forth effort into this book the
authors have contributed to the theoretical knowledge pertaining to one specific
problem in the area of tourism and recreation – the role of the animator in the
designing and enriching the content of the tourist service (product). It is my
genuine pleasure to recommend this monograph
and suggest it as valuable
resource literature for professionals, students, and practitioners in the filed of
tourism and recreation.
Ohrid, December 11, 2012.
Assosiated prof. Ivanka Nestoroska, PhD.
Faculty of tourism and hospitality
Ohrid
