Tourism and Hospitality

This study aims to find a correlation between tourist motivation and satisfaction to provide several recommendations for developing tourist facilities according to tourist needs. Data mining was conducted in-depth through a phenomenological approach and inductive data analysis. Semi-structured and in-depth interviews are aimed at gathering information related to the motivation for traveling, perceptions and assessments of tourist attractions, activities, tourist expectations, and the attractiveness of cultural tourist attractions. This study found a linear correlation between cultural tourism motivation, tourism assessment, intensity of cultural tourism activities, acquisition of cultural tourism experiences, and tourist satisfaction. Tourism motivation also creates tolerance, fosters understanding and respect between cultures, and lowers expectations of tourism conditions so that tourists quickly get satisfaction. High tourist satisfaction creates a positive image of tourism, which may create loyalty. Tourist satisfaction can build a relative attitude related to repeat purchases, which in the context of tourism is the intention to revisit or recommend a tourist attraction to others. This study shows a tendency for tourist activity patterns based on cultural motivation in tourism practice. Tourism activity patterns, tolerance, and tourist satisfaction information can be essential in cultural tourism development programs. Full article

This study investigates the impact of tourism development on the well-being of impoverished residents in the urban area of La Candelaria, Bogotá, and the rural area of La Macarena, Meta. The participants were recruited using Colombia’s SISBÉN classification system by approaching individuals in public spaces such as bakeries, markets, and restaurants. After confirming their residency, only those classified in categories A (extreme poverty), B (moderate poverty), or C (vulnerable population) were included in the study. Data collection took place in May 2017, resulting in 307 surveys from the participants across both locations. Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), the findings reveal that economic benefits are the most influential factor, significantly enhancing happiness and life satisfaction. While cultural and environmental benefits are acknowledged, they are less directly linked to personal well-being. The study highlights tourism’s complex role in promoting economic growth and shaping the social, cultural, and environmental aspects of community life. However, it also identifies potential risks, such as environmental degradation and social disruption, particularly in different spatial contexts. The research underscores the need for tourism development to provide tangible, personal benefits that align with residents’ economic and emotional priorities, ensuring sustainable and equitable outcomes, especially considering the spatial disparities between urban and rural areas that influence tourism’s effectiveness in improving well-being and alleviating poverty. Full article

In the context of armed conflicts, regions often face infrastructure destruction and economic difficulties. The development of tourism can be a key factor in recovery and economic growth. Geospatial platforms for interactive charitable tourism offer a promising solution for attracting tourists and stimulating the development of affected regions. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of geospatial platforms for interactive charitable tourism as a tool for attracting tourists and promoting the recovery and development of regions affected by armed conflicts. This study employed regression and correlation analysis methods. The analysis revealed significant positive correlations for all variables. The correlation coefficient for audience reach was 0.75, for the effectiveness of attracting donations—0.8, for the economic impact on the region—0.9, for user interaction with the platform—0.85, for platform sustainability—0.78, and for social impact—0.92. The t-statistic values exceeded the critical thresholds, and the p-values were below 0.05, confirming the statistical significance of the results. The coefficient of determination was 0.91, indicating a high explanatory power of the model. For the four obtained clusters, approaches to the development and use of geospatial platforms were justified. For regions of Cluster 1 with high audience reach (0.75) and moderate effectiveness of attracting donations (0.8), it is recommended to use technologies to improve connectivity and effectively promote their strengths. For regions of Cluster 2 with high sustainability and high tourism potential (high social impact = 0.92), it is necessary to include advanced geospatial solutions to increase visitor engagement and optimize recovery strategies, building on existing strengths to attract more tourists and stimulate sustainable development. For regions of Cluster 3, significant investments are required both in geospatial platforms and in tourism infrastructure to benefit from high tourism potential (economic impact on the region = 0.9). Strategic development and targeted marketing should be a priority to attract tourists and stimulate economic growth. Regions of Cluster 4 with low sustainability and tourism potential (low user interaction with the platform = 0.85 and platform sustainability = 0.78) require comprehensive support, as they are in a crisis situation. Full article

The level of expenditure by cruise passengers in the various cities visited during their journey is a crucial variable for the key stakeholders involved in this industry. Promoting higher spending by cruise passengers in non-overnight stay ports is a challenge led by the destination manager. This study aims to shed light on the effect that different phases in the cruise passenger’s travel cycle have on their propensity to spend during their stay. Our case focuses on the city of A Coruña, a non-overnight stay port on Europe’s Atlantic arc routes, where the average spending per cruise passenger during their visit is quite low. The analysis considers the impact of passenger profiles and the cruise product consumption phases on the average spending per passenger. From a methodological perspective, we have applied logistic regression. The results indicate that the profile of the cruise passenger, variables related to the onboard journey, and the experience of the city are the factors with the greatest potential to increase cruise passenger spending during their visit to the city. This has allowed the areas of greatest impact and where actions should be focused to be identified for both the destination manager and key stakeholders. Full article

The recreational waters of hotels are widely used by locals and travelers all around the world, and this impacts public health. In this regard, the WHO frequently offers recommendations—especially during the COVID-19 era—that operators and managers of public pools, hot tubs, or splash pads should continue to follow. This study aims to evaluate the microbiological results of COVID-19 sanitation protocols in recreational waters in hotels during the summer periods post-COVID-19 (2020–2022) and compare them with those pre-COVID-19 (2019). Of the samples tested during the pre-pandemic period, less than 1/5 were positive for total coliforms, common aerobic bacteria, and P. aeruginosa, while less than 3% of the samples tested were positive for E. coli. During the pandemic years, the percentages dropped by half for total coliforms, common aerobic bacteria, and E. coli, while only the percentage for P. aeruginosa remained the same. The relative risk (RR) for the presence of P. aeruginosa in recreational waters was greatly affected by chlorine levels, pH values, and water temperature. Our results elucidate the impact of sanitation protocols on the safety of recreational waters in hotels during public health crises. Moreover, the challenges operators face in maintaining long-term implementation of these protocols are highlighted, which in turn dictates the appropriate choice of preventive and applicable measures to ensure health and safety. Full article

Tourism development has a significant contribution to the sustainable development of countries and regions through job creation, infrastructure development, cultural preservation, community empowerment, and revenue increase. Within this context, digitalization in the different facets of the tourism marketspace is a powerful tool that promotes competitiveness and economic growth, sustainability, innovation, and regional coherence. Digitalization also calls for the industry actors to have meaningful integration of novel technologies and practices in their operations and strategy. Despite the importance of digital technologies as a competitive antecedent for hospitality ventures, the extant research is mainly anchored on digital marketing and its associations with traditional mass tourism activity. Evidence on other facets of digitalization is far less appreciated, especially in the niche segment of the alternative tourism marketspace. Considering the above developments, our research aim is to assess the contribution of a digital business ecosystem, including a wide array of digital applications, to the competitiveness of the hospitality industry in Greece, with a focus on alternative tourism activities. Our research draws on data collected from a sample of local ventures to investigate the impact of digital technologies on tourists’ attraction and company growth. In the main, our findings record the positive impacts of digitalization, with internet-based technologies standing out as the most influential medium to boost growth and hotels’ sustainability. We contribute by showing that in cases where hospitality ventures remain digitally illiterate, they will most probably face severe competition losses. Full article

Smart Heritage, a concept closely linked to Smart Cities and Smart Tourism, is an emerging field focused on enhancing heritage identity, visitor experience, and cultural sustainability. While initial frameworks have been developed, there is a gap in applying Smart Heritage at the precinct level, especially in large-scale heritage sites. This study addresses this gap by examining how open-access data can be utilised in a real-world case study of Chinatown Melbourne, a key urban heritage precinct. Data sources include archival maps, open-access databases, and 3D models provided by the local city council, covering resources such as on-street parking, pedestrian activity, microclimate, and dwelling functionalities. This study employed a structured methodology that transitions from global best practices to local applications, linking these data resources to Smart Heritage applications and identifying opportunities for improving urban management, heritage curation, and the tourism experience within the case study precinct. The findings offer practical insights for researchers and policymakers, demonstrating how data can support the development of culturally sustainable and technologically integrated heritage precincts. Future research should explore additional data types and case studies to further advance the field of Smart Heritage. Full article

The level of success in tourism is gauged by several metrics; however, the most widely used is the level of tourist arrivals. However, this research answered the call for greater investigation of the impacts of qualitative factors and intangible cultural–heritage assets on destination performance. The primary research purpose was to analyze the effect of implementing a local well-being philosophy (Tri Hita Karana) on tourist revisit intentions for Bali and the mediation of destination quality and destination image. A research model was developed to examine the relationships among local wisdom (TKH), destination quality, destination image, and revisit intentions. Data were collected via a survey of 520 digital nomadic tourists and analyzed using SmartPLS 4. The results indicated that the implementation of THK positively and significantly affected revisit intentions, destination image, and destination quality. Destination image and destination quality had positive and significant effects on revisit intentions, and destination image and destination quality also significantly mediated the effect of THK implementation on revisit intentions. The findings suggested that implementing local wisdom values such as THK in the management of a destination makes visitors feel more favorably about the quality and image of the destination and they have the intention to revisit. Full article

The purpose of the study is to investigate the notion of Necessity-driven Entrepreneurs (NDEs) and Opportunity-driven Entrepreneurs (ODEs) among IME (Immigrant Micro Enterprise) owners in the hospitality industry and how changes in motivational traits influence business practices, innovation, and growth aspirations. In many geographical contexts, the ever-challenging hospitality industry is dominated by businesses that are immigrant-owned and of micro sizes that experience additional challenges compared to their native and large counterparts. Through qualitative research and interviews with 18 owners of restaurants and eateries in the IME category in eastern Norway, the study found that while NDE traits are dominant during start-ups, ODE traits also exist, revealing a dynamic relationship between the two and thus problematic to classify hospitality IMEs as either NDE or ODE. Experiences and close customer interactions rather than formal R&D activities inspire changes and innovations in business practices, growth aspirations, and perceptions of success. This study offers new insights into hospitality IME owners’ motivations and goals, which may be relevant in other similar industries and geographical contexts. It underscores the importance of understanding the interplay of NDE and ODE traits among IME owners and their impact on business success in the challenging industry in which they operate. Full article

Hiking is one of the most popular and significant recreational activities in natural settings, yet hiking tourists are often not distinguished from the broader population of nature-based tourists. This study aimed to identify distinct segments of hiking tourists based on their motivations and to explore the relationship between segmentation, motivations, and their satisfaction with the hiking experience. Using a questionnaire survey of 262 hiking tourists in Taiwan and multivariate statistical techniques, four hiking motives—“relaxation”, “social interaction”, “competence and exploration”, and “mental refreshment”—were identified, and four segments of hiking tourists—“mental refreshment seekers”, “social hikers”, “challenge seekers”, and “general purpose hikers”—were classified, respectively. While all segments reported high levels of satisfaction, their satisfaction was influenced by different motives. This study enhances the theoretical understanding of hiking motives and provides practical recommendations for enhancing hiking experiences and nature conservation. Full article

Traditionally, professionals in the tourism sector have been encouraged to segment their market based on socio-demographic variables. However, the multifaceted nature of tourist activity calls for consideration of psychological factors to effectively shape marketing strategies. This study aims to provide insights for tourism industry practitioners by investigating the roles of tourists’ personalities and travel motivations in shaping their activities and their commitment to sustainability in Cumbria, home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Lake District National Park and Hadrian’s Wall. Data were collected using quantitative methods to identify correlations between personality traits, travel motivations, and tourist activities. Additionally, a qualitative focus group with SME representatives from Cumbria provided insights into their understanding of the model. The findings provide significant insights into how the relationships between personality traits, travel motivations, and tourist activities can benefit tourism SMEs. By comprehending tourists’ behaviour, SMEs can tailor their offerings to appeal to the right audience, mitigating the adverse effects of overtourism, and therefore do more than allude to the concept of sustainability. Using these insights, SMEs could make informed decisions and create more effective marketing strategies, fostering sustainable practices that benefit both their customers and the long-term viability of their businesses and the destination. Full article

Whale watching (WW) is a growing tourist activity that is at risk of becoming unsustainable. Legislation regarding WW must mitigate adverse effects on species and address the dynamics of complex systems. This study proposes analyzing this interaction using a socio-ecological resilience framework, considering both social and ecological components. Resilient governance is characterized by four features: flexibility to respond to change, adaptability, multi-level governance, and participation. The aim of this study was to assess how Mexican WW regulations contribute to the resilience of the socio-ecosystem through a literature review on compliance with the regulations and the presence of resilience elements in the regulations. Non-compliance with 12 guidelines was identified, with vessel crowding, distance, and unauthorized vessels being the most frequently reported issues. The analysis of the regulations revealed the presence of all four elements of resilient governance; however, participation is limited to certain key stakeholders, which undermines whale conservation due to non-compliance. In conclusion, the Mexican regulations contribute to resilient governance; however, to ensure whale conservation and socio-ecological resilience, it is essential that all involved parties understand their roles and actively participate in decision-making processes. Full article

The MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions) industry plays a crucial role in driving the rapid growth of the local economy, and Busan is emerging as a significant MICE destination in Asia. This study uses online customer reviews to acquire a more in-depth insight into BEXCO (Busan Exhibition & Convention Center)’s customer experiences and satisfaction levels. A meticulously curated dataset of 2339 Google Maps reviews was assembled using the Outscraper tool. KH Coder 3 software was employed for a comprehensive analysis, including word frequency and co-occurrence analysis. The co-occurrence analysis revealed three prominent clusters of keywords: ‘MICE’ (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), ‘Facility’, and ‘Environment’. This study also conducted exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and identified six factors that play a significant role in shaping customer experiences at BEXCO. Using these six factors, this study performed regression analysis to determine their impact on customer satisfaction. The results show that Food and Beverage, Venue, Event Space, and Parking Facilities significantly affect customer satisfaction. This research aims to bridge existing knowledge gaps, offering valuable insights that can contribute to the strategic development and enhancement of BEXCO’s offerings, thereby influencing the overall impact on the MICE sector in Busan. Full article

This research aims to explore the relationship between customer satisfaction and various extracted factors at dive resorts in the Red Sea, Egypt, utilizing a hybrid methodology of descriptive and diagnostic analytics applied to online review data. Employing techniques such as KH coder for text analysis, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and linear regression, this study systematically identifies key elements that influence customer satisfaction. Findings reveal that activities related to diving and marine life markedly enhance guest satisfaction, underscoring the critical role these aspects play in the overall appeal of Egyptian coastal tourism. Conversely, areas such as dining and amenities were identified as needing improvement. The originality of this study lies in its application of big data analytics to dissect and understand customer feedback in a sector-specific context, providing strategic insights for the sustainable advancement of coastal tourism in Egypt. By focusing on dive resorts, this research highlights their integral role in coastal tourism and offers a model for leveraging online customer reviews to enhance service quality and promote sustainable practices within the tourism industry, contributing to the overall growth and sustainability of coastal tourism. Full article

This study seeks to determine how multicultural management affects the promotion of a healthy and efficient working climate in hotels in Athens. Specifically, it explores employees’ attitudes toward diversity and multiculturalism, the effects of multicultural communication on cooperation and interpersonal dynamics, as well as the overall effects on organizational outcomes. This study uses both quantitative and qualitative research methods through structured questionnaires on 242 employees from the units of the hotel. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and regression analysis were used to analyze the relationship between multicultural management practices and workplace efficiency. The findings show that positive employee experiences and attitudes toward multiculturalism improve the working environment. Multicultural communication enhances collaborative and conflict-solving skills, and efficient multicultural management enhances teamwork and organizational outcomes. Personal experiences and observations of multiculturalism also provide a lot of input to a positive work climate. Multicultural people management practices are imperative for enhancing productive organizational relations in the hospitality industry. Therefore, the issues of appreciating cultural differences, the ongoing diversity training, and helping the workers to overcome language barriers should be emphasized. Hotels should also ensure that diversity training, dialog, and polices are ongoing and clear. Further research should investigate the time-dependency of multicultural management on employee turnover and guest satisfaction, cultural differences in various regions and industries, and the impact of technology and remote work on multicultural team dynamics. Full article

This quantitative study explored the factors influencing pro-environmental behavior (PEB) among hotel guests by integrating the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) with additional constructs. Data were collected from a sample of hotel guests through surveys and analyzed using both SPSS for inferential statistics and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) for structural equation modeling. The analysis involved the assessment of measurement and structural models to ensure reliability and validity. The results revealed significant relationships between attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intention toward PEB. Additionally, environmental knowledge and normative beliefs were found to play critical roles in shaping guests’ intentions. Using both SPSS and PLS-SEM provided a comprehensive understanding of the factors affecting PEB, confirming the proposed hypotheses and offering insights for promoting sustainable practices in the hospitality industry. Full article

Balandra, one of the most popular beaches in La Paz, Baja California Sur, was declared a flora and fauna protection area in 2012, and in 2019, the Mexican government chose it as the best beach in Mexico during the Tianguis Turistico celebrated on that year. Because of this latter distinction, this beach currently faces overcrowding. Formulating effective management policies depends, to a certain extent, on the knowledge of their recreational value and visitor characteristics. Recreational value allows us to know the benefits of the tradeoffs among the ecosystem services and society and exhibit the value of possible damages to marine ecosystems, like the one caused in 2022 by the fire of a tourist boat inside Balandra. Using the individual travel cost method and applying 159 questionnaires to site visitors, the individual willingness to pay to access Balandra Beach was estimated, resulting in USD 11.11/day/visitor. Recreational economic value (REV) for Balandra was estimated using two essential criteria: first, the total visitors registered in 2021, and second, the daily maximum carrying capacity. Welfare recreational loss was also calculated, derived from the site’s two-month closure, using REV as a proxy. Finally, beach management options and possible environmental and economic policy instruments that could be implemented are discussed. Full article

Rural sport events can play an important role in the sustainable development of rural areas, and bring various benefits. The atmosphere of a rural sport event covers the character and feeling of a place and situation. The aim of this article is to assess the impact of rural sport event atmosphere on participants. Research was conducted using the IPA method (Importance–Performance Analysis). On 22 January 2022, 127 respondents assessed the atmosphere of a running sport event—before the run defining “importance”, and after the run defining “performance” (a survey questionnaire with a five-point Likert scale was used). The research covers three groups of factors: event organization (rules and safety, management and hosting, sport competition class), relationships between participants (integration, sharing passion, ability to compete), and event place (attractiveness of the area, attractiveness of the sport competition place, and the will to return to the place). For both the “importance” and “performance” scales, the examined factors received high values (from 3.80 to 4.77). The conducted research shows that atmosphere is a key element when building a rural sport event. Satisfaction with a running event has a positive impact on the perception of the event and its atmospheric components. Full article

This study examines the role of agritourism in developing strategies to promote a circular economy by applying the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, and recycle) and improving guests’ satisfaction. It contributes to filling the gap in the literature regarding the challenges posed, impact evidence, potential trade-offs, and socioeconomic considerations for the application of the 3Rs strategy in small tourism businesses. Interviews with hotel owners/hosts and guests were conducted through mainly qualitative methods, and the content was analyzed. This study reports on a case study conducted with a convenience sample of customers from a rural tourism company in Portugal to assess their position concerning the company’s 3Rs strategy. The case study reveals that common categories—hosts, breakfast, decoration, environment, and comfort—appreciated by guests align with the 3Rs practices. It was found that being environmentally responsible, taking part in the circular economy, and interacting with it can improve not only the satisfaction of guests but also hosts, thus creating memorable experiences for both. This study also shows that the position of customers regarding the 3Rs is not monolithic, with reusing and recycling emerging most prominently. This study shows that, in this context, a circular economy is feasible, provides tangible benefits, and successfully combines operational efficiency and guest convenience. This study also shows that it is possible to establish a successful tourism supply strategy based on a circular economy, particularly the 3Rs. Still, this strategy should not look at the 3Rs as if they were a uniform reality. Full article