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1 – 10 of 301Viput Ongsakul, Tanveer Kajla, Sahil Raj, Tran Tien Khoa and Zafar U. Ahmed
The paper aims to find the preferences of different tourist type. Since, COVID-19 pandemic has brought the international hospitality industry to a standstill, there are some early…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to find the preferences of different tourist type. Since, COVID-19 pandemic has brought the international hospitality industry to a standstill, there are some early signs of recovery. For this industry’s long-term recovery, the tourists’ changing preferences need to be analyzed. Moreover, with different types of tourists, a more nuanced and in-depth study is required to analyze the preferences of each tourist type.
Design/methodology/approach
The research focuses on the changing preferences of the tourist by comparatively analyzing the pre-COVID-19 and current COVID-19 phase. The study extracted online data from TripAdvisor and identified themes by applying Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA).
Findings
The study’s findings confirmed the change in preferences of the different types of tourists during the COVID-19 pandemic by performing thematic analysis. New themes emerged in the pandemic phase, providing more insights into tourists’ changing preferences in the current COVID-19 phase. The study also found that specific dominant themes in the pre-COVID-19 phase were replaced by new themes in the current COVID-19 phase.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to compare the pre-COVID-19 and current COVID-19 phase themes to decipher the new themes that managers of the hotels should consider to win back tourists’ confidence during the pandemic. The unraveling of changing preferences of the different tourist types in the current COVID-19 pandemic is the novel contribution of the study.
在 COVID-19 大流行期间改变游客对酒店业的偏好
研究目的
COVID-19 大流行使国际酒店业陷入停顿。虽然有一些复苏的早期迹象, 但对于这个行业的长期复苏, 还需要分析游客不断变化的偏好。此外, 针对不同类型的游客, 需要进行更细致和深入的研究来分析每种游客类型的偏好。
设计/方法/方法
该研究通过比较分析 COVID-19 之前和当前 COVID-19 阶段, 重点关注游客不断变化的偏好。该研究从 TripAdvisor 提取在线数据, 并通过应用隐含狄利克雷分布 (LDA) 确定主题。
研究结果
该研究的调查结果通过进行主题分析证实了不同类型游客在 COVID-19 大流行期间偏好的变化。大流行阶段出现了新主题, 为游客在当前 COVID-19 阶段不断变化的偏好提供了更多见解。该研究还发现, COVID-19之前阶段的特定主导主题被当前 COVID-19 阶段的新主题所取代。
研究原创性/价值
该研究首次比较了 COVID-19 之前和当前 COVID-19 阶段的主题, 从而为酒店管理者在大流行期间赢回游客的信心提供了应该考虑的新主题。研究发现在当前的 COVID-19 大流行中不同游客类型的偏好的变化是该研究的新贡献。
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Cristina Bernini and Andrea Guizzardi
The aims of the paper are to evaluate the relevance of environmental factors (seasonality, size and quality) on hotels’ performance and benchmarks; to measure the bias in…
Abstract
Purpose
The aims of the paper are to evaluate the relevance of environmental factors (seasonality, size and quality) on hotels’ performance and benchmarks; to measure the bias in efficiency resulting from a failure to control for these sources of heterogeneity; and to propose some managerial policies to handle for environmental heterogeneity.
Design/methodology/approach
The sample is constituted by 2,705 hotels operating in Emilia-Romagna (Italy). The metafrontier approach is used to identify the different production processes and measure technical efficiency scores.
Findings
Different production processes exist among accommodation firms due to environmental features; not considering heterogeneity in technological sets produces high levels of bias in the efficiency measurement, albeit the ranking of hotels tends to be fairly consistent; the star rating is the primary source of efficiency bias followed by seasonality, while size has a minor impact.
Research limitations/implications
Future research could be directed to analyse the relevance of environmental heterogeneity in other areas; study the dynamics; investigate agglomeration effects; and use other methodological tools.
Practical implications
The analysis proposes new managerial interventions: targeted strategies to different groups; creation of networks of enterprises, clustered mainly in respect to size for highly rated enterprises and seasonality for low-rated enterprises; and incentives to annual hotels and raise in the product quality.
Originality/value
This paper simultaneously considers several environmental factors affecting heterogeneity in hotel production processes; investigates the effect of heterogeneity on either the efficiency scores or the ranking of hotels; and focuses on micro, low-quality or seasonal hotels.
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Tiancheng Shang, Kaiti Shang, Peihong Liu, Xiaotong Sun and Xinxin Li
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the implicit prices of hotel attributes in different time periods and different markets.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the implicit prices of hotel attributes in different time periods and different markets.
Design/methodology/approach
With data from the travel meta-search engine, this paper chose 3- to 5-star hotels in Beijing’s central business district and use hedonic price models.
Findings
The results suggest that the attributes with significant implicit prices differ in different time periods; the same attributes with different implicit prices in different time periods; the same attributes with different implicit prices in different market segments.
Originality/value
This study may help to explain the different findings on the relationship between the attributes and room rates of Chinese star-rated hotels in different time periods, and will be useful in both revenue optimization efforts and the design of new hotels projects.
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Basak Denizci Guillet and Rob Law
This paper aims to examine hotel star ratings on selected third‐party distribution websites, taking Hong Kong hotels as the sample.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine hotel star ratings on selected third‐party distribution websites, taking Hong Kong hotels as the sample.
Design/methodology/approach
Star rating information from 11 online distribution websites was retrieved and analyzed for all hotels in Hong Kong.
Findings
About 60 percent of the hotels were found on at least six of the selected distribution channels, and only 24 percent of the hotels have consistent star rating across different distribution channels. Results of data analysis indicated that consistent star rating becomes more difficult to maintain as the number of distribution channels used increases.
Research limitations/implications
Findings of the study are limited to the selected hotels and electronic distribution channels. Still, the online distribution channels represent some of the most widely used electronic distribution channels.
Practical implications
Findings of this research will be of use to hotel managers and guests for better understanding the standard, in terms of star ratings, of hotels.
Originality/value
Despite the importance of hotel star ratings on consumers and the hotel industry, prior studies in the existing hospitality literature rarely examined the difference of hotel stars. This novel study should, thus, make a meaningful contribution to knowledge development.
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Eva Martin-Fuentes, Estela Marine-Roig, Eduard Cristobal-Fransi and Berta Ferrer-Rosell
This chapter analyzes the pricing policy of hybrid P2P lodgings versus traditional hotels in relation to seasonality. A quantitative comparative analysis of room prices in Airbnb…
Abstract
This chapter analyzes the pricing policy of hybrid P2P lodgings versus traditional hotels in relation to seasonality. A quantitative comparative analysis of room prices in Airbnb and hotel lodgings in the city of Barcelona was conducted across four different pairs or dates (peak versus low season) in one year. Overall, the study shows that Airbnb prices are significantly lower than those of hotels and that the former’s prices fluctuate very little, whereas hotels use yield or revenue management techniques to adjust prices in high and low seasons. This implies that relevant purchase behavioral changes may occur in terms of customers waiting until the last minute to book.
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HyeRyeon Lee and Shane C. Blum
– The purpose of this paper is to investigate how hotels respond to online reviews on a third-party Web site (such as TripAdvisor) based on the hotel’s star rating.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate how hotels respond to online reviews on a third-party Web site (such as TripAdvisor) based on the hotel’s star rating.
Design/methodology/approach
Content analysis was used to compare responses to online hotel reviews at five different levels of hotel based on a star-rating system ranging from one star to five stars.
Findings
Most hotel managers’ response rates were low, and they paid the most attention to positive comments. Managers at four- and five-star hotels more often responded to negative online reviews. Guest service manager was the most common job title of managers who responded to guests’ reviews.
Research limitations/implications
This paper is limited to an analysis of ten hotels, two for each of the five-star ratings. More hotel cases with long-term data collection involving the use of the star-rating system may provide more insights on this discussion.
Practical implications
The exploratory study sought to identify strategies for managing online reviews in the lodging industry. Hotel managers should respond to negative online reviews with appreciation, apology and an explanation of what went wrong. Moreover, hotels may need a designated person to observe and respond to guest comments on their Web sites and third-party Web sites. A designated person is also needed to monitor online comments and communicate with guests to better manage the hotel’s online reputation.
Originality/value
As an exploratory research project, this paper expands the understanding of hotel managers’ responses to their guests’ online reviews in an attempt to identify best practices for the industry.
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Mildred Nuong Deri, Neethiahnanthan Ari Ragavan, Augustine Niber, Perpetual Zaazie, David Anandene Akazire, Martha Anaba and Dorlaar Andaara
The COVID-19 pandemic has long-lasting effects that necessitate business revision, innovation, and transformation in the hospital industry. The research in this field is, however…
Abstract
Purpose
The COVID-19 pandemic has long-lasting effects that necessitate business revision, innovation, and transformation in the hospital industry. The research in this field is, however, still incredibly underdeveloped. Hotels have faced unprecedented pressure due to the outbreak of novel COVID-19, forcing many to close temporarily or permanently. The aim of this study is to assess COVID-19 effect on hotels within the Bono region of Ghana, as the protocols are currently relaxed.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a quantitative approach, a stratified and purposive sampling method was used and 174 hotel managers in the Bono region responded to the research questions in relation to how their businesses were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Findings
The findings showed that the most prominent and recurring measures among hotels are the application of hygiene standards, employee training and awareness, reduction of employees’ guest contact and ensuring a safer environment for both guests and employees.
Research limitations/implications
The study’s sample frame covers hotels in the Bono region of Ghana with lower star classifications, ranging from affordable to three stars in quality and service. Hotels should emphasize the importance of providing their personnel with ongoing training and education to prepare them to deal with the outbreak of the pandemic.
Practical implications
As a result, the study suggests that hotel operators give innovative, fascinating and delightful accommodation experiences that may boost customers’ authentic happiness, as well as offer possibilities for customers to gain positive, memorable experiences from their experience.
Social implications
Academia and hotel managers need to contribute to theory development in hotel marketing by analyzing changes in customer expectations and industry recovery measures to affect good changes in industry best practices in the aftermath of the epidemic.
Originality/value
This study makes a significant contribution to the body of knowledge of the service delivery system model research because it is one of the initial studies to examine hotel business operations and activities during the COVID-19 utilizing the Bono region as a case. Theoretical, managerial and policy implications are discussed to cope with this crisis.
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Maria Vincenza Ciasullo, Raffaella Montera and Rocco Palumbo
The article investigates different types of strategies for managing user-generated content (UGC) and provides some insights into their implications.
Abstract
Purpose
The article investigates different types of strategies for managing user-generated content (UGC) and provides some insights into their implications.
Design/methodology/approach
A unique sample of Italian hotels with current and prospective customers in the digital environment is investigated. A taxonomy of user-provider interactions mediated by UGC is developed. A mixed approach was designed to meet the study aims. Firstly, an exploratory factor analysis was performed in order to illuminate different strategies of UGC and electronic word-of-mouth (E-WOM) management. Secondly, a cluster analysis was implemented in order to explain hoteliers' behavior toward users' contents.
Findings
The study results suggested the existence of three clusters, which reflected three different types of interactions between hotels and customers in the digital domain. Interestingly, most of Italian hotels were found to adopt a reductionist approach to UGC and E-WOM management, turning out to be ineffective to exploit them for the purpose of quality improvement and hospitality service excellence.
Research limitations/implications
Hotels were found to be largely unaware of the importance of UGC and web-based communication with customers to improve their digital business strategy. Tailored management approaches are needed to realize the full potential of hotels' online content responsiveness for the purpose of value co-creation and service co-production.
Originality/value
This is one of the first studies investigating the strategic and management perspectives embraced by hotels to handle their interactions with customers in the digital arena.
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Edward K. Ayimey, Robert J. Blomme, Ad Kil and Ben Q. Honyenuga
The paper discusses how market orientation impacts marketing performance in the hotel industry of Ghana. The research was a qualitative research that covered a sample of…
Abstract
The paper discusses how market orientation impacts marketing performance in the hotel industry of Ghana. The research was a qualitative research that covered a sample of nineteen19 hotels in Ghana by using a two-stage nonprobability sampling comprising convenience sampling and purposive sampling. Personal interviews were conducted to collect primary and qualitative data from hotel managers of the sampled hotels. Template analysis was used to analyze the data in order to understand how market orientation impacts selected marketing performance indicators. The study has provided insight into how market orientation impacts marketing performance indicators, precisely sales growth, customer complaints, customer satisfaction, and customer retention. The limitations of the study are that it is a cross-sectional study and it involved only officials of the hotels as participants. Also, the study does not explain how customers perceive market orientation practices and how market orientation affects customer buying behavior. Research implications are that longitudinal research design and involvement of customers as participants should be considered in future-related qualitative studies. The contribution of this study to knowledge is that it has given some explanations to how market orientation impacts sales growth, customer complaints, customer satisfaction, and customer retention in the hotel business.
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Ajay Khatter, Michael McGrath, Joanne Pyke, Leanne White and Leonie Lockstone-Binney
This paper aims to present the findings of an analysis of the environmentally sustainable policies and practices (ESPPs) used by independent and chain-affiliated hotels. The study…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present the findings of an analysis of the environmentally sustainable policies and practices (ESPPs) used by independent and chain-affiliated hotels. The study aimed to ascertain the engagement of hotels with ESPPs and provide tentative evidence of their commitment towards meeting the expectations of environmentally conscious stakeholders.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used secondary data and content analysis to examine the ESPPs of a sample of 220 hotels in Melbourne, Australia. A systematic review was conducted of hotel websites to reveal, in a tabulated way, the range of reporting of environmental material provided by various rated hotels.
Findings
This analysis suggests that environmentally friendly business practices are prominently displayed by the hotels sampled; however, independent non-chain affiliated hotels are yet to adopt ESPPs in any visible way.
Originality/value
This study was broadly informed by stakeholder theory (Freeman, 1984) and aimed to ascertain the engagement of hotels with ESPPs. While previous studies have focussed on chain hotels, this research involved a greater range of hotels of different profiles to highlight the mix of ESPPs across the hotel sector. Rather than merely examining the corporate websites of hotel companies, the research additionally examined ESPPs at the individual hotel property level, as this is where policies are implemented into practice. The extant literature to date has not studied the extent to which ESPPs are adopted by independent and chain-affiliated hotels at this level, and it is this research gap that the study addresses.
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