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Article
Publication date: 1 May 2006

Li‐Jen Jessica Hwang and Andrew Lockwood

To provide insight into the barriers to the application of best practices in hospitality and tourism small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK.

11823

Abstract

Purpose

To provide insight into the barriers to the application of best practices in hospitality and tourism small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

In‐depth interviews were conducted with owners, managers and staff in 89 award‐winning business in the hospitality and tourism industry. Eight areas of best practice that arose from an initial pilot study were investigated in the sample population of SME's. With a holistic and multiple‐cases analysis approach, the case studies are assembled to form a portrait of hospitality and tourism in the UK.

Findings

Results suggest a model identifying seven key capabilities that underlie the adoption of best practices and six barriers to their implementation. The seven key capabilities for hospitality and tourism SMEs are customer focused goals, planning and control, partnering and networking, internal and external communication, achieving consistent standards, strategic workforce management, cash flow and performance management. The six barriers to implementing best practices were identified as changing demand, limited resources, lack of skilled labour, lifestyle, lack of competitive benchmarking and location, all of which could create turbulence in the operational environment.

Research limitations/implications

As hospitality and tourism SMEs appear to inherit characteristics derived both from the small and medium size of the operation and the nature of the industry sector, the implications of the model and the associated barriers may create obstacles to the benefits of competitive benchmarking and lead to a loss of the pride and passion and impede the growth of their business.

Originality/value

Considerable diversity is demonstrated amongst SMEs in relation to their use of strategies while confirming some of the difficulties and challenges inherent to the industry and endemic to smaller organisations.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. 13 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 October 2023

Nikolaos Stylos and Chris A. Vassiliadis

Drawing from the Personal Construct Theory, this study aims to analyze the impact of using gamified apps on user behavior by investigating the service-related images and…

Abstract

Purpose

Drawing from the Personal Construct Theory, this study aims to analyze the impact of using gamified apps on user behavior by investigating the service-related images and individual preferences of Generation Z (GenZ) consumers, as these emerge from gamified applications in a tourism context.

Design/methodology/approach

The repertory grid analysis (RGA) elicited the top elements that reflect GenZer perceptions in tourism from empirical studies in the UK and Greece. Generalized procrustes analysis was used to investigate the structure of the data for the creation of representative consensus biplots of the most important conceptual constructs to advance consumer decision-making modeling via gamification.

Findings

As per different gamified app best-practices considered, the authors extract not only common perceptual elements (e.g. place informative aspects, exploration, lodgings, food/catering) but also different image components (e.g. virtual/interactive, business vs commercial traveling, entertainment, heritage/cultural informative aspects) from comparing UK with Greek GenZers’ responses. These extracted attributes are then presented in two dimensional charts, respectively, toward creating tourist perception scales.

Research limitations/implications

Notwithstanding the wide availability of gamified apps, research on gamification design in tourism and hospitality is still in the early phase. This study demonstrates the need to identify and optimize the formation of different images among GenZers. It also highlights the advantageous nature of the proposed combination of procrustes analysis with the RGA.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is among the first empirical ones toward creating scales for measuring tourist perceptions of GenZers coming from different consumer markets. It responds to scholars’ recent calls for better informing gamification design and improving contemporary consumer experience.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 September 2022

Chandi Jayawardena

This paper aims to provide answers to the question: “What innovations would enable the tourism and hospitality industry to re-build?”.

718

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to provide answers to the question: “What innovations would enable the tourism and hospitality industry to re-build?”.

Design/methodology/approach

At the outset, it redefines the concept of ‘Innovation” in the context of the hospitality and tourism industry. It then focuses on post-pandemic re-building best practices in tourism and hospitality. It captures the essence of the articles in this theme issue collection on innovative actions from around the world and presents concluding remarks.

Findings

This article summarises the key findings of this theme issue and it draws generalized conclusions about re-building the tourism and hospitality industry. In conclusion, 14 key learning outcomes are presented. These include topics such as: rethinking tourism and hospitality products and services, sustaining resilience, collaboration between the government, academia and industry, special interest tourism, domestic tourism, crisis management, digital transformation, the health and safety of all stakeholders, operational efficiencies and environmental sustainability.

Research limitations/implications

This research contributes to the emerging research theme of tourism and hospitality post-pandemic re-building.

Practical implications

There are a number of practical implications in terms of industry approaches to the adoption of innovative strategies to re-build tourism and hospitality operations around the world.

Originality/value

Readers who are interested in international best practices of hospitality and tourism should find this concluding article of interest.

Details

Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, vol. 14 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-4217

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 December 2018

Célia Veiga, Margarida Custódio Santos, Paulo Águas and José António C. Santos

This study aims to address the paradigm changes currently affecting tourism: the increasingly recognisable signs of irreversible climate change and the consequences of this and…

1584

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to address the paradigm changes currently affecting tourism: the increasingly recognisable signs of irreversible climate change and the consequences of this and overtourism for service providers, destinations and tourists’ experiences. A more specific objective was to identify good practices carried out by destinations and companies in different tourism sectors to increase sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

The research involved examining the academic, institutional and trade literature to develop an overview of the most important challenges and an accurate portrayal of how innovative and proactive companies and destination managers are addressing these issues.

Findings

Increased tourism demand has contributed to social and environmental unsustainability in tourism. Although the tourism sector has already implemented sustainable initiatives, an accurate quantification and measurement of these practices’ real impacts on global tourism’s sustainability is not yet possible.

Originality/value

This study’s value arises from the systematic identification of the implications of climate change and overtourism as major features of a paradigm shift in tourism. This paper also presents a set of good practices to provide tourism stakeholders with more sustainable strategies and inspire these entities to adopt appropriate measures.

Details

Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, vol. 10 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-4217

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 August 2022

Altaf Husen Sovani

The aim of this paper is to discuss innovations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, major investments and reforms required to realize transformation in the tourism and…

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to discuss innovations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, major investments and reforms required to realize transformation in the tourism and hospitality industry of the European Union.

Design/methodology/approach

A remedial literature study approach is used to analyze innovations put in place by governments and industry and to determine best practices including new innovations that could help to strengthen hospitality and tourism operations.

Findings

The COVID-19 outbreak and border closures had a significant impact on the tourism and travel sectors. During the pandemic, innovations were needed to address challenges brought on by the border closures, vaccine passports and stricter health and safety requirements. While these innovations helped organizations survive and reinvent themselves, they are not enough for long term sustainability. The need for resilience, effective and well-designed active labor market policies and social protection systems including investment in education and skills training will become basic foundations for sustainability. In order to address these issues, collaboration between government, academia and industry is essential.

Originality/value

The outbreak of COVID-19 and border closures in 2020 created turmoil in the travel and tourism sector. Small- and medium-sized enterprises were damaged and many did not survive. That said, the crisis has given the tourism and hospitality industry an opportunity to rethink the future.

Details

Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, vol. 14 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-4217

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 March 2020

Viviane Silva Souza, Susana Regina Bacelar de Vasconcelos Marques and Medéia Veríssimo

Ecogamification can make a positive impact on Tourism. With this in mind, the present study aims to examine specific stakeholders – those positioned at the upstream side of…

1495

Abstract

Purpose

Ecogamification can make a positive impact on Tourism. With this in mind, the present study aims to examine specific stakeholders – those positioned at the upstream side of gamification process – and their perspectives concerning not only the benefits, but also the challenges of (eco)gamification.

Design/methodology/approach

The study follows a qualitative-exploratory approach and bases its results on the analysis of 10 in-depth interviews conducted with buyers and providers from the emerging Portuguese tourism and tech markets.

Findings

Results shed light on key benefits of ecogamification, including its potential to promote “green” behaviour, transmit complex information through entertainment, reward users for good practices, improve engagement and help avoiding overtourism. Simultaneously, there are important challenges to overcome, including the lack of investment, resistance to new technologies, low eco-consciousness of tourists and distraction from issues that matter. Further, findings show that ecogamification takes on different and specific roles for buyers and providers.

Research limitations/implications

The research limitations are mainly related to the sample size.

Practical implications

An effective ecogamification process depends on the integration of the supply and demand sides and, at the same time, on the responsibility of different stakeholders (providers, buyers, players) across the value chain, through a broad logic of B2B2C.

Originality/value

This study contributes towards a better understanding of ecogamification in tourism, through the eyes of buyers and providers and also provides insights regarding the role of these specific stakeholders and the relationship between them.

研究目的

生态游戏化对旅游业有积极影响。本论文探究特定利益相关方--游戏化过程的上游一方—对(生态)游戏化的既得利益以及挑战。

研究设计/方法/途径

本论文采用定性-探索型调研方法, 进行了10次深度访问, 对葡萄牙新兴旅游科技市场的购买方和采购商进行对话。

研究结果

研究结果对生态游戏化的关键利益做了梳理, 包括其对潜在“绿色”行为的倡导, 通过娱乐方式传输复杂信息;奖励用户良好行为, 促进用户参与度, 以及帮助避免过度旅游现象。同时, 研究明确了重要挑战需要克服, 包括资金投入的缺失, 新技术的抵抗, 游客的生态意识低下, 以及生态的衍生问题等。此外, 研究结果表明生态游戏化对买房和卖方的不同特定角色。

研究理论限制/意义

研究理论限制主要集中在样本数量较小。

研究现实意义

有效生态游戏化过程取决于供求双方的整合, 同时, 责任于不同利益相关者(供方、买方、游戏人)在整个价值链上, 通过B2B2C逻辑达成。

研究原创性/价值

本论文深化了对旅游业中生态游戏化的理解, 通过买方和供方的视角, 同时针对这些特定利益相关者的角色以及其之间的关系, 提出独到见解。

关键词

关键词 游戏化、生态游戏化、可持续性、SDGs、旅游业

Details

Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, vol. 11 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-9880

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 April 2008

Chandana Jayawardena, Arlene White and Barbara A. Carmichael

The purpose of this paper is to provide insights to relevant theories, challenges and the future opportunities for binational tourism in the Niagara region.

1878

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide insights to relevant theories, challenges and the future opportunities for binational tourism in the Niagara region.

Design/methodology/approach

A selected cross‐section of relevant publications including news media items are reviewed. Data gathered by a group of graduate students from Niagara College during their externships with the Binational Tourism Alliance, are utilized. Binational tourism initiatives from different parts of the world are analyzed.

Findings

This paper implies that in order to strategize binational tourism in Niagara, relevant theories, international best practices, historic developments of binational initiatives in Niagara as well as news media reports should be analysed. It concludes that Niagara's tourism industry, on both sides of the border, must continue to work in close partnership on their binational tourism strategy and binational positioning in order to remain competitive as a major tourist destination in the world.

Originality/value

Inputs from the Executive Director of the Binational Tourism Alliance of the Niagara region as a co‐author, enhances the practical value of this paper. Not much research has been undertaken on the topic of binational tourism in Niagara. Therefore, particularly, the tourism policy makers as well as other stakeholders of tourism in the Niagara region should benefit from this paper.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 20 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 29 November 2012

Eduardo Fayos Solà, Laura Fuentes Moraleda and Ana Isabel Muñoz Mazón

A broad agreement exists that tourism is an effective instrument for social and economic development. However, there is no specific theoretical or practical framework of tourism

Abstract

A broad agreement exists that tourism is an effective instrument for social and economic development. However, there is no specific theoretical or practical framework of tourism for development to be found. Even the key issues have remained unformulated: concept of development, tourism's contributions to development, and tourism policy and governance for development. This chapter first summarizes the development paradigms held in the last decades (modernization, neoliberalism, dependency, and sustainability) vis-à-vis tourism, and then goes on to consider proposals emanating from New Institutional Economics and the Theory of Social Capital. It concludes with the results of a 2011 enquiry, involving some 60 international experts.

Details

Knowledge Management in Tourism: Policy and Governance Applications
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78052-981-3

Keywords

Abstract

Details

Tourism Review, vol. 78 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1660-5373

Article
Publication date: 26 February 2024

Maja Šerić, Maria Vernuccio and Alberto Pastore

Aligning corporate communications through different information sources is a great challenge for marketers, especially those operating in the tourism sector, which has been…

Abstract

Purpose

Aligning corporate communications through different information sources is a great challenge for marketers, especially those operating in the tourism sector, which has been harshly affected by the recent COVID-19 pandemic. This paper provides a deep analysis of the implementation of seven basic principles of the integrated marketing communications (IMC) paradigm in a crisis situation.

Design/methodology/approach

In-depth interviews with tourism and hospitality service providers were conducted in the fourth quarter of 2021 in Croatia, a destination that showed remarkable results in terms of the number of international tourist arrivals during the pandemic.

Findings

Most firms successfully transitioned from tactical to strategic IMC implementation. Some problems were reported in the coordination of communication tools and channels. Whereas the use of digital technology was enhanced, database management did not receive sufficient attention. Message clarity represented the greatest challenge, while consumer-centric communication was the most neglected principle. Relationship building was pursued mainly through B2B rather than B2C communication, whereas brand equity development pursued through communication mix mostly focused on increases in awareness, perceived quality and attitudinal loyalty.

Research limitations/implications

This research is qualitative in nature and provides opinions on IMC adoption from the managerial perspective only.

Practical implications

This paper provides guidelines for the successful integration of marketing communications (marcom) in an extremely ambiguous and uncertain environment.

Originality/value

The contribution of this work lies in the proposal of a new refined and expanded theoretical framework of IMC principles and numerous marcom strategies for operating during the COVID-19 pandemic, thus providing relevant implications for academia and industry.

Details

Corporate Communications: An International Journal, vol. 29 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1356-3289

Keywords

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