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Over decades, tourism has been over-valorized as a mechanism that leaves developing economies from poverty and pauperism. In fact, development theory has enthusiastically emphasized the nature of tourism as a sustainable activity that boosts local economies. Quite aside from this, some critical voices not only have questioned to what extent tourism alleviates local poverty but also the connection between tourism and poverty. An emerging field within tourism studies has plausibly discussed the conditions laying for poverty to become a commodity or a tourist attraction. In this context, the classic paradigm of tourism development has been radically shifted. There is a type of emerging morbid consumption (morbid taste) that makes the Other's pain a question of attraction. This chapter not only ignites a hot debate revolving around the nature of poverty tourism but also its main contradictions. These contradictions can be very well begged in a question: if we start from the premise poverty seems to be the main commodity to exchange for local culture, how can the industry of tourism eradicate poverty?

Traditionally vision-focused, tourism effectively ignores the other senses. With tourists travelling to “see” places, an understanding of how people with vision impairment or blindness (PwVIB) experience tourism is currently lacking. Borrowing from psychology, this viewpoint proposes innovative research approaches to address this knowledge gap, clarifying how PwVIB psychologically experience tourism, enabling tourism professionals to design meaningful and appropriate tourism products and services for this market.

Reviewing extant literature on the tourist experience of PwVIB, this study highlights the existing knowledge gaps regarding understanding how PwVIB experience tourism, proposing alternative theoretical approaches and methodologies for use in future studies.

Alternative research approaches, borrowed from psychology, are proposed to address this knowledge gap and clarify our understanding of how PwVIB experience tourism, serving as a call to action for researchers to attack this issue in innovative ways. An example study, using a mental imagery approach is discussed by way of illustration of how such techniques could be applied.

Highlighting a gap in the understanding of tourist experiences of PwVIB, this viewpoint proposes the adoption of innovative research methods from psychology as a means of delving into the cognitive and conceptual processes involved, offering a new perspective on how to address this important and topical issue and contribute to the design of inclusive and meaningful tourism experiences for this demographic.

Innovation in service, procedure and product design is essential for long-term success in today's fast-paced and cutthroat hospitality sector. This study aims to learn how innovation may revolutionise the hospitality sector and lead to memorable guest experiences.

The research delves into new ways of thinking about service design, emphasizing how to create engaging and individual customer experiences (CXs). In order to stand out in a crowded hospitality market and keep up with customers' ever-changing demands, businesses in the industry are experimenting with new approaches to service, like co-creation, personalisation and experience design.

The study also digs into process innovation in the hotel industry, looking at how the latest tech and automation are helping to streamline processes and boost productivity. Reservation systems, guest check-in and check-out, cleaning and supply chain management are just a few areas that get studied. The study delves into how thoughtful product design may enrich visitors' hotel stays. It explores new and interesting services like in-room entertainment, eco-friendly building techniques and creative cuisine. The study investigates how these unique items affect customers' opinions of the products' worth, satisfaction and loyalty.

Methods such as in-depth interviews with experts, guest surveys and the examination of case studies highlighting cutting-edge design in the hospitality industry are all part of the research strategy. This project seeks to provide useful insights and recommendations for hospitality firms that want to adopt innovative service, process and product design methods by analysing real-world instances and gathering empirical data.

As the hospitality business adapts to the digital age, the importance of using Virtual Design (VD) to create memorable visitor experiences has grown. This study aims to investigate the potential of VD in the hospitality sector, particularly regarding the improvement of guests' overall experiences.

The research study examines how Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and other digital technologies are currently used in VD firms. It explores how these simulated architectural features are implemented in other facets of the hospitality experience, like the decor of guest rooms and restaurants and staff responsiveness to guests' needs.

The study also examines VD's potential outcomes and advantages for the hotel industry and its clients. It investigates the potential of VD to help hospitality businesses offer more customised services, boost customer loyalty and gain an edge in the market. VD implementation in the hospitality business may face several obstacles, some of which are discussed in this study.

Methods include both qualitative and quantitative techniques, such as interviews with experts, guest surveys and an examination of the use of VD in specific hotels. This study intends to help the hotel industry benefit from a VD by analysing real-world case studies and gathering empirical data that can be used to draw conclusions and formulate recommendations.

The aim of this study is to examine in detail the impact of technological advancements on the workforce within the tourism industry. Specifically, it seeks to understand the effects of information and communication technologies (ICT), social media, the internet and websites, mobile technologies and other technological developments on workforce dynamics, skill requirements and job descriptions. The research intends to analyze how technological innovations are transforming the workforce and how these transformations are influencing practices within the industry.

This study employs a comprehensive literature review to understand the impact of technological innovations on the workforce in the tourism industry. The research aims to conduct an in-depth examination of empirical data obtained from extensive databases in the fields of technology and tourism and detail the effects of technological advancements on the workforce. Additionally, it includes a general assessment of trends and transformation processes within the sector by synthesizing findings from existing literature on the relationship between technology and workforce.

The results of the research reveal that technological innovations have fundamentally transformed workforce dynamics and job descriptions. Developments in information technology have led to the automation of routine tasks and the creation of high-skilled new job roles. Social media has contributed to the emergence of new job roles and skill requirements, while the internet and websites have altered digital marketing strategies. Mobile technologies have increased the necessity for the workforce to develop mobile skills. Furthermore, big data and artificial intelligence applications have enhanced the workforce’s data management and analysis capabilities.

This study makes a significant contribution to understanding the impact of technological innovations on the workforce in the tourism industry. The findings emphasize how technological changes have altered skill requirements and job descriptions, highlighting the increased need for continuous education and skill development.

Emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Philippines has undergone the “new normal” transition, creating a strategic recovery effort to reinvigorate the industry. In tourism, these transitions aim to safeguard employees' and guests' health and safety, ensure continuity of business operations, boost tourism confidence leading to satisfaction, and establish a resilient and sustainable tourism industry in the postpandemic era. Hence, this chapter employs a system thinking leveraging a causal loop diagram (CLD) to construct a comprehensive roadmap for Philippine tourism's postpandemic resurgence through the system thinking lens. The CLD visually illustrates the inter-related factors influencing the recovery process, encompassing collaborative engagements, innovations, economic revitalization, and health and safety protocols. By analyzing the causal relationships among these variables, this chapter explicates the dynamic and interconnected nature of the postpandemic recovery leading to the recovery of the Philippine tourism industry, especially in the context of thinking small. Through this chapter, thinking small could involve a shift toward localized solutions and community-focused initiatives that allow them to foster local economies, build resilience, and create a more inclusive and sustainable postpandemic recovery.

The purpose of this study synthesises the body of research revolving around blockchain technology (BCT) whilst drawing on the technology-organization-environment framework, resource-based theory and theory of constraints, to conceptualize capabilities (enablers) and constraints (barriers) of BCT in the hospitality and tourism (H&T) industry.

A systematic literature review of BCT in the hotel and tourism industry has been achieved through two databases, i.e. Scopus and Web of Science. From 544 articles selected between the years 2008 and 2023 (first quarter), a sample of 49 articles was used to structure existing research on this subject.

The findings of this systematic literature review of BCT in the H&T literature establish a solid groundwork for assessing the evolution of this research area over time. Findings are classified into two groups: capabilities (enablers) and constraints (barriers) of BCT based on publication year, different research methods, theoretical underpinnings and applicable contexts.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first attempts to synthesize studies related to BCT in H&T research by combining three theoretical approaches. It serves as a foundation to evaluate the development of BCT studies in this field.

An AI concierge is a technologically advanced, intelligent and personalized assistant that is designated to an individual customer, proactively taking care of that customer’s needs throughout the service journey. This article envisions the idea of AI concierges and discusses how to leverage AI concierges in the customer journey.

This article takes a conceptual approach and draws insights from literature in service management, marketing, psychology, human-computer interaction and ethics.

This article delineates the fundamental forms of AI concierges: dialog interface (no embodiment), virtual avatar (embodiment in the virtual world), holographic projection (projection in the physical world) and tangible service robot (embodiment in the physical world). Key attributes of AI concierges are the ability to exhibit semantic understanding of auditory and visual inputs, maintain an emotional connection with the customer, demonstrate proactivity in refining the customer’s experience and ensure omnipresence through continuous availability in various forms to attend to service throughout the customer journey. Furthermore, the article explores the multifaceted roles that AI concierges can play across the pre-encounter, encounter and post-encounter stages of the customer journey and explores the opportunities and challenges associated with AI concierges.

This paper provides insights for professionals in hospitality, retail, travel, and healthcare on leveraging AI concierges to enhance the customer experience. By broadening AI concierge services, organizations can deliver personalized assistance and refined services across the entire customer journey.

This article is the first to introduce the concept of the AI concierge. It offers a novel perspective by defining AI concierges’ fundamental forms, key attributes and exploring their diverse roles in the customer journey. Additionally, it lays out a research agenda aimed at further advancing this domain.

The paper reports on developments in the Information Seeking and Communication Model (ISCM) since it was first presented in 2013, focussing on how the model, derived by explicitly drawing on previous models, frameworks, and concepts, has been applied, adapted and extended. This paper summarises the reception of the ISCM, and describes two new applications in different contexts.

A literature review details applications of, comments on and critiques of, the ISCM since its introduction. Two exploratory studies of health information seeking behaviour show the application of the ISCM in novel contexts.

The literature cited here, and the two studies outlined show the applicability and extendibility of the ISCM, as well as its value in helping to capture the holistic context of information seeking, the interplay between providers and seekers of information, including fluidity of provider/seeker roles, and emotional dimensions of information seeking and use.

The paper responds to the call by Case and Given (2016) for further empirical testing of the ISCM and similar conceptual models. It shows the range of applicability of this model, and models drawn from it, and makes recommendations for further development.