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Article
Publication date: 17 October 2023

Elizabeth A. Whalen, John T. Bowen and Seyhmus Baloglu

This research explores differences in consumer behavior across generational cohorts, particularly focusing on customer loyalty. With Millennials becoming the largest generational…

Abstract

Purpose

This research explores differences in consumer behavior across generational cohorts, particularly focusing on customer loyalty. With Millennials becoming the largest generational cohort, it is crucial to understand loyalty variations, given that many loyalty programs were established during the Baby Boomer era. This study investigates two vital aspects for hotel companies aiming to enhance guest loyalty: antecedents to loyalty and loyalty program design.

Design/methodology/approach

In part 1, a loyalty model was tested using corporate social responsibility (CSR), personalization, brand identity, and trust as antecedents for customer loyalty in full-service hotels. The study developed models for the overall sample and each generational cohort. Part 2 explored generational preferences regarding commonly offered hotel loyalty program benefits.

Findings

The study revealed no significant differences across generational cohorts in the loyalty model. Antecedents had similar effects on loyalty creation across all three cohorts. In part 2, the four most desired benefits for all generations were upgrades, customized service, late check-out, and empathetic employees.

Practical implications

This research supports Millennials' loyalty to hotels and highlights the importance of benefits that offer immediate advantages during a stay, such as upgrades, late check-out, empathetic employees, and personalization. These findings emphasize the need for loyalty program designs that provide faster rewards and personalization options.

Originality/value

This study pioneers the examination of hotel customer loyalty models across three generations and evaluates loyalty benefits across these cohorts. The results hold significance for researchers and practitioners in the field.

Details

Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9792

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 January 2024

Onofre Martorell Cunill, Luis Otero, Pablo Durán Santomil and Jaime Gil Lafuente

In this vein, this paper aims to provide empirical evidence on the following questions: Which expansion strategies offer better operational and economic performance? What effects…

Abstract

Purpose

In this vein, this paper aims to provide empirical evidence on the following questions: Which expansion strategies offer better operational and economic performance? What effects does performance-related diversification have? How do other factors such as size, quality, service offered, location or seasonality interact with performance.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the analysis of the effects of growth strategies and hotel attributes on performance is carried out with a sample of 255 hotels that operate internationally. Using panel data and quantile regression, this study evaluates the effect of expansion and diversification on the hotels’ performance.

Findings

From these findings, it appears that the equity strategy (own hotels) outperforms non-equity strategies (hotels under rental, franchise and management contract) at the operational level. However, the economic return of the property, both adjusted and unadjusted to risk, is lower under the property ownership strategy than under the franchise and management strategies because, in general, it requires a higher investment. Regarding diversification, the growth strategy based on related diversification in food and beverage services has a negative impact on performance, calling into question the synergies between the two businesses. However, an exception to this effect is seen among those hotels, mainly those in the Caribbean, that opt to provide all-inclusive services, since these hotels achieve better occupancy rates and more stable results.

Research limitations/implications

This study has not taken into account the effect of hotel property revaluation on the performance of the ownership strategy, as there is no information on the historical average revaluation at the level of each individual hotel. This study has also been unable to include information regarding the level of competition and seasonality of sales.

Originality/value

This paper considers a wide number of factors that can influence the performance of hotels. Second, this is the only paper that studies the impact of growth strategies from the point of view of the hotel chain. Also, the sample considered uses data at the individual level on hotels and this research analyses not only operational performance but also economic performance.

Details

Management Decision, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0025-1747

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 April 2024

Carmelita Wenceslao Amistad and Daryl Ace Cornell

This study aims to determine the effects of lodging infrastructure development (LID) on Cordillera Administrative Region’s (CAR) environmental quality and natural resource…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to determine the effects of lodging infrastructure development (LID) on Cordillera Administrative Region’s (CAR) environmental quality and natural resource management and its implication to globally responsible leadership. Specifically, this study sought to determine the contribution of LID to environmental deterioration and natural resource degradation in the CAR. As a result, a mathematical model is developed, which supports sustainability practices to maintain the environmental quality and natural resource management in CAR, Philippines.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a descriptive research design using a mixed-methods approach. Self-structured interview and survey were used to gather the data. The population of this study involved three groups. There were 6.28% (34) experts in the field for the qualitative data, 70.24% (380) respondents for the quantitative data and 23.47% (127) from the lodging establishments. 120 respondents from the Department of Tourism – CAR (DOT-CAR) accredited hotels. Nonparametric and nonlinear regression analysis was used to process the data.

Findings

The effects of LID on the environmental quality and natural resource management in CAR as measured through carbon emission from liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), electricity and water consumption in the occupied guest rooms revealed a direct correlation between the LID. Findings conclude that the increase in tourist arrival is a trigger factor in the increase in LID in the CAR. The increase in LID implies a rise in carbon emission in the lodging infrastructure. Any increase in tourist arrivals increases lodging room occupancy; the increased lodging room occupancy contributes to carbon emissions. Thus, tourism trends contribute to the deterioration of the environmental quality and degradation of the natural resources in the CAR. A log-log model shows the percentage change in the average growth of tourist arrival and the percentage increase in carbon emissions. Establishments should observe standard room capacity to maintain the carbon emission of occupied lodging rooms at a minimum. Responsible leadership is a factor in the implementation of policy on standard room capacity.

Practical implications

The result of the study has some implications for the lodging businesses, the local government unit (LGU), the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the CAR. The study highlights the contribution of the lodging establishments to CO2 emission, which can degrade the quality of the environment, and the implication of responsible leadership in managing natural resources in the CAR. The direct inverse relationship between energy use and CO2 emission in hotels indicates that increased energy consumption leads to environmental degradation (Ahmad et al., 2018). Therefore, responsible leadership among policymakers in the lodging and government sectors – LGU, DOT and DENR – should abound in the CAR. Benchmarking on the model embarked from this study can help in designing and/or enhancing the policy on room capacity standardization, considering the total area with its maximum capacity to keep the carbon emission at a lower rate. Furthermore, as a responsible leader in the community, one should create programs that regulate the number of tourists visiting the place to decrease the number of overnight stays. Besides, having the political will to implement reduced room occupancy throughout the lodging establishments in CAR can help reduce the carbon emissions from the lodging businesses. After all, one of the aims of the International Environment Protection Organization is to reduce CO2 emissions in the tourism industry. Hence, responsible leadership in environmental quality preservation and sustainable natural resource management must help prevent and avoid greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Originality/value

Most studies about carbon emission in the environment tackle about carbon dioxide emitted by transportation and factories. This study adds to the insights on the existing information about the carbon emission in the environment from the lodging establishments through the use of LPG, electricity and water consumption in the occupied guest rooms. The findings of the study open an avenue for globally responsible leadership in sustaining environmental quality and preservation of natural resources by revisiting and amending the policies on the number of room occupancy, guidelines and standardization, considering the total lodging area with its maximum capacity to keep the carbon emission at a minimum, thus contributing to the lowering of GHG emissions from the lodging industry.

Details

Journal of Global Responsibility, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2041-2568

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 October 2023

Fatima Majeed and Junaid Ul haq

Healthy employees are assets for organizations, especially in service organizations. This study considered variables that lead to psychological, life and workplace well-being for…

Abstract

Purpose

Healthy employees are assets for organizations, especially in service organizations. This study considered variables that lead to psychological, life and workplace well-being for hotel employees. A comprehensive model is proposed for which Job Demand–Resource (JD-R) theory provides theoretical support.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from four hundred and five hotel employees were collected to observe the individual and organizational factors that directly and indirectly result in three types of well-being: workplace, psychological and life.

Findings

Results provide significant positive direct and indirect effects of individual characteristics (personal cynicism and job stress) on psychological, life and workplace well-being. Similarly, organizational characteristics (organizational values and job characteristics) showed positive direct and indirect effects on life and workplace well-being.

Originality/value

The findings provide a strong recommendation for managers to focus on individual- and organizational-level factors that enhance the well-being of employees.

Details

Evidence-based HRM: a Global Forum for Empirical Scholarship, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2049-3983

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 April 2024

Gökhan Yılmaz and Ayşe Şahin-Yılmaz

Artificial intelligence is one of the most significant and active fields of study in the last few years. Artificial intelligence-derived robotic technologies known as chatbots are…

Abstract

Purpose

Artificial intelligence is one of the most significant and active fields of study in the last few years. Artificial intelligence-derived robotic technologies known as chatbots are gaining interest from both academic and industry sectors. By analyzing the development and patterns of research on the chatbot phenomena within the tourism field, this study seeks to develop a theoretical framework for the interaction between chatbots and tourism.

Design/methodology/approach

The Web of Science (WoS) database’s 33 articles on chatbots related to travel and hospitality were examined between 2019 and 2024 using VOSviewer software for bibliometric and thematic content analysis.

Findings

Research on chatbots for tourism and hospitality appears to be in its early stages. The factors influencing tourists' intentions to use chatbots have been thoroughly researched; the attitudes, perceptions and behavioral intentions of destinations, travel agencies and restaurant patrons regarding chatbots were examined, and it was found that the quantitative research approach was dominant. In addition, the majority of the studies are based on a particular theory or model.

Originality/value

This is one of the first attempts to directly comprehend and depict the interconnected structures of studies on the interaction between chatbots and tourism through the use of network analysis. Furthermore, the study’s findings can offer academics a comprehensive viewpoint and a reference manual for more accurate assessment and oversight of the chatbot-tourism interaction. Regarding the lack of research on the topic and the fragmented structure of the studies that exist, it is imperative to provide both a comprehensive overview and a roadmap for future investigations into the usage of chatbots in the travel and hospitality sector.

Details

Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-4217

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2024

Srikant Gupta, Pooja S. Kushwaha, Usha Badhera and Rajesh Kumar Singh

This study aims to explore the challenges faced by the tourism and hospitality industry following the COVID-19 pandemic and to propose effective strategies for recovery and…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to explore the challenges faced by the tourism and hospitality industry following the COVID-19 pandemic and to propose effective strategies for recovery and resilience of this sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The study analysed the challenges encountered by the tourism and hospitality industry post-pandemic and identified key strategies for overcoming these challenges. The study utilised the modified Delphi method to finalise the challenges and employed the Best-Worst Method (BWM) to rank these challenges. Additionally, solution strategies are ranked using the Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC) method.

Findings

The study identified significant challenges faced by the tourism and hospitality industry, highlighting the lack of health and hygiene facilities as the foremost concern, followed by increased operational costs. Moreover, it revealed that attracting millennial travellers emerged as the top priority strategy to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on this industry.

Originality/value

This research contributes to understanding the challenges faced by the tourism and hospitality industry in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It offers valuable insights into practical strategies for recovery. The findings provide beneficial recommendations for policymakers aiming to revive and support these industries.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 April 2024

Lisa Nicole Cain, Trishna G. Mistry, Shenee Douglas, Imran Rahman and Andrew Moreo

This study aims to analyze the importance and performance of customer-facing technologies in luxury hotels. The study also assessed differences between and within the four…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the importance and performance of customer-facing technologies in luxury hotels. The study also assessed differences between and within the four generations in the importance-performance analysis (IPA).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using a Qualtrics panel of recent luxury hotel customers in the USA belonging to all four generations. The cross-generational IPA was conducted using t-tests and (ANAOVA).

Findings

The IPA matrix concentrated most technology items in either low importance – low performance or high importance – high performance quadrants. One-way ANOVA revealed significant differences between generations on the importance ratings of all technology items except wireless charging power solutions and on the performance ratings of all technology items. Furthermore, post hoc tests indicated that millennials rated luxury technology most favorably among the four cohorts, followed by generations Z, X and Baby Boomers. In addition, significant differences between the importance and performance of many technology items within each generational cohort were observed. Overall, Wi-Fi was unanimously ranked across generations as the most important technology among luxury guests, but it was the only one that scored lower in performance than importance.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this study contribute to hospitality scholarship in two primary ways: the importance and performance of technology and generational differences. The results advance the understanding of the impact of generational factors on customer-facing technological adoptions in the luxury hotel sector.

Practical implications

Technologies that are pervasive in the home also become vital offerings for hotels. The more pervasive technology, the more a luxury hotel must work to ensure that it performs at optimal levels. Additionally, which technologies are most important to targeted generations are provided so practitioners may budget for their implementation.

Originality/value

This research is a pivotal step forward in unraveling the intricate interplay between generational factors and technological evaluations, providing a foundation for future research and practical applications in a rapidly evolving technological landscape in the hospitality industry.

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: 29 January 2024

Karam Mansour Ghazi, Islam Elbayoumi Salem, Hesham Dar and Ahmed Mohamed Elbaz

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of strategic leadership (SL) on business operational resilience (OR) in the hotel industry in Egypt, namely, during and after…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of strategic leadership (SL) on business operational resilience (OR) in the hotel industry in Egypt, namely, during and after the pandemic. This investigation also aimed to explore the mediating function of crisis response strategies (CRSs) and organisational e-readiness (Oe-R) in this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The researchers conducted a cross-sectional study using a questionnaire as the primary data collection method. Using partial least squares structural equation simulation (PLS-SEM), the study used a comprehensive sample that targets the general managers of all five-star hotels in Egypt.

Findings

Results indicated that SL has a positive impact on CRSs and Oe-R. Furthermore, the results reveal a positive influence of Oe-R on both CRSs and hotel OR. On the other hand, CRSs do not influence hotel OR. The findings showed that CRSs fully mediate the link between SL and OR. However, CRSs do not serve as a mediator between Oe-R and OR. Furthermore, the findings showed that Oe-R partially mediates the link between SL and both OR and CRSs.

Practical implications

The study yields unique and valuable theoretical and practical insights to guide hotel leaders and managers towards adaptive recovery and resilience in turbulent and crisis-ridden environments by demonstrating that the combined mediating function of CRS and Oe-R is more effective in strengthening the relationship between SL and OR.

Originality/value

This study represents a pioneering investigation that establishes a correlation between SL and OR, either through direct or indirect means. The research examines the involvement of CRSs and Oe-R as collaborative mediators in this relationship. Previous studies undertaken in the hotel industry and service sector have not investigated this specific element.

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: 7 May 2024

William H. Bommer, Sandip Roy, Emil Milevoj and Shailesh Rana

This study integrates previous research on the intention to use Airbnb to determine which antecedents provide a parsimonious explanation.

Abstract

Purpose

This study integrates previous research on the intention to use Airbnb to determine which antecedents provide a parsimonious explanation.

Design/methodology/approach

Meta-analyses based on 61 samples estimate how 8 antecedents are associated with the intention to use Airbnb. Subsequent analyses utilize meta-analyses to estimate a regression model to simultaneously estimate the relationship between the antecedents and the intention to use Airbnb. Relative weight analysis then determined each antecedent’s utility.

Findings

A parsimonious model with only four antecedents (hedonic motivation, price value, effort expectancy and social influence) was nearly as predictive as the full eight-antecedent model. Ten moderating variables were examined, but none were deemed to consistently influence the relationships between the antecedents and the intention to use Airbnb.

Practical implications

Relatively few measures (i.e. four) effectively explain customers’ intentions to use Airbnb. When these measures cannot be readily influenced, alternatives are also presented. Implications for the travel industry are considered and straightforward approaches to increasing users are presented.

Originality/value

This is the first integrative review of customers’ intentions to use Airbnb. We integrate what is currently known about customers’ intentions to use Airbnb and then provide a robust model for Airbnb use intentions that both researchers and practitioners can utilize.

Details

Industrial Management & Data Systems, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-5577

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 27 November 2023

Anupama Sukhu and Anil Bilgihan

The purpose of this research is to investigate the effects of service recovery experiences on customer engagement in negative word-of-mouth (WOM) in the hotel industry and explore…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to investigate the effects of service recovery experiences on customer engagement in negative word-of-mouth (WOM) in the hotel industry and explore the psychological motives and mediating mechanisms driving consumer behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

A scenario-based experimental design on Qualtrics was used, with a pre-test (N = 200). The main study data were collected using Amazon's Mechanical Turk platform.

Findings

Findings reveal that negative service experiences lead to higher engagement in negative WOM compared to positive and satisfactory recovery service experiences. Even well-executed recovery efforts may not completely eliminate negative WOM. The mediating role of emotional responses is substantiated, as heightened negative service experiences result in more intense negative emotional responses, leading to increased engagement in negative WOM.

Originality/value

The study emphasizes the importance of service recovery strategies and the need for businesses to consistently strive for exceptional service quality. It also highlights the complexity of customer reactions to service experiences, suggesting that further research is needed to explore the factors that minimize negative WOM across various service contexts.

Details

International Hospitality Review, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2516-8142

Keywords

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