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3 pages, 180 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Editorial for the Special Issue “Impacts and Sustainability of Tourism, Hospitality, and Events”

by Jacob Bethem and Susan Ryan

Sustainability 2023, 15(6), 4778; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15064778 - 8 Mar 2023

Viewed by 914

Abstract

This editorial introduces the Special Issue, “Impacts and Sustainability of Tourism, Hospitality, and Events,” with summaries of each of the included articles [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impacts and Sustainability of Tourism, Hospitality, and Events)

Research

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15 pages, 292 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Profiling Tourist Segmentation of Heritage Destinations in Emerging Markets: The Case of Tequila Visitors

by Alfredo Coelho and Victor Manuel Castillo Girón

Sustainability 2023, 15(5), 4034; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15054034 - 22 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1337

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to explore the main profiles of tourist segments in the agave-tequila industry in Mexico. The blue agave landscape and the ancient tequila facilities are part of the UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage. Heritage sites may operate as a [...] Read more.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the main profiles of tourist segments in the agave-tequila industry in Mexico. The blue agave landscape and the ancient tequila facilities are part of the UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage. Heritage sites may operate as a brand and generate tourism externalities. Investigations combining heritage and sustainable tourism are a promising research field, still underexplored, particularly in emerging destinations. This study contributes to the debate on heritage and sustainable tourism through the identification of different tourist profiles visiting the Tequila region. The study applies a market segmentation approach grounded in the concept of ‘involvement’. Involvement is a good predictor of tourist behavior. Therefore, our investigation identifies distinctive homogenous segments with different levels of tourist involvement. The data in the empirical study was collected through a questionnaire applied to a sample of 700 domestic and international visitors to the city of Tequila. The questionnaire was directly administered to collect data during a 6-month period in order to avoid seasonal issues. Cluster analysis was performed to identify three distinct segments on the basis of the degree of tourists’ ‘involvement’. Findings suggest that the agave landscape and knowledge about tequila are the most salient attributes for high- and low-involved visitors. As those factors are closely related to cultural heritage, the study provides guidance for policy makers and marketers protecting and/or promoting the agave-tequila industry. This research project is an initial attempt to segment agave-tequila tourists and creates a pathway for further investigations into this area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impacts and Sustainability of Tourism, Hospitality, and Events)

18 pages, 23487 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Estimating the Economic Value of Ichan Kala Using the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM)

by Nigora Baymuminova, Guljakhon Shermukhammedova and Jeong-Gil Choi

Sustainability 2023, 15(3), 2631; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032631 - 1 Feb 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1857

Abstract

The objective of this study is to estimate the use-value of Ichan Kala, a historical city located in Khiva, Uzbekistan, that is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It also investigates the visitors’ willingness-to-pay (WTP) for the economic value of Ichan Kala. [...] Read more.

The objective of this study is to estimate the use-value of Ichan Kala, a historical city located in Khiva, Uzbekistan, that is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It also investigates the visitors’ willingness-to-pay (WTP) for the economic value of Ichan Kala. The survey was collected from 391 samples, and the factor analysis was done based on the results. After extracting two factors from 11 questions (variables), those factors were used as independent variables to check their impact on WTP. This study involved the contingent valuation method (CVM) to evaluate travelers’ WTP for using Ichan Kala. The outcomes of this research are in line with economic theory, which remarks that visitors’ willingness-to-pay declines as the suggested bid amount increases. In addition, the identity of cultural worldview (ICW) and tangibility of cultural worldview (TCW) showed a positive and significant effect on the WTP, while travel expenses did not remarkably affect the WTP. The results of this study provide practical implications for the government of the city or region when deciding on the entrance fee for using Ichan Kala. Moreover, this study makes an important contribution to the existent study since it is one of the few endeavors to estimate the WTP of the Central Asian inhabitants regarding the travel destination. Previous studies have estimated the use-value of destinations from Europe, the USA, and East Asia, but those studies mostly observed travelers from parallel countries. This research is therefore distinctive because both the travel site and survey sample was taken from Central Asia, specifically from Uzbekistan. This study reports the mindsets of Central Asian people towards paying the charge of using a travel destination; it may thereby function as a baseline study from which forthcoming studies may compare the behaviors of people living in this region with people living in other regions in terms of the estimation of non-market assets. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impacts and Sustainability of Tourism, Hospitality, and Events)

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17 pages, 1382 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Residents’ Perceptions and Behavioral Intentions towards Mega-Sports Events: A Case Study of Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games

by Zhuyan Xu, Chengzhong Wu and Xuefei Li

Sustainability 2022, 14(22), 14955; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142214955 - 11 Nov 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2108

Abstract

Despite growing research on the impacts of mega-sports events, comparative studies of the value perceptions of residents in host and non-host cities are rare. Residents’ perceptions are effective indicators of their behavioral intentions, which are crucial for the success of events and for [...] Read more.

Despite growing research on the impacts of mega-sports events, comparative studies of the value perceptions of residents in host and non-host cities are rare. Residents’ perceptions are effective indicators of their behavioral intentions, which are crucial for the success of events and for the place marketing of hosting cities. To fill this gap, this study constructed a model linking residents’ expected impacts, perceived value and behavioral intentions for mega-sports events. Informed by Social Exchange Theory, this study employed Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to analyze 1527 valid questionnaires collected in mainland China (412 in host cities, 1115 in non-host cities). The results reveal that non-host-city residents have more substantial expectations of impacts, perceptions of value, and behavioral intentions than host-city residents. Residents in Northeast China had the highest perceptions and behavioral intentions toward the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, implying that the geographical location of the non-host cities is an influencing factor. Researchers and practitioners should pay attention to those differences in research design and event planning to promote the sustainable development of mega-sports events. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impacts and Sustainability of Tourism, Hospitality, and Events)

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19 pages, 2491 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Analysis of the Ski Slopes and the Degree of Economic Dependence Induced by Winter Sports Tourism. The Case of Romania

by Grigore Vasile Herman, Vasile Grama, Sorin Buhaș, Lavinia Daiana Garai, Tudor Caciora, Alexandra Grecu, Andreea Karina Gruia, Oana Simona Hudea and Daniel Peptenatu

Sustainability 2021, 13(24), 13698; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132413698 - 11 Dec 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3286

Abstract

Winter sports are the main attraction for many tourist areas in Romania, contributing significantly to the development of local economies. Based on this, the study aims to analyze the ski areas in Romania, as well as the extent to which they contribute to [...] Read more.

Winter sports are the main attraction for many tourist areas in Romania, contributing significantly to the development of local economies. Based on this, the study aims to analyze the ski areas in Romania, as well as the extent to which they contribute to the sustainable development of the local economy. This is particularly important as, in recent decades, climate change has significantly affected winter sports, especially skiing. Thus, an analysis of the physical characteristics of ski runs in Romania (number, length, width, level difference and slope) is accompanied with an analysis on the dynamics of the share of tourism in the local economy of winter sport locations, based on tourism turnover relative to total turnover in the local economy. Both graphic and cartographic methods were used in this study, based on an analysis of quantitative and qualitative data available for ski slopes in Romania and the host localities. We used ArcGIS 10.6 software for the preparation of graphical representations and other software to process large databases. The research results showed a great diversity regarding counties, localities and ski slopes depending on the characteristic features of ski slopes (number, length, width, level difference and slope). In our study, the evolution of the share of turnover in tourism in terms of total turnover presented several categories of localities based on their economic dependence on winter sports; the impact in this regard was found to be very differentiated between localities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impacts and Sustainability of Tourism, Hospitality, and Events)

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25 pages, 533 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pairing Co-Creation with Food and Wine Experiences—A Holistic Perspective of Tourist Experiences in Dão, a Portuguese Wine Region

by Mariana Carvalho, Elisabeth Kastenholz and Maria João Carneiro

Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13416; https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313416 - 3 Dec 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3125

Abstract

The literature increasingly recognises the value of food and wine tourism for destinations’ competitiveness. Given the scarcity of conceptual and empirical studies on co-creation within this field of special interest tourism, this paper aims to enhance the understanding of how visitors and supply [...] Read more.

The literature increasingly recognises the value of food and wine tourism for destinations’ competitiveness. Given the scarcity of conceptual and empirical studies on co-creation within this field of special interest tourism, this paper aims to enhance the understanding of how visitors and supply agents co-create value in food and wine experiences, by analysing such experiences in the Portuguese wine region Dão. For this purpose, a qualitative study was undertaken, analysing visitors’ and tourism agents’ perceptions regarding five food and wine experiences: food and wine pairing, wine tasting with food pairing, harvesting, a culinary workshop and a wine workshop. The discourse obtained via in-depth semi-structured interviews from sixteen visitors and three supply agents was content analysed, supported by QSR NVivo 12. The results show that dimensions of the conceptually defined co-creation experience were, indeed, perceived in the visitors’ discourse, namely interaction (the most prominent in wine tasting and harvesting), active participation, engagement and personalization (the latter least reported). Sensorial engagement emerged from the discourse as an additional dimension that deserved attention. The agents’ perspective confirmed the importance of these dimensions in experience design. This paper identifies theoretical and managerial contributions for destination management organisations, wine tourism agents and marketers, as well as relevant paths for future research in this field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impacts and Sustainability of Tourism, Hospitality, and Events)

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31 pages, 2702 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comprehensive Evaluation of the Provincial Sustainable Tourismization Level in China and Its Temporal and Spatial Differences

by Yuwei He and Hui Zhang

Sustainability 2021, 13(18), 10475; https://doi.org/10.3390/su131810475 - 21 Sep 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1756

Abstract

Sustainable tourismization is a favorable development mode and pathway for the promotion of the coordinated development of the economy, society, and ecology. Based on the connotations of tourismization, a comprehensive evaluation index system of sustainable tourismization was constructed. This system consists of three [...] Read more.

Sustainable tourismization is a favorable development mode and pathway for the promotion of the coordinated development of the economy, society, and ecology. Based on the connotations of tourismization, a comprehensive evaluation index system of sustainable tourismization was constructed. This system consists of three dimensions: consumption tourismization, spatial tourismization, and industrial tourismization. The level, spatial, and temporal distribution characteristics, and differences in sustainable tourismization among China’s provinces from 2009 to 2018 were measured and analyzed using the improved entropy method, the Theil index, a spatial autocorrelation analysis, and other methods. It was found that the level of provincial sustainable tourismization in China has steadily increased over time, with the eastern region taking the lead. The overall differences and inter-regional differences in terms of the provincial sustainable tourismization level have generally decreased year-by-year. The intraregional differences within the eastern region were found to be the largest, and the rate of contribution of inter-regional differences to overall differences was shown to decrease gradually, while the rate of contribution of intraregional differences within the western region increased gradually. A positive spatial correlation in the provincial sustainable tourismization level was identified, and the spatial agglomeration effect showed an increasing trend. The spatial dependence was mainly characterized by “high–high” (HH) agglomeration, showing a ladder difference of “higher in the east and lower in the west”. The results of this study were used to identify where emphasis should be placed in terms of policy and strategy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impacts and Sustainability of Tourism, Hospitality, and Events)

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23 pages, 914 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Applications of Experience Economy in Craft Beer Tourism: A Case Study in Thailand’s Context

by Rangson Chirakranont and Sirijit Sunanta

Sustainability 2021, 13(18), 10448; https://doi.org/10.3390/su131810448 - 19 Sep 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4621

Abstract

With Thailand as a context, this study explores the applications of Pine and Gilmore’s experience economy framework in two forms of craft beer tourism, namely brewpubs and festivals. A three-pronged qualitative research design is used wherein data was collected through observations, interviews ( [...] Read more.

With Thailand as a context, this study explores the applications of Pine and Gilmore’s experience economy framework in two forms of craft beer tourism, namely brewpubs and festivals. A three-pronged qualitative research design is used wherein data was collected through observations, interviews (n = 26), and netnography (n = 203). The findings revealed that both forms of craft beer tourism implement four dimensions of the experience economy in different measures. Esthetic and escapist dimensions benefit from natural, scenic settings and a man-made environment. In addition, they advance the framework by proposing the dimension of entrepreneurship, which orchestrates the entertainment and education elements that enhance tourists’ experiences. The application of the experience economy framework is a useful strategic approach for craft beer tourism which can be applied in niche or special interest tourism, while also providing a significant influence on destination marketing and sustainable development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impacts and Sustainability of Tourism, Hospitality, and Events)

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14 pages, 2332 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sentiment Analysis to Measure Quality and Build Sustainability in Tourism Destinations

by Fernando Borrajo-Millán, María-del-Mar Alonso-Almeida, María Escat-Cortes and Liu Yi

Sustainability 2021, 13(11), 6015; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13116015 - 26 May 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3913

Abstract

The models used for analyzing and measuring quality in tourist destinations are changing with the incorporation of new techniques derived from data science and artificial intelligence. Recent studies show how social media and e-word of mouth (e-WoM) are playing key roles in the [...] Read more.

The models used for analyzing and measuring quality in tourist destinations are changing with the incorporation of new techniques derived from data science and artificial intelligence. Recent studies show how social media and e-word of mouth (e-WoM) are playing key roles in the perception and image diffusion of tourist destinations. Thus, it is necessary to look for new methods for analyzing the tourist management and attractiveness of tourist spots. This includes conducting a sentiment analysis of tourists that modifies former research methods based on previously proposed model, supported by a survey, which obtained predefined and incomplete results. This study analyzed the quality of tourism in Spain, a major tourist destination that is considered to be the country with the greatest tourist competitiveness according to the World Economic Forum, and in China, the country with the greatest level of development and potential. A sentiment analysis was carried out to measure the quality of tourist destinations in Spain, and this involved three challenges: (1) the analysis of the sentiments of Chinese tourists obtained from e-WoM; (2) the use of new models to measure the quality of a destination based on information from Chinese social networks, and (3) the use of the latest artificial intelligence analytical technologies. Our findings demonstrate how sentiment analysis can be a determining factor in measuring WoM and identifying areas of development in tourist destinations in order to build a more sustainable destination. The results includes the following aspects: (1) the use of real images with more empirical evidence, (2) the use of impressive and disappointing sentiments, (3) a “no comment status”, (4) elimination of stereotypes, and (5) the identification of new opportunities and segments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impacts and Sustainability of Tourism, Hospitality, and Events)

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