Tourism and Hospitality

Motorsports tourism has a significant impact on host communities, especially when they are small communities. This research aims to segment the resident population of a very small rural municipality, Obejo, before the celebration of the Sierra Morena Rally in the province of Cordoba, Spain. The study is based on the principles of social exchange theory (SET) and the triple bottom line (TBL). In addition, it follows calls from the existing academic literature to explore a fourth dimension of impact perception, related to inclusion from the point of view of gender, age, and functional diversity. exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and non-hierarchical cluster analysis were used on a sample of 281 residents. A structure of four dimensions of impact perception is obtained: economic, social, environmental, and inclusive. Together, they explain just over 80% of the total variance. Three population segments are defined: motor enthusiasts, environmentally conscious fans, and admitted critics. This study underlines the need to expand the TBL framework with an inclusive dimension in motorsports tourism, emphasizing gender equality, intergenerational participation and functional diversity to foster more sustainable and socially cohesive events in rural areas. Full article

The study investigates how information asymmetry affects customer satisfaction in the tourism industry by examining trust and perceived value as mediating factors. The research implements an integrated model to test and prove information asymmetry’s direct and mediating effects on customer satisfaction by examining the literature gap. The research used a quantitative approach based on opinion polls distributed to 408 customers of hotels, tourism companies, and travel agencies who were in Egypt. SmartPLS 3 software implemented the data analysis process using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Previous studies have developed scales to measure information asymmetry and its related constructs, including customer trust, perceived value, and customer satisfaction. Multiple tests showed that the measurement tools possess both reliability and validity. Results strongly support all hypotheses: information asymmetry demonstrated significant direct negative effects on customer satisfaction (β = −0.187), trust (β = −0.520), and perceived value (β = −0.453). Conversely, customer satisfaction received significant positive direct effects from both trust (β = 0.273) and perceived value (β = 0.263). Importantly, trust (indirect effect β = −0.142) and perceived value (indirect effect β = −0.119) acted as powerful mediators, confirming that information asymmetry diminishes satisfaction largely by eroding these crucial factors. Crucially, the results demonstrate that the negative impact of information asymmetry on customer satisfaction is significantly mediated jointly through two parallel pathways: the erosion of customer trust and the impairment of perceived value. The research adds theoretical support to information asymmetry theory with its findings while also extending trust theory, perceived value theory, and expectancy disconfirmation theory in the field of e-commerce. E-commerce entities must establish clear communication to gain customer trust and create perceived value that helps compensate for information asymmetry to create enhanced customer loyalty and superior market position. Full article

This article analyzes the application of artificial intelligence in the tourism sector in Lithuania, Latvia, and Sweden. This paper aims (1) to identify the benefits of AI-based digital tools for the operations of tourism organizations, and (2) to identify the challenges in using AI-based digital tools in tourism organizations. An analysis of scientific literature has been carried out and the primary data have been obtained from 17 semi-structured interviews conducted in tourism enterprises of three countries. The survey sampling method used is criterion sampling. The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis, applying a conventional approach to content analysis using an inductive coding process. The main benefits of AI-based digital tools for tourism organization activities are personalization of services, automation and increased operational efficiency of tourism organization activities, etc. Tourism organizations implementing or already using artificial intelligence in their activities are usually faced with the challenge of ensuring data privacy and security, the high costs of implementing artificial intelligence systems, etc. Full article

Seasonality, a defining characteristic of tourism, is recognized as a significant challenge for regional tourism, affecting local economies and limiting sustainable development. Among the various strategies that the literature suggests to alleviate its negative effects, the organization of events stands out. In particular, sport events have gained recognition as an essential element for all-year round tourism development. However, a deeper understanding of how tourism practitioners (those experiencing the personal and financial difficulties of seasonality) perceive the potential of sport events to smooth its challenges has not yet been explored enough. This study aims to fill this gap by examining tourism practitioners’ views on the role of sport events, particularly running ones, in mitigating tourism seasonality. To achieve this, in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with tourism practitioners from selected regions of Greece who, as active stakeholders, shared their perspectives in the development of regional tourism through the year round. The data gathered from these interviews was analyzed using thematic analysis. The results indicate that most of the respondents recognize seasonality as a significant challenge and they share a common concern regarding its adverse effects on both regional tourism and on their local businesses. Themes of survival and sustainability emerged consistently, emphasizing the need to implement various initiatives, aside from sport events, to mitigate its effects. This study contributes to the ongoing discussion on seasonality, focusing on its economic and social implications, particularly from the perspective of tourism professionals. It also provides practical recommendations for destination managers on utilizing sport events as a tool for promoting tourism during off-season periods. Lastly, the findings highlight the need for localized and collaborative initiatives to address seasonality issues and support sustainable development. Full article

Work-related constraints significantly hinder individuals’ ability to engage in leisure travel, impacting mental health and work–life balance. This study investigates the influence of work-related travel constraints on travel intentions using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as a framework. By integrating work-related constraints into the TPB model, this study examines how these barriers shape attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control, as well as their subsequent impact on travel intentions. Data were collected through an online survey of 274 employed individuals in South Korea and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal that work-related travel constraints negatively affect attitudes and perceived behavioral control, which in turn reduce travel intentions. Subjective norms, however, positively influence attitudes and perceived behavioral control, highlighting the critical role of social support in mitigating constraints. Additionally, attitudes mediate the relationship between work-related constraints and travel intentions, as well as between subjective norms and travel intentions. These results emphasize the psychological and structural effects of work-related constraints on leisure travel decisions. The research offers both theoretical and practical insights, advocating for workplace policies and initiatives aimed at enhancing work–life balance and facilitating leisure travel for individuals facing constraints. Full article

Airports are critical global transit points, yet their medical services often overlook emergency dental care—a vital component of comprehensive passenger assistance. This study examines the availability of dental services at 28 European airports accommodating over 20 million passengers annually. Using content analysis of official airport websites, the presence of terms like “dental” and “dentist” was documented. Results reveal that only six airports provide dental services, with Istanbul Airport being the sole facility offering 24/7 emergency care airside. Other airports limit services to landside and operate within standard hours. The lack of widespread dental care in airports highlights a significant gap in passenger health services, with implications for traveler satisfaction, operational efficiency, and overall public health. This analysis underscores the need for broader integration of dental facilities into airport infrastructures to meet the diverse and urgent needs of global travelers and staff. Full article

This study examined the trends and key themes of artificial intelligence in the field of tourism and hospitality research. On 5 March 2025, a search was performed using “artificial intelligence” and related terms in the “Title, Abstract, and Keywords”, focusing on tourism and hospitality journals indexed in Scopus. The identified documents were subjected to performance analysis and science mapping techniques. The search yielded 921 documents, comprising 882 articles and 39 reviews. The number of documents increased from 3 in 1987 to 277 in 2024. R. Law from the University of Macau was the most prolific author, while the Hong Kong Polytechnic University recorded the highest publication count. Chinese researchers produced the most documents, totaling 262 articles and reviews. A keyword co-occurrence analysis revealed four key themes: “machine learning and sentiment analysis of online reviews”, “adoption of AI including robots and ChatGPT in the hospitality industry”, “artificial neural networks for tourism management and demand analysis”, and “random forest models in travel”. Additionally, the study noted a shift in research focus from tourism demand forecasting and sentiment analysis to using service bots and applying artificial intelligence to enhance service quality, with a recent emphasis on generative AI tools like ChatGPT. Full article

This article explores the development process of a sharing platform in the tourism industry, drawing on a longitudinal case study of a sharing-based business in adventure tourism in Sweden. The purpose is to explore how sharing business models emerge through processes of ideological narration—the strategic use of stories to shape and sustain a business. Over a two-year period, empirical data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observations, and document study. The findings suggest that sharing business models are developed in processes of ideological narration designed to attract labour, capital, and users to a digital platform. Four master narratives are identified—sharing, sustainability, shared identity, and profit-making—narratives grounded in conflicting ideological logics. The dominance of these narratives shifts over time, reflecting different priorities and challenges encountered at various stages of a sharing business model’s development. This dynamic highlights the fluid and multi-faceted nature of narratives in shaping and sustaining sharing businesses in the tourism industry. Full article

It is necessary for the allocation of resources to be more efficient, and making more adequate operational strategies to realize productivity change is contributed to by the kind of output sources in the hotel’s production process. This study tries to propose hotel productivity change models from overall and disaggregate perspectives by using the Luenberger productivity index based on directional distance function. Empirical findings briefly show that the overall productivity change of ITHs in Taiwan has a growing trend and is driven from a technical change rather than an efficiency change. Moreover, the disaggregate hotel productivity growth comes from the service of hotel facilities, but improving the performance of the catering service is more important to a hotel’s overall performance. Individual ITHs can grasp the contribution of disaggregate hotel productivity growth on the overall productivity change, maintaining or developing competitive advantages in the hotel’s operation and management. Therefore, the viewpoint of this study can not only be used to examine the hotel issues but also be applied to other issues in the hospitality and tourism industry that target overall and disaggregate productivity growth. Full article

This study analyses social media networks in tourism using graphs focusing on user influence, hashtag patterns, and engagement. This study aims to reveal the structural function of core users, development of hashtags, and interaction patterns that construct tourism discourses. Using NodeXL 2024 for social network visualization and clustering analysis, this study measures centrality, modularity, and geodesic distances for influential user detection, topical dissemination, and engagement pattern identification. The results uncover bridging nodes between different communities, the proliferation of thematic hashtags related to sustainability and cultural heritage, and the role of emotional and visual storytelling in the use of engagement patterns. The theoretical implications also progress SNA application in tourism studies by illuminating aspects of how online discourses coalesce and the effect of SNA on access. In practical terms, this study indicates that destination marketers must consider leveraging key influencers, using strategic types of hashtags, and by monitoring engagement at key times to maximize effective destination marketing and to enhance crisis communication. These contributions notwithstanding, limitations involve the omission of sentiment analysis and the necessity for longitudinal data. By exploring new emerging platforms like TikTok and Instagram, researchers can begin to understand the more relevant trends of digital engagement. The present research offers a data-driven approach for facilitating the significance of integrating social media strategies with network externalities for tourism operators. Full article

Cruise ship tourism in port cities, while offering opportunities, has brought its own challenges, including overcrowding, disruption to local community mobility, and growing resident concerns, which recently escalated to anti-tourism activities. This article aims to understand the mobility patterns, transportation preferences, and spatial behaviors of cruise ship passengers within the City of Barcelona (Spain). The study is based on a survey conducted with cruise ship tourists visiting the city (n = 793). The key findings reveal the concentration of tourist activity in the old part of the city, and the similarity in spatial behaviors within the city, while the primary mode of exploration is walking, supported by motorized modes of transfer to access distant attractions. Socio-demographic factors and visit characteristics, such as age, group composition, and expenditure levels, are associated with mobility and spatial behavior. This article adds new evidence on the mobility patterns and spatial behaviors of cruise ship tourists visiting a major tourist city. With better knowledge of where cruise ship passengers concentrate, what activity patterns they show, and their preferred modes of transport, policymakers can manage more effectively the influx during peak times and in high-density areas. Strategies to distribute visitors more evenly across the city could be devised to alleviate pressure on heavily frequented zones. Full article

As museums serve as major tourist destinations, ensuring the sustainable presentation of exhibits addressing social justice issues, such as colonial legacies, is increasingly critical. This study examines how one destination museum engaged with its colonial past through a temporary exhibit designed to challenge traditional narratives and amplify marginalized perspectives. The primary objective is to assess whether such temporary interventions foster lasting engagement with colonial histories or risk becoming fleeting gestures that ultimately reinforce hegemonic narratives. Using Gramsci’s theory of hegemony and the concept of moral licensing as analytical frameworks, this research systematically analyzes the content of both original and supplementary exhibit labels to evaluate their impact on visitor engagement with colonial histories. Specifically, this study addresses two key research questions: (RQ1) What new historical narratives and perspectives on colonialism did visitors encounter through the inclusion of supplementary museum labels addressing colonial legacies? (RQ2) What insights can be drawn from the addition and subsequent removal of these labels to inform future strategies for fostering sustained critical engagement with social justice issues, particularly colonial histories, in museum settings? Findings indicate that the addition of supplementary labels provided tourists with a deeper, more critical understanding of the museum’s colonial history and helped disrupt hegemonic narratives. However, as the exhibit was temporary, the removal of these labels revealed the risks of moral licensing, where short-term efforts may justify a return to dominant perspectives. This research contributes to the literature by demonstrating that to effectively and sustainably engage visitors with social justice issues, destination museums must integrate marginalized narratives into permanent or recurring exhibits. While even modest interventions, such as additional museum labels, can challenge established narratives, sustained efforts are essential to ensure that tourists continue engaging with critical social justice issues. Full article

This study examines the main determinants influencing the commitment of tourism village managers and business stakeholders to implement digital transformation. It will test the impact of perceived benefits, attitudes towards change, consumer behavior change, and the technological context on the intentions and commitments of tourism village managers and enterprises in Bogor Regency, Indonesia. The Causal Step multiple linear regression analysis examined 146 respondents selected through saturated sampling. The findings indicated that attitudes towards change, consumer behavior change, and the technological context significantly influenced the commitment to implement a digital transformation, mediated by the intention to implement digital transformation. The intention to implement digital transformation became a perfect part of the technological context of the commitment to implement digital transformation. It became a partial mediator of the influence of digital attitudes towards change and consumer behavior change on the commitment to implement transformation. Perceived benefits only directly affected the commitment to implement digital transformation. This research has at least two novelties, conceptual and contextual novelties. Conceptual novelty is studied in digital transformation, focusing on tourism villages. The contextual novelty is that the findings offer a more thorough understanding of the conditions and stages of technological transformation embraced by stakeholders and managers of tourism villages. Full article

This paper aims to analyze the influence of digital marketing in Kosovo’s tourism industry from three key perspectives: consumers, businesses, and industry experts (IEs). The research explores how digital marketing influences the identification of tourist destinations, the promotion of tourism businesses, and sustainable tourism development. The study used semi-structured interviews to collect primary data from twenty-five participants, selected through non-probability and purposive heterogeneous sampling techniques. The data were analyzed qualitatively using a thematic analysis approach, encompassing a multi-step coding process involving data categorization, reduction, and display techniques. The findings reveal that digital marketing significantly impacts Kosovo’s tourism industry. A qualitative analysis of the interviews confirms that digital media is crucial for consumers in identifying tourist destinations. Tourism businesses utilize digital marketing channels to advertise destinations, while IEs recognize digital marketing’s pivotal role in fostering tourism sustainable growth. This study sheds light on how digital marketing not only supports the promotion and identification of tourist destinations but also contributes to long-term tourism development. The study offers practical implications, providing valuable insights for tourists seeking destination information, for businesses in enhancing digital engagement with tourists, and for policymakers aiming to develop targeted, sustainable tourism strategies that leverage digital marketing trends. Full article

The objectives of this study are, firstly, to determine the impact of tourism village development on economic, social, cultural, and environmental aspects in supporting the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and, secondly, to formulate a halal, local culture-based, and sustainable tourism village development model. The research method was qualitative and quantitative. Survey data were collected using questionnaires and interviews. The data were analyzed using a difference test before and after the development of the tourism village. Based on the data analysis, significant differences in economic, social, cultural, and environmental aspects existed before and after the development of the Benteng Ciampea tourism village in Bogor Regency, Indonesia. Many studies have examined the impact of tourism village development on social, economic, cultural, and environmental aspects. However, no comprehensive research has been conducted that is supported by empirical data. Most studies have been conducted partially and not linked to the SDGs. The SDGs issue distinguishes this from previous studies on developing sustainable halal tourism villages. Full article

The travel and transportation sectors continuously fight to stay up to date with new advancements in technology. Disruptive technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), are being used to develop businesses, enhance economic growth, revolutionize existing industries, create new opportunities, and increase productivity and efficiency. Notwithstanding the several advantages that this technology may bring, there is still little research on AI use in the travel and transportation sectors. This research contributes to this still understudied field to fill a gap in the literature by putting out a novel, thorough, and as far as we know not yet tested until now theoretical model, designed with the combination of the outcome of a literature meta-analysis study with Travel Experience and the Intention to Recommend technology constructs. A quantitative investigation using an online questionnaire was administered through social media and reached a total of 100 European participants. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was employed to test the suggested model empirically. The findings highlight that the user’s attitude towards AI is strongly influenced by Performance Expectancy and that the Intention to Use this technology is significantly influenced by Initial Trust and Attitude. Theoretical and practical contributions, limitations, and future areas of research are discussed. Full article

Kruger National Park is one of the most well-preserved national parks in the Southern Hemisphere. However, cases of visitors participating in deviant leisure practices (DLPs) are reported in the park, threatening the sustainability of sensitive tourism resources. Adopting a deviant leisure lens, this study assesses the extent to which visitors participate in DLPs at the Kruger National Park (KNP) and the causes of those behaviours. Variables adopted from the KNP codes of conduct for visitors were used to measure the DLPs based on the visitors’ perception of the park. A quantitative survey design, with a sample size of 237 respondents, assessed respondents’ participation in DLPs. The study results reveal that visitors participate in DLPs at KNP. However, the level at which visitors participate in DLPs is inconsistent. The most common DLPs by visitors are getting close to animals to take pictures and driving off-road to see animals. The reasons for visitors participating in these behaviours are the need to create memorable experiences and being in “holiday mode”. The least violated codes of conduct in the park are picking up archaeological objects to keep them as souvenirs and bringing prohibited items into the park without declaring. This study is significant as it is the first to investigate the extent visitors participate in DLPs using a self-reported instrument. Based on the results, park managers may develop effective strategies to reduce the number of visitors getting close to animals to take pictures and driving off-road to observe animals at close range. Full article

This paper explores the relationship between accommodation choices and visitor interests, and characteristics in the emerging cross-border Karst Geopark, a geologically rich nature-based destination. It examines how demographics, interests, and activity preferences influence lodging decisions. Findings indicate that older visitors, women, and repeat tourists favor agritourism, whereas first-time and cross-border travelers prefer private rooms for greater flexibility. Additionally, interests in geotourism and cycling significantly shape accommodation preferences. The study highlights the need for destination managers and accommodation providers to tailor offerings to visitor expectations, enhancing tourism benefits. Methodological limitations, including sample imbalance and overlooked external factors, are discussed, with recommendations for future research to refine predictive models and incorporate supply-side attributes. These insights provide valuable guidance for policymakers and tourism stakeholders in developing targeted, sustainable accommodation strategies. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic altered the holiday plans of many people. Whether it was due to travel bans or the fear of contracting the infection, people modified, among other aspects, their chosen destination, travel transport, accommodations, length of stay, and activities to be undertaken during the stay. In this context, we aim to disentangle the effect of these changes on tourist satisfaction. Previous research on the effects of COVID-19 on the tourism sector has studied the shrinkage of tourism demand, changes in tourist behaviour and adaptation processes on the supply side. Nonetheless, few works have analysed changes in tourists’ plans. Two main hypotheses have been put forward. First, tourists might be dissatisfied given that they could not attain their holiday expectations. In contrast, the second hypothesis suggests that those individuals who changed their holiday plans might be more satisfied because they diminished their perceived risk of contagion. We have used data drawn from a survey of tourists (N = 2009) who visited Costa Daurada, a very popular Mediterranean coastal destination just after the end of the Spanish lockdown. Then, statistically significant differences in satisfaction levels between the groups that altered their plans and those who did not are assessed by means of Kruskal–Wallis and Wilcoxon Rank Sum tests. Results signal that tourists were not more dissatisfied when they had modified their initial holiday plans. Indeed, the overall satisfaction of those visitors who switched their initial destination to travel to Costa Daurada was slightly lower, and the difference was significant, compared to the ones who were planning to travel there from the very beginning. Satisfaction was not significantly lower for those who changed their holiday plans in the case of the rest of the items analysed (transportation, length of stay, accommodation, and overall activities). On the contrary, in the case of activities, changes apparently contributed to mitigate the risk perception and led to a better tourist experience. Results also suggest that tourists were willing to adapt to a new situation in order not to renounce their holidays. In terms of implications for destination management and stakeholders, the main conclusion is that continuous cooperation and mutual trust are key to adapting to turbulent environments in which risk perception becomes central. Full article