Travel Industry Research Articles

Unveiling the impact of ChatGPT on travel consumer behaviour: exploring trust, attribute, and sustainable-tourism action

ABSTRACT This study examines the influence of ChatGPT on tourist behaviour using complexity theory. Factors such as media richness, anthropomorphism, trust in ChatGPT, and trust in online travel agencies are investigated to understand their effects on purchasing intentions and word-of-mouth, along with a moderator of sustainable-tourism action (practice). Results revealed the relationships among the variables, highlighting the crucial role of trust in shaping consumer behaviour. A comparison between high and low levels of sustainable-tourism practice groups provides further insights. The study discusses implications for the travel industry, emphasising the importance of leveraging ChatGPT to enhance tourist trust and sustainable actions.

Covid-19 Vaccine Passports: Global Inequalities and Entangled Mobilities

Vaccine passport is a new term that has recently entered the vocabulary of nation-states and those involved in the travel industry. A passport is a tool through which individuals can be mobile internationally and by which they can be identified, tracked, and regulated. Although the introduction of vaccine passports has facilitated the reopening of borders and air travel and assists with reviving economic situations of nation-states, it also means that those who carry proof of immunization are the only ones who may be able to travel freely. The citizens of many countries will not have access to vaccines nor vaccine passports in the near future. As such, the biopolitics of vaccination passports become entangled with preexisting global and domestic inequalities and risk further entrenching the immobilities of people in the periphery. In this article, we discuss the ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the meaning of freedom of movement globally and how the introduction of vaccine passports perpetuates and exacerbates existing inequalities in terms of unequal access to international travel and freedom of movement.

Reimagining Tourist Engagement: Integrating ChatGPT into the Tourism Industry's Service Ecosystem

This study examines the transformative impact of ChatGPT and related AI technologies on tourist experiences and service personalization in the travel industry, signifying a substantial shift in consumer engagement strategies. Through thorough analysis, the findings illustrate how ChatGPT contributes to enhanced decision-making, heightened personalization, and the strengthening of trust and loyalty among tourists. Highlighting the interplay between technological innovation and the critical human aspect in hospitality, the research suggests AI's capability to supplement rather than supplant human interactions. It discusses the theoretical implications for consumer behavior and service personalization frameworks and outlines practical considerations for tourism stakeholders, focusing on ethical AI usage, data privacy, and fostering human-AI collaboration. Acknowledging the research's limitations, the paper proposes future research directions, emphasizing the need for cross-cultural studies, ethical considerations in AI usage, and investigating the long-term impact of AI on the tourism industry. This study contributes to academic discourse and provides practical insights for industry practitioners, laying the groundwork for future AI integration in tourism.

The intersection of faith and tourism: an exploratory study on halal tourism motivations among Indian millennials

Purpose This study aims to explore the motivations of emerging market millennial Muslims to partake in halal tourism, a developing sector of the travel industry that caters to the religious practices of Muslim tourists. Design/methodology/approach This study is qualitative in nature. In-depth interviews were conducted with millennials aged 25–40 in India to gain an understanding of the factors that influence their decision-making and travel behaviour. Further, thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Findings The findings emphasise the intricate interplay between faith, cultural and social factors in millennial Indians’ motivations for halal travel. The study found that religious motivations, such as the desire to fulfil religious duties and participate in spiritual experiences, were significant factors in halal tourism. Social motivations, such as the desire to interact with other Muslims and strengthen family ties, also played a significant role. The study also highlighted the importance of environmental sustainability and conservation efforts in the decision-making process of Indian millennials when choosing halal travel options. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature on halal tourism by exploring the motivations of emerging-market millennial Muslims. The study is original in its focus on the Indian context and the inclusion of sustainability and conservation efforts in the analysis of motivations for halal tourism.

THE USE OF AUGMENTED REALITY (AR) AND VIRTUAL REALITY (VR) IN TOURISM MARKETING

Recent technological advancements have transformed the dynamics of interpersonal interaction and communication, creating novel avenues for engagement between companies and consumers. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) have become pivotal innovations, offering individuals innovative tools to navigate this evolving landscape. The tourism and travel industry has notably embraced these immersive technologies. This study independently aims to explore the applications of AR and VR in tourism marketing, drawing insights from diverse sectors such as hotels, restaurants, applications, and tourism providers in Türkiye and globally. Through a comprehensive literature review, the study elucidates key concepts. Two cases, Dedeman İstanbul Hotel and Marriott International Hotels, were examined using a qualitative research approach focusing on case study analysis. The effectiveness of AR and VR technologies in promoting travel has been evaluated. These selected case studies, analyzed through inductive reasoning, serve to illustrate the varied and impactful use of AR and VR technologies in tourism marketing.

Technologies of virtual reality in the field of tourism

This article reveals the theoretical and practical issues of using virtual reality technologies in the field of providing tourist services. The position is argued that innovative technologies, which are currently involved in all aspects of our lives, whether it is a commercial sphere or a service sphere, have not bypassed the tourism industry. Such technological development has become very effective in the national economy of any country in the world, as new technologies can overcome obstacles related to space and time barriers, pandemic outbreaks, etc. In the scientific literature, virtual tourism has become a rather promising phenomenon for the research of lawyers, marketers, sociologists and psychologists. The peculiarities of the application of virtual reality technologies in the tourism field have been the subject of research by many foreign scientists for several years. The largest number of publications on this issue is in Asian countries, in particular China and Indonesia, where the tourism sector has been most affected due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions. Their experimental studies reveal the main positive and negative aspects of the use of virtual reality technologies in the tourism sector. Within the framework of our research, attention is paid to the specifics of the application of certain types of virtual and augmented reality technologies in the field of providing tourist services. In particular, we characterized tourism using the system of immersive virtual reality technologies, photorealistic 360-degree virtual tours, travel blogs, live broadcasts. Although this is not an exclusive list, virtual tourism can be supplemented with technologies of augmented reality, panoramic online tour, 3D photos, videos, etc. It was found that the application of virtual reality technologies in tourism is indispensable for the creation of a new travel industry. It can enable users to visualize a virtual world by responding to visual, moving and audio cues, creating a sense of presence without having to leave their home or comfort zone.

Social Media Tourism Marketing Optimization: Improving Promotion Effectiveness and Broadening the Consumer Base

This research investigates the price-based strategy of social media in tourism marketing, specifically in China. The study involves both primary and secondary methodology research, represented in qualitative format. The primary research evidence is collected from Chinese travelers and relevant people in the travel industry by using online questionnaires and interviews since it is a more efficient way to receive more responses within less amount of time. On the other hand, secondary evidence is collected from various online sources, including relevant and credible articles, news reports, and academic essays. According to the secondary evidence, the key areas considered in the pricing-based Marketing Landscape for the Travel industry on social media are the challenges, stakeholders perceptions, pricing-based strategies, and the impact of social media marketing. By evaluating the evidence and data, the research concludes that from both social and economic perspectives, social media marketing has a more significant positive impact than a negative one on the views of companies and customers, which benefit both firms and consumers in terms of the ability to provide better product quality. This research further shows that the tourism industry needs to adopt a pricing strategy tailored to firms specific cases in order to achieve more effective marketing and operation efficiency with long-term development.

Investigating the Impact of Instagram Travel Influencers on the Travel Intentions of Chinese Students Studying in the UK

Social media influencers (SMIs) marketing has proven to be a successful strategy in the travel industry, engaging with specific consumer target groups in a trustworthy and approachable manner. Of the many social media platforms, Instagram is the most popular with Generation Y and Z. The majority of Chinese students in the UK for higher education are Gen Z and Chinese students spend the most on travel in the UK. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the impact of Instagram travel influencers on the travel intentions of Chinese students studying in the UK. This study proposed hypotheses based on the Stimulus-Organism-Response model that the quality of information generated by Instagram travel influencers, their credibility and popularity & engagement have a positive effect on the generation of follower trust, and that trust has a positive effect on travel intention. To test the hypotheses, this study collected data from Chinese Gen Y and Z students studying in the UK by means of a questionnaire. The results showed that the credibility and popularity & engagement of Instagram travel influencers had a positive effect on followers generating trust and trust had a positive effect on travel intention, while the quality of information generated by Instagram travel influencers had no effect on trust. This study contributes to the existing literature for the impacts of SMIs on international students’ travel intention and provides practical implications for travel agencies in the UK to choose propriate SMIs to promote the destinations and for travel influencers to reap benefits from the travel industry.

Factors influencing consumers’ Airbnb use intention: a meta-analytic analysis using the UTAUT2

PurposeThis study integrates previous research on the intention to use Airbnb to determine which antecedents provide a parsimonious explanation.Design/methodology/approachMeta-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.FindingsA 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 implicationsRelatively 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/valueThis 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.

Consumer Confidence, Uncertainties, and Risk of the UK Travel and Leisure Industry

This study examines the impact of changes in consumer confidence and uncertainty related to economic policy, financial markets, and the crude oil market, on the returns and risk of the UK travel and leisure stock index. Using monthly data from November 2005 to February 2021 and applying quantile regressions and copula-based conditional value-at-risk (CoVaR) measures, the results are as follows. First, consumer confidence and uncertainties significantly impact the travel and leisure index returns across various quantiles, however, the impact is stronger at the left tail than the right tail; furthermore, the sign and magnitude of the impact differ across the various uncertainty measures. Second, there are significant upside and downside extreme risk spillovers from the extreme movements in the consumer confidence and uncertainty indices to travel and leisure index returns, with evidence of an asymmetric impact. Third, the results are influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic and global financial crisis. These findings have implications for market participants, such as portfolio managers, individual and institutional investors, and policymakers in the UK travel and leisure industry.

Tours and Travel Management System

The travel industry is witnessing a significant transformation driven by advancements in cloud computing technologies. In this context, the project "Intelligent Tours and Travel Management System on Salesforce" endeavors to leverage the robust capabilities of the Salesforce platform to revolutionize travel agency operations. By centralizing critical information and automating routine tasks, the system aims to enhance operational efficiency and elevate customer experiences. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the project, including its objectives, methodology, anticipated outcomes, and potential impact on the travel industry

The Effect of Work Motivation and Reward System on Employee Performance at Travel Agent: Case Study Travelinn

This study discusses the effect of work motivation and the Reward system on employee performance at a travel agent in the Menteng area. The research method used is quantitative. This study uses primary data using a questionnaire which is then distributed to respondents, namely 10 employees who are at Travelinn. Data collection is also by direct observation. Descriptive statistics are used to provide an overview of data from work motivation variables, reward systems and employee performance, as well as the distribution of items from each variable. The inferential analysis used in this study is multiple linear regression involving the t test and F test. The results showed that work motivation has a positive and significant effect on employee performance and the Reward system also has a positive and significant effect on employee performance. It is recommended to travel agent management to focus on work motivation factors and reward systems that can improve employee performance. This research also confirms the importance of paying attention to motivational and reward factors in achieving organizational goals in the travel industry.

Penyuluhan dan Pelatihan Tour Planner Kelompok Sadar Wisata Desa Wisata Letman Dalam Upaya Pengembangan Paket Wisata Terintegrasi

YTR Ohoi Letman tourism village is one of tourism village in Southeast Maluku Regency classified as a developing category of tourism village which has historical, culinary and marine tourism-based tourist attractions. However, this tourism village has not been able to complete one of the indicators in a developing category of tourism village, which is the tour packages innovation based on the potential of the village. For this reason, we took the initiative to conduct counseling and training to shape the knowledge and skills for the operators to become the tour planners. Seminar method is used in counseling with the Contextul Teaching and Learning model, where the seminar's material explained is related to the latest condition of the travel industry. Small Group Discussion method is used for training, where the speaker makes a draft of the task and is discussed by the participants as well as being presented. The result of the seminar, there was a significant increase in knowledge related to the material that had been delivered. While the results of the training, the participants have been able to arrange and calculate the tour packages of their tourism village.

Exploring the career challenges of female tour guides in the Sri Lankan travel and tourism industry: Social Role Theory perspective

This paper aims to understand what barriers have resulted in the poor representation of female tour guides in the Sri Lankan travel and tourism industry. The study's design employed a qualitative approach to gain in-depth insights into the experiences of female tour guides, utilising thematic analysis as the analytical strategy. Three main themes emerged from the qualitative research findings of the interviewed female national tour guides: the feminine gender identity of female tour guides, the gender role of women, and gender stereotypes. Firstly, the feminine gender identity of female tour guides presents how femininity contradicts the tour guide's occupational role in the Sri Lankan context. Secondly, gender stereotypes prevalent in familial, work, and broader societal spheres hinder the success of female tour guides in their careers. Finally, socially constructed gender roles impose additional obstacles for women pursuing careers as tour guides. Consequently, these constraints impede women's fulfilment of their social role, creating a challenging atmosphere to be a female tour guide in Sri Lanka. This research suggested that it is the responsibility of government bodies to ensure equal opportunities for females to take up the tour guide occupation.

Investigating Students’ ESP Target and Learning Needs: A Case Study at Tourism and Industry Program

English for Specific Purpose (ESP) is essential for vocational schools presently. However, many vocational schools still provided general English language material under the students' specific program. This study investigated the target and learning needs of the travel and tourism industry program students of SMK Negeri 1 Kota Sorong in learning English. Thirty-five students participated in this study. Data were obtained from Open-ended Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The study revealed that the students' targets in learning English were to communicate in English fluently both in spoken and written, be successful in the workplace and higher education, and have an advanced English proficiency level to be a guide in a travel and tourism agency. The students' learning needs were the learning English inputs spoken and written with pictures, learning English with the short texts with a specific topic related to the program, various activities to become active and independent learners. However, they still wanted the teacher to read the text and translate it directly with them. Therefore, students expected the school to design an ESP program to make the English learning process specifically appropriate for the travel and tourism industry program.

Determinant factors of gross domestic product (GDP) in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries

Background The gross domestic product (GDP) of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states can be used to determine their overall economic growth. In order to increase GDP, all emerging nations in Southeast Asia are stating to depend on foreign direct investment (FDI), the tourism industry, international visitors visiting ASEAN member nations banking credit, and low inflation rates. High inflation is a problem that developed and developing countries will definitely face. One of the problems faced by ASEAN member countries is that most of the member countries are in the developing country category. For ASEAN member countries, high inflation levels will encourage economic instability. GDP is less than optimal because of these classic problems in developing countries so that economic growth is not as planned. The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), which ASEAN established, is seen as a way to reduce unemployment, alleviate poverty by boosting the travel and tourism industry and increasing investment, as well as to offer or distribute credit to businesses at low interest rates in order to boost GDP. The purpose of this study is to investigate and analyze how the GDP of ASEAN member nations is affected by FDI, foreign visitors, bank credit, and inflation. s: We analyzed panel data for seven ASEAN members from 2002 to 2020. FDI, foreign tourists, banking credit, and inflation are the research factors examined as independent variables that have an impact on GDP, the dependent variable. Results The study’s findings indicate that while inflation has a large negative impact on GDP, FDI, foreign tourism, and bank credit have a considerable positive impact on GDP. Conclusions FDI, foreign tourists, bank credit, and inflation have a significant influence on GDP in ASEAN member countries.

Service Performance Measurement Using the Supply Chain Operation Reference Model in The Events and Travel Industry

Objective: This study aims to measure the performance of supply chain services using the Supply Chain Operation Reference (SCOR) Version 11.0 model in the events and travel industry. Design/Methods/Approach: The Supply Chain Operation Reference (SCOR) version 11.0 framework was employed to measure the performance of supply chain services. The performance indicators were assigned weights using the Analytical Hierarchy Process in Expert Choice Software. The performance achievements were marked using the traffic light system method, and an Action Plan was suggested for the company to improve its performance. Findings: The present study found 17 performance indicators consisting of 4 Plan performance attributes, 5 Source performance attributes, 3 Make performance attributes, 2 Deliver performance attributes, 2 Return performance attributes, and 1 Enable performance attribute. The weighting of each indicator resulted in the weight values for each activity from highest to lowest order, namely, Plan (0.317), Enable (0.297), Deliver (0.225), Source (0.95), Make (0.44), and Return (0.22). The performance measurement using a scoring system with the "larger is better" method and marking achievements through the traffic light system resulted in the company's aggregation value of 78%, indicating that the company still needs improvements in its supply chain service process even though the company's performance achievement is quite good. Originality: This research presents a new perspective on using SCOR-based performance measurement in service companies to become the basis for strategic decision-making and lead companies to achieve their competitive capabilities. Practical/Policy implication: The SCOR framework in every company business activity will provide a comprehensive view of the service supply chain as evaluation material for the company's service supply chain.

Explore How to Refine Social Media Marketing Strategies and Shape Consumer Travel Preferences: An In-depth Study on Airbnb

In a post-COVID-19 era of digital transformation and a gradually recovering tourism economy, the travel industry must continually seek innovative ways to enhance social media marketing strategies and better understand consumer behaviour. This paper provides insights into how social media marketing strategy optimisation can shape consumer travel preferences. Using Airbnb as a case study, this paper analyses the social media comments of Airbnb users to reveal consumers' overall positive attitudes towards Airbnb's services through sentiment analysis and explore how methods such as predictive analytics can be used to tailor social media marketing campaigns to provide a more personalised and effective service to potential travellers. The results show that consumers are very concerned about whether the service experience differs from what is advertised on social media, such as quality of accommodation, customer service and pricing strategies. Therefore, Airbnb should prioritise consumer feedback, improve social media content quality, and use predictive analytics to identify its target audience. Future research should incorporate diverse data sources and advanced analytics techniques to understand consumer needs better, establish stronger customer connections, and influence travel choices.

The Power of Diversity and Inclusion in the Indian Tourism Industry: A Narrative-based Approach

This research examines the transformative power of diversity and inclusion (D&I) in shaping the future of the Indian tourism industry. As India’s rich array of cultures, religions, and ethnicities continues to attract global travelers, ensuring inclusive representation becomes the utmost. The industry’s growth centers on reflecting this lively diversity, moving beyond stereotypical portrayals, and embracing an assembly of narratives. This research proposes a new model for Indian tourism that celebrates these diverse experiences, developing a sense of connection among all visitors. By showcasing the many-sided beauty of India, this inclusive approach not only broadens market appeal but also promotes responsible and sustainable tourism practices. Furthermore, D&I holds significant economic potential by attracting a wider audience, fostering loyalty amongst domestic and international travelers, and ensuring the industry’s relevance in the global market. Eventually, this research stresses the necessity to shift towards a tourism model that celebrates the innate diversity of India, supporting inclusivity and contributing to a more equitable and prosperous future for the industry.

Whistleblowing in the travel industry: A research in the context of idealism and affective commitment

Whistleblowing is a topic that rarely garners attention in tourism, particularly within the travel industry. This research, delves into external whistleblowing in relation to idealism and affective organizational commitment. The study aims to examine how affective commitment and idealism influence the attitudes of travel agency employees towards external whistleblowing. Employing a quantitative approach, the study investigated these variables using data from 433 travel agency employees in Turkey. The findings indicate that these employees hold unfavourable opinions regarding external whistleblowing. Affective commitment and idealism are demonstrated to significantly impact attitudes towards external whistleblowing. Moreover, the data suggests that idealism does not moderate the correlation between affective commitment and external whistleblowing. This research represents one of the initial inquiries into whistleblowing within the travel industry. Typically, the effectiveness of organisational behaviours, such as affective commitment and external whistleblowing, may depend on the structural aspects of entrepreneurship, as well as the costs and benefits of such actions, rather than solely on the ethical orientation of individuals. The perception and reporting of unethical practices are heavily influenced by community culture, and Turkish culture, in particular, tends to foster a negative mindset towards reporting unethical behaviour externally.