Tourism Industry Research Articles

Trends and factors influencing the development of international tourism

The purpose of the article is to determine the return on investment produced by identifying modern trends in the development of international tourism and identifying factors affecting the development of tourism in the Republic of Kazakhstan. In order to achieve the objectives a certain number of regions and places of visitor accommodation were considered, investment in the tourism industry was analysed, and the results of a dynamic model with a distributed lag were obtained for the selected regions. Tourism development is an urgent topic, tourism is a source of income for millions of people working in this field, therefore, increasing the pace of development of the tourism sector is discussed in the Agendas of international organizations and in the annual Messages of the Head of State to the people of Kazakhstan. To determine the strategy for the development of the tourism services market, the factors influencing it were identified and a statistical analysis was carried out. Multiple correlation and regression analysis is one of the methods by which one can investigate the dependence of one variable on several variable factors. And for this purpose, significant factors were selected, and a multiple linear regression equation was constructed. The authors carried out a correlation and regression analysis using the example of regions, and also analyzed the obtained parameters of the multiple linear regression equation. In conclusion, the obtained regression equations in general and the coefficients are statistically significant and reliable at an appropriate level of significance. It allows us to draw conclusions based on the analysis of the obtained parameters of the multiple linear regression equation for the republic.

Value of negativity for tourism resilience: a second-wave positive psychology approach

ABSTRACT This study explains how negative emotions enable tourism resilience as readily as positive ones, and it advances tourism resilience theory using second-wave positive psychology (SWPP). SWPP argues negative emotions can have positive effects, providing an alternative to mainstream positive psychology that prioritises positive emotions. A qualitative research design involving eleven interviews with nine tourism workers in China who survived the COVID-era restrictions was applied. Findings revealed negative emotions including resentment and bitterness helped tourism workers survive the shutdown of the tourism industry by providing alternatives to more damaging emotions like fear, sadness and anger. The paper argues negative emotions generate resilience and it advances tourism resilience theory by applying SWPP. For tourism managers and policymakers, efforts to instil a positive outlook among tourism workers during crises might be unnecessary.

Visualizing Convergent Pressures on Arctic Development

A rapidly changing Arctic has impacted biophysical and human systems while creating new economic opportunities. Spatially identifying locations with development potential in this changing environment requires characterizing convergences in critical enabling/constraining factors occurring in a particular place. However, mapping techniques based on simple overlays of spatially heterogeneous data may result in visual clutter, compromising legibility, and increasing the likelihood of interpretation errors. To overcome these limitations, we introduce Pythia, a tool that combines geographic statistical analysis with a subtractive color model to enable bi- or tri-variate data analysis. Three case studies showcase this visualization tool. Case study 1 identifies locations where temperature and population are projected to increase by 2040. Case study 2 reveals locations with a significant presence of major roads and high NO2 concentrations but few hospitals and clinics. In case study 3, a combination of transportation infrastructure, protected areas, and travel and tourism infrastructure signals challenges for the future Alaskan tourism industry. Comparing these results allows for further geographic characterization of locations, aiding policymakers in identifying areas lacking resources and infrastructure, exploring possible futures, and supporting long-term strategic planning.

Model of organizing events and gastronomic tourism as a factor in increasing the competitive advantages of tourism in Kazakhstan

This article focuses on the popularization of a new direction in tourism in Kazakhstan – event and gastronomic tourism. This study aims to develop an organizational model and innovative ways to promote event and gastronomic tourism, increasing its attractiveness and the competitiveness of the industry as a whole. The main directions of this article are the development of gastronomic and event tourism in Kazakhstan, identification of resource potential, concepts for promoting a tourist product, based on the development of effective methods and tools, development of an innovative program for the management of ethnic tourism and brand management of tourist destinations, aimed at popularizing domestic and inbound tourism, increasing the recognition of tourist centers in Kazakhstan, creating a positive brand of tourist areas. Solving the problem will contribute to a more rational organization of event and gastronomic tours and increase their economic and social efficiency. According to the “Classifier of tourism destinations in the Republic of Kazakhstan according to industry, subject and object principles” [1], today gastronomic and event tourism are separately distinguished. Promoting a new type of tourism in Kazakhstan can become a direction capable of dynamically developing the cultural environment, enhancing the prestige of national cuisine and gastronomic traditions, contributing to the growth of the attractiveness of regions, and increasing the influx of foreign tourists interested in the thousand-year history of Kazakhstan, with its unique gastronomy based on the simplicity and specificity of ingredients traditional Kazakh dishes. The development of event and gastronomic tourism in Kazakhstan can become a factor that significantly influences the effective development of territories and the cultural environment of society; contribute to the growth of employment and improve the quality of life, and the promotion of this type of tourism can become one of the priority areas for the development of the tourism industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan and increasing its competitiveness. The interdisciplinary nature of the research allows us to consider the issues in the context of historical, socio-cultural, economic, and geographical sciences.

The Influence of the Sports Events Industry on Sichuan's Economic Growth

The sports industry occupies an important position in China's national economy, and the sports event industry is its core industry, and its role in regional economic development has received more and more attention from all parties. This paper takes Sichuan Province as an example to discuss the role of sports events in regional development. Firstly, it is a theoretical overview. This paper explores the mechanism of its economic effect from four perspectives: economic growth, industrial structure, regional agglomeration and city brand. Second is the case study. Through the grey correlation analysis of the relationship between sports and tourism industry, using the exponential smoothing method and ARMA method, and establishing a multi-indicator model, it is concluded that sports and tourism industry have the highest correlation and play a positive role in promoting regional development.

AI and Big Data Analytics in Uzbekistan’s Tourism: Enhancing Operational Efficiency and Visitor Satisfaction – A Case Study of Samarkand

This study explores the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data analytics in enhancing operational efficiency and visitor satisfaction in the tourism industry in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Despite the growing importance of digital technologies in tourism, there is limited research on their application in Uzbekistan, particularly in cultural and historical contexts. Using a qualitative case study approach, data was gathered through interviews, surveys, and observations with tourism operators, technology experts, and tourists. The results reveal significant improvements in booking systems, guest services, and personalized offerings, especially benefiting younger and international visitors. These findings demonstrate the potential of AI and big data to transform tourism operations, emphasizing the need for continued investment in digital infrastructure to modernize the sector and preserve cultural heritage.

What Is the Value of an Environmental Certification Label in Tourism Industry? Is It Worth the Effort?

What Is the Value of an Environmental Certification Label in Tourism Industry? Is It Worth the Effort?

Spatio-temporal effects and influence mechanism of digital technology on tourism efficiency in Chinese provinces

Digital technology serves as a new industrial driving force, playing a crucial role in promoting the efficiency of regional tourism. To explore the inherent logic between digital technology and tourism development, the study employed the DEA-BCC model and the entropy-weighted TOPSIS method to measure the tourism efficiency and digital technology development level of 31 provinces (municipalities and districts) in China from 2011 to 2022. The evolutionary characteristics of the relationship between digital technology and tourism efficiency were analyzed from the spatio-temporal dimension, and empirical tests were carried out using the spatial error model (SEM) and the spatial lag model (SLM) to explore the mechanism of the impact of digital technology on tourism efficiency. The results show that: during the study period, the overall trend of digital technology development and tourism efficiency is upward, but there is a certain degree of spatial mismatch between the two; digital technology is not only conducive to the improvement of tourism efficiency in the province, but also acts on neighboring provinces through spatial spillover effects, mechanism of action tests show that digital technology can positively moderate the effects of tourism economic growth and tourism industry structure on tourism efficiency; in western and northeast China, the positive effect of digital technology on tourism efficiency is more obvious. The conclusions provide a new perspective for understanding and analyzing the development of provincial tourism in China, as well as a reference for the rational use of digital technology to promote tourism development.

Analisis Pengaruh Religiusitas, Literasi Halal, dan Sikap Konsumtif Terhadap Preferensi Wisatawan pada Pariwisata Halal di Solok

The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of three main factors: Religiousness, Halal Literacy, and Consumer Attitude on halal tourism preferences in Solok. The method employed in this research is Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (SEM-PLS). The study involved 150 participants from various segments of society. The analysis results indicate that Halal Literacy significantly and positively contributes to consumer preferences in choosing halal tourism destinations. Conversely, Religiousness shows a negative influence on tourist preferences, suggesting that religious understanding does not always play a primary role in tourism decision-making. On the other hand, Consumer Attitude exhibits a significant positive impact on tourist preferences in Solok. These findings have significant implications for the halal tourism industry in Solok, highlighting the importance of halal literacy awareness and consumer attitudes towards halal products in enhancing the attractiveness of tourism destinations.

THE ROLE OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN SUPPORTING SUSTAINABLE TOURISM (A CASE STUDY IN UBUD, GIANYAR REGENCY, BALI)

Ubud, one of two sub-districts in Gianyar Regency, Bali, has been designated as a Tourism Area under the Regional Regulation of Bali Province. However, it is facing significant environmental challenges. It is of the utmost importance to address these issues in order to achieve sustainable tourism. The government is pivotal in establishing an environment conducive to the growth and sustainability of the tourism industry. This study empirically examines the role of the Ubud government in supporting sustainable tourism. A qualitative approach was employed, incorporating triangulation in the data collection process. Techniques such as interviews, observations, field notes, document analysis, and a literature review were used, and the data was analysed using thematic analysis. The findings suggest that the local government has implemented a top-down management system for sustainable tourism, with its roles encompassing public infrastructure acquisitor, strategic collaborator, policy regulator, and security and safety maintenance.

Consuming placelessness: a geographic critique of current Antarctic tourism development

This paper explores the ongoing development of products, activities, and experiences in the rapidly expanding Antarctic tourism industry and their potential implications for the production of Antarctic places. Informed by theories of place and placelessness, the paper identifies three particular place framings informed by tourism diversification: the compression of time and space, the detachment of Antarctica from Earth, and the progressive consumption of wilderness through luxury and comfort. The paper argues that these dynamics may contribute to a detachment from the ways in which Antarctic places are situationally and materially assembled, leading to the abstraction, simplification, and obfuscation of socio-material relations making for a place. The possible consequence is the transformation of the Antarctic into a placeless space of consumption. By emphasizing the detachment facilitated by certain prominent activities and infrastructure, the paper contributes to debates about tourism destination development, urging consideration of how tourism can be shaped to foster an appreciation of places in their own right.

¬¬The socio-economic profile of hikers in the mountains of Valencia Region, Spain: a comparative study between the perceptions of hikers' accommodation entrepreneurs and the hikers’ profile

The main objective of this study is to compare the perceptions of the socioeconomic profile that tourism operators have about their hikers/visitors with the socioeconomic profile of hiking users in the mountains of Valencia region (Spain). A mixed methodology has been used. First, 15 semi-structured interviews were conducted with entrepreneurs in the tourism industry. Secondly, 154 surveys were carried out with hikers to characterize their profile. Both samples were cross-checked to see the similarities and differences between the perceptions of both groups. The results indicate that changes in consumer trends, with the emergence of new market niches that are very interesting from a tourism point of view, such as the public new and very interesting market niches from a tourism point of view, such as women and senior female and senior public, as well as the local tourist or one-day hikers. These market segments represent an opportunity to consolidate an increasingly growing market.an increasingly growing market. The results indicate that there are some similarities between some of the demographic and economic variables studied. However, in other variables there is a misperception of practitioners by employers. This information can help to better target potential tourists. This study also provides a very detailed description of specific profiles of hikers. This information can be very useful both for private sports tourism companies to be able to segment their clients and launch very specific promotional strategies. Keywords: Sports Tourism; Tourism Industry Perceptions; Hikers Profile, Hiking, Spain

The collaborative agglomeration of industries and the realization of the digital economy on the green high-quality development of cities

PurposeThis study explores the role of industrial co-agglomeration and digital economy in influencing the green high-quality development of the Yellow River National Cultural Park to provide countermeasures and suggestions for promoting the whole-area high-quality development.Design/methodology/approachThis study is based on panel data from 56 cities from 2010 to 2022. First, a Super-SBM model is built to evaluate green high-quality development. Secondly, location entropy is used to measure industrial co-agglomeration and the entropy weight method is used to measure the digital economy. Finally, the panel Tobit model is used to analyze the impact of industrial co-agglomeration and digital economy on the green high-quality development of Yellow River National Cultural Park.FindingsThis study found that (1) industrial co-agglomeration has a negative implication in green high-quality development, while the digital economy boosts green high-quality development; (2) industrial co-agglomeration is a less critical dependency on the level of development of the digital economy in influencing green high-quality development, while the facilitating effect of the digital economy is more dependent on industrial co-agglomeration and (3) the trend of slow growth in industrial co-agglomeration and digital economy development, with significant regional differences in green high-quality development.Research limitations/implicationsUndeniably, our study has several limitations. Firstly, as the study area only includes some cities in individual provinces, such as Qinghai, this paper only analyzes at the city level, which does not better reflect the differences between provinces; secondly, this study only adopts one method to determine the digital economy. In the future, other methods can be explored to measure digital economy; finally, in addition to the main role of digital economy and industrial co-agglomeration, other factors may also affect the green high-quality development of YRNCP. Future research should introduce other variables to improve the theoretical framework.Practical implicationsFirst, it provides countermeasures and suggestions for promoting the green high-quality development of YRNCP. Second, it helps to implement the new development concept, cultivate the new quality productivity of culture and the tourism industry and promote the green high-quality development of YRNCP. Third, it provides references to improve the management measures and related policies of the YRNCP more accurately and efficiently. Fourth, it helps to build a new development pattern and has important practical significance in promoting the high-quality development of the whole basin, protecting and inheriting the Yellow River Culture and helping the Chinese-style modernization and development, which are of great practical significance.Social implicationsThe research is carried out from the new perspective of industrial co-agglomeration and digital economy, which provides the theoretical basis and reference for solving the problem of green high-quality development of YRNCP. Second, it broadens the research idea of green high-quality development. Third, it quantitatively analyzes the impact of industrial co-agglomeration and digital economy on the high-quality development of YRNCP, deepening the research on the green high-quality development of YRNCP. Fourth, it helps to enrich and improve the theoretical research related to the national cultural park development and has positive significance in promoting the management and innovation of the cultural industry and the construction of related disciplines.Originality/valueThe paper’s findings illustrate the functional relationship of the digital economy and industrial co-agglomeration with green high-quality development and propose countermeasures to facilitate the high-quality development of the Yellow River National Cultural Park.

Control strategies for medical tourism development in public hospitals considering waiting time and tourism attraction

Medical tourism has become one of the fastest-growing emerging industries in the world. For some countries where public hospitals are dominant, as serving foreign customers may increase hospital congestion, whether public hospitals are allowed to develop medical tourism has become a significant issue. Thus, based on queueing and game theories, this paper explores the control strategies for the development of medical tourism in public hospitals in terms of social welfare. In a market that includes government, public hospitals, domestic and foreign patients, short-term and long-term cases where the public system (i.e. public hospitals) will invest the incomes from foreign patients into the capacity expansion or not are investigated respectively. The results show that if government’s total budget, profitability of the tourism industry, or tourism attraction (or patients’ delay sensitivity) is high enough (or low enough), the social planner should allow the public hospitals to participate in medical tourism projects and not otherwise. Furthermore, we find that under certain conditions, public hospitals engaging in medical tourism projects may compromise the welfare of domestic patients or increase the government’s budget expenditure on the public hospital system.

Spanish tourist industry during the Franco’s regime through the touristic cinema (1951-1977)

Mass tourism in Spain became one of the most prosperous economic sectors in the mid-twentieth century, collaborating in the process of convergence with Europe, using the seductive power of the media, especially the cinema. A quantitative and (to a lesser extent) qualitative analysis methodology was followed. After reviewing the academic literature, the records of the National Film Library were consulted, selecting 87 films of tourist content and of national production, during the period of operation of the Ministry of Information and Tourism (1951-1977). The results have made it possible to identify the tourist segments, the cinematographic genres, the type of tourists, national or foreign, as well as the heritage elements and the services present in the tourist product of the time, visualizing the scenarios where the plots of the films are developed. The cinematography allows showing the elements that constitute the economic tourism model of Franco’s Spain, focused on towns on the Mediterranean coast, especially on the Costa del Sol. The research translates the antecedents of tourism marketing, using cinema as a means of communication that recognizes the economic transformation of Spanish society and the new image of Spain to be projected abroad.

Enhancement of Marina Service Quality of Yacht Tourism in Taiwan: A Euclidean Distance of Importance-Performance Analysis

In spite of COVID-19 struck tourism industry, the trend of yachting tourism is steadily increasing and provides a way for the tourism industry to resume after the epidemic. Marinas, a vital component of yachting tourism, deeply effects the yacht owners’ satisfactions and the coastal destinations attraction. Since the marina industry in Taiwan is still in its early stages, this study aims to identify ideal service quality standards to enhance competitiveness. With a limited cohort of 69 yacht owners in Taiwan possessing yachts exceeding 20 gross register tonnage (GRT), insights from our research, which engaged perspectives from 50 yacht owners, provide valuable understanding into their satisfaction regarding marina services in Taiwan. As the first study to explore key factors of marina service experience among yacht owners, this study applies importance-performance analysis (IPA) and Euclidean distance to provide the development strategy and improvement priority of Taiwan marina service. Overall, the result from improving IPA technique which adopted Euclidean distance reveal that yacht owners generally thought that the improvement priority of marina service quality is sewage, bilge water, and oil sludge treatment facilities, fueling facilities, high-voltage shore power facilities, land storage space. It is noteworthy that marina managers should embark on improving marina physical facilities as development strategy which highlight the performance of marina service quality for yacht owners and the improvement in those facilities can be developed to either increase the marina competition or to resume tourism industry.

Talent management in the hospitality and tourism industry: the role of societal and organisational culture

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of societal and organisational culture on talent management (TM) within the Greek hospitality and tourism (H&T) industry. Specifically, this study tests societal culture’s effect on TM approaches and the mediating role of organisational culture. Design/methodology/approach In this quantitative study, the questionnaire sample included employees of all hierarchical levels from three hotels located in northern, central and southern Greece (n = 188). Data analyses were carried out by using the PROCESS Version 4 macro in SPSS. Findings The results show that neither societal nor organisational culture are decisive factors in impacting the perceived TM approach. This might be due to the organisations imitating other firms without pre-establishment of societal and organisational fit. Practical implications This study emphasises TM’s alignment with both societal and organisational culture. Given the context-specific nature of TM, achieving culture fit can enhance talent acquisition, retention and engagement, ultimately leading to improved talent and overall organisational performance. Originality/value This study integrates more centrally a cultural lens into the TM discourse. It provides empirical evidence of TM approaches in the Greek H&T industry, drawing on a multi-stakeholder sample including managers and talents.

A Conceptual Analysis of the Relationship Between Knowledge Management Capabilities and Learning Orientation Among Hoteliers in Malaysia

This study focuses on a literature review examining the impact of Knowledge Management Capabilities (KMC) and Learning Orientation (LO) among hoteliers in Malaysia. The tourism industry, one of the fastest-growing sectors, was significantly affected by Covid-19. However, it is now beginning to recover, with tourists adopting different perspectives. To maintain a competitive edge, the industry, including hoteliers, must stay abreast of the latest market trends. This requires both top management and employees to be equipped with adequate and relevant knowledge. Despite this need, some hoteliers are still reluctant to adopt knowledge management practices. Additionally, some are unable to utilize knowledge as part of their learning orientation to address changing market trends and various challenges, both micro and macro, to remain competitive. This research aims to explore how learning orientation is influenced by knowledge management capabilities, based on empirical studies. The conceptual analysis from this study can pave the way for developing a framework and further research analysis.

EFFECTS OF TOURIST MOTIVATION ON TOURISM PLANNING: A CASE STUDY OF DOMESTIC TOURISTS IN VIETNAM

Tourist motivations is a fundamental aspect of tourism planning as it enhances marketing efforts, product development, competitive positioning, and facilitates informed policymaking. As such, the present study provides accurate data with which to develop tourism planning in Vietnam based on the push motivation and pull motivation factors of Vietnamese domestic tourists. A quantitative method, namely, a questionnaire that was designed based on a self-desk study, expert opinions, and tour guide opinions, was used to collect data. Out of 670 questionnaire returned, 664 were ultimately usable for analysis. Descriptive analysis, factor analysis, and regression binary logistic models were then used to analyse the collected data. Seven important push motivation factors, namely, fulfilling prestige, fun and entertainment, escape, family and friends' togetherness, fulfilling spiritual needs, social relationships, and gaining knowledge were identified as important to Vietnamese domestic tourists. Meanwhile, the four important pull motivations for Vietnamese domestic tourists were events and activities; destination's facility, service, and trip sponsor; historical and cultural attractions; and natural resources. The findings can be used to develop tourism planning for domestic tourism in Vietnam. Destinations may use the insights on tourist motivations to attracts tourists and provide them with fulfilling experiences, which would, ultimately, contribute to the overall success and sustainability of Vietnam's tourism industry. Besides, the findings contribute to extant literature on the tourist motivations and tourist behaviours of Vietnamese domestic tourists. Lastly, the case study of Vietnam may serve as confirmation of the value of tourist motivations in tourism planning.

Tourists’ Experiences During the Covid-19 Pandemic in Plateau State, Nigeria: An Empirical Evaluation Using Chaos Theory

The safety of tourists’ health when visiting any tourism business is critical in tourism management and development. By using chaos theory, this study aimed to understand how 408 tourists in Plateau State, Nigeria, behaved toward tourism-related businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Completed and retrieved responses were analyzed descriptively using an inductive method, following a pragmatic approach. The findings of this investigation are consistent with chaos theory. Results from our survey indicate that 93% of tourists took precautions. This suggests that in an otherwise random and chaotic period of the tourism crisis, self-organization brought order and new stability. With a mean score of 40%, safety and hygiene were ranked as the two main influencing factors that changed tourists’ actual behaviour during the pandemic. The alteration in behaviour might be attributed to tourists’ awareness of their risk of catching the COVID-19 virus when visiting tourist attractions. Empirical evidence shows that non-interactive restriction techniques had a significant impact on tourist behaviour. Thus, the impact of the pandemic on tourists’ protective behaviour continues to play a part in tourists’ behaviour during and after the pandemic, implying that the chaos theory approach might be used as a crisis management tool in the tourism industry.