Tourism Perspective Research Articles

The future of AI: hospitality and tourism perspectives

ABSTRACT The Hotel Management School Leeuwarden and the European Tourism Futures Institute organised a webinar to discuss and explore how artificial intelligence (AI) will impact the hospitality and tourism industry in the future. The webinar brought together a panel of academics, including Professor Iis Tussyadiah from the University of Surrey, Professor Stanislav Ivanov from the Varna University of Management, and Frederik Jan van der Meulen from Hotel Management School Leeuwarden, to discuss the multifaceted applications of AI in the industry. The speakers shared their insights through a series of presentations, underscoring AI integration’s strategic, economic and sustainability aspects. AI is presented as a critical element in enhancing customer experiences, optimising operational processes, and shaping the industry’s future landscape. The speakers discussed the role of generative AI in improving the industry’s resilience, the economic implications of AI’s integration and the challenges and strategies for sustainable AI adoption. This webinar goes beyond traditional AI debates by analysing AI’s strategic function in future-proofing hospitality and tourism businesses, its economic impact and its role in sustainability. The speakers’ crucial insights can help the hospitality and tourism industry embrace AI, highlighting the delicate balance between innovation, ethics and sustainability. This webinar’s extensive discussion of AI as a tool for efficiency and industry transformation makes it valuable for academics and industry professionals.

Adopting a Tourist Perspective and Organizational Behavior to Strategically Improve Tourism Sustainability

Adopting a Tourist Perspective and Organizational Behavior to Strategically Improve Tourism Sustainability

Immersion tourism context: scale development and influence mechanism of tourist multiple interactions

ABSTRACT This research aims to clarify the core attributes of tourist multiple interactions, and how it may be possible to promote tourist well-being and citizenship behavior when traveling in an immersion tourism context. A mixed method with two studies was conducted to answer these questions. Study 1 developed and validated a scale for tourist multiple interactions through a mixed qualitative and quantitative research methodology, strictly following the steps of scale development. Survey data were acquired from travel notes, semi-structured interviews, and questionnaires in China. The results showed that tourist multiple interactions scale includes 3 dimensions and 18 items, including technology interactions, narrative empathy, and social interaction. To further verify the influence mechanism of scale, study 2 used a survey to explore the effect of tourist multiple interactions from the perspectives of both tourists and destinations. Survey data were acquired from 311 questionnaires in China. The results indicated that tourist multiple interactions were positively associated with well-being and tourist citizenship behavior. Tourist engagement mediated this relationship. Destination familiarity positively moderated the relationships between tourist multiple interactions and tourist engagement. Theoretically, the research provides extensive implications to tourist interaction and immersion tourism; whilst offering some actionable insights to tourism context.

Electronic word-of-mouth intentions in personal and public networks: a domestic tourist perspective

This research investigated the determinants of electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) sharing intentions in personal and public online networks among domestic tourists. Using a quantitative research design, this study surveyed domestic tourists visiting five major tourist destinations in India. Six hundred thirty valid responses were subjected to principal component analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling to examine the relationships among destination attributes, tourists’ psychological processes, and their intentions to engage in eWOM. The findings show that destination inhabitants’ friendliness and the natural beauty of the destination influence tourists’ overall destination experience. The overall destination experience and personal pleasure from vacations impact eWOM sharing with friends and family (personal networks) and with strangers (public networks). The results also indicate that the overall destination experience mediates the relationship between destination attributes (destination inhabitants’ friendliness and the natural beauty of the destination) and online sharing intent with friends and family. The overall destination experience also mediates the path between personal pleasure from vacations and eWOM sharing intent in personal networks. For tourism developers and destination managers, this study underscores the importance of enhancing the natural appeal of destinations and fostering positive interactions between tourists and locals. It also suggests creating authentic experiences at the destination so that tourists with high involvement generate eWOM about the destination.

The Effects of Electronic Word of Mouth, Customer Attitude, and Service Quality on Revisit Intention of Wellness Tourism

This study aimed to investigate the effects of digital marketing tools (e.g., electronic word of mouth) on customer satisfaction and revisit the intention of wellness and spa tourism from the viewpoint of international tourists visiting Thailand after COVID-19. Due to the rising awareness of health and wellness, the authors intended to explore wellness tourism from the perspective of international tourists. In addition, the current research also investigated the effect of service quality and tourist attitude toward wellness/spa tourism on tourist satisfaction and revisit intention. Data collection was from 403 international tourists visiting Thailand, and one of the primary purposes of their visits was to participate in wellness or spa services in Thailand. The results showed that satisfaction, service quality, and electronic word-of-mouth significantly influenced the intention to revisit wellness tourists. In contrast, attitude and service quality significantly affected the satisfaction of wellness tourists. The discussions, conclusions, and practical recommendations were also provided to offer the guidelines for further development of the wellness tourism industry.

Tourism Development in Lumbini Region: A Perspective of Domestic Tourists

Globally, domestic tourism has been emerging as an alternative to international tourism both in the normal and the hard times. This also has momentum in Nepal, where the Lumbini region is considered one of the ever-visited destinations among Nepali tourists. The paper is a typical case study of Lumbini Sanskritik Municipality, the birthplace of God Buddha. This paper assesses how domestic tourists perceive tourism development in Lumbini, why they visit the site, what potentials and challenges they feel, and from which region of Nepal they belong and why. Following a quantitative dominant mixed method approach, the researcher has employed a structured questionnaire survey tool among 174 domestic tourists. Besides, semi-structured interviews among the five key informants were also taken. The paper argues that the travel and tourism of visitors from different regions of Nepal increased in recent years despite the fact that the region is known as a worldwide hub of international tourism. Domestic tourists are also attracted to Lumbini for various reasons, but the religious attachment is the fundamental one where respect for Buddha and Buddhism as a national pride is manifested. Despite having different opportunities and explorations the study also reveals some hurdles and challenges in terms of policy intervention and infrastructure development for the proportion of domestic tourism in Lumbini.

Vulnerability analysis of socio-ecological systems on small islands from the perspective of fisheries and tourism: A case study of Zhoushan Gouqi Island

Small island social-ecological systems are increasingly vulnerable to the combined impacts of human activities and environmental changes, making focused vulnerability analyses critical for sustainable governance. In this study, Gouqi Island, a remote island, was selected as the research site to establish a comprehensive vulnerability assessment framework based on the Vulnerability-Sensitivity-Danger (VSD) model. To account for potential interdependencies among indicators, a fuzzy integration method was employed to quantitatively assess vulnerability trends from 2016 to 2022. The analysis revealed that vulnerability reached its lowest point in 2018, peaked at 0.876 in 2020, and remained above 2016 levels through 2022, despite a slight decline. Additionally, machine learning techniques were used to identify key factors influencing vulnerability, highlighting indicators such as D24 (proportion of fisheries and tourism output), D41 (number of tourists), and D52 (aquaculture production) as particularly significant, though distinct from traditional sensitivity indicators. These findings inform the identification of critical factors affecting the island's sustainable development and lead to the proposal of adaptive governance strategies. The insights from this study provide valuable guidance for promoting sustainable development in similar remote islands.

Revitalization of Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) as an Effort to Develop Tourist Destinations

Background : Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII), located in East Jakarta, is a key cultural tourism destination in Indonesia, displaying the nation’s diverse cultural heritage, architecture, and natural landscapes from across the archipelago. With aging facilities, TMII has initiated revitalization efforts to improve infrastructure, modernize attractions, and enhance visitor engagement. This study aims to evaluate the impact of TMII’s revitalization on its quality as a tourist destination. This research contributes to existing studies on tourism revitalization, focusing on destination development and infrastructure improvements to attract and maintain tourism interest. Methods: This study employs a qualitative approach, analyzing secondary data from books, journals, and websites. Data collection emphasizes literature on tourism revitalization, while descriptive analysis techniques are applied to interpret the data and assess TMII’s revitalization initiatives in relation to sustainable cultural tourism. Findings: Findings reveal that TMII’s revitalization has had a positive impact on infrastructure quality and visitor satisfaction, highlighting the integration of modern technology and environmentally sustainable practices. Upgraded facilities and the implementation of eco-friendly tourism solutions have enhanced TMII’s appeal, supporting its objective to remain a culturally rich and sustainable destination. Conclusion: TMII’s revitalization has successfully reinforced its standing as a high-quality tourist destination, advancing both visitor experience and sustainable practices. Novelty/Originality of this article: This study uniquely examines TMII’s revitalization from the perspective of sustainable cultural tourism, underscoring the role of modern infrastructure and eco-friendly initiatives in maintaining a culturally significant destination.

Exploration of wali-songo (nine saints) ziyarat in Indonesia from religious tourism (pilgrimage) perspective

Exploration of wali-songo (nine saints) <i>ziyarat</i> in Indonesia from religious tourism (pilgrimage) perspective

Understanding Perceptions of Tourism Impact on Quality of Life in Traditional Earthen–Wooden Villages: Insights from Residents and Tourists in Meishan

This study focuses on four traditional earthen–wooden villages in Hunan Province, exploring the multifaceted impacts of tourism development on the quality of life from the perspectives of both residents and tourists. Utilizing structural equation modeling, this research examines how macro-level cultural resources, meso-level spatial characteristics, and micro-level traditional architecture influence the development of cultural tourism and its subsequent effects on quality of life. The findings indicate that while cultural resources and spatial characteristics positively contribute to the quality of cultural tourism development, traditional architecture presents a complex challenge. Specifically, traditional architecture negatively impacts quality of life due to maintenance demands and modernization pressures, yet it also enhances cultural tourism through its intrinsic heritage value. Spatial characteristics are identified as the most significant positive factor, indirectly enhancing both tourism quality and overall life satisfaction by enriching the cultural landscape. Additionally, the study uncovers significant differences in how residents and tourists perceive the impacts of tourism. Tourists generally seek enriching and authentic experiences, while residents are more directly affected by the socio-economic and environmental changes brought by tourism. This divergence highlights the need for balanced and targeted management strategies that address the distinct needs and perceptions of both groups at various stages of tourism development. By addressing these dynamic factors, this study offers valuable insights for policymakers and administrators aiming to balance heritage preservation with sustainable economic growth in traditional earthen–wooden villages. The research also underscores the critical role of community engagement and adaptive strategies in fostering resilient and thriving rural communities in the 21st century.

The factors that contribute to Da Nang's competitiveness as a tourism destination in Vietnam

Tourism is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. However, after the Covid-19 pandemic, this industry has been severely affected worldwide. To recover the tourism sector and attract tourists back to destinations, it is important to consider whether a destination has any notable competitive advantages compared to others. The opinions and perspectives of tourists in evaluating the attractiveness of a destination are crucial because they directly influence their decision to visit that destination. However, currently, the number of studies based on the demand-side perspective is relatively scarce compared to the supply-side perspective. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to examine the impact of resources and capabilities in enhancing the destination competitiveness of Da Nang City from the tourists’ perspective. The research conducted a survey of 415 domestic tourists visiting Da Nang City through an online survey on social networks, namely Facebook and Instagram. The research provides an in-depth understanding of specific factors and their influence on the destination competitiveness of Da Nang City. These findings will be valuable for marketing strategies and destination management to enhance the competitiveness of Da Nang City as a tourist destination.

Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions in Tasmania: Tourists' Attitudes and Behaviour.

The surge in wildlife-vehicle collision research has not yet translated into a substantial decrease in animal fatalities. In line with the prevailing view, we suspect that drivers' behaviour may be the most crucial element. We address a research gap in drivers' attitudes towards and behaviour in response to wildlife-vehicle collisions from a tourist perspective. We designed a questionnaire to examine tourists' attitudes and behaviour in relation to wildlife-vehicle collisions while driving in Tasmania. We found that the respondents' sociodemographic attributes had minimal effect on their practical responses to roadkill. Tourists consider wildlife-vehicle collisions a serious problem for both biodiversity loss and animal welfare reasons, and their willingness to change their behaviour was high. However, many respondents did not stop to check for surviving pouch young. This inaction resulted either from overlooking the importance of pouch checking or a lack of knowledge on what action needed to be taken. There may also be a lack of understanding that roadkill left on the road leads to secondary roadkill incidents. Even though tourist behaviour does not automatically represent residents' behaviour, these findings will help to improve and tailor educational approaches to rectify the driver awareness/behaviour gap for both tourists and residents.

How was a woman general tempered? Incorporating the gender perspective in the construction of a women’s heritage site

Tourism plays a crucial role in delivering and constructing women's heritage values. However, the construction of women's heritage is often carried out in a gendered social and tourism context. Drawing on a critical gender perspective, this study examines how the women's heritage site is constructed in a Chinese context, and how the constructions are experienced by tourists. The heritage site of China's sole woman general, Qin Liangyu, is used as a case. Qualitative data was collected through semi-structured interviews and on-site observations, and thematic analysis was conducted. Findings indicate that the constructed heritage and tourism product emphasises Qin's military prowess as a general; however, its contribution to using this woman heritage tourism product towards gender equality is limited. The research highlights that a gender perspective of heritage construction and heritage tourism is needed in delivering the value of women's heritage for gender equality.

접근가능한 관광관점에서 본 영유아 동반 관광자에 관한 연구

This study aimed to investigate the tourist experience of individuals who travel with infants and young children from the perspective of accessible tourism using online written interviews. Colaizzi's (1978) descriptive phenomenology was used as the research method, categorizing data into 6 categories, 17 theme clusters, and 73 themes. Specifically, the study examined reasons for participating in tourism, satisfaction with tourism activities, the usefulness of parents' prior experience, considerations when engaging in tourism with infants, difficulties encountered, and strategies for overcoming these difficulties. Difficulties and strategies for overcoming them were identified within the 17 theme clusters. The findings revealed that individuals participate in tourism activities to escape their daily routines, seek new experiences, and fulfill their parental roles. Although challenges such as limited mobility and lack of convenient facilities were noted, these were viewed as obstacles that could be easily overcome by the accompanying parents. This research highlights that individuals traveling with infants and young children perceive the limitations of tourism activities as unique conditions associated with traveling with young ones, differing from previous studies. Effective strategies for overcoming difficulties included diversifying information acquisition, engaging in actions to relax psychologically, and recognizing the uniqueness of the situation. Through this experiential process, parents were able to strengthen family bonds and derive satisfaction from the joy experienced by their children, resulting in a positive and fulfilling experience. These research findings contribute to a better understanding of the tourist experience for individuals traveling with infants and young children and offer important academic implications.

Exploring visitors' motivations and perspectives on festival tourism in Northern Cyprus: economic, cultural and social dimensions in a post-pandemic era

PurposeThis research aims to investigate the motivations and perspectives of festival tourism in Northern Cyprus, emphasizing its economic, cultural, and social impacts in the post-pandemic era.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative approach was used to find out themes from semi-structured face-to-face interviews with twenty visitors who attended various festivals in North Cyprus.FindingsThe results of this research uncover that festivals considerably contribute to the local economy by attracting tourists, which boosts sales for local businesses and promotes traditional Cypriot cuisine. Additionally, festivals play a crucial role in preserving and promoting cultural heritage through traditional music, dance, and crafts, fostering community engagement and cultural exchange. The study also identifies key challenges and opportunities, such as the need for improved marketing strategies, enhanced infrastructure, and sustainable practices to mitigate environmental impacts.Originality/valueThis study provides a comprehensive analysis of festival tourism in Northern Cyprus, offering novel insights into its economic, cultural, and social impacts while proposing innovative strategies to enhance its post-pandemic recovery and sustainability.

Decoding tourist perceptions and behavioral intentions to use electric vehicles for sustainable tourism with the lens of technology continuance theory

Purpose This study aims to explore tourist perceptions and behaviors toward electric vehicles (EVs) in the Delhi National Capital Region using the technology continuance theory. Design/methodology/approach An online survey involving 226 respondents uses structural equation modeling to analyze correlations among factors, including perceived enjoyment, facilitating conditions, ease of use, satisfaction, cost, image and performance. Findings This study reveals that enhancing perceived enjoyment and facilitating conditions can improve the user-friendliness of EVs. Additionally, reducing perceived cost, enhancing image and improving perceived performance can increase the perceived usefulness of EVs. Perceived ease of use strongly influences user satisfaction, while perceived usefulness and satisfaction positively impact users’ attitudes and intentions to use EVs. Although factors such as experience, environmental consciousness, age and gender influence perceptions, focusing on enjoyment, facilitating conditions, cost, image and performance can significantly enhance user satisfaction and intention to use EVs. Research limitations/implications The findings underscore several actionable recommendations for businesses and policymakers to boost EV adoption at tourist destinations. The potential benefits of EV adoption, such as improved environmental sustainability, enhanced technological image and increased tourist satisfaction, can serve as a source of inspiration and motivation. Enhancing user experience by prioritizing comfort and convenience in EV design is crucial. Addressing cost concerns through incentives and cost-effective pricing strategies can make EVs more appealing. Marketing campaigns highlighting environmental benefits and technological advancements can improve EV image and performance perception. Prioritizing tourists’ satisfaction and support services is essential, along with educational campaigns to increase awareness. Infrastructure development, including expanding charging networks, and supportive policies like tax incentives, can further encourage EVs adoption, accelerating the transition to sustainable transportation. Originality/value This research contributes to understanding tourist perspectives on EV adoption within the context of sustainable tourism and technology adoption.

Visual Analysis of Social Media Data on Experiences at a World Heritage Tourist Destination: Historic Centre of Macau

The burgeoning field of sustainable tourism in historically significant urban districts has derived increasing attention in tandem with broader urban economic development. The perceived image of a tourist destination significantly affects tourist consumption behaviors and destination choices, while negative evaluations provide destination managers with insights for targeted improvements to tourist amenities, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of these historically significant districts. This study leveraged Python 3.12.3 software to collect online textual data from popular tourism websites, specifically Ctrip 8.71.4 and Mafengwo 11.1.7. Then, ROST CM6.0 software facilitated high-frequency word analysis, network semantic analysis, and sentiment analysis to outline the perceived image and characteristics of the Macau Historic District, a UNESCO World Heritage site, from the perspective of tourists. The findings are as follows: (1) The image of the Historic Centre of Macao as a tourist destination comprises four primary dimensions: cultural (16.02%), landscape (30.85%), emotional (16.97%), and local (36.16%). (2) Tourists perceive the Historic Centre of Macao as a blend of dynamism and tranquility, tradition, and modernity. (3) Emotional evaluations of the Historic Centre of Macao as a tourist destination are primarily positive (85.45%), whereas negative sentiments constitute 5.76%, with recurring themes pertaining to overcrowding, high prices, a lack of interactive experiences at attractions, excessive commercialization, and insufficient public rest facilities. These findings offer valuable directives for the future planning and development of tourism in Macau, a city recognized for its World Heritage status. (4) In summary, the thematic image of the Historic Centre of Macao can be considered authentic, romantic, and commercialized.

Sustainability Aspects of Whale Shark Tourism: A Perspective from Tourist Blogs

This study explored tourists’ blogs to identify sustainability challenges and opportunities to inform best-practice management of the whale shark tourism industry worldwide. Few researchers have investigated blogs in the context of swim‐with whale shark experiences as recounted from the tourist perspective. This research was based on a content analysis of a sample of 58 tourist blogs, amounting to 31,509 words of content. The findings explored common sustainability themes within the whale shark tourist experience including proximity of the encounter, nature of the interaction, and whale shark tourist behavior. By comparing three whale shark tourism destinations–Mexico, the Philippines, and Australia–several sustainability challenges and opportunities were identified. The findings contribute to previous knowledge by advancing our understanding of whale shark tourists’ perception of critical aspects during their swim-with whale shark experience, which guided recommendations for improved and sustainable management.

Tourism, Im/mobility and the University Collections in Norway, 1870–1914

This article explores the cultural collections at Det Kongelige Frederiks Universitet in Christiania (now Oslo) from the perspective of German-language tourists between the 1870s and 1914. It takes for its starting point the early history of tourism and museum collections as a story of the entanglement of the mobile and the immobile, of movement and stoppage. It argues that examining this entanglement provides insight into the complex processes of nation-building, which are formed in an interplay between tourist ascriptions and national self-images. Moreover, the museum objects’ spatial relations – the location and context in which they were exhibited – had a decisive impact on their perception and interpretation. Using guidebooks and travelogues as primary sources, the article discusses four of the most popular collections: the Viking ships, stave church portals, Sámi artefacts and objects brought back from the Gjøa expedition, in particular artefacts made by the Netsilingmiut/Nattilik.

Intangible cultural heritage protection from the perspective of cultural tourism: a case study of Shaanxi Province, China

Intangible cultural heritage protection from the perspective of cultural tourism: a case study of Shaanxi Province, China