Purpose This study analyses the role of airports and airlines in the tourism sector of Ireland between 2015 and 2024, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach Secondary data from public and private sector sources was compiled in order to analyse Ireland’s tourism sector. In addition to this, a benchmarking method (comparative matrix) was developed to outline data from five airports in Ireland as well as data gathered from key airports in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia. Data was collected from sources such as the Central Statistics Office, Failte Ireland, Tourism Ireland, the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC), the Institute of Statistics and Cartography of Andalusia (IECA), and the main National Spanish Airports body – Aeropuertos Españoles and Navegación Aérea (AENA). The inclusion of data from Spanish airports in this study is primarily for benchmarking purposes, as the study focuses mainly on Ireland as a tourism destination. Findings The findings of this study reveal the importance of a unified approach to tourism promotion by airports and commercial airlines. It also reveals the close links between tourism and air transport trends in Ireland. For instance, Ryanair alone was responsible for the movement of over one billion passengers in 2015–2024 with an exponential rate of pre-pandemic growth. This study posits that further research is required to establish the feasibility of implementing a virtual interlining system supported by artificial intelligence (AI) merging data from airports, airlines and destination management organisations (DMOs) with a view to streamlining strategic approaches and service delivery through innovative personalised visitor packages. It is also posited that Tourism Ireland (the country’s leading tourism destination management organisation) should develop integrated marketing strategies in conjunction with airports and airline operators focused on urban and cultural tourism as a differentiating element from other island destinations. Originality/value This study contributes to an under-researched field of knowledge – the historical relationship between air transport and tourism demand. It does so by exploring the key role that air transport and airports play in the context of delivering socioeconomic benefits to the tourism ecosystem.

The contemporary digital landscape overwhelms visitors with fragmented and dynamic information, complicating travel planning and often leading to decision paralysis. This paper presents a real-world case study on the design and deployment of an intelligent tourism assistant for Valencia, Spain, built upon a Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) architecture. To address the complexity of integrating static attraction data, live events, and geospatial context, we implemented a multi-agent system orchestrated via the ReAct (Reason + Act) paradigm, comprising specialized Retrieval, Events, and Geospatial Agents. Powered by a large language model, the system unifies heterogeneous data sources—including official tourism repositories and OpenStreetMap—within a single conversational interface. Our contribution centers on practical insights and engineering lessons from developing RAG in an operational urban tourism environment. We outline data preprocessing strategies, such as coreference resolution, to improve contextual consistency and reduce hallucinations. System performance is evaluated using Retrieval Augmented Generation Assessment (RAGAS) metrics, yielding quantitative results that assess both retrieval efficiency and generation quality, with the Mistral Small 3.1 model achieving an Answer Relevancy score of 0.897. Overall, this work highlights both the challenges and advantages of using agent-based RAG to manage urban-scale information complexity, providing guidance for developers aiming to build trustworthy, context-aware AI systems for smart destination management.

This study investigates the dynamics of multi-stakeholder collaboration in the revitalisation of the Peneleh heritage tourism area in Surabaya, Indonesia, addressing a notable research gap concerning the empirical application of collaborative governance models—particularly the pentahelix framework—within the context of urban heritage tourism. Adopting a qualitative case study design suited for exploring complex stakeholder interactions, the research draws upon in-depth interviews, document analysis, and field observations to construct a comprehensive understanding of the collaborative process. Thematic analysis reveals six interrelated dimensions of collaboration: idea co-creation, participatory decision-making, capacity building, joint implementation, sustainability efforts, and tangible revitalisation outcomes. The findings suggest that collaborative engagement not only facilitated the physical restoration of heritage assets but also reinforced socio-cultural identity and stimulated local economic vitality through community-driven microenterprises. Theoretically, this study contributes to refining the pentahelix model by elucidating the evolving and strategic roles of the business sector, media, and community actors in fostering public engagement, mobilising resources, and enhancing market access—dimensions often underemphasised in existing frameworks. Practically, it underscores the necessity of inclusive governance structures, continuous multi-channel communication, and shared resource mechanisms to ensure the sustainability of urban heritage regeneration. The insights generated offer actionable guidance to policymakers and practitioners developing participatory models to revitalise culturally significant urban areas.

Over the past three decades tourism geographers have engaged increasingly with issues of urban tourism and overtourism. The mass of urban tourism scholarship and writings about overtourism concerns cities in the Global North. The novel contribution of this study is documenting evidence of emergent overtourism and the rise of resident discontent in the context of a major urban tourism destination in the Global South, namely Cape Town. The case study scrutinized is of tourism impacts and stakeholder perspectives of the historic inner-city neighbourhood of Bo-Kaap where 22 detailed stakeholder interviews were conducted. The Bo-Kaap manifests the hallmarks of overtourism as documented in several European cities. Touristification is modifying the local residential and business landscape for tourist consumption with the consequence that residents of the neighbourhood are alienated as the space becomes difficult to live in. The findings reveal significant levels of anti-tourist sentiment in the Bo-Kaap which stem from concerns about the local nuisances of tourism expansion and perceived lack of benefits for the neighbourhood. Arguably, critical policy and management challenges confront the City of Cape Town in respect of current directions of tourism development in the Bo-Kaap neighbourhood.

Tourism urbanization multidimensional influence on tourist traffic emissions: China prefecture level panel data analysis of the space

Tourism destinations are shaped by a combination of motivational forces that attract tourists, influence their perceptions and impact their visit decisions. This study examines the impact of push and pull factors on the destination image of Mumbai, one of most dynamic urban tourism hubs of India. Thirty domestic tourists who had recently visited Mumbai in past year were interviewed. A Thematic analysis was employed manually to identify the themes and subthemes emerging from the participants’ responses. The findings reveal that key push factors include business opportunities, spirituality and meeting friends or relatives whereas the prominent pull factors comprised of Bollywood associated glamour, shopping, culinary diversity and an astonishing nightlife. However, Mumbai’s’ unique culture and history were identified to be a blend of push and pull factors motivating the tourists to visit the city. The study discovered major challenges faced by tourists such as traffic congestion, pollution, lack of hygiene and infrastructure constraints that negatively affect the city’s destination image. The managerial implications focus on improving infrastructure, mobility enhancement, tourist specific mobile apps, urban hygiene, garbage management, aesthetic management and a creation of culture specific and spiritual experiences specially curated for domestic tourists to strengthen Mumbai’s position as a leading urban destination for all social classes and demographics.

Purpose Understanding the impacts of climate on tourism has evolved since the late 20th century, shifting from one-dimensional and partial approaches to more comprehensive and multifaceted ones. To more accurately assess the climatic suitability of destinations for recreational tourism, the Holiday Climate Index (HCI) has been developed in recent years. The HCI's variable rating scale and component weighting system are based on insights into tourists' climatic preferences. Since different types of destinations have distinct climatic requirements, the HCI is designed with specifications for two major tourism segments—urban and beach. Design/methodology/approach The HCI: Urban focuses on urban tourism, where the city and its attractions serve as the primary destination and point of interest. This study analyzes the HCI: Urban for Sarajevo, the most significant tourism destination in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The monthly probability is calculated by determining the frequency of daily index scores within ideal and unacceptable categories. Ideal climatic conditions for urban tourism are defined as days with scores between 90 and 100, while unacceptable conditions are those with scores below 40. Findings Of all tourists visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2023, 41% visited the Sarajevo Canton, which makes it a significant case study. This paper analyzes the HCI: Urban index for Sarajevo in relation to tourist visits throughout the year, and the obtained ratings reflect tourists' climatic preferences for urban destinations. Research limitations/implications Holiday Climate Index (HCI): Urban was analyzed for the Sarajevo area, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in order to more accurately assess the climatic suitability of this destination for tourism. The word “holiday” was chosen to better reflect what the index was designed for (i.e. recreational tourism), since tourism is much broader in definition. Practical implications This paper analyzes the HCI: Urban index for Sarajevo in relation to tourist visits during the year, and the obtained scores reflect tourists' climate preferences for the city destination. Social implications Considering that tourists in Sarajevo stay only for a short time (average length of stay 2.1 days), determinants that affect tourist satisfaction and elements of the destination that need to be improved in order to increase the length of stay have been identified. Analysis of average daily values of climatic parameters of a particular destination and monitoring their trend plays an important role in the organization of tourist trips. Originality/value This research is the first of its kind related to Sarajevo, and understanding local climatic conditions is crucial for developing tourism strategies, planning, and organizing tourism events in the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is the most visited tourist city in the entire country.

In order to solve the problems of homogenization in visual communication design and shallow cultural exploration in urban cultural, sports and tourism integration projects, this study explores from the perspective of immersive experience. After defining the core concepts and clarifying the mechanism of visual communication design, analyzing the current situation and problems of project practice, proposing a four-dimensional innovation path of "technology empowerment cultural rooting interactive efficiency system integration", that is, using VR/AR and other technologies to build virtual and real visual spaces, transform regional cultural symbols, create participatory experiences, and construct a full process visual system. Research has shown that visual communication design needs to integrate culture, technology, interaction, and planning, which can provide support for enhancing project immersion and competitiveness.

Increasingly the use of city branding has become a mechanism to help improve the international image of cities, enhance the global competitiveness of cities, and improve sustainability and development in cities. Global cities like Barcelona, Kyoto, and Dubai have successfully branded their cities around forms of distinct branding that utilizes culture, identity, and urban infrastructure. For Sri Lanka, the national tourism marketing campaign "So Sri Lanka" assists in developing a national brand for tourism, but formalized branding around the promotion of place-based city identities and urban development agendas have not occurred. This research is a development of a strategic city branding framework appropriate for Sri Lanka that integrates city branding with urban planning guidelines, heritage preservation, and sustainability concepts. Anuradhapura is examined as a case study based upon its historic, cultural and ecological significance. A qualitative approach is used, consisting of interviews with an urban planners, architects and government tourism authorities to understand the current challenges and potentialopportunities to develop a branding strategy for Sri Lankan cities. The framework seeks to develop a practical, relevant, and scalable model of branding agenda for local authorities and policymakers responsible for developing and implementing coherent branding initiatives that acknowledge local identities and heritage, but which will also assist in aligning branding with national development goals.

Purpose This study explores the development of urban branding strategies in the digital age, focusing on the effectiveness of social media marketing content. Specifically, this research aims to systematically determine the optimal level of visual complexity in destination marketing images. Additionally, it investigates whether the type of destination moderates the relationship between these visual complexity elements and user engagement. Design/methodology/approach This study uses computer vision algorithms to analyze a comprehensive data set of destination marketing content from social media platforms. These algorithms enable the efficient and objective extraction of key visual features, contributing to data-driven insights for optimizing marketing strategies. Findings The results reveal that feature complexity and color variety are associated with an inverted U-shaped relationship with user engagement, while compositional complexity follows a U-shaped pattern. Destination type significantly moderates the effects of feature complexity and color variety on user engagement, and its effect on the relationship between compositional complexity and user engagement is not statistically significant. The heterogeneity tests confirm that the influence of visual complexity on user engagement differs notably between nature-based and urban tourism destinations. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first to investigate the effectiveness of destination social media marketing from a visual perspective. By incorporating destination type as a moderating factor, this research provides novel insights into how different types of tourism destinations shape user engagement patterns.

Purpose This paper aims to address the imbalance in smart tourism strategies that often prioritize technology over sustainability. This study introduces the Smart Tourism Model Canvas (STMC), a framework designed to support tourism destinations in aligning innovation with environmental, social and cultural objectives, leveraging knowledge management (KM) as a core enabler of strategic alignment. Design/methodology/approach The STMC is developed through a comparative case study analysis of three global cities – Barcelona, Singapore and New York City – selected for their relevance in both urban tourism and smart city innovation. The methodology involves thematic mapping of initiatives and policies, with a specific focus on KM practices that inform and support integrated tourism governance. Findings This study identifies five recurring dimensions across the cases: technology integration, stakeholder collaboration, policy alignment, cultural and social inclusivity and sustainability focus. These form the structural pillars of the STMC. The framework illustrates how combining these elements through effective planning and knowledge sharing can foster more sustainable and resilient tourism models. Originality/value This research contributes a novel and transferable planning tool – the STMC – that helps policymakers and destination managers co-design sustainable smart tourism strategies. This study advances the discourse on tourism governance by demonstrating how KM can serve as a strategic lever for integrating innovation and sustainability in diverse urban contexts. In addition, this study offers practical implications by translating KM principles into actionable components of urban tourism planning, thus enhancing the replicability and scalability of smart tourism approaches across different governance settings.

This study examines how the values of authenticity and integrity can be integrated into territorial and landscape planning, moving beyond a restoration-based view of heritage. It focuses on the defensive architecture system of Castellón province (Spain), which features around 150 fortifications forming a continuous landscape between coastal and inland areas. In a context of urban pressure, rural depopulation, and heritage tourism, this research explores how the management of these assets can be aligned with coherent territorial strategies. The aim is to assess the material, visual, and symbolic coherence of the system and to understand the tensions between physical conservation, cultural authenticity, and landscape transformation. The methodology combines documentary review, spatial analysis using GIS, and fieldwork, applying qualitative indicators of material authenticity, territorial integrity, and scenic value adapted from ICOMOS guidance and established scientific literature. The results reveal a clear contrast: 62% of urban castles are restored or consolidated, while 71% of rural ones remain in ruins, and 82% preserve high visual integrity. This paradox shows that heritage sustainability is less dependent on formal reconstruction (only 14% are fully restored) than on maintaining relationships between architecture, environment, and community. This study proposes an integrated territorial management approach that links conservation, use, and landscape as interdependent components of a single cultural system.

Research Problem: Beach tourism in Lagos, Nigeria, has shifted from open public commons to privatized, state-controlled spaces. Historical coastal erosion, state violence, and large-scale urban development projects such as the Eko Atlantic City have reshaped the shoreline, raising concerns about social exclusion, environmental risks, and the long-term sustainability of beach tourism. Methods/Theory: The study adopts a multi-theoretical framework integrating the Tragedy of the Commons, Commodification of Space, and Political Ecology to examine the socio-political dynamics of Lagos’s coastline. It employs a synthesis of empirical studies and secondary data to explore historical, environmental, and economic processes influencing beach tourism. Results: Findings reveal that state-led interventions, including beach privatization and the Eko Atlantic City project, have created a contested shoreline. While these measures provide coastal protection and premium amenities for select groups, they simultaneously exacerbate social exclusion, displace local communities, and redistribute environmental risks to marginalized populations. Conclusion: The trajectory of beach tourism development in Lagos prioritizes entrepreneurial urban development and capital accumulation over community interests, thereby undermining long-term resilience and equitable access to coastal resources. Key Contribution to Knowledge: This study reframes Lagos’s beach tourism evolution as a socio-political process rather than a purely environmental or economic phenomenon. It demonstrates how urban development and tourism intersect with climate justice and social equity on Africa’s coast. Recommendation: The paper advocates for a paradigm shift towards inclusive governance of beach tourism in Lagos. This includes mandating free public beaches, integrating nature-based coastal protection strategies, and centering community livelihoods and participation in planning and decision-making to achieve sustainable and equitable outcomes.

The authors discuss data sources and key aspects and typical problems of developing modern complex city atlases. Currently, most of the studies in the field of urban mapping in Russia are focused on applying new technologies and data sources. Researchers pay much attention to certain aspects of the problem like mapping of urban climate, soil, environment quality, tourism, urban landscapes and public infrastructure. Despite the substantial experience, making urban atlases is still associated with a number of methodological and practical challenges. Here we present the experience of development of the first complex map-set of a large city in recent years, using Perm, RF as an example. Before the present Atlas, there was no complex cartographic publication on this area, but within the framework of the special studies, maps and reference materials were developed, which reflected some aspects of the urban environment. Also in the course of the work, a series of new maps was created. We paid a special attention to the atlas structure, choice of the map scales and mapping units, obtaining and selection of source data, as well as the design of the atlas sections. The solutions presented in this paper in the field of complex urban atlases are universal and can be adapted and applied to mapping of many other RF cities

With the continuous development of digital technology, public expectations for an immersive travel experience have significantly increased. Currently, digital technology has become an indispensable component of high-quality development in the tourism industry. Among these technologies, Extended Reality Recognition (XR) has been widely adopted in the tourism industry. Within the XR technology category, AR technology is the most widely used, but significantly lacks interactivity. Therefore, this study explores the optimization design of MR interactive technology in the tourism industry, focusing on incorporating more interactive elements into current urban tourism to enhance the experience and promote tourism development. While maintaining the visual appeal of urban attractions, MR interactive technology is overlaid to enable visitors to interact with established 3D models. Combined with artificial intelligence, it provides guidance for itineraries and allows for customized themed itineraries to facilitate check-in experiences at each attraction. This study demonstrates that XR and AI technologies can transform tourism beyond superficial appreciation or the fear of information fog, thereby further promoting the development of the urban tourism market.

This study validates the Sustainable Tourism Attitude Scale (SUS-TAS) in four major Spanish cities—Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, and Seville—assessing residents’ perceptions of tourism sustainability. A quantitative approach was used, with data collected from 660 residents via an online survey. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) with Varimax rotation confirmed a seven-factor structure, and ANOVA tests revealed significant perceptual differences across cities. Results show that residents in Barcelona report the highest perceived social costs, while Bilbao shows greater support for long-term planning, reflecting varying levels of tourism maturity. The study confirms that sociodemographic variables—especially sex and education—shape sustainability attitudes, while age has no significant effect. Findings support the need for context-sensitive policies that integrate resident voices into sustainable tourism planning. This research fills a gap by validating SUS-TAS in mature European destinations, offering a reliable tool for urban tourism governance.

Urban wetlands are strategic socio-ecological systems that provide diverse cultural ecosystem services, including recreation, environmental education, and spiritual connections with nature. At the same time, they can generate ecosystem disservices, undermine human well-being, and challenge urban sustainability. This study investigates visitors’ perceptions of such disservices in three Ramsar-designated wetlands in Bogotá, Colombia (Santa María del Lago, Juan Amarillo, and Córdoba) to assess their influence on tourist experiences and their potential role in fostering urban peace. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining structured surveys, quantitative analysis, and qualitative coding. The results reveal that pollution, insecurity, and unpleasant odors significantly reduce visitors’ willingness to return, with notable variations across gender groups and wetland sites. Visitors also emphasized the need to strengthen infrastructure, surveillance, and environmental education. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating disservice analysis into wetland governance as a strategy to advance regenerative tourism, promote environmental justice, and support peacebuilding in Latin American metropolitan contexts, with broader implications for global urban sustainability.

In the context of urban cultural heritage tourism, this study examines how visitors’ expectations and perceptions contribute to satisfaction and loyalty. We develop and validate an integrative model using structural equation modeling (SEM) on data collected from a large-scale visitor survey of Lingnan classical gardens in China, supplemented by quantitative simulation analysis. The results reveal that Cultural Expectation (CE) and Spatial Expectation (SE) serve as key antecedents to Perceived Cultural Immersion (PCI) and Perceived Spatial Aesthetics (PSA), respectively. PCI and PSA both positively influence visitors’ Perceived Value (PV), which in turn drives overall Satisfaction (SAT) and ultimately enhances Loyalty (LOY). Notably, PCI and PSA act as mediators in the model, channeling the influence of initial expectations into value perception and satisfaction. By highlighting the roles of cultural immersion and spatial aesthetics, this research extends the perceived value–satisfaction–loyalty paradigm in cultural heritage tourism. Theoretically, it bridges urban cultural heritage and environmental psychology with place-attachment theories. Practically, the findings offer guidance for cultural landscape management and visitor experience enhancement, suggesting that narrative storytelling, interactive cultural engagement, and authentic spatial design can elevate perceived value, satisfaction, and loyalty. This article will provide valuable reference material for urban planners.

This study aims to explore the historical, cultural, and architectural significance of the early Almacens that once thrived in the Legazpi Port District of Legazpi City, Albay, Philippines. Utilizing archival research, field surveys, interviews with local historians and residents, as well as storytelling techniques, the study reconstructs the layered narratives of these forgotten warehouses that was also called Almacens. Some of the key findings have reveal that despite the absence of physical remnants, the Almacens have left a lasting cultural imprint on Legazpi City’s urban identity and contributed to the city’s socio-economic development. They form an intangible link between past and present, shaping community memory and historical consciousness. The study concludes that historical conservation, though not explicitly stated in the SDGs, plays a vital role in achieving inclusive, resilient, and culturally rich urban environments as envisioned in SDG 11.4 to be specific. As for the practical implication, the research recommends incorporating the narratives of the Almacens into the urban planning, cultural mapping, and tourism development strategies to establish a deeper sense of place and historical awareness in Legazpi City.

This study investigates the influence of tourism facilities on visiting interest at Loang Baloq Beach, Mataram, Indonesia, with visitor satisfaction as a mediating variable and destination image as a moderating factor. Drawing on the Stimulus–Organism–Response and Theory of Planned Behavior frameworks, a quantitative explanatory design was employed using data collected from 175 visitors through structured questionnaires. The measurement and structural models were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Results indicate that tourism facilities significantly and positively affect visitor satisfaction and visiting interest, while satisfaction also mediates the relationship between facilities and behavioral intention. Furthermore, destination image strengthens the relationship between facilities and satisfaction, demonstrating its moderating influence. These findings highlight that facility quality contributes not only to functional satisfaction but also to the emotional and perceptual dimensions of visitor experience. The study confirms that destination competitiveness is shaped by the interplay of physical infrastructure, visitor satisfaction, and image perception. For policymakers and tourism managers, the results emphasize the importance of integrating facility improvement with destination branding and service quality enhancement to sustain visitor loyalty. The study contributes theoretically by validating a moderated mediation framework that explains behavioral intention in urban coastal tourism settings.