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Go, Hanyoung; Kang, Myunghwa; Nam, Yunwoo
2020 Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology
doi: 10.1108/jhtt-07-2019-0101
This paper aims to track how ecotourism has been presented in a digital world over time using geotagged photographs and internet search data. Ecotourism photographs and Google Trends search data are used to evaluate tourist perceptions of ecotourism by developing a categorization of essential attributes, examining the relation of ecotourism and sustainable development, and measuring the popularity of the ecotourism sites.Design/methodology/approachThe researchers collected geotagged photographs from Flickr.com and downloaded Google search data from Google Trends. An integrative approach of content, trend and spatial analysis was applied to develop ecotourism categories and investigate tourist perceptions of ecotourism. First, the authors investigate ecotourism geotagged photographs on a social media to comprehend tourist perceptions of ecotourism by developing a categorization of key ecotourism attributes and measuring the popularity of the ecotourism sites. Second, they examined how ecotourism has been related with sustainable development using internet search data and investigate the trends in search data. Third, spatial analysis using GIS maps was used to visualize the spatial-temporal changes of photographs and tourist views throughout the world.FindingsThis study identified three primary themes of ecotourism perceptions and 13 categories of ecotourism attributes. Interest over time about ecotourism was mostly presented as its definitions in Google Trends. The result indicates that tracked ecotourism locations and tourist footprints are not congruent with the popular regions of ecotourism Google search.Originality/valueThis research follows the changing trends in ecotourism over a decade using geotagged photographs and internet search data. The evaluation of the global ecotourism trend provides important insights for global sustainable tourism development and actual tourist perception. Analyzing the trend of ecotourism is a strategic approach to assess the achievement of UN sustainable development goals. Factual perspectives and insights into how tourists are likely to seek and perceive natural attractions are valuable for a range of audiences, such as tourism industries and governments.
2020 Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology
doi: 10.1108/jhtt-05-2019-0069
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the disrupting usage and impacts of blockchains and cryptocurrencies and advocate their role as enablers of sustainable tourism development goals.Design/methodology/approachLiterature on blockchains and cryptocurrencies is critically synthesized, debated and expanded to identify and discuss their implications toward sustainable tourism futures.FindingsAs a distributive digital ledger, blockchains have the potential to create a more inclusive tourism future to address debates around tourism as a vehicle for sustainable development that alludes to value accruing to only certain providers and consumers. Blockchains and their cryptocurrencies (as a financial transaction capability) elevate trust and relational capabilities in an expedited and holistic manner, democratize participation in economic systems and re-distribute power and economic relations amongst actors by influencing the way data (the currency of the digital economy and the lifeblood of tourism) is collected, stored, exchange, owned and traded for co-creating value.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper is conceptual and speculative by identifying ways in which blockchain and cryptocurrencies can support sustainable tourism development goals. Directions for future research are provided for further elaborating and collecting primary evidence on whether the premise and applications of these technologies can deliver the acclaimed sustainable impacts.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the emerging but controversial literature about the trajectories between technology and sustainability by critically debating on how blockchains, through cryptocurrency economies, can be positioned to facilitate sustainable tourism futures.
Ditta-Apichai, Morakot; Kattiyapornpong, Uraiporn; Gretzel, Ulrike
2020 Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology
doi: 10.1108/jhtt-05-2019-0079
This paper aims to bridge micro-entrepreneurship, sharing economy and community-based tourism (CBT) literature by analyzing the specific ways in which technological platforms mitigate risks and create opportunities that benefit local communities.Design/methodology/approachSix online platforms (two local and four international) used by tourism micro-entrepreneurs in Thailand were systematically analyzed to compare and contrast nuances in their business models, as well as their features to highlight benefits to CBT. Thematic analysis was used in the data analysis.FindingsThree different types of business models based on tourism offers, membership policy and contributions to the destination community were identified. The variety of tourism offers includes tailor-made tours and private tour guides, local food experiences, skilled workshops and other local/community-based activities. Importantly, Thai platforms work closely with the Thai Government to promote tourism micro-entrepreneurship.Originality/valueThis paper adds to tourism micro-entrepreneurship, sharing economy and CBT literature by dissecting the business models of online platforms and their roles as mediators of CBT, discussing the platforms’ contributions to the achievement of sustainable development goals.
Paiva Neto, Aureo; Lopes da Silva, Elaine Aparecida; Ferreira, Lissa Valéria Fernandes; Araújo, José Felipe Ribeiro
2020 Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology
doi: 10.1108/jhtt-05-2019-0076
This paper aims to explore a hotel brand personality performance through electronic word-of-mouth. A complementary attribute is designed and tested in addition to the already existing five dimensions from the brand personality scale, denominated sustainability.Design/methodology/approachA sample of 16,175 reviews from the rating session of three hotel properties behind a brand was retrieved from TripAdvisor for a data mining procedure. A complementary list of associated words was considered in addition to the 42 personality traits of Aaker’s model, and a brief inventory was developed based on the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) to compose the sustainability dimension.FindingsThis study registered sincerity as the most representative dimension in its results, and ruggedness as the lowest. This is evidence that the latter is not suitable for representing a brand personality scale for hotels and could be replaced by sustainability.Research limitations/implicationsDespite the relevant findings, new surveys and tests are recommended to provide better support to the new proposed dimension.Practical implicationsThis investigation enables hotel managers to work more effectively on their brand strategies based on sustainability-oriented brand personality, which could deliver economic, social and environmental benefits to the world by influencing consumption behavior in association with the SDGs.Originality/valueThis study differs from existing literature by attempting to fill a gap on the limitations of studies focused on linking brand personality to sustainability, and using data mining to reach this goal.
Souza, Viviane Silva; Marques, Susana Regina Bacelar de Vasconcelos; Veríssimo, Medéia
2020 Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology
doi: 10.1108/jhtt-05-2019-0081
Ecogamification can make a positive impact on Tourism. With this in mind, the present study aims to examine specific stakeholders – those positioned at the upstream side of gamification process – and their perspectives concerning not only the benefits, but also the challenges of (eco)gamification.Design/methodology/approachThe study follows a qualitative-exploratory approach and bases its results on the analysis of 10 in-depth interviews conducted with buyers and providers from the emerging Portuguese tourism and tech markets.FindingsResults shed light on key benefits of ecogamification, including its potential to promote “green” behaviour, transmit complex information through entertainment, reward users for good practices, improve engagement and help avoiding overtourism. Simultaneously, there are important challenges to overcome, including the lack of investment, resistance to new technologies, low eco-consciousness of tourists and distraction from issues that matter. Further, findings show that ecogamification takes on different and specific roles for buyers and providers.Research limitations/implicationsThe research limitations are mainly related to the sample size.Practical implicationsAn effective ecogamification process depends on the integration of the supply and demand sides and, at the same time, on the responsibility of different stakeholders (providers, buyers, players) across the value chain, through a broad logic of B2B2C.Originality/valueThis study contributes towards a better understanding of ecogamification in tourism, through the eyes of buyers and providers and also provides insights regarding the role of these specific stakeholders and the relationship between them.
Arcuri, Maria Cristina; Gai, Lorenzo; Ielasi, Federica; Ventisette, Elisabetta
2020 Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology
doi: 10.1108/jhtt-05-2019-0080
The paper aims to analyze the impact of cyber attacks on stock returns of companies operating in the hospitality sector. The fast development of information and communication technologies has been posited as both an opportunity and a challenge to the United Nations Global Sustainable Development Goals. Digital technologies are significant tools for sustainable development, but if they are not addressed appropriately, they can potentially hinder the progress toward sustainability. Among negative impacts, it is necessary to consider cyber risk, a major concern today, in particular for industries which work with sensitive data, such as tourism businesses. Hospitality businesses have to adequately manage cyber insecurity and digital privacy issues, to prevent losses and contribute to socioeconomic sustainable growth.Design/methodology/approachUsing event-study methodology, the paper provides empirical evidence on the effect of announcements of 170 information security breaches on the market value of firms operating in the hospitality sector in the past five years.FindingsThe study focuses on identifying potential threats of cyber attacks for the economic value of listed companies. The authors find that negative market returns occur following announcements of cyber attacks suffered by hospitality companies. Adequate investments in technology for cyber security and staff training are relevant in the hospitality sector to reduce cyber risk.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to identifying potential threats of cyber attacks for the economic value of listed companies operating in the hospitality sector. The analysis is carried out by collecting an original sample of global cyber attacks from newspaper announcements sourced from the LexisNexis database.
Doğan, Seden; Basaran, Murat Alper; Kantarci, Kemal
2020 Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology
doi: 10.1108/jhtt-07-2018-0067
Fuzzy rule-based system (FRBS), a soft computing method used for big data analysis, is used to determine which single hotel attribute or interrelated hotel attributes used in Travel 2.0 data play a role on price–performance (PP).Design/methodology/approachFRBS, based on fuzzy set theory, is used using the data set of four- and five-star hotels in the Alanya destination in Turkey collected from HolidayCheck.de website for the period between 2009 and 2016.FindingsSingle attributes do not have an impact on PP. At least two or more attributes are necessary to have an impact on PP. Compensations among attributes that are observed to be leading to PP not to change from their current level. Instead of assuming a linear relationship between hotel attributes and PP, non-linearity should often be assumed. In addition, some hotel attributes do not have an impact on PP until some other attribute reaches a certain level.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of this research can be grouped under two topics. While the first is related to data, which is German-speaking tourists staying at four- and five-star hotels between 2009 and 2016, the second is the limitation on generalizability. By implementing other types of data related to hotel attributes, new insights can be generated to shed light on different aspects of the relationship between hotel attributes and PP or other measures such as overall evaluation.Originality/valueA data-driven model called FRBS is constructed using original verbal statements. Novel insights pertinent to relations between hotel attributes and PP have been extracted.
Valença, Marilia Nunes; Sobral, Marcos Felipe Falcão; Andrade Lima, Telma Lúcia de; Farias, Daniela de Moura Pavão
2020 Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology
doi: 10.1108/jhtt-10-2017-0119
This study aims to propose a new procedure called innovation radar in hospitality (IRH), which was specifically designed to measure the innovations in hotels.Design/methodology/approachBased on a systematic review, a structured questionnaire was developed with 31 questions. The questions covered 12 dimensions related to hospitality: offer, platform, solutions, customer, customer experience, value capture, processes, organization, supply chain, presence, network and brand. The developed IRH instrument allowed to identify five ordered stages of innovation in the hospitality industry: basic operational, advanced operational, basic innovator, intermediate innovator and advanced innovator. The IRH was tested in real environment in Brazilian Hotels.FindingsThe procedure proved to be stable and able to rank hotels by innovation. The IRH allocated hotels consistently into one of the five stages. By analyzing each survey hotel individually, the procedure showed no discrepancies between the individual rates and the allocated stage by IRH.Practical implicationsThe IRH can be an automated and structured instrument to measure innovation by consumers, platforms, agencies, research studies and governments.Originality/valueTo the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first structured and quantitative procedure to measure innovation in hotels. The radar was able to detect specific actions aimed at innovation that serve as a good prediction mechanism for innovation in the hospitality sector. In this context, the radar emerges as an important tool for innovation metrics in the tourism sector, offering analysis mechanisms and a way to evaluate and monitor companies.
Cheng, Vincent Ting Pong; Pai, Chen-Kuo
2020 Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology
doi: 10.1108/jhtt-11-2017-0121
Online travel agencies (OTAs) have been offering tourists trip planning services (TPS) for more than a decade. However, they are less popular than other online travel services such as metasearch with price comparison. This study aims to investigate why TPS on the internet, although important to tourists, are not well accepted by young mainland Chinese tourists.Design/methodology/approachA trip planning service acceptance model (TPSAM) was constructed and tested by inviting participants to take part in a trial using the TPS of a China OTA and then participants were asked to complete a questionnaire based on their user experience. Partial least square technique was used to perform a path analysis on the model.FindingsSocial influence and effort expectancy have significant direct influence on reuse intention. Social influence increases the trust level of the tourists on the TPS and effort expectancy’s strong influence on joy suggest that a joyful and effortless experience is critical for tourists to consider reusing the TPS.Practical implicationsThe findings could provide some insight to the OTAs on improving their TPS. For instance, OTAs should let tourists feel that the TPS requires little effort and is fun to use and more promotion is needed through social media.Originality/valueAlthough trip planning is essential for tourists in achieving a delightful travel experience, few studies have examined the adoption of Web-based TPS. This study contributes to the literature by establishing a TPSAM and extends previous work by showing that a causal relationship exists between social influence and trust in the service acceptance context.
Samara, Dimitra; Magnisalis, Ioannis; Peristeras, Vassilios
2020 Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology
doi: 10.1108/jhtt-12-2018-0118
This paper aims to research, identify and discuss the benefits and overall role of big data and artificial intelligence (BDAI) in the tourism sector, as this is depicted in recent literature.Design/methodology/approachA systematic literature review was conducted under the McKinsey’s Global Institute (Talwar and Koury, 2017) methodological perspective that identifies the four ways (i.e. project, produce, promote and provide) in which BDAI creates value. The authors enhanced this analysis methodology by depicting relevant challenges as well.FindingsThe findings imply that BDAI create value for the tourism sector through appropriately identified disseminations. The benefits of adopting BDAI strategies include increased efficiency, productivity and profitability for tourism suppliers combined with an extremely rich and personalized experience for travellers. The authors conclude that challenges can be bypassed by adopting a BDAI strategy. Such an adoption will stand critical for the competitiveness and resilience of existing established and new players in the tourism sector.Originality/valueBesides identifying the benefits that BDAI brings in the tourism sector, the research proposes a guidebook to overcome challenges when introducing such new technologies. The exploration of the BDAI literature brings important implication for managers, academicians and consumers. This is the first systematic review in an area and contributes to the broader e-commerce marketing, retailing and e-tourism research.
Liebana-Cabanillas, Francisco; Carvajal-Trujillo, Elena; Villarejo-Ramos, Ángel F.; Higueras-Castillo, Elena
2020 Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology
doi: 10.1108/jhtt-03-2019-0048
Near-field communication (NFC) technology introduces new and better experiences for tourists while improving operating processes in the tourism industry through the use of smartphone applications. The purpose of this research is to explore and analyse the antecedents of the adoption of NFC mobile applications (app) regarding the search for information in a tourist destination.Design/methodology/approachBased on the review of the literature, three groups of antecedents are proposed. The groups are associated with the usability of mobile technology itself, the benefits derived from its use and the possible risks that the tourist assumes. To achieve these objectives, an online questionnaire was filled by 218 participants after they watched a video explaining the use of NFC tourism apps in a Spanish tourist destination.FindingsPartial least squares revealed that perceived value, performance risk, usefulness and perceived enjoyment have a strong relationship with the intention to use of tourism apps.Originality/valueThe conclusions and implications for management provide alternatives for companies to promote this new business by means of the new technical developments.