Sustainability

Editorial

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4 pages, 168 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

City Branding and Sustainable Destination Management

by Young-joo Ahn

Sustainability 2022, 14(1), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14010009 - 21 Dec 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2768

Abstract

The hospitality and tourism industry has struggled to deal with the challenges faced after the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020 [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue City Branding and Sustainable Destination Management)

Research

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17 pages, 2024 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Explore the World Responsibly: The Antecedents of Ethical Tourism Behaviors in China

by Ying Teng, Zhenzhong Ma and Lei Jing

Sustainability 2021, 13(9), 4907; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13094907 - 27 Apr 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2525

Abstract

While ethical tourism is becoming more important in the tourist industry, relatively little is known about ethical tourism in China and what motivates Chinese tourists to undertake ethical tourism. This study examines this issue by adopting the planned behavior theory to explore the [...] Read more.

While ethical tourism is becoming more important in the tourist industry, relatively little is known about ethical tourism in China and what motivates Chinese tourists to undertake ethical tourism. This study examines this issue by adopting the planned behavior theory to explore the impact of Chinese tourists’ personal factors, positive social influence, image of destination and quality of services on their behavioral intentions in order to better understand what motivate Chinese tourists to participate ethical tourism. The results show that knowledge of ethical tourism, attitude toward ethical tourism, influences from family and friends, and local environment of the destinations are the key factors that drive Chinese tourists to undertake ethical tourism. In addition, service customization, service support and past experiences with ethical tourism are also important determinants of tourists’ satisfaction with ethical tourism, which further affects Chinese tourists’ intention to visit. Implications for ethical tourism marketing and management are then discussed with reference to how to promote more ethical tourism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue City Branding and Sustainable Destination Management)

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14 pages, 808 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Service Climate and Empowerment for Customer Service Quality among Vietnamese Employees at Restaurants

by Loan Pham Thi Phuong and Young-joo Ahn

Sustainability 2021, 13(3), 1172; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13031172 - 22 Jan 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3945

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between service climate, empowerment, and organizational citizenship behavior among Vietnamese employees at restaurants in urban areas of South Korea. Moreover, the mediating role of empowerment between service climate and organizational citizenship behavior is investigated. From a sample of [...] Read more.

This study examines the relationship between service climate, empowerment, and organizational citizenship behavior among Vietnamese employees at restaurants in urban areas of South Korea. Moreover, the mediating role of empowerment between service climate and organizational citizenship behavior is investigated. From a sample of 209 Vietnamese respondents working in Asian ethnic restaurants, the findings indicate that work facilitation is the most influential service climate that affects empowerment. However, two service climate factors—managerial support and customer orientation—are not statistically significant. Moreover, organizational citizenship behavior among employees is enhanced not only by service climate but also by empowerment. This study provides empirical evidence of employee perceptions of service climate and of the influence of service climate on employee empowerment and organizational citizenship behavior for customer service quality. This study expands the knowledge regarding foreign employees at restaurants and provides important theoretical and practical implications for creating a sustainable work environment and empowering employees who strive for an excellent quality of customer service in the context of the restaurant industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue City Branding and Sustainable Destination Management)

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15 pages, 267 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Smart Security in the Smart City

by Natalia Moch and Wioletta Wereda

Sustainability 2020, 12(23), 9900; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12239900 - 26 Nov 2020

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2228

Abstract

This article is focused on whether and to what extent the measures taken by cities’ shape their creative and intelligent space safety. For this purpose, research was carried out among medium and large cities in Poland. The analysis of the obtained results showed [...] Read more.

This article is focused on whether and to what extent the measures taken by cities’ shape their creative and intelligent space safety. For this purpose, research was carried out among medium and large cities in Poland. The analysis of the obtained results showed that, although projects shaping the creative and intelligent space of medium and large cities are undertaken in order to increase the broadly understood security, they are not treated as a priority. Subsequently, security projects implemented in the selected cities were presented. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue City Branding and Sustainable Destination Management)

13 pages, 1734 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Short Food Videos on the Tourist Destination Image—Take Chengdu as an Example

by Yi Li, Xiuxiu Xu, Bo Song and Hong He

Sustainability 2020, 12(17), 6739; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12176739 - 20 Aug 2020

Cited by 39 | Viewed by 9619

Abstract

Taking Chengdu as an example, based on the destination image theory and employing the content analysis methodology, this paper conducts data mining on the online comment texts of TikTok short food videos, and analyzes the impact of short food videos on the destination [...] Read more.

Taking Chengdu as an example, based on the destination image theory and employing the content analysis methodology, this paper conducts data mining on the online comment texts of TikTok short food videos, and analyzes the impact of short food videos on the destination image (cognitive image, affective image and conative image). The results show that: (1) in terms of cognitive image, short food videos have increased potential tourists’ attention to the destination image, especially their attention to the flavor characteristics of food in the destination and the local social environment; (2) in terms of affective image, the comments of short food videos are mainly neutral and positive, and the contents about the flavor characteristics of food and the local social environment are more likely to affect the affective image of the destination; and (3) in terms of conative image, the appearance description of food in short food videos brings about an obvious effect of intention, and it also creates the demand to travel together and obtain information. This paper is inspiring for city managers and tourism marketers to use TikTok short videos to establish and disseminate food-based city brands and destination images. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue City Branding and Sustainable Destination Management)

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15 pages, 694 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Determinants of Smart Tourist Environmentally Responsible Behavior Using an Extended Norm-Activation Model

by Kiattipoom Kiatkawsin, Ian Sutherland and Seul Ki Lee

Sustainability 2020, 12(12), 4934; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12124934 - 17 Jun 2020

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 4395

Abstract

The emergence of the smart tourism paradigm has shifted some research attention to the technologies that drive innovations. However, tourism destinations are not freed from the usual threats in the tourism industry. Environmental impacts have remained a fundamental concern for any destinations regardless [...] Read more.

The emergence of the smart tourism paradigm has shifted some research attention to the technologies that drive innovations. However, tourism destinations are not freed from the usual threats in the tourism industry. Environmental impacts have remained a fundamental concern for any destinations regardless of their adoption and incorporation of smart technologies. Tourists remain a critical source of harm inflicted on environmental systems. Thus, this present study aims to study smart tourists’ environmentally responsible behavior using an extended norm-activation model. The study model incorporates two new constructs measuring the involvement of culture and attitude towards cultural conservation as additional predictors of environmentally responsible behavior. A total sample of 554 is subjected to data analysis. The results support all proposed hypotheses. Both newly added constructs produce the largest total impact scores on the final construct. Model comparison between the study model and the original framework showed improved predictive ability while retaining superior fit. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue City Branding and Sustainable Destination Management)

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15 pages, 2613 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of a City Council in a Place Branding Campaign: The Case of Vic in Catalonia

by Xavier Ginesta, Jordi de-San-Eugenio-Vela, José-Antonio Corral-Marfil and Jordi Montaña

Sustainability 2020, 12(11), 4420; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12114420 - 28 May 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3677

Abstract

The fundamental goal of this article is to show the implications that place branding has for regional public management through a case study of the brand “Vic, a city with a human dimension” [Vic, ciutat a la mesura humana, in Catalan language], a [...] Read more.

The fundamental goal of this article is to show the implications that place branding has for regional public management through a case study of the brand “Vic, a city with a human dimension” [Vic, ciutat a la mesura humana, in Catalan language], a project commissioned by the city council of Vic and carried out by the city’s university (University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia). Vic is the capital of the Osona region, in the centre of Catalonia, with a population of 45,040 inhabitants. Methodologically, this research utilised 14 focus group discussions, two in-depth interviews and a survey addressed to citizens and answered by 855 people. In regards to results, the research shows that the practice of place branding transcends the traditional action areas of place marketing and place promotion, in order to be fully integrated in the region’s overall management policies, that is to say, its urban governance. The article also concludes that the processes of conceptualisation and implementation of new place brands must be framed within a bottom-up approach, integrating all the stakeholders (public–private cooperation) in the decision-making process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue City Branding and Sustainable Destination Management)

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18 pages, 832 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Tourist-Perceived Quality and Loyalty Intentions towards Rural Tourism in China

by Xiaoting Chi, Seul Ki Lee, Young-joo Ahn and Kiattipoom Kiatkawsin

Sustainability 2020, 12(9), 3614; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12093614 - 30 Apr 2020

Cited by 61 | Viewed by 7906

Abstract

The growing interest in ruralism among Chinese people has been observed as China’s population in urban areas has exceeded its rural population. Rural tourism has become one of the leading tourism sectors in China, in large part because many of China’s popular tourist [...] Read more.

The growing interest in ruralism among Chinese people has been observed as China’s population in urban areas has exceeded its rural population. Rural tourism has become one of the leading tourism sectors in China, in large part because many of China’s popular tourist attractions are surrounded by rural communities. This study identified 12 dimensions of tourist-perceived quality. In addition, perceived value and satisfaction were used as mediators to explain the relationships between perceived quality and three dimensions of behavioral intentions (i.e., revisitation intention, positive word-of-mouth, and willingness to pay for special rural products). Furthermore, the moderating impact of urban versus rural residence was tested. A total sample of 495 was used for data analysis. Four tourist-perceived quality dimensions (i.e., tourism infrastructure and transportation, hospitality and learning, handicrafts and culture, and rural environment) were found. The results of this study demonstrated the empirical evidence of the relationship between perceived quality, perceived value, satisfaction, and behavioral intentions. Finally, the results showed a moderating effect. The findings of this study can contribute to increasing various behavioral intentions and sustainable rural tourism in China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue City Branding and Sustainable Destination Management)

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12 pages, 252 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Living as Residents in a Tourist Destination: A Phenomenological Approach

by Jee-Eun Lim and Hyung Ryong Lee

Sustainability 2020, 12(5), 1836; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12051836 - 29 Feb 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4432

Abstract

Many people have lived in tourist destinations even before such areas became well known, and will continue to live in these areas whether tourism is successful or not. This study explores residents’ subjective thoughts and perspectives by using a phenomenological methodology. Phenomenology is [...] Read more.

Many people have lived in tourist destinations even before such areas became well known, and will continue to live in these areas whether tourism is successful or not. This study explores residents’ subjective thoughts and perspectives by using a phenomenological methodology. Phenomenology is a theory that seek to understand an individual’s recognition of their own subjectivity rather than explaining objective factors about an individual. We collected data from interviews with 13 residents of Bulguk-dong Gyeongju City, which has long experienced the ups and downs of being a tourist destination. The phenomenological results were expressed as three themes: (1) Being a resident with an inevitable choice, (2) the meaning of tourism in the lived experience as a resident, (3) the formation of conflicts. In conclusion, the lived experience of the residents at the tourist destination is considered “a route for individuals to protect themselves within an ever-changing social structure”. From this perspective, the tourism industry must have multilateral and detailed information about residents, and not just assume that the residents have either a positive or negative attitude towards tourism development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue City Branding and Sustainable Destination Management)

Review

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35 pages, 519 KiB

Open AccessReview

Factors Determining City Brand Equity—A Systematic Literature Review

by Hanna Górska-Warsewicz

Sustainability 2020, 12(19), 7858; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12197858 - 23 Sep 2020

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 5913

Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyze factors determining city brand equity (CBE) on the bases of a systematic literature review (SLR) according to a procedure developed by Tranfield. Five databases were searched (Scopus, Web of Sciences, Google Scholar, EBSCO, and Elsevier) [...] Read more.

The aim of this study is to analyze factors determining city brand equity (CBE) on the bases of a systematic literature review (SLR) according to a procedure developed by Tranfield. Five databases were searched (Scopus, Web of Sciences, Google Scholar, EBSCO, and Elsevier) for studies containing the term ‘city brand equity’. In addition, databases were searched for ‘destination brand equity’ and ‘place brand equity’ statements focusing on city brands. This SLR contains 36 empirical studies and does not include conference materials, and books. The analysis was based on three issues: general information (author/authors, year of publication, research tools, sample size, city and country as well as sample population), research specification (variables, hypotheses or research questions, statistical methods and research tools), and findings related to CBE and practical implications for destination marketing organizations, and destination or city managers. In summary, there are many factors determining CBE, including brand image, brand quality and brand awareness. These factors are related to cultural, environmental and ecological elements, as well as infrastructure and services offered to tourists. Brand assets related to the perception of the city brands in various aspects also proved to be important. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue City Branding and Sustainable Destination Management)

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