Tourism and Hospitality

Research

20 pages, 760 KB

Open AccessArticle

From Looking to Booking: The Relationship of Hotel Website Aesthetics, Hotel Features and Direct Booking

by Berislav Andrlić, Tamara Ćurlin and Božidar Jaković

Tour. Hosp. 2026, 7(9), 262; https://doi.org/10.3390/tourhosp7090262 - 25 Aug 2026

The hotel industry is highly competitive, with hotels seeking new ways to increase market share and boost direct bookings against the dominance of online travel agencies. While previous research has established that hotel website quality influences booking behavior, the role of website aesthetics, [...] Read more.

The hotel industry is highly competitive, with hotels seeking new ways to increase market share and boost direct bookings against the dominance of online travel agencies. While previous research has established that hotel website quality influences booking behavior, the role of website aesthetics, specifically dimensions such as photography, design, and text, has remained insufficiently theorized and tested. This paper addresses that gap by proposing and testing a model that is theoretically grounded by integrating the stimulus–organism–response framework, the elaboration likelihood model, and signaling theory to explain how website aesthetic dimensions relate to hotel features and direct booking share. This study employs a content analysis of 201 categorized Croatian hotel websites combined with chi-square analysis and Cramer’s V effect-size estimation. The findings confirm significant associations between hotel features (rating, chain, and consortia membership) and website aesthetic dimensions and between aesthetic dimensions and direct booking share, with photography and text showing the strongest associations within the sample. These results extend our theoretical understanding of website aesthetics as an antecedent of booking behavior and offer hoteliers evidence to prioritize content investment. This study also addresses methodological concerns by reporting effect sizes alongside significance levels and a structured coding protocol. Future research should explore the directionality of these relationships, which is identified as a limitation of this study. This study is deliberately scoped to the aesthetic dimension of hotel websites within the Croatian market; broader website-quality characteristics (e.g., navigation, usability, booking-interface design, page-load speed) and more recent, post-pandemic data are identified as important directions for future research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable, Smart and Inclusive Perspectives in Tourism and Hospitality)

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25 pages, 2116 KB

Open AccessArticle

Institutional Strategic Planning Capability for Sustainable Tourism Development: Evidence from Peruvian Municipal Governments

by Daniel Joel Pariona Cervantes, Marcelino Antonio Barja Maravi, José Humberto Martinez Solano, Ángel Torres Vasquez, Marino Teófilo Paredes Huere, Felipe Orestes Huapaya Zavala, Oswaldo Lopez Sosa, Carlos David Bernaldo Faustino, León Alcántara Navarro, Ladislao Espinoza Guadalupe, Nemias Crispin Cotrina, Guido Amadeo Blanco Salcedo and Teófilo Félix Valentín Melgarejo

Tour. Hosp. 2026, 7(8), 255; https://doi.org/10.3390/tourhosp7080255 - 19 Aug 2026

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Abstract

The participating municipality plays a central role in coordinating strategic planning, resource allocation, stakeholder engagement, monitoring, and digital governance to promote sustainable tourism development. However, limited empirical evidence exists on how these governance functions collectively operate as an integrated institutional capability. This study [...] Read more.

The participating municipality plays a central role in coordinating strategic planning, resource allocation, stakeholder engagement, monitoring, and digital governance to promote sustainable tourism development. However, limited empirical evidence exists on how these governance functions collectively operate as an integrated institutional capability. This study proposed and empirically assessed Institutional Strategic Planning Capability (ISPC) as a higher-order governance construct and examined its relationships with Collaborative Governance, Smart Destination Readiness, and Perceived Sustainable Tourism Development Performance in the Provincial Municipality Daniel Alcides Carrión, Peru. The conceptual framework was developed by integrating Dynamic Capabilities Theory, Stakeholder Theory, and the municipal tourism governance literature. A quantitative, explanatory, cross-sectional research design was employed using questionnaire data collected from 120 municipal employees involved in planning, finance, tourism, infrastructure, environmental management, and administration. The proposed framework was evaluated using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with 5000 bootstrap resamples. The higher-order ISPC construct was empirically assessed through indicator reliability, internal consistency, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and higher-order construct assessment before evaluating the structural relationships, explanatory capability, and predictive performance of the model. The results demonstrate satisfactory initial measurement evidence across all constructs. ISPC exhibited significant positive relationships with Collaborative Governance and Smart Destination Readiness, while both governance mechanisms were positively associated with Perceived Sustainable Tourism Development Performance. The structural model demonstrated satisfactory explanatory power and predictive capability within the study context. The findings should be interpreted within the limitations of a cross-sectional, perception-based study conducted in a single municipality. The study contributes conceptually by proposing ISPC as an integrated higher-order governance construct and provides context-specific empirical evidence supporting evidence-based municipal tourism planning in the Peruvian context. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable, Smart and Inclusive Perspectives in Tourism and Hospitality)

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32 pages, 1472 KB

Open AccessArticle

Quality Tourism Supply and Destination Competitiveness: The Sequential Mediating Roles of Local Resource Integration and Authenticity

by Antun Marinac

Tour. Hosp. 2026, 7(8), 250; https://doi.org/10.3390/tourhosp7080250 - 14 Aug 2026

Viewed by 177

Abstract

This study investigates how quality tourism supply contributes to destination competitiveness through the sequential mediating roles of local resource integration and perceived authenticity within a sustainability-oriented tourism framework. Building upon the Resource-Based View and destination competitiveness theory, the study proposes and empirically tests [...] Read more.

This study investigates how quality tourism supply contributes to destination competitiveness through the sequential mediating roles of local resource integration and perceived authenticity within a sustainability-oriented tourism framework. Building upon the Resource-Based View and destination competitiveness theory, the study proposes and empirically tests a sequential mediation model in which local resource integration and perceived authenticity explain the mechanisms through which quality tourism supply contributes to destination competitiveness. Data were collected through a survey of 430 tourism stakeholders, including representatives of hotels, restaurants, tourism boards, travel agencies, rural tourism enterprises, and local producers. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) implemented in SmartPLS 4. The findings indicate that quality tourism supply positively influences local resource integration and destination competitiveness, while local resource integration significantly enhances perceived authenticity. Perceived authenticity, in turn, positively affects destination competitiveness. The results also confirm significant individual and sequential mediation effects, demonstrating that tourism quality generates stronger competitive advantages when destinations effectively integrate local resources and foster authentic tourism experiences. The proposed model demonstrated substantial explanatory power, explaining 45.9% of the variance in local resource integration (R² = 0.459), 50.7% of the variance in perceived authenticity (R² = 0.507), and 63.1% of the variance in destination competitiveness (R² = 0.631). The study contributes to the destination competitiveness literature by introducing local resource integration as a strategic mediating construct and by integrating quality, authenticity, and competitiveness within a unified analytical framework. The findings provide theoretical contributions to destination competitiveness research and practical implications for destination managers and policymakers seeking to promote sustainable and competitive tourism development through place-based and community-oriented approaches. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable, Smart and Inclusive Perspectives in Tourism and Hospitality)

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32 pages, 10308 KB

Open AccessArticle

Stakeholder-Informed Destination Planning Framework for Regional Tourism Routing and Development

by Kasin Ransikarbum, Woramol C. Watanabe, Patchanee Patitad and Jettarat Janmontree

Tour. Hosp. 2026, 7(8), 225; https://doi.org/10.3390/tourhosp7080225 - 1 Aug 2026

Viewed by 333

Abstract

Tourism is a key driver of regional development, particularly in emerging destinations around the globe. Despite its critical role, aligning tourism services with tourists’ needs requires effective planning and management that reflect key stakeholder perceptions and resource allocation to enhance the overall competitiveness [...] Read more.

Tourism is a key driver of regional development, particularly in emerging destinations around the globe. Despite its critical role, aligning tourism services with tourists’ needs requires effective planning and management that reflect key stakeholder perceptions and resource allocation to enhance the overall competitiveness of a destination. This study aims to integrate the perspectives of tourists and tourism service providers using a logistics performance framework to support data-driven tourism management. Using the Best–Worst Method (BWM), stakeholder-based evaluations are conducted to prioritize key decision criteria, including economic efficiency, reliability, responsiveness, and safety, which are essential for supporting operational efficiency and tourism planning. Next, a Multi-Objective Traveling Salesman Problem (MOTSP) model is applied to evaluate travel routing and ensure efficient resource allocation. Data collection and analysis are conducted for popular tourist attractions, using a case study of Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand. The findings provide practical insights for regional planners and tourism managers seeking to enhance infrastructure planning through stakeholder-informed and logistics-driven decision-making for regional tourism development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable, Smart and Inclusive Perspectives in Tourism and Hospitality)

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31 pages, 1520 KB

Open AccessArticle

Market Segmentation Based on the Recreational Experiences of Demand in Coastal Destinations

by Miguel Orden-Mejía, Mauricio Carvache-Franco, Orly Carvache-Franco, Wilmer Carvache-Franco, Scarlett Sarmiento-Victor and María Alejandro-Lindao

Tour. Hosp. 2026, 7(8), 223; https://doi.org/10.3390/tourhosp7080223 - 30 Jul 2026

Viewed by 389

Abstract

Although recreational experience segmentation is widely used in coastal tourism research, existing motivational frameworks have been developed primarily in island and protected-area destinations, leaving urban, open-access, developing-country contexts theoretically underexplored. This study addresses that gap by identifying the dimensions of recreational experience and [...] Read more.

Although recreational experience segmentation is widely used in coastal tourism research, existing motivational frameworks have been developed primarily in island and protected-area destinations, leaving urban, open-access, developing-country contexts theoretically underexplored. This study addresses that gap by identifying the dimensions of recreational experience and market segments for the city of Salinas, Ecuador—an accessible, family-oriented, urban coastal destination—to advance sustainable tourism management. Using a quantitative, cross-sectional design, data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to 385 tourists; 374 cases with complete scale responses were retained for analysis. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) identified seven motivational dimensions: environment and sustainable recreational resources, learning and knowledge, affective well-being and creative harmony, interest and enjoyment in the experience, aquatic natural resources and wildlife, cognitive stimulation and emotional connection, and hedonic well-being. A K-means cluster analysis, validated through the elbow method (inflection at k = 3) and silhouette coefficient (0.25), revealed three distinct tourist segments: intensive recreational tourists (n = 183; 48.9%), moderate recreational tourists (n = 136; 36.4%), and passive recreational tourists (n = 55; 14.7%). Chi-square tests confirmed significant associations between clusters and sociodemographic variables including gender, marital status, and number of visits. This study offers four theoretical contributions: it reports a more detailed motivational factor structure than previously documented three- and four-factor models for coastal destinations; it proposes recreational amotivation—grounded in self-determination theory—as a candidate visitor profile that merits further theoretical and empirical validation; it advances a destination-type-sensitive motivational framework; and it provides boundary condition evidence clarifying the contextual scope of recreational experience theory. These findings offer actionable segmentation tools for destination managers seeking to differentiate and sustain coastal tourism markets. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable, Smart and Inclusive Perspectives in Tourism and Hospitality)

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22 pages, 846 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Sustainability Assessment of Artificial Intelligence Applications in Tourism Management Using an Entropy–TOPSIS Framework

by Zeynep Bayramoğlu

Tour. Hosp. 2026, 7(8), 215; https://doi.org/10.3390/tourhosp7080215 - 24 Jul 2026

Viewed by 460

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly transforming tourism management by improving operational efficiency, enhancing visitor experiences, and supporting sustainability objectives. However, existing studies primarily focus on individual AI technologies and lack a comprehensive framework for comparing their sustainability performance. Therefore, this study evaluates and [...] Read more.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly transforming tourism management by improving operational efficiency, enhancing visitor experiences, and supporting sustainability objectives. However, existing studies primarily focus on individual AI technologies and lack a comprehensive framework for comparing their sustainability performance. Therefore, this study evaluates and ranks major AI applications used in tourism management from a sustainability perspective. An integrated Entropy–TOPSIS framework was developed to assess six AI applications: Generative AI Systems, AI Chatbots, Digital Twin Systems, Smart Destination Management, Smart Governance, and Open Data Tourism Platforms. Ten evaluation criteria covering economic, environmental, social, managerial, and ethical dimensions were identified through a comprehensive literature review. The Entropy method was employed to determine objective criterion weights, while the TOPSIS method was used to rank the alternatives. The results indicate that personalization capability, privacy and ethical risk, and energy efficiency are the most discriminating evaluation criteria, with weights of 0.2217, 0.2190, and 0.2108, respectively. Smart Destination Management achieved the highest sustainability performance (CC = 0.5968), followed closely by Digital Twin Systems (CC = 0.5950) and Open Data Tourism Platforms (CC = 0.4978). The findings suggest that AI applications integrating sustainability-oriented destination management, operational intelligence, and personalized visitor services outperform solutions focusing on isolated technological functions. The proposed framework offers a practical decision support tool for tourism managers and policymakers seeking to prioritize AI investments that maximize sustainability outcomes while supporting responsible digital transformation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable, Smart and Inclusive Perspectives in Tourism and Hospitality)

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29 pages, 577 KB

Open AccessArticle

From Circular Gastronomy to Destination Competitiveness: Evidence from Rural Tourism Economies

by Antun Marinac and Barbara Pisker

Tour. Hosp. 2026, 7(6), 179; https://doi.org/10.3390/tourhosp7060179 - 20 Jun 2026

Viewed by 490

Abstract

Circular economy principles are increasingly influencing tourism development strategies, particularly in rural destinations characterized by strong linkages between agriculture, gastronomy, and local economic systems. This study develops and empirically examines a conceptual model investigating the relationship between circular economy practices, gastronomy integration, perceived [...] Read more.

Circular economy principles are increasingly influencing tourism development strategies, particularly in rural destinations characterized by strong linkages between agriculture, gastronomy, and local economic systems. This study develops and empirically examines a conceptual model investigating the relationship between circular economy practices, gastronomy integration, perceived authenticity, and destination competitiveness within rural tourism economies. The research focuses on the role of gastronomy as a circular tourism resource capable of connecting local sourcing, sustainability, and experiential value creation. Data were collected through a stakeholder-based survey targeting tourism enterprises, local producers, destination management organizations, and hospitality providers operating in rural tourism destinations. The proposed relationships were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) implemented in SmartPLS 4 and bootstrapped mediation analysis. The findings indicate that circular economy practices positively influence gastronomy integration, while gastronomy integration significantly enhances perceived authenticity. Furthermore, authenticity demonstrates a strong positive effect on destination competitiveness. The mediation analysis confirms that gastronomy integration and perceived authenticity function as intermediary mechanisms through which circular economy practices contribute to competitiveness outcomes. The study contributes to tourism economics and destination competitiveness literature by developing and empirically testing a mediation-based framework linking circular gastronomy, authenticity, and rural tourism competitiveness. The findings provide theoretical and practical implications for destination managers and policymakers seeking to strengthen sustainability, local value creation, and competitiveness through circular gastronomy strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable, Smart and Inclusive Perspectives in Tourism and Hospitality)

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24 pages, 500 KB

Open AccessArticle

Route-Level Carbon Footprint Assessment for Community-Based Tourism Management: A Case Study from Ban Boonjaem, Thailand

by Piranun Juntapoon, Krit Sittivangkul, Amnuayporn Yaiying, Kassaraporn Tirawong, Parnprae C. Udomraksasup and Tiparad Sahatrongjit

Tour. Hosp. 2026, 7(6), 165; https://doi.org/10.3390/tourhosp7060165 - 9 Jun 2026

Viewed by 464

Abstract

Community-based tourism (CBT) destinations are increasingly expected to align visitor experiences with climate responsibility, yet local managers often lack product-level carbon evidence that can guide practical route redesign and service decisions. This study addresses this aggregation-to-action gap by developing a route-level carbon footprint [...] Read more.

Community-based tourism (CBT) destinations are increasingly expected to align visitor experiences with climate responsibility, yet local managers often lack product-level carbon evidence that can guide practical route redesign and service decisions. This study addresses this aggregation-to-action gap by developing a route-level carbon footprint baseline for a CBT itinerary in Ban Boonjaem, Phrae Province, Thailand. Using an exploratory and applied case study design, the study treats one completed six-hour, non-overnight itinerary as the functional unit and applies a life-cycle-informed operational boundary covering transportation, food and beverage consumption, and solid waste generated during the route test. Primary activity data were collected from one organized route test involving 20 Thai domestic volunteer tourists and were matched with relevant emission factors to estimate total and per-tourist emissions. The tested itinerary generated 0.2234 tCO2e, equivalent to 223.4 kgCO2e in total and approximately 11.2 kgCO2e per tourist per trip. Transportation was the largest emission domain, accounting for 55.89% of total route emissions, followed by food and beverage consumption at 38.55%, while waste contributed 5.56%. Together, transportation and food and beverage represented 94.44% of measured emissions, indicating that the route’s carbon profile was shaped mainly by mobility arrangements and service provisioning rather than waste generation alone. The study contributes a transparent, route-specific operational baseline for low-carbon CBT management. The findings should be interpreted as case-specific decision-support evidence rather than as a destination-wide carbon inventory or statistically generalizable estimate. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable, Smart and Inclusive Perspectives in Tourism and Hospitality)

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14 pages, 671 KB

Open AccessArticle

Do Tourists Really Care About Sustainability? The Impact of Eco-Friendly Practices on Hotel Choice Behaviour

by Chandan Singh, Zakir Hossen Shaikh, Bibhu Prasad Sahoo, Nitin Mishra, Akash Gupta, Mohit Anand Shrivastava and Ankit Kumar Garg

Tour. Hosp. 2026, 7(6), 162; https://doi.org/10.3390/tourhosp7060162 - 4 Jun 2026

Viewed by 666

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the extent to which tourists appreciate sustainable tourism and what effect eco-friendly practices have on the decision-making process of selecting a hotel. Through the use of large-scale analysis of online reviews of hotels and the [...] Read more.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the extent to which tourists appreciate sustainable tourism and what effect eco-friendly practices have on the decision-making process of selecting a hotel. Through the use of large-scale analysis of online reviews of hotels and the application of sentiment analysis techniques, the research investigates the impact of environmental factors (e.g., energy usage reduction, minimising waste, and promoting nature experiences) on customer perspectives and decision-making processes for lodging. This research adopts an approach that utilises machine-learning-based sentiment analysis as its source of understanding. The results of this research demonstrate that while more individuals are becoming aware of sustainable tourism, sustainability often plays a secondary role in determining whether or not to stay at a specific hotel compared to lodging attributes such as comfort, price, and quality service. Based upon these findings, this research indicates that while many tourists value sustainable tourism and make an effort to choose eco-friendly lodging establishments, the influence of sustainability on tourists’ lodging decisions is not as strong as other attributes. These results indicate important implications for hotel managers that will help them balance environmental stewardship with a competitive stance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable, Smart and Inclusive Perspectives in Tourism and Hospitality)

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37 pages, 7047 KB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainable Hospitality in Protected Areas: The Role of Perceived Eco-Social Performance in Fostering Community Pro-Sustainable Tourism Intention Through Community Environmental Attachment

by Henricus Kurniawan Elang Kusumo, Diena M. Lemy, Meitolo Hulu, Johannes Kurniawan and Juliana Juliana

Tour. Hosp. 2026, 7(5), 140; https://doi.org/10.3390/tourhosp7050140 - 12 May 2026

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Abstract

This research examines how community support for sustainable tourism development is influenced by sustainable hospitality in protected park areas. This relationship focuses primarily on the effect of perceived eco-social performance (ESP) as an enhancement of the community’s perceived location-specific environmental attachment (CEA), leading [...] Read more.

This research examines how community support for sustainable tourism development is influenced by sustainable hospitality in protected park areas. This relationship focuses primarily on the effect of perceived eco-social performance (ESP) as an enhancement of the community’s perceived location-specific environmental attachment (CEA), leading to increased pro-sustainable tourism intentions through CEA. Despite the growing focus on sustainability within hospitality industries, there remains very little scholarly research that explores how local communities perceive sustainable hospitality practices and how these perceptions then manifest as emotional attachment, followed by behavioural support. To achieve the stated goal, researchers employed an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design to collect quantitative survey data from residents living in close proximity to a protected area destination, and the quantitative data were used separately to develop qualitative insights into residents’ support for sustainable tourism initiatives. Findings of this study reveal that perceived ESP significantly enhances CEA, providing an impetus for increased PSTI (via direct and indirect pathways) for communities in close proximity to a protected area destination. CEA further enhances PSTI significantly and acts as a significant mediator in the relationship between perception and behavioural support for sustainable tourism. Qualitative findings further indicate that eco-social hospitality practices fulfil the following: develop community pride; increase the sense of environmental responsibility among the community; and create opportunities for actively supporting sustainable tourism. These findings demonstrate that, while sustainable hospitality practices generate observable actions, they also create deeper psychological connections between communities and their environment. The cumulative findings from this study contribute to a greater understanding of how ESP can strategically contribute to growing the number of communities supporting sustainable tourism through the creation of CEA, thereby expanding the overall community’s intention to support sustainable tourism development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable, Smart and Inclusive Perspectives in Tourism and Hospitality)

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20 pages, 3737 KB

Open AccessArticle

Scenario Planning for Competitive Tourism Villages Using a Cross-Impact Balance Approach for Local Economic Development: A Case Study of Rural Tourism in Indonesia

by Nafiah Ariyani and Akhmad Fauzi

Tour. Hosp. 2026, 7(4), 112; https://doi.org/10.3390/tourhosp7040112 - 17 Apr 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 990

Abstract

This study developed internally consistent scenarios for tourism village development to strengthen destination competitiveness and support the local economy. Using an exploratory–constructive design and the Cross-Impact Balance method, the study structured the relationships among development elements, competitiveness, and local economic development into 13 [...] Read more.

This study developed internally consistent scenarios for tourism village development to strengthen destination competitiveness and support the local economy. Using an exploratory–constructive design and the Cross-Impact Balance method, the study structured the relationships among development elements, competitiveness, and local economic development into 13 descriptors with 52 states. Expert judgment was used to construct a cross-impact matrix, and ScenarioWizard identified 18 consistent scenarios and their Total Impact Scores. Four scenarios showed positive consistency scores, with one high-road scenario emerging as the most consistent pathway toward very high competitiveness and a stronger role for tourism villages in the local economy. This scenario was characterized by a clear value proposition, full integration of local MSMEs and products, diversified revenue sources, equitable benefit distribution, strong managerial and digital capacity, transparent governance, multi-stakeholder partnerships, strategic use of public funds, and a structured digital marketing and booking system. These findings suggest that policy efforts should prioritize coordinated improvements in value proposition, MSME integration, revenue diversification, governance, partnerships, and digital management to move tourism villages toward the high-road scenario. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable, Smart and Inclusive Perspectives in Tourism and Hospitality)

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29 pages, 2895 KB

Open AccessArticle

From Virtual Substitution to Phygital Extension: A Strategic Framework for the Tourism Metaverse in Thailand

by Thawatphong Phithak, Kanokwan Rattanakhiriphan and Sorachai Kamollimsakul

Tour. Hosp. 2026, 7(3), 77; https://doi.org/10.3390/tourhosp7030077 - 9 Mar 2026

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Abstract

The global tourism industry is entering a phygital era, prompting renewed examination of the metaverse as an extension rather than a substitute for physical travel. This study investigates how metaverse technology operates across the Phygital Customer Journey within the Thai tourism context. Drawing [...] Read more.

The global tourism industry is entering a phygital era, prompting renewed examination of the metaverse as an extension rather than a substitute for physical travel. This study investigates how metaverse technology operates across the Phygital Customer Journey within the Thai tourism context. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 12 experts from academic, multimedia development, and policy sectors, the data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. The findings indicate that the metaverse assumes its most structurally significant role during the pre-trip phase. Immersive previews were described as recalibrating perceived risk by enabling advance assessment of accessibility, spatial configuration, and environmental conditions prior to commitment. This staged risk-calibration process operates through three interrelated mechanisms: Sensory Bridging, Psychological Risk Mitigation, and Physical Feasibility Testing, which are particularly relevant for secondary tourism destinations and demographic aging contexts. Building on these patterns, the study advances a four-layer architectural framework as an interpretive synthesis. Within this framework, the metaverse functions as a transactional and coordination layer that integrates booking systems, AI-enabled services, and real-time infrastructural data supported by IoT and Blockchain. The analysis further suggests that the state may assume an enabling role as an Infrastructure Architect through the development of a National Digital Highway and regulatory sandbox arrangements for SMEs. Sustainable adoption depends on hardware-agnostic, mobile-centric accessibility to mitigate digital exclusion. While grounded in Thailand, the framework offers analytical relevance for destinations facing comparable infrastructural and demographic conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable, Smart and Inclusive Perspectives in Tourism and Hospitality)

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27 pages, 1175 KB

Open AccessArticle

Tourism Demand in Asia: The Role of Economic, Institutional and Governance Factors

by Yuldoshboy Sobirov, Bekmurod Ollanazarov, Nuriddin Shanyazov, Hakimjon Hakimov, Zokir Mamadiyarov, Jurabek Kuralbaev and Feruza Yusupova

Tour. Hosp. 2026, 7(3), 71; https://doi.org/10.3390/tourhosp7030071 - 4 Mar 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1812

Abstract

This paper investigates the determinants of tourism in selected Asian economies over the period 1995–2024, employing the Augmented Mean Group (AMG) estimator to account for cross-sectional dependence, unobserved common factors, and heterogeneous country-specific dynamics. As a robustness check, method of moments quantile regressions [...] Read more.

This paper investigates the determinants of tourism in selected Asian economies over the period 1995–2024, employing the Augmented Mean Group (AMG) estimator to account for cross-sectional dependence, unobserved common factors, and heterogeneous country-specific dynamics. As a robustness check, method of moments quantile regressions (MMQRs) are applied to examine how the effects of GDP, consumer prices, foreign direct investment (FDI), trade openness, and institutional quality vary across the distribution of tourism inflows. The results indicate that GDP consistently promotes tourist arrivals, particularly in countries with lower to median tourism inflows, while higher consumer prices reduce tourism demand across all quantiles. FDI and trade openness positively influence tourism, with FDI’s impact amplified in countries with stronger institutional quality. The MMQR analysis further highlights substantial heterogeneity: emerging economies benefit more from FDI and institutional reforms, whereas advanced economies rely primarily on GDP growth, trade integration, and high-quality tourism services. Overall, the findings underscore the complementary roles of macroeconomic fundamentals, foreign investment, trade, and governance in supporting sustainable long-run tourism growth in Asia, while demonstrating the value of distributional analysis for capturing heterogeneous effects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable, Smart and Inclusive Perspectives in Tourism and Hospitality)

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15 pages, 787 KB

Open AccessArticle

Psychological Drivers of Carbon Offset Choice and Spending in Air Travel: Extension of the Value–Belief–Norm Framework

by Jakkawat Laphet and Karun Kidrakarn

Tour. Hosp. 2026, 7(3), 62; https://doi.org/10.3390/tourhosp7030062 - 25 Feb 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1208

Abstract

This study investigates the psychological mechanisms underlying tourists’ carbon offset behavior in air travel by distinguishing between offset choice (OC) and offset spending (OS). Grounded in the Value–Belief–Norm (VBN) framework, the model integrates Environmental Value and Literacy (EVL), Green Identity and Social Motives [...] Read more.

This study investigates the psychological mechanisms underlying tourists’ carbon offset behavior in air travel by distinguishing between offset choice (OC) and offset spending (OS). Grounded in the Value–Belief–Norm (VBN) framework, the model integrates Environmental Value and Literacy (EVL), Green Identity and Social Motives (GISM), Trust and Risk Perception (TRP), Personal Norm Activation (PNA), and Perceived Effectiveness (PEF). Data were collected onsite from 500 international and domestic tourists at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Thailand, between June and July 2025, and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results indicate that EVL and GISM significantly enhance both PNA and PEF, which in turn exert strong positive effects on OC and OS. PNA emerges as the strongest predictor of both participation and financial commitment, highlighting the central role of moral obligation in motivating carbon offset behavior. While TRP significantly strengthens personal moral norms, its direct effect on Perceived Effectiveness is not significant, suggesting that trust primarily operates through ethical pathways rather than cognitive evaluations of program effectiveness. By distinguishing between participation decisions and spending behavior, this study extends VBN theory to the context of carbon offsets in aviation and demonstrates the mediating roles of moral norms and Perceived Effectiveness in translating environmental values and social identity into compensatory climate action. The findings offer practical implications for airlines and policymakers, emphasizing the importance of moral framing, transparency, and social identity engagement to promote voluntary carbon offset adoption in emerging carbon markets. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable, Smart and Inclusive Perspectives in Tourism and Hospitality)

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