Search Results (157)

The world is characterised by the growing volumes and flow of goods, which, amid benefits to economic development, result in negative externalities affecting the sustainability of cities. Although numerous studies have analysed the locational patterns of logistics facilities in cities, further research is required to examine their real estate patterns and trends. The aim of the paper is, therefore, to analyse the value of land accommodating logistics facilities in the City of Cape Town municipality, South Africa. Given the lack of dedicated geo-spatial data, logistics firms were searched on Google Maps, utilising a combination of aerial photography and street view imagery. Three main attributes of land parcels hosting logistics facilities were thereafter captured from the municipal cadastral information: property extent, street address, and property number. The latter two were used to extract the 2018 and 2022 property market values from the valuation rolls on the municipal website, followed by statistical, spatial, and geographically weighted regression (GWR) analyses. Zones near the central business district and seaport, as well as areas with prime road-based accessibility, had high market values, while those near the railway stations did not stand out. However, GWR yielded weak relationships between market values and the locational variables analysed, arguably showing a disconnect between spatial planning and logistics planning. Towards augmenting sustainable logistics, it is recommended that relevant stakeholders strategically integrate logistics into spatial planning, and particularly revitalise freight rail to attract investment to logistics hubs with direct railway access. Full article

Business Continuity Management (BCM) is critical for organizations to mitigate disruptions and maintain operations, yet many struggle with fragmented and non-standardized self-assessment tools. Existing frameworks often lack holistic integration, focusing narrowly on isolated components like cyber resilience or risk management, which limits their ability to evaluate BCM maturity comprehensively. This research addresses this gap by proposing a structured Self-Assessment System designed to unify BCM components into an adaptable, standards-aligned methodology. Grounded in Design Science Research, the system integrates a BCM Model comprising eight components and 118 activities, each evaluated through weighted questions to quantify organizational preparedness. The methodology enables organizations to conduct rapid as-is assessments using a 0–100 scoring mechanism with visual indicators (red/yellow/green), benchmark progress over time and against peers, and align with international standards (e.g., ISO 22301, ITIL) while accommodating unique organizational constraints. Demonstrated via focus groups and semi-structured interviews with 10 organizations, the system proved effective in enhancing top management commitment, prioritizing resource allocation, and streamlining BCM implementation—particularly for SMEs with limited resources. Key contributions include a reusable self-assessment tool adaptable to any BCM framework, empirical validation of its utility in identifying weaknesses and guiding continuous improvement, and a pathway from initial assessment to advanced measurement via the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle. By bridging the gap between theoretical standards and practical application, this research offers a scalable solution for organizations to systematically evaluate and improve BCM resilience. Full article

Rural tourism is growing as travelers seek authentic experiences with local traditions, culture, and heritage. This form of tourism plays a key role in the sustainable development of rural areas by effectively utilizing rural resources. To ensure its continued success, best practices must be adopted to enhance the visitor experience while ensuring long-term viability. Research on rural tourism in the villages of Sremski Karlovci, Irig, and Vrdnik in Fruška Gora (Serbia) and Pienza, Montalcino, and San Gimignano in Tuscany (Italy), involving 357 tourists, identified four key factors influencing their experiences: ‘Organic Heritage’, ‘Authentic Comfort’, ‘Authentic Flavors’, and ‘Warm Farmstead’. These factors show that the motivations driving tourists to rural destinations and village accommodations are universal. However, Tuscan villages attract more tourists due to their superior infrastructure, diversified offerings, and strong international promotion, attracting wealthier tourists who tend to stay longer and spend more. Stakeholder research (58 participants) confirmed that Fruška Gora must improve infrastructure, diversify experiences, and strengthen promotional efforts to enhance sustainability and competitiveness. These changes are essential for the long-term success of rural tourism businesses in the future. Full article

The transition from a linear to a more circular economy has pressured companies from different sectors to implement circular business strategies and redesign their existing business models or even create new ones. The aim of this investigation is to identify the different circular business strategies adopted by Portuguese companies in the textile and clothing industry and evaluate their impact on the sustainability of the business. This article presents a framework of strategies to guide managers in addressing the challenges of moving from fast to more sustainable fashion. This exploratory research is based on a qualitative methodology, relying on semi-structured interviews with the managers of six companies in the textile and clothing sector in Portugal that have implemented circular practices. The primary data collection took place between 20 July and 30 September 2022. The results show that companies have supported their circular economy practices mainly through product life extension strategies (mostly based on durable product design) and resource use reduction strategies, with resource recovery being the most common. The use of personalized product design and clothing repair strategies is still largely unexplored by companies. The findings also suggest that companies have to adapt their way of production and market relationships with consumers in order to accommodate the practices of a circular economy in their businesses. In the future, a quantitative approach could also provide new insights, as well as longitudinal and cross-country comparison studies. Full article

The end of the pandemic has been officially declared; however, the requirement to ensure hygienic living conditions in tourist accommodations remains a top priority for all hotel establishments and a prerequisite for every customer. Our systematic review studied the level of effectiveness of existing technological means and practices in order to limit COVID-19 infections and to protect customers from other factors aggravating their health, focusing on hotel restaurants. The PRISMA-S method was used. Database research (ABI/INFORM, ProQuest, Scopus EBSCO Business Source Premier, CBCA Business, Pubmed, and Embase) was undertaken between 6/2020 and 4/2024 with keywords comprising “hotels restaurants”, “health and safety”, “effectiveness/efficacy”, “primary analysis”, secondary analysis”, etc. In total, 1110 articles were initially identified, but eventually, 20 papers were selected comprising customer-level questionnaires, systematic reviews, and expert opinions/surveys. Different criteria were used for study assessment according to the type of study. So far, only a very limited number of studies have focused on the effectiveness of different health and safety measures in hotel restaurants. Even though the studies focusing on AI, robotics, and further technological means for enhancing customer satisfaction and the overall level of cleanliness are quite limited, the constant investment of hotels and restaurants in new technologies appears to be a one-way road. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic severely affected Japan’s tourism-related industries, leading to significant revenue losses in the accommodation, restaurant, and tourist facility sectors. Many businesses experienced difficult situations, resulting in closures and layoffs as a result of the prolonged decline in tourism demand. Focusing on the first half of the pandemic (2020–2021), this study analyzes the loss of sales and the influencing factors among tourism-related businesses in the Nishimikawa region of Aichi Prefecture. A questionnaire survey was conducted in November 2021, and changes in sales from April 2020 to September 2021 were estimated to assess the economic impact across different sectors. A quantitative analysis was also performed to examine the relationship between sales and the state of emergency, the domestic travel subsidy program Go To Travel campaign, and business attributes. The results indicate that COVID-19 severely impacted business sales, especially in the accommodation and food service sectors, while the tourism facility and retail sectors were less affected. In the Nishimikawa region, popular for day trips from nearby areas, the Go To Travel campaign had a limited effect, highlighting the need for region-specific support measures. Full article

Travel and tourism are essential to global economies, generating social, economic, and environmental impacts. However, there is a lack of standardized methodologies to assess the environmental footprint of tourist destinations beyond carbon footprint analysis. This study introduces the Greentour tool, the first of its kind to evaluate the environmental impact of accommodation, restaurants, and tourism activities using nine environmental indicators from a life cycle assessment (LCA) perspective. The tool applies a hybrid bottom-up and top-down approach, integrating data from tourist establishments and destination managers. The tool was tested in four tourist destinations in Spain and Portugal (Rías Baixas, Camino Lebaniego, Lloret de Mar, and Guimarães), revealing that transportation is the primary contributor to environmental impacts, ranging from 60% to 96% of total emissions, particularly in air-travel-dependent destinations. Food and beverage services are the second-largest contributor, accounting for up to 26% of emissions, while accommodation ranks third (1–14%). This study highlights the significant role of electricity consumption and food choices (e.g., red meat and dairy) in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, emphasizing the need for sustainable alternatives. Despite challenges in data collection, particularly for food and transport statistics, the Greentour tool has demonstrated robustness and adaptability across diverse destinations, making it applicable worldwide. This tool provides key insights for policymakers, tourism stakeholders, and businesses, supporting the integration of sustainability strategies into public policies and industry best practices. Future research should focus on expanding its use to additional destinations to foster science-based decision-making and promote more sustainable tourism practices globally. Full article

The competitiveness of tourism destinations is a multidimensional concept encompassing natural and cultural resources, infrastructure, accessibility, and services that cater to an increasingly discerning tourism market. Business ecosystems enhance these competitive conditions by adapting to consumers seeking high-value, differentiated experiences. This study examined the relationship between accommodation supply and tourist expenditure in the Canary Islands based on a sample of 38,071 visitors from the 2024 Tourist Expenditure Survey (EGT) of the Canary Islands Statistics Institute. Using Python and R for statistical processing, the findings revealed distinct spending patterns across accommodation types, from five-star hotels to peer-to-peer rentals, demonstrating how supply diversification influences competitiveness. The results reinforce prior research on the significance of investing in infrastructure, technology, and human capital to optimise the tourist experience. Tourist expenditure serves as an indicator of competitiveness, reflecting visitor preferences and the destination’s capacity to meet them. Accommodation choice is identified as a key determinant of spending patterns and their distribution within the local economy. This study provides an analytical basis for evaluating tourism strategies, emphasising the strategic importance of accommodation heterogeneity. It advances methodological understanding of tourist spending behaviour, offering a practical framework for destination development and strategic planning. Full article

In recent years, Serbia has become increasingly popular as a tourism destination, attracting travelers from the surrounding region, as well as Europe and even distant locations. The environmental impact linked with tourism activities, specifically their carbon footprints, has gained growing attention as sustainability becomes an important factor when discussing the future of tourism. This research, which is based on the DEFRA and ADEME methodologies using the Greentripper tool, examines the significance of carbon footprint estimations for incoming tourism in Serbia from a scientific standpoint. By considering the emissions produced from transportation, accommodation, and on-site activities, the results of 1,431,394,511 kg CO2e offer valuable information about the extent of carbon emissions linked to tourism movements. The primary driver of this carbon footprint is transportation (80.2%), on-site activities (15.2%), and housing (4.6%). The per capita tourism carbon footprint is 670 kg CO2e, which is lower compared to the values derived using general data and carbon emissions on a worldwide basis, which amount to 759 kg CO2e. These findings are essential for comprehending the environmental sustainability of tourism operations. Furthermore, carbon footprint assessments play a crucial role as a tool for making informed decisions and implementing initiatives to reduce carbon emissions in the tourism business. This could involve selecting environmentally friendly modes of travel, advocating for sustainable hotel choices, or integrating carbon offsetting activities into vacation packages. In addition, carbon footprint assessments promote transparency and responsibility in the tourism industry. Full article

The presented paper focuses on the current state and evaluation of the integration of environmental innovations from the perspective of the tourism enterprise sector in Slovakia. The quantitative approach herein was conducted by means of a questionnaire survey for the assessment of perceptions about environmental innovations in 144 tourism accommodation companies regarding their importance, attractiveness, usefulness, and financial consequences. These innovations are essential for enhancing business efficiency and competitiveness despite their high costs and intensive maintenance. Important aspects include energy-efficient technologies, clean production technologies, and resource efficiency, which have reduced costs, enhanced corporate image, and improved environmental management. In any case, most obstacles have been linked to economic factors or the need for specialized training for these technologies. This analytical study, using descriptive statistics, semantic differentials, and the Friedman test, found no significant differences among businesses and a strong consensus on the adoption of these innovations to improve operational effectiveness. This research deepens understanding of how environmental innovations transform tourism businesses and contribute to business efficiency. Recommendations for policy and business practices that may successfully support implementation and ensure long-term benefits are presented. Full article

Due to the increase in recreational demands, the significance of protected areas and forests with recreational potential in forests increased with the demands of nature tourism, which in turn provided new income sources to the forestry industry. In the current study, the economic values of the Uzungöl Nature Park’s lake view, an international tourist destination, were estimated using the hedonic pricing method. In the study, 188 questionnaires were conducted with 89 businesses, and the hedonic price function (HPF) was determined based on the study data collected from the businesses in Uzungöl Nature Park. It was estimated that the mean lake view in-room accommodation price for the hotels in Uzungöl Nature Park was USD 207.38 and the lake causes an increase of $2.8 per square meter and $144.67 in total on the room price of the hotels. The study findings demonstrated that the lake view was a desirable quality for hotel rooms, which is reflected in the prices in Uzungöl. The significant contribution of the lake view to room prices would support the planning and management of protected areas that are usually rich in natural resources. Determining the economic value of the lake view will enable business owners operating in the region or those planning to establish new businesses to make more informed pricing strategies. It will also strengthen hotel owners’ marketing campaigns and enable them to think more rationally about new investments (such as adding rooms or services). Business owners will be able to optimize their rooms based on lake views in order to offer more lake-view rooms to customers. Determining the economic value of the lake view will raise awareness about the protection of natural areas. By investing in eco-friendly and sustainable practices, hotel owners will contribute to the conservation of natural resources. The value estimates determined in the present study would also contribute to the employment of total forest value calculations and resource accounting systems. Full article

Energy production and consumption are major contributors to global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Sub-Saharan African countries face the challenge of harnessing diverse energy sources to meet rising demand affordably while curbing emissions. This study uses the optimisation-based Kenya-TIMES model to explore low-carbon strategies for Kenya’s power generation from 2020 to 2050. A business-as-usual (BAU) scenario is compared with four low-carbon scenarios: carbon tax, renewable portfolio standard, renewable energy subsidies, and a hybrid of subsidies and carbon tax. The analysis reveals that geothermal, wind, and hydropower dominate the energy mix until 2035 across all scenarios. After 2035, coal capacity in the BAU scenario is replaced by solar, gas, and biomass in low-carbon scenarios. While all low-carbon strategies, except the renewable energy subsidy scenario, meet Kenya’s nationally determined contribution (NDC) emission reduction targets by 2050, the hybrid scenario emerges as the most effective and cost-efficient pathway. Although achieving significant emissions reductions, the carbon tax and renewable portfolio standard scenarios result in higher system costs. The results indicate that an integrated optimisation-based approach can identify optimal energy development pathways that leverage local resources to accommodate growth and enhance energy access while minimising costs and emissions. Full article

Adaptive reuse of vacant houses in Japan offers an innovative and sustainable solution to the increase in vacant houses. This approach aligns with principles of sustainable architecture and the circular economy by reducing waste, lowering energy consumption, and extending the lifecycle of existing structures. This study uses purposive sampling, analyzing 262 adaptive reuse cases across Japanese prefectures through partial surveys, municipal records, and online maps. K-prototype clustering identified three distinct patterns. Cluster 1 emphasizes modern businesses, such as food, beverage, and accommodation services, within urban areas to address the needs of densely populated regions and tourist hubs. Cluster 2 blends urban and rural contexts, balancing historical preservation with modern functionality. Cluster 3 highlights rural and scenic accommodations that cater to tourists seeking cultural immersion and authentic experiences, despite challenges like low population density and limited accessibility. These findings contribute to the theoretical understanding of adaptive reuse as a key strategy for repurposing underutilized spaces, promoting both economic and social resilience. In practical terms, it demonstrates how adaptive reuse advances circular economy objectives by preserving cultural heritage, enhancing environmental sustainability, and creating economic opportunities. Further investigation is needed to unlock the unexplored potential of adaptive reuse in broader contexts and functions. Full article

Over the past few decades, many environmental labels and schemes have been established at different levels to verify the degree to which businesses are operating in an environmentally sustainable manner and to inform tourist choices. These voluntary tools are used by tourist accommodation services to guarantee quality and conformity to high environmental and sometimes broader performance criteria, drive sustainability awareness and act as a marketing tool. According to the EU’s “Transition Pathway for Tourism” and “European Agenda for Tourism 2030”, environmental labels and schemes can play a role in driving the green transition and strengthening the contribution of tourism to the European Green Deal. This article summarises the main findings from an online survey conducted among global entities managing environmental labels and schemes for tourist accommodation services. The aim of this study is to provide a first characterisation at the European Union level. The results show that, in addition to EU tools such as the EU Ecolabel and the EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme, a diverse range of other labels and schemes is available on the market, but further harmonisation, clarity, and transparency are required to enhance the uptake and effectiveness of these tools for the accommodation sector. Full article

The underdevelopment of tourism infrastructure remains a critical barrier to the growth of the tourism sector in both the capital and regional areas. This article examines the concept and structure of tourism infrastructure, synthesizes methodological approaches for its evaluation, and identifies the strengths and limitations of these approaches. The study introduces a novel methodology for assessing the development of tourism infrastructure in the capital city. Based on the assessment, the city’s regions are categorized into four levels of infrastructure development: high, above average, average, and below average. The findings highlight the key factors driving tourism development and the obstacles limiting infrastructure progress, while also proposing strategic directions for its enhancement. Achieving optimal levels of infrastructure provision is identified as a crucial condition for advancing the tourism sector. The development of tourism infrastructure should be prioritized in regional economic policy. In line with the state’s “Concept for the Development of the Tourism Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2023–2029”, this study emphasizes the need for a streamlined and precise classification of tourism infrastructure components based on a comprehensive framework. The evaluation is conducted using an integrated indicator that captures the development level of key elements: accommodation infrastructure, international event venues, and access to leisure and entertainment. Additionally, the article provides a comparative analysis of the current state of tourism infrastructure relative to the early stages of the capital’s development and tracks the dynamics of tourism indicators from 2010 to 2024. Several interrelated challenges affecting infrastructure growth have been identified. Notably, the study reveals that hosting international events and forums has significantly boosted inbound tourism compared to regional averages in Kazakhstan, although it has also constrained the potential for tourism business growth in other regions. The practical insights derived from this study offer a comprehensive understanding of the state of tourism infrastructure in Astana, which can inform future research and policy development for tourism infrastructure in major urban areas. Full article