Search Results (114)

This study examines the progress, challenges, and successes in implementing Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG12), focusing on responsible consumption and production, using Qatar as a case study. The State has integrated Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) into national policies, established coordination mechanisms, and implemented action plans aligned with SDG12 targets. Achievements include renewable energy adoption, waste management reforms, and sustainable public procurement, though challenges persist in rationalizing fossil fuel subsidies, addressing data gaps, and enhancing corporate sustainability reporting. Efforts to reduce food loss and waste through redistribution programs highlight the country’s resilience, despite logistical obstacles. The nation has also advanced hazardous waste management, environmental awareness, and sustainable tourism policies, though gaps in data systems and policy coherence remain. Qatar’s approach provides a valuable local-to-global example of balancing resource-dependent economies with sustainability goals. Its strategies and lessons offer potential adaptability for other nations, especially those facing similar challenges in achieving SDG12. By strengthening data systems, enhancing policy integration, and fostering regional and international cooperation, Qatar’s efforts underscore the importance of aligning economic growth with environmental stewardship, serving as a blueprint for global sustainability initiatives. Full article

Social network platforms have a big impact on the development of companies by influencing clients’ behaviors and sentiments, which directly affect corporate reputations. Analyzing this feedback has become an essential component of business intelligence, supporting the improvement of long-term marketing strategies on a larger scale. The implementation of powerful sentiment analysis models requires a comprehensive and in-depth examination of each stage of the process. In this study, we present a new comparative approach for several feature extraction techniques, including TF-IDF, Word2Vec, FastText, and BERT embeddings. These methods are applied to three multilingual datasets collected from hotel review platforms in the tourism sector in English, French, and Arabic languages. Those datasets were preprocessed through cleaning, normalization, labeling, and balancing before being trained on various machine learning and deep learning algorithms. The effectiveness of each feature extraction method was evaluated using metrics such as accuracy, F1-score, precision, recall, ROC AUC curve, and a new metric that measures the execution time for generating word representations. Our extensive experiments demonstrate significant and excellent results, achieving accuracy rates of approximately 99% for the English dataset, 94% for the Arabic dataset, and 89% for the French dataset. These findings confirm the important impact of vectorization techniques on the performance of sentiment analysis models. They also highlight the important relationship between balanced datasets, effective feature extraction methods, and the choice of classification algorithms. So, this study aims to simplify the selection of feature extraction methods and appropriate classifiers for each language, thereby contributing to advancements in sentiment analysis. Full article

As the world recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism industry is experiencing a surge in demand. While this growth is essential for economic recovery, it also presents significant challenges in terms of sustainability. The tourism industry is under increasing pressure to adopt business practices that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has emerged as a critical framework for addressing these challenges. This study seeks to understand how CSR can contribute to the achievement of the SDGs within the tourism industry, with a focus on identifying the best practices of management. A systematic literature review was conducted to address this research question. A comprehensive search of the literature was performed using Boolean operators in databases including Web of Science, ABI/Inform Collection, Business Source Complete, and Emerald Insight. After applying pre-determined inclusion criteria, the selected studies were analysed using the population/problem, intervention, comparison, and outcome (PICO) framework. The quality of the evidence was assessed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines to ensure the rigor and reliability of the findings. Full article

This study analyzes the integration of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and 15 (Life on Land) into the tourism development strategies of Lago Agrio Canton, Sucumbíos Province, Ecuador. The main objective is to assess how tourism can serve as a driver for sustainable infrastructure development, environmental conservation, and inclusive local growth, in alignment with the 2030 Agenda. A qualitative methodology was adopted, involving documentary analysis with exploratory and descriptive scopes. The sources included national development plans, regional policy frameworks, institutional reports, and the relevant academic literature. This study employed territorial indicators related to infrastructure quality, ecosystem protection, and stakeholder participation to evaluate SDG alignment. The results highlight that sustainable tourism practices—particularly those incorporating corporate social responsibility and environmental stewardship—can stimulate innovation and enhance resilience in underdeveloped territories. Wetlands and forested areas emerge as key natural assets with strong potential for ecological tourism and sustainable investment. The findings suggest that collaborative actions between the public and private sectors, guided by SDGs 9 and 15, can generate long-term benefits, including biodiversity preservation, improved service infrastructure, and economic inclusion for local communities. Overall, the research underscores the potential of sustainable tourism as a practical mechanism for localizing the SDGs in fragile yet high-value ecological regions. Full article

This study explores the intersection of virtual reality tourism, digital innovation in digital transformation and corporate sustainability-driven business transformations in tourism strategies, and sustainability-driven business transformations in tourism. By reducing the environmental footprint associated with traditional travel, VR-based tourism presents an innovative solution to promote sustainable tourism. Through three empirical studies, we investigate how immersive 360-degree VR experiences influence psychological well-being and meaning in life as influenced by sustainable VR experiences. Our findings reveal that VR travel enhances engagement, fosters cultural appreciation, and provides an alternative to high-emission tourism, thus contributing to environmental sustainability-driven business transformations in tourism. The study offers managerial and policy implications for tourism stakeholders seeking to integrate digital transformation strategies into sustainable tourism development. Full article

This study adopted the event study method to explore the effect of the Hualien earthquake on the performance of tourism stocks in Taiwan. This earthquake occurred on 3 April 2024 and affected Hualien and Taitung. The present study examined the short-term (10 trading days), medium-term (12 weeks), and long-term (5 months) performance of all listed tourism companies in Taiwan (overall sample) and six listed tourism companies with a branch in Hualien or Taitung (six-company sample). The results indicated that the stocks of the overall sample rebounded soon after the earthquake but declined over the long-term period. By contrast, the stocks of the six-company sample exhibited a persistent negative return immediately after the earthquake and gradually recovered in the long term. The findings of this study enhance theoretical understanding regarding the effects of a disaster on the stock market. Moreover, they serve as a reference for practical decision-making related to government risk response, investor behavior, and corporate crisis management in high-risk industries, such as tourism. Strengthening disaster preparedness and corporate branding after a disaster is critical for stabilizing market sentiment and industry resilience. Full article

Recent decades have witnessed an increased volume of studies investigating the spa tourism sector. There has, however, been an absence of studies evaluating the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and spa competitiveness, as well as the mediating effects of responsible innovation (RI) and corporate sustainability performance (CSP) on this relationship. This study developed a comprehensive conceptual framework that examined the impacts of CSR on spa competitiveness. Data were collected from 786 participants, who included spa managers and employees located in three main cities of Vietnam: Ha Noi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh. The Partial Least-Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) method was applied to provide statistical evidence to confirm the conceptual model and eight hypotheses. The findings indicated that CSR positively and indirectly affects spa competitiveness. The mediating roles of RI and CSP, which influence the relationship with spa competitiveness, were also confirmed. This research makes theoretical contributions to understanding the relationships between these internal factors and achieving competitiveness. Further, the study has practical implications for spa managers and policymakers implementing CSR programs and RI and reshaping CSP to obtain and maintain their competitiveness. Full article

The present work analyzed sustainability practices and environmental policies in the Maldives’ tourism sector, focusing on resorts classified using star ratings. Using a mixed-method approach, we examined sustainability reports from 133 resorts, analyzing textual and visual content to identify reporting patterns. For both the thematic and visual analyses, we used OpenAI’s GPT-4 custom models, available on the ChatGPT Pro platform. The results revealed significant differences in how sustainability was communicated and implemented across the resort categories: six-star resorts promoted sustainability as part of a luxury experience, emphasizing environmental branding and exclusivity; five-star resorts combined operational sustainability with attention to customer satisfaction and employee welfare; and lower-rated resorts prioritized resource efficiency, waste management, and community-based practices. These findings emphasize the need for comprehensive sustainability adoption across all resort categories to address the Maldives’ unique environmental challenges. This study contributes to understanding sustainable tourism in small island nations, highlighting the need for consistent, transparent sustainability reporting standards aligned with international frameworks. It also offers policy recommendations to improve the environmental stewardship of the Maldivian tourism industry, essential for its long-term ecological and economic sustainability. Full article

The increasing integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices into corporate strategy has raised important questions about their financial implications. This study examines the relationship between ESG performance and financial outcomes in the tourism industry, an industry that is both highly visible and environmentally sensitive. To achieve this, this study analyzes the impact of the three ESG dimensions on financial performance, measured by Return on Assets (ROA). Using panel data econometric techniques, this study examines a balanced panel dataset of 154 listed tourism services firms between 2017 and 2021 to assess how each ESG pillar influences profitability. ESG data were sourced from Refinitiv Eikon, a widely validated provider in ESG-financial research. The analysis employs panel data econometric techniques with firm size and leverage as control variables. Our findings indicate that the Environmental, Social, and Governance scores each have a statistically significant negative effect on ROA, while the ESG controversies score is not statistically significant. These results suggest that despite the reputational value of ESG engagement, its short-term financial impact may be limited or negative in capital-intensive service sectors, such as tourism. This study contributes to the literature by providing sector-specific, post-crisis empirical evidence and highlights the need for a nuanced understanding of ESG–financial dynamics across industries. Full article

This study combines a theoretical and empirical approach to analyze the transition from corporate social responsibility to corporate sustainability in Spanish tourism companies, with an emphasis on the integration of ESG (environmental, social, and governance) criteria. In the theoretical domain, a computational literature review is conducted by applying topic modeling to 1505 scientific documents published between 2004 and 2023, identifying key trends and evaluating the evolution from CSR to CS. In the empirical domain, 364 corporate reports published between 2010 and 2021 are analyzed, using text mining techniques to examine changes in the relative frequency of terms associated with CSR and CS, and the BERTopic model to detect key management areas. Additionally, the FinBERT model classifies the content of the reports into nine ESG categories, quantifying their relevance across different tourism subsectors. The results confirm a progressive transition towards CS, evidenced by shifts in thematic priorities reflected in the literature and a significant increase in the use of terms associated with CS in corporate reports. The research provides valuable insights for managers, regulators, and local communities, enabling the design of strategies better aligned with ESG standards, optimizing business management, and strengthening sustainability in the Spanish tourism sector. 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

This study aims to explore the pivotal role of rural tourism in addressing the “three rural issues” and promoting rural revitalization. This study selects two representative villages in China that adopt different models of tourism development: Shibadong Village in Huayuan County, Hunan Province, which adopts a government-led model, and Yuanjia Village in Lixian County, Shaanxi Province, which follows a community-led model. This study evaluates the impact of rural tourism on rural revitalization using the Entropy-TOPSIS method. Utilizing the IPA (Importance–Performance Analysis) method and an independent samples t-test, a comparative analysis of the two models was conducted to reveal the differences in the effects of rural tourism in promoting rural revitalization between the different models. This study reveals that rural tourism positively impacts the revitalization of rural industries, ecology, culture, talent, and organization. However, the effects of tourism in promoting rural revitalization vary across different tourism development models. This study further suggests that the “multiple interlocking model” may be the future trend of rural tourism development as it can better integrate the resources of the government, communities, and enterprises to achieve more effective rural revitalization. This study deepens the theoretical link between rural tourism and rural revitalization, providing concrete guidance for practice, especially in strategies that drive comprehensive rural revitalization through tourism. Future research should further explore the corporate-led model and the multiple interlocking model and track the evolution of tourism development models through longitudinal comparisons to adapt to the changing needs of rural development. Full article

This research demonstrates that penny-wise acumen in costonomics can lead to significant financial gains, transforming costs into entrepreneurial gold for enterprises. The study aims to explore how effective financial management, through the application of cost management factors, can convert costs into entrepreneurial opportunities and drive long-term business sustainability. The research utilized exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA and CFA), along with reliability analysis (Cronbach’s alpha), employing SPSS and AMOS software to examine the relationships between critical cost management factors. The findings reveal strong correlations among these factors, each playing a vital role in optimizing cost efficiency and enhancing business performance. Cost Management Effectiveness (CME) emphasizes clear cost structures, supplier evaluations, and overall cost control. Strategic Cost Management (SCM) focuses on identifying cost drivers and benchmarking against industry standards to uncover cost reduction opportunities. Cost Optimization Mastery (COM) involves monitoring production costs and assessing cost quality to ensure financial stability, while Cost Management Policy (CMP) stresses the importance of robust policies and employee engagement in controlling costs. Lastly, Cost Management Vigilance (CMV) highlights the need for the active monitoring of variable and overhead costs to maintain financial discipline. This research underscores that businesses in the manufacturing, hospitality, and commercial sectors can successfully leverage these cost management practices to foster competitive entrepreneurship and sustainable growth. Future studies should explore the role of emerging technologies in cost management to uncover new strategies for profitability and sustainability. Full article

This study analyzed the effects of insect-based diets on rural leisure activities, tourism, and consumption. A questionnaire survey was conducted, with 900 valid samples being obtained. The collected data were then analyzed through descriptive statistical analysis, a t-test, and a Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient test by using the SPSS 26.0 statistical software. Subsequently, semistructured interviews were conducted to collect expert and public opinions on the analysis results. Finally, literature findings and the collected questionnaire and interview data were reviewed through multivariate validation analysis. According to the results, the public agrees that entomophagy culture and insect cuisine can enhance leisure and tourism appeal. Entomophagy culture can also stimulate rural economic, social, and environmental development as well as rural consumption. However, modern public infrastructure and medical facilities are still required to increase tourism accessibility. Local governments must improve public sanitation, moral standards, and the overall quality of tourism and living environments. They must also attract corporate investment and cultivate entrepreneurship among residents to develop new insect-based tourism and leisure activities, food, and products. These measures can enhance the influence of insects on the sustainable development of leisure activities, tourism, and economies in rural regions. Full article

The flourishing of the tourism market generates gigantic carbon emissions. It is imperative for tourism companies to take action to achieve decarbonization. The emergence of digital technology is gradually becoming an important strategic path for global corporations’ technological evolution. Undoubtedly, digital tools provide a fresh opportunity for tourism companies to reduce their carbon footprint. Realizing the positive interaction between digitization and greenization is essential for tourism companies to achieve high-quality development. Aiming to clarify the relationship between digital transformation and company carbon intensity in tourism companies, this study analyzes the influence and mechanism of digital transformation on tourism companies’ carbon intensity using data from Chinese A-share listed tourism companies over the period 2005–2020. With the help of textual analysis and high-dimensional fixed effects model, this paper builds a proxy for digital transformation and further tests the causal link between digital transformation and company carbon intensity. The findings indicate that digital transformation significantly reduces the carbon intensity of tourism companies. Alleviating managerial myopia, attracting external resources, and fostering a collaborative culture are three mechanisms through which digital transformation can exert its carbon reduction efficacy. The heterogeneity analysis reveals that this effect is more prominent among state-owned tourism companies, companies with greater board diversity, or companies situated in more favorable business environments. This paper makes three contributions. First, this paper broadens the exploration of how digital advancements affect tourism, discussing the relationship between digital transformation and the carbon intensity of tourism companies. Second, this paper looks beyond a macro perspective commonly used in tourism carbon emission research, undertaking the research at the micro level, filling the research gap in tourism companies’ carbon performance. Third, from the aspect of informational effect, this paper provides the mechanism between digital transformation and tourism company carbon intensity creatively. The conclusions offer empirical insights to assist tourism companies in effectively fulfilling their environmental commitments in the digital era. Meanwhile, this paper also provides a useful decision-making basis for the government to promote tourism companies’ decarbonization transformation. From the company perspective, tourism companies should take digitalization seriously, fully exploiting the environmental benefits of digital transformation. From the government perspective, local government should further improve the environment for company development, supporting tourism companies’ digital transformation with unremitting efforts. Full article