Search Results (158)

Understanding the factors that drive green buying intentions has become critical, as environmental issues continue to rise globally. The study investigates the influence of environmental commitment and green motivation on environmental identity and green purchasing intentions. Additionally, it assesses the mediating role of environmental identity in the relationships between environmental commitment, green motivation, and green purchasing intentions. Moreover, it examines the moderating effect of eco-conscious behaviour on the relationships between environmental commitment, green motivation, green identity, and green purchasing intentions. A total of 440 participants, who stayed in high-rate hotels in Sharm el-Sheikh, were asked to fill out the survey distributed. (PLS-SEM) was used to analyze data. The study outcomes confirmed that environmental commitment and green motivation significantly affect green identity and purchasing behavior. Besides, the results showed the essential mediator contribution of the environmental identity between environmental commitment and green motivation. In addition, it explains eco-conscious behavior as a moderator between the previously mentioned variables. The study contributes to the existing tourism literature by demonstrating the impact of green commitment and environmental motivation on making choices to buy eco-friendly products. Moreover, the results hold significant implications for researchers, policymakers, and tourism stakeholders. Full article

This study investigates Generation Z’s perceptions and behaviors regarding sustainable practices in the hospitality sector, with a particular focus on the gap between intentions and actual behaviors. A significant attitude–behavior gap emerges: while the majority (69%) reports adopting sustainable practices in daily life, only 30% actively reduce air travel. Through exploratory analysis, this study contributes to the existing literature by examining sustainability perceptions as key drivers in hotel selection, offering both theoretical and practical implications for the tourism industry. The data were collected through questionnaires and processed using descriptive and inferential statistics, specifically hypothesis testing tools. The findings indicate that while Gen Z exhibits strong environmental consciousness, economic constraints remain a barrier to sustainable choices. This research suggests that tourism companies need to develop targeted strategies to make sustainable options more accessible, considering both environmental sensitivity and financial limitations of the younger generation. This work addresses a notable gap in the tourism literature regarding travelers’ perceptions of sustainable practices, particularly focusing on Generation Z as an emerging market segment. Full article

This study investigates the significant energy optimization gaps in hotel retrofits in a subtropical climate, quantifying the missed energy-saving opportunities through advanced simulation techniques. Utilizing Design Builder software, the energy consumption of a hotel in Cienfuegos (Cuba) was assessed both before and after renovation, focusing on passive strategies (e.g., replacing single-glazed windows with double glazing) and active interventions (e.g., upgrading the air conditioning system). The results reveal that current retrofit strategies fail to reduce energy consumption substantially. Replacing single-glazed windows with double glazing could reduce annual energy use by 42%. Additionally, upgrading the existing chiller system or implementing a Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) system could result in 40% and 59.5% energy savings, respectively. The most significant energy reduction, 71%, is achieved when both interventions—upgrading the chiller and installing double-glazed windows—are implemented, reducing the energy consumption index (ECI) to a quarter of its current value. The life cycle cost (LCC) analysis demonstrates that energy-efficient investments offer considerable economic returns. For instance, an investment of USD 508,600 in a modern chiller system would generate net savings of USD 1,373,500 over its operational lifespan. This study underscores substantial economic and environmental losses from omitting energy efficiency considerations in hotel renovations. It calls for integrating comprehensive energy optimization strategies in retrofit planning, with each dollar invested in energy-saving measures potentially yielding USD 2.5 in life cycle savings. This approach is crucial for global hotel markets facing energy challenges. 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

Empirical studies on management control and business performance are growing. However, a research gap exists regarding the tourism development/hotel small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly in terms of administrative management and organizational functions. Hence, drawing from the principles of management control, specifically about the utilization of business performance evaluation techniques, this study aimed to construct a business performance index for hotel SMEs in the state of Yucatán, Mexico. To this end, the index evaluated multiple variables including investment, profitability, financing sources, operating metrics, and the utilization of financial information. To accomplish the goals, this study administered surveys to the proprietors/administrators of 139 hotel SMEs. It employed a quantitative approach and utilized the multiple linear regression model with the forward technique. Its findings demonstrate that the utilization of financial information and funding sources have the most substantial correlations with business performance. As theoretical and practical implications, a business performance index arose, replying to the needs presented by the Mexican Association of Hotels in Yucatán. Full article

Free-living protozoa (FLP) can create biofilms in water supply systems and can harbor bacteria, which potentially can be pathogenic, such as Legionella spp. Each year there are more cases of legionellosis in Latvia, so this problem is actual: in 2019 there were 42 cases, but in 2024—88 cases. In this study, the investigated question of the coexistence of FLP and Legionella spp. and bacterial diversity in the drinking water supply systems of Riga, Salaspils, and Jurmala multiapartment buildings and hotels situated in Riga and Jurmala, identify the main FLP genus, and study factors associated with FLP and Legionella spp. occurrence. With microscopy, microbiological, and molecular biology methods, FLP and, specifically, free-living amoeba (FLA) were detected and identified, and Legionella spp. bacteria were isolated. Three FLP genera were identified, including Acanthamoeba, Vahlkampfia, and Hartmanella (Vermamoeba). In hot water, more FLP and Legionella co-existence occurrences were detected. In 64.7% of FLP-positive samples, Hartmanella (Vermamoeba) spp. was detected. Various potentially pathogenic bacteria, such as Coxiella, Leptospira, and Mycobacterium, were detected in the water sample DNA sequences. The average hot water temperature in Riga was lower than 50 °C, which is not enough to minimize the risk of the Legionella bacteria proliferation. The Shannon’s index values showed that bacterial diversity was higher in cold water samples, and the Pearson test showed that the correlation between building floor and Legionella quantity is positive. In this study, we also discovered that differences in bacterial diversity between water samples from two Daugava River banks’ water sources are not significant, but the biggest exception was a much higher percentage of Chaetonotida (hairybellies) in the left river bank samples. Noticeably, there are more Legionella and FLP-positive samples from the kitchen than from the apartment shower. Each hotel building from this study has its own similar bacterial diversity in its water supply system. Full article

This study investigates how workplace stressors influence the intention to quit among male employees working in five-star hotels in Egypt, with a focus on the mediating role of psychological distress and the moderating role of psychological flexibility. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 334 full-time male hospitality workers. Using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), the study examined the relationships between workplace stressors, psychological distress, the intention to quit, and psychological flexibility. The results showed that higher levels of workplace stressors were significantly associated with increased psychological distress and a stronger intention to quit. Psychological distress partially explained (mediated) the link between stressors and quitting intentions. Moreover, psychological flexibility acted as a buffer (moderator), reducing the negative impact of workplace stress on distress and, in turn, on quitting intentions. These findings highlight the unique contribution of the study in applying the transactional model of stress and coping within a Middle Eastern hospitality context, focusing exclusively on male workers—an understudied group in the existing literature. To address these challenges, hospitality managers are encouraged to adopt evidence-based interventions such as mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to strengthen employees’ psychological flexibility and reduce the turnover risk. The study offers valuable insights for researchers, organizational leaders, and HR practitioners aiming to improve employee well-being and retention in high-pressure service environments. Full article

The hospitality and tourism (H&T) sector, marked by intense employee–customer interactions, dynamic labor shifts, and high physical and emotional labor demands, faces chronic talent acquisition and retention. Therefore, tailored employer branding (EB) strategies that address the unique characteristics of the H&T sector are essential for improving the current situation. Despite the critical need for tailored solutions, a clear and unified approach for H&T companies to effectively manage their EB strategies, including the development of a compelling employee value proposition (EVP) that resonates with targeted professionals, has yet to be established. Following the PRISMA reporting guidelines, a systematic literature review of 30 peer-reviewed articles from the Scopus and Web of Science databases was conducted to synthesize existing research on EB practices in the H&T sector. The results reveal a fragmented literature that lacks a cohesive framework for categorizing and measuring EVP. The use of varied and inconsistent EVP models and scales across studies hampers comparative analysis and limits the development of generalizable insights. Furthermore, the review highlights a concentration of research within the hotel industry, leaving other important H&T industries, such as the restaurant and cruise industries, underexplored. This SLR emphasizes the urgent need for a unified approach to EB in H&T. Based on these results, promising research avenues are suggested to further advance EB research in H&T, along with managerial implications for enhancing talent attraction and retention in the sector. Full article

Inclusive tourism is designed to ensure accessibility for all travelers, including individuals with disabilities, and the concept has been garnering increasing attention recently. Previous scholars have explored the experiences of disabled tourists, but this study shifts the focus to hospitality providers by examining their role in delivering inclusive services. Significant implementation gaps persist despite the existence of policies promoting inclusivity, and the situation shows the need to understand how the hospitality sector perceives and addresses accessibility challenges. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate accessibility within the Indonesian hospitality sector by analyzing key challenges related to infrastructure, service quality, and industry commitment. The service quality model developed by Parasuraman et al. was applied to assess gaps in tangibility, responsiveness, and empathy through qualitative methods, including stakeholder interviews and observational analyses. Moreover, a specialized framework developed by Stonesifer and Kim was incorporated to enhance hotel experiences for guests with disabilities. The results showed that accessibility remained a secondary concern, often overshadowed by cost considerations, infrastructure limitations, and the weak enforcement of relevant standards. Several hospitality providers prioritize minimal legal compliance over proactive accessibility improvements. It was also observed that limited awareness, inadequate staff training, and financial constraints further widened the gap between policy and practice. Furthermore, weak enforcement mechanisms hindered the establishment of consistent accessibility standards. This study contributes to the discourse on inclusive tourism by identifying critical gaps and emphasizing the need for stronger collaboration, policy reinforcement, and industry engagement. Addressing these challenges can foster a more inclusive hospitality sector that benefits all tourists. The identification of areas for improvement also provides valuable insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders aiming to enhance accessibility standards in the Indonesian tourism sector. Full article

This research analyzes the influence of economic policy uncertainty (EPU) on energy consumption driven by tourism in Macau, employing a structural vector autoregression (SVAR) model with sign restrictions. The SVAR model facilitates the identification of EPU shocks by imposing sign restrictions on impulse responses, providing a nuanced understanding of the dynamic effects of uncertainty. Employing quarterly data from the first quarter of 2002 to the fourth quarter of 2024, the findings demonstrate that EPU shocks result in sustained reductions in GDP, hotel occupancy rates, and energy usage. Our analysis highlights the significant role of Mainland China’s policy uncertainty in influencing Macau’s economy, emphasizing the vulnerability of tourism-dependent economies to policy-induced variations. The novelty of this research lies in its integrated framework, exploring the interconnectedness of EPU, tourism, and energy consumption, thus filling a gap in the existing literature. Additionally, this study contributes to sustainability research by exploring how energy consumption in tourism-dependent economies is intricately linked to policy uncertainty and how sustainable energy management strategies can help mitigate the adverse impacts of these uncertainties. Our findings provide key insights for policymakers aiming to enhance economic resilience and sustainability, underscoring the importance of reducing uncertainty through transparent policies and economic diversification. Full article

Robots have been widely adopted in transportation and delivery applications. Path planning plays a critical role in determining the performance of robotic systems in these tasks. While existing research has predominantly focused on path planning for single robots and the design of robot delivery systems based on hotel-specific demand characteristics, there is limited exploration of multi-robot collaborative routing in three-dimensional environments. This paper addresses this gap by investigating the multi-robot collaborative path planning problem in three-dimensional, multi-floor hotel environments. Elevator nodes are modeled as implicit waypoints, and the routing problem is formulated as a Multi-Trip Vehicle Routing Problem (MTVRP). To solve this NP-hard problem, an Adaptive Large Neighborhood Search (ALNS) algorithm is proposed. The effectiveness of the algorithm is validated through comparative experiments with Gurobi, demonstrating its ability to handle complex three-dimensional delivery scenarios. Numerical results reveal that the number of robots and elevator operation times significantly impact overall delivery efficiency. Additionally, the study identifies an imbalance in resource utilization, where certain robots are overused, potentially reducing their lifespan and affecting system stability. This research highlights the importance of efficient multi-robot routing in three-dimensional spaces and provides insights into optimizing delivery systems in complex environments. Full article

Internet platforms and self-media have become vital online communities for promoting positive reputations for hotels. Previous studies have primarily focused on enhancing positive electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) through improvements in hotel infrastructure and staff services. As hotels deepen their digital transformation, the application of various artificial intelligence technologies in hotel service encounters significantly impacts the service experience. This study explores the effects of voice assistant (VA) attributes on the online reputation of hotels. Specifically, it examines how the attributes of VAs (anytime connectivity, information association, and interactivity) influence positive customer evaluations in hotels. Utilizing a questionnaire survey method, we collected 529 valid questionnaires offline and employed structural equation modeling along with the PROCESS plugin in SPSS to conduct path analysis, as well as mediation and moderation effect analyses. The results indicate that perceived value and the existence of human–AI rapport mediate the impact of VA attributes on positive eWOM, although the direct effect of some attributes (information association) was not supported. Furthermore, anytime connectivity enhances the influence on human–AI rapport through social presence, while privacy concerns negatively affect the relationship between perceived value and intentions to engage in eWOM. These insights are critical for hotels seeking to maximize the benefits of digital transformation. Full article

In the era of smart tourism, providing seamless and personalized experiences has become significant for enhancing user satisfaction and engagement. This paper presents a novel fuzzy logic-based application system designed to enhance personalization in smart tourism. The proposed system integrates real-time user data and delivers customized services to each particular user. In particular, the proposed system incorporates a recommendation mechanism that combines TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) with fuzzy logic to assess multiple criteria and user preferences and provide accurate and well-rounded personalized travel destination recommendations. By employing fuzzy logic, the system effectively overcomes challenges associated with uncertainty and subjectivity in user data, enabling precise and adaptable decision-making and ensuring more accurate service recommendations. Through case studies and simulations, the paper evaluates the system’s impact on enhancing user satisfaction and the overall tourism experience. Furthermore, preliminary evaluation results demonstrate the system’s ability to generate meaningful and seamless personalized recommendations that enhance the provided tourism services. This work contributes to the growing field of smart tourism by offering a scalable and user-centric solution. The scalability of the system is ensured through its efficient handling of multidimensional data, adaptability to diverse user profiles, and extendability to various tourism applications, including destination ranking, activity recommendations, and hotel selection. Additionally, its integration potential with existing travel platforms highlights its applicability in real-world scenarios, making it a robust tool for enhancing smart-tourism experiences. Full article

This research sought to establish the interdependent relationship between various factors concerning employee skills and sustainable tourism with the goal of achieving the targets set under the SDG-4. In this study, the soft and hard skills related to employability skills were the independent variables whereas sustainable tourism development was the dependent variable. The primary data were collected from 253 industry experts, including tour operators, hotel managers, travel agents, and destination marketers, offering significant perspectives on the operational intricacies and difficulties encountered within the tourism sector. Further, this research explored the importance of these factors using importance performance map analysis (IPMA). A measurement model was developed from the respondents specialized in the field of tourism. This research utilized statistical methodologies to assess the significance of various employee skills in promoting sustainable tourism. These findings demonstrate the significant impact of interpersonal, communication, competence, problem solving, and technological skills in promoting sustainable tourism. Further, it was found that competence skills had the highest importance and success in promoting sustainable tourism. These findings have significant implications for managers and stakeholders, encompassing strategic insights into workforce training, technological integration, and sustainability practices. Educational institutions should prioritize training programs that enhance the interpersonal, communication, competence, problem solving, and technology skills of their students to fulfill SDG-4. By investing in the development of these skills, educational institutions can develop a more adaptable and skilled workforce capable of promoting sustainable tourism. Novelty stems from this study’s comprehensive investigation of both soft and hard skills, yielding a holistic understanding of their collective influence. This study contributes to existing knowledge by examining the relationships between skill set requirements and the educational setup in the context of the Aseer region of Saudi Arabia. Full article

The hospitality industry, well-known for its energetic and people-intensive nature, frequently depends on effective leadership to motivate teamwork and safeguard sustainable operational success. Nevertheless, leadership approaches may significantly influence workplace dynamics and leader narcissism appears to be a probable disruptor. This study explores the dual-edged influence of leader narcissism in the hospitality industry, specifically in determining employee unheard voice behavior and bullying in the workplace. While leader narcissism can amplify unheard voices by nurturing an environment where staff feel forced to speak up, it can also fuel workplace conflict by generating toxic interactions and advancing bullying in the workplace. This research utilized a self-administrated questionnaire, collecting data from employees in five-star hotels and category (A) tourism companies in Cairo, Egypt, from May to August 2024 through a convenience sampling technique. Of the 425 distributed questionnaires, 394 valid responses were received, and Smart PLS-3.0 was employed for hypothesis testing. The study’s findings indicate that employee voice behavior positively influences workplace bullying. There exists a favorable correlation between employee voice behavior and leader narcissism. Moreover, leader narcissism is proven to have a positive relationship with workplace bullying. Leader narcissism was recognized as a mediating variable in the connection between employee voice behavior and workplace bullying. While previous research has investigated how these factors influence work-related outcomes in broader organizational settings, this study focuses on their implications in tourism and hospitality. Additionally, the study delves into how leader narcissism mediates the connection between employee voice behavior and workplace bullying in the tourism industry. By highlighting and exploring the complexities of leader narcissism and its influence on workplace interrelationships, this research paper may offer valuable insights for top managers, policymakers, and academics seeking to generate healthier and more productive workplace environments in the tourism industry. Full article