Search Results (25)

The field of tourism economics has consistently attracted big attention from scholars across various countries. Tourism is inherently linked to economic aspects. Concurrently, Indonesia has relocated its Ibu Kota Negara/National Capital City, now named “IKN”, from Jakarta to East Kalimantan. In addition to extensive public infrastructure development, the Indonesian government is also working to revitalize the tourism sector in IKN. To assess the economic feasibility of this sector, an in-depth study is necessary. This research aims to examine labor absorption, tourist visits, and economic growth as indicators of successful tourism economic performance. It also analyzes the variables that influence these indicators, including (1) wages, (2) occupancy rates, (3) room rates, (4) food and beverage facilities, (5) inflation, (6) hotel and lodging taxes, (7) restaurant and eating-house taxes, and (8) investment. The regression testing method employs Ordinary Least Squares (OLS). According to the data analyzed from 2013 to 2024, the authors identified three main points: First, tourist visits and inflation have positive and significant impacts on labor absorption. Second, labor absorption, wages, occupancy rates, economic growth, and investment positively and significantly influence tourist visits. Third, tourist visits, room rates, food and beverage facilities, and inflation have positive and significant effects on economic growth. The implications of this research can be enlightening for regulators and future initiatives. This is particularly important for guiding further empirical investigations and policy planning aimed at accelerating economic development in the tourism sector. Full article

This paper aims to compare the perceptions of hotel customers and hotel staff regarding the value of green hotel attributes. By examining both stakeholder groups, the study addresses a gap in sustainable hospitality research, which largely overlooks employee perspectives in favour of customer preferences. An exploratory, cross-sectional survey was conducted using structured questionnaires, administered to hotel guests (n = 307) and hotel staff (n = 89) in Porto, Portugal. Respondents rated 15 green hotel attributes using a five-point Likert scale. Demographic data were also collected to analyse perceptual differences across gender, age, income, and education. The results revealed that both customers and staff exhibited environmental awareness, though their prioritisation of specific green practices differed. Customers tended to value visible environmental measures, such as recycling bins, energy-saving light bulbs, and renewable energy signage, while staff placed greater emphasis on operational sustainability aspects, including low-flow plumbing fixtures, refillable soap dispensers, and durable goods used in service areas. These differences reflect the stakeholders’ distinct roles and experiences within the hotel ecosystem. This study enriches the discourse on sustainable hospitality by providing a dual-stakeholder analysis of green hotel attributes using a shared evaluative framework. The findings offer practical insights for hotel managers aligning sustainability strategies with the expectations of both guests and employees, supporting more effective and inclusive green implementation in the lodging sector. Full article

UAV remote sensing is widely used in the agricultural sector due to its non-destructive, rapid, and cost-effective advantages. This study utilized two years of field data with multisource fused imagery of soybeans to evaluate lodging conditions and investigate the impact of lodging grade information on yield prediction. Unlike traditional approaches that build empirical lodging models using band reflectance, vegetation indices, and texture features, this research introduces a transfer learning framework. This framework employs a ResNet18 encoder to directly extract features from raw images, bypassing the complexity of manual feature extraction processes. To address the imbalance in the lodging dataset, the Synthetic Minority Over-sampling Technique (SMOTE) strategy was employed in the feature space to balance the training set. The findings reveal that deep learning effectively extracts meaningful features from UAV imagery, outperforming traditional methods in lodging grade classification across all growth stages. On the 65 days after emergence (DAE), lodging grade classification using ResNet18 features achieved the highest accuracy (Accuracy = 0.76, recall = 0.76, F1 score = 0.73), significantly exceeding the performance of traditional methods. However, classification accuracy was relatively low in plots with higher lodging grades (lodging grades = 3, 5, 7), with an accuracy of 0.42 and an F1 score of 0.56. After applying the SMOTE module to balance the samples, the classification accuracy in plots with higher lodging grades improved to 0.65, marking an increase of 54.76%. To improve accuracy in yield prediction, this study integrates lodging information with other features, such as canopy spectral reflectance, vegetation indices, and texture features, using two multimodal data fusion strategies: input-level fusion (ResNet-EF) and intermediate-level fusion (ResNet-MF). The findings reveal that the intermediate-level fusion strategy consistently outperforms input-level fusion in yield prediction accuracy across all growth stages. Specifically, the intermediate-level fusion model incorporating measured lodging grade information achieved the highest prediction accuracy on the 85 DAE (R² = 0.65, RMSE = 529.56 kg/ha). Furthermore, when predicted lodging information was used, the model’s performance remained comparable to that of the measured lodging grades, underscoring the critical role of lodging factors in enhancing yield estimation accuracy. Full article

Al-Ahsa Oasis, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Saudi Arabia, has significant potential for rural tourism development. This study examines the supply side of rural lodges within the oasis, focusing on their characteristics, pricing, and key factors influencing the rural tourism market. Descriptive analysis revealed a diverse range of rental prices (SAR 350–3000 per night) and lodge sizes (90–10,000 m²). Three types of rural lodges emerged: chalets, resorts, and istrahas, catering to various guest preferences and budgets. Resorts, with their larger sizes and comprehensive amenities, commanded the highest average prices. A hedonic price model was employed to analyze the factors affecting rental prices. We find that the number of bedrooms, the availability of pools, and car garages positively impacted prices. In contrast, the presence of pool fences and “family-only” designations negatively affected prices, suggesting limited appeal to some market segments. These findings provide valuable insights for tourism stakeholders and policymakers seeking to optimize the rural tourism sector in Al-Ahsa Oasis. This study emphasizes the importance of understanding supply-side dynamics, catering to diverse visitor needs, and investing in amenities that enhance guest experiences. By promoting quality standards and encouraging infrastructure investment, policymakers can contribute to the sustainable development of rural tourism in Al-Ahsa Oasis. Full article

We examine the longitudinal relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance and financial performance by investigating attributes among firms operating in different industry sectors longitudinally. Using panel regression analysis on Australian publicly listed firms from 2007 to 2021, we find that CSR performance positively influences financial performance. Furthermore, our industry-specific analysis uncovers notable distinctions. Specifically, within the consumer product markets, including recreational facilities, travel and tourism, lodging, dining, and leisure products, firms benefit from stakeholder rewards for their CSR efforts, leading to sustained financial gains. However, this positive association is absent for firms operating in industrial product markets, where stakeholders do not offer similar rewards for CSR performance. The significance of stakeholder engagement becomes evident in consumer market sectors, as firms with higher levels of CSR performance secure stakeholder support, resulting in superior long-term financial performance. Our findings contribute to the existing CSR literature and offer practical insights and implications for managers operating in diverse product market industries, including the dynamic field of tourism and hospitality seeking to harness CSR performance, meet stakeholder expectations, and achieve financial advantages. Full article

Agritourism has been widely discussed in the literature. As the range of options for its interpretation increased, studies have come to focus their objectives on its systematization, evaluated with respect to the nature of the interactions between tourists and agriculture, the level of contact with agricultural activities, and the authenticity of the experience. Adding to this complexity is the association of agritourism with experiences related to the agri-food sector, as well as the typologies of accommodation. This research contributes to an improved understanding of agritourism based on evidence from a cross-border region between Portugal and Spain. We identify the links between agriculture and tourism by identifying different categories of agritourism activities via the application of geostatistical analysis. The main results highlight that landscapes, agricultural activities, and agri-food products have a positive influence in creating tourism products and services. Despite this result, passive agritourism activities prevail, such as tasting experiences, contact with endogenous products, enjoyment of the agricultural landscape, or on-farm entertainment. This reality highlights a gap related to authentic agritourism, pointing to the absence of or weak links to agricultural activities and weaknesses in the local “farm-to-table” channel. The grouping analysis results led to the creation of six homogeneous groups, three of which correspond to lodging establishments capable of creating agritourism. However, these groups represent only 39% of the supply. Given this reality, it is of utmost importance to implement policies that encourage tour operators to create agritourism products. Full article

The global COVID-19 crisis has strongly affected tourism. In an emerging economy like Colombia’s, however, the pandemic’s effects may differ from those experienced in more advanced countries. Building on prior studies, this investigation aims to determine the economic and organizational impact of COVID-19 on the tourism sector in the areas of lodging, travel agencies, clubs, and restaurants by identifying indicators relevant to the business tourism sector. We contrast data obtained empirically from a survey administered to a sample of 289 Colombian tourism SMEs. The model, developed with structural equations, enables identification of the factors with the greatest influence. The results indicate a high impact on sales and personnel expenses, leading to a decrease in management and innovation capability. In the gradual recovery process, internal measures taken by business owners to face the crisis have been more effective than measures taken by the government. Moreover, firms have prioritized financial strategies and innovation in marketing and services. Full article

Tourism has grown exponentially in the 21st century and continues to be one of the rapidly growing industries in the world in terms of revenue generation and employment opportunities. It covers not only travel services and boarding-lodging activities but a wide range of independent but related sectors like transport, accommodation, food and beverage, and entertainment, among others. Modern tourism is diversified and includes several odd types of tourism, like slum tourism, dark tourism, and sex tourism. This paper analyzes the case of slum tourism to Dharavi, India’s commercial capital and largest city as well as the benefits and disadvantages that such kind of tourism has. It also attempts to understand the opinion of the common people and slum dwellers on slum tourism, while observing if the ten principles of the “Global Code of Ethics for Tourism” (GCET) have been fulfilled in the country. The results show that overall, the principles of GCET are fulfilled but much is still left to be done. On the other side, most of the slum residents accept slum tourism as a reality that brings more benefits than damage to their living environment and are of the opinion that tourism brings prosperity to them and to the country. Full article

The dehesa is one of the main agricultural landscapes in the Extremadura region. It is currently undergoing a production crisis caused by changes in the market, including the abandonment of uses linked to its exploitation. This situation could lead to the disappearance of this unique landscape due to its anthropogenic nature. It is therefore necessary to develop alternative activities to improve its productive profitability, which could include sustainable hunting. The hunting literature recognizes the role it plays in environmental, economic, and social sustainability, with hunting tourism being one of the productive activities that generates the most wealth within the sector, where big game hunting is of great importance. In this scenario, the regions of Villuercas-Ibores-Jara and La Siberia have an ideal landscape for the development of this modality due to their physical characteristics. For this reason, this study carried out an analysis of the situation of hunting tourism in these areas through the dissemination of a questionnaire among the managers of rural accommodation in the study area. The responses recorded were processed using statistical techniques that allowed us to extract interesting results such as the importance of hunting as a tourist resource, with a large number of big game species living in these areas, the high presence of hunters in these lodgings during the hunting season, the role that hunting plays in environmental, economic, and social sustainability, and the need to create a specific tourist product that meets the needs of the demand of hunters. Full article

Quinoa is known as a super food due to its extraordinary nutritional qualities and has the potential to ensure future global food and nutritional security. As a model plant with halophytic behavior, quinoa has potential to meet the challenges of climate change and salinization due to its capabilities for survival in harsh climatic conditions. The quinoa crop has received worldwide attention due to its adoption and production expanded in countries out of the native Andean region. Quinoa was introduced to Pakistan in 2009 and it is still a new crop in Pakistan. The first quinoa variety was registered in 2019, then afterward, its cultivation started on a larger scale. Weed pressure, terminal heat stress, stem lodging, bold grain size, and an unstructured market are the major challenges in the production and promotion of the crop. The potential of superior features of quinoa has not been fully explored and utilized. Hence, there is a need to acquire more diverse quinoa germplasm and to establish a strong breeding program to develop new lines with higher productivity and improved crop features for the Pakistan market. Mechanized production, processing practices, and a structured market are needed for further scaling of quinoa production in Pakistan. To achieve these objectives, there is a dire need to create an enabling environment for quinoa production and promotion through the involvement of policymakers, research institutions, farmers associations, and the private sector. Full article

This study is aimed at examining the relationships between social capital, social motivation and functional competencies and their effects on the participation in the development of an agritourism business among Tunisian entrepreneurs who already have rural lodges in the agritourism sector in Tunisia. The authors applied structural modeling of the partial least squares equation to analyze 100 questionnaires completed by participants and test the hypotheses. The results showed positive and direct effects concerning the two variables, namely, the social capital and functional competencies on the participation in the development of a business in agritourism. On the other hand, the mediating role of social motivation between social capital and participation in the development of an agritourism business has shown an insignificant effect. This study creates a distinctive theoretical contribution to the literature on social entrepreneurial factors by analyzing the relationships between social capital, social motivation and functional competencies of an entrepreneur on participation in the development of a business in agritourism. In addition, this study investigates numerous practical implications of these results. Full article

The lodging industry increasingly relies on digital technology and innovations in various operations in order to develop a competitive strategy and improve their operational activities during the pandemic. Nowadays, digital transformation is a key element for business sustainability. This paper presents an industry case study involving four hotels or lodging companies operating in Chile which have successfully incorporated technology and new communication channels with their clients, carrying out a digital transformation that is key to the competitiveness and survival of their businesses. The results show that the impact of digitalization on sales and visibility of companies in the sector is huge; second, the effects of digital innovation on the management of key processes, both in the back office and in the front office, is very important; third, the incorporation of technology as a standard factor in order to be competitive in the industry is a key element; finally, the problems or obstacles that lodging companies must face in the process of implementing new information technologies. Without digital innovation, this sector would not have been able to survive in times of pandemic. Full article

This study contributes by analyzing the economic effects of China’s distribution industry based on China’s 2012 and 2017 input-output data. It analyzes changes in the forward and backward linkage effect over a five-year period in accordance with the Chinese government’s distribution industry policy. The coefficients of the effects of the Chinese distribution industry, using Input-Output Tables and a comparative analysis of the sensitivity of dispersion, were determined. In terms of the coefficient of influence, most of the sectors that ranked high in 2012 are related to manufacturing, except for lodging and catering. The sensitivity and influence coefficients indicate that the top-ranked sectors in 2012 were more affected by the raw materials and energy essential for manufacturing development than by the services sector. Full article

Building and maintaining a sustainable workforce in the hospitality sector, where demand for talent consistently exceeds supply across the globe, has only been exacerbated by COVID-19. The need to sustain this workforce behooves the industry to unpack core drivers of employee commitment in order to retain top talent. This paper explores how dimensions of employee empowerment increase organizational commitment and, in turn, reduce turnover intention—leading to a more sustained workforce. Drawing on the results of 346 surveys within the Canadian lodging industry, structural equation modeling was undertaken to examine the influence of empowerment on organizational commitment and organizational commitments influence on turnover intention. Findings suggest that the development of meaning through employee empowerment, particularly when the ideals and standards between workers and their organization are aligned, creates a strong emotional commitment which appears to strongly reduce an employee’s intention to leave. Feelings of emotional connection or duty towards an organization show clear positive relationships with reduced intentions to leave. For an industry struggling with higher-than-average turnover intention and labour costs, focusing on creating work with meaning, and instilling a sense of belonging in the workforce will enable organizations to reduce their employee’s turnover intentions. Full article

The future of tourism activity is dependent on its ability to adapt to the effects of climate change. One of the most notable effects in the Mediterranean area will be water shortages in a scenario marked by increasing demand for this resource. While this situation will affect numerous economic sectors, it will have a severe impact on the tourism industry, which relies heavily on water. The aim of this study was to analyze water-saving practices among guests at campsites, hotels, and rural lodgings in the Muga river basin and investigate the factors that influence these practices. We conducted 752 surveys and found that differences in practices were influenced by reason for stay, type of accommodation, and geographic origin. A greater understanding of how sociodemographic and motivational characteristics influence water-saving behavior by guests at different types of tourist accommodation is essential for designing targeted strategies for improving environmental awareness and water-saving habits. Full article