Search Results (39)

Homelessness is characterised by a wide range of risk factors of a multidimensional and unstable nature. The COVID-19 pandemic intensified these risk factors associated with homelessness but also prompted the development of prevention and care actions. This study identified and mapped the intervention programmes carried out for people experiencing homelessness in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. To achieve the study purpose, a thematic analysis of the scientific literature was conducted following the search strategy and analysis methodology characteristic of informetrics and scientometrics. The sources of information used were WoS, Scopus, PubMed, PsycINFO and ERIC. The paucity of planned actions, most of which have a local impact, reinforces the need to strengthen research that presents robust evidence on this issue. China and Europe are under-represented compared to other types of studies linked to COVID-19 and the prevalence of homelessness. Several clusters are distinguished among the plans: they are carried out in buildings or in geographical areas and according to the impact on the group (preventive, substance-related disorder support, health care and diagnostic). Among the emerging themes, health and social variables are represented, including communication and trust between health, community and homeless groups. The reduction in the thematic dimensionality shows equal planning between health care actions (81.8%) and psychosocial and prevention support (72.8%), an aspect that confirms the importance of joint actions. In this line, among the various clusters of the network analysis, the relationship between hotel, mental health support, substance-related disorder, social intervention and access to permanent housing was found. The studies analysed also highlight social exclusion, stigma, victimisation, living conditions and the risk of contagion among this group. This situation has not gone unnoticed among the studies analysed, which present proposals for the continuation of the projects. Full article

This study highlights the importance of managing and analyzing customer reviews to gain a competitive advantage and improve customer experience in the hospitality industry. In this context, a deep learning-based sentiment analysis system of hotel customer reviews is developed to evaluate service quality within the scope of sustainable tourism. The study analyzed 15,522 customer reviews of five-star hotels in Antalya using text mining, topic modelling, and deep learning-based sentiment analysis. The reviews were classified as positive, negative, or neutral. The findings show that Hotel HB2 has the highest performance, with an F1 score of 97.9%. Overall customer satisfaction is 91%, while emotional satisfaction stands at 77%. Key factors, such as cleanliness, food quality, and staff professionalism, were found to play a critical role in customer loyalty. Additionally, this study integrates sustainability-orientated themes by identifying customer feedback related to environmentally friendly practices and sustainable hotel operations. The results provide evidence that customer satisfaction is not only influenced by service quality but also by the perceived environmental and social responsibility of the hotel. Machine learning techniques have emerged as effective tools for analyzing large-scale customer reviews, offering valuable insights to rapidly and accurately capture customers’ emotions, expectations, and perceptions. As a comprehensive application of sentiment analysis and text mining, this research offers hotel managers a practical framework to enhance service quality, foster customer loyalty, and develop sustainability-orientated strategies. This study contributes to the literature by linking AI-driven sentiment analysis with sustainability practices in the tourism sector. Full article

The French Society of Toxinology (SFET) held its 30th Annual Meeting (RT30) on 2–3 December 2024 at Hôtel Le Saint Paul in Nice, France, on the beautiful French Riviera. It was the first time that the event was organized outside of Paris. The meeting brought together 74 participants and focused on the main theme, “Unlocking the Deep Secrets of Toxins”, which delved into cutting-edge research in the field of animal venoms and toxins from animal, plant, fungal, algal, mold and bacterial sources. The event emphasized the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of toxins, often influenced by environmental factors, their interactions with molecular or cellular ligands, their mechanisms of action and their potential applications in therapy. These key topics were explored in depth during oral communications and poster sessions across three main thematic areas, each dedicated to a specific aspect of toxinology. A fourth, more general session provided an opportunity for participants to present recent work that fell outside the main themes but still contributed valuable insights to the broader field. This report presents the abstracts of seven of the invited lectures, fifteen of the selected lectures and sixteen of the posters, following the authors’ agreement to publish them. Additionally, the names of the “Best Oral Communication” and “Best Poster” awardees are highlighted, recognizing the outstanding contributions made by early-career researchers and their innovative work in toxinology. Full article

Tourism demand is critical for the hospitality industry and is influenced by a set of continuously changing factors. The tourism and hospitality industries play a critical role in many regions and countries, supporting the local economy, providing employment, and fostering economic and social development with effects across multiple industries. This study aims to analyse the nature of tourism and hotel demand through a thematic analysis. By conducting a review of the existing literature published over the period of 2018–2023, this research identifies overarching patterns, trends, and themes characterising the current research landscape. Research results reveal significant insights into market trends and strategic industry shifts. It particularly emphasises areas such as customer demand forecasting, technology integration, and sustainability, which are crucial for understanding demand fluctuations. The findings offer insights into the theoretical foundations of tourism and hotel demand and provide practical implications for industry stakeholders aiming to strategise effectively in a dynamic market. Full article

The digital transformation age introduces cybersecurity threats into the hospitality industry by increasing the exposure and vulnerability of hospitality firms’ data and systems to hackers. The hospitality industry is a diverse segment of the service sector dedicated to the provision of services in areas such as accommodation, food and beverage, travel and tourism, and recreation, including hotels, restaurants, bars, travel agencies, and theme parks. Cybersecurity risks in the hospitality industry affect the data and systems of businesses such as accommodation, food, travel, and entertainment, primarily enabled by the industry’s increasing digitization. This study aims to map the principal cybersecurity risks to the main stakeholders by proposing a novel Picture Fuzzy Sets (PFSs)-based Matrix of Alliances and Conflicts: Tactics, Objectives, and Recommendations (MACTOR) approach. The purpose here is to examine each stakeholder’s position towards handling cybersecurity attacks and estimate the uncertain nature of personal judgments of industry representatives when stating their point of view. The research aimed to extract the triggering positions of the defined cybercrime risks to reach the root cause of these risks, as the point to try to mitigate first. Thus, this paper contributes to the literature in both theoretical and practical ways by proposing a new approach and by providing real industry officials’ perspectives to solve the challenges. A hospitality practitioner can easily understand their position in this service network and take action to prevent such cybercrimes. Full article

Health tourism, a sector that has gained increasing global attention, particularly in the context of sustainable development, is poised for significant growth even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigates the challenges faced by the health tourism sector in a small Mediterranean country, focusing on sustainable recovery strategies. The current study aims to determine managerial implications post-COVID-19, emphasizing sustainability in operational practices and long-term demand growth. We conducted in-depth interviews with 32 health tourism managers and experts, and the qualitative content analysis with Leximancer identified key themes such as sustainable demand management, organizational adaptation, and crisis recovery. This study revealed eight critical themes related to managerial survival and the demand for sustainable practices in health tourism, namely “demand”, “hotel”, “tour operators”, “employees”, “crises”, “social media”, “word of mouth”, and “time”. These findings underscore the importance of integrating sustainability into tourism recovery strategies, ensuring long-term resilience for the industry. This study, which provides theoretical and practical insights into the sustainable growth of health tourism amidst global crises, serves as a valuable reference for stakeholders seeking sustainable development solutions, inspiring them to contribute to the sector’s growth. Full article

Since November 2022, the use of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) technology has increased in many customer service industries. However, little is known about AI’s language choices and meaning-making resources compared to human responses from a systematic linguistic point of view. The present study is a discourse analysis that explores negative online guest complaints made to four luxury heritage hotels in Hong Kong that are classified as cultural heritage sites with rich interpersonal and historical values. We collected authentic guest complaints and responses from hotel managers from April 2012 to October 2022 in online travel forums, and then had GAI draft response letters on behalf of the hotel managers. Our total dataset was 65,539 words and consisted of three subcorpora: guest complaints (Text a of 115 complaints totaling 26,224 words), hotel manager responses (Text b of 115 response letters totaling 14,975 words), and AI-generated responses (Text c of 115 response letters totaling 24,340 words). This study used systemic functional linguistics to explore interpersonal meanings in texts; for example, appraisal resources, verb processes, and personal pronouns were compared between texts. First, we identified the most frequent words of the common themes across the three subcorpora and found significant differences in lexicogrammatical features between hotel managers and AI-generated responses using the log-likelihood ratio. The results suggest that AI-generated texts are able to provide a tailored and empathetic response to guests, but hotel managers may need to introduce some modifications, such as time indicators, sensory verbs used, and complimentary offers. This study explores the differences in word choices and communication strategies, which have implications and insights for the hospitality industry, especially luxury heritage hotels where caring and personalized customer service are considered important. Full article

This study employs a mixed-methods research design to explore the architectural design and service factors influencing consumer choices in three-star hotels in Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. Initial data were gathered through in-depth interviews with 60 architects, designers, and marketing experts to identify key factors. These factors were then used to conduct in-depth interviews with 70 Thai consumers and tourists. The qualitative data from both groups were analyzed using thematic content analysis to identify significant themes, while the quantitative data were assessed using chi-square goodness of fit tests to evaluate the significance of the identified factors. Findings indicate that aesthetic appeal, physical comfort, emotional comfort, and security and sensibility are critical in influencing hotel choice. These results provide valuable insights for hotel owners, designers, and marketers, emphasizing the importance of aligning hotel design and service offerings with consumer preferences. These factors will help create positive impressions, enhance satisfaction, and influence consumers’ decisions to choose and utilize hotel services. Full article

Psychological and neuroscientific research reveals that individuals perceive the external world through two distinct systems: the conscious rational system and the unconscious experiential system. This paper examines the formation of customer experiences in theme hotels from both conscious and unconscious perspectives, aiming to foster innovation and sustainable development in the hospitality industry by enhancing the emotional connection between customers and theme hotels. Employing a dual-perspective framework, the study utilizes semi-structured in-depth interviews to investigate the conscious perspective and the Zaltman Metaphor Elicitation Technique (ZMET) for the unconscious perspective. This paper selected five mid-to-high-end theme hotels located in first-tier cities in China and interviewed 20 guests who had stayed at these hotels. Findings indicate that while both perspectives initiate from the same triggering process, they differ significantly in their modes of information processing and experiential manifestations. Key differences between the two perspectives are evident in three main areas: the malleability of memory, the complexity of emotions, and the directionality of behavior. These insights not only broaden the theoretical understanding of customer experience but also contribute to the sustainable growth of the hotel sector by proposing innovative approaches to enhance customer experience. Full article

This study conducts a bibliometric analysis of online customer and hotel review research, aiming to provide insights into where each field comes from, stands now and ought to go in the future. In particular, this study examines how the existing research on online customer reviews can benefit future hotel review research. Data collected from Web-of-Science and Scopus created an expanded network of 797 core articles and 19,374 citations to identify intellectual structures, developing trends, and future research gaps. This study offers a visual overview of journals, institutions, countries, research themes and authors to assess the overall directions hotels can take. It underscores the necessity for rigorous and relevant research amid the proliferation of online reviews and emphasises the imperative for academia to bridge the gap between theoretical insights and practical applications within the dynamic tourism industry. This study provides researchers and industry professionals with useful tools to understand and deal with the complexities of online reviews. It also highlights the important role these reviews play in shaping the future of tourism strategies. Full article

Despite the acknowledged connection between physical environment and human behavior, the literature often underestimates the crucial role of hotel spatial layout and its relation to other factors in shaping customer loyalty. The layout of theme hotels is often simply considered a general environmental consideration, ignoring its far-reaching impact. This research proposes that guests staying at theme hotels will perceive value when utilizing the layout and appreciate all aspects of hotel facilities. This, in turn, influences their value perception and loyalty to the hotel. To analyze the data, confirmatory factor analysis and path analysis were employed on a sample of 298 individuals who stayed in theme hotels. The findings from these analyses reveal that both the hotel layout and the external environment positively influence guests’ evaluations of the internal environment (R² = 0.640). Furthermore, the evaluation of the internal environment and layout significantly impacts guests’ perceived values (R² = 0.517), subsequently shaping their loyalty to the hotel (R² = 0.370). Perceived value emerges as a vital mediating factor between the layout and customer loyalty. This study presents compelling evidence that spatial layout significantly influences customer loyalty in theme hotels through perceived value, transcending internal and external environmental boundaries. Full article

This manuscript investigates the cultural and educational dimensions of murals and graffiti in the ruins of the Aliko Hotel on Naxos Island. Moving beyond their aesthetic value, these artworks are examined as conduits for complex sociocultural and educational discourses. Employing semiotic analysis, particularly informed by Roland Barthes’ conceptual framework, the study offers a multi-layered interpretation of the significance of street art. A systematic approach guided the empirical data collection, entailing the careful selection and categorisation of 76 photographs, eventually honed down to 21 key images for detailed analysis. This set, comprising 6 murals and 15 graffiti pieces, was subjected to meticulous examination to discern both dominant themes and motifs (‘studium’) and the elements evoking personal connections (‘punktum’), thereby facilitating emotional and intellectual engagement. The methodology of the study is tailored to uncover the collective narratives encapsulated within these visual forms, as well as the individual responses they provoke. It probes how personal interpretations are influenced by the viewers’ beliefs and backgrounds, thereby expanding the semiotic analysis to encompass both shared and individual meanings. This balanced analytical approach deepens the understanding of visual expressions as dynamic interactions between the artwork and its audience. It underscores the transformative role of street art in urban environments and its contribution to public art discourse. The impending demolition of the Hotel Aliko ruins underscores the ephemeral nature of street art. The murals and graffiti, as transient custodians of cultural and social narratives, accentuate the fragile nature of this cultural heritage. This critical moment underscores the importance of documenting and preserving such art forms and the stories they encapsulate, highlighting their significant role in shaping community identity and cultural education. Full article

The health experience is a crucial component of the customer experience that must not be overlooked. The sustainable development of the hospitality industry is affected by consumers’ health experiences in many aspects. As a part of the hospitality industry, the hotel industry should pay attention to consumers’ health experiences. This study uses a systematic review methodology and concept-based content analysis. The basic review section analyses the overall research trends from the perspectives of publishing time, publication channels, research themes, theoretical foundation, and research methodologies. The theme analysis section identifies three source themes that influence the health of hotel consumers: (1) hotels, (2) consumers themselves, and (3) special events. Based on the conclusions of the studies in the data set, the relationship between these three types of sources of influence and consumers’ health is analysed and discussed in combination with social cognitive theory. Then, two multidimensional frameworks are developed based on these source categories. The frameworks can be used to explain source categories and impact processes, as well as the relationship between impact sources and different health categories. Based on the existing research in the data set, nine valuable research questions are proposed for other researchers’ reference. Full article

Safeguarding water resources in tourism contributes to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to the wider 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. However, sustainable management of water, in order to address both current and future demand for water resources in an equitable and environmentally sound manner, is one of the most significant challenges faced by tourist destinations. Using a case study approach, this research conducts a social network analysis (SNA) of the water policymaking system of Singapore’s hotel industry by longitudinally examining the structure of relations among policy themes and policy stakeholders. The network approach attempts to examine the structural evolution in the water demand management (WDM) policy network based on an analysis of 329 (co)produced policy documents (2001–2020) available in the public domain. A broad range of policy themes, together with divergent policy stakeholders, are uncovered in this interconnected dynamic policy system. Subsequently, systematic policy research is extended to discuss the interrelationships of policy stakeholders and policy themes over the past 20 years. Our findings highlight the network structure of the policy domain and suggest an openness and vibrancy of sustainable WDM as an interdisciplinary policy domain. Cross-sectoral stakeholder engagement has contributed to the evolution and complexity of the policy theme network. The study’s findings provide significant insights into the relationships of policy actors and the evolving network structure of a multidimensional policy framework. Full article

The offer of a wide range of services has given consumers several options to meet their needs. Therefore, in coherence with the competition between companies, they need to adopt processes and measures that they can perceive as consumers’ needs to offer a service that is adequate for their requirements. This study aims to understand the impact of co-creation on services and what factors impact the intention to revisit tourism services, specifically hotel stays. In this sense, the search seeks to understand the influence of co-creation on the variables under study and, in turn, which variables impact the intention to revisit a tourist service. To this end, a quantitative investigation was conducted through an online questionnaire survey to 314 respondents, in August 2020, that stayed at hotels in Portugal. The study demonstrates the importance of co-creation as a mediator of factors such as customer experience and the company’s orientation towards the customer and, in turn, building a long-term relationship with the customer (loyalty). However, there is no evidence to support the relationship between co-creation and revisit intention as this last one is influenced only by allegiance. This investigation contributes to the theme of co-creation and revisiting in the tourism sector of mainland Portugal and the islands, which is a recent topic analyzed in the literature, and significantly contributes to the application of business goals. Full article