Search Results (837)

This article aims to explore and analyze current issues and features of environmental protection in managing local tourism destinations based on the principles of sustainable development through the relevant literature and thus to provide an insight into major environmental measures and activities that should be implemented in practice, emphasizing the importance of environmental sustainability as a key factor in the development and success of local tourist destinations in today’s business environment. Qualitative methods were used, with the literature review based on content analysis by keywords. This particularly affects the business process efficiency and the participation of destination stakeholders and in many cases leads to a low level of environmentally sustainable destination practices. In addition to this theoretical approach, this study also has direct managerial implications for destination environmental business operations. An attractive and well-preserved environment is the primary factor of tourism and local tourism destination development and its success, as well as an integrated part of the tourism product. This study addresses a critical gap in the existing literature on environmental sustainability at local destinations, where prior work has often overlooked the integration of actionable, practice-oriented frameworks tailored for both researchers and practitioners. While theoretical insights into sustainable practices abound, there remains a scarcity of holistic analyses that bridge scholarly understanding with implementable strategies for on-the-ground application. To fill this void, our research provides a comprehensive overview and systematic analysis of current practices, with targeted emphasis on co-developing scalable frameworks for improving environmentally sustainable practices at local destinations. Full article

Governments worldwide are mandating e-invoicing and real-time VAT reporting, yet many cash-intensive service SMEs continue to under-report VAT, eroding fiscal revenues. This study investigates whether financial technology (FinTech) adoption can reduce this under-reporting among tourism SMEs in Greece—an economy with high seasonal spending and a persistent shadow economy. This is the first micro-level empirical study to examine how FinTech tools affect VAT compliance in this sector, offering novel insights into how technology interacts with behavioral factors to influence fiscal behavior. Drawing on the Technology Acceptance Model, deterrence theory, and behavioral tax compliance frameworks, we surveyed 214 hotels, guesthouses, and tour operators across Greece’s main tourism regions. A structured questionnaire measured five constructs: FinTech adoption, VAT compliance behavior, tax morale, perceived audit probability, and financial performance. Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling and bootstrapped moderation–mediation analysis, we find that FinTech adoption significantly improves declared VAT, with compliance fully mediating its impact on financial outcomes. The effect is especially strong among businesses led by owners with high tax morale or strong perceptions of audit risk. These findings suggest that FinTech tools function both as efficiency enablers and behavioral nudges. The results support targeted policy actions such as subsidies for e-invoicing, tax compliance training, and transparent audit communication. By integrating technological and psychological dimensions, the study contributes new evidence to the digital fiscal governance literature and offers a practical framework for narrowing the VAT gap in tourism-driven economies. Full article

With the arrival of an aging society and the continuous extension of the human lifespan, the quality of life has not improved in a corresponding manner. People’s demand for happiness and health is increasing. As a result, a model emerged that integrates tourism and medical services, which is health tourism. This growing demand has prompted many service providers to see it as a business opportunity and enter the market. Tourism can help travelers release work stress and restore physical and mental balance; meanwhile, health check-ups and disease treatment can help them regain health. Consumers have long favored health and medical tourism because it helps relieve stress and promotes overall well-being. As people age, some consumers experience a gradual decline in physical functions, making it difficult for them to participate in regular travel services provided by traditional travel agencies. Therefore, this study aims to explore the service needs of health and medical tourism customers (tourists/patients) and the interrelationships among these service needs, so that health and medical tourism service providers can develop more customized and diversified services. This study identifies four key drivers of medical tourism services: medical services, medical facilities, tour planning, and hospitality facilities. This study uses the APA (attention and performance analysis) method to assess each dimension and criterion and utilizes the DEMATEL method with the NRM (network relationship map) to identify network relationships. By combining APA and NRM techniques, this study develops the APA-NRM technique to evaluate adoption strategies and identify suitable paths for health tourism services, providing tailored development strategies and recommendations for service providers to enhance the service experience. Full article

Growing awareness of sustainable development and green consumer concerns is driving the market expansion for green agriculture products. E-commerce live streaming gives rural enterprises a new channel through scenario-building and interaction, while agro-tourism integration combines resources to generate a variety of promotion scenarios. This study examines the effects of external stimuli, including social networks, resource endowment, infrastructure, and the characteristics of e-commerce streamers, on the perception, trust, perceived value, and purchase intention of green consumption. It is based on the SOR (Stimulus–Organism–Response) theoretical model and focuses on e-commerce live streaming in the agriculture-tourism integration scenario. According to a structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis of 350 consumer questionnaires, these external stimuli primarily influence purchase intention through perceived value, trust, and green consumption cognition, with resource endowment having the most significant impact. The effects of infrastructure on perceived value and streamer attractiveness on green consumption cognition are not statistically significant. This research not only broadens the use of the SOR model in the emerging field of agritourism integration but also offers rural businesses theoretical backing and useful guidance to maximize e-commerce live marketing and enhance agritourism integration. 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

The article analyzes how tourism businesses can be activated for sustainability by destination management organizations and how a destination sustainability program can be used to promote sustainable development. Based on an applied research project in the canton of Lucerne in Switzerland, different approaches to mobilizing and activating tourism companies for sustainability are analyzed and successful strategies are identified. Experience shows that regular communication via various channels and the involvement of tourism partners are key. Direct contact between the representatives of the destinations or associations and the tourism companies is the most promising way of mobilizing them, although this also involves a great deal of effort. While intrinsically motivated businesses usually hardly need any external incentives, a considerable proportion of businesses only become active when either concrete financial incentives are promised, or they are forced to do so by regulatory requirements. The experience gained from the implementation of various mobilization strategies and their analysis enabled the authors to develop and put up for discussion a typology of motives and associated mobilization strategies. Full article

This research aims to determine the utilization levels of local products and the challenges and opportunities of creating a recognizable food-centered cultural identity based on collaborative networks developed between agriculture and tourism. This has the potential to strengthen collaborative entrepreneurship. It uniquely contributes to the existing literature by exploring the connections between agri-food and tourism, while proposing strategies to maximize business opportunities centered on food culture. Descriptive and inferential statistics are conducted based on primary data collected by distributing a questionnaire to 59 public and private organizations in the Peloponnese region in Greece, which has significant agricultural production but limited tourist flows. The results indicate a lack of collective action and business recognition of the value of regional food culture among participants. The human resources employed in tourism lack the skills to highlight traditional food heritage. The presence of structural and operational barriers undermines efforts to facilitate communication, manage suppliers, and enhance the visibility of products designated with Geographical Indications. This paper offers preliminary results; however, extensive future studies are needed to validate the findings fully. The study highlights key implications: Improved communication between stakeholders could enhance the management of the local food network. Agri-food and tourism businesses can develop educational programs and food-focused tourism packages that promote social cohesion and preserve cultural heritage. Full article

In the realm of recommender systems, the prediction of diverse customer preferences has emerged as a compelling research challenge, particularly for multi-state business organizations operating across various geographical regions. Collaborative filtering, a widely utilized recommendation technique, has demonstrated its efficacy in sectors such as e-commerce, tourism, hotel management, and entertainment-based customer services. In the item-based collaborative filtering approach, users’ evaluations of purchased items are considered uniformly, without assigning weight to the participatory data sources and users’ ratings. This approach results in the ‘relevance problem’ when assessing the generated recommendations. In such scenarios, filtering collaborative patterns based on regional and local characteristics, while emphasizing the significance of branches and user ratings, could enhance the accuracy of recommendations. This paper introduces a turnover-based weighting model utilizing a big data processing framework to mine multi-level collaborative filtering patterns. The proposed weighting model assigns weights to participatory data sources based on the turnover cost of the branches, where turnover refers to the revenue generated through total business transactions conducted by the branch. Furthermore, the proposed big data framework eliminates the forced integration of branch data into a centralized repository and avoids the complexities associated with data movement. To validate the proposed work, experimental studies were conducted using a benchmarking dataset, namely the ‘Movie Lens Dataset’. The proposed approach uncovers multi-level collaborative pattern bases, including global, sub-global, and local levels, with improved predicted ratings compared with results generated by traditional recommender systems. The findings of the proposed approach would be highly beneficial to the strategic management of an interstate business organization, enabling them to leverage regional implications from user preferences. Full article

This study explores how private sector initiatives within the tourism industry can contribute to public health outcomes and Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) through sustainable agricultural practices. Using a mixed-methods approach that combines a systematic literature review with an in-depth case study, the research examines how integrated strategies—such as pesticide-free farming, biodiversity enhancement, and edible landscape design—can reduce environmental health risks, improve nutritional quality, and promote local resilience. A series of sustainability interventions are analyzed using key performance indicators (KPIs) related to pesticide use, organic production, pollinator conservation, and community engagement. The findings reveal that business-led sustainability models can support systemic change when grounded in clear metrics and cross-sector collaboration. Although the absence of pre-2019 baseline data and direct health outcome measurements limit causal inference, the study provides a valuable blueprint for aligning private enterprise practices with global health and sustainability objectives. The implications are relevant for policymakers, hospitality operators, and public health stakeholders aiming to foster synergies between tourism, agriculture, and well-being. Full article

This study aims to examine the influence of sustainable leadership, organizational culture, and digital marketing on sustainable performance in tourism sector companies in Indonesia. In addition, the research investigates the indirect effects through knowledge sharing. Specifically, the study explores the moderating role of knowledge sharing in the relationship between sustainable leadership and organizational culture with sustainable performance. The research gap in this study lies in its approach, which combines several variables that have not been widely explored in the context of sustainability in the tourism facilities sector. The population of this research comprises all tourism facility companies operating in natural tourism areas in Indonesia that have been officially licensed by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. The sample consists of 103 tourism facility companies. Respondents selected were company leaders or managers deemed to possess in-depth knowledge of the company’s operations and business strategies. The analysis method employed was Structural Equation Modeling-Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS), utilizing SmartPLS 4.1.1.2 software to test the hypotheses. The findings indicate that sustainable leadership, organizational culture, and digital marketing significantly influence sustainable performance. However, sustainable leadership and organizational culture do not significantly influence digital marketing. Furthermore, the study confirms that knowledge sharing serves as a moderating variable that strengthens the relationship between sustainable leadership and organizational culture with sustainable performance. The results of this study are expected to provide valuable insights for tourism sector companies to enhance sustainable performance through the implementation of sustainable leadership, a supportive organizational culture, and effective utilization of digital marketing. Full article

Sustainable tourism has become a strategic imperative, particularly in Bali Island, where tourism drives regional economic growth. In this study, we investigate the mediating role of green service innovation in the relationship between the marketing mix and business performance among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Bali Island’s tour and travel sector. We seek to understand how sustainability-oriented innovation contributes to enhancing SME competitiveness and long-term performance. A quantitative approach was adopted, using structured survey data from 387 tour and travel business owners registered with the Bali Provincial Tourism Office. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to assess both the direct effects of the marketing mix on business performance and the indirect effects mediated by green service innovation. The findings indicate that the marketing mix does not directly influence green service innovation or business performance. However, green service innovation significantly enhances business performance, confirming its mediating role. This suggests that traditional marketing strategies are insufficient unless aligned with sustainability-driven innovation. Green service innovation acts as a strategic resource that strengthens business performance in tourism SMEs. We provide theoretical and practical insights into how integrating sustainability into marketing and operational strategies can enhance SMEs’ competitiveness and support sustainable tourism development. Full article

Sustainability has also become an increasingly important issue as an international trend for the hospitality industry in recent times, with a positive message for both restaurant operators and consumers. Restaurants can become more sustainable in three main areas: (1) water and energy efficiency, (2) waste management, and (3) employees—social topics. This study examines the role of green practices and innovation in hospitality using three methods in parallel. In connection with a current tourism project, this paper describes some of the green practices for hospitality management in Hungary. Based on the survey, the most common sustainable practices are sourcing from local producers and using seasonal menus. The most popular food waste reduction strategies are Munch, nose-to-tail, and other food utilization options, totaling 65.0%. A total of 72.0% of consumers prefer the green restaurants. Our data show that sustainable operation is not just an environmental issue, but also increasingly a strategic business advantage. The findings are supported by the everyday practices of two of Dining Guide’s member restaurants, Iszkor and Sulyom in the Northeastern Hungary region. Both restaurants focus on locally sourced food and drink ingredients. Some dairy products, domestic fruit, and vegetables come from sustainable farming. For restaurants, adopting sustainable solutions can provide a long-term competitive advantage. Full article

This study examined how entrepreneurs in the tourism sector can develop competitive advantages in a highly competitive environment. The relationship between innovation strategies, business networks, and service innovation was investigated using a PLS-SEM analysis with a sample of 32 tourism enterprises in Ecuador, namely, Cotacachi, Otavalo, and Quiroga. A structured questionnaire was used to evaluate service innovation, strategic renewal, and the development of business networks. The results indicate that internal knowledge sharing, process optimization, and the creation of new services drive creative strategies. Simultaneously, innovation and strategic renewal are positively associated with participation in business networks. In addition, access to external financing was identified as a key factor in enhancing innovation. These findings underscore the importance of designing public policies that promote tourism innovation through comprehensive programs combining access to finance, strengthened business networks, and internal capacity training. This paper offers strategic insights into the competitiveness and sustainability of tourism enterprises in emerging economies. Full article

Digital competences (DC) are vital for improving employability, especially in tourism, where adapting to technology and communicating effectively are key. Proficiency in digital tools and a second language (SL) significantly enhances organizational performance and competitiveness, supporting sustainable development and innovation in dynamic business environments. This study explores the causal link between digital competences and employability dimensions, including second-language skills, in SMEs within the tourism sector in Quindío and Valle del Cauca, Colombia. Using a quantitative approach, data from 114 employees were collected through a semi-structured survey and analyzed via partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to determine significant relationships. The results reveal that digital competences significantly enhance technological management, occupational experience (OE), anticipation and optimization (AO), and personal flexibility (PF). These skills contribute to sustainable tourism by promoting adaptability, innovation, and inclusive employability. Additionally, second-language proficiency demonstrates strong explanatory power in communication-related aspects. The findings highlight the need for tourism enterprises to prioritize digital upskilling, integrate research and innovation into job functions, strengthen adaptability to organizational changes, and view second-language development as a strategic resource. This study offers valuable insights for designing targeted training strategies aligned with the sector’s dynamic demands and advances the broader discourse on digital literacy in workforce development. 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