Search Results (67)

Virginia’s coastal location and abundant marine resources make its seafood industry a vital contributor to the state’s economy, supporting both local communities and tourism. This study applied input–output models and updates the economic contributions of the Virginia seafood industry using 2023 data, building on models developed for 2019 that capture both direct effects and broader economic ripple effects. In 2023, the industry generated USD 1.27 billion in total economic output and supported over 6500 jobs—including watermen, aquaculture farmers, processors, and distributors—resulting in USD 238.3 million in labor income. Contributions to state GDP totaled USD 976.7 million, and tax revenues exceeded USD 390.4 million. The study also evaluates the economic role of Virginia seafood products sold in retail stores and restaurants, based on secondary data sources. In 2023, these sectors generated USD 458 million in economic output, supported more than 3600 jobs, produced USD 136.7 million in labor income, and USD 280.8 million in value-added. Combined tax contributions surpassed USD 74 million. Importantly, the analysis results for the Virginia seafood products from retail and restaurant should not be summed to the seafood industry totals to avoid double-counting, as seafood products move as output from one sector as an input to another. These results provide evidence-based insights to guide decision-making, inform stakeholders, and support continued investment in Virginia’s seafood supply chain and related economic activities. Full article

Stakeholder fragmentation in transdisciplinary research often impedes innovation in South Africa’s tourism sector. The real-time supply network for MSMEs in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal struggles with digital adoption, limiting its resilience despite rising demand in the digital economy. This study examined how a transdisciplinary approach can enhance the Tourism Supply Chain Network in these regions—an urban hub (Gauteng) and a coastal cultural destination (KwaZulu-Natal)—to unlock their potential. Employing action research, this study engaged stakeholders (tourism operators, tech developers, and communities) to co-create data-driven digital solutions, including a real-time supply network. The collected data included both qualitative insights from workshops and interviews, as well as quantitative metrics such as platform usage and tourist engagement, which were analysed using descriptive statistics. Innovative technologies improved the supply chain efficiency, cutting coordination delays by 25% in Gauteng and boosting rural tourism visibility in KwaZulu-Natal, with a 30% increase in bookings. Gauteng saw urban connectivity gains, while KwaZulu-Natal achieved inclusive growth. This study provides a scalable, data-driven framework for digitalisation in tourism supply networks, offering practical strategies for stakeholders. It advances innovative technologies in emerging markets, emphasising the transformative potential of transdisciplinary collaboration to build resilient, collaborative tourism ecosystems in South Africa. Full article

Health tourism is an increasingly vital sector for both Kayseri and Türkiye, contributing significantly to exports and foreign currency inflows. Recent investments in health tourism infrastructure have positioned Kayseri as one of the leading cities in the country, particularly due to its strong healthcare facilities. This study explores Kayseri’s potential in health tourism, with a focus on bariatric surgery, by employing Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) and optimization methods. The study first provides an extensive literature review to identify the key factors influencing patients’ selection of health institutions for bariatric surgery. Subsequently, the Group Best-Worst Method (G-BWM) is applied using expert input from managers of bariatric surgery centers to determine the relative importance of these factors. Based on the G-BWM findings, nine health institutions in Kayseri offering obesity surgery services are evaluated and ranked using the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), which generates institutional performance scores. Building on these results, a Goal Programming model is developed to assign patients to suitable health institutions while simultaneously considering the health institution’s revenue and patient satisfaction. This study offers several novel contributions. It integrates MCDM techniques with goal programming in the context of health tourism—a combination not widely explored in the literature. Additionally, it provides a comparative assessment of the factors influencing health tourists’ decision-making processes, offering policymakers a strategic framework for resource allocation. Lastly, by presenting a mathematical model for patient-institution assignment, the study offers practical guidance for health tourism organizations aiming to enhance both health institution revenue and patient satisfaction in the health tourism sector. Full article

Research on the effects of digital transformation in micro and small enterprises (MSEs) is growing, yet remains underdeveloped, particularly in the context of emerging economies. While previous studies highlight the performance benefits of digital readiness, they often overlook how sector-specific challenges influence these outcomes. This study investigates the relationship between digital readiness and firm performance among MSEs in Bhutan, with a focus on the moderating roles of internal (operational) and external (supply chain) issues. Drawing on data from 217 survey responses collected from firm owners and operators, this study compares tourism and non-tourism sectors to reveal sectoral asymmetries in digital transformation outcomes. The results show that digital readiness is positively associated with firm performance across both sectors. However, the strength of this relationship is differentially moderated by contextual challenges: external issues negatively moderate the digital readiness–performance link in the tourism sector, while internal issues play a similar moderating role in the non-tourism sector. Additionally, firms in the tourism sector report higher levels of both digital performance and satisfaction with digitalization than their non-tourism counterparts. These findings contribute to the Diffusion of Innovation Theory by emphasizing the contingent and asymmetric nature of digital adoption effects across industry sectors. This study offers practical implications for managers and policymakers by underscoring the need for sector-sensitive digital strategies and support mechanisms. Full article

This paper explores an important issue, namely rural tourism, by analyzing the supply and demand of tourism in three rural regions (Gura Humorului, Câmpulung Moldovenesc, and Dorna) in Bucovina, Suceava County, as an alternative economic development for rural areas. The statistical data on tourist traffic in the three regions of Suceava County were taken from the website of the National Institute of Statistics of Romania and analyzed over a period of 10 years (2014–2023). The analysis of the total number of tourist accommodation facilities recorded increases of over 200% in all three regions analyzed. Dynamic analysis of the accommodation capacity in operation, the number of tourists and overnight stays, and the average length of stay was carried out by calculating the absolute and relative indicators with fixed and chained base and average indicators. Despite the increase in the number of tourists and overnight stays, the average length of stay remains relatively low. The calculation of the net utilization rate of the accommodation capacity in operation shows an efficient use of the accommodation facilities in the three regions analyzed. The importance of the research and the originality of this research are closely related to understanding the dynamics of tourism in the rural regions analyzed for the formation of future strategies for sustainable rural development in Bucovina. Full article

This study explores visitor perceptions and behaviors regarding sustainable tourism in Brighton, focusing on the economic, environmental, and social dimensions of sustainability across key tourism sectors, including Destination Management Organizations (DMOs), Tour Operators (TOs) and Travel Agencies (TAs), and accommodation and transportation sectors. Using the Statistical Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism this study identifies critical areas for improvement and proposes a comprehensive model to enhance the sustainability and resilience of the city’s tourism supply chain. The findings reveal that certain stakeholders in the tourism supply chain are highly regarded for their community engagement and sustainability efforts, while others are seen as needing more focus on social responsibility and community engagement. Some areas show significant gaps in environmental sustainability, while others excel in economic performance but lack integration of environmental and social considerations. The final model integrates targeted approaches to address sustainability gaps across Statistical Framework for Measuring Sustainability of Tourism (SF-MST) scales. It emphasizes the need for community-focused initiatives and effective visitor management to enhance social and environmental sustainability. Economic aspects are addressed through partnerships aimed at promoting sustainable transport and implementing green certification practices. Additionally, the model highlights the importance of inclusive economic programs and transparency to strengthen the social and economic dimensions of sustainability. The integrated model advocates for a holistic, optimized tourism supply chain management approach, ensuring sustainable practices across all sectors. This research contributes actionable insights for policy and destination management, promoting a balanced approach to economic growth, environmental preservation, and community well-being in Brighton’s tourism landscape Full article

Effective weather analysis is a very important scientific, social, and economic issue, because weather directly affects our lives and has a significant impact on various sectors, including agriculture, transport, energy, and natural disaster management. Weather analysis is therefore the basis for the operation of many decision-making support systems, especially in transport (air, sea), ensuring the continuity of supply chains for industry or the delivery of food and medicines, but also municipal economies or tourism. Its role and importance will grow with the worsening of climatic phenomena and the development of the Industry5.0 paradigm, which puts humans and their environment at the center of attention. This article presents issues related to fuzzy sets and systems and presents a weather analysis model based on them. The fuzzy system was created using Matlab, in the Fuzzy Logic Designer application, focusing on fuzzy logic. With Fuzzy Logic Designer, users can define fuzzy sets, rules, and carry out fuzzification and defuzzification processes, thereby offering great possibilities in data management. Full article

Fair Tourism (FT) is an emerging form of tourism in Korea. It serves as a response to the unethical and unsustainable practices of Korean tour operators by incorporating various sustainable tourism practices. Sustainable supply chain management is a vital element in the operationalization of FT, and yet, despite the increasing significance of FT, there is a dearth of research on the phenomenon. This research aims to bridge this gap by examining how practitioners define and implement FT. The current analysis is based on semi-structured interviews with 15 CEOs of FT companies. Through thematic analysis of the interviews, valuable insights into the establishment and execution of FT are uncovered. Tourism operations like FT promote positive outcomes in destination communities. The study defines FT as tourism where travelers contribute to the local economy while also promoting environmental and social sustainability. The study also examines the sustainable supply chain management operations of FT practitioners, using the Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) model as a framework. It is evident that FT practitioners recognize the significance of sustainable supply chain management and strive to foster a culture of mutually respectful relationships, setting them apart from traditional sustainable tourism practices. Furthermore, this article highlights how FT practitioners incorporate sustainable tourism and sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) in their programs. They achieve this by collaborating with local partners, utilizing local resources, and actively engaging with their partners within the destinations in which they operate. Full article

This study addresses a gap in the literature on how quality management practices within the food supply chain can be effectively integrated with digital technologies to enhance Food Supply Chain Sustainable Performance (FSCSP) in the hospitality and tourism sector in Egypt. Thus, a quantitative approach was employed, with data being collected through both online and in-person surveys from employees with sufficient knowledge of their hotel’s food products, food supply chain, and quality management practices in five-star hotels in Egypt. SPSS and WarpPLS-SEM techniques were used to analyze the research data. The findings showed that Food Supply Chain Quality Management (FSCQM) practices positively influence both FSCSP and Supply Chain Digital Integration (SCDI), with SCDI serving as a mediator in the relationship between FSCQM and FSCSP. This study is helpful for hospitality businesses in developing economies because it shows how important it is to combine digital innovation with strong quality management to improve operating efficiency and gain a competitive edge in terms of sustainability. This involves fostering a technology-driven culture that encourages creativity, innovation, transparency, and information-sharing among employees to ensure the successful integration of FSCQM practices with hotels’ digital competences. Full article

After the COVID-19 epidemic, the recovery of tourism growth faced more pressure on carbon emissions. As an important sector of tourism economic recovery, the tourist hotels’ carbon emissions cannot be ignored. This study combined the EEIO (the environmentally extended input–output) model and Super-SBM (slacks-based measure) model to measure carbon emissions and its efficiency including indirect carbon emissions from the supply chain in China in 2002–2022. The results indicate that: Tourist hotels in most eastern provinces exhibit the U-shaped pattern in terms of carbon emissions. the majority of indirect carbon emissions from these hotels originate from the food and tobacco processing sectors. Indirect carbon emissions of tourist hotels in recent years might be decoupling with economic growth because of its decreasing trend. The implementation of energy-saving technology can enhance the carbon efficiency of tourist hotels, while regional economy growth can benefit the carbon emissions efficiency indirectly. Environmental pollution control investment and employment population are external driving factors affecting carbon emissions from tourist hotels. The objective of this study is to establish a scientific framework that promotes low-carbon development within the accommodation industry, both in China and comparable regions globally. Full article

In recent years, sustainability has become a key focus in the global tourism and hospitality industry, with hotels increasingly adopting waste reduction strategies, resource optimization, and sustainable supply chain practices. However, the extent of adoption varies due to strategic decisions, resistance to change, and other contextual factors. This paper, grounded in a comprehensive sustainability framework, explores the Lithuanian context through a diagnostic investigation of 37 hotels in Vilnius. Employing a mixed-method approach, it aims to examine their current corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices. The findings reveal that while hotels in Vilnius voluntarily adopt sustainability practices across environmental, economic, and social domains, significant gaps remain, including a lack of formal sustainability policies and limited transparency. Despite these challenges, there is a growing need to improve and adopt more structured sustainability practices, which could notably enhance the sector’s overall performance. This paper offers valuable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers aiming to promote sustainable development in Lithuania and beyond. Full article

This study explores the distribution of agrowellness products and services from a sustainability perspective, focusing on consumer perceptions in Slovenia’s Eastern Cohesion Region. Utilizing an empirical approach through an online survey, the research assesses how sustainable lifestyle practices influence the frequency of agrowellness goods consumption and their perceived availability. The study employs structural equation modeling (SEM) to test four hypotheses, revealing that sustainable lifestyle practices positively affect the frequency of agrowellness product usage, enhancing the perception of product availability. A critical novel contribution of the research is identifying sociodemographic factors as significant moderators of these relationships, offering more profound insights into consumer behavior. Additionally, the frequency of use mediates the link between a sustainable lifestyle and perceived availability, with gender, age, education, and the place of residence as essential moderators. The findings contribute to theory and practice, offering actionable recommendations for marketing and distribution strategies to enhance the accessibility and appeal of agrowellness products. These insights provide valuable guidance for stakeholders in agriculture, rural development, and wellness tourism, with broader implications for policy development aimed at promoting sustainable lifestyles and supporting rural economies. Full article

Blockchain technology promises transformative potential across diverse sectors, facilitating innovations in areas ranging from finance to healthcare. Despite its many promising applications, several barriers—including scalability challenges, regulatory complexities, and technical hurdles—limit its widespread adoption. This systematic literature review delves into scalability enhancements and explores the legal and regulatory landscapes impacting blockchain deployment in ten key sectors: IoT, healthcare, finance, education, social media, genomics, supply chain, vehicular networks, e-voting, and tourism. These sectors were selected based on their significant engagement with blockchain technology and their prominence in the analyzed literature. We examine key technological advancements such as Layer-2 techniques, sharding, consensus algorithm optimization, and rollups, and discuss their implications for throughput, latency, and compliance with regulatory standards such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The review details these technological and regulatory developments and discusses their broader implications for industry and academia, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary research and innovation. By identifying gaps in current research and suggesting future directions, this study serves as a roadmap for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to develop secure, scalable, and compliant blockchain systems. Our comprehensive examination provides valuable insights into enhancing the efficiency, security, and regulatory compliance of blockchain technology. Full article

The development of ports for the sake of tourism is one of the key strategies in developing and strengthening a solid foundation in the tourism industry. The integration of a supply chain into port management for the purposes of tourism that is sustainable balanced can be used as a model for planning sustainable port development for tourism purposes. However, there are scarcely any studies on this topic, while plenty focus on the general concepts involved. To fill this gap, this article presents a model of a Sustainability Balanced Scorecard for ports. The author proposes a new approach to planning port development and supply chain management for tourism, particularity to provide recommendations and further our understandings of the relationships involved in the Sustainable Balanced Scorecard from the stakeholder perspective, the learning and growth perspective, the internal process perspective, the financial perspective and the environmental perspective. Using these five perspectives, the literature review identifies 56 indicators of 15 factors that can be used in the model. Therefore, this research helps to enhance and develop sustainable and efficient conditions in tourism while reducing future risks. Moreover, the research enables stakeholders to gain an understanding of and knowledge about the sustainable development and management of ports and for tourism. The insights can be applied in policy and strategy development according to the sustainable development goals (SDGs) to accommodate social movement, environmental risk and economic inequality. Full article

Addressing global food waste is a formidable challenge, requiring comprehensive efforts across the food supply chain, particularly in sectors prone to waste like HoReCa (Hotel, Restaurant, and Catering). In MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions) tourism, where gastronomy is a major attraction, overlooked meal services during working meetings contribute significantly to food waste. The MagNuS (Magnitude, Nutritional value, and Sustainability) project aims to assess and address food waste during conference events at the Valencia Conference Center in Spain. This study quantifies waste, categorizes it by food groups, estimates the potential number of individuals that could be fed with discarded food, and assesses energy and nutritional values. Across three events, 104.4 kg of food waste was documented, with cereals having the highest wastage, followed by legumes, fish, and others. Acknowledging potential underestimation due to reliance on cooked values, this study suggests using residues for vermicomposting or composting as sustainable waste management alternatives. These findings have implications for future initiatives, advocating diverse strategies to minimize food waste during congress events, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals. The MagNuS project contributes valuable insights to sustainable practices in MICE tourism, informing policies and operational decisions to reduce the environmental impact of food waste. Full article