Dark tourism – visitation, understanding and education; a reconciliation of theory and practice?

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. John Lennon ◽  
Richard Teare
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Conceptual Development ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Theme Issue ◽  
Dark Tourism ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Educational Programmes ◽  
Hospitality And Tourism ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The paper aims to profile the Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes (WHATT) theme issue “Dark tourism – visitation, understanding and education; a reconciliation of theory and practice?” by drawing on reflections from the theme editor and theme issue outcomes. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses structured questions to enable the theme editor to reflect on the rationale for the theme issue question and the outcomes. Findings It was observed that visitors to dark tourism sites are often motivated by respect and remembrance and that this motivation is frequently reported by the practitioners who manage these sites. Practical implications The paper presents dark tourism site educational guidelines for practitioners. Originality/value This paper provides a rich array of insights from practitioners involved in managing museums and related educational programmes, conceptual development and applied academic research.

scholarly journals Conclusion: dark tourism in a digital post-truth society

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 240-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. John Lennon
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Complex Interaction ◽  
Contemporary Society ◽  
Theme Issue ◽  
Political Will ◽  
Dark Tourism ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Past ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to review the dark tourism concept as it applies to visitation, understanding and education to determine whether a gap exists between academic research and literature, the operation of dark tourism sites and the motivations of visitors. Design/methodology/approach The paper development of the dark tourism concept over a 20-year period and draws on the papers and debate among contributors to this theme issue to determine the role played by dark tourism in contemporary society. Findings It was concluded that the concept of dark tourism remains relevant and that what is interpreted, merits educational focus and what is ignored is a function of the complex interaction of commercial potential, political will and social acceptability. Practical implications This paper incorporates the reflections of senior practitioners and academics in a comprehensive review of the dark tourism concept. Originality/value The paper provides a blend of academic and practitioner insight on a facet of tourism that is often misunderstood and even misinterpreted. It was observed that dark tourism is an important way of remembering the past and that for many visitors, it offers a form of pilgrimage.

Reflections on the theme issue outcomes

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-108
Author(s):  
Sandeep Munjal ◽  
Shweta Tiwari ◽  
Richard Teare
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Hospitality Industry ◽  
Theme Issue ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Skilled Labour ◽  
Labour Shortage ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Hospitality And Tourism ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Selection Of

Purpose This paper aims to profile the Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes’ theme issue “How can the skilling India initiative become a solution to the critical need for skilled labour in the Indian hospitality industry?” with reference to the experiences of the theme editors and writing team. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses structured questions to enable the theme editors to reflect on the rationale for the theme issue question, the starting point, the selection of the writing team and material and the editorial process. Findings This paper reviews progress relating to the implementation of the “Skill India” initiative and its impact on the skilled-labour shortage as it relates to hospitality and tourism. Arising from the analysis are suggestions and recommendations to enhance the initiative’s effectiveness. Practical implications This paper observes that the Skill India initiative is an ambitious effort to facilitate skills-based training, but there are numerous concerns about its design and implementation. Originality/value This paper provides insights from both practitioner’s and academic’s perspectives as to how to overcome the gap in the availability of skilled and trained labour in the Indian hospitality industry.

Understanding a shifting methodology

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (11) ◽  
pp. 3423-3441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A. Whalen
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Online Community ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Virtual Communities ◽  
Tourism Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Analysis Techniques ◽  
Hospitality And Tourism ◽  
Qualitative Methodologies ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeWhile netnography was established to study virtual communities from the traditional ethnography methodology, over time it has evolved and moved away from standard ethnographic practices. The modifications are especially prevalent in hospitality and tourism research because of the nature of experiential and service-based goods. This gap has created exciting new opportunities for researchers. As netnography has matured into its own methodology, it has provided the opportunity for researchers to use netnography techniques or more traditional techniques by following ethnography methodologies. This paper aims to analyze the differences between these two methodologies within hospitality and tourism literature enabling researchers to choose the methodology that is most suited for their project.Design/methodology/approachThis study reviews netnographic research in hospitality and tourism and compares current uses of netnography against traditional ethnographic methodologies.FindingsThere are four major differentiating points between netnography and ethnography: online community definitions, data collection methodologies, ethics in research and data analysis techniques.Practical implicationsIn comparing ethnography and netnography in hospitality and tourism research, this analysis provides a foundation to evaluate the best use and best practices for these two distinct qualitative methodologies in the field. The study also provides references to how other hospitality and tourism researchers have used netnography.Originality/valueEthnographic principles grounded in the foundation of anthropological doctrines are important and distinct from netnography. The ability to use the diverse tools in the qualitative methods toolbox will help hospitality and tourism researchers understand the transforming marketplace.

Toward better theory on the relationship between commitment, participation and leadership in unions

2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 715-731 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregor Gall ◽  
Jack Fiorito
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Critical Assessment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Needs ◽  
Union Commitment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Extant Literature ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to give a critique of the extant literature on union commitment and participation in order to develop remedies to identified weaknessesDesign/methodology/approachThe paper uses a critical assessment of extant literature.FindingsA number of critical deficiencies exist in the literature to which remedies are proposed.Research limitations/implicationsThe remedies need testing through empirical research.Practical implicationsFuture research needs to have different research foci and questions.Social implicationsWith a reorientation of future research on union commitment, participation and leadership, unions may be better able to benefit from academic research in the area.Originality/valueThe paper suggests that a reorientation of future research on union commitment, participation and leadership will allow more incisive and more robust contributions to be made to understanding unions as complex social organisms.

State of the Canadian hospitality and tourism industry

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 381-390
Author(s):  
Chandana (Chandi) Jayawardena ◽  
Altaf Sovani ◽  
Alanna MacDonald
Keyword(s):  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Theme Issue ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Tourism Marketing ◽  
The Past ◽  
Labour Shortage ◽  
Hospitality And Tourism ◽  
Hospitality And Tourism Industry ◽  
Marketing Budgets ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to provide a backdrop to the Worldwide Hospitality Themes (WHATT) theme issue (volume 9, issue 4) on aspects of the hospitality and tourism industry of Canada. Design/methodology/approach Canadian hospitality and tourism educators and their counterparts in the industry have collaborated periodically to discuss the challenges they face and to find practical solutions. Outcomes of ten key initiatives in Canada during the past 15 years that brought leaders of the hospitality and tourism industry and academia together to create 50 academic papers are summarized. Findings This paper provides key information on Canada, its people, its economic conditions and the challenges of the five sectors of the tourism industry in Canada. By introducing the main challenges faced by each sector, this paper provides a foundation for the other articles that follow in this WHATT theme issue. Practical implications Canadian tourism is losing ground, tourism marketing budgets are significantly reducing and there is a labour shortage crisis which are identified as key challenges requiring urgent attention. In conclusion, the authors suggest practical solutions. Originality/value Readers who are interested in the Canadian hospitality and tourism industry will find this paper to be of interest.

Terrorism and tourism in France: the limitations of dark tourism

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugues Seraphin
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Terrorist Attacks ◽  
Tourist Destination ◽  
Dark Tourism ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Tourist Destinations ◽  
Recovery Strategies ◽  
Key Terms ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this viewpoint paper is to discuss whether dark tourism can be developed around the sites of recent terrorist attacks in France. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on a literature review of key terms: dark tourism; tourism; and terrorism. Findings The paper observes that dark tourism is not popular in France, and dark tourism activities are unlikely to develop anywhere nearer the places where the recent terrorist attacks happened. France remains rather conservative in some aspects related to death. Practical implications Recent events in France might challenge the leadership of the destination. The disturbing commonalities between tourism and terrorism make it difficult to figure out suitable recovery strategies that would contribute to enhancing the image of the destination without jeopardising the life of civilians. Originality/value This paper presents France as a politically unstable tourist destination. In general, this scenario is normally associated with less-developed countries or non-established tourist destinations.

Customer engagement and value co-creation/destruction: the internal fostering and hindering factors and actors in the tourist/hotel experience

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Clement Nangpiire ◽  
Joaquim Silva ◽  
Helena Alves
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Hospitality Industry ◽  
Document Analysis ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Customer Engagement ◽  
Analysis Framework ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe customer as an active and engaged value co-creator raises new challenges for theory and practice, especially in the hospitality industry. However, the connection between engagement and co-creation is little studied in the hotel/tourism literature. This paper proposes a connection between customer engagement (CE) and value co-creation frameworks to ascertain and depict the internal actors' activities and factors that foster or hinder guests' co-creation and destruction of value.Design/methodology/approachThe researchers used qualitative methods (35 in-depth interviews, document analysis and four observation sessions) in seven regions of Ghana to explore the customer's perspective. Data were analyzed with NVivo11 within a thematic analysis framework.FindingsThe findings suggest that positive and negative engagement fosters or hinders guests' interactions, which lead to value co-creation or destruction. The research also discovered that negative interactions occasioned by any factor or actor trigger value destruction at multiple stages of the experience journey.Practical implicationsIndustry players can use the framework developed to assess their businesses, explore and reflect on the proposed value they aim to generate, and thus be more aware of how they can better facilitate value co-creation with their consumers and avoid value destruction.Originality/valueThis research proposes a novel connection between customer interactions, engagement and value co-creation to ascertain and depict the internal actors' activities and factors that foster or hinder customers' experience in the hotel/tourism industry.

scholarly journals Using mobile methods to understand multifaceted heritage organisations

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 1675-1691
Author(s):  
Jane Hamilton Johnstone ◽  
Derek Bryce ◽  
Matthew J. Alexander
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Methods ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Additional Insight ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Work Activities ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Hospitality And Tourism ◽  
Mobile Methods ◽  
Informal Settings ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to evaluate the possibilities associated with go-along technique and other mobile qualitative methods augmenting other qualitative methods as a novel approach to developing understanding of multifaceted organisations. Design/methodology/approach The study explores the challenges associated with “static” qualitative methods for understanding multifaceted organisations and evaluates how a range of mobile methods can achieve a greater depth of analysis when researching complex hospitality and tourism settings. The paper uses an illustrative empirical case where mobile methods are used as part of a multi-method qualitative study exploring ancestral tourism in a large, heterogeneous tourism organisation. Findings This research highlights how mobile methods can service to: broaden the scope of interviews through introducing enhanced meaning and spontaneity; afford opportunity to explore and verify interview findings in informal settings; and widen participation in the study through ongoing recruitment of participants. Practical implications The authors identify implications for researchers working within hospitality and tourism who can gain additional insight by augmenting qualitative studies with mobile methods. Originality/value This paper identifies challenges in using more static qualitative methods when seeking understanding of complex, multifaceted tourism organisations where work activities are mobile and spatially dispersed. This research highlights the value of mobile methods in combination with other qualitative methods, to gain greater understanding of these organisations.

International equity REITs: five major future directions

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-81
Author(s):  
David Parker
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Risk Return ◽  
Cognitive Risk ◽  
International Equity ◽  
Equity Reits ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze chapters from the recently published Routledge REITs Research Handbook to identify five major future directions for international equity REITs. Design/methodology/approach Literature review and critical analysis of chapters from the recently published Routledge REITs Research Handbook. Findings The five major future directions for international equity REITs are proposed to comprise an increasing focus on people and on cash flow rather than on property (with the cognitive risk attaching thereto), the changing nature of REITs as they respond to changes in society globally, the evolution of the global flagship REIT and the emergence of global regulation of REITs (particularly in the spheres of debt and leverage). Research limitations/implications While five major future directions for international equity REITs are identified which may have an impact on the risk/return profile, further research is required to determine which directions may be significant and which trivial and which may be independent and which interactive. Practical implications Identification of five major future directions for international equity REITs provides managers and promoters with guidance concerning potential areas of focus for future product development in the REIT sector. Originality/value While quantitative research concerning international equity REITS abounds, qualitative research is limited with little academic research undertaken into possible future directions for the sector.

scholarly journals An analysis of a structured benchmarking project

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 1431-1450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Abdullah Al Nuseirat ◽  
Zeyad Mohammad El Kahlout ◽  
Ahmed Abbas ◽  
Dotun Adebanjo ◽  
Prattana Punnakitikashem ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
External Stakeholders ◽  
Study Methodology ◽  
Project Data ◽  
First Time ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate a benchmarking project carried out by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) as part of a structured benchmarking initiative. The project was based on the TRADE benchmarking methodology and this paper examines the tools, activities and outcomes that relate to each stage of the adopted methodology. Design/methodology/approach This study is based on case study methodology. Data were collected from various sources including analysis of project reports written by DEWA’s benchmarking team reporting on their activities during the project. Data were also collected from four project presentations given at different stages of the project. In addition, the research team held three meetings with the DEWA benchmarking team at different stages of the benchmarking project. Findings The results show the key challenges and successes faced during each stage of the benchmarking project. It indicates the actions taken to overcome the challenges and the role played by internal and external stakeholders in facilitating the success of the benchmarking project. Practical implications The study presents information that would guide organisations that wish to carry out a benchmarking project – and particularly those implementing benchmarking for the first time. The study provides a summary of the key lessons learnt by DEWA’s benchmarking team as a guide for other organisations. Originality/value Academic research has not adequately examined and analysed the stage-by-stage elements of a benchmarking project from the perspective of the implementing organisation. This study addresses this gap by detailing and analysing the experiences of a benchmarking project by tracking the stage-by-stage activities of the benchmarking team.

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