Conclusion: a direction for sustainability and research notions after 2030

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 639-641
Author(s):  
Dimitrios Diamantis

Purpose This paper aims to summarize the main contributions and practical implications arising from the theme issue with reference to 22 case examples relating to sustainable hospitality and tourism industry development and one interview-based article drawing on practitioners with expertise is the practice of adaptive re-use. Design/methodology/approach This paper reviews the contribution made by this theme issue to the question: How can sustainability and the United Nations (UN) sustainable development goals (SDGs) be applied to hospitality? Findings Through this study, it has been observed that progress has been made by hospitality firms in relation to sustainability, but additional work is needed to address the more complex issues raised by the UN’s SDGs. Originality/value A key outcome of this theme issue is that the 22 case examples and the interview-based practitioner opinion presented in this paper demonstrate that sustainability is firmly on the development agenda, and that a sense of urgency and commitment to sustainability principles has gained ground and significance.

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 381-390
Author(s):  
Chandana (Chandi) Jayawardena ◽  
Altaf Sovani ◽  
Alanna MacDonald

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.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugues Seraphin ◽  
Vanessa Gowreesunkar

Purpose This concluding paper filters out the main points relating to the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) arising from the theme issue. The aim is to provide an insight as to how the hospitality and tourism industry is aligning its actions with the SDGs given the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic and other recent issues such as overtourism. Design/methodology/approach The approach is based on evidence and findings derived from the case studies featured in this issue presented by practitioners and academics. Findings The overall findings show destinations along with the hospitality and tourism industry are engineering a variety of strategies to make the industry sustainable. The practical solutions recommended by contributors are helpful in terms of sharing good practices and identifying potential barriers to the execution of those practices. Originality/value The articles in this theme issue address a theoretical and practical gap while proposing innovative sustainable tourism strategies directed towards the implementation of the United Nations SDGs. The value of this paper lies in the fact that it draws from a variety of original case studies, each unique in their own right and proposes innovative ideas on how the tourism and hospitality industry may implement the SDGs in their businesses while safeguarding the interest of the economy, society and the environment.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandeep Munjal ◽  
Anjana Singh

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to review and summarize the theme issue outcomes in relation to the strategic question: How is the hospitality and tourism industry in India responding to the dynamic digital era? Design/methodology/approach This paper draws on the findings of the theme issue contributors to identify the response of the Indian hospitality and tourism industry towards the rapid pace of digitization and use of technology. Findings The summary highlights the research on various facets of digital push with respect to marketing of products and services, role of data analytics, use of technology tools in operations to impact customer experience. It has implications for industry practitioners, researchers and policymakers. Practical implications It is quite clear that technology needs to be embraced by the hospitality and tourism Industry in India at a faster pace to compete well globally, deployment of digital technology has potential to positively impact efficiencies and quality of customer experience. There are huge implications for how digital marketing is going to become a critical part of the marketing strategy at large. Originality/value The research in this theme provides insight from both practitioner and academic perspectives provide a take on the ground realities with respect to how the hospitality and tourism businesses in India are changing how they work in the digital era.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rob Law ◽  
Huiyue Ye ◽  
Irene Cheng Chu Chan

Purpose This study aims to build a comprehensive knowledge structure of smart hospitality and tourism research. Design/methodology/approach Content analysis is carried out on the themes of pertinent research from the perspectives of customers, suppliers, technology and policymakers. Findings Results show that over half of the reviewed articles are carried out from the perspective of customers, while those of suppliers, technology and policymakers are less discussed. The unbalanced number of articles reveals an evident mismatch between the supply and demand. Practical implications Findings provide theoretical and practical implications from different perspectives. Collaboration among various stakeholders is also advocated to achieve sustainable and balanced development of the smart hospitality and tourism industry. Originality/value This study contributes to smart hospitality and tourism research through an in-depth review of relevant literature. Based on the findings, the identified research gaps provide potential directions for future knowledge development.


2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (9) ◽  
pp. 2903-2923
Author(s):  
Naushad Mohamed ◽  
Babak Taheri ◽  
Anna Farmaki ◽  
Hossein Olya ◽  
Martin Joseph Gannon

Purpose This study aims to investigate the combinations of religiosity, cosmopolitanism and perceived destination image leading to satisfaction and loyalty amongst Muslim consumers within the Maldivian tourism and hospitality context. Design/methodology/approach Using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), this study reveals that diverse combinations of religiosity, cosmopolitanism and destination image dimensions stimulate satisfaction and loyalty in Muslim consumers. Findings Multiple recipes can be used to design compelling destinations that balance the desire for religiosity and cosmopolitanism characteristic of contemporary Muslim consumers. The results confirm the applicability of complexity theory in explaining Muslim consumer behaviour within the Islamic destination context. Practical implications Several implications for the hospitality and tourism industry are drawn from the results, with suggestions for future research provided. Each fsQCA recipe identifies distinct suggestions to shape the design of destination attributes and hospitality offerings to stimulate consumer satisfaction and loyalty. Originality/value Complexity theory was applied to assess the complex causal relationships among Muslim consumers’ religiosity, perceived destination image, cosmopolitanism, satisfaction and loyalty.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 112-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Willie

Purpose This paper aims to provide a general introduction to Blockchain technology and how it can be used within the global hospitality industry. In particular, this paper speaks to three industry sectors where Blockchain technology is currently in use. Design/methodology/approach This paper draws on the perspective of an academic who also continues to serve as an industry practitioner within the field of hospitality technology. To this end, the paper provides several examples as to how Blockchain technology can be used to further advance the hospitality profession within a number of different industry sectors. Findings Blockchain technology is being used now within the hospitality industry for both practical and strategic purposes. It can be used in most sectors of the profession and will continue to be used within the hospitality industry for many years ahead. The technology is still relatively new and will continue to become more advanced and sophisticated with the passage of time. Practical implications Many hospitality industry examples are provided as to how Blockchain technology can be used to improve operational effectiveness, efficiencies and overall profitability. Originality/value This paper adds value and contributes to the literature relating to Blockchain technology applications in the international hospitality industry. It represents current and future use that can and should be taken into consideration by both the hospitality industry and academia.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 609-621
Author(s):  
Justin Darayus Khodaiji ◽  
Dimitra Christopoulou

Purpose This paper aims to identify and analyse sustainable development in the Greek hospitality industry. Drawing on an evaluation of two leading hotel groups in Greece, TEMES S.A. and Grecotel Hotels and Resorts and their respective landmark hotels Costa Navarino and Grecotel (Lux Me) Rhodos, the authors focussed on the role that the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have played in the industry and in a country heavily reliant on its tourism industry. Additionally, this paper examines and assesses the concepts of the triple bottom line and the circular economy and suggests practical approaches by which hotels may achieve sustainability. The recommendation relies on the belief that the two concepts are interconnected in tackling and achieving a successful vision of the future of sustainability through until 2030. Design/methodology/approach The case study focus with regard to the two hotel groups relied heavily on their respective 2018 sustainability reports. Additionally, further secondary research was conducted via several journal databases from 2013 to 2020. Third-party sites were also leveraged including the UN and Forbes. Findings It is evident that hotel companies often highlight their sustainability programmes online so that they are accessible to consumers and other stakeholders – including investors. This enables companies to create and close business loops in innovative ways. Their actions on sustainable development help the local economy and in turn help the country. This paper showcases examples of two leading Greek hotel groups, TEMES and Grecotel already working towards a more sustainable operating future. Originality/value In spite of research that was limited to secondary sources, the topic of sustainability in Greece is of great value as it is yet to be fully explored. This paper does yield some practical insights that will be of interest to the industry as to how to use the UN’s SDGs as pathway drivers for a successful circular economy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 3835-3851
Author(s):  
Glenn McCartney ◽  
Andrew McCartney

Purpose This study aims to introduce a conceptual framework for service robot (SR) acceptance by customers, employees and policymakers – a framework to help determine corporate decision-making on SR workplace integration. Design/methodology/approach This study reviews SR adoption literature within the tourism and hospitality industry. These SRs may have some level of artificial intelligence capability and possibly anthropomorphic (e.g. humanoid) or zoomorphic (e.g. animal-like) features, contingent on task and design choices. The study then identifies factors that potentially influence employee and consumer acceptance and experiences of SR, as well as policy and compliance factors and all elements of the corporate decision-making process concerning SR adoption in the hospitality setting. Findings This paper reviews the obstacles and benefits of SR adoption in the hospitality industry based on employee, consumer and public policy considerations. Research limitations/implications SRs are increasingly deployed within hospitality and tourism settings. Future studies should further explore the value-adding functions of SRs implemented in existing hospitality operations. Practical implications Hospitality and tourism industry practitioners should integrate the dimensions in the conceptual framework to make fully informed decisions on SR adoption. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first studies to provide a holistic SR adoption framework offering theoretical and practical implications for ongoing SR research and implementation.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-256
Author(s):  
Richard Teare

Purpose This paper aims to profile the Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes issue “What are the issues facing human capital development in the hotel industry in Nigeria and how might they be addressed?” with reference to the experiences of the theme editors, contributors from industry and academia and the theme issue outcomes. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses structured questions to enable the theme editors to reflect on the rationale for their theme issue question, the starting-point, the selection of the writing team and material and the editorial process. Findings Concerns have been raised about the absence of a strategic government policy for human capital development in Nigeria’s tourism sector, a task that individual businesses address in a fragmented and inefficient manner – and sometimes not at all. Likewise, a weak regulatory framework has given rise to imbalances in the employment relationship and business operations that do not create an enabling environment, a primary condition for developing knowledge, skills and attitude to acceptable service levels. Practical implications This paper reflects a sustained dialogue between leading Nigerian academics and senior industry practitioners about the barriers to workforce development and ways of unlocking the potential that exists for employment and professional development in hospitality and tourism. Originality/value This paper reports on the first comprehensive set of discussions between academics and practitioners about the human capital development challenges facing the hospitality and tourism industry in Nigeria. Specifically, the theme issue identifies key action steps needed to keep pace with industry development in Nigeria – the largest and fastest growing market in Africa.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 620-624 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Costa ◽  
Mónica Montenegro ◽  
João Gomes

Purpose The main aim of this paper is to introduce the articles of this theme issue and explain the pertinence of the strategic question. Design/methodology/approach A brief context for the strategic question is provided, as well as the issue alignment and a content analysis of the articles selected. Findings The profile of current and future tourists is changing. Travel consumers now want and expect accurate information to guide their choices, and these are increasingly based on quality, experimentation, willingness to undertake active holidays and to travel to sites with diverse and unique tourism products. Practical implications Collectively, the articles in this theme issue provide rich insights on key trends impacting the worldwide tourism industry, as well as suggestions on how to explore the opportunities arising from the highly competitive tourism markets. Proposals on scanning the tourism business environment are also presented and their importance discussed and illustrated. Originality/value From various angles of analysis, the final articles for this issue explore the trends and issues affecting the tourism industry, as well as approaches to scan the tourism business environment.


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