Search

Summary: The continuous expansion of the domestic tourism market has driven the development of the hotel related industry. It is a key focus of the hotel industry to provide accurate supporting services to tourists based on their preferences. However, the current recommendation model mainly considers tourist factors and lacks consideration for hotel factors. In order to address the concerns of recommendation services, a bilateral collaborative recommendation model is proposed, which first analyzes tourist feature data through comprehensive similarity calculation. Firstly, the comprehensive similarity calculation is used to analyze tourist feature data, and the K‐means Clustering Algorithm (K‐means) is introduced to improve the clustering effect between data. And to better distinguish tourist preferences, the Gale Shapley (G‐S) bilateral matching model is introduced to achieve preference matching of consumer features. In the Mean Absolute Error (MAE) analysis of the model, the User‐based Collaborative Filtering (UBCF) model performs the worst. When the k value is 90, the minimum MAE value is 0.7896. The Item‐based Collaborative Filtering (IBCF) model is 0.7776, with the best performance being the improved G‐S model of 0.7325. In the performance testing of three models' preference recommendations, the improved G‐S model achieves an accuracy of over 90% in all three types of feature data recommendations, with the lowest accuracy of 62.5% for UBCF and 71.3% for IBCF. It can be seen that the proposed improved G‐S model can accurately identify tourist and hotel preference data and accurately recommend corresponding projects. The research content provides important technical references for the digital transformation and development of the tourism industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research is to investigate tourist marketing within the embryonic context of the metaverse in order to comprehend the building blocks and the primary technologies employed in the sector. A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted on 386 articles, with an overall qualitative approach that included 86 references, all of which dealt with the topic of the metaverse and had direct or potential implications for the tourism sector (hotels, restaurants, means of transport, leisure activities and destination itself). The articles are taken from: Science Direct, Taylor & Francis, Emerald, Springer and Google Scholar. The SLR was carried out according to the PRISMA search protocol. The results indicate the technologies that have been most thoroughly studied at the confluence of marketing, tourism, and the metaverse (AI, virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, blockchain, tokens (NFTs) and digital twins). Moreover, they establish the foundational components of tourism marketing in the metaverse for the first time (tourism products, the metaverse as a distribution and branding channel for tourism and, tourist customer as protagonist). Finally, the study exposes research gaps and recommends future directions for exploration (monetization of products in the metaverse, promotion and marketing strategies in the metaverse, new profiles for marketing professionals, policy development that regulates commercial activity in the metaverse). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social media is commonly used by governments to disseminate information related to transparency and institutional promotion, but its potential for the dissemination of cultural resources is often overlooked. This research proposes a strategy for adopting social media to achieve cultural dissemination in the municipality of Lamas, Peru, which has tourism potential and has been awarded the "Best Tourism Villages" seal of the World Tourism Organisation. Methodologically, we propose a case study at a propositional exploratory level. We start by determining the current state of dissemination of tangible and intangible resources, as well as the practical use of social media, through a survey of 20 officials. The results reveal that crafts are the most widely disseminated tangible resource in the municipality (according to 55% of officials), and intangible resources are occasionally disseminated (50%). We also find that Facebook is the only digital channel used to disseminate cultural information. In this context, we formulate a strategy for adopting social media to improve cultural dissemination, which consists of six phases: (i) forming a work team, (ii) preparing a budget plan, (iii) strengthening capacities, (iv) taking inventory of cultural resources, (v) coordinating community interests and (vi) preparing a cultural dissemination plan. The findings can contribute to formulating public initiatives for the institutionalisation of social media in governments for the purposes of preserving, promoting and guaranteeing the accessibility of cultural heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stakeholder‐led coral reef restoration efforts, aimed at locally retaining or rebuilding coral populations, have rapidly grown over the last two decades. However, the cost‐effectiveness—and in turn viability—of coral restoration projects remains rarely reported. We therefore evaluated coral planting (often termed "outplanting") cost‐effectiveness across the first 3.5 years of the Coral Nurture Program (CNP), a coral restoration approach integrated within tourism operations on Australia's Great Barrier Reef. CNP operator activity reporting forms (63,632 corals planted, 5 tourism operators, and 23 reef sites) were used to opportunistically calculate coral planting costs (PC; US$ coral−1 trip−1) for "routine" planting versus when additional stewardship activities—that regulate planting effectiveness—were undertaken (e.g., nursery maintenance). Mean PC (±standard error) was US$2.34 ± 0.20 coral−1 trip−1 (ranging US$0.78–6.03, 5th–95th percentile), but increased 2‐ to ‐6‐fold on trips where nursery propagation, site maintenance, or staff training was conducted to support planting efforts. The "realized" cost (PCR) of establishing coral biomass was subsequently determined by evaluating survivorship of planted corals across space (9 sites, single survey timepoint, n = 4,723 corals up to 3 years old) or over time (2 sites, over 9–12 months, n = 600 corals), resulting in costs increasing from PC to PCR by 25–71%. We demonstrate how integration of practices into tourism operations creates potential for cost‐effective coral planting at "high‐value" tourism reef sites, and discuss important steps for improving cost‐accounting in stakeholder‐led restoration programs that may be similarly positioned to routinely determine their cost‐effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigats the relationships among positive emotions, perceived threats, protection motivation, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination intentions, quarantine-free travel intentions and COVID-19 protective behaviors in the context of quarantine-free travel. Data were collected from Singaporean tourists in Batam and Bintan of Indonesia using travel bubbles. A total of 387 respondents completed the questionnaires. The findings can help tourism managers create and implement market-driven service initiatives to increase positive emotions, protection motivation, and intentions to take quarantine-free travel and decrease perceived threats in order to enable tourists to have accurate COVID-19 protective behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the positive coupling between the sports industry and tourism, exploring the ways to promote their interconnection. Under state guidance, the integration of sports industry services is facilitated to attract sports culture and tourism fairs, leveraging regional economic development advantages to enhance the industrial market appeal. The emerging leisure consumption mode of sports tourism injects vitality into the economy, fostering the core sports service industry. The coupling of the education and tourism sectors is strategically aligned with long-term national policies. Using IoT technology, this paper employs a grey relational analysis to assess the coupling between the sports industry and tourism, revealing a significant correlation. Experimental results demonstrate a positive coupling trend, likened to conjoined twins with a natural material basis and technical support. This coupling not only aligns with industry trends but also resonates with the "environmental protection era," "green era," and "ecological era," marking a pivotal aspect of industrial development. The study contributes valuable insights into the symbiotic relationship between the sports and tourism industries, emphasizing their interconnectedness and the positive implications for economic and environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to construct an evaluation index system suitable for tourism management classroom teaching, this article evaluates the teaching effectiveness of teachers and improves the teaching quality of tourism management courses. This article is based on developmental evaluation theory, using Analytic Hierarchy Process, Project Response Theory, and CIPP model to construct an indicator system suitable for tourism management classroom teaching. Then, based on the collected data of 5763 students, the reliability and effectiveness of the tool and indicator system were first verified. Then, the variable of teacher teaching style was introduced to construct an OLS regression model for empirical research. The research will summarize teacher and student data collected through the platform and conduct reliability analysis in SPSS 22.0 software, using Cronbach α The credibility of coefficient testing and evaluation tools. Cronbach in Environmental Fundamentals α The cβoefficient value is 0.8350. Cronbach for resource allocation α The coefficient is 0.735, and the Cronbah of the implementation process α Cronb Bach with a coefficient of 0.7 47 for teaching performance α The coefficient is 0.7240, indicating that rat ings has high reliability. Research has found that among the four specific types, the holistic type has the greatest impact on the specific situation, the holistic type has the greatest impact on the environmental foundation and resource allocation, and the legislative type has the greatest impact on the implementation process and teaching performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tourist flows, crucial information within online travelogues, reveal the interactive relationships between different tourist destinations and serve as the nerve center and link of the tourism system. This study takes Hangzhou, China, as a case to investigate the spatial network structure of its tourist flows. Firstly, a BERT-BiLSTM-CRF model and pan-attraction database are built to extract tourist attractions from online travelogues and create the tourist flow matrix. Then, this study uses social network analysis (SNA) to examine the structure of the tourist flow network from a county-level perspective. Additionally, GIS spatial analysis methods are applied to analyze the evolution of the tourist gravity center and standard deviation ellipse (SDE) of the network. The results reveal that the identification performances of the tourist flow extraction model this study proposed are significantly better than those of previous mainstream models, with an F1 value of 0.8752. Furthermore, the tourist flow network in Hangzhou displays a relatively sparse and unbalanced distribution, forming a "Core–Semi-Periphery–Periphery" structure. Lastly, from 2020 to 2022, the network's gravity center experienced a shift towards the southwest, paralleled by an initial expansion and subsequent contraction of the SDE in the same southwest direction. These findings provide valuable insights into the spatial network structure of tourism in Hangzhou and can serve as a reference for policymakers to promote the "all-for-one" tourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

E-tourism has become a key component in the tourism industry and allows travelers to easily access information about destinations and services via the Internet, facilitating their travel planning process. Through e-tourism, travelers can research destinations, plan trips, book accommodations, purchase transportation tickets, and explore tourist attractions through online resources. Also, this area helps tourism businesses to effectively promote their services, communicate with clients and manage reservations. E-tourism represents the integration of information and communication technologies in the tourism sector. This concept encompasses the application of digital technologies such as the Internet, mobile applications, online reservation systems, web platforms and social media to improve aspects of travel and tourism. The legal foundation of educational procedures utilizing artificial intelligence algorithms in e-tourism holds significant importance because of the multitude of potential legal complexities and obstacles that could emerge. The Republic of Serbia, like many other countries, is working on improving its regulations in order to enable the development of e-tourism and at the same time ensure the protection of the interests and safety of travelers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The infrastructural development of the Greater Bay Area in China has experienced rapid growth in recent years. Given the national plans, local governments have to upgrade their urban habitat, convenience, leisure and recreation. Particularly, municipal governments have built lengthy bike lanes for multiple purposes such as commuting, exercise, leisure and tourism. Users' preferences have become more diversified. Within the GBA region, several bike lanes exceed 100 km and thus many rest stations are available along the route. Nevertheless, prior bike travelling studies in Asia Pacific countries have focused on the whole trip experience and bike lanes' safety design focusing in rural areas. There exists a paucity of information about users' preference of amenities for a relatively long-haul bike journey for leisure and tourism purpose in a metropolitan setting. To fill the gap, research with mixed methods using interviews with two groups of insightful persons and a survey of 342 potential users were undertaken to gather their perspectives on the 30 value-added amenities of rest stations for biking travelling. At last, the implications of findings on related policy planning were discussed inclusive the proposed establishment of a commission comprising boarder representativeness of stakeholders and the prioritized facilities in the planning for optimization of bike path for tourism and leisure. • Prior bike travelling studies in Asia Pacific countries have focused on the whole trip experience and bike lanes' safety design focusing in rural areas. There exists a paucity of information about users' preference of amenities for a relatively long-haul bike journey for leisure and tourism purpose in a metropolitan setting. • Two-phrase research design using interviews with two groups of insightful persons and a survey of 342 potential users were undertaken to gather their perspectives on the 30 value-added amenities of rest stations for biking travelling. • Implications of findings on related policy planning were discussed inclusive the proposed establishment of a commission comprising boarder representativeness of stakeholders and the prioritized facilities in the planning for optimization of bike path for tourism and leisure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews influencer marketing (IM)-research in the tourism and hospitality (H&T) field to provide a state-of-the-art of the past, present, and future of IM-research. It identifies research themes, theoretical underpinnings, and methodologies utilized in IM-research. Seventy-five studies are examined through co-citation, bibliographic coupling and content analysis based on the TCCM (theory/context/characteristics/methodology) framework. Co-citation analysis reveals that IM-research focused on travel blogs, vlogs, celebrity endorsement, influencer authenticity. An assessment of recent studies through bibliographic coupling indicates a partial shift toward the study of more contemporary issues. This field-discipline-focused hybrid-review contributes to literature and practice by presenting the past, present, and future of IM-research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming at sports tourism environment simulation, this paper aims to explore the application of machine learning algorithm based on light sensor in this field. We propose a new method for sports tourism simulation, which is based on optical sensor data acquisition and processing. The aim of this research is to develop an accurate and efficient algorithm to simulate the optical properties of sports event venues in order to provide a more realistic sports tourism experience. The research method consists of two main steps: optical sensor data collection and machine learning algorithm modeling and training. First, a network of optical sensors was set up to collect light intensity and color information at different locations in the stadium. This data is then used to train a machine learning algorithm to predict and simulate the sports tourism environment under different optical scenarios. Through experiments and evaluations, the proposed algorithm performs well in terms of accuracy and efficiency, and can simulate the lighting characteristics of sports venues with high accuracy. This provides a strong technical support for sports tourism simulation, which can provide users with a more realistic experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 21st century has seen tourists from various source markets significantly impacted by non-communicable diseases, including mental disorders. Yet, research and practice frequently overlook tourists with mental disorders. Building on Buckley's discussion in the Journal of Travel Research about tourism and mental health, this study examines the travel eligibility of tourists diagnosed with four prevalent mental disorders: major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), schizophrenia, and dementia. We present preliminary recommendations for accommodating these tourists and highlight the urgent need for collaborative efforts between stakeholders in tourism, hospitality, and medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transformative tourism experiences are powerful life moments with the capacity to elevate individuals' well-being. With the rise of transformative tourism and the growing attention to well-being, theoretical research is needed to outline the underlying processes that connect transformative tourism experiences with individual well-being. This study employed grounded theory to critically analyze a set of travel blogs that narrate individual tourists' transformative tourism experiences. Specifically, we explored how sets of activities during transformative tourism (e.g., backpacker tourism, volunteer tourism, and study tours) contributed to travelers' hedonic and eudaimonic well-being. We took psychological needs as processes of well-being realization to construct an integrated "activities–needs–well-being" conceptual framework to demonstrate how transformative tourism contributes to travelers' hedonic and eudaimonic well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the efficacy of experience-based marketing strategies in enhancing customer engagement and retention within the dynamic landscape of the tourism and travel industry. Drawing upon a comprehensive case study analysis, this research delves into the nuanced mechanisms through which experiential marketing initiatives impact consumer behavior and loyalty. By examining diverse experiential tactics such as immersive storytelling, interactive technology integration, and personalized service offerings, this study uncovers the pivotal role of memorable experiences in fostering emotional connections and long-term relationships with customers. The findings underscore the significance of crafting unique, sensory-rich encounters that resonate with travelers' aspirations, preferences, and values. Moreover, this research elucidates the strategic implications of leveraging experiential marketing to differentiate brands, drive word-of-mouth advocacy, and sustain competitive advantage in an increasingly crowded marketplace. Insights from this study offer actionable recommendations for tourism and travel businesses to design and implement effective experience-based marketing campaigns that cultivate deep-seated connections with their target audience, engender brand loyalty, and ultimately drive business growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regardless of its distinction for touring and tourism communication, the subject of machine translation has not been dealt with regarding tourism investigation. This study aims to bridge this gap in knowledge by exploring machine translation (MT) technology in the development of tourism translation from the perspectives of translators and translation experts in Saudi Arabia. To attain the three objectives of the study, the researcher applied the quantitative approach. For data gathering, a 12-item opinion poll was disseminated among a random sample group that consisted of 80 translators and translation experts who were selected at random from several Saudi universities, top translation services companies, and tourism organizations during the current academic year 1445/AH/2024 CE. The findings of this study discovered that many translators and translation experts had positive perspectives on utilizing machine translation (MT) technology in the development of tourism translation around the world today in general and Saudi Arabia in particular. Moreover, the perspectives of these translators and translation experts on the difficulties and intricacy confronted in applying machine translation (MT) technology in the tourism translation industry were highly positive. Over half of the participants (51.42%) perceived that machine translation (MT) can help overcome obstacles encountered by translators in the field of tourism. The findings revealed that translators and translation experts in the realm of the tourism industry have a promising future thanks to the relationship between machine translation (MT) and tourism translation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In coastal delphinid conservation, dolphin watching (DW) is frequently proposed for artisanal fishers as a community‐based marine ecotourism (CBME) plan to reduce fishing effort and delphinid bycatch. Questions including whether DW profitability is sufficient to replace fishing and whether fishers can conduct DW sustainably, however, are rarely examined.In the present study, questionnaire targeting tourists was implemented to investigate DW profitability in Sanniang Bay, China where DW‐based CBME has been operated by local fishers since 2004. CBME sustainability was evaluated by comparing DW profitability with household income with reference to local poverty, and rural and economically comfortable families in China.Out of 1046 tourists interviewed, 40 (3.82%) tourists knew there is DW in Sanniang Bay, while 292 (27.9%) tourists were lured to attend DW with low pricing. The fisher earned 110RMB (ca. 16.0$USD) per DW trip and required two, four, and nine trips per day to earn household income higher than poverty, rural and economically comfortable lines. Raising ticket fee and maximizing per‐trip number of tourists can substantially improve DW profitability, which facilitates CBME sustainability and poses minimal impacts on target animals.CBME in rural areas could be trapped into low popularity–low pricing–low profitability embarrassments because of primitive tour facilities, insufficient ecological education value, poor hospitality skills and lacking marketing access. The sustainable CBME should incorporate ecologically friendly conducts, direct indigenous profits with minimal transaction costs, venture and service diversification, and marketing with indigenous cultural characteristics.DW history in Sanniang Bay further indicates profit distribution of tourism ventures directly influence CBME sustainability. Accordingly, indigenous rights, economic equity and social justice should be centrally placed in CBME policying with the minimal intervention from non‐indigenous capitals and commercialized manipulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The assessment of suitability is the cornerstone for the development of ecotourism in nature reserves. This paper adopts the Delphi method to invite 30 experts to score and screen a series of indicators and then calculates the weight of each indicator through the hierarchical analysis method (AHP) to establish a comprehensive evaluation index system for the suitability of ecotourism development. The AHP method includes four constraints layers (tourism resources, socio-economic environment, ecological conditions, and tourism market), in addition to eleven element layers and thirty-eight indicators. It establishes overarching criteria for evaluating ecotourism suitability. Our research focuses on Dinghushan, Xilin Gol Grassland, Hongze Lake Wetland, and Jiuzhai valley, and the results are as follows: (1) Ecotourism suitability evaluation level is divided into five levels, level I (0 ≤ S < 30) ecotourism development suitability is the lowest, meaning an area is extremely unsuitable for ecotourism development. Level V (90 ≤ S < 100) has a very high ecotourism value, meaning an area is highly suitable for ecotourism development. (2) Jiuzhai valley scored the highest ecotourism suitability evaluation score of 87.63, and Xilingol Grassland scored the lowest score of 81.27. However, the composite scores of all the nature reserves were above 80, placing them at Suitability Level IV, and thereby indicating a high suitability for ecotourism development. (3) Divergences in ecotourism suitability emerge among various nature reserve types, with grassland and meadow reserves exhibiting lower suitability levels. Addressing this, a robust management and monitoring system is imperative, alongside intensified efforts in ecological restoration, vegetation protection, community engagement, education, awareness, and increased policy support and tourism capital investment. (4) The results of the expert questionnaire showed that the maximum weight of the indicators affecting the evaluation of the suitability of ecotourism was the satisfaction of tourists (0.120), and the minimum weight was the accommodation facilities (0.002), which illustrated the important role of tourists in the ecotourism development carried out in the nature reserve. (5) Through empirical analysis of numerous cases, the study validates the practicality and effectiveness of the index system and provides scientific guidelines for the suitability of existing nature reserves for further ecotourism development. This contributes to the research theory on the suitability evaluation of ecotourism development and serves as a valuable reference for the future ecotourism development of diverse nature reserves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, the use of social media, particularly Facebook, by destination management organizations (DMOs) for promoting tourism destinations has become increasingly significant. However, the particularities of using this powerful tool in promoting ecotourism destinations have not been sufficiently debated in the literature. To fill this gap, the present study brings a new perspective with the aim of understanding how the Facebook communication strategies of ecotourism destinations in Romania affect user reactions. This research was based on secondary data obtained by examining Facebook posts from seven Romanian ecotourism destinations during a period of six months. The initial step was to analyze the Facebook posts of the selected destinations and to extract major themes present in the posted content. These posts are categorized into themes such as nature, leisure, culture, and hospitality, providing a comprehensive view of the content strategy adopted by these destinations. The findings reveal that posts related to culture and nature are predominant and receive higher user interactions in the form of likes, comments, and shares. Most user reactions were expressed in the form of likes, while the number of comments and shares was quite modest. The analysis of factors influencing user reactions reveals that only the number of posts has a significant impact. Moreover, the post content and post format do not have a significant influence on users' reactions to destinations' posted content on Facebook. This study concludes that for the effective online promotion of ecotourism destinations, DMOs should focus on increasing the number and frequency of posts, and on creating content that aligns with audience preferences, particularly emphasizing the main features of the destination. These insights are crucial for DMOs in strategizing their online communication to enhance user reactions and promote their destinations effectively in the competitive sphere of global tourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Technology is the property of Emerald Publishing Limited and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Most tourism research examines peripheral areas as destinations that are often exploited by the dominant, urban core. Little, if any research has considered peripheral areas as potential source markets. Yet, in Australia, some 30% of the population live outside of major urban centres. This study determined that residents of regional centres and rural communities have as much interest in travel as their urban cousins, have similar attitudes to and motivations for travel and moreover travel at the same level of propensity and intensity. Differences are noted in destination choice, though, suggesting an opportunity exists to better market a wider variety of tourism products in peripheral areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastronomy tourism experiences are growing in the tourism industry, and there has been an increase in the number of tourists that travel primarily to experience food and related culture. Furthermore, Destination Marketing Organisations have increasingly been using local cuisine as a distinguishing feature in marketing a destination. Despite the growing interest in this field of tourism, there is a paucity of research regarding the importance and implications of food tourism on destination image. Thus, this study comprises a systematic quantitative literature review on these topics, which summarises the current knowledge on these areas and identifies the potential for future research. This paper reports on findings from a review of 54 peer-reviewed studies that focused on gastronomy tourism and destination image from 2003 to October 2020. The findings reveal evolving trends in this field of study, namely, the dominant study location is Asia, limited use of theory, quantitative approach is the most frequently used method and the majority of studies examined the topic from tourists' perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Palace Museum, well known as the Forbidden City, is one of the most splendid and valuable cultural treasures of China and a World Cultural Heritage. During the past 10 years many improvements and changes have been made in the Palace Museum, however, it is more important to know whether and to which extent visitors are satisfied with their experience. Although prior research has discussed the strategic management of the curator, little is done to combine tourists' perception with the curator's performance. To address this issue, a mixed method is applied to compare the planned action from the leader's perspective and the online review from tourists' comments, by analyzing the operation of Shan from 2012 to 2019 and online reviews of tourists from three major Chinese tourism websites. This research is innovative insofar as it provides a new theoretic framework to evaluate the curator's performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rural B&B industry is a key component of rural tourism, local economic development, and the wider rural revitalization strategy. Despite the abundance of tourism resources in Yunnan, the B&B sector faces significant challenges. It is therefore imperative to accurately identify the most pressing issues within the current B&B industry and formulate appropriate solutions to advance Yunnan's rural revitalization efforts. This study uses recent reviews of rural B&Bs on Ctrip.com and employs machine learning techniques, including Bert, CNN, LSTM, and GRU, to identify the key management challenges currently facing Yunnan's rural B&B industry. An analysis is then conducted to identify the key stakeholders involved in the process of improving the management of Yunnan's B&Bs. To assess the willingness of each stakeholder to support the improvement of the rural B&B industry, this paper establishes a three-party evolutionary game model and examines the dynamic evolutionary process of management improvement within Yunnan's rural B&B industry. Two scenarios of evolutionarily stable strategies are analyzed, and parameters impacting stakeholders' strategy choices are simulated and evaluated. The results show that: i) Improving the "human factor" is the top priority for the current management improvement because tourists are most concerned about the emotional experience. Operators need to focus on improving service attitude and emotional experience; ii) The main stakeholders in the current management optimization process of Yunnan B&Bs are the local government, B&B operators, and tourists. Under appropriate conditions, the evolutionarily stable strategy of (1, 1, 1) is reachable. iii) variables such as additional costs, tourists' choice preferences, and government penalties significantly affect the strategy choices of stakeholders, especially B&B operators. This paper offers effective strategies for improving B&B management that can benefit the government, B&B operators, and tourists, and ultimately contribute to the promotion of quality rural revitalization. The paper not only identifies focal areas for improving B&B management in rural Yunnan, but also provides an in-depth understanding of stakeholder dynamics. As a result, it provides valuable insights to further the cause of quality rural revitalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While traveling, people need to utilize smart tourism service systems based on the Internet of Things (IoT) to enhance their journeys' convenience. However, existing IoT-based smart tourism service systems still possess certain shortcomings. In light of this, this paper delves into the integration of IoT and machine learning (ML) technologies to improve the design of smart tourism service systems and establish a platform for intelligent tourism services. Simulated datasets are employed to evaluate the performance and functionality of the smart tourism service system. The primary contributions, as inferred from the test results, are as follows: In area 1, the model achieves a congestion recognition rate of 92.6% with an error rate of only 1.5% in congestion judgment. In area 2, congestion is accurately identified 93.5% of the time, with a misjudgment rate of just 1.2%. In area 3, the model achieves a congestion identification rate of 94.2% along with a 1.3% misjudgment rate, effectively identifying congestion situations in scenic spots. When comparing the research and design system with the system based on the support vector machine (SVM) algorithm, the results demonstrate that the smart tourism service system designed in this paper, leveraging IoT technology and ML algorithms, achieves higher prediction accuracy than the SVM-based system. These findings can serve as a valuable guide for designing future smart tourism service systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wireless tracking technologies is an emerging technology used in tourism destinations to better understand the movement of tourists and to develop more personalized products. However, little is understood of tourists' perceptions of these wireless tracking technologies. This study investigated the impact inferences of manipulative intent, privacy concerns, perceived personalization, and personal innovativeness on tourists' attitudes and intentions towards the technology and destinations. A total of 615 questionnaires were collected under three between-subject's conditions, namely 'wireless tracking only', 'Wi-Fi wireless tracking', and 'app-based tracking'. Structural equation modelling revealed that perceived personalization significantly predicted positive attitudes, while inferences of manipulative intent significantly deterred tourists. Theoretically, this study reveals the different ways in which different wireless tracking technologies are perceived and how these perceptions impact on the destination. Further, the results of this study can assist destination marketing organizations and governing bodies to improve their implementation of such technologies at a destination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Architecture, often regarded as a three-dimensional art form, relies on a multitude of abstractions during the design process. In this context, architectural elements are effectively represented through vector-based data processing techniques, offering a canvas for creative exploration. To further our understanding of spatial configurations and generate multiple design insights, mathematical structures known as graphs come into play. Graph theory, a fundamental component of this process, it is a mathematical field that studies relationships and connections between objects using vertices and edges, finding applications in computer science, network analysis, and more finds application in architectural design. This study delves into the application of graph theory in the analytical exploration of urban networks, with a focus on tourism parameters in the picturesque town of Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, India. Traditionally, urban network analysis seeks to determine the shortest distance between origin and destination, a metric rooted in accessibility. However, in leisure destinations, a novel approach involving an optimized distance-based algorithm is introduced. This innovative methodology aims to facilitate efficient access to all tourist destinations within the spatial extent while minimizing discrete physical distances. To illustrate this concept, we take the iconic French Quarters in the White Town of Pondicherry as a case study. By applying the optimized distance-based algorithm, we endeavor to uncover the most efficient route for tourists to navigate and leisurely explore the area. The outcome of this analysis reveals a path graph structure, which, when compared to a circular graph structure, demonstrates superior efficiency in guiding tourists through the space. The implications of this tourist route extend beyond the realm of tourism itself. It has the potential to enhance the organization of tourist activities, allowing stakeholders to manage and regulate the flow of visitors. Additionally, it presents an opportunity to promote and develop the region's often-underestimated tourist destinations, which can, in turn, have a positive impact on the local economy. In summary, the integration of graph theory into architectural and urban design methodologies enriches the approach to tourism and offers a holistic perspective on spatial optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pilgrimage tourism, among the earliest forms of tourism with a tradition spanning centuries, stands as a steadfast global attraction. This article delves into the significance, diversity, and historical roots of this tourism type, recognizing the contemporary surge in interest in pilgrimage sites. Offering an overview of globally prominent pilgrimage destinations and highlighting key locations in Slovakia, the article emphasizes the country's considerable potential for the utilization and development of these sacred sites, despite its compact size. It stresses the need to foster this historically significant tourism sector and the necessity for attention and support from the government sector to maximize its potential. The relevance of pilgrimage became particularly apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic, with observable visitor participation despite challenging conditions at various pilgrimage sites. The article examines the pilgrimage's evolution before, during, and after the pandemic, using Levoča and Šaštín in Slovakia as illustrative cases. One of the main objectives of this study was to clarify the development of pilgrimage tourism in Slovakia over the past decades and the factors influencing it. The attendance analysis unmistakably reveals a significant upward trend at these specific locations, emphasizing the need to establish collaborative efforts to support this sector. Such collaboration is crucial for ensuring the sustainability of historically significant sites, fostering local development, and increasing the visibility of less-visited pilgrimage destinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the face of escalating global concerns surrounding environmental sustainability and the preservation of cultural heritage, this research explores the intricate connection between residents' environmentally responsible conduct (ERB) and tourists' sustainable involvement with cultural heritage sites (SU). Highlighting the pivotal importance of destination identification (DI) as a mediator and self-congruity (SC) as a moderator, our study utilizes a quantitative data approach to investigate the nuanced relationships inherent in the domain of tourism destinations. The data were collected from 324 tourists (visiting Luxor heritage city in Egypt) and analyzed by PLS-SEM, and the results showed a positive correlation between residents who strongly identify with their local environment and an increased dedication to environmentally responsible actions. Moreover, tourists who demonstrate elevated levels of self-congruity with the cultural heritage destination are inclined to embrace more sustainable behaviors, thereby making positive contributions to heritage preservation initiatives. This study enriches the evolving domain of sustainable tourism by providing insights into the intricate interactions between residents and tourists, fostering environmentally responsible behavior, and promoting the sustainable utilization of cultural heritage. Practical applications encompass the formulation of community-based interventions, the design of destination marketing strategies, and the proposal of policy recommendations. These initiatives aim to enhance the engagement of both residents and tourists, fostering the long-term preservation of cultural and environmental assets. Ultimately, the research seeks to guide sustainable tourism practices that strike a balance between the economic advantages of tourism and the essential preservation of cultural heritage and natural environments for future generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three-dimensional reconstruction is a key technology employed to represent virtual reality in the real world, which is valuable in computer vision. Large-scale 3D models have broad application prospects in the fields of smart cities, navigation, virtual tourism, disaster warning, and search-and-rescue missions. Unfortunately, most image-based studies currently prioritize the speed and accuracy of 3D reconstruction in indoor scenes. While there are some studies that address large-scale scenes, there has been a lack of systematic comprehensive efforts to bring together the advancements made in the field of 3D reconstruction in large-scale scenes. Hence, this paper presents a comprehensive overview of a 3D reconstruction technique that utilizes multi-view imagery from large-scale scenes. In this article, a comprehensive summary and analysis of vision-based 3D reconstruction technology for large-scale scenes are presented. The 3D reconstruction algorithms are extensively categorized into traditional and learning-based methods. Furthermore, these methods can be categorized based on whether the sensor actively illuminates objects with light sources, resulting in two categories: active and passive methods. Two active methods, namely, structured light and laser scanning, are briefly introduced. The focus then shifts to structure from motion (SfM), stereo matching, and multi-view stereo (MVS), encompassing both traditional and learning-based approaches. Additionally, a novel approach of neural-radiance-field-based 3D reconstruction is introduced. The workflow and improvements in large-scale scenes are elaborated upon. Subsequently, some well-known datasets and evaluation metrics for various 3D reconstruction tasks are introduced. Lastly, a summary of the challenges encountered in the application of 3D reconstruction technology in large-scale outdoor scenes is provided, along with predictions for future trends in development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current geologic era—the Anthropocene—is defined by human-driven transformation of landscapes and seascapes that has profoundly altered Earth's climate and other life-support systems. This letter advocates for a landscape-scale regenerative tourism management strategy aimed at transforming coastal destinations into carbon sinks (meaning they sequester more carbon than they release). Specifically, coastal destinations can transform product offerings into a network of restoration projects that collectively seek the landscape-scale restoration of blue carbon ecosystems such as marshes, mangroves, and seagrass meadows. Restoration of blue-carbon ecosystems is a cost-effective way to mitigate the effects of climate change. Tourism has potential to overcome obstacles in large-scale restoration of blue carbon ecosystems and can play a foundational role by providing a long-term presence at restoration sites, logistical and human resources, and a business model dependent on restored ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using dynamic capabilities (DCs) and the disaster/crisis management cycle (DMC) as the theoretical lens, this study explores how different types of DCs build and sustain organizational resilience of tourism firms during COVID-19. Taking a processual view, the study advances theorization of the relationship between DCs and organizational resilience in tourism studies. A qualitative study of 30 owners and senior managers of tourism and hospitality firms in Bangladesh reveals that threats and opportunities presented by the COVID-19 pandemic activated 10 different types of DCs (replicating, integrating, reconfiguring, creating, developing, assimilating, renewing, adaptive, innovative, and regenerative) across the pre, response (short-term) and future recovery intentions (long-term) stages. DCs activated different resilience facets (networks and relationships, leadership and culture, and change ready), highlighting the criticality of achieving planned and adaptive resilience for tourism firms during COVID-19. Response and recovery implications for tourism firms during disruptive events are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the theoretical framework of the Stereotype Content Model (SCM) was applied in the context of a host country promoting its tourism to new or underdeveloped markets. The host country's perceived Warmth, Competence and Status were each relevant to an understanding of the attitude toward the country itself and as a tourism destination. However, in both instances, the influence of perceived Status was found to be direct and not, as existing SCM theory suggests, via Competence. The findings support Status being a primary dimension of human perception alongside Warmth and Competence within SCM theory. Warmth evaluations also dominated the prediction of Tourism Attitude but not Country Attitude, again contrary to established thinking. The influence on Tourism Attitude of both Uncertainty Avoidance and Individualism/Collectivism were moderated by the perceived Warmth and Status of the host country. Thus, the SCM requires adaptation to the context of tourism in underdeveloped markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virtual reality (VR) is a topic of growing interest. While many researchers have identified factors that influence satisfaction with VR, additional important factors remain uninvestigated. In our research model, system quality, presence, and authenticity influence two mediating variables of enjoyment and usefulness of information. Enjoyment (a hedonic aspect of the VR experience) and usefulness of information (a utilitarian aspect), in turn, influence satisfaction, with familiarity moderating both of these relationships. PLS analysis of survey data collected in a heritage tourism context finds relationships that have not been previously identified. While system quality and authenticity are associated with enjoyment and usefulness of information, presence is positively associated only with enjoyment. Familiarity negatively moderates the relationship between enjoyment and satisfaction with VR. This study thus extends prior research on a key metaverse technology, VR, by identifying and explicating the roles of authenticity and familiarity—and also extends prior research by focusing on the hedonic and utilitarian dimensions of the VR experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

—The relentless growth of the tourism sector is fostering an increasingly pronounced demand for the translation of tourism websites. Nevertheless, the translation quality of tourism websites has garnered criticism attributed to inaccuracies in translating cultural references, leading to potential cultural losses in conveying cultural references. Despite the growing demand for accurate translation, a lack of research exists to address cultural losses and in the translation of Chinese cultural references into English. This study investigates the categories of cultural losses in the cultural references’ translation on tourism websites; specifically, Trip.com was selected as the case. Moreover, this study examines how the overall translation method, at a macro-level, is influenced by the specific translation strategies identified at a micro-level and how this, in turn, impacts cultural nuances and potential losses. The current study adopted a qualitative approach and unveiled five distinct categories of cultural losses encompassing historical background, rhetorical devices, local customs, religion, and aesthetic images. The findings revealed that foreignization emerged as the prevailing macro-level translation method, significantly influencing the incurred cultural losses within the context of cultural references. This study’s findings emphasized the necessity of addressing cultural losses in cultural references’ translation on tourism websites. The identified cultural losses and the dominance of foreignization highlight the imperative for nuanced translation strategies. This study shed light on the equilibrium between cultural preservation and effective communication. By striking this equilibrium, the tourism industry can effectively accomplish its objective of nurturing profound cross-cultural interactions that resonate with a diverse global audience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces a data-driven and machine-learning approach to design a personalized tourist recommendation system for Nepal. It examines key tourist attributes, such as demographics, behaviors, preferences, and satisfaction, to develop four sub-models for data collection and machine learning. A structured survey is conducted with 2400 international and domestic tourists, featuring 28 major questions and 125 variables. The data are preprocessed, and significant features are extracted to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of the machine-learning models. These models are evaluated using metrics such as accuracy, precision, recall, F-score, ROC, and lift curves. A comprehensive database for Pokhara City, Nepal, is developed from various sources that includes attributes such as location, cost, popularity, rating, ranking, and trend. The machine-learning models provide intermediate categorical recommendations, which are further mapped using a personalized recommender algorithm. This algorithm makes decisions based on weights assigned to each decision attribute to make the final recommendations. The system's performance is compared with other popular recommender systems implemented by TripAdvisor, Google Maps, the Nepal tourism website, and others. It is found that the proposed system surpasses existing ones, offering more accurate and optimized recommendations to visitors in Pokhara. This study is a pioneering one and holds significant implications for the tourism industry and the governing sector of Nepal in enhancing the overall tourism business. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the inbound internationalization of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Inbound internationalization refers to a process of internationalization where firms attract foreign customers to their home market instead of entering foreign markets. While a plethora of studies have documented outward firm internationalization, knowledge of inbound internationalization is limited. We draw on the dynamic capabilities perspective and conduct qualitative research with owner-managers of tourism and hospitality SMEs. Our findings show that both managerial and organizational capabilities (networking, marketing, technology, and innovation) drive inbound internationalization. We contribute to the SME internationalization literature by investigating an underresearched phenomenon and by identifying the operational and dynamic capabilities that drive inbound internationalization. Furthermore, we add to the capability perspective in an international business context by showing that managerial and organizational capabilities complement each other and jointly influence inbound internationalization. Our study also contributes to the international business literature in a Latin American context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With increasing visits to protected areas, tourism researchers suggest a new visitation paradigm (NVP) and the need for 'mass park-visitor symbiosis.' This study adopted the NVP approach to assess the mass symbiosis potential of the Chinese ecotourism market. Data from in-depth interviews were analysed using Leximancer, a computerised qualitative data analysis programme. The results suggest ecotourism in China has the potential to achieve the symbiosis goal, as indicated by visitors' good knowledge of ecotourism and their environmental motivation. However, ecotourism experiences are not found to be strongly related to any environmental aspect, suggesting the mass participation for site enhancement activities might have been missing. The findings have important implications for tourism policy makers as well as providers wishing to attract Chinese tourists to ecotourism activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, data is collected through a questionnaire evaluating factors, such as informativeness from AI, recommendations via AI, social media, customer purchase behavior, learning new strategies, and online tourism marketing influence. The data underwent analysis using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), which allowed us to perform various analysis methods, such as ANOVA analysis to establish statistically significant relationships between the independent variables. The analysis indicates that AI-driven informativeness and AI-based recommendations have a significant influence on travel decision-making. On the other hand, social media does not have a significant impact on travel decision-making. However, for tourism product selling, customer purchase behavior and online tourism marketing have a significant impact, whereas learning new strategies does not affect tourism product selling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes facts of two communities: Hidaka Village in northern Hyogo Pref. and Obonai Village in eastern Akita Pref., which enjoyed temporary prosperity with the arrival of big business, namely the Suzuki & Co, Ltd., but later faced repercussions and internal struggles following the company's retreat as the business projects collapsed during the Taisho era. To meet the soaring transport demands for their reg ional commodities, particularly Hidaka's agalmatolite and Obonai's raw lumber, the t wo leaders also simultaneously promoted various political and economic activities to boost the regional economies. The mayor of Hidaka, Toshiro Fujimoto, directed the Tajima Light Railway project, the outline of which is described in vol. 435 of Hikone Ronso. The new study of the project has uncovered two facts: (1) The construction company to which Tajima Light Railway owed outstanding debts filed a creditor's petition and because Fujimoto failed to appear in court, the railway company lost the lawsuit; and (2) A document exists in which Fujimoto's colleagues and company officers hold him and his cohorts responsible for not informing the railway company and its shareholders of the legal action. This paper also discovered a letter written by a former politician who, seeing through Fujimoto's conceited nature and brazen appetite for big titles, ordered him removed from the founding members of a connecting railway. An overview of the regional development initiatives envisioned by Hironari Tashiro, mayor of Obonai, is published in vol. 431. Our new study has uncovered how the rights and interests of the Tashiro Family were gradually dispersed and transferred to the former Semboku Bank and two other creditors as a result of the decline and collapse of the company that started business in the area. The new study also revealed that Tashiro had conceived a plan which was later realized by a hot springs land development company financed by Tokyo investors. These newly discovered facts support to a certain extent the assumptions presented in the author's papers published in vol.s 431 and 435. The history book of Hidaka glorifies Mayor Fujimoto's efforts to build railway and praises him as a local hero. In contrast, Obonai's records fail to mention the contributions of Tashiro in setting up transport services on the heels of new businesses operating, or the fact that, he fostered a vision for tourism development, although his plans failed to b e implemented. Finally, this paper has led to a new theory that has attracted scant attention locally, that the national forestry railway built along Sendatsu River in 1929 by Akita Forestry Office may have partially used some of the private tracks laid by a Suzuki affiliate in around 1917. It is possible that Tashiro had created a cooperativelike organization to manage the railway's operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of rural revitalization strategies and humans' increasing leisure pursuits, rural tourism has begun to act as a new development path of rural economic growth and industrial transformation. This phenomenon generally occurs in rural areas around metropolitan areas, manifesting as the transformation or reconstruction of rural spaces. As a result, many new types of tertiary industry spaces utilizing rural land for leisure activities have emerged. We analyze the connotations of rural spatial and industrial transformation from the perspective of spatial production and innovatively propose that the transformed space is an ecological product, which includes three types in practice: industrial space, consumption space, and residential space. This study facilitates urban–rural integration and common prosperity. Given the lack of analysis of rural ecological products, especially rural spatial ecological products (e.g., rural B&Bs and other tertiary industry spaces), this study aims to explore the value expression and driving factors of rural spatial ecological products based on geo-visual (spatially visualizing) analytical tools looking at 10361 B&Bs in Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces of China as typical examples. Our results show that (1) the value of rural spatial ecological products is reflected in the price that urban consumers are willing to pay for rural natural landscapes, which constitutes an ecological premium; and (2) the prices of rural spatial ecological products are strikingly different at multiple spatial scales, and this difference is related to the local ecological resources. This study provides insights into the rational allocation of the limited resources required for rural construction, which helps optimize the spatial planning of rural ecotourism and enhance the gametogenous development momentum of rural areas. At the same time, this study theoretically expands the research results of cultural ecosystem services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the rapid growth of the medical tourism industry worldwide, competition among different countries to increase market share has risen sharply. The success of this industry largely depends on the correct segmentation of the market and the right choice of target segments. There are numerous approaches for market segmentation, each of which has its pros and cons. This study, therefore, aimed to compare and contrast the strengths, limitations, and practical considerations of different approaches, variables, and statistical techniques employed for the health market segmentation. Moreover, a framework to segment the health tourism market is ultimately recommended. This systematic review was carried out according to the PRISMA checklist in the following databases: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and CINAHL. The quality appraisal of included studies was conducted using Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) Checklist. We retrieved 239 articles, and finally, 22 articles were eligible and included in the final analysis. The majority of studies (n = 20) applied posteriori approaches for market segmentation, except two, which applied a priori and a mix approach. Profile-based and value-based variables were used for market segmentation in 13 and 9 studies, respectively. The majority of reviewed articles employed a two-step clustering with hierarchical clustering (ward algorithm) (n = 14) or neural network clustering (SOM) (n = 1), and non-hierarchical clustering (K-means algorithm) (n = 15), and comparatively a smaller number employed a single method for clustering (n = 7). This effort reviewed several market segmentation approaches and concluded that a combined approach and value-based variable might better serve health tourism market segmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]