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University of Central Florida

Tourism and Travel

Articles 1 - 3 of 3

Full-Text Articles in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies

Mind The Service Gap: Lgbt+ Customers' Hospitality Experience, Heejung (Cheyenne) Ro Jun 2023

Mind The Service Gap: Lgbt+ Customers' Hospitality Experience, Heejung (Cheyenne) Ro

Rosen Research Review

Hospitality managers could be missing out by not paying enough attention to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LBGT+) guests. New research by Associate Professor Heejung Ro, UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management, looks at this growing and valuable customer segment, and studies how sexual minority guests perceive they are welcomed by hospitality staff. In one of the first studies of its kind, Dr. Ro finds that delivering the right service experience is about more than just flying the rainbow flag.


The Impact Of Lgbt Friendliness On Sexual Minority Travelers Perceptions, Heejung Ro Jan 2023

The Impact Of Lgbt Friendliness On Sexual Minority Travelers Perceptions, Heejung Ro

Rosen Research Review

There is a rise in niche travel for the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community. However, few studies have investigated how the hotel industry can best appeal to these customers. At UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management, Dr. Heejung Ro has undertaken the first study focusing on how LGBT friendliness and the attitudes of service employees may impact upon LGBT customers' perceptions and future intentions. While the findings revealed these two factors are regarded independently, it is important that hotels signal LGBT friendliness, as well as ensuring these travelers are treated respectfully.


Lgbt Events: Sense Of Belonging For Lgbt Travelers, Jeeyeon (Jeannie) Hahm, Heejung Ro Feb 2020

Lgbt Events: Sense Of Belonging For Lgbt Travelers, Jeeyeon (Jeannie) Hahm, Heejung Ro

Rosen Research Review

A successful event or festival can be a huge draw to a tourist destination. As lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) travelers are increasingly recognized as a growing market for tourism, events aimed at this demographic are expanding in number and scale. It is therefore useful to understand what factors influence attendance. In a study designed to do just this, Dr. Jeeyeon Hahm and Dr. Heejung Ro from the Rosen College of Hospitality Management looked at psychological variables related to social identity to examine what influences satisfaction and repeat attendance at LGBT events.