Tourism and Travel Commons^™

Muslim-Friendly Medical Tourism, Noradiva Hamzah, Norlida H. M. Salleh, Izuli Dzulkifli, Tengku Wook

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

Tourism has emerged as an important socio-economic activity as it is a promising sector in the global economy. In every industry, intellectual capital (IC) is a crucial knowledge-based asset. It has become the most potent element in the production of organizational wealth. This article intends to shed some light on the Islamic value (IV) dimension of Muslim-friendly medical tourism (MFMT). This study employed a case study approach on five hospitals. The data was collected through in-depth discussions, hospital tours, and interviews. Within-case analysis was conducted to analyze the data. This study found that the hospitals’ management highlighted that taqwa (piety) …

Game Theory – Applied To Tourism, Jean M. Tavares

University of South Florida (USF) M3 Publishing

Foreword

In ever increasingly competitive and challenging environments concerning the tourism industry worldwide, Game Theory is called upon to study scenarios of conflict and cooperation to help determine the most likely outcomes of tourism players striving to maximize their positions. Prof. Jean Tavares ́ latest manuscript ́Game Theory – Applied to Tourism ́ provides a solid theoretical backdrop supported by the practical application of a variety of case studies. In a simplified and reader-friendly manner, the book takes the reader through the depths of this fascinating field of study making it accessible and enjoyable.

Prof. Tavares ́ extensive experience and …

The Impact Of Holiday Tourism Development On Tourism Total Factor Productivity: Evidence From China, Panpan Sun, Songshan (Sam) Huang, Ghialy Yap

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Tourism development during holiday periods may influence tourism total factor productivity (TTFP) in the industry. However, little is known about the impact of holiday tourism on TTFP. Focusing on China's Golden Week holiday system, this study applies dynamic panel models to test the effect of holiday tourism development on TTFP with panel data of 31 provinces in mainland China from 2001 to 2019. The study also compares the effects before and after 2008 when the Golden Week holiday system changed from three weeks to two weeks with shorter holiday breaks. Results show that holiday tourism development has a negative effect …

Ewom Platforms As Productivity Catalyzers For Travel Agencies: A Two-Stage Double Bootstrap Data Envelopment Analysis, Tomas Saralegui

ITSA 2022 Gran Canaria - 9th Biennial Conference: Corporate Entrepreneurship and Global Tourism Strategies After Covid 19

The travel industry, and in particular travel agencies, face a severe challenge to increase productivity. In a fast-paced digitalization context, embracing ICTs to tackle this challenge should be part of COVID-19 recovery strategies. Electronic word of mouth (eWOM) could allow better learning processes, improve communication with customers, and serve as a remarkable diffusion channel. However, this channel is not yet fully embraced by the sector. This research, delimited to Spanish travel agencies in the period 2012-2019, applies a two-stage double bootstrap data envelopment analysis to assess whether eWOM and how firms manage eWOM, contributes to achieving higher levels of efficiency. …

Nature-Based Destination Image: An Exploratory Study On The Formation Of The Destination Image Of The Legal Amazon., Paula Cristina Pereira Rodrigues Chaves Drª., Francisco Antônio Dos Anjos Dr., Marklea Da Cunha Frest Dra.

ITSA 2022 Gran Canaria - 9th Biennial Conference: Corporate Entrepreneurship and Global Tourism Strategies After Covid 19

Abstract: This study aims to measure the Nature-Based Destination Image (NBDI) of the Legal Amazon among national tourists, verifying the image successors related to satisfaction, WOM /e- WOM, recommendation and revisit. With a predominantly quantitative approach, the study presents two purification stages: 1) a group of 15 experts and 2) 151 national tourists. To test convergence and reliability, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was used, with Bartlett's sphericity and KMO and reliability by McDonald's Omega. The findings revealed that 58 variables are suitable to measure the image of the Brazilian Amazon destination, suggesting internal consistency with good convergence and reliability indexes. …

Review Of: Dark Tourism And Pilgrimage, Dino Bozonelos

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

No abstract provided.

Holy Baths As Attractions In Religious Tourism: A Study Of Ritualistic Bathing Fairs In India, Sanchita Paul

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Much of what marks the contemporary Hindu ritual scene finds its origin in the activities of Indus Valley Civilisation. There has been, without doubt, a corrosion of religious faith with the progress of modernity, but surprisingly the bathing tradition for ritual ablution spanning across centuries of time has not faded, despite the passage of so many ages and despite changes all around. Hinduism has a strong and ancient tradition of pilgrimage, widely recognised as Tīrtha-yatra (tour of the sacred fords), which involves holy baths in water bodies as a symbolic purification ritual. Most of the Hindu pilgrimage places are along …

Determinants Of Spiritual Tourism Consumption: A Hierarchical Approach, Suneel Kumar, Shivangi Gupta, Shekhar Asthana

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

This paper aims to analyse the relationship between factors influencing the travel intentions of the spiritual tourist. The research design comprises three segments, i.e., identifying factors from the literature, conducting interviews with the academic experts and managers, and analysing the responses recorded. The Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) technique is used to determine the interlinkage between the factors and develop a hierarchical relationship. This paper identified twelve factors that influence the travel intention of spiritual tourists. The results indicate that the pro-tourism attitude of the management of religious monuments, presence of relaxation and recreational activities, historical and cultural heritage of a …

Exploring The Potential Of Halal Tourism Through Institutional Analysis Of Halal Certifiers In The Philippines, Steven Von Cuevas, Cristopher Allen Franco, Robert Charles Capistrano, Junnell Guia

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

This study analyses various institutions’ halal certification and standards in the Philippines and their potential for halal tourism. The demand for halal services and products has been increasing in the Philippines, however, the major halal certifiers in the country uphold different standards, leading to confusion and abuse in halal accreditation and certification. The unification of halal standards is a complex process due to varying interpretations and thus, this research utilised case study methods to analyse the similarities and differences of the three major halal certifiers in the country within the lenses of the Work System Elements Framework and the Institutional …

The Development Potential For Local Communities Of Religious Tourists Visiting Sacred Graves, Mohammad Taufiq Rahman, Rully Khairul Anwar

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

This study aims to analyse the impact of religious tourists’ visits to tombs of saints. It illustrates the effect of these visits on the economic development of the surrounding community. This is qualitative research with a sociological approach used to determine the public acceptance of religious tourism to sacred places such as the Tomb of the Islamic Saints in Tasikmalaya, West Java, Indonesia. The results show that the community has made economic use of tourists that perform pilgrimages to fulfil their psychological needs, such as peace, tranquillity, and a sense of security. Furthermore, local governments’ development of religious tourism makes …

The Economic Impact Of Covid-19 On Religious Tourism To The Kartarpur Corridor, Farooq Haq, Anita Medhekar

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

The aim of this paper is to analyse the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on religious tourism in the Kartarpur Gurdwara Corridor between the Punjab States of Pakistan and India. The corridor was opened as a peace building initiative 72 years after the partition of India-Pakistan. In November 2019, thousands of Sikh pilgrims visited Kartarpur and Nankana Sahib in Punjab to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of the founder of the Sikh religion Guru Nanakji, where he spent last 19 years of his life. The Government of Pakistan invested heavily to build the infrastructure facilities for connecting both borders …

Residents’ Perceptions Of Religious Tourism And Its Socio- Economic Impacts On Host Communities: A Study Of Redemption Camp, Mowe, Ogun State, Nigeria, Titilayo Olufunke Olukole

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Religious tourism has been identified as one of the major tourism types with impacts on the sociocultural and economic life of the host community. Nigeria is well-known globally for high levels of Christian religious activities attracting worshippers from different countries. However, little is documented on the socio-economic impacts of the religious tourist flow to Christian religious sites on host communities in Nigeria. This paper was designed to investigate the socio-economic impact of Christian religious tourism on host communities, using the Redemption Camp, RCCG and Mowe Community, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State, Nigeria as a case study. Both quantitative and qualitative research …

Young Turkish Tourists’ Religious Tourism Motivations, Perceptions And Intentions About A Religious Destination: The Case Of Konya, Turkey, Yasin Bilim, Sadık Ay

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Young tourists represent over 20% of the tourism market and are an important element in current tourism activities. Cultural tourism, encompassing religious tourism, has increased in recent times, however, young tourists exhibit less preference for religious destinations, particularly within their own religions, compared to other options. Their preferences generally lean towards non-spiritual or secular motivations rather than religious based travel motivations. Within this context, this study aims to determine religious tourism motivations, perceptions and related behaviours of young tourists by evaluating their preferences and consumption patterns at religious sites. The study is undertaken on the basis of secondary research supported …

Cultural Tourism, Religion And Religious Heritage In Castile And León, Spain, Miguel González-González, Óscar Fernández-Álvarez

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Tourism is a driving force of the economy for many countries around the world. The large number of architectural and intangible World Heritage Sites have consolidated those countries in their strong positions as cultural tourism destinations. Within cultural tourism, religious tourism is particularly prominent. This work focuses on Spain and specifically on some of its regions which lack beaches but possess a wealth of religious cultural heritage, such as Castile and León, which have viewed such heritage as an asset to attract a different kind of tourist. The objectives of this study are to highlight the value of religious heritage …

Professor Alan Clarke (1956-2021), Kevin A. Griffin, Melanie Smith, Peter Wiltshier, Ágnes Raffay, Nicola Macleod, Allan Jepson, Raoul Bianchi, Scott Mccabe

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

No abstract provided.

Ijrtp Volume 10(Ii) Table Of Contents, Kevin A. Griffin, Razaq Raj, Carlos Fernandes

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

No abstract provided.

The Competitiveness Of Qatari Tourism: A Comparative And Swot Analysis, Ghialy Yap, Shrabani Saha, Saif S. Alsowaidi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: Qatar has placed its tourism sector as one of the main strategies of economic diversification to achieve sustainable tourism goal. The country aims to develop diverse tourism products, ranging from cultural, urban, and nature tourism to education. The government has invested a huge amount in designing and building tourism infrastructures such as the eight new stadiums to host the 2022 World Cup, the national museum, Museum of Islamic Art, Katara Cultural Village, Souq Waqif, and many resorts and high end hotels. Given these significant tourism investments, it is unquestionable that the country reaps commensurate long-term benefits in terms of …

Incorporating A Machine Learning Model Into A Web-Based Administrative Decision Support Tool For Predicting Workplace Absenteeism, Gopal Nath, Yawei Wang, Austin Coursey, Krishna K. Saha

Department of Hospitality and Tourism Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Productivity losses caused by absenteeism at work cost U.S. employers billions of dollars each year. In addition, employers typically spend a considerable amount of time managing employees who perform poorly. By using predictive analytics and machine learning algorithms, organizations can make better decisions, thereby increasing organizational productivity, reducing costs, and im-proving efficiency. Thus, in this paper we propose hybrid optimization methods in order to find the most parsimonious model for absenteeism classification. We utilized data from a Brazilian courier company. In order to categorize absenteeism classes, we preprocessed the data, selected the attributes via multiple methods, balanced the dataset using …

Hungry For Food And Community: A Study Of Visitors To Food And Wine Festivals, Mohammed Lefrid, Edwin N. Torres

Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

The present study explored the effects of various food and wine festival experience elements (e.g. authenticity, entertainment, and spending time with others) on visitors' sense of community, identification, and place attachment. The authors conducted survey research with 304 former visitors to food festivals. Data were analyzed using partial least square – structural equation modeling. Results revealed that food and wine festival experience elements (e.g. authenticity, entertainment, and spending time with friends and family) positively influenced visitors' sense of community, identification with the event, and attachment to the hosting destination. Significant findings relating to the mediating effect of sense of community …

Beyond Sightseeing: How Can Tourism Affect Public/Global Health In Modern Society?, Jun Wen, Metin Kozak, Yangyang Jiang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Tourism was historically regarded as a practical and business-oriented domain rather than as a research dis - cipline [1,2]. Ontologically, tourism was seen as a field in which to apply theory and as a means of fulfilling needs related to leisure, pleasure, and social health. Little effort has been made to uncover its more nuanced meanings. In 2006, John Tribe, a leading tourism scholar, published a commentary challenging the truth of tourism research and described a complex phenomenon in which the construct’s psychological, philosophi - cal, and social dimensions/values were not well understood [ 3]. He also suggested that much …

Rosen College Distribution Map And Research, Rosen College Of Hospitality Management

Rosen Research Review

Below are statistics for the Rosen College of Hospitality Management’s faculty research. These statistics include Rosen Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works, Dick Pope Sr. Institute for Tourism Studies, and the Rosen Research Review.

Cleaning Invisible Matter In Open-Kitchen Restaurants To Reduce The Impact Of Covid-19, Bendegul Okumus

Rosen Research Review

Commercial cooking in indoor settings is known to produce particulate matter, a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets which can cause acute or chronic respiratory problems. Recent studies suggest that these invisible particles also make people more susceptible to adverse health effects of the COVID-19 virus. Dr. Bendegul Okumus was joined by a team and conducted an experimental scientific study in an open-kitchen chain restaurant to determine whether the levels of particulate matter (PM) pollution were potentially harmful for both kitchen staff and customers dining at the restaurant.

Risk Perceptions And Motivations Around Restaurant Dining During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Elizabeth Yost

Rosen Research Review

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused devastating financial decline within the restaurant industry. Dr. Elizabeth Yost from UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management and her collaborator have undertaken research to understand what motivates customers in this unchartered landscape. They have developed a new theoretical model which focuses on the impact of customer risk perceptions and optimistic bias. Other influencers are personality traits and factors such as customer loyalty and trust, which Dr. Yost argues can be maintained through transparency of information.

Rosen College Hosts Five Important Journals In The Hospitality & Tourim Field; Dick Pope Sr. Institute For Tourism Studies, Rosen College Of Hospitality Management

Rosen Research Review

The Dick Pope Sr. Institute for Tourism Studies is based at at the University of Central Florida.

Student Engagement And Satisfaction With Online Labs, Cynthia Mejia, Robin Back, Jason Fridrich, Marissa Orlowski

Rosen Research Review

Hospitality and tourism is a ‘people business.’ So what happened when the need for social isolation as a result of COVID-19 forced hospitality educators to rethink their pedagogical strategies and move previously face-to-face courses online? In one of the first studies of its kind, Marissa Orlowski, Cynthia Mejia, Robin Back and Jason Fridrich from UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management researched student engagement and satisfaction in online culinary and beverage labs.

Great Expectations: Are There Career Transition Prospects For Hospitality And Tourism Workers, Arthur Huang, Mark Baker

Rosen Research Review

Dr. Arthur Huang and Mr. Mark Baker of the UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management explored skill and workforce development for the services industry, specifically examining the hospitality and tourism sector. Their study uncovered that hospitality and tourism workers possess the soft skills required across various industries. However, while soft skills can support career transitions, the hospitality industry and its workers should invest in developing more technology-focused skills to achieve greater career flexibility, advancement, and resilience.

Technology And Hospitality Education – Perfect Partners, Fred Okumu, Susan Vernon-Devlin

Rosen Research Review

Light Board recording, Microsoft HoloLens, Teams, and Zuddl are just a few of the technology advancements on the campus of the #1 college in the nation for hospitality education and research. It’s not just hardcover textbooks, library study sessions and classroom lectures when it comes to educating the future leaders of the hospitality industry, as they prepare for global careers. The tools for teaching have gone high tech.

Micro-Clustering: Bringing Innovation To Agritourism, Robin Back

Rosen Research Review

What’s better than simply drinking wine in a vineyard? Maybe a beautiful destination where the whole family can enjoy a day together, tasting wine, enjoying a variety of activities, and watching the kids play. Dr. Robin Back at the UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management and his collaborators have examined a case example that presents a new business model for wine tourism—micro-clustering with diverse forms of ownership on two adjacent wine farms. The team reveals how a single South African agribusiness achieved success, and raises the possibility of other similar businesses doing the same.

The Impact Of Tourism Specialization On Transition Economies, Robertico Croes, Jorge Ridderstaat

Rosen Research Review

What is the relationship between tourism specialization, economic growth, and human development in transition economies? That’s the question behind a new study led by Rosen Professor Robertico Croes and Assistant Professor Jorge Ridderstaat. Using Poland as a case study, the research looks at the role of tourism in economic and human development since communism fell in the 1990s and the country transitioned from a centrally-driven to a market-led economy.

A Model For Creating Memorability In A Rural Tourism Destination, Wei Wei

Rosen Research Review

Tourism research is encouraging a shift in marketing towards promoting experiences, but for those experiences to translate into returning visits and word of mouth sharing, they need to be memorable. But what makes an experience memorable? To answer this, Dr. Wei Wei, from UCF Rosen College of Hospitality has, together with collaborators, created and tested a model for experiential memorability in domestic and outbound tourists with one of the world’s biggest tourism markets