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In the age of social networks, user-generated content has become vital for organizations in tourism and hospitality. Traditional sentiment analysis methods often struggle to process large volumes of data and capture implicit sentiments. This study examines the potential of Aspect-Based Sentiment Analysis (ABSA) using Large Language Models (LLMs) to enhance sentiment analysis. By employing GPT-4o via ChatGPT, we benchmark three approaches: a fuzzy logic-based method, manual human analysis, and a new ChatGPT-based analysis. We analyze a dataset of 500 all-inclusive hotel reviews, comparing these methods to assess ChatGPT's effectiveness in identifying nuanced language and handling subjectivity. The findings reveal a high similarity between ChatGPT and human analysis, showcasing ChatGPT’s ability to interpret complex sentiments and automate sentiment classification tasks. This study highlights the potential of LLMs in transforming customer feedback analysis, providing deeper insights, and improving responsiveness in the hospitality industry. These results contribute to academia by presenting a framework for using LLMs in ABSA and guiding future applications and development.

This article presents a bibliometric study that explores the connections between the literature on achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through financial inclusion using a relational approach. The findings highlight key publication trends, the most prolific countries, leading contributors, highly cited articles, and the most impactful journals in this field. Additionally, content analysis reveals four emerging areas of research: “financial technology and SDGs,” “social capital,” “microfinance and women empowerment,” and “green finance.” Based on these insights, the study recommends that managers prioritise adopting digital technologies to foster financial inclusion, build robust networks to enhance resilience, empower women through tailored financial products, and integrate the Sustainable Agenda 2030 into financial strategies. Organisations can promote inclusion, resilience, and sustainable growth by aligning with these evolving research domains while advancing the SDGs. The results aim to inspire and guide management and economic researchers toward achieving the SDGs and serve as a foundation for realising Agenda 2030 objectives.

Integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into marketing has revolutionised this field, offering new avenues of innovation and efficacy. This study aims to unveil the prevailing trends and patterns within the current academic literature about AI applications in Marketing and propose future research directions. The study conducted a comprehensive review by analysing 2,255 articles from the Scopus database from 1980 to 2022, employing a Text Mining approach and Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic modelling. The findings suggest trends in research topics of Learning Models, Expert Systems, Natural Language Processing, Social Media, and Consumer Centricity. Outlier topics related to Health, Market Forecast, and Technology Impact on Youth have caught the researchers’ attention. The associated challenges and risks, ethical considerations, and practical implications were presented for each topic. This study develops literature on AI-driven marketing by unearthing the trend topics and suggesting a research agenda. At the same time, it offers actionable insights for businesses to enhance consumer engagement and ethical AI adoption in marketing practices.

Recognizing the importance of continuity in education, it was deemed necessary to carry out a study whose main objective is to identify the factors that lead to the intention to drop out in order to formulate effective strategies to combat this phenomenon. Early school dropout has negative consequences both for individual development and for social and economic progress. Therefore, this paper aims to contribute to the understanding and prevention of this phenomenon through a rigorous analysis of its determinants. In this context, eight relevant dependent variables have been identified in the literature that are believed to play a significant role in the intention to drop out of school. These variables include factors such as school absenteeism, alcohol or substance abuse, attitude, awareness, family, family supervision, school environment and school rules. The analysis used in the study examines these significant variables through structural equation modeling (SEM). SmartPLS software was used to conduct this analysis, which allows the use of Partial Least Squares SEM (PLS-SEM) and Bootstrapping modeling techniques. The data used for this research was collected using a well-structured questionnaire consisting of 28 questions aimed at capturing students' perceptions and experiences of school and the factors that might contribute to their intention to drop out of school. A total of 669 respondents completed the questionnaire, providing a solid database for analysis.

This study examines the role of motivational factors in the selection of India as a travel destination, using Herzberg’s two-factor theory of motivation (Hygiene-Motivation model) as a theoretical foundation. By examining how stereotypes about India influence tourists' decision making, this study categorises motivational factors into hygiene and motivation categories and examines their influence on destination choice. A survey conducted at the Romanian Tourism Fair in February 2019 with 729 participants forms the basis for this analysis. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was applied to assess the relationships between these factors. The study reveals two main types of factors that influence tourists: Hygiene factors (e.g. accessibility, comfort, food and overall quality of services) and motivational factors (e.g. cultural richness, scenic beauty and local traditions). The study shows that stereotypes about India play a crucial role in shaping tourists’ priorities — those who have negative stereotypes are more likely to focus on hygiene factors, such as ensuring that basic service expectations are met. In addition, while motivational factors still play an important role, elements such as natural beauty and cultural experiences take centre stage in the travel decision.

The Romanian tourism industry has yet to prove that it is a resilient economic sector that can adapt to global crises. This study provides a contextual analysis of the sector's performance during two international crises – the global financial crisis (GFC) and the COVID-19 pandemic (C19). The main question is: How do tourism demand and accommodation supply in the Romanian tourism sector respond to global shocks, and what patterns of resilience or vulnerability do these crises reveal? Previous studies have focussed on tourist satisfaction and the differential impact of tourism activities after EU integration, but have rarely examined the resilience of the sector in the midst of two different global crises. The need for this research stems from its comparative nature — assessing the pre- and post-crisis periods of the GFC and C19 — thus contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the sector's dynamics. This work fills a gap in the existing literature and applies a longitudinal approach to assess Romanian tourism resilience, market confidence and response to economic and health-related shocks. The study applies a quantitative methodological framework and uses time series data from 2002-2022, with descriptive statistics, comparisons and trend analyses serving as the main pillars for interpreting the evolution of tourism demand, accommodation supply and occupancy rates. The analysis shows that the Romanian tourism sector has proven to be resilient, as operational capacity exceeded pre-crisis levels after the COVID-19 crisis, although demand fell sharply and has not fully recovered to date. Occupancy rates fell significantly during both crises and have only partially recovered.

This research aimed to investigate the relationship between work climate, sustainability practises and perceived economic performance in sustainable companies, focusing on the impact of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives. The main objective is to assess how workplace climate influence economic performance and how sustainability practices contribute to employee satisfaction. The study uses a quantitative methodology based on a questionnaire consisting of 15 questions distributed to employees of sustainable companies. The collected data were statistically analysed using SPSS software, with correlation and linear regression tests to validate the hypotheses. Three main hypotheses were tested in the study: (H1) the positive relationship between a favourable work climate and economic performance, (H2) the contribution of sustainability practises to improving work climate, and (H3) the correlation between involvement in ESG initiatives and employee satisfaction. The results indicate a significant correlation between a positive work climate and perceived economic performance as well as a correlation between the implementation of ESG initiatives and employee satisfaction. This research contributes to the understanding of how sustainability practises can influence both employee satisfaction and overall business performance and provides guidance for improving organisational strategies in sustainable companies.

In recent years, the number of initiatives dealing with climate change has increased significantly as human activity releases more and more greenhouse gases into the environment. There is no doubt that the effects of these emissions are numerous and increasingly alarming. Against this background, this paper assumes that climate change requires the engagement of various groups of stakeholders. This engagement is referred to in this paper as ecosystem cooperation for climate action. A feature of ecosystem cooperation is the potential to create a multistakeholder network of new partnerships that can generate innovative solutions to climate change problems. This paper argues that ecosystem collaboration is particularly important for both preventing and responding to climate change. Following a theoretical explanation of the concept of ecosystem collaboration, a case study on climate change and sustainability is presented. This case study highlights best practise examples within a European project entitled “Innovation Laboratories for Climate Actions” (ILCA). Through a consortium of six universities and three research institutes from different European countries, the ILCA project aimed to engage multiple stakeholders in national, regional and local ecosystems to develop innovative solutions to tackle climate change. The project brought together businesses, public administrations, civil society and academia from each country. The findings of this paper emphasise the importance of the ILCA project in tackling climate change through ecosystem collaboration and the establishment of a ‘Climate Innovation Lab’ at the Stefan cel Mare” University in Suceava. Such a lab brings together experts from different fields such as economics, engineering and medicine to find innovative solutions to climate problems. We also emphasise the active role of innovation in helping tourism businesses to adapt to climate change. Innovation and collaboration are crucial to fostering a cooperative environment in relation to climate change mitigation.

In the competitive business world, employee turnover has been a pressing issue facing organisations around the world. The study sought to investigate the influence on turnover in the housekeeping department of some selected hotels in Bolgatanga municipality. A descriptive survey design was used. The population of the study comprised 200 employees from the housekeeping department of five hotels in Bolgatanga Municipality. The study used purposive and simple random sampling to select 100 housekeeping employees and 40 hotel management employees. The main instrument used in this study was the questionnaire. Descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation were used to summarise the data. The study revealed high employee turnover in the housekeeping department of hotels in Bolgatanga municipality. It was revealed that 3-4 employees leave the housekeeping department of the sampled hotels in Bolgatanga Municipality every year. The results show that employees' expectations are a major determinant of turnover in the housekeeping department of hotels in Bolgatanga municipality. The study revealed that employee expectations have a significant influence on employee turnover in the housekeeping department (p

Tourism Destination Image (TDI) is complex, dynamic and multidimensional by nature and shaped by a multitude of events, interactions and sensory impressions, especially once the tourist is at the destination, generating tourists' engagement on social media networks. This study aims to measure the online destination image (ODI) portrayed in user-generated content (UGC) on social media by employing the sentiment analysis method. Data were extracted from Facebook and Instagram on the Visit Algarve social media profile. The Algarve region is situated in the south of Portugal and is one of Europe's most popular tourist destinations. The main results shed light on the relevance of intangible heritage experiences as triggers of positive feelings about the destination. Content shared about tourists' activities in the region generates more engagement in the tourism destination's social media. Tangible heritage received the lowest rated sentiment, and destination agents should strategically look into it as there are opportunities for destination management. Tourism infrastructure has the lowest engagement value; therefore, in terms of promotion, it does not generate interest.

The world is increasingly changing, with climate change, pandemics, and wars becoming key factors. The recent pandemic devastated the tourism industry, leading to a sudden collapse of the global tourism economy. Historically disastrous situations are well known for their impact on innovations and technological advances. Therefore, in light of the idea that disasters can act as catalyst for innovation and transformation, the researchers attempted to conceptualise new strategies in destination development and management from a perspective of tourism destination resilience. The findings contribute to research and policy-making and culminate in identifying six dimensions, namely technology and digitalisation, business model innovation, partnerships and coordination, tourist behaviour, domestic tourism, and sustainability, that illuminate innovative and transformative tendencies in tourism resilience. The study's outcomes offer comprehensive knowledge for policymakers, business planners, and students describing the use of innovative ideas and resilience strategies to adapt to and counter sudden disasters and adopt transformational shifts in business.

Many studies have explored corporate social responsibility (CSR) outcomes in different contexts, but few empirically examine its effects on brand reputation, employer branding, and performance, considering employees' perspectives, particularly in banking. Consequently, this study aims to examine how employees’ perceptions of CSR influence brand reputation, employer branding, and performance in the banking sector, highlighting the mediating role of brand reputation. A quantitative approach was applied using a questionnaire to collect data from employees working in different banks in Pakistan. 254 responses were collected and analysed using PLS-SEM. The findings indicated that CRS positively and significantly impacts brand reputation, employer branding, and performance. Both employer branding and performance are significantly affected by brand reputation, which in turn has a substantial intervening role in the connections between CRS and employer branding and performance. This study contributes to the extant literature on CRS within the banking sector. It provides practical contributions for managers and concerned stakeholders to better understand the consequences of CSR. Limitations and directions for further research are also provided.

This study comprehensively reviews the literature since 2000 addressing contemporary tourism and hospitality research. The research conducted bibliometric analysis and topic modeling using R software encompassing over 18 thousand articles published in the top journals (first decile) according to the Scopus rankings. Our investigation determines the knowledge structure of research on tourism and hospitality and identifies current research trends through the intersection of the co-occurring themes and topic modeling topics. The impact of technological developments, the significance of sustainability in tourism practices, and the investigation of visitor behavior and decision-making processes are among the focal points. Furthermore, our study proposes directions for future research through the identification of a number of interesting avenues for further investigation that will fill in urgent shortages in the area. They include making tourism more inclusive and accessible, making use of cutting-edge technologies, and utilizing cultural diplomacy to improve the sustainability of tourism.

This study explores the relationships between residents' attitudes in support of tourism, emotional solidarity with tourists and willingness to engage in pro-tourism behaviours. Residents' support for tourism hinges on their perceived benefits and costs, as influenced by theories such as the Social Exchange Theory and the Theory of Reasoned Action. Despite extensive research on residents' attitudes and tourism support, pro-tourism behaviours remain underexplored. This study aims to fill this gap by investigating how residents' attitudes and emotional solidarity, including newly added indicators of interpersonal connection, impact their intentions for pro-tourism behaviours. Empirical data from a sample of 4,026 residents in the Algarve region, Portugal, were analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results of this study not only offer theoretical insights but also have practical implications for destination management. These findings underscore the importance of implementing internal marketing strategies that foster a welcoming and empathetic attitude among residents towards tourists. The study's results become directly relevant and beneficial to tourism by fostering a sense of connection and appreciation for tourists among residents.

Previous studies have investigated brand love in restaurants but have not considered the dynamics of online reviews about restaurant brands. To fill this gap, this study aims to understand how consumers with a high level of love towards restaurant brands defend them in the face of negative reviews on social media. This research, carried out in a Brazilian context, adopts a qualitative approach, analysing 3,979 customer reviews sourced from Instagram through sentiment and categorical content analysis. From the dimensions of brand love, the results showed that customers who love restaurant brands react to negative reviews about them on social media, expressing their positive emotional connection with the companies and acting as their defenders. The study shows that for the restaurant segment, it is relevant to have consumers who love the brand once they help mitigate the effects generated by negative comments online. Furthermore, the research highlights how brand love manifests in restaurant brands' digital context.

Visual metaphors are utilised in advertising campaigns to convey knowledge more imaginatively without sacrificing context. The current study investigates the feasibility of using visual metaphors in green advertising campaigns promoting sustainable tourism in Egypt. Using a mixed-method approach, the current study is conducted in two phases. Phase one analyses the 2021 campaign "A Civilisation Inspired by Nature," utilising a checklist and rhetorical analysis guided by an interpretivist approach. A positivist approach was then employed to collect quantitative data by statistically evaluating the responses provided by the participants on the checklist. Two distinct groups were purposefully chosen: individuals with diverse knowledge backgrounds and experts in history and heritage. To ascertain whether there were any statistically significant differences in the participants' interpretations of the metaphorical themes, we employed independent t-tests for sample analysis. The results show that the campaign successfully employs visual metaphors derived from ancient Egyptian culture to convey the significance of valuing nature and sustainability. Nevertheless, certain difficulties arose in comprehending the metaphorical themes. The current study offers practical insights for marketers on the utilisation of visual metaphors in green advertising campaigns that promote sustainable tourist practices.

Sport retirement can reveal a host of difficulties for college athletes including minimal career preparation, mental health struggles, and identity foreclosure. While college athletes almost always note the challenges of leaving their sport behind, these challenges can be mitigated through transition programming. However, what types of programming are more useful, and for whom, is understudied. Through a mixed method survey, this study explored differences in access and impact of retirement from sport programming based on athletes’ (n = 707) demographic differences (e.g., race, division), through the lens of Goodman and colleagues’ (2006) three phases of transition. Findings revealed that Black athletes and those from working class backgrounds found programs to be more impactful than other demographic groups, supporting the argument for personalized retirement support. Additionally, Division II athletes not only had the greatest access to retirement programming, but also found programming to have more impact than other divisions. However, athletes noted that more programs are needed for every division.

Intercollegiate athletics recruiting is depicted by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as the “lifeblood” of college sport. Given the correlation between recruiting success and winning in college football specifically, and the relationship between winning and revenue generation, NCAA member institutions place the utmost significance on football recruiting. Within the context of football recruiting as strategic institutional work, college football coaches promulgate institutionalized logics through the indoctrination of prospective college athletes. To further conceptualize institutional work and logics in the recruitment of prospective college athletes, the present study sought to examine the evaluative factors college football coaches prioritize when recruiting prospective college athletes. Semi-structured interviews with 10 football coaches at Football Bowl Subdivision member institutions during the 2023 college football season reveal the strategic emphasis placed on football ability and football character in the recruitment of prospective college athletes.

Student-athletes receiving the ability to profit off of their name, image, and likeness (NIL) ignited an industry disruption in college sports. Brands using student-athletes for sponsorship became a main NIL activity. Student-athletes are attractive to brands because of their social media following and their authentic connection with fans, alumni, and youths in the community. Sponsors having a greater presence in college sports as a result of NIL raises ethical concerns on issues of student-athlete recruiting, potential negative brand associations for a university, and sponsorship revenue being diverted from a university and going to a select few student-athletes which could result in the elimination of some university sports teams. The study of business ethics is advanced by examining various industries, each with its unique variables. This article analyzes student-athlete NIL sponsorship activities by applying The Principles and Practices for Advertising Ethics provided by the Institute for Advertising Ethics. It is important to study ethics in the context of NIL because its marketing and regulatory implementation are still in their infancy. This timely ethical evaluation of NIL activities draws upon the literature that describes sponsorship principles, characteristics and motivations of sports fans, the economic and marketing systems of college sports, and an ethical standard. Understanding and applying these concepts can lead to more effective decision-making and better outcomes for student-athletes, universities, sponsors, and consumers. Adopting an ethical approach can inspire trust in the practice of brands using student-athletes for sponsorships.

The purpose of this study was to explore intercollegiate adaptive athletics program structures in the United States. As athletics programs can be seen as open systems, an open systems model of sport organizations was used to guide the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven participants associated with intercollegiate adaptive athletics programs. A qualitative description design was used to gain a foundational understanding of program structures based on the programs’ environments, inputs, processes, and outputs. Findings suggest intercollegiate adaptive athletics program structures are highly varied and complex open systems that are closely intertwined with their environments and have observable inputs, process, and outputs. This study offers foundational knowledge about existing program structures and indicates that intercollegiate adaptive athletics programs can be understood as open systems. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

The increase in research related to intercollegiate athletic coaching, athletes, and leadership continues to be of note within the sport management field. However, less is known about the position of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR) despite their important role to serve as a liaison between the academic and athletic units on their campuses. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine NCAA FARs perceived mattering, role satisfaction, relationship between the two variables, and the experiences and interactions that affected their perceptions of mattering. Three hundred and two NCAA FARs participated in the survey and results demonstrated that overall FARs perceived they mattered and had high satisfaction in their role. Open-ended responses expanded this sense of mattering by situating it within recognition for service, contributions to decision-making and communication with leadership, and aiding student-athlete success. However, when mattering was not felt, it was due to exclusion from leadership, lack of power, and a lack of compensation. Thus, practical and managerial implications are provided to ensure the role of the FAR is furthering the goals of both academic and athletic communities alike on their campuses.

College students continue to invest a good deal of time in electronic sports despite potential risks such as addiction, health impairment, and social isolation possibly outweighing the benefits of gameplay. This mixed-methods study examines the impact of esports on 38 collegiate gamers and further explores the students’ motivations, gaming habits, and the effects of their engagement on academic performance, social interactions, and overall well-being. It reveals that esports may be beneficial in the formation of friendships, reducing negative peer pressure, and enhancing social capital. Academic advantages are also prominent, with participants reporting improved skills relevant to their coursework, better grades, and an enhanced focus on academics due to the structured nature of esports. However, the study also addresses potential risks, including toxicity, addiction, and adverse health effects like sleep deprivation and stress. Included are critical considerations and policy recommendations for campus esports programs as well as future research directions.

This study aimed to investigate the German hospitality industry to find out which resilient business strategies operational managers applied during the COVID-19 pandemic and which are considered viable for the future. Drawing on a multiple case study approach, semi-structured online expert interviews were conducted with twelve operational managers from certain sectors of the German hospitality industry. A manual qualitative content analysis was applied to analyse data and to identify resilient business strategies for the COVID-19 pandemic through an iterative coding process. The study results show that operational managers applied diverse resilient business strategies within six areas: grocery shopping, food processing and menu planning, work environment and workplace, guest and customer world, marketing and sales concepts and under prospective perspectives. The business strategies are resilient, as operational managers responded to the crisis in a situation- and organisation-specific manner and implemented transformative business activities. This study provides valuable insights for organisations, managers and practitioners in the different hospitality industry sectors by identifying resilient business strategies in times of crisis. It also highlights what business strategies are considered viable for the future, which could thus serve as a blueprint for the hospitality industry.

This pioneering study explores the intersection between Neurotourism, defined as the integration of neurosciences in tourism, and the perception of tourism Brand Personality (BP) through the advanced use of psychophysiology techniques, specifically Eye-Tracking (ET) and Galvanic Skin Response (GSR). It analyses how tourism destination brand logos/combination marks and images generated by artificial intelligence (AI) influence consumer attention and emotional response. Focusing on the five dimensions of BP proposed by Aaker (1997) - sincerity, excitement, sophistication, competence, and ruggedness - this study highlights significant differences in how men and women process and react to brand values associated with specific cities. Employing a rigorous methodological approach and the application of non-parametric statistical analyses, the findings reveal distinct patterns of visual attention and emotional responses across genders, emphasising the importance of considering BP in the marketing and design of tourism destination brand logos/combination marks. This work not only advances theoretical understanding of tourist consumer behaviour but also offers relevant practical implications for tourism marketing and destination management.

This systematic literature review (SLR) explores current state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) methods for forecasting hotel demand. Since revenue management (RM) is crucial for business success in the hotel industry, this study aims to identify state-of-the-art effective AI-based solutions for hotel demand forecasting, including machine learning (ML), deep learning (DP), and artificial neural networks (ANNs). The study conducted an SLR using the PRISMA model and identified 20 papers indexed in Scopus and the Web of Science. It addresses the gaps in the literature on AI-based demand forecasting, highlighting the need for clarity in model specification, understanding the impact of AI on pricing accuracy and financial performance, and the challenges of available data quality and computational expertise. The review concludes that AI technology can significantly improve forecasting accuracy and empower data-driven decisions in hotel management. Additionally, this study discusses the limitations of AI-based demand forecasting, such as the need for high-quality data. It also suggests future research directions for further enhancing AI forecasting techniques in the hospitality industry.

This research explores the impact of authenticity and involvement on destination image, aiming to comprehend visitor satisfaction, experience quality, re-patronage intentions, willingness to pay more, and word-of-mouth. Structural equation modelling was employed for analysis using data from 394 visitors to Side, Turkey. According to research findings, authenticity and involvement positively influence destination image. The findings demonstrate that developing re-patronage intentions, word-of-mouth recommendations, and willingness to pay more can be facilitated through experience quality and satisfaction. Also, it is proved that satisfaction is positively influenced by destination image. Moreover, authenticity and involvement positively influence destination image. According to research results, to increase willingness to pay, it is imperative to offer a high-quality cultural tourism experience, wherein tourists gain knowledge about the heritage destination and enjoy the experience while deeply engaging with the surroundings. Furthermore, public and private organisations should design visitor experiences that consider authenticity and involvement to enhance destination image and increase customer satisfaction.

Domestic violence affects all social and economic classes and age groups, but this type of public crime has traditionally not been linked to the workplace. This study sought to provide a new perspective on domestic violence by focusing on how it can be addressed in work contexts. Qualitative research was conducted based on a focus group to clarify what companies in Portugal's Algarve region know about this crime and its repercussions for the workplace. The results include recurring themes, such as domestic violence as a taboo subject, the difficulty of detecting this crime at work despite extant well-established indicators of this problem, its repercussions for teams, unawareness of specifically related labour laws and the need to train and inform workers. The findings also cover two emerging topics – corporate social responsibility and occupational health – as intervention areas. Given these results, an action plan was developed to be implemented in organisations in order to provide support to employees who are domestic violence victims.

The analysis of the impact of Community Based Tourism (CBT) has revealed a significant divergence in assessments. This paper aims to analyse the factors contributing to the observed "Duality Dilemma" in CBT projects. The research seeks to leave behind a simplistic binary perspective that categorises CBT solely as either beneficial or problematic. The paper identifies three key variables contributing to this dual perspective: a) the Context Variable, which displays how the outcomes of CBT projects m can vary based on the specific circumstances in which they are implemented; b) the Methodological Variable, which underlines the importance of developing long-term and longitudinal fieldwork to avoid a biased analysis based on the short-term observations; c) the Paradigm Variable which takes into account that the researcher's theoretical framework inevitably shapes their focus, potentially emphasising certain outcomes over others. Finally, the paper draws on empirical evidence based on a 30-year longitudinal ethnographic study conducted on Amantaní island (Lake Titicaca, Peruvian Andes).

El presente estudio examinó las prácticas de capacitación en el sector hotelero de Bogotá, centrado en desarrollar competencias técnicas y blandas, y en la adaptación a tecnologías y prácticas sostenibles. Por medio de entrevistas y análisis de propuestas, se identificaron áreas de mejora, como la implementación de sistemas de retroalimentación y reconocimiento continuo para motivar y retener al personal. Entre los hallazgos relevantes, destaca la importancia de las competencias interpersonales para optimizar la experiencia del huésped, así como la formación en sostenibilidad y manejo de herramientas digitales. El artículo propone la creación de una escuela de formación interna que brinde capacitación continua y específica, y sugiere alianzas con instituciones educativas para fortalecer los programas formativos. Estas iniciativas no solo elevarían la calidad del servicio, sino que, también, permitirían al sector hotelero colombiano adaptarse mejor a las expectativas del cliente moderno, impulsando así la competitividad y la sostenibilidad.

En los últimos años, el componente mórbido ha ocupado un rol central en la atractividad del turismo en todo el mundo. Fenómenos como el turismo oscuro, el turismo de desastre o incluso en lugares de conflicto han sido elegidos por turistas como destinos destacados para sus vacaciones (Cakmak & Butler, 2019; Seabra & Korstanje, 2023; Seraphin, 2017). Desde esta perspectiva, el presente libro Battlefield tourism editado por O. Akbulut, Y. Etkin, M. E. Guler y O. Saribas, nos ofrece nueve interesantes capítulos que conectan al turismo de guerra o de batalla al campo emergente del turismo cultural.

La revista Turismo y Patrimonio presenta su número 23. En esta edición, los lectores encontrarán ocho artículos. De estos, seis tienen al patrimonio cultural como eje central y al turismo como una forma de uso que, ineludiblemente debe ser sostenible. Los otros dos artículos desarrollan temas empresariales vinculados al turismo y la hotelería, incluyendo a la sostenibilidad como un tema complementario.

Las transformaciones acontecidas a partir de la segunda mitad del siglo XX, impactaron en la apropiación y práctica turística. Como resultado, se asiste a un proceso de diversificación de atractivos y destinos, sumado a la creciente valorización del paisaje, la naturaleza, la tranquilidad y la vida saludable. En este marco, en Argentina se expanden y consolidan proyectos termales, al tiempo que surgen y se multiplican nuevas propuestas. El presente artículo tiene por objetivo analizar la coordinación entre actores multiescalares (públicos, privados y colectivos) que traccionan a Tapalqué como destino turístico termal, seleccionando un recorte temporal desde el año 2005 hasta 2023. Para ello, se adoptó un abordaje exploratorio cuali-cuantitativo a través del empleo de la revisión documental y la implementación de técnicas de observación directa, entrevistas a residentes, y encuestas a actuales y antiguos residentes. La información recabada permite inferir la existencia de procesos de coordinación entre actores, que podrían favorecer el desarrollo de procesos de gobernanza a escala local en el largo plazo.

Este estudio examina la huella digital del turismo en cuatro destinos gallegos clave (A Coruña, Lugo, Santiago de Compostela y Vigo) a través del análisis multidimensional de casi 27.000 noticias digitales recopiladas durante el verano de 2023. Empleando técnicas avanzadas de análisis de big data y procesamiento de lenguaje natural, se evalúan el volumen, audiencia, positividad y viralidad de los contenidos turísticos. Los resultados revelan asimetrías significativas entre los destinos en términos de presencia digital y percepción mediática, identificando atributos turísticos distintivos y patrones estacionales marcados. El estudio contribuye al campo del turismo digital proporcionando un marco metodológico replicable para el análisis comparativo de la huella digital de destinos turísticos dentro de una misma región. Los hallazgos tienen implicaciones cruciales para la gestión turística, evidenciando la necesidad de estrategias digitales diferenciadas que optimicen la visibilidad online y potencien las narrativas únicas de cada destino.

This article explores the platformisation of tourism encounters, focusing on platform-mediated free tours as emerging digital intermediaries. Despite their rapid growth, free tours face regulatory challenges and remain underdeveloped in the literature. Through literature review and systematic bibliometric analysis, we examine key concepts shaping this innovation in tourism platforms. Recent publications, mainly by European scholars, feature case studies of European cities in geography and hospitality/tourism journals. Content analysis reveals four thematic categories: economic, geographical-spatial, legal, and social. However, a coherent research agenda is lacking. We propose theoretical and empirical questions to guide future research, advocating for a conceptual framework integrating the platform economy, tourism experiences, and the encounter itself. This framework contributes to understanding tourism encounters within the context of free tours, emphasizing the theoretical intersection of these concepts..

Desde hace varias décadas las investigaciones acerca de las percepciones de los residentes sobre los impactos del turismo han sido un tema relevante. Sin embargo, existen segmentos en la población que son vulnerables a los impactos del turismo y que se han considerado poco para su estudio, uno de ellos son los niños residentes de los destinos turísticos, quienes deberían ser tomados en cuenta para lograr los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sustentable de la Agenda 2030, en ese sentido, el objetivo de este trabajo fue identificar información más precisa sobre el estado de conocimiento en el tema. Metodológicamente se realizó una revisión sistemática en dos importantes bases de datos Scopus y Google Scholar y se aplicó el método PRISMA con el fin de sintetizar los resultados encontrados en dicha búsqueda; para complementar la búsqueda, posteriormente se realizó una revisión de literatura tradicional. Los resultados revelan un vacío en la literatura al encontrarse solo 19 artículos que dan a conocer las percepciones de los niños, de su propia voz. Se concluye que se debe realizar más estudios considerando a los niños residentes ya que ellos en un futuro serán la fuerza laboral y estarán al frente de la planificación del espacio turístico.

El turismo comunitario, ha evolucionado de manera vertiginosa, generando expectativas en los turistas quienes han mostrado interés en practicar un turismo diferente, de convivencia con la naturaleza, con residentes e incluso desarrollando intercambios de tipo cultural y social. Esta investigación buscó identificar las formas de organización comunitaria y conocer los procesos de gestión del centro ecoturístico Yaxal Juk-Pik, de la comunidad Santa Cruz en Palenque, Chiapas. Se intentó definir como es que esta comunidad ha podido sobrellevar el reto de recibir a turistas nacionales e internacionales sin contar con la preparación académica adecuada, carecer de instrumentos organizacionales, falta de infraestructura, factores que generan escenarios adversos para hacer frente al reto de ofrecer servicios turísticos. Los resultados muestran que ante dichas carencias, los integrantes del comité del centro ecoturístico, han sorteado obstáculos que los mantienen en posición de mejora en su labor turística. Se generaron categorías de estudio como el turismo rural, el aspecto social, el económico y ambiental; se realizó el análisis usando Atlas. Ti, identificándose aspectos como la gestión colectiva y el crecimiento económico, la organización comunitaria y la participación colectiva; significa que las condiciones están dadas para que esta comunidad pueda seguir ofreciendo esta alternativa de turismo rural.

La complejidad de la actividad turística dificulta determinar un conjunto de indicadores que puedan ser aplicados de manera universal, para mejorar la competitividad de los destinos. El objetivo es analizar cuáles son los indicadores que diferencian la posición competitiva de los destinos culturales analizados y contrastar la posición competitiva de los mismos teniendo como referente la afluencia turística. Se realizaron encuestas a los prestadores de servicios turísticos de los destinos de Puebla, Oaxaca y San Cristóbal de las Casas. El análisis estadístico de clúster, la conformación de índices de competitividad y el análisis discriminante permitió identificar que los indicadores de condiciones situacionales, infraestructura general turística, recursos naturales y recursos patrimoniales tangibles contribuyen a diferenciar a los destinos evaluados

To create a memorable experience for its customers, the hotel firm must have complete control over the process, down to the smallest detail. This research aims to deepen the experience generation process, from a business perspective, by examining experiential encounters and touchpoints in detail. To identify the objectives to be achieved, both directly and indirectly, in each stage of the experiential process, it was necessary to identify the experiential encounters and touchpoints that generate value for the guest. Additionally, it was important to identify the key elements of a hotel customer's experience, the providers involved, and the managerial areas related to guest experience generation. After reviewing a large amount of literature, we conducted focus groups with hotel staff who are involved in the guest's experiential journey. We identified the main service encounters that occurred during this journey, which allowed us to identify the principal touchpoints, including products, interactions, messages, and settings. By managing brand-owned, partner-owned, customer-owned, or social/external touchpoints, positive guest experiences can be generated. Hotels must understand the process of generating guest experiences to improve them. This research provides a guideline that any hotel can use to manage the guest experience.

El patrimonio cultural inmaterial (PCI) cumple un rol social significativo en el mundo moderno, ya que enlaza a un pueblo con su historia, costumbres y tradiciones. El objetivo de esta exploración fue elaborar un estudio de sostenibilidad para el fortalecimiento del PCI de la zona norte de Manabí, Ecuador. El enfoque fue mixto, no experimental y de tipo no exploratorio. Se aplicaron técnicas de análisis e instrumentos para la recolección de datos, para obtener la valoración del turista con respecto al PCI del área de estudio. Ochenta y cinco expresiones culturales inmateriales se identificaron en el área de estudio y se aplicaron entrevistas a actores y gestores involucrados en el trabajo cultural de sus localidades. Finalmente se diseñaron estrategias para el fortalecimiento de las organizaciones culturales para la conformación de políticas públicas culturales, teniendo por enfoque la salvaguardia y la protección jurídica de los derechos y la sensibilización entre las comunidades locales.

En el marco de la sostenibilidad sociocultural es ineludible la importancia de preservar la diversidad cultural y promover el desarrollo sostenible en las comunidades latinoamericanas. Este estudio se planteó identificar y documentar la organización ejidal, las estructuras de gobierno y las prácticas de ecoturismo en el ejido El Palmito, Concordia, Sinaloa, México. El diseño metodológico fue de alcance exploratorio descriptivo bajo una perspectiva cualitativa, apoyada en el paradigma hermenéutico y el estudio de caso, observación directa, revisión de literatura y tres entrevistas semiestructuradas a integrantes de un comité. Los principales hallazgos testificaron que la organización ejidal contribuye en la preservación de los recursos naturales, la toma de decisiones y sus diversas acciones se planifican en torno a la práctica del ecoturismo. La gobernanza se distinguió en la equidad colectiva en tanto los miembros son portadores de voz y voto, las fuertes redes de colaboración de tipo gremial que se dieron dentro del comité, así como destacadas relaciones de tipo puente y vínculos con otras organizaciones no gubernamentales. Se evidenció la viabilidad de prácticas turísticas sostenibles en zonas rurales y el fortalecimiento de los lazos comunitarios, de sus tradiciones y prácticas culturales. El estudio amplió el conocimiento científico de un área escasamente investigada.

Este estudio propone un modelo innovador de turismo sostenible centrado en la promoción y preservación del patrimonio musical gnawa en el desierto de Merzouga, Marruecos. La investigación buscó desarrollar y evaluar un modelo de turismo comunitario que, fundamentado en la música gnawa, fomente la sostenibilidad ambiental y el empoderamiento local. Se planteó la hipótesis de que este modelo al integrar la música gnawa genere ingresos sostenibles para las comunidades, fortalezca la identidad cultural gnawa y reduzca significativamente el impacto ambiental del turismo en la zona, mejorando, así, la calidad de vida de sus habitantes. Para lograr este objetivo, se empleó un enfoque de investigación mixta que combina métodos cuantitativos y cualitativos. Se aplicaron encuestas a turistas y operadores turísticos para recopilar datos cuantitativos, y también se realizaron entrevistas en profundidad a actores clave de la comunidad para obtener información cualitativa. Este enfoque integral permitió un análisis holístico de los efectos y las potencialidades del modelo propuesto.

La identidad cultural en una comuna es crucial para preservar los valores que refuerzan el sentido de pertenencia y la cohesión social. Hacer una marca turística basada en esta identidad no solo estimula el desarrollo económico, sino que también eleva el reconocimiento de la localidad. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo desarrollar una propuesta de marca turística que refuerce la identidad cultural y promueva los recursos patrimoniales de Pile. La metodología empleada fue exploratoria y descriptiva, con enfoques cuantitativos y cualitativos. Se realizaron encuestas a 160 personas de la comunidad, y se llevó a cabo una exhaustiva revisión bibliográfica y documental para evaluar las condiciones actuales del área de estudio. Los resultados mostraron que, a pesar de una rica herencia cultural, el turismo no es una actividad económica prominente en la comuna, siendo la agricultura la práctica dominante. Sin embargo, se identificó un notable interés en el mercado por experiencias relacionadas con la historia y las tradiciones locales. En conclusión, el compromiso de la comunidad con la mejora y consolidación de su patrimonio como oferta turística permitirá un fortalecimiento significativo de su identidad cultural.

La literatura muestra múltiples estudios bibliométricos sobre modelos de negocio en diversos sectores; sin embargo, se ha prestado poca atención al análisis sistemático de la producción académica en emprendimientos turísticos. El modelo de negocio en estos emprendimientos es un proceso complejo que implica prácticas sostenibles y el intercambio de conocimientos y recursos dentro del ecosistema emprendedor. Los emprendedores en turismo suelen tener capacidades limitadas de gestión y organización debido a una comprensión insuficiente de los componentes de los modelos de negocio y su interrelación para fomentar la innovación y la sostenibilidad. Este trabajo tuvo como objetivo analizar la falta de definiciones unificadas sobre los modelos de negocio en el contexto del emprendimiento turístico y proporcionar directrices para el desarrollo de nuevos modelos y la gestión de los existentes. A través de un análisis de 71 artículos publicados entre los años 2000 y 2022, se identificaron 14 componentes clave agrupados en tres funciones principales: propuesta de valor, creación y entrega de valor, y captura de valor. Se concluyó que la integración de estos elementos es esencial para optimizar la competitividad y sostenibilidad, así como para impulsar la innovación y el crecimiento sostenible en el sector turístico.

Sport retirement is a major life transition that student-athletes must navigate successfully to achieve adaptation to post-sport life. Numerous factors dictate the likelihood of successful adaptation, one of which is athletic identity. Based on thorough review of the occupational retirement literature, it has been determined that adaptation can be measured by life satisfaction. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine how athletic identity impacts present-day life satisfaction and if meaning in life mediates that effect. Meaning in life can be separated into two categories, the presence of and search for meaning in life. Through a quantitative survey of 104 former Division I student-athletes, we discovered significant relationships between the search for and presence of meaning in life and life satisfaction. No relationship was found between athletic identity and life satisfaction. Thus, retrospective athletic identity does not predict present-day life satisfaction unless the mediating effect of the search for meaning in life is present. Additionally, group differences were measured between sexes, type of sport played (e.g., draft eligible or non-draft eligible), and predictability of retirement. There were significant differences on the Athletic Identity Measurement Scale between males (M = 36.1, SD = 7.9) and females (M = 32.1, SD = 7.8), t(100) = 2.55, p = .01.

Recent research indicates College Athletic Communicators (CACs) could benefit from more staff in the communication department (Elliott et al., 2023). However the request may not be supported by administration as additional staffing may not fit in the budget. Therefore, it appears imperative to evaluate no-cost options to alleviate the feelings of being under-appreciated and overworked. The College Sport Communicators (CSC) professional association may be a strong advocate for the profession and may have the ability to provide needed resources for those serving in CAC positions. Therefore, the research presented in this study aims to explore the perspective and experiences of CSC leaders to evaluate how to better serve the CAC profession with an understanding of limited resources. In this study, semi-structed interviews with CSC leaders were conducted. Data provided by the participants indicate ways for CACs to avoid burn out and how athletic administrators can work to support the profession.

Research regarding the benefits and detriments of the U.S. collegiate sport governance structure are mixed. Guided by Richardson’s Resiliency Theory (2002), former athletes (n = 215) revealed specific themes of adversity experienced during college with the most prevalent including injury, time demands, and coach-athlete tension. Through interview, athletes noted adversity promoted their resiliency, facilitated grit/perseverance, enhanced teamwork and time management skills, and led to other forms of growth. This study extends our understanding of the long-term impacts of competitive sport participation in this context. This understanding is important for administrators seeking to maximize participant experiences and emulate, enhance, or reform the U.S. College Sport governance model.

Open records laws have a significant impact on how college athletic departments operate and compete. This paper examines the current state of open records laws in relation to college athletics departments. The central finding is that the current set of incentives creates an untenable “race to the bottom” which undermines the public policy goals of open records laws. The topic of open records laws is significant for athletics department employees and other stakeholders. The foundational principles underlying open records laws can be traced back to the founding of the United States and are a critical aspect of democracy. However, athletic departments use a variety of tactics to avoid or delay providing documents in response to public records requests, and these tactics vary by state and institution. The incentives faced by coaches and athletics directors contribute to a situation where these stakeholders and lawmakers advocate for policy changes that ultimately undermine the public’s ability to access records relating to intercollegiate sport. The solution to this problem will require cooperation across states to enact a set of model rules that will level the playing field and restore the public’s ability to access documents produced by college athletics departments.

There has been a significant increase in mental health concerns among student-athletes in recent years. Several factors can contribute to this issue, such as inadequate sleep, social pressures, and the impact of social media. Among student-athletes, social media has become an integral part of their daily routine, particularly for those who aspire to pursue careers in sports after graduation. Self-promotion can be a great way for student-athletes to build their personal brand and connect with fans, but it can also increase the pressure and stress that student-athletes feel to maintain a positive image online. This study included 191 student athletes from various sports at one DII school in the US in one school semester. It emphasizes the importance of balancing self-promotion and social media use while being aware of potential negative effects and practicing proper sleep hygiene and time management. This study also touches on various other factors that positively or negatively impact the mental health of student-athletes, and the strongest significant negative relationships between self-promotion and mental health.

Prior research has examined perceptions by the athletic trainer, the coach, and even the student—athlete however it has not explored the student-athletes perception of the athletic trainer coach relationship and weather that impacts social support received. The goal of this study was to explore how the athletic trainer/coach relationship may impact social support through the perception of Division I intercollegiate student—athletes. Interviews were scheduled and held in places based on research participants’ choices. After 11 interviews had taken place, conceptual saturation was reached, and it was decided to stop recruiting research participants and interviewing. Data was analyzed using open, constant comparison, axial, and lastly selective coding. The results were consistent with previous research on athletic trainers and coaches being major contributors of social support for student—athletes. Our findings indicated a correlation between positive athletic trainer/coach relationships and a positive student-athlete experience overall. In contrast, it also showed a correlation between negative athletic trainer/coach relationships and a more negative student-athlete experience overall. While not the intended findings, our research also highlighted the significance of pressures faced by student-athletes to play while injured and the prevalence of mental health issues.