Exploring home-based accommodation operators' responses to Covid-19: Implications of untact hospitality adoption

Unlike the mainstream research conducted on the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts on both large-scale tourism and hospitality firms, and also at the destination level, the current study focused on home-based accommodations in Iran which have experienced rapid development throughout the country. In-depth interviews with a number (n = 45) of such accommodation operators revealed that due to their perceived high vulnerability to the pandemic and self-protection, they adopted “untact hospitality”, thereby decreasing their direct interaction with guests. Looking through the lens of Protection Motivation Theory, four main themes were explored: motivations to work in the hospitality industry; local accommodation operators' perception of threat; coping appraisal; and protection behavior intention. The results revealed that many local ventures were unable to survive, leading to the bankruptcy of such units throughout the country. With few exceptions, the public sector's responses to the pandemic, and the hospitality sector's measures, were generally unsuccessful in managing the health crisis. The current study contributes to the risk, crisis preparation and crisis management of hospitality organizations at the local level in the context of their health protection motivation behavior.     

历史文化街区业态特征及其影响因素研究——以长沙太平街为例

历史文化街区业态的特征是市场规律的体现。本研究以长沙太平街历史文化街区实地调研数据为主,网络平台相关数据为辅,对商铺业态分类,从多个视角透视街区业态特征,运用无序多分类逻辑回归,探讨业态类型的影响因素。研究发现：（1）历史文化街区商铺业态类型可优化为餐饮、购物、住宿、游览娱乐和其他5个大类15个中类;（2）业态水平空间分布表现出商铺面积规模的插花分布现象和业态两两组合的多样化特点,业态垂直空间分布由低层向高层表现出商铺数量、业态种类递减,商铺面积规模递增,业态多样性弱化、集中性强化的态势;（3）业态空间集聚表现出街巷入口、尽头的垂直分布集聚和商铺面积规模的“集聚-分异”现象;（4）商铺面积规模、街巷类型和集体记忆表征水平变量显著影响业态类型,饮品、小吃、服装、特产、住宿类型业态布局与街巷类型变量存在显著相关关系,特产、饰品、住宿类型业态布局与商铺面积规模变量存在显著相关关系,服装、娱乐类型业态布局与集体记忆表征水平变量存在显著相关关系。     

Towards Strategic Intent: Perceptions of disability service provision amongst hotel accommodation managers

The tourism sector globally has become increasingly mindful of how an ageing population is reshaping service provision forms and offerings. This being particularly true of accommodation operations where there is a now a growing recognition of the commercial value for providing market groups with exceptional service. With this in mind, this study sought to ascertain the perceptions of managers in the accommodation sector towards disability service provision with a view to identifying any current service gaps or failings. An inductive, qualitative approach was used with the data collection phase incorporating a series of one on one interviews and a focus group. The in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 managers of hotels deemed to have accessible rooms that complied with the relevant building codes and standards. A focus group comprised 22 managers of hotels located in the Sydney central business district, Australia. Study findings revealed five key themes that had not been previously discussed in the literature. They were: inclusive attitudinal approach; safety; the responsibility of people with a disability to communicate their needs to the hotel; perceptions of accessible rooms by the general public; and operational processes. Related themes that emerged from the data analysis that had previously been aligned with the literature included: legislative responsibility, policy and building codes; disability as a market segment; staff awareness/training; and language, marketing, and promotion information. Implications with respect to management of accessible rooms in the accommodation sector are outlined and further areas of research are proposed.     

Constructing Taiwan's Low-Carbon Tourism Development Suitability Evaluation Indicators

This study aimed to construct an operable, monitorable, and quantifiable low-carbon tourism development suitability evaluation model. This paper presents quantitative indicator standardization. Delphi and fuzzy analytic hierarchy process methods were used for data collection and carrying out the corresponding weight analysis. Through abundant literature review and expert interviews, this study constructed an objective and quantitative evaluation model, consisting of 6 aspects and 16 evaluation categories with 53 indicators that were significant to develop low-carbon tourism. The six aspects include transportation, travel agencies, hotel accommodation, destinations, local communities, and food service. This study also used Yilan Taiwan, a low-carbon tourism county, as an example, and carried out a comprehensive assessment, providing advice for developing low-carbon travel. This model can be used for evaluating the development of low-carbon tourism not only in Taiwan but in all places that aspire to promote low-carbon tourism development.     

Tourist accommodation in Spain 1971–1981

This article presents an analysis of the spatial distribution and structure of the tourist accommodation supply in Spain throughout the 1970s. The analysis demonstrates substantial growth in tourist accommodation on a national scale with little change in the pattern of spatial differentiation. There was also found to be more variety in accommodation provision than is indicated by Spain's package-holiday image. Further diversification should stimulate market demand, and with this aim the Spanish government is promoting inland destinations in an effort to change the “sun-sand-sea” market image.     

Corporate social responsibility in times of need: Community support during the COVID-19 pandemics

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the hotel sector has engaged in various corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives to show solidarity with local communities. Our research examines the impact of such initiatives on tourists' intentions to spread positive word-of-mouth (WOM) and their intentions to visit when the current pandemic ends. Our experimental results suggest community support in the form of providing free accommodation to homeless people increases tourists' intentions to spread positive WOM, bringing reputational benefits. But such initiatives reduce tourists’ intentions to visit, presenting potential business risks. Our results further suggest that community support in the form of providing free accommodation to medical professionals has little impact, as it shows no significant difference to control (no CSR initiatives).     

Price formation and market segmentation in seaside accommodations

This paper analyses key factors that determine holiday accommodation prices in Ibiza (Spain), one of the major tourist destinations in the Mediterranean. The paper argues that prices depend on hotel category, accommodation regime and geographical location. The companies that offer accommodation constitute a market dominated by monopolistic competition and characterized by a progressive product differentiation. Using a multiple regression model, tangible characteristics of each establishment are used as explanatory variables of price. In practice, we will attempt to operate with the minimum number of characteristics that give sufficient explanatory power.     

Family Life Cycle and Cohort Effects:

This paper discusses various aspects of travel patterns with respect to the family life cycle (FLC). A modernized FLC is proposed which reduces the number of non-classifiable cases. Based on longitudinal data, the paper explores not only the dependence of destination choice, seasonality, choice of accommodation, and transportation on the FLC, but also differences between three cohorts. It is concluded that that the FLC affects travel pattern considerably, however, other influences such as the cohort effect should be given more consideration. It is argued that longitudinal approaches can be valuable additions to the commonly used cross0sectioanl inquires in market research and positioning.     

Tourist Local Systems and Territorial Development

Abstract

The spreading of the globalisation process is actually modifying the traditional spatial pattern including tourist field organization. The traditional territorial structure of the tourist region is being remodelled at local level in new systemic, self-creating, self-regulating and self-promoting entities in a constant connection with a supra-regional reality.

In Italy strictly tourist areas are being replaced by new territorial entities which can have the structure of tourist local systems, productive microcosms based on local relational networks involving municipalities, enterprises, tourist associations and other local stakeholders of the territorial system. So the spatial dimension of tourism is now influenced by local organizational models no more based on administrative units or traditional tourist regions but rather on spaces created by relationships among local actors.

Such a self-structured development of local tourist systems is being observed in Sicily too, under the dynamic pressures expressed by the world market of vacations. Public and private organizations are joining forces to promote territorial development in recognition of their organizing abilities and of the sustainable progress perspectives of their spatial aggregation.     

Worldwide hedonic prices of subjective characteristics of hostels

An overnight at an accommodation establishment might be understood as a package of several different items. Since they are not traded separately in the market, their values for the consumer are difficult to measure. On the other hand, this information is be useful for managers to develop better strategies regarding the mix of services and facilities of their establishments. Analytical decomposition of total prices by different characteristics can be done through hedonic price techniques. In this paper, hedonic prices are used to analyze the impact of different characteristics on prices of hostels. Accommodation prices of more than 8000 hostels worldwide are explained by their characteristics as rated by guests. Results show that the most relevant characteristics are cleanliness, location and facilities.     

Participative co-creation of archaeological heritage: Case insights on creative tourism in Alentejo,Portugal

This paper focuses on the creative ingenuity of tourism providers in storying and providing varied readings of archaeological sites that have been physically lost. In conceptualising providers' efforts in mobilising (in)tangible aspects of archaeological heritage to accord them an inimitable identity and visible presence, we draw upon research on creativity and creative tourism. Our findings reveal how innovative meaning-making opportunities transform archaeological heritage into a valuable creative tourism resource that can be used to enhance the market appeal of local products and resources through theming and creative storytelling. Overall, this study contributes to nascent work on participative co-creation of archaeological heritage that can serve as an effective means of creating meaningful interpretive experiences at cultural tourism destinations.     

Scale and scope economies of international tourist hotels in Taiwan

Based on the survey data of Taiwan's international tourist hotels in 2000, this paper applies Zellner's seemingly unrelated regression technique to a simultaneous system of a translog multi-product cost function and its corresponding factor share equations to investigate the extents of scale and scope economies of Taiwan's international tourist hotels. The empirical results show that product-specific scale economies exist for accommodation, food and beverage, as well as other services. Ray scale economies are significantly present. Economies of scope exist in providing food and beverage and other services jointly, as well as accommodation and food and beverage services jointly. However, economies of scope may not be present when accommodation and other services are jointly provided.     

The non-inclusive nature of ‘all inclusive’ economics: Paradoxes and possibilities of the resort complex

The ‘All Inclusive’ (AI) concept has revolutionized package hospitality services and captured the attention of many industry stakeholders. Scholars have mostly investigated AI from the marketing perspective, whereas the economic ramifications of this type of product, for both hospitality operators and local communities, are still a barren landscape. Using a mixture of quantitative analysis techniques, including a two-step cluster analysis and econometric modeling, the study aims to enhance our conceptual capital pertaining to the economic impact of AI for local communities. The study focuses on overall tourists' spending, both within and outside their accommodation, with expenditure segmented into seven study-specific categories that highlight the economic specificities of AI. Findings, of interest to industry stakeholders, revealed the problematic and ambiguous status of AI provision in Cyprus, whereas actions, espousing the principles of cluster theories, that could maximize the economic contribution of AI to local economies are suggested.     

Key Components for Organizing Architectural Tours in Isfahan,Iran

Architectural heritage attracts many tourists due to its aesthetic features and celebrities. Architourism as a new niche tourism strives to attract those who are interested in architectural heritage. This paper highlights the introduction of Isfahan city (Iran) as a new architourism destination. This research also has three other major purposes: (1) to identify the attractions for promoting architourism in Isfahan; (2) to investigate the key components for organizing architectural tours; and (3) to introduce architectural tour packages. Using a qualitative method clearly shows that demography, visitor/tourist interest, motivation and expertise, the time and duration of the visit, providing special tourism facilities, organizing educational and research activities and marketing are key components in organizing architectural tours. The results also illustrated that Isfahan has buildings, urban collections and historical textures that can be attractions for promoting architourism. Further analysis illustrated that Isfahan city has potential to organize architectural tours with 16 themes.     

Collective tourism social entrepreneurship: A means for community mobilization and social transformation

Communities depicted by lack of opportunities for development often look to tourism initiatives as a means to combine economic growth and community building. Such activity highlights a nexus between tourism, social entrepreneurship and community development. This nexus has been investigated somewhat in tourism literature, but lacks empirical backing, as well as theoretical refinement. We argue that a collective perspective on social entrepreneurship in the tourism context is needed, and introduce a concept and framework for ‘Collective Tourism Social Entrepreneurship’. We investigate how these principles are utilized by local communities to combat depopulation and deterioration in two Danish destinations, and find that the proposed process can create (social) value even if the expected result is never reached.     

Impacts of Covid-19 on peer-to-peer accommodation platforms: Host perceptions and responses

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought international tourism at a standstill. Peer-to-peer (P2P) accommodation, in particular, has been greatly affected with platforms being heavily criticised for lacking a strategic response to users’ needs. Drawing from semi-structured interviews with P2P accommodation hosts, this study aims to explore: a) their perceptions of the short-term impacts of the pandemic on their hosting practice, b) their responses to the pandemic and c) their perceptions of the long-term impacts of the pandemic on the P2P accommodation sector. The study offers a continuum of host pandemic responses which illustrates different types of hosts in relation to their market perspective and intention to continue hosting on P2P platforms. The continuum carries theoretical implications as it offers insights to academics exploring crisis impacts on P2P accommodation. It is also of practical value to platforms and practitioners as it may lead to improved crisis management strategies.     

Start-up Factors for Small and Medium-sized Accommodation Businesses in Sabah,Malaysia: Push and Pull Factors

This article identifies start-up factors for small and medium-sized accommodation (SMSA) businesses. Using the Heider theory, it explains the push and pull factor start-up motives in SMSA businesses. The purpose of this research was to indentify the underlying motivational factors and the primary motivational factors of SMSA operators. This topic was chosen owing to the fact that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play an important role as key drivers of employment and economic growth in most countries, especially in Malaysia. The results show there is a wide range of these start-up factors related to the tradition of business operation, resources, location, market opportunities and the desires of individuals. The findings show that key start-up factors are driven by pull factors – namely, family business, availability and readiness of resources (land, building), market potential and opportunity of accommodation business, strategic location, the influence of friends and family, and profitability. Conversely, the key start-up factors related to push factors that emerged in this study include personal attitude, previous working experience in the accommodation business, personal interest and retirement. The findings provide an insight into the understanding of the start-up factors for small and medium-sized accommodation businesses, and add to the existing literature on start-up factors for small and medium-sized accommodation businesses from pull and push factors. They implicate the growth of small and medium-sized accommodation businesses in Sabah and, subsequently, may affect the SMEs' development policies in accommodation businesses.     

Defining an emerging tourism industry sub-sector: Who are the strata titled tourism accommodation stakeholders?

This study represents the first providing a definition of the strata titled tourism accommodation (STTA) sub-sector of the tourism industry. This definition is achieved by identifying the stakeholders that collectively comprise the sub-sector. There is a paucity of prior research concerned with this increasingly significant form of tourism accommodation (Pizam, 2006). This is despite the significance of accommodation to the tourism economy (Cooper et al., 1998) and STTA's rapid growth (Guilding et al., 2005). Stakeholder theory has been drawn upon to explore, identify and classify the key players involved in the Australian STTA sector. The study also provides a commentary on the different STTA roles played by the stakeholders and the nature and extent of their perceived engagement with the tourism industry.     

Islamic beliefs and host-guest relationships in Iran

This study examines how Islamic beliefs affect host-guest interactions from the perspectives of local people in two Islamic heritage villages in Iran. Face-to-face interviews with 51 people across the two settings highlight the significant influence of Islamic beliefs on host-guest interactions and indicate that these beliefs can be supportive of tourism. However, religiosity also significantly influenced the nature of resident interaction with tourists. The result also showed that whether villagers were of the Sunni and Shia Islamic traditions had little difference to villagers’ perceptions of host-guest encounters. In addition to religion the host-guest interactions were influenced by traditional Iranian culture with respect to hospitality.     

Hotels and restaurants—are the risks rewarded? Evidence from Norway

The purpose of this paper is to apply accounting-based risk measures to describe and compare the risk involved in accommodation and restaurants to three other industries. It is found that the variation in earnings is particularly high in construction, but also significant in accommodation and restaurants. The volatility in construction is caused by variance in sales. Construction companies experience low profits when the economy is depressed, while earnings boom when the economy progresses. On the other hand, earnings in retail are stable. It appears that retailing provides low risk and steady profits.The sales variance in accommodation and restaurants is fairly low. The high variability in earnings is mainly caused by operational and financial leverage. Despite the high total risk, hotels and restaurants earn less profit than the other industries examined. Apparently, the market does not reward self-inflicted risk induced by high leverage. Perhaps Norwegian accommodation providers and restaurant keepers have concerns other than maximising profit and minimising risk, and owners’ lifestyles are reflected in the financial accounts. An alternative explanation might be that the accommodation/catering sector has had unrealistic expectations in the period covered by the research.