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Publication Exploring Ethnic Minority Workers’ Perceptions of Employee Well-Being in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry: An Exploratory Study(2020) Liu-Lastres, Bingjie; Wen, HanThe purpose of this study was to examine ethnic minority workers’ perceptions of employee well-being in tourism and hospitality. Based on tourism and human resource management literature, this study adopted a mixed-methods research design. Particularly, fourteen interviews were conducted, and a total of 414 employees in the tourism industry were surveyed. A series of statistical analyses, including exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, were performed using SPSS 25.0 and AMOS 26.0. The results confirmed the multi-dimensional nature of employee well-being, which is constituted of four dimensions, namely, professional/personal development, work-life balance, workplace happiness, and work benefits. The findings also revealed that the participation in corporate-sponsored wellness programs might affect how employees perceive their well-being at work. Based on the findings, this study further discussed both theoretical and practical implications.Publication The corporate environmental responsibility paradox: a multi-national investigation of business traveller attitudes and their sustainable travel behaviour.(2020) Walsh, Phil R; Dodds, Rachel; priskin, JuliannaCurrently air travel contributes approximately two percent of manmade greenhouse gases each year to the atmosphere and regardless of the introduction of fuel-saving technologies the increase in emissions from air travel is expected to match the forecasted three-fold growth in air travel by 2045[1]. This study investigates the behavior of 679 business travellers from Canada, Russia, Switzerland and the United States all of whom have travelled on business a minimum of three times in the year prior to the survey. Findings suggest that, irrespective of nationality, the majority of business travellers want to “do good” in protecting the environment, When it comes to contributing directly to sustainable travel, however, their behavior and levels of commitment are generally subdued with some distinct differences between nationalities. Special acknowledgement to: Jonathan Day, Purdue University and Oxana Belozerova, North-Caucasus Federal University for data contributions from the USA and Russia [1] International Civil Aviation Organization 2019 Working Paper - A40-WP/54 EX/21 5/7/19Publication Comparative Study on Disaster Prevention Consciousness and Evacuation Intention of Inbound Tourists and Japanese(2020) Choi, SunkyungIn Japan, inbound tourists reached over 30 million in 2018 with drastic increase and tourism policies for securing safety of tourists are gaining attention along with preparation for Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games (JNTO, 2018). However, there was problem in responding to evacuation of foreigners in past natural disasters. One of the reasons behind the problem is that there has not been enough study conducted understanding inbound tourist’s disaster prevention behavior and mechanism. The objective of the study is to understand inbound tourist’s disaster prevention consciousness, intended evacuation behavior and information seeking behavior and compare with Japanese. In the study, we adopted the measurement of disaster prevention consciousness developed by Ozeki and Shimazaki (2017a; 2017b) and Ozeki et al. (2017). This study is based on data obtained from online survey company during the February 16th to 21st, 2019. The findings provide the central government as well as stakeholders in tourism (accommodation facilities, transportation operators, tourism information centers, etc.) implications for detailed tourism disaster management planning to consider evacuation guidance and information provision.Publication Development of Beach Quality Assessment Parameters Based on Tourist Reviews(2020) Kang, Myunghwa; Go, HanyoungBeaches are popular natural attractions for holiday vacations and recreational activities among tourists and important tourism resources to tourism communities that brings valuable economic value. However, increasing pressure of the beach tourism impacts the beach coastal environment, negatively affecting both ecological status and the recreational experience of tourists. Massive amounts of tourist data, such as online reviews and consumer behavioral data on social media, have vastly grown and become a valuable source of information to understand tourists and support the environmental and marketing decisions of tourism destinations. To date, measurement parameters of beach quality perception, as expressed by actual or potential beach visitors, have been developed mainly by relying on the survey questionnaires on physical, social, environmental, and service-related aspects. Therefore, there is a need to define and assess the quality of tourist beaches based on visitors’ experiences presented in online reviews on social media. The purpose of this study was to compare commonalities and variations of beach quality between assessment parameters from questionnaire surveys and those from tourist online review analysis on social media and, ultimately, to propose measurement parameters of beach quality and prioritizes based on beach visitors’ perceptions and attitudes presented in reviews on social media.Publication How to gain accommodation managers’ support for accommodation tax? Exploring the mediating role of perceived fairness(2020) Ikeji, Takahiro; Yamada, YuichiAccommodation tax has been used to finance destination management in many places, but it has often received strong opposition from the tourism industry, especially the accommodation sector. Previous studies on accommodation tax failed to investigate the process of introducing this tax from the industry’s perspective, and mostly focused on how demand changes in response to the introduction of the tax. This study explored the accommodation managers’ attitudes toward the introduction of accommodation tax, using perceived fairness as a mediating variable. The results suggest that managers who consider their businesses to be in a poor economic condition tend to perceive the tax as unfair, leading to a low level of support for it. This study also found that managers who believe their peers (i.e., managers of other accommodations) are opposing the tax are likely to perceive it as an unfair tax, again leading to less support.Publication Growing the North Carolina Oyster Trail (NCOT): A mixed method approach(2020) Knollenberg, Whitney; Carstens, Mitch; Harrison, Jane; Yeager, Emily; Barbieri, CarlaThis presentation outlines a six stage mixed method process for the sustainable development of the North Carolina Oyster Trail (NCOT). The NCOT has been proposed as means to increase consumer awareness of and preference for North Carolina-grown oysters. In order to sustainably develop the NCOT this process utilizes both qualitative and quantitative data from multiple stakeholders to identify the supply and demand for the NCOT. The process is notably novel in that it provides the opportunity to pilot test and evaluate experiences that could be included in the NCOT. This mixed method process could be utilized in the development of other regional tourism products. The study as a whole advances the understanding of how food tourism experiences can be developed and consumers' preferences for food tourism experiences.Publication Initial Steps Towards Understanding Advocacy Planning Efforts in the Tourism Industry(2020) Knollenberg, Whitney; Schroeder, Ashley; Post, HaileyThis study seeks to identify best practices in advocacy planning among tourism industry associations in order to help all associations deliver services to their members. This presentation utilizes interviews with tourism association members to reveal factors that tourism associations should consider when planning for advocacy efforts. Using co-management theory to guide the qualitative data analysis, findings will focus on factors such as participants, components of the advocacy plan, resources needed for planning, and how these factors relate to the plan’s perceived efficacy by those involved. By identifying best practices related to these factors the study aims to advance knowledge of advocacy planning and the effectiveness of advocacy efforts for the tourism industry.Publication Can pilgrimage tourism impede climate change? A dynamic capabilities approach(2020) Senbeto, DagnachewAs one aspect of religious tourism, pilgrimage tourism can be considered as a powerful force to mitigate climate change and to promote sustainability in general. However, the existing literature on the relationship between pilgrimage tourism has tended to and sustainability focuses on either demand or supply-side perspectives apart from one another. Thus, there is a dearth of understanding about the interaction between religious organizations and pilgrims and how this type of tourism can be harnessed to tackle climate change and ensure sustainability. Drawing from a dynamic capabilities approach, this study aims to: 1) explore how pilgrimage tourism assists to curb climate change, and 2) assess factors that strengthen the dynamic capability of the pilgrimage tourism in combating climate change in the context of Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Draws from in-depth and semi-structured interviews with religious figures and pilgrims, the results of this study indicate that awareness of sustainability by itself is not enough, rather the combination of teaching and practice matter efforts to curb climate change but also to reinforce sustainability. The study highlights the potential of pilgrimage tourism to ensure SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) in the less-developed world context. Keywords: Climate change; Pilgrimage; Dynamic capability; Demand; Supply; SDG; Ethiopian Orthodox Church.Publication A reflection on using mind maps as a tool for grounded theory analysis(2020) Kachel, Ulrike E; Jennings, GayleQualitative data analysis can be a daunting task, especially for novice researchers, and there is no one way to approach this as research topics and approaches are multiple and diverse. Over recent decades, qualitative data analysis software (QDAS) such as NVivo or Leximancer have been developed to support researchers with this task. However, different software tools provide different functionalities and, at times, may limit empirical material/data analysis or can be difficult to learn in the first place. Further, utilising grounded theory with its different coding phases can add another challenge for novice researchers. This paper presents a reflection by a novice researcher on exploring different tools for qualitative empirical material analysis and an illustration of using a mind mapping software to refine concepts and codes within a grounded theory research project. By sharing this research experience, it is hoped to provide other (novice) researchers with insights into how to creatively approach research challenges and how mind maps can be used in new ways as a research tool.Publication Capturing Lessons for Sustainable Tourism Planning and Research: A Systematic Literature Review(2020) Rubinos, Cathy; Guerrero, Isabel; Cancino, Naara; Chereque, BrunoAlthough sustainable tourism represents a positive approach for community development, its practical implementation is challenging. Given that there is no one institutional recipe that fits all cases, it is necessary to cumulate knowledge from lessons from isolated cases where a combination of institutional arrangements and context-specific characteristics showed to be - or not - successful for tourism management. We address this need by performing a systematic literature review, guided by the Couple Infrastructure Systems Framework, a multidisciplinary approach with an institutional theoretical basis and applied in the study of different socio-ecological systems but not yet for tourism. Around 57 papers were selected, coded and analyzed. This study contains theoretical contributions in illustrating the adaptation of the CISF to the tourism sector, identifying knowledge gaps in the sustainable tourism management literature, and proposing a research agenda to addresses these gaps.Publication Comparing supply and demand perspectives of destination competitiveness(2020) Abreu Novais, Margarida; Ruhanen, Lisa; Arcodia, CharlesThe measurement of destination competitiveness usually entails the adoption of either a demand or supply perspective. The former comprises of collecting data from tourists while the latter involves supply-side stakeholders such as business owners and government entities. The overall aim of this paper is to challenge the idea of a choice between the two perspectives and to propose an evaluative framework that combines both: the Supply-Demand Analysis of Competitiveness. Its application is also presented and discussed using the city of Lisbon, Portugal as a case.Publication Millennials’ Use of Technology in Nature-based Settings: Understanding Value Discrepancy with an Integrative Approach to Technology Acceptance and Attention Restoration Theory(2020) Clark, Connor; Nyaupane, Gyan; Lichterman, AndreaAbstract: This mixed methods study compares perceptions of millennials and nature-based tourism providers towards technology use in nature-based settings. A survey of 276 millennials and public sector nature-based providers was conducted. Survey data were analyzed to compare between millennials and providers using an independent sample t-test. A focus group of millennials was also conducted to obtain rich qualitative data about millennials’ views towards using technology while recreating outdoors. The results show that both providers and millennials perceived that the use of digital cameras, GPS and video cameras enhance experiences, while the use of drones, talking on a cell phone and virtual reality technologies diminish experiences. Further, the results reveal that millennials perceived the use of augmented reality, Wi-Fi, and laptop in nature-based settings more negatively, while the use of drones and music listening devices more positively than the providers did. This discrepancy between millennials and nature-based tourism providers is discussed.Publication Tourism Experience and National Identity of China’s Middle Class: An Analysis of Their Domestic Travels and International Travels to Japan(2020) Zhou, Abigail QianIn recent years, the enthusiasm and purchasing power of the Chinese middle class have made China the world’s largest outbound tourism market and the top international tourism spender. How has tourism changed the consciousness of this socioeconomic group? This study examined Chinese national identity by analyzing this group’s domestic as well as international travels to Japan. Cognitive and emotional data of Chinese middle-class tourists were obtained through semi-structured interviews and their online travel blogs. Through quantitative and qualitative analyses, this study explored how touristic experiences of the Chinese middle-class affects their perception of nation and the construction of national identity. This study bridges research in tourism, national identity, and the middle class, among other related fields. It offers theoretical and practical suggestions for improving the images of the nation and the tourism destinations, and for expanding the tourism market in the future.Publication Are luxury and sustainability compatible? A Canadian social entrepreneurship case(2020) Dimanche, Frederic; Della Lucia, MariaSustainability is a pressing issue for industry. Climate change, the concern for pollution, the need to lower energy consumption, and the necessity to provide economic benefits in local communities are problems that the sector is increasingly aware of but slowly addressing. The purpose of this paper is to address sustainability in the luxury hotel sector. Can a hotel be designed to be sustainable while providing an experience that customers want to pay for at a high price? An exploratory case-study method was used on Fogo Island Inn, an award-winning hotel in Newfoundland, Canada, that offers a unique luxury experience centered around sustainability. Fogo Island Inn is a success story that demonstrates that a hotel can combine, with the adoption of a new business model, a luxury focus with strong environmental and social orientation. A luxury hotel may be both a social business and a community asset creating a shared value.Publication Immigration and labor in tourism: The case of Canada(2020) Dimanche, Frederic; MacDonald, CalumCanada has relied on a steady flow of immigrants throughout its modern existence, and that influx keeps growing. According to Tourism HR Canada, the increase in tourism demand leads to new jobs being created, especially in metropolitan areas. However, the current Canadian population is not able to fill the demand, and immigrants as a source of labor will become increasingly needed in the tourism and hospitality sector. The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the importance of immigration on the Canadian labor tourism market and its role in the tourism sector. Labor challenges are a threat to the destination competitiveness. This study relies on secondary data that were collected by Stats Canada. Increased immigration has a mitigating impact on shortages. Evidence strongly supports that immigration may be one of the major determinants to the successful growth of Canada’s tourism.Publication Is this about Feeling? The Interplay of Emotional Wellbeing, Solidarity and Residents’ Attitude.(2020) Wang, Sujie; Berbekova, Adiyukh; Uysal, MuzafferResearch has neglected to explore the role that residents’ feelings toward tourists play in influencing residents’ emotional wellbeing and residents’ attitude about tourism. This study proposes a theoretical model integrating emotional solidarity, emotional wellbeing and residents’ attitude. In order to test the proposed model, a survey of residents in China was undertaken. Structural equation modeling and mediation analysis were applied to assess the relationships involving residents’ emotional solidarity with tourists, emotional wellbeing, and residents’ attitude. The three dimensions of emotional solidarity were considered in the study: 1) welcoming nature, 2) sympathetic understanding, and 3) emotional closeness. Results indicate that welcoming nature, sympathetic understanding and emotional closeness directly influence residents’ attitude and residents’ emotional wellbeing. In addition, the relationships involving residents’ welcoming nature, sympathetic understanding and emotional closeness with tourists and residents’ attitude were all mediated by emotional wellbeing. Theoretical and practical implications as well as future research opportunities are provided.Publication Is accessibility enough? Exploring how inclusive tourism promotional marketing is for people with disabilities in Southeastern United States(2020) Benjamin, Stefanie; Bottone, Ethan; Lee, MIrandaGlobally, over one billion people experience some form of disability. The number of people with disabilities (PWDs) continues to rise due to an ageing population, the spread of chronic diseases, and improvements in measuring disabilities. However, tourism promotional materials continue to perpetuate a homogenous gaze catering to non-disabled audiences. Thus, informed by critical disability theory (Devlin & Pothier, 2006), and an inclusive tourism approach (Scheyvens & Biddulph, 2018), this study explores how PWDs are represented in tourism promotional materials, specifically tourism brochures, from the American Southeast. Through a content analysis of over 200 county-level brochures from nine southeastern states and interviews with state-level tourism marketing directors, three emergent themes were identified: ADA compliant is ‘good enough’; ‘Diversity’ means including more people of color or ‘ethnic’ groups; and Pets are welcomed but how about PWDs? The findings offer insights for inclusive tourism and breaking down the physical and psychological barriers that hinder PWD participation in travel and tourism.Publication A Tale of Two Restaurants: The role of the Chef in the search for authenticity.(2020) Gregorash, BillA Tale of Two Restaurants: The role of the chef in the search for sustainability. Abstract: Restaurants are an integral component of the tourism industry; tourists need food when away from home. The tourist always has options for sustenance, how this choice is made has become complex as it comes down to choosing between ‘the memorable gastronomic meal experience’, ‘the locally sourced gastronomic ethical food experience’ or the ‘fast food/self catering option’. The level of food quality and ethical sources are topics of this chapter. The ideology and perception of two Michelin star quality UK restaurants examined on their sustainability practices and food ethics. This position paper looks at how two restaurants that market ‘British Gastronomy’ as their primary fare uniquely viewed with regard to sustainability and ethical practices. A theoretical model presented positions restaurants according to the authenticity of their brand image and sustainability practices. An argument presented on ranking restaurants within the model and how consumer’s motives affected by sustainability practices and brand image in food decisions. The word ‘authenticity’ is a common marketing tag that restaurants like to pitch describing their experiences is considered in the model. Keywords: Restaurant sustainability, food ethics, food tourism, British food.Publication The Persistent Gender Gap in Canadian Hotel Operations(2020) Abassah-Oppong, Sonia; Holmes, Mark RobertAll over the world, women constitute over half of middle management and front-line positions in hotel businesses, yet they are marginalized at top management positions. To examine possible factors that drive this gender imbalance at the top-most administrative structure of hotels in Canada, surveys were administered to management teams of nine hotels in Calgary, Canada. The surveys asked questions pertaining to gender gaps in career advancement in the Canadian hospitality field as well as insights as to what could be done to reduce gender discrimination in the Canadian hotel field. Results show that organizational barriers are the most frequently indicated element restricting job promotion of all hotel workers, regardless of gender.Publication A Clustering Approach to Understanding the Impact of Multi-Phase Social Media Engagement at Festivals(2020) Barbe, Danielle; MacKay, Kelly; Van Winkle, Christine; Halpenny, ElizabethFestivals are integral part of the tourism sector that face unique brand building challenges due to their community-building purpose and the limited time frame in which they take place. To overcome this challenge, festivals are increasingly using social media to extend the limits of engagement by providing opportunities to continue interacting online throughout each festival phase (before, during, after). The purpose of this study is to examine how social media use throughout various phases provides different outcomes for festival attendees. Using cluster analysis, this study identified four distinct segments (Social Media Inactives, Real-Time Engagers, Offline Engagers, Social Media Actives) of festival-related social media users based on which phases of the festival they engaged. Findings revealed significant differences between the segments regarding their age, sense of community, and festival loyalty. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed.