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Article
Publication date: 13 June 2018

Gurel Cetin and Fevzi Okumus

The purpose of this paper is to investigate tourists’ experiences of local hospitality and offer a typology of Turkish hospitality based on perspectives of international tourists.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate tourists’ experiences of local hospitality and offer a typology of Turkish hospitality based on perspectives of international tourists.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with tourists visiting Istanbul, Turkey. Interview transcripts were content-analyzed and -coded under different themes that characterize local hospitality.

Findings

The research findings revealed 64 items describing local Turkish hospitality. These were grouped under four distinct themes: sociability, care, helpfulness and generosity.

Research limitations/implications

Using the factors of local Turkish hospitality identified in this paper, future studies might measure the impacts of these antecedents of local hospitality on tourist satisfaction and positive behaviors such as loyalty and word of mouth in a quantitative study. Exploring local hospitality in different destinations with different characteristics might also reveal valuable insight into variance and intensity of local hospitality.

Practical implications

The research findings have implications for both commercial hospitality and destination management. By leveraging the local hospitality elements in their operations and human resources management practices, the commercial hospitality firms might create strong emotional bonds with their guests and create loyalty through these relationships. Destination planning and management might also adopt the findings to facilitate interactions between the hosts and tourists for more positive experiences for both sides to emerge.

Social implications

Destinations exposed to heavy visitation may not have the same level of hospitableness toward visitors. Hence, impact of tourism activity on local quality of life should be monitored and managed.

Originality/value

Despite hospitality having been researched in numerous previous studies, local hospitality has not yet been fully explored in tourism. This study presents and discusses empirical findings and offers a typology of local Turkish hospitality.

Details

International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research, vol. 12 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6182

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 June 2023

Ibrahim Cifci and Gurel Cetin

The immature research endeavor on refugee entrepreneurship has not adequately covered the success factors of refugees. The current work aims to address this gap through the theory…

Abstract

Purpose

The immature research endeavor on refugee entrepreneurship has not adequately covered the success factors of refugees. The current work aims to address this gap through the theory of planned behavior and the theory of procedural utility to identify the success factors of refugee entrepreneurs in the tourism and hospitality industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The current work is based on a qualitative approach drawing on data from 24 semistructured interviews with refugee entrepreneurs in Istanbul-Türkiye.

Findings

The thematic analysis of the data set revolved around three interrelated themes: personal, organizational and environmental factors, which offer a better understanding of the elements defining successful refugee entrepreneurs.

Practical implications

The paper also offers various practical implications and policy recommendations for the economic integration of refugee entrepreneurs in the public and private sectors.

Originality/value

The results enhance the understanding of successful refugee entrepreneurship in their new hosting environment, contributing to the existing research agenda by identifying the key themes of refugee entrepreneurs’ success factors.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 36 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 June 2023

Merve Aydogan, Javier de Esteban Curiel, Arta Antonovica and Gurel Cetin

COVID-19, like many previous crises, proved once more that some hospitality and tourism organizations are more crises resilient than others. Despite increasing frequency and…

Abstract

Purpose

COVID-19, like many previous crises, proved once more that some hospitality and tourism organizations are more crises resilient than others. Despite increasing frequency and magnitude of crises, little is known about the features of crises resilient organizations and mitigation strategies they adopt. If the characteristics of such resiliency are identified, those strengths might be targeted. Hence, the purpose of this study is to identify characteristics of crises resilient organizations by analyzing the interface between different organizational characteristics, recovery strategies they adopted and impacts of COVID-19 on individual hospitality and tourism organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

A global sample of 202 respondents from 20 countries and four continents, representing different sectors of the hospitality and tourism industry, participated in the survey. Descriptive analysis and cluster analysis were used to rank the items and group hospitality and tourism organizations based on their crises resiliency.

Findings

Service quality, loyal customers, branding, high paid in capital, domestic market base, hygiene and safety image, information and communication technology adoption, product and market diversification and restructuring debts emerged as major characteristics and strategies of crises resilient organizations. Using cluster analysis, four different groups of organizations were identified. Based on the impacts of COVID-19 on these organizations, Cluster-1 emerged as significantly more crises resilient, whereas Cluster-4 organizations were significantly more vulnerable to crises. Their characteristics and mitigation strategies they adopted were discussed.

Research limitations/implications

The paper not only identified features of crises resilient organizations and successful mitigation strategies but also measured their impact on various performance indicators. Future studies might use characteristics, mitigation strategies and performance indicators identified in this study.

Practical implications

Based on the findings, tourism organizations would focus on strengthening characteristics and implementing strategies that make crises resilient organizations. Public bodies and destination management would also set their decision criteria based on these findings to create a more resilient tourism industry.

Originality/value

This research not only identifies how hospitality and tourism organizations are affected by COVID-19 but also how these impacts change based on different organizational characteristics and strategies. Understanding which organizational characteristics affect the crises vulnerability of hospitality and tourism organizations might inform risk and crises management literature and structural design elements in tourism businesses, hence offer both theoretical and practical implications.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 36 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 November 2024

Emine Keskin, Gurel Cetin, Ezgi Erkmen and Leyla Sisik

All-inclusive (AI) packages and meal plans have been an essential component of leisure tourism and received a corresponding attention from the literature, particularly in the case…

Abstract

Purpose

All-inclusive (AI) packages and meal plans have been an essential component of leisure tourism and received a corresponding attention from the literature, particularly in the case of package tours. However, the existing body of research focuses on the motivations, attitudes and behaviors of tourists, thereby neglecting the supply-side perspective. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the benefits and costs of AI systems from the perspective of hoteliers.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through 27 semi-structured interviews with lodging professionals through purposive sampling. This study adopted a qualitative research design and used thematic content analysis to explore the benefits and costs of AI system.

Findings

The thematic content analysis produced two main themes as facility-related factors and destination-related factors, which further classified as benefits and costs for the hotels and destinations.

Originality/value

This study extends current knowledge by providing a more comprehensive understanding of the benefits and costs of AI systems based on the hoteliers’ point of view, which reflects the supply-side perspective. The findings also offer valuable implications for industry practitioners and destinations to assess and manage the benefits and costs of the system.

Details

Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9792

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 31 January 2020

Zaid Alrawadieh, Daniel Guttentag, Merve Aydogan Cifci and Gurel Cetin

The purpose of this paper is to examine the degree to which budget and mid-range hoteliers perceive Airbnb as a threat, and the extent to which they are actively responding to the…

1923

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the degree to which budget and mid-range hoteliers perceive Airbnb as a threat, and the extent to which they are actively responding to the peer-to-peer accommodation business model.

Design/methodology/approach

The study draws on qualitative data collected through 19 semi-structured interviews with budget and midrange hotel managers in Istanbul, Turkey, covering how they view Airbnb and have responded to Airbnb’s rise.

Findings

The results suggest that the managers believed they were losing some business to Airbnb, yet they generally neither perceive Airbnb as a serious threat nor were they generally taking concrete strategic measures to respond to Airbnb. Regulatory lobbying against Airbnb and exploiting Airbnb as a new distribution platform were the most common responses, and cutting rate also was commonly seen as a potential competitive strategy.

Originality/value

The study responds to calls by several scholars for more research addressing the strategies adopted by traditional lodging facilities to protect their market share from Airbnb. This study does so with a specific focus on the budget and midrange hotel segments, which some studies suggest may be particularly vulnerable to Airbnb competition. Also, the limited research addressing Airbnb’s perceived impacts on traditional lodging has been conducted in mature economies, so the topic remains largely neglected in maturing economies like Turkey.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 32 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 April 2022

Gurel Cetin, Levent Altinay, Zaid Alrawadieh and Faizan Ali

A burgeoning stream of tourism and hospitality research highlights the role of entrepreneurship in bringing about positive social and economic outcomes for both refugees…

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Abstract

Purpose

A burgeoning stream of tourism and hospitality research highlights the role of entrepreneurship in bringing about positive social and economic outcomes for both refugees themselves and their host countries. Yet little has been done so far both in mainstream entrepreneurship research and tourism scholarship to explore how motivations influence perceived entrepreneurial success of refugees and how this eventually affects their subjective well-being. To address this gap, the present study aims to propose and empirically test a conceptual model postulating relationships between contextual and individual entrepreneurial motives, perceptions of entrepreneurial success and life satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

This study draws on quantitative data collected through 172 surveys of refugee entrepreneurs venturing in different subsectors within tourism and hospitality in Turkey and the UK. A structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the proposed theoretical model.

Findings

The results reveal that contextual and individual entrepreneurial motives have a significant positive impact on perceived entrepreneurial success. As predicted, perceived entrepreneurial success is found to have a significant positive impact on life satisfaction. A multigroup analysis involving host country (Turkey vs the UK) and mode of entry (founder vs takeover) indicates no significant difference based on host country, whereas the strength of relationships for takeovers is relatively greater as compared to founders.

Practical implications

This study advocates that the reductionist approach viewing refugees as temporary “outsiders” who are in consistent need of public provision, and welfare services should not prevail against their ability to achieve self-efficiency through entrepreneurship. Hence, policies need to be oriented toward supporting refugee entrepreneurial activities over various business stages and modes of entry. More importantly, ensuring high success rates among refugee entrepreneurs should be viewed as a pivotal tool to address the well-being of refugees, their families and their fellows.

Originality/value

While previous research identifies drivers of entrepreneurship success and the potential favorable outcomes, none of these studies empirically models refugee entrepreneurship motives, self-reported entrepreneurial success and life satisfaction as a distinct and growing cohort of entrepreneurs. This study makes significant theoretical contributions to the corpus of literature on the social outcomes of entrepreneurship and provides timely implications for policymakers to use entrepreneurship as a market-based solution to address refugees’ subjective well-being.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 34 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 28 December 2016

Eyup Karayilan and Gurel Cetin

The aim of this chapter is to offer a conceptual model for tourist experiences in the destination and suggest implications for different stakeholders in creating experiences for…

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this chapter is to offer a conceptual model for tourist experiences in the destination and suggest implications for different stakeholders in creating experiences for tourists.

Methodology/approach

This conceptual paper explores tourist experiences based on previous literature and through a brief case. A holistic destination experience model is also suggested including the role of DMOs, host community and industry which are considered under the overall experiencescape.

Findings

Literature review and analysis of case study suggest that the destination experience can be framed based on the roles of different actors in a destination. Characteristic of the destination and stakeholders do play important roles in involving tourists in experience production.

Practical implications

Findings might provide insights to DMOs and other stakeholders in the destination concerning their roles in creating a holistic positive destination experience for tourists which is crucial for differentiation. Future research might also concentrate on different elements of destination experience and interrelationships of different stakeholders.

Originality/value

Although there are numerous papers on experiences from individual services (e.g., hotels, airlines, restaurants) in the destination, literature on overall stakeholder and creation of holistic destination experience has been overlooked. This chapter offers a theoretical model that would assist policy-makers to design experiences in the destination by looking at the roles of different stakeholders and to improve the competitiveness of the destination.

Details

The Handbook of Managing and Marketing Tourism Experiences
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78635-289-7

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 August 2024

Jia Hu and Shuhaida Md Noor

The preservation and transmission of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) relies heavily on the interest and commitment of younger generations. In Sichuan, China, youths serve as a…

Abstract

Purpose

The preservation and transmission of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) relies heavily on the interest and commitment of younger generations. In Sichuan, China, youths serve as a conduit and steward to the inheritance passed down from previous generations. Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) studies have been advantageous in providing insights into a community’s knowledge, attitudes and behaviors towards safeguarding heritage. This study investigates the KAP of Sichuan youth regarding ICH.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed a quantitative methodology, utilizing a survey questionnaire on the KAP dimensions. The study involved 384 youths between the ages of 15 and 24 across 21 cities in Sichuan, China. Statistical analyses were conducted using both descriptive and inferential statistics.

Findings

The results of the study showed that Sichuan youths had a high level of knowledge of ICH and a high level of positive attitudes towards ICH but scored in the moderate range for ICH practices. There were significant differences in the knowledge of ICH among youths of different ages and education levels. In addition, there was a strong correlation between knowledge and attitudes, a strong correlation between knowledge and practices and a moderate correlation between attitudes and practices.

Originality/value

This study is the first to investigate the KAP of ICH among youth in Sichuan, China. The findings of this study suggest that several areas—such as ICH categorization (knowledge), approaches to safeguarding ICH (knowledge), levels of satisfaction with ICH safeguarding effectiveness (attitudes), ICH product purchasing (practices) and membership to clubs or associations aimed at safeguarding ICH (practices)—need to be further strengthened. Reinforcement in these areas will encourage positive behaviors and perspectives among the younger generation and facilitate in the management of ICH by institutions or organizations.

Details

Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2044-1266

Keywords

Content available
Book part
Publication date: 28 December 2016

Abstract

Details

The Handbook of Managing and Marketing Tourism Experiences
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78635-289-7

Content available
Book part
Publication date: 28 December 2016

Abstract

Details

The Handbook of Managing and Marketing Tourism Experiences
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78635-289-7

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