Mohamed E. Mohamed, Mahmoud Hewedi, Xinran Lehto and Magdy Maayouf
Given the increased importance of food in tourists’ travel experience, the purpose of this paper is to explore the current and future potential of local food and foodways in…
Abstract
Purpose
Given the increased importance of food in tourists’ travel experience, the purpose of this paper is to explore the current and future potential of local food and foodways in marketing Egyptian destinations online.
Design/methodology/approach
The content of 20 Egyptian destination marketing organization (DMO) websites was subject to a content analysis. A checklist was developed based on literature analysis. The frequencies of information related to food culture and cuisine marketing were tallied, followed by a qualitative assessment of contents from the various websites. The results were further discussed with DMO representatives to provide contextualized insights as to the future potential of utilizing local food and food tourism initiatives as a component of DMOs website marketing in Egypt.
Findings
The study noted some initial efforts for Egyptian DMO websites to market food culture and gastronomic practices; however, the results suggest that the usage of food culture on Egyptian DMOs websites is still in its infancy. The study also highlights the challenges that need to be tackled as well as the resources required for food tourism development.
Practical implications
This study illustrates the need and potential capacity of Egyptian DMO websites to market food culture and local cuisines (including traditional foods and table manners). These results are expected to help Egyptian DMOs to strategically embrace local cuisine and food culture as a vehicle for destination marketing.
Originality/value
This case study provides insights for African and other developing economies in their destination marketing. The proposed framework and guidelines are intended to potentially serve as a framework for destination marketers and entrepreneurs to optimize the tourism potential of food culture.
Details
Keywords
Ayman Safi Abdelhakim, Eleri Jones, Elizabeth C. Redmond, Christopher J. Griffith and Mahmoud Hewedi
The purpose of this paper is to explore the evaluation of cabin crew food safety training using the Kirkpatrick model.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the evaluation of cabin crew food safety training using the Kirkpatrick model.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a snowballing technique, 26 cabin crew, managers, supervisors and trainers participated in in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Summative content analysis was used to evaluate the data.
Findings
In total, 26 respondents from 20 international airlines participated in the study. All respondents agreed that evaluating cabin crew food safety/hygiene issues is important in relation to in-flight food handling; for example, “Training evaluation helps in the improvement of the future training”; “We have an end of course feedback form, either done electronically or on paper and that looks at how the delegates felt the training went, if they came away learning something new, if the environment for learning was right, all sorts of things; the questionnaire is quite comprehensive”; and “Every trainee is given a feedback form to complete”. However, significant failures in food safety training and its evaluation were identified.
Research limitations/implications
The evaluation of cabin crew food safety training shows that it is ineffective in some aspects, including learning achieved and behavioural change, and these can directly impact on the implementation of food safety practices. Evaluation failures may be due to the lack of available time in relation to other cabin crew roles. Further research may consider using a larger sample size, evaluating training effectiveness using social cognition models and assessments of airline and cabin crew food safety culture.
Originality/value
This is the first study that evaluates cabin crew food safety training using the Kirkpatrick model. The findings provide an understanding of the current evaluation of cabin crew food safety training and can be used by airlines for improving and developing effective future food safety training programmes. This, in turn, may reduce the risk of passenger and crew foodborne disease.
Details
Keywords
Mohamed Ahmed, Eleri Jones, Elizabeth Redmond, Mahmoud Hewedi, Andreas Wingert and Mohamed Gad El Rab
– The purpose of this paper is to apply value stream mapping holistically to hospital food production/service systems focused on high-quality food.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to apply value stream mapping holistically to hospital food production/service systems focused on high-quality food.
Design/methodology/approach
Multiple embedded case study of three (two private-sector and one public-sector) hospitals in the UK.
Findings
The results indicated various issues affecting hospital food production including: the menu and nutritional considerations; food procurement; food production; foodservice; patient perceptions/expectations.
Research limitations/implications
Value stream mapping is a new approach for food production systems in UK hospitals whether private or public hospitals.
Practical implications
The paper identifies opportunities for enhancing hospital food production systems.
Originality/value
The paper provides a theoretical basis for process enhancement of hospital food production and the provision of high-quality hospital food.