Virtual Reality, Mental Imagery and Visit Intention: Is Travel Inspiration the missing link?

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NEW Virtual Reality RESEARCH ARTICLE JUST PUBLISHED 

 
Assiouras, I., Giannopoulos., A., Mavragani, E., Buhalis, D., 2024, “Virtual Reality, Mental Imagery and Visit Intention: Is Travel Inspiration the missing link?” International Journal of Tourism Research https://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.2646
 
 

Abstract

The study examines the relationship between virtual reality (VR)-facilitated mental imagery and travellers’ intention to visit a destination. A serial mediation process through travel inspiration (inspired-by and inspired-to) is proposed as a psychological mechanism able to explain the positive relationship of elaboration and quality of mental imagery with visit intentions. VR users were recruited through Prolific Academic. The findings demonstrate that VR-facilitated elaboration of mental imagery increases travel inspiration and consequently visit intention. However, the importance of mental imagery quality is much lower. The paper contributes to the literature of pre-travel VR experience by exploring the role of travel inspiration.

 

 

 

 

 

NEW PAPER: The impacts of Metaverse on tourist behaviour and marketing implications

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NEW PAPER PUBLISHED ON METAVERSE

Kılıçarslan, Ö., Yozukmaz, N., Albayrak, T., Buhalis, D., 2024, The impacts of Metaverse on tourist behaviour and marketing implications, Current Issues in Tourism, https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2024.2326989

ABSTRACT Metaverse is expected to deeply affect the travel and tourism industry and requires a dearth of empirical research. In this investigation, two exploratory qualitative research studies were conducted to fill this gap. The first research explored the potential impacts of Metaverse on the travel and tourism industry by interviewing tourism academics. Findings revealed that Metaverse could be used for marketing, CRM, and HRM by hospitality organisations, while it would be useful for marketing and sustainability of destinations. It could also influence tourist behaviour before, during, and after travel experiences. One of the notable findings was related to the close relationship between Gen Z and virtual events. The second research identified the motivations of Gen Z individuals to attend a concert organised in Metaverse. Accordingly, novelty-seeking, escape, fun and excitement, and socialisation were the most significant push factors to use  Metaverse.  Metaverse-specific characteristics, accessibility, and availability were the important pull factors to attend a Metaverse concert.

 

KEYNOTES announced for the BOURNEMOUTH UNIVERSITY Digital Marketing colloquium: Exploring Artificial Intelligence, Metaverse and Web3 19-20 March 24 Bournemouth University https://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/about/our-faculties/bournemouth-university-business-school/department-marketing-strategy-innovation/digital-marketing-colloquium-2024

Posted . Filed under Research.

KEYNOTES announced for the BOURNEMOUTH UNIVERSITY
Digital Marketing Colloquium: Exploring Artificial Intelligence, Metaverse and Web3
19-20 March 24 Bournemouth University https://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/about/our-faculties/bournemouth-university-business-school/department-marketing-strategy-innovation/digital-marketing-colloquium-2024
JOIN US – ABSTRACT DEADLINE Extended to the end of February

NEW PAPER ON DIGITAL NOMADS Attracting digital nomads: Smart destination strategies, innovation and competitiveness,

Posted . Filed under News, Research.

New paper on Digital Nomads

Zhou, L., Buhalis, D., Fan, D., Ladkin, 2024, Attracting digital nomads: Smart destination strategies, innovation and competitiveness, Journal of Destination Marketing & Management, Volume 31, March 2024, 100850, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdmm.2023.100850

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdmm.2023.100850

Highlights

Digital nomads are an attractive market segment for global destinations
Smart destinations cater for the work, leisure & lifestyle needs of digital nomads
Digital nomad destinations innovate at structural and agency levels
International, destination-based & institutional stakeholders involve in innovation
Digital nomad visa regimes reinforce the global north and global south divide
Destinations assertively portray digital nomads as a homogenous group

Abstract

Digital nomadism, as a new form of tourist mobility, brings opportunities and challenges for destination management. To attract this new market, smart destinations need to innovate to develop readiness and competitiveness. This research examines 225 digital nomad destination web articles, from multiple sources and different continents. The study aims to identify innovative strategies and practices using semantic content analysis and hierarchical network analysis. It explores relevant stakeholders and their importance, and pinpoints digital nomad trends. Findings suggest that smart destinations cater for the work, travel, social, financial and basic-living needs of digital nomads. These are different from those of short-term leisure and business tourists. Destinations tend to portray digital nomads as a homogenous group, although different segments have been identified. The long-term impacts of digital nomads on local economies and societies have yet to be fully explored. The theoretical significance of this study lies in the provision of an agency-structural perspective of destination innovation and competitiveness. Practically, the study contributes to digital nomad management and marketing within smart tourist destinations.

 

Fan, X. F.; Buhalis, D., Fragkaki, E., Tsai, YR, 2024, Achieving Senior Tourists’ Active Aging through Value Co–creation: A Customer-Dominant Logic Perspective, Journal of Travel Research. https://doi.org/10.1177/00472875231214733 

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NEW RESEARCH PAPER PUBLISHED

Fan, X. F.; Buhalis, D., Fragkaki, E., Tsai, YR, 2024, Achieving Senior Tourists’ Active Aging through Value Co–creation: A Customer-Dominant Logic Perspective, Journal of Travel Research. https://doi.org/10.1177/00472875231214733

Senior tourists have their own travel behaviors and preferences and require specific resources from the tourism industry and the broader society. This study adopts customer-dominant logic to understand how participating in tourism activities can support seniors in co-creating values toward active aging. Interviews were conducted with 31 senior tourists and 16 tourism and hospitality service providers. Six value themes were identified from the interviews, namely, enjoyment, connectedness, mental vitality, independence, sense of belonging, and self-esteem. The six values were categorized into functional, social, and spiritual dimensions. A value co-creation nexus was developed with continuum- and development-oriented active aging as the two extremes. This nexus highlighted the differentiated efforts exerted by co-creators to create value and identified the value co-creation routines of stakeholders, their corresponding values, and their facilitators. Value co-creation activities were introduced into active aging with tourism as the context. The findings of this study can support the management of tourism services, promote inclusiveness in society, and aid in government policy-making.

Professor Dimitrios Buhalis has recently published a new service robots research paper based on a global survey in the hospitality industry

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Professor Dimitrios Buhalis has recently published a new service robots research paper based on a global survey in the hospitality industry

Pizam, A., Ozturk, A.B., Hacikara, A., Zhang, T., Balderas-Cejudo, A., Buhalis, D., Fuchs, G., Hara, T., Vieira de Souza Meira, J., García Revilla, R., Sethi, D., Shen, Y. and State, O. (2024),

The role of perceived risk and information security on customers’ acceptance of service robots in the hotel industry, International Journal of Hospitality Management, Vol.117, 103641 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2023.103641

Highlights

•Perceived risk negatively and information security positively impacted intention to use service ts.

•Self-efficacy negatively influenced perceived risk, and positively influenced perceived information security.

•Innovativeness and facilitating conditions were positively associated with information security.

 

ABSTRACT This study proposed and tested a theoretical framework that investigated the influences of perceived risk and information security on hotel customers’ intention to use service ts. In addition, the impacts of self-efficacy, innovativeness, and facilitating conditions on perceived risk and information security were examined. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the proposed model by utilizing data collected from eleven countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Turkey, Spain, Romania, Japan, Israel, India, Greece, Canada, and Brazil. The study results demonstrated that perceived risk had a negative impact on customers’ intention to use services ts while information security had a positive impact. In addition, the study results indicated that self-efficacy negatively influenced perceived risk, and positively influenced perceived information security; and innovativeness and facilitating conditions positively influenced information security. The study findings offer several important contributions to the hospitality tics technology adoption literature and present valuable implications for hospitality practitioners and service vendors.

Professor Dimitrios Buhalis was the distinguished recipient of the GREAT SEA AWARD 2023 – Research in Innovative Sustainable Tourism Solutions at the Mediterranean Tourism Awards.

Posted . Filed under Events and Conferences, News, Research.

Professor Dimitrios Buhalis was the distinguished recipient of the GREAT SEA AWARD 2023 – Research in Innovative Sustainable Tourism Solutions at the Mediterranean Tourism Awards.
This prestigious award, organized by the Mediterranean Tourism Foundation in Malta, was conferred upon  by His Excellency, the President of Malta, George Vella, during a ceremony at the Mediterranean Conference Centre on the 23rd of November.  

Left to right:
Andrew Agius Muscat, Co‐Founder and Secretary General, Mediterranean Tourism       Foundation
His Excellency, the President of Malta, George Vella
Professor Dimitrios Buhalis, Bournemouth University, UK
Tony Zahra is the President of the Mediterranean Tourism Foundation and President of the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association.

The Mediterranean Tourism Awards, established in 2013, exemplify the foundation’s commitment to promoting tourism as a catalyst for stability, peace, and hope in the Mediterranean region. These awards acknowledge outstanding achievements in various facets of the industry, celebrating and encouraging best practices in hospitality, cultural preservation, environmental sustainability, and innovation. 

The primary objectives of this awards program include fostering collaboration among Mediterranean countries, inspiring positive competition among tourism stakeholders, and elevating the overall Mediterranean identity in the world. By spotlighting noteworthy contributions and initiatives, the awards aim to motivate industry participants to adopt responsible and innovative approaches, contributing to the sustainable growth of tourism in the Mediterranean.

The  inclusion in the list of distinguished personalities from across the world marks a significant moment for the Mediterranean Tourism Foundation. The MTF represents tourism as a vehicle for peace, economic stability through its historical glory, as the cradle for the world’s civilization.

MSc in European Tourism Management Alumni returns home to Bournemouth University 30 years after graduation

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MSc in European Tourism Management Alumni returns home to Bournemouth University 30 years after graduation on Saturday 7th October 2023.

The European Tourism Management course was very unique. Students coming from Universities in France, Germany, Spain and UK had their introduction first month in Bournemouth together at the Bournemouth University student village. Then they spent the first semester, half of the group in Breda (The Netherlands) and the other half continued in Bournemouth. The second semester, the group split again, this time into 3 groups: Madrid (Spain), Heilbronn (Germany) and Chambèry (France) according to their second foreign language. Sharing that time with students from different countries was an amazing experience.

30 MSc graduates visited Bournemouth University this weekend for a great first reunion. They were naturally really excited and emotional with a lot to catch up, about their lives and work experience.

Professor Dimitrios Buhalis and Natalia Lavrushkina with current MSc student volunteers Dora Andriani Sinaga (Indonesia), Thi Phuong Yen Nguyen and Thi Thu Hoai Chu (Vietnam) welcomed the graduates, updated them about the progress of Tourism and Hospitality in Bournemouth University Business School and showed them the new developments in Bournemouth University.

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Professor Dimitrios Buhalis has recently published two new research articles

Posted . Filed under News, Research.

Professor Dimitrios Buhalis has recently published two new research articles

Assiouras, I., Vallström, N., Skourtis, G., Buhalis, D., 2024 Exploring how communication leads to value co-creation, value co-destruction and value no-creation during service mega-disruptions, Current Issues in Tourism http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2023.2259055

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the principles and the factors influencing interaction for resource integration during service mega-disruptions (SMDs) in the tourism ecosystem. Utilizing qualitative data from semi-structured interviews conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, this article reveals that interaction principles of willingness to exchange, access to information, dialogue, transparency, coordination, adaptation, and informed risk assessment lead to value co-creation (VCC). Failure to follow these principles leads to value no-creation (VNC) or value co-destruction (VCD). During SMDs, the most critical factors influencing interaction for resource integration are traveller’s safety needs, initiation of travel cancellation, sympathy, proactivity, omnichannel communication, the effectiveness of technology and employees as well as the number of involved actors. Forced indifference in VNC is uncovered, where firms’ constraints hinder their engagement despite tourists’ desire for interaction. This study contributes to the understanding of value dynamics during SMDs and calls for further exploration of multiple stakeholders’ perspectives in such contexts.

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Zhu, C., Fong, L., Li, X., Buhalis, D., Chen, H., 2024, Short video marketing in tourism: The theoretical lens of authenticity, celebrity attachment and telepresence, International Journal of Tourism Research  http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jtr.2599

Drawn upon Telepresence theory, this study aims to identify the relationships between existential authenticity, celebrity attachment, telepresence, and travel intention in the short video experience. Survey results show that existential authenticity fosters user attachment to celebrity and then travel intention, but has no impact on telepresence which is also not related to travel intention; Furthermore, celebrity attachment enhances travel intention. Although existential authenticity has no effect on telepresence, celebrity attachment mediates the relationship between existential authenticity and telepresence. This study offers insights to both scholars and practitioners, informing strategies for enhancing destination competitiveness through TikTok marketing campaigns.

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Artificial Intelligence’s impact on Hospitality and Tourism Marketing: Exploring key themes and addressing challenges,

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NEW ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ARTICLE PUBLISHED

Bulchand-Gidumal, J., William, E., O’Connor, P., Buhalis, D., 2023, Artificial Intelligence’s impact on Hospitality and Tourism Marketing: Exploring key themes and addressing challenges, Current Issues in Tourism, https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2023.2229480.

ABSTRACT Understanding how Artificial Intelligence (AI) impacts organizational functions supports stakeholders to prepare accordingly and profit from these developments. Adopting a grounded theory approach, this study uses three interlinked stages (in-depth interviews, focus groups and a questionnaire-based survey) to explore the impact of AI on the marketing function of hotels. The results identify ten trends related to AI’s contribution to hotel marketing, clustered in four themes. AI reengineers internal processes and procedures by enabling data and content as catalysts of competitiveness; empowering the augmented worker and performing mass personalization and customization. AI also impacts relationships with stakeholders by determining return on investment; improving sustainability; and governing legal aspects and ethics regarding data use. AI supports networks to which the organizations belong by concentrating and integrating organizations and transforming distribution models. AI transforms customer processes and services by engaging smart and predictive customer care and by employing predictive and augmented product and service design. The study illustrates the changes that AI will likely bring to hospitality and tourism marketing, developing a research agenda and raising discussion points for academic and industry practitioners respectively.

KEYWORDS: AI marketing customization personalization innovation big data

https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2023.2229480

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