Amitabh Upadhya

Bio: Amitabh Upadhya is an academic researcher from Skyline University College. The author has contributed to research in topics: Tourism & Tourism geography. The author has an hindex of 4, co-authored 11 publications receiving 42 citations. Previous affiliations of Amitabh Upadhya include The American College of Financial Services.

Exploring Residents’ Perceptions of Mega Event-Dubai Expo 2020: A Pre-Event Perspective

Abstract: This study explores the residents’ perceptions of economic, socio-cultural and environmental impacts of a mega-event (World Expo 2020) to be held in Dubai, as well as their level of inclination to participate in the event. The event organizers announced a requirement of thirty thousand volunteers to assist them in successfully organizing the mega event. Such events could prove to be landmarks in destination brand building and may lead to an increase in the number of tourists. The purpose of the study is to gauge the level of understanding about the event impacts within the resident population and their willingness to get involved in event organization. Priory studies of perceptions about the economic, cultural and environmental impacts of a mega-event, are well-nigh non-existent, especially for World Expositions. This study explores residents’ perception to get a fair idea of how they get involved in a mega event that will surely have profound impacts on the destination. Drawing on stakeholder theory and triple bottom line (TBL) model, the study uses primary data collected from more than two hundred fifty residents of the region, through a structured questionnaire. The data analysis follows a descriptive design supported by SEM and path analysis. Major findings indicate favorable and promising responses from the residents, and brings forth the scope to improve the level of involvement of the residents to make the event a success.

Sentiments and recovery of the hospitality sector from Covid-19 – a managerial perspective through phenomenology

Abstract: This study is an attempt to capture the impact on, and sentiments of hotels induced by, COVID-19 pandemic in the Emirate of Sharjah, the third largest emirate of United Arab Emirates (UAE) and also...

Creative Tourist Experience: Role of Destination Management Organizations

Abstract: The chapter explores the role and importance of Destination Management Organizations in managing the delivery of creative tourist experience. The study is divided in two parts whereby the first part adopts a qualitative methodology of exploration in regard to Destination Management Organizations and Creative Tourist Experiences while the second part is a case study of the tourism organizations of the UAE. The role of creativity in managing the total tourist experience is the core theme of the study. The study finds that co-creation of tourist experiences have a lasting memory value. Creative tourist experience can be achieved in the creative-theatre by a combination of designed aesthetics, choreographed activities and co-created souvenirs as the major elements.

What leads guests to satisfaction and loyalty in uae five-star hotels? ahp analysis to service quality dimensions

Abstract: The hospitality industry has witnessed impressive growth in the recent past. However, this has also led to fierce competition resulting in an enhanced focus on customer satisfaction. This study investigates and identifies critical service dimensions for five-star hotels in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The objective of the study is to examine the intricacies of customer satisfaction and loyalty with regard to service quality in the five-star hotels of UAE. Following a quantitative and empirical approach, the data was collected by a structured questionnaire and tested on Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Results support the impact of service quality dimensions on both Customer Satisfaction and Customer Loyalty. The "Personal Contact” dimensions (Responsiveness and Empathy) and the "Service Performance” dimensions (Reliability and Assurance) were found to be a significant factor impacting the perception of the hotels' guests towards Service Quality. The findings are useful particularly to the hotel industry to analyze the gaps in service quality and thereafter put more efforts into developing appropriate strategies for achieving customer satisfaction and customer loyalty.

Residents' Perceptions towards The Impacts of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to examine the host residents' perceptions towards the 2008 Beijing Olympics and its impacts. A scale comprising 20 impact items with four factors, namely: social-psychological impacts; urban development impacts; economic development impacts; and social life impacts was developed. The majority of local respondents perceived the impacts of the Olympic Games very positively, particularly with those related to the social-psychological, urban development, and economic development factors. Residents' perceptions towards some social life impacts (e.g. inconvenience caused by increased traffic congestion, overcrowding, and higher prices) were mixed. Based on their different social representations (i.e. perceptions towards the impacts of the Olympic Games), residents were classified into two groups: 'favourers' and 'ambivalents'. It was noted that residents' political self-identification (attitudes about government performance), their preference of more tourism development, and personal tourism industry work experience were the three most significant factors that influenced residents' perceptions towards the Beijing 2008 Olympics.