Tourism Management Perspectives

Abstract: The growing role of social media in tourism has been increasingly an emerging research topic. Social media plays a significant role in many aspects of tourism, especially in information search and decision-making behaviours, tourism promotion and in focusing on best practices for interacting with consumers. Leveraging off social media to market tourism products has proven to be an excellent strategy. This study reviews and analyses the research publications focusing on social media in tourism. Through a comprehensive literature review, this paper identifies what we know about social media in tourism, and recommends a future research agenda on the phenomenon. The paper suggests that research on social media in tourism is still in its infancy. It is critical to encourage comprehensive investigation into the influence and impact of social media (as part of tourism management/marketing strategy) on all aspects of the tourism industry including local communities, and to demonstrate the economic contribution of social media to the industry.

Abstract: This study provides empirical evidence of self-reported impacts of selected electronic and other information sources on international tourists' destination choices regarding a popular, mature and mainstream summer holiday location. It is shown that traditional information provisions such as direct word-of-mouth, Web 1.0 sources and own experience are highly resilient and influential when tourists to a well-known destination area decide where to spend their summer holiday. Moreover, results indicate a complementary nature of Web 1.0 and Web 2.0. In this context of destination decision-making, utilitarian information values seem more relevant than socialisation opportunities.

Abstract: Tourism recognizes the growing interest in Halal tourism from both the perspectives of industry and research. Halal tourism can be summarized by any object or action which is permissible to use or engage in tourism industry, according to Islamic teachings. Therefore, the success of developing and marketing Halal tourism destination must be guided by the adoption of Islamic teachings and principles in all aspects of tourism activities. This paper explores the concept of Halal tourism along with the components which constitute the industry. It provides worldwide examples of some of the current best practises. The opportunities and challenges in developing and marketing Halal tourism are also discussed.

Abstract: This paper presents a critical review of recent progress in research on corporate social responsibility (CSR) in tourism management, and possible directions for future research. In comparison to a well established, empirically-grounded body of knowledge dealing with other sectors of economic activity, dedicated research on CSR in travel and tourism is at a relatively early stage. In the past decade, CSR has been the primary subject of a limited number of studies from a small academic community of practice. Studies have primarily focused on three macrolevel topic areas: implementation; the economic rationale for acting more responsibly; and the social relations of CSR. Interest in responsibility as an approach to tourism governance and management is nevertheless growing as several policy prescriptions and corporate vision statements reveal. For research to progress further and to match these ambitions, greater critical engagement with mainstream thinking on CSR is required as well as greater conceptual and methodological sophistication.

Abstract: This paper presents a review of published literature that addresses the connection between tourism and economic growth, and provides a thematic and chronological analysis of empirical research on this topic. The approach leads to a classification of the numerous works into three major sets according to the methodology applied therein: time series, panel data and cross-sectional data. Within each set, we chronologically organise the literature and drawn conclusions about their findings. It can be shown that the relation between tourism and growth depends on various factors, the main one being the country's degree of specialisation in tourism. In a similar manner, empirical results are very sensitive to the selection of model specifications and to econometric techniques used. Consequently, an evolution towards the use of more refined techniques can be seen in recent works.