Latest preprints

Aim: Medical tourism is a flourishing industry. The study investigates hotel managers’ opinions, attitudes, and perspectives regarding medical tourism policies in the Thessaly Region, Greece.Method: Empirical primary data were collected from May 2020 to December 2021 via an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire. The study sample consisted of 114 participants (82% response rate).Results: Only 10% of the hotels are involved in medical tourism, and 60% are accredited. Also, 70% of respondents believe that the regional tourism infrastructure (accommodation, catering, entertainment) is highly developed. Most health tourists originate from EU countries. As hotels’ capacity increases, executives are more willing to invest in medical tourism. Funding initiatives and collaboration with banks are policies to be included in the priority setting of the Ministry of Tourism and Hotel/Tourism Associations.Conclusions: Hospitality providers willing to invest expressed mistrust towards public agencies and stated that the Hotel/Tourism Associations could mostly support their entrepreneurial initiatives. The policy framework to promote medical tourism is considered insufficient but holds potential for significant contribution to the region's development.

Tourism is an essential economic sector in Greece, contributing over 25% to its GDP. The hotel sector is a significant component of the tourism industry, which plays also a vital role in the economy of Greece.However, its environmental impact—manifesting through high energy usage, water consumption, and waste generation—poses significant challenges. This study explores sustainable practices within Greek hotels, emphasizing the adoption of circular economy principles, green certifications, and guest engagement strategies. Using case studies, published data from surveys, and policy analysis, the study identifies barriers such as financial limitations and infrastructural gaps.Recommendations include financial incentives, regional policy customization, and technology-driven solutions. By aligning with global frameworks like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Greece has the opportunity to position itself as a global leader in sustainable tourism, contributing specifically to goals related to responsible consumption and production (SDG 12) and climate action (SDG 13).

This study explores the factors influencing international tourist satisfaction in Phu Quoc, a premier destination in Vietnam. Utilizing the SERVPERF model, data from 196 respondents reveal that destination image, natural environment, and infrastructure significantly impact tourist satisfaction. Notably, the island's natural beauty and well-maintained infrastructure are critical drivers of satisfaction, outweighing the importance of cost. Based on these findings, the study recommends that local authorities and tourism businesses focus on sustainable development through an ecological economic model. This model emphasizes eco-friendly infrastructure, conservation of natural resources, and active community involvement. By implementing these strategies, Phu Quoc can enhance tourist satisfaction, ensure the quality of the visitor experience, and increase the likelihood of return visits, thereby sustaining its competitive edge in the global tourism market.

This study examines the integration of digital marketing strategies by wineries in the Niagara Region to enhance wine tourism. Through a comprehensive content analysis of 89 winery websites, we identify digital techniques employed to attract and engage potential visitors. Our findings indicate substantial digital involvement, particularly in establishing an essential online presence. However, significant areas for improvement include utilizing interactive features and providing comprehensive tourism experiences. The study underscores the importance of a thorough digital strategy incorporating upgraded virtual tours, strategically positioned visual elements, and enriched web information to enhance the wine tourism experience. This report offers practical insights for wineries and tourism organizations by leveraging successful digital marketing methods in the industry. These insights aim to optimize online strategies, expand the target audience, and promote regional economic growth through wine tourism. This study contributes to the growing body of research on digital marketing in the wine tourism industry and provides a foundation for future studies on the effectiveness of online engagement strategies in niche travel sectors.

This study examines the transformative impact of ChatGPT and related AI technologies on tourist experiences and service personalization in the travel industry, signifying a substantial shift in consumer engagement strategies. Through thorough analysis, the findings illustrate how ChatGPT contributes to enhanced decision-making, heightened personalization, and the strengthening of trust and loyalty among tourists. Highlighting the interplay between technological innovation and the critical human aspect in hospitality, the research suggests AI's capability to supplement rather than supplant human interactions. It discusses the theoretical implications for consumer behavior and service personalization frameworks and outlines practical considerations for tourism stakeholders, focusing on ethical AI usage, data privacy, and fostering human-AI collaboration. Acknowledging the research's limitations, the paper proposes future research directions, emphasizing the need for cross-cultural studies, ethical considerations in AI usage, and investigating the long-term impact of AI on the tourism industry. This study contributes to academic discourse and provides practical insights for industry practitioners, laying the groundwork for future AI integration in tourism.

Large language models such as the Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) have recently gained attention for their impressive natural language processing capabilities. While their potential to revolutionize various industries is still being explored, the tourism industry stands to benefit significantly from their use. In this study, we conduct an early assessment of the impact potential of GPTs on the tourism industry using a mixed-methods approach.We first analyze the existing literature on the use of GPTs in the tourism industry and identify several potential applications such as personalized travel recommendations, language translation, and chatbots. We then collect data from various stakeholders in the tourism industry through surveys and interviews to understand their current practices and their willingness to adopt GPT-based solutions.Our results indicate that while there is a high level of awareness and interest in GPTs among tourism professionals, the adoption of these technologies is currently limited. The main barriers identified include a lack of technical expertise, concerns around data privacy and security, and the high cost of implementing GPT-based solutions. However, those who have adopted GPTs report significant benefits in terms of increased efficiency and improved customer satisfaction.To further explore the potential of GPTs in the tourism industry, we conduct a pilot study to develop a GPT-based travel recommendation system. The system uses GPT to generate personalized travel itineraries based on user preferences and feedback. Our evaluation of the system indicates that it performs well in terms of accuracy and user satisfaction, demonstrating the potential for GPTs to provide personalized and tailored experiences to travellers.Overall, our study provides an early look at the impact potential of GPTs on the tourism industry and identifies several avenues for future research. We recommend that tourism professionals and researchers collaborate to address the current barriers to adoption and explore the full range of applications for GPTs in the industry.

The global pandemic has had a significant impact on the tourism industry, and the cruise industry is no exception. This article explores future scenarios and trends in Italian cruise tourism in the aftermath of the global pandemic, focusing on the case of MSC Cruises. The cruise industry faced unprecedented challenges during the pandemic, with widespread travel restrictions, health concerns, and suspension of operations. As the world gradually recovers and travel restrictions are relaxed, the industry is poised for a resurgence. We investigate the role of cruise tourism and its economic effects in the Italian tourism economy. Cruise tourism is experiencing a period of great development and, above all, of great change at a time when sustainability of travel has become an increasingly required condition in travelers' choices. The destinations chosen and the ports that host these great giants of the sea become a flywheel for the development of the territories involved, which, only by offering services that live up to the expectations of travelers, manage to capture important flows of money, necessary for the development and implementation of local economies. The role of ports in Italy and the MSC case conclude the work focused on tourism sustainability, with particular regard to the pollution of different environmental matrices.