Tourism, Hospitality and Events: Sustainable and Digital Innovation

Focus

This research theme investigates the evolving dynamics of tourism, hospitality, and event management by exploring the intersection of technological innovation, cultural influences, and human behaviour in shaping these interconnected industries. It examines the impact of emerging tools like artificial intelligence on customer experiences and operational strategies, while analyzing how cultural factors predict tourism preferences and promote eco-friendly behaviours. The theme emphasizes the design and measurement of memorable visitor experiences at festivals and events, alongside strategic communication and decision-making processes that connect events with local economies. It also explores the resilience of these sectors amid challenges like pandemics, revealing how behavioural traits and past experiences influence travel choices under restrictive conditions. By integrating gender perspectives in sports event management and reflecting on decades of research, this theme anticipates future trends to advance sustainable practices, enhance stakeholder collaboration, and align industry strategies with community values and long-term sustainability goals.

Keywords 

Sustainable tourism, Event management, Digital innovation, Cultural influences, Experience management

Outcomes

• Sigala, M., Goh, E., Leung, X., Rasoolimanesh, S.M., Su, C.H.J. and Tham, A., (2025). 30 Years of contribution and future directions in tourism, hospitality, and events research: A Quo Vadis perspective from the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 62, pp.258-265.
• Agapito, D. and Sigala, M. (2024). Experience management in hospitality and tourism: reflections and implications for future research. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 36(13), pp.57-76.
• Cheah, J.H. & Sigala, M. (2024). Tell me about your culture, to predict your tourism activity preferences and evaluations: cross-country evidence based on User Generated Content. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research,
• Sigala, M., et al., (2024). Understanding the impact of ChatGPT on tourism and hospitality: Trends, prospects and research agenda. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 60, pp.384-390.
• Olivier, L., Carlson, J., Rahman, S. & Rosenberger III, P. J. (2023). Measuring tourist festival experience: development and validation of the PHF-tx model. Journal of Travel Research, 62(7), 1530-1549
• Hong, S., Rasheed, M. I., Sigala, M., & Ahmad, M. (2023). Is there a bright side of COVID-19? The influence of conscientiousness and extended TPB on the tourists’ eco-friendly behaviour. Current Issues in Tourism, 1-5.
• Thomson, A., Hayes, M., Hanlon, C., Toohey, K., & Taylor, T., (2022). Women’s Professional Sport Leagues: A Systematic Review and Future Directions for Research, Sport Management Review.
• Kim, J., Park, J., Kim, S., Lee, D. C., & Sigala, M. (2022). COVID-19 Restrictions and Variety-Seeking in Travel Choices and Actions: The Moderating Effects of Previous Experience and Crowding. Journal of Travel Research, 61(7), 1648-1665 (A*)
• Carlini, J., O'Neil, A., Thomson, A. & Green, A. (2022). Understanding the interplay between event communications and local business decision-making using signalling theory: The case of the 2018 Commonwealth Games, European Sport Management Quarterly.

Focus

This research theme investigates the dynamic interplay between tourism development, local communities, and the preservation of cultural and environmental identities. This research explores how sustainable tourism can empower marginalized voices, such as Indigenous communities, by integrating their perspectives into tourism planning and management. It also examines the roles and identities of key stakeholders, such as adventure tour operators in national parks, and highlights the significance of cooperative networks and "coopetition" in building resilient, sustainable destinations. Additionally, it advocates for human-centered, citizen-driven approaches to tourism research and explores how diverse economic models in volunteer tourism can foster peace and justice. Together, this theme emphasizes balancing economic growth with social equity and cultural integrity to enhance community well-being and strengthen place identity.

Keywords

Cultural tourism, Indigenous tourism, Host communities, Place identity, Social justice

Outcomes

• Calvin, S., Young, T., Hook, M., Nielsen, N., & Wilson, E. (2024). Are our voices now heard? Reflections on Indigenous tourism research. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 59, 81-85.
• Wang, P.Y., Lyons, K. and Young, T., 2024. Role identities of adventure tour operators in national parks. Current Issues in Tourism, 27(18), pp.3017-3029.
• Hardy, A., Young, T., Cheer, J., Scheyvens, R., & Movono, A. (2022). Humanising research: A citizen social science agenda, Annals of Tourism Research, 96.
• Nguyen, TQT, Johnson, P. & Young, T. (2022). Networking, coopetition and the sustainability of tourism destinations. Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Management, 50, 400-411.
• Everingham, P., Young, T., & Wearing, S. (2022). A diverse economies approach for promoting peace and justice in volunteer tourism. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 30, 618-636.