The nexus of sustainability, smart tourism destinations and evolving visitor preferences emerges as the cornerstone of this themed issue within Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes (WHATT). As the tourism industry navigates a terrain transformed by global shifts and emerging trends, delving into innovative strategies that ensure resilience and sustainability becomes imperative. This themed collection of articles brings together esteemed authors and collaborators to shed light on the intricate interplay between the pillars of modern tourism. At the heart of this discourse lies the recognition of sustainability as not merely a buzzword but a guiding principle shaping the future of tourism. Sustainable practices preserve natural resources, minimise environmental impact, enhance cultural heritage and foster long-term viability for destinations and businesses.
Smart tourism destinations harness cutting-edge technologies and data-driven insights to enhance visitor experiences, optimise resource utilisation and mitigate the negative consequences of tourism on local communities and ecosystems. Moreover, tourists' ever-evolving preferences underscore the industry’s need for agility and adaptability. From the rise of experiential tourism to the growing demand for authentic, culturally immersive experiences, understanding and catering to these evolving preferences are paramount for stakeholders seeking to remain competitive in a rapidly changing landscape.
As WHATT strives to bridge the gap between academia and industry, the articles in this issue transcend disciplinary boundaries, offering holistic insights into the complex interactions between sustainability, smart tourism and evolving visitor preferences. By fostering dialogue and collaboration, we aim to inspire actionable strategies supporting smart technologies that propel sustainable development and elevate the overall quality of the tourist experience, forging a path towards a more resilient and inclusive tourism industry.
Hale Özgit and Ali Öztüren
Corresponding Editors, WHATT
In the dynamic realm of tourism, institutions aspiring to be environmentally conscious and offer significant experiences must comprehend and adapt to the evolving tastes of travellers. The primary aim of this themed issue is to highlight the incorporation of sustainability principles in the progress of tourism and the monitoring of tourists' evolving preferences, all within the sustainability framework and smart tourism destinations. The authors examine multiple facets, such as the psychological factors that impact individuals' inclination to make online reservations, the sensory encounters in the hotel industry and their impact on tourists' contentment. This issue examines the impact of novelty-seeking behaviour on tourists' choices and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on customer behaviour in the hotel industry.
Various factors, including pandemics, environmental awareness, age differences, climate change and developments in communication technology, might influence passengers' expectations. Experts are becoming increasingly concerned about a significant change in the demographic composition of the world’s population. This phenomenon has resulted in a shift in the customer base of numerous enterprises, with a particular influence on the tourism industry. This modification has a substantial impact on tourists and the preferences and inclinations of the entire population.
This thematic issue offers crucial insights for academics, professionals and decision-makers in creating a complete framework to assess, connect and regularly track changing visitor preferences. The papers include recommendations for creating robust tourism locations that effectively tackle challenges, promote inclusion, and prepare for future advancements. This is achieved by examining the convergence of sustainability, smart tourism and changing tourist tastes.
Issues such as shifting customer demographics, incorporating technology and the increasing significance of environmental consciousness emphasise the necessity for destination management groups and industry partners to implement sustainable measures. We encourage readers to not only familiarise themselves with these topics but also actively engage in discussions, share their own experiences and make meaningful contributions to the continuing dialogue on defining the future of the tourism sector.
Atilla Akbaba
Theme Editor
About the Theme Editor:
Atilla Akbaba is a Professor at the Faculty of Tourism at İzmir Katip Çelebi University (İzmir, Türkiye). He received his M.Sc. from Florida International University and his Ph.D. from Dokuz Eylül University with a major in Tourism Management. He teaches hospitality and tourism-related courses. His areas of specialisation include service quality, organisational culture and the management of tourism businesses. He has published widely in these areas at national and international levels.
