.... This combines with the practical solutions given in the articles. Findings The findings and conclusions of this theme issue focus on the factors affecting the development of smart tourism and smart villages, digitalization and innovation opportunities in the Baltic regions, and it provides an insight...

...Kandappan Balasubramanian; Mohd Hafiz Hanafiah Purpose This paper explores the challenges Malaysian tourism and hospitality organisations faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and assesses how they coped and strategized with these challenges. Next, the study explores innovative action and best...

...Altaf Husen Sovani Purpose The aim of this paper is to discuss innovations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, major investments and reforms required to realize transformation in the tourism and hospitality industry of the European Union. Design/methodology/approach A remedial literature...

... and innovative approaches discussed in this theme issue could be replicated and applied in small island developing states that are trying to comply with the UN SDG 2030 target. Nonetheless, countries in the region are also vulnerable to the annual Atlantic hurricane season and recent experiences...

...Anna Polukhina; Vera Rukomoinikova Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the problems and prospects for the further development of agricultural tourism in Russia. The paper focuses on innovations in the agricultural complex, particularly on an innovative approach to agricultural tourism...

...Kakoli Sen; Tanuja Kaushik Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide exploratory insights on recent innovative measures taken across different functions in the Indian hospitality industry. Design/methodology/approach The study draws on data from senior management of a newly developed...

...Gunjan M. Sanjeev; Rumki Bandyopadhyay Purpose This paper aims to provide an overview of the facts and trends relating to the innovations that are taking place in the Indian hospitality industry. Design/methodology/approach The paper draws facts and emerging trends from the existing literature...

... to the strategic question: “How do we develop more sustainable and responsible rural tourism by benchmarking innovations and new practices in Asia?” Design/methodology/approach – A content analysis of the papers was undertaken to learn from best practices within and outside Asia. Structured questions were...