{"title":"Chinese senior travelers encounter with smart tourism: why are they falling into the travel digital divide?","authors":"Yanbo Yao, Juntong Chen, Yanjun Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.jhtm.2025.101336","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jhtm.2025.101336","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The intertwining trends of smart tourism and population aging have created intense contradictions, leading to digital divides among senior travelers. However, extant scholarship has marginalized the initiative of senior travelers, obscuring the intricate generative mechanisms of digital divides. Utilizing a two-stage methodological design and abductive reasoning approach, we elucidated the generative mechanisms of senior travelers' digital divide. Our findings revealed that senior travelers' multifaceted identities and roles, tourism technology cognition, tourism technology affordances collectively construct contextual, conceptual and judgment foundations of digital divides. The synergy of these three factors drives the cycle of the digital divide dilemma. Meanwhile, senior travelers rationally mitigate expected usage divide through technological assistance and proxies from offspring or tour guides. This study reflects on technological elitism, reveals seniors' initiative and characteristics in senior travelers’ digital divide, thereby enriching digital divide theory. It also provides practical insights for achieving inclusive tourism experiences in smart tourism.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51445,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management","volume":"65 ","pages":"Article 101336"},"PeriodicalIF":7.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145159579","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Melodic journeys: How place distinctiveness perception of destination songs inspires information-seeking behavior","authors":"Jie Yin , Linqing Liu , Yensen Ni","doi":"10.1016/j.jhtm.2025.101338","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jhtm.2025.101338","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study pioneers a novel approach to sensory marketing by unveiling the unexplored impact of auditory stimuli—specifically destination songs—on tourists' pre-travel behaviors, such as information-seeking behavior. The purpose of the research is to investigate how perceived place distinctiveness, conveyed through music, influences both the cognitive simulation of travel experiences and emotional connection to the destination. Using The Song of Xi'an People as a case study, the study adopts a survey-based methodology to examine the mediating roles of process simulation and destination interest, as well as the moderating effect of information richness. Unlike traditional studies that emphasize visual stimuli, this research highlights the unique power of sound in evoking both cognitive and emotional engagement. Furthermore, it challenges conventional assumptions about information richness by showing that the effectiveness of auditory marketing stems from emotionally immersive content rather than the volume of cultural details presented. The results demonstrate that such immersive musical content significantly enhances curiosity and behavioral intention. The implications of this study are twofold: it advances theoretical discourse in sensory and destination marketing and offers practical insights, enabling destination marketers to strategically harness music to evoke emotional resonance, ignite curiosity, and foster meaningful pre-travel engagement in a highly competitive global tourism landscape.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51445,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management","volume":"65 ","pages":"Article 101338"},"PeriodicalIF":7.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145159578","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Dongzhi Chen , Wei Zhang , Mengyang Lian , Peng Ma , Jing Bill Xu
{"title":"Hosts’ facial affinity in peer-to-peer platforms: Scale development and validation","authors":"Dongzhi Chen , Wei Zhang , Mengyang Lian , Peng Ma , Jing Bill Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.jhtm.2025.101339","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jhtm.2025.101339","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In peer-to-peer (P2P) accommodation booking platforms, the affinities expressed in hosts' profile photos are critical in influencing consumers' booking decisions. However, only a few studies have measured the hosts' facial affinity. To fill this gap, this study proposes and validates a scale for measuring hosts' facial affinity. Study 1 constructed an initial item pool by performing a literature review, a semi-structured questionnaire survey and in-depth interviews. Study 2 performed an exploratory factor analysis and identified four factors, namely, friendly and inclusive, attentive and sociable, attractive and lifeful and capable and knowledgeable. Study 3 developed a reflective–formative model and adopted a two-stage approach for assessing this model. Our findings reveal that hosts' facial affinity serves as a visual stimulus that enhances consumers' trust and positive affect, which in turn significantly increases their willingness to book. This study elucidates the mechanisms behind how hosts' facial affinity influences consumers' booking decisions on P2P platforms by integrating social cognitive theory and stimulus–organism–response theory. This study contributes to the literature on hosts' affinity by conceptualising and presenting a reliable tool for assessing hosts’ facial affinity. Hosts can apply these findings to present themselves strategically in their profile photos by conveying affinity traits.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51445,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management","volume":"65 ","pages":"Article 101339"},"PeriodicalIF":7.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145119745","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Fangli Hu , Jun Wen , Danni Zheng , Stephen Teo , Wei Wang
{"title":"Travel therapy for vulnerable populations with health conditions: A competence-environmental press model framework illustrated with dementia","authors":"Fangli Hu , Jun Wen , Danni Zheng , Stephen Teo , Wei Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.jhtm.2025.101334","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jhtm.2025.101334","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Despite growing interest in vulnerable tourists, the tourism engagement of individuals with health conditions remains under-investigated. To address this gap, this paper presents an interdisciplinary systematic review focusing on three topics: (1) vulnerable populations with health conditions in tourism and hospitality, (2) health benefits of tourism, and (3) dementia intervention and tourism. Drawing on SSCI- and SCI-listed English-language articles published between 1975 and 2025, the database searches yielded 36, 31, and 2 articles for the respective topics. Key gaps are identified, particularly the limited attention to populations with health conditions such as dementia and the insufficient understanding of tourism's potential health benefits. To address these gaps, this study adopts a theory adaptation and model building strategy to develop a conceptual framework grounded in the competence-environmental press model. The model is reinterpreted and extended to the tourism and dementia context to elucidate the interdisciplinary concept of travel therapy and its underlying mechanisms. Travel therapy shows promise as a non-pharmacological intervention for disease prevention and treatment by leveraging environmental modifications, novel cognitive and sensory stimulation, physical activities, social interactions, therapeutic landscapes, positive emotions, and vulnerability-friendly facilities and services. Future empirical research is recommended to adopt multidisciplinary approaches to investigate the travel behaviours of this vulnerable population and the therapeutic potential of tourism and its alternatives, such as virtual tourism. Implications for key stakeholders, including academics, practitioners, policymakers, and broader society, are also discussed, particularly in the context of promoting the Sustainable Development Goals and Healthy Ageing Initiatives.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51445,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management","volume":"65 ","pages":"Article 101334"},"PeriodicalIF":7.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145107859","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The projected identity of Airbnb hosts: A multimodal approach","authors":"Lingxue Zhan, Mingming Cheng","doi":"10.1016/j.jhtm.2025.101328","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jhtm.2025.101328","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Drawing on identity theory, this research aims to conceptualize and operationalize the multimodal identity of Airbnb hosts by integrating text and image data. This research further examines how the multimodal identity impacts customers' actual booking behavior. Using image and text data from Airbnb, a multimodal approach is employed to identify Airbnb hosts’ projected identity. A novel typology of multimodal identity was developed including biocultural enthusiasts, traditional enthusiasts, vivacious innovators, and holistic experientialists. The empirical findings show that holistic experientialists have a significantly more positive impact on actual booking behavior. This research advances the tourism literature by introducing multimodal projected identity and empirically testing its effects. This study provides important practical implications for Airbnb hosts in optimizing the selection of images and text to showcase an ideal identity that enhances booking success.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51445,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management","volume":"65 ","pages":"Article 101328"},"PeriodicalIF":7.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145049956","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Shaken, Stirred, And Stereotyped: Glassware’s Hidden Influence on Gender Perceptions and Order Intentions","authors":"Sarah Lefebvre , Laura Boman , Marissa Orlowski","doi":"10.1016/j.jhtm.2025.101319","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jhtm.2025.101319","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The presentation of cocktails plays a crucial role in shaping consumer perceptions and purchasing decisions. Despite growing interest in cocktail presentation, little research has examined how specific glassware features influence consumer perceptions in hospitality contexts. This study examines how cocktail glassware design—particularly the presence or absence of a stem—influences gender perceptions and, in turn, impacts consumer order intentions. Across three experiments, the current work investigates whether stemmed glasses are perceived as more feminine than stemless glasses and whether these gender perceptions influence order intentions differently for male and female consumers. We find that stemmed glasses are significantly more likely to be perceived as feminine, which negatively affects order intentions among male consumers. Female consumers, however, exhibit flexibility in their choices, showing no significant difference in order intentions based on glassware design. These findings contribute to the literature on beverage vessel attributes, product-based gender stereotypes and provide actionable insights for hospitality professionals seeking to optimize cocktail presentation strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51445,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management","volume":"64 ","pages":"Article 101319"},"PeriodicalIF":7.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145099219","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Soona Park , Jaehee Gim , Sung In Kim , Heewon Kim
{"title":"From guests to Owners: The power of reactive personalization in shaping perceived ownership in hotels","authors":"Soona Park , Jaehee Gim , Sung In Kim , Heewon Kim","doi":"10.1016/j.jhtm.2025.101300","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jhtm.2025.101300","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><span><span>Personalization is a valuable strategy for enhancing hotel guests' perceived ownership by creating the impression that services are tailored to their needs. While proactive personalization is typically based on provider recommendations, reactive personalization involves adjusting services based on real-time customer preferences. Since guests tend to value services more when they feel a stronger sense of ownership, this study examines how two types of personalization influence perceived ownership and how their interaction with different technologies and </span>data types can further shape ownership and build trust in hotels. According to the results, reactive personalization enhances perceived ownership more than proactive personalization. This positive effect is especially pronounced when guests engage with unfamiliar technologies and ethically sensitive data, such as </span>biometrics<span>, during the personalization process. This research highlights how personalization strategies can transform guests into owners of their hotel experience while fostering trust in hotels that adopt in-room technology-based personalized services.</span></div></div>","PeriodicalId":51445,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management","volume":"64 ","pages":"Article 101300"},"PeriodicalIF":7.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144341209","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The ripple effects of great experience with attending exhibitions the case of the integrated resorts","authors":"Chunli Ji , Yufan Liu , Catherine Prentice","doi":"10.1016/j.jhtm.2025.101322","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jhtm.2025.101322","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Integrated resorts (IRs) have become pivotal tourism destinations, leveraging exhibitions as a key component of their MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions) offerings to drive economic and experiential outcomes. Despite the growing significance of IR-based exhibitions, limited research has explored how attendee experience influences emotional responses and subsequent consumption behaviours within these multifaceted ecosystems. This study investigates how functional, hedonic, and social experiences at IR-based exhibitions shape attendees’ consumption and beyond (referred to as extended consumption intention, ECI). Drawing on the Pleasure-Arousal-Dominance (PAD) model, the study proposes that pleasure, arousal, and dominance mediate the relationships between these experiences and consumption behaviours. Data were collected from 422 exhibition attendees at IRs in Macao. The results confirm that all three experience dimensions significantly and positively influence pleasure, arousal, and dominance, which, in turn, affect their ECI. This study contributes to the MICE tourism, hospitality, and consumer behaviour literature by highlighting the experiential pathways that catalyze broader consumption within IR ecosystems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51445,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management","volume":"64 ","pages":"Article 101322"},"PeriodicalIF":7.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144923999","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Toward trauma-informed customer experience design in tourism and hospitality","authors":"Huimin Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.jhtm.2025.101325","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jhtm.2025.101325","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Trauma is a widespread and influential aspect of human experience, yet it remains largely overlooked in customer experience design within tourism and hospitality. This oversight risks not only failing to support wellness but also potentially retraumatizing individuals through poorly designed experience touchpoints and journeys. This research introduces a new design genre — Trauma-Informed Customer Experience Design (TICXD) — which adapts principles of trauma-informed care to the contexts of tourism and hospitality. This research lays the theoretical foundation for future trauma-informed customer experience design research. It also advocates for continued scholarly and practical attention to trauma as a critical factor in tourism and hospitality contexts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51445,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management","volume":"64 ","pages":"Article 101325"},"PeriodicalIF":7.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145099319","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}