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Authors: Ahmed Abdel Fattah

Abstract: This study investigates how independent YouTube travel documentaries shape Western tourist perceptions of Israel and Palestine in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023 attacks. Drawing on audience and media effects theory, the research examines how alternative social media narratives interact with pre-existing perceptions shaped by Western mainstream news coverage. Using an interpretive qualitative design, a focus group of 13 Western tourists (nine repeat visitors and four first-time visitors) viewed two documentaries—Journey Through Palestine and Journey Through Israel— followed by moderated discussion. Thematic analysis reveals that participants initially relied heavily on mainstream media frames characterized by politicized and polarized representations. However, exposure to the documentaries prompted negotiated readings that emphasized cultural commonalities, everyday coexistence, and shared social practices. While participants reported increased empathy and more differentiated perceptions of both communities, findings should be interpreted cautiously given the small sample size and the predominance of repeat visitors. Rather than demonstrating direct peacebuilding effects, the study suggests that independent travel media can contribute to discursive openings that complicate dominant conflict narratives. The research advances tourism scholarship by integrating audience reception theory with peace tourism debates and by empirically examining how social media travel texts are interpreted in conflict-affected destinations.

Keywords: Social media; Peacebuilding; Israel; Palestine; Western Tourists; Stereotypes; YouTube; Mass Media

DOI: 10.5937/turizam30-61927

Article info: 169-185

Received: October 2025 | Accepted: July 2026

 

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Authors: Akin Aksu, Selin Yılmaz

Abstract: Online employee reviews have emerged as an important source of information for understanding employees’ workplace experiences and organizational practices in the hospitality industry. The primary aim of this study is to identify the factors influencing employee satisfaction and dissatisfaction in an international hotel chain by analysing online employee reviews published on Indeed.com. A qualitative text mining approach was adopted, and the data were systematically analysed using the MAXQDA 18 software. The dataset comprised 6,549 employee reviews posted between September 2013 and July 2024. The findings revealed that employee satisfaction is primarily driven by work environment and culture, economic earnings and incentives, learning and career opportunities, and management policies. In contrast, deficiencies in management policies, work-life imbalance, and inadequate physical and psychological working conditions emerged as the main sources of employee dissatisfaction. While current employees primarily expressed satisfaction with flexible working
hours, paid leave, and a supportive work environment, former employees mainly associated their dissatisfaction with poor management, insufficient additional benefits, and high job stress. The findings highlight the strategic role of management practices in enhancing employee commitment, reducing turnover intentions, and promoting sustainable human resource management in the hospitality industry. By employing qualitative text mining to analyse a large-scale dataset of online employee reviews, this study contributes to the growing literature on employee satisfaction and demonstrates the value of online review platforms as a reliable source for organizational research.

Keywords: Online Employee reviews, text mining, Indeed

DOI: 10.5937/turizam30-65052

Article info: 186-205

Received: February 2026 | Accepted: September 2026

 

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Authors: Konstantina Rigatou, Theodoros Kounadeas, Paraskevi Boufounou, Marios Tsakas, Athanasios Raptis

Abstract: This study assesses the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourists’ preferences and behaviour, drawing on a structured questionnaire completed by 257 residents of the Greek island of Kefalonia, recruited through convenience and snowball sampling. Behaviour was measured across nine constructs (general risks, price, quality, hygiene risks, general attitudes towards travel, travel mode, destination, food and activities) on five-point Likert scales, and analysed with descriptive statistics, non-parametric group-difference tests (Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis) and multiple linear regression. Mean scores clustered close to the scale midpoint, indicating moderate and somewhat ambivalent rather than uniformly strong behavioural shifts. Significant differences emerged for a small number of dimensions: men reported more cautious general travel attitudes, while older respondents and those with children scored higher on destination-related concerns. The findings offer practical implications for destination managers and tourism businesses seeking to attract visitors and to strengthen sustainability and resilience in the post-pandemic era.

Keywords: COVID-19, Tourist behaviour, Risk perception, Travel preferences, Service quality, Tourism management.

DOI: 10.5937/turizam30-65633

Article info: 206-224

Received: March 2026 | Accepted: August 2026

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Authors: Edgar Dsouza, Maya Talwadker

Abstract: This study applies the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to examine leisure tourists’ behavioural intention toward peer-to-peer (P2P) accommodation within India›s travel and tourism sector. Drawing on a cross-sectional survey of 526 domestic leisure travellers (n=526), PLS-SEM analysis reveals significant positive associations of attitude (β=0.32), subjective norms (β=0.21), and perceived behavioural control (PBC) (β=0.46; all p<0.001). The estimated path coefficients were largest for PBC, followed by ATT and SN; however, formal statistical comparisons were not conducted. The model explains 54% variance (R²=0.54, Q²=0.42), underscoring TPB›s utility for understanding recreational accommodation choices amid sharing economy growth. Findings advance leisure studies by highlighting the relatively larger estimated path coefficient for PBC in high-uncertainty leisure travel contexts, where digital confidence shapes authentic, experiential stays. Implications guide P2P platforms, tourism marketers, and policymakers to enhance leisure accessibility, platform usability, and trust for recreational travellers.

Keywords: peertopeer accommodation, Theory of Planned Behavior, buying intention, perceived behavioural control, emerging markets

DOI: 10.5937/turizam30-66748

Article info: 225-241

Received: April 2026 | Accepted: August 2026

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Authors: Jasmina Mlađenović, Elena Rudan

Abstract: Women’s entrepreneurship is recognized as an important driver of rural development worldwide. Rural entrepreneurship creates new opportunities for women and contributes to creating a better society. This paper aims to review challenges, opportunities and significance of rural women entrepreneurs across different regions of the world. Analysis shows that women in rural areas face similar challenges such as gender discrimination, limited access to education, capital, digital tools, institutional and social support. They often lack access to business skills development, trouble balancing work and family life, and need more opportunities for mentorship and networking. Overcoming those barriers can contribute to economic growth and poverty reduction by creating new jobs and generating income. Entrepreneurship enables them to gain confidence, strengthen their social status, challenge traditional rural and gender identities, and exercise creativity. Rural women support sustainability, innovation, cultural preservation and knowledge-sharing across generations. Overall, the paper confirms that strengthening women’s entrepreneurial capacities and removing structural barriers are essential for the sustainable development of rural areas.

Keywords: women’s entrepreneurship, rural areas, development, tourism

DOI: 10.5937/turizam30-68763

Article info: 242-255

Received: June 2026 | Accepted: September 2026