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Authors: Jeet Dogra, Venkata Rohan Sharma Karri

Abstract: Given the relative proliferation of social media users and the significance of information collection in a consumer’s decision journey, this study tried to identify the most widely used social media platforms for India’s travel information. To evaluate the general trustworthiness of inbound tourists on social media platforms, focus group interviews were conducted across 12 Indian states in which 300 foreign tourists from 85 countries took part. Tripadvisor and Facebook were the two social media platforms with the greatest number of users seeking India’s travel information. The findings of the study conclude the use of multiple social media platforms for varied information and destination choice.

Keywords: Social media; consumer-generated media; destination choice; inbound tourism; trustworthiness of social media; travel portals

DOI: 10.5937/turizam24-24952

Article info: 101-112

Received: February 2020 | Accepted: July 2020

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Authors: Savaş Artuğer

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of servicescapes in hotels on customer satisfaction. The sample of the study consists of foreign tourists staying in five-star resort hotels operating in Marmaris district of Muğla province between June 1-August 30, 2019. Data were collected from 225 hotel customers. Mean, standard deviation, confirmatory factor analysis, reliability analysis and regression analysis were used in analyzing the obtained data. The study revealed that servicescape in hotels has an impact on customer satisfaction. It was found that ambient conditions, decor, signs and symbols had a significant effect on customer satisfaction. According to the results of the study, signs and symbols are the most important factors affecting customer satisfaction. However, it was discovered that the spatial layout did not affect customer satisfaction.

Keywords: servicescape; customer satisfaction; resort hotels

DOI: 10.5937/turizam24-25540

Article info: 113-124

Received: March 2020 | Accepted: July 2020

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Authors: Sheetal Rathore

Abstract: In recent years Social Media (SM) platforms are becoming highly significant for the tourism industry as a medium for information exchange and communication platforms for tourists and travelers. Tourists are using Web 2.0 platforms to plan their travel, book hotels, confirm and cancel reservations, enquire about packages and itineraries, to read reviews posted by other travelers, and also to share their travel experiences by posting reviews, comments, ratings, photographs, etc. with others. The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of user-generated-contents on social media platforms in the travel planning of tourists in Udaipur, India. This study analyze the opinion of tourists regarding the benefits of social media and travel material posted on various social media platforms and to draw factors that are helpful in influencing the use of information through social media. To fulfill the objectives, primary data was collected by using a judgmental sampling method and a 5-point Likert type scale through a structured questionnaire. A sample of 309 respondents who visited Udaipur as a tourist during the period of early October 2017 to the end of March 2018 was surveyed. Using descriptive statistics and factor analysis results were presented and explained. The findings revealed that tourists have a positive opinion towards online reviews and travel material posted on social sites. The majority of the tourist respondents opined that online reviews, ratings, and comments, etc. regarding travel destinations, hotels, food, and climate, etc. help in their travel planning and travel related decisions. The results of factor analyses demonstrated that three factors namely; social media ease and trust, social media risk reduction and helpfulness and social media enhance joy and excitement were considered helpful in influencing the use of information through social media sites.

Keywords: Social Media; Destination; Web 2.0 platforms; User-Generated-Content (UGC); Travel Marketers.

DOI: 10.5937/turizam24-24429

Article info: 125-136

Received: December 2019 | Accepted: July 2020

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Authors: Bojana Kalenjuk, Bojan Đerčan, Dragan Tešanović, Tamara LukićA, Maja Banjac

Abstract: The hospitality industry is known for the large fluctuation of labour. The subject of this study is hospitality workers from the countries of the Western Balkans who are currently employed in the catering business (cooks, chefs) in a Scandinavian country – Norway. The task was to investigate the reasons for their coming to the northern regions, as well as the experience and knowledge gained while working in their restaurant facilities. The aim of the paper was to obtain information on the reasons for the selection of these sites, differences in work and experiences, as well as future plans. The results showed that there is a considerable satisfaction with the work in the Scandinavian countries. The key item in easy adjustment and destination selection is played by living standards i.e. income, which is the focus of the interest of migrant workers from the Western Balkan countries.

Keywords: Labour migration, restaurant, hospitality, chef, Western Balkans, Scandinavian countries

DOI: 10.5937/turizam24-26429

Article info: 137-148

Received: May 2020 | Accepted: July 2020