The purpose of this quantitative study was to compare self-directed learning readiness and online learning readiness between hospitality and tourism college students and industry professionals. The Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale (SDLRS) was used for measuring self-directed learning readiness. After examining the reliability and validity indices of the modified Online Learning Readiness Scale (OLRS), it was used in the context of hospitality and tourism for the measurement of online learning and training readiness. Two different study populations, hospitality and tourism college students and hospitality and tourism industry professionals, were identified for the purpose of this study. Data were obtained via online anonymous links which included the demographic and descriptive questions and the two instruments (the SDLRS and the OLRS) through Qualtrics. A total of 550 usable responses (298 from hospitality and tourism college students and 252 from hospitality and tourism industry professionals) were collected for statistical analysis. Using confirmatory factor analysis, the modified OLRS was confirmed as a valid and reliable instrument. The mean score differences on the SDLRS and the dimensions of the OLRS between hospitality and tourism college students and industry professionals were investigated using independent samples t tests. Although there was a significant difference in the SDLRS scores, there were no significant differences in the mean scores of the dimensions of the OLRS among hospitality and tourism college students and industry professionals. Finally, the relationship between the SDLRS score and the dimensions of the OLRS among hospitality and tourism college students and industry professionals were tested and reported a significant and positive correlation among these variables. This study contributes to the knowledge of self-directed learning readiness and online learning readiness among hospitality and tourism college students and industry professionals. This study can stimulate more research on the impact of self-directed learning readiness and online learning readiness in the educational and industrial practices in the hospitality and tourism field.

Background: Sustainable development is considered to be one of today's most comprehensive challenges, which will require extensive changes, adaptations and innovation in all levels of the society worldwide. Simultaneously, the social and economic phenomenon of tourism has seen remarkable growth and development over the last decades, leading to become one of the fastest-growing economic sectors in the world, as well as a key component of the evolving socio-economic progress. However, the integration between these two requires extensive adjustments and further knowledge in the process of sustainable destination development, where this study takes an intermediary perspective.  Purpose: The purpose of this research is to evaluate and explore how a tourism intermediary in Sweden is working with sustainable development and how they can utilize their position in the process of developing a geographical area as a sustainable destination.  Method: This thesis is a qualitative study with an exploratory nature, where in-depth phenomenologically based interviews build knowledge upon exploring the participant’s responses through a series of three separate interviews. Thematic analysis was used to find patterns and relationships in order to analyze and validate the raw data, which later was applied to frameworks and previous literature to strengthen and build a final analysis.  Conclusion: This study shows how sustainability efforts need to be enhanced and extended beyond internal processes to successfully strive towards sustainable destination development. By taking collective responsibility and putting more pressure on co-operations, creating strong networks to communicate and collaborate, incorporate internal education of sustainability and familiarize with frameworks and follow-up tools, the intermediary position can be utilized to its full potential.

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Följande uppsats är en kvalitativ tvärsnittsstudie som undersöker hur den svenska turistnäringen har hanterat coronapandemin under år 2020. Den 11 mars 2020 kom COVID-19 att klassas som en pandemi. Coronapandemin har påverkat många branscher, varav en av de drabbade är turistnäringen. Även turistnäringen i Sverige är särskilt drabbad, varför Gotland som är en populär turistort är en lämplig plats att undersöka.Studien undersöker även hur turistnäringen hanterat det etiska dilemmat som samhällsansvar kontra en fungerande verksamhet inneburit. Att hålla en verksamhet öppen är förvisso nödvändigt för en god ekonomi, men medför även en risk om att sprida ett virus. Därför undersöker vi också hur de respondenter vi intervjuar ser på balansen att inte öka smittspridningen av COVID-19 och att fortgå med en fungerande verksamhet.Det teoretiska ramverket innehåller definitioner, teorier och modeller som beskriver krishantering, krishanteringsprocessen samt att företagens etiska ansvar diskuteras. Forskningsmetoden som används i denna uppsats är en tvärsnittsstudie som utgår ifrån semi-strukturerade intervjuer. De respondenter som intervjuas arbetar inom svensk turistnäring.Vid analysering av den empiriska datan finner vi att respondenterna vidtagit särskilda åtgärder för att hantera coronapandemin. En stark motivation att överleva och en förmåga att vara flexibel tycks vara goda kvaliteter vid en kris. Det finns dock många variabler som också påverkar vilken krishantering som passar varierande verksamheter. Olika verksamheter innehar också varierande förutsättningar som påverkar hur de agerat under planeringsskedet, våren 2020. Det etiska dilemmat hanterades genom varierande handlingar som resulterade i ekonomiska påfrestningar, men även minskad smittspridning. Vissa verksamheter stängde ned sin verksamhet, andra ändrade sitt koncept helt och övriga begränsade sin verksamhet. Det visade sig dock att det fanns ett visst intresse för verksamheterna själva att också vidta åtgärder för att minska smittspridningen. Konsumenter tycks uppskatta verksamheter som tar ställning och agerar för att åtgärda kriser. / The following is a qualitative study that examines how the Swedish tourism industry has handled the COVID-19 pandemic during the year 2020. The study also focuses on the ethical dilemma that the tourism industry has been faced with, considering taking their responsibility to not increase the spread of the virus and simultaneously keeping a functioning organization. Since the outbreak of COVID-19 many industries have been negatively affected. One of the largest industries that has been affected is the tourism industry. Gotland is one of Sweden's most popular tourism destinations and is therefore an interesting location to study.The theoretical framework includes definitions and theories about crisis management as well as the crisis management process. The research methodology contains semistructured interviews. All of the respondents that we are interviewing are working in different branches within the Swedish tourism industry. When analysing the empirical data, we find that the respondents had been taking special actions in order to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. A strong ambition and the ability to be responsive seem to be qualities to desire when faced with a crisis. The ethical dilemma was managed through special actions that resulted in lost profits, however it also resulted in limiting the spread of the virus

The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the interaction between the green marketingmix elements and consumer’s purchase intention with reference to hotels in coastal beltin Sri Lanka. This study shows Green Product, Green Price, Green Distribution, andGreen Promotion influence consumer’s purchase intention. The primary data collectedfrom 100 respondents and analyzed by using statistical techniques. The result has shownthat the product element of the marketing mix has a strong influence on consumerpurchase and other elements were slightly influenced to purchase intention of consumers.In this research, researchers faced with various limitations. The respondents are fromdifferent parts of the country but currently live in Colombo area. So, it may not representthe whole community and it also led to the response errors with the respondents and here,the sample was limited to 100 respondents. When collecting data, researchers used themethod of the questionnaire. All the findings are based on the information they provided.However, researchers did their best to use different types of data collecting methods toget accurate information from the respondents. All in all, the finding implied that greenmarketing mix elements in hotels industry has a significant impact on consumer’spurchase intention. So, the hotel industry must increase the green marketing elements toattract more and more consumers. In this era, companies can’t even survive in themarketplace without knowing its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.Including green aspects to the total offering has been a major innovation in the hotelsindustry recent past. In order to do that, the company has to conduct continuous surveysto know the consumer’s opinions, needs, and their preferences. Therefore, green productsbecame genuine key to success in consumer purchase intention.

The hotel industry employees have been one of the most affected people in the industry by the Covid-19 pandemic. Immigrant workers and women are not an exception. Considering the literature gap on investigating immigrants in hospitality in Sweden, this thesis aims to understand the immigrant housekeeper worklife post Covid-19. Using a qualitative approach, this study participants were interviewed to share and voice their concerns. Findings indicated that room attendants have faced poor job conditions, additional issues on seeking a job as immigrants, and Covid-19 only hardened existing working conditions.

The purpose of my research is to examine how copreneurial couples make sense of their lived experience of working in a copreneurial business and shape their mutual identity. The research context is copreneurs operating micro-businesses in the Greek leisure and tourism industry. Given the size of the tourism industry worldwide and the fact that many businesses within this sector are family-owned, this is an important area of inquiry. The aim is twofold: 1. To build theory in the field of entrepreneurship by focusing specifically on the undertheorized topic of how copreneurs understand and shape their identity and responsibilities within copreneurial businesses 2. To bring an under-utilized methodology to entrepreneurship studies, that of interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA), as a means of enhancing the understanding of the lived experience of copreneurs. Drawing on phenomenological philosophy, IPA foregrounds the meanings research participants give to their experience and therefore offers rich interpretations from copreneurial couples While taking an idiographic approach, which focuses on the first-person experience of copreneurs in a particular context, the findings will resonate with other copreneurs. The contribution of this research therefore lies in advancing our understanding of copreneurship and familial entrepreneurship by elucidating the interrelationship between personal and business partnerships. The study makes visible the often invisible recursive links between paid work and family life for men and women

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / The objective of this specific research report is to analyse the internet marketing function within the South African tourism industry. Furthermore, the hotel industry is analysed to establish how the introduction of the internet changed the playing field in terms of marketing and how customer behaviour has changed over the past 13 years with the introduction of the internet to the already established global distribution systems (GOS) and computer reservation systems (CRS). An in-depth literature review is conducted to analyse the marketing function in general, after which an analysis in terms of production and services organisation is discussed. Here, the focus is on the 4 P and 7 P marketing mix theories of Michael Porter. The influence of the internet on the service marketing mix is discussed with specific reference to the luxury hotel industry. The specific research and interviews conducted in this study are focused on the luxury hotel industry in the Cape Town city area. Focus areas of the interviews with the specialist in the industry are on the following: • Influence of the internet on customer relationship management • Influence of the internet on the relationship between the luxury hotels and intermediaries • Influence of the internet on marketing functions such as cost and service. The findings of the primary research in the interviews are then compared to the findings in the literature review and recommendations and managerial implications are drawn in the final chapter of the research report.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / ENGLISH SUMMARY: The study looks at the different elements of a business strategy developed for a cultural tourism project in the township of Langa, located in the city of Cape Town. Its unique nature lies in the fact that the operators of the enterprise are volunteering young residents of the area, who will benefit through support provided by the community-based organisation in their subsequent training. Thus, the venture is at the same time a tourism enterprise, a generator of development funds and a community organisation. In line with a systematic approach to business strategising the study consists of four major sections. The first section (chapter 2) provides a broad background to the cultural-tourism industry, incorporating lessons to be learned from Cyprus, Papua New Guinea and Botswana as well as other parts of South Africa. It also reviews tools available to segment the cultural tourism market and estimate its size. With the focus on skills shortages in township environments, the third chapter outlines some of the challenges likely to confront the project. It also indicates the skills-development needs and expectations which are likely to motivate the project participants. As a further background for the preparation of the business strategy, chapter 4 summarises the relevant core elements of the business environment around cultural tourism in township areas. It also covers critical elements of the tourism industry’s competitive environment and relevant stakeholders. The fourth key chapter covers (with respect to the particular Langa-focused community-based cultural-tourism venture) all conventional topics, including vision, mission and goal statements, envisaged product offerings and marketing plans, value-chain characteristics and an assessment of the (expected) competitive situation. The final chapter briefly touches on the appropriateness of this township project or business as a tool for the social and economic transformation of the township youth. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die studie ondersoek die verskillende elemente van 'n besigheidsstrategie vir ‘n projek binne die gebied van kulturele toerisme, met besondere klem op die Langa woongebied in Kaapstad. Die besondere karakter van die projek word bepaal deur die feit dat die projekdeelnemers vrywillige jeugdiges is, wat hoop om deur hul samewerking hul verdere opleidingsgeleenthede te verbeter. Die projek is dus terselfdertyd ‘n toerisme onderneming, ‘n skepper van ontwikkelingsfondse en ‘n gemeenskapsorganisasie. In ooreenstemming met ‘n gestruktureerde sakestrategie bestaan die studie uit vier hoofdele. Die eerste afdeling (hoofstuk 2) verskaf ‘n breë agtergrond tot kulturele toerisme, met besondere verwysings tot Ciprus, Papoea-Nieu Guinee en Botswana asook ander dele van Suid-Afrika. Dit behandel ook konsepte wat gebruik kan word om die mark van kulturele toerisme in segmente op te breek en sy grootte te beraam. Met die klem op vaardigheidstekorte in townships gee die derde hoofstuk ‘n oorsig van enkele uitdagings wat die projek sal tref. Terselfdertyd gee dit ‘n aanduiding van die opleidingsbehoeftes en verwagtings wat die jeugdiges betrokke by die projek mag koester. As ‘n verdere agtergrond vir die voorbereiding van ‘n sakestrategie skets hoofstuk 4 sekere van die kernelemente van die sakeomgewing rondom kulturele toerisme in gebiede soos Langa. Dit dek ook kritiese aspekte van mededinging in die toerismebedryf asook van die betrokke belangegroepe. Met die fokus op Langa en gemeenskapstoerisme behandel die vierde deel alle relevante aspekte van ‘n sakemodel: Dit sluit in doelstellings en mikpunte, die beoogde dienstespektrum en bemarkingsplanne asook die mededingingsdinamiek. Die laaste hoofstuk besin oor die toepaslikheid van hierdie projek of sakemodel as ‘n instrument vir die sosiale en ekonomiese transformasie van die “township”-jeugdiges.

Thesis (MBA) -- Stellenbosch University, 2011. / The use of the web-based technology to conduct business has been growing in many industries globally, this has been the case in the tourism industry. The growing popularity of the web-based technology can be attributed to the benefits it brings to the tourism industry. The study has look into the overall benefits brought by the web-based technology in the tourism industry and how it can be further exploited to benefit the organizations. The application of the web-based technology has included the introduction of the website. The website has given companies exposure to the global market and has been a platform for conducting marketing activities. The website has been used extensively in the tourism industry as a source of information. The website has enabled travel consumers purchase tourism products and services. Having a website may not be sufficient in meeting an organisation’s intended objectives. Many companies in the tourism industry are making use of the website, hence the use of website in search engines has become competitive. Companies need to implement website optimisation techniques to benefit both the travel suppliers and travel consumers. To conduct the organisations marketing activities successfully, the websites needs maximum exposure to the target audience. This can be achieved through the website design aimed at ensuring that the website is highly ranked by search engines. Added features like video, up to date information and photos add value to travel consumers. Through these features travel consumers are able to understand tourism products and services, and hence make informed decisions. The study has looked at the application of the web-based technology in four sectors of the tourism industry in South Africa. These are attraction, accommodation, tour operators and transport. Suppliers in each sector were selected for analysis and they are: - in attraction, Kruger National Park and Hluhluwe Game Reserve; - in accommodation, Hilton hotel and Southern Sun hotel; - in tour operator, Thompson Holiday and Tourvest; and - in transport, Kulula, South African Airways, Avis and Europcar. Suppliers in the tourism industry in South Africa were found to use the website for the following reasons: - Provides information about the organisation and its products and services. - Used as a marketing tool: The website is used to facilitate communication between the travel supplier and the travel consumer. It is also a platform to sell tourism products and services. - Used to enhance collaboration in the industry. Collaboration through websites has resulted in a better supply chain. Customers have been able to buy one package including the airline ticket, accommodation and car hire using one website. - Used to conduct business transactions: Customers have been able to make bookings and reservations and payments through the website. - Used to attract customers to the organisation’s products and services. Attractive features such as photos and videos have been included in the website. The Safari Company is a tour operator in South Africa. Using web-based technology; the company has changed its business model to be able to serve its customers better. The company has developed a new website that adds value to both travel suppliers and travel consumers. Travel suppliers are able to market their services and products through the website. The website provides travel consumers with the latest information and expert advice in tourism products in the Southern and Eastern Africa. The Safari Company website has been a platform for the company to communicate its social responsibility with the global community. The Safari Company donates 10% of its revenue to an organization called Touch the Land. Touch the Land is a foundation that implements projects in Southern and Eastern Africa aimed at poverty alleviation.