CACTUS - Journal of tourism for research, education, culture, and soul

14-27

Authors: Maria-Cristina Iorgulescu, Luciana-Floriana Holostencu, Mădălina-Ionela Iordache, Mădălina-Lavinia Țală, Ileana Vălimăreanu (Mircioi), Georgiana-Geanina Bursuc

The increasing rate of students enrolling into higher education leads undoubtedly to a more contrasted student body, impeding the identification of potential sources that might determine their option into continuing or dropping out of university, mainly after the first year of admission. Although there are various reasons why students drop out of university, ranging from personal, social or even technical ones (considering online blended learning), we will focus mainly on difficulties encountered by students related to specific subjects or teaching techniques, known as academic difficulties. Therefore, considering Romania’s higher education is facing retention problems among students in various universities around the country, the purpose of the present study is to analyze the influence of a particular variable which, lato sensu, consists in students’ inability of channeling their resources into getting a deeper understanding of various university subjects in order to achieve effective learning and therefore successfully continue their studies. A quantitative study consisting in a two-stages questionnaire was carried out with 70 first year students enrolled at the Bucharest University of Economic Studies, the Faculty of Business and Tourism who agreed to take part into the development of their academic performance by joining the agenda provided via the Secondary Education Project – ROSE BT. The present research offers empirical evidence that might be useful for future decision-making in order to improve educational processes and both students’ and professors’ accomplishments in university settings. Also, the results have indicated that students who have difficulties into understanding first-year subjects are more open to engage into further communication and academic activities with their professors and also to adapt to improved teaching and interaction techniques or strategies

36-45

Authors: Carmen Florentina Vlăsceanu

This article examines service quality in regard to cruise lines service performance from a customer perceived satisfaction perspective. The article provides a descriptive observation based on the empirical developments within the research community in terms of theory and practice underlining the service quality as a subjective trait, depending on a series of influential factors and market determinants. The first part of the article focuses on a theoretical explanation of the dimensions linked to service excellence within the cruising industry and the importance of market segmentation determinants in relation to building sustainable relationships with the customers in all phases of the service life cycle. This section is followed by a scrutiny of perceived value and quality management, from an efficient marketing mix perspective. Theories and thoughts of experts of the crosscultural field are highly regarded, providing a detailed look at the motivational factors of consumers purchase decision inspired by the four psychosomatic factors: learning, motivation, perception and attitude. Service quality, customer satisfaction and experiential travel receive outmost attention in cruise hospitality and travel organizations, as customers’ preferences are influenced by the development of marketing tools and the impact of social media on travelers’ behavior, top management makes it a priority of increasing their focus on diversifying the offer in order to make their products and services appear unique. Conclusions are drawn and discussed following a brief overview of cruising industry’s’ trends within the contemporary transformational global business context.

54-59

Authors: Gabriela Țigu, Oana Diana Crismariu, Dan Anghelescu, Miguel Angel Gonzalez Suarez

Sustainability is no longer an extraordinary challenge nowadays for the service providers in Tenerife; this has become a habit for several years. Gradually, they try to instill in tourists care and respect for compliance with the rules that sustainability implies. The hotels have resorted to various ways in which they can carry out their activity in a sustainable way, trying to inform their tourists very well about them. Destinations on the island - regardless of their profile (cultural, coastal, ecotourism, rural, gastronomic, etc.) - are role models for other tourist areas of the world, both through sustainable development and promotion solutions, and by locals’ hospitality and openness to everything that is new. The article explores experiences in the south of the island, which highlight the above.