Advances in Hospitality and Tourism Research (AHTR) An International Journal of Akdeniz University,

Number 1, 2014

Pages 1 - 15
Sharia-compliant hotels in Egypt: Concept and chanllenges

Authors: Hesham Ezzat Saad, Badran Nabil Ali and Abdel- aleem Magdy Abdel-Ati

Abstract

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This study was undertaken to provide greater clearness for the meaning of the Sharia-Compliant Hotel (SCH) and identify the challenges facing the development of this type of hotels in Egypt. To fulfill these objectives, Delphi technique, as a method of refining group opinions, was used. The study used two rounds e-mailed questionnaires. Findings indicated that the most important defining features of SCH were; no alcohol or pork allowed, gender segregation was significant and halal food products are significant. Other important defining features included; Quran and prayer mats in each room, no nightclubs, disco or bars, and signs indicating the direction of Mecca in every room. The main SCH challenges cited by the respondents were deprivation of the insertion in the international or local hotel classifications; competition with other non-Islamic hotels, and need for specific criteria appropriated to the international hotel classifications.

Pages 16 - 29
Strategic innovation: An empirical study on hotel firms operating in Antalya region

Authors: Fatma Nur İplik, Yunus Topsakal and Oğuz Doğan

Abstract

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Number of views: 314

Strategic innovation is an issue that is frequently debated by the recent studies. The contemporary organizations almost in all industries seek to increase their strategic innovation capabilities in order to possess a sustainable competitive advantage. Similarly, in the hospitality industry strategic innovation is an essential instrument of gaining competitive advantage in the marketplaces. In modern days of hospitality and tourism, satisfying consurmers with providing only accommodation and catering services is not sustainable since demand is becoming diversified and rivals are offering new services. Thus, strategic innovation may assist hotel firms in meeting new demand and expanding the range of services they offer. Therefore, the purposes of this paper are to measure the level of strategic innovation of hotel firms, and to reveal the obstacles to strategic innovation activities. The paper will also examine the importance of strategic innovation for hotel firms. To this end, a questionnaire was developed and employed to middle and top level executives of hotel firms operating in Antalya province. Results show that hotel firms primarily innovate to improve service quality and to satisfy guests. It was also found that the most important obstacle to innovation is cost of innovation activities.

Pages 30 - 53
Service quality and customer satisfaction in Chinese fast food sector: A proposal for CFFRSERV

Authors: Qingqing Tan, Ade Oriade and Paul Fallon

Abstract

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Number of views: 305

This study investigates customer’s perception of Chinese fast food restaurant service quality and its relationship with customer satisfaction. Employing modified DINESERV scale, the study uses both quantitative and qualitative research approaches. Qualitative data collection consisted of face-to-face interviews and group discussion. A questionnaire was developed using three sources: interview responses of the customers, the restaurant’s survey and the literature. A total of 205 completed questionnaires were used in the analysis. The new measurement scale, Chinese Fast Food Restaurants Service Quality Scale (CFFRSERV), contained 28 items across six dimensions: assurance and empathy, food, cleanliness, responsiveness, reliability and tangibles. The findings from the study revealed that service quality variables have positive influence on customer satisfaction except reliability dimension. The findings provided a useful tool for service quality improvement in Chinese fast food restaurants. Validating the scale in other restaurants in various cities in China is an area for further research.

Pages 54 - 69
The embedding convergence of smart cities and tourism internet of things in China: An advance perspective

Authors: Yang Guo, Hongbo Liu and Yi Chai

Abstract

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Number of views: 271

The smart city strategy is an inevitable trend in the future development of Chinese cities. The smart tourism city is an important part and a practical attempt of the smart city strategy. The China National Tourism Administration has officially announced "Beautiful China: 2014 Year of Smart Travel" as tourism theme. Thus, huge development opportunities are in store for the future of smart tourism. This strategy attempts to combine the Internet of Things (IoT) technology with the development of the smart tourism industry and smart tourism cities. Many Chinese scholars stated their ideas on the technological structure of IoT and the extension of smart tourism industries. At the same time, many Chinese cities have attempted to combine IoT and smart tourism. There is a trend of embedding Application of Tourism IoT in China’s Scenic Spots. Smart tourism should build an IoT information technology public platform, covering service management to marketing management. The emerging smart tourism industry fits China’s economic growth and industrial transformation. Based on these developments, this research determines the current status and development potential of smart tourism in China, and offers recommendations for their applications in China.