Browsing by Person "John, Leei"

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Entrepreneurship education in post-Soviet states: Developing programmes for hospitality and tourism students in Samarkand
(Emerald, 2021-08-19) John, Leei; Robertson, Marc; Tetley, Kate; Seaman, Claire
This paper considers a country-context where traditional entrepreneurship has not been a major part of the economy and considers current attempts to develop entrepreneurship education (EE) as a part of wider market development. We review the background to the economic development of the Post-Soviet states and link this to existing knowledge around EE. The potential routes by which EE might be developed in Uzbekistan are discussed with a focus upon hospitality and tourism education, leading to the development of a model of the six key aspects of change The potential for future research is explored and four aspects are highlighted as areas where partnership working with overseas Universities is likely to have substantive benefits. In particular, the development of quality standards and staff development are areas where partnership could have an important influence, whereas barriers within local systems and cultural resistance are likely to benefit less from a partnership approach. Whilst entrepreneurial competencies and entrepreneurial intent are both important, entrepreneurial intent is highlighted given its role in terms of individual responses to country-level initiatives. Whilst all aspects merit further research, the paper ends with a specific suggestion that future research should draw on the theory of planned behaviour to explore entrepreneurial intent. Practical implications include the proposed development of quality standards for entrepreneurship education and staff development work. The on-going evaluation of these areas is key to on-going development. Uzbekistan is a relatively under-researched area where hospitality and tourism industries are under-going a period of intense development.
Impact of Carnival Tourism: Carnival as Niche Tourism Product
(IGI Global, 2025-02-21) John, Leei; Alexander, Dominic
This chapter examines the growing prominence of niche and special interest tourism, driven by a demand for unique, tailored experiences that foster deeper connections with destinations. Focusing on carnival tourism, a key subset, it highlights its integration of heritage, culture, food, and events. Using St. Lucia as a case study, the chapter explores how strategic marketing and branding elevate carnival as a premier tourism product, driving sustainable growth, economic diversification, and cultural preservation.
SMALL TOURISM BUSINESS SURVIVAL IN THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN
(Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, 2024-06-26) John, Leei
This study investigates the role of strategic approaches in the survival of small tourism businesses in the Eastern Caribbean, focusing specifically on Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and St. Lucia. Despite the acknowledged significance of strategic management in fostering business growth and longevity, scant attention has been given to traditional strategic approaches within small tourism enterprises in developing economies heavily reliant on tourism. The Caribbean, renowned for its diverse and attractive tourism offerings, remains a hotbed for multinational tourism corporations, yet the impact of small businesses within this economic landscape remains understudied. Drawing from an exploratory sequential mixed methods design, the study combines qualitative interviews with 31 participants and a survey of 217 small tourism businesses to elucidate the internal and external factors influencing survival and explore specific strategic approaches employed by these enterprises. Findings reveal five validated factors—low season impact, peak and off-peak dynamics, strategic closure, management, and survival—identified through a newly developed measuring instrument (SIDE). Contrary to prevailing assumptions, the study concludes that strategic approaches do not significantly contribute to small tourism business survival in the Eastern Caribbean. External challenges such as political influences, networking constraints, competition, and seasonality, alongside internal obstacles like employee deviance, emerge as critical barriers to survival. These findings underline the intense business environment faced by small tourism enterprises in developing economies reliant on tourism, urging scholars and policymakers to consider these dynamics in future research and decision-making processes. While the research provides a theoretical foundation for understanding survival dynamics, it acknowledges the existence of additional factors shaping small tourism business survival within the dynamic tourism industry, emphasizing the need for future studies to explore these dimensions comprehensively.
Upsurges of Consumer Brand Loyalty towards Online Travel Websites: Case of booking.com
(Breda University of Applied Sciences, 2023-05-31) Chaichi, Kamelia; John, Leei; Sebian, Ben; Martiz, Gareth
What Makes Consumers Loyal to a Particular Online Travel Website? Case of booking.com
(International Journal of Multicultural and Multireligious Understanding, 2023-10-26) Chaichi, Kamelia; John, Leei; Blackledge-Foughali, Gemma
It is critical for an online travel website to not only attract new customers but only enhance existing customer loyalty to improve the website's image and generate revenue. This research aims to find out the factors that affect loyalty among consumers of online travel websites. The variables in this study were selected after profound research on the literature review and review of the customers' feedback who were using the Booking.com website. Models of antecedents were tested such as price, convenience, experience, and interaction in predicting consumer satisfaction and the impact on brand loyalty among online travel website customers. Data was collected from 420 users of an online travel website (Booking.com) and analysed through the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings show that all constructs influence consumer satisfaction toward online travel websites and consequently influence customer brand loyalty. The research results will create awareness for entrepreneurs, organisations, researchers, and the public to improve marketing strategies and enhance customer retention and brand loyalty. Websites need to consistently deliver high-quality packages and services to stay on top of trends and build trust with customers by providing good service. Live customer service is one of the most significant implications since interaction with the website significantly affects customer satisfaction. As such, websites need to be available in real-time for the customers to enhance brand loyalty. The research outcomes can be beneficial to enhance the reputation of the website and generate more revenue.