Browsing by Person "Reino, Sofia"
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Item A benchmarking framework for eTourism capability of destinations' industries(2014-08) Reino, Sofia; Frew, Andrew J.; Mitsche, NicolePurpose - This paper aims to provide a framework for benchmarking the eTourism capability of a destination's tourism industry, understanding the eTourism capability of a destination's industry as the contribution that the information and communication technologies (ICT) uptake of that industry makes to its own performance. The impact of ICT in tourism has been suggested through extensive research. Previous work has urged the development of wide-angle studies to enable benchmarking of destinations and their industries. However, relevant research is limited. Macro-level studies in the area tend to focus on a single aspect of technology to evaluate adoption, are not sector-specific nor take into consideration the different levels of contribution that systems may bring to performance. Design/methodology/approach - A review of the literature on tourism, eTourism, benchmarking and technology adoption provided the baseline for developing this benchmarking tool. Findings - The literature supported the selection of key tourism industry sectors, i.e. accommodation establishments, visitor attractions and food and beverage; the most suitable methodology, i.e. intermediary performance measures; and the business characteristics that need being taken into consideration when assessing ICT adoption by tourism businesses, e.g. size, type of establishment and area of location. Research limitations/implications - The framework has not been tested yet. It is based on a review of the literature and needs to be validated through primary research. The framework was developed based on the context of Scotland. Further work should be done to adjust the framework to other destinations worldwide. Practical implications - The framework enables destinations to benchmark the eTourism capability of their industries. Originality/value - It provides a comprehensive framework for benchmarking tourism destinations' industries, which takes into consideration elements of technology adoption, the characteristics of the tourism industry and the particularities of the different ICT elements. Emerald Group Publishing Limited.Item Consumer-driven sustainable tourism: towards inconspicuos consumption.(Queen Margaret University, 2009) Reino, Sofia; Schroder, Monika; The Carnegie Trust for Universities of ScotlandItem Consumer-driven sustainable tourism: towards inconspicuos consumption.(2009-06-26) Reino, Sofia; Schröder, MonikaIntroduction Life in the typical affluent modern market economy is associated with high spending power and extensive consumer choice. Social comparison, competition and rivalry at work, and stress all drive consumer choice (Layard, 2005). The resultant status race is invariably associated with conspicuous consumption (Veblen, 1899), i.e. consumption that is demonstrative and signals an individual's position in the social pecking order. Consumer satisfaction with goods, services and experiences is derived from one of several types of consumer value, which are either extrinsically or intrinsically motivated. Extrinsic value may be understood as a means to some end, whereas intrinsic value is enjoyed for its own sake (Holbrook, 1999). Another characteristic of extrinsic value is that it can be pursued deliberately, as is typical for conspicuous consumption. Recreational activities offer opportunities for people to rebalance their lives through less conspicuous consumption, associated with more intrinsic consumer value. However, as intrinsic consumption value is more transitory, less predictable and less self-conscious than extrinsic value, products designed to deliver it present a particular challenge, nowhere more so than in terms of branding and marketing. This is exacerbated where tourism is concerned, because consumption takes place away from the familiar home environment and because it is not routine. Thus the tourist is likely to be in aItem Enhancing Cultural Tourism e-Services through Heritage Interpretation(Springer, 2008) Mitsche, Nicole; Reino, Sofia; Knox, Dan; Bauernfeind, UlrikeCultural heritage is a main contributor to tourism development. These two activities heavily rely on the communication process for attracting visitors and to provide them with a satisfactory experience, which can be enhanced through effective heritage interpretation. This paper argues that there are opportunities for the application of e-Services in the delivery of heritage interpretation through the Internet – optimising results for the fulfilment of both marketing and interpretation purposes. This paper investigates visitor satisfaction with museums and explores the use of e-Services for both cultural attraction operators and destination managers over a two-stages empricical research. On one side, this study identifiesthe contribution of heritage interpretation practices to the overall visitor satisfaction in museums. On the other side, it evaluates the current integration of e-Services in cultural attractions and destination websites. The results are integrated and developed into practical industry implications both for cultural attractions and destination website developmentItem European Sustainable Tourism Labels: A tool to inform and educate consumers?(Queen Margaret University, 2011-04-01) Reino, Sofia; The Carnegie Trust for the Universities of ScotlandConsumers' engagement with sustainable tourism practices and labels is lacking. However, there is limited understanding of the reasons behind this. In order to explore the topic, this study examined the views expressed by sustainable tourism labelling organisations about consumers'engagement. This includes obtaining an insight into the level of awareness and understanding that sustainable tourism label certifiers have about consumers; exploring the level of consumer education currently undertaken by sustainable tourism label certifiers; and examining the perceived benefit and limitations that these certifiers have on engaging consumers in the development of their labels. The results suggested that consumers are considered the key initiator of sustainable tourism practices. However, the level of communication of these organisations with consumers is limited. Recommendations to improve communication and to integrate consumers in the sustainable tourism development cycle are presented.Item ICT Adoption and Development: Issues in Rural Accommodation(2010) Reino, Sofia; Frew, Andrew J.; Albacete-Saez, CarlosPurpose - The work described in this paper is of direct relevance to those with an interest in the phenomena surrounding ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) adoption by the rural accommodation sector. The paper provides the results from a preliminary study, which examined differences in the level of inter-firm technology adoption between rural and urban accommodation establishments within a major tourism destination, Scotland. Design/methodology/approach - A survey was conducted, and the results set out here suggested that these differences are only presented with two types of technology, i.e. systems requiring networking infrastructure, and sector-specific applications. Findings - The discussion suggests that the Neoclassical theory of growth and theory of development from below are contradictory but they complementarily explain different levels of adoption between rural and urban setting. Research Limitations/Implications - Not only theoretical, but also industry implications and suggestions for further research are presented. Originality/Value - Previous studies examining these phenomena within other industries suggested that rural businesses tend to have weaker technology adoption than those located in urban settings. However, they fail to provide any conclusive theoretical explanation for these differences. Keywords: ICT adoption, digital divide, rural businesses, growth and innovation, accommodation sector, tourism. Paper type - Research paper.Item Sustainable Tourism Labels: A suitable tool for consumers?(2011) Reino, Sofia; Carnegie Trust for Universities of ScotlandItem The Contribution of Technology-Based Heritage Interpretation to the Visitor Satisfaction in Museums(Springer, 2007) Reino, Sofia; Mitsche, Nicole; Frew, Andrew J.The tradition of heritage interpretation is moving away from purely conservational and educational goals to an entertainment- and experience-oriented interpretative provision. New technologies are gaining prominence in museums to enhance visitors' mindfulness, subsequent learning outcomes and satisfaction. Extant research literature reflects technology-based heritage interpretation; however, such studies implement predetermined outputs which have never been tested by the demand side. This paper seeks to assess technology-mediated heritage interpretation, merging both theory from the museums management and customer satisfaction literatures, and applying Importance-Performance Analysis. Results reveal that new technology does not represent a substitute for other interpretative applications. Its appropriate use in those museums with a traditional interpretative layout enhances displays multisensory provision and visitors perceived interactivity. The use of technology is more appreciated in traditional museums than in those with live interpretation.Item The Use of YouTube as a Tourism Marketing Tool(Travel & Tourism Research Association, 2011-06) Reino, Sofia; Hay, BrianYouTube started as a social media tool, but is now evolving into a marketing communications tool. The aim of this paper is to investigate the use of YouTube as a tourism-marketing tool from the viewpoint of tourism organizations and tourists. Developing its theoretical base from the perspective on how tourists recognize images, a review of 320 European tourism videos on YouTube concluded that many organizations failed to understand that media produced for traditional marketing outlets (TV, cinema) cannot be transferred directly to YouTube. The study also highlighted the growing power of the individual consumer in tourism marketing, as reflected in the dominance of tourism videos produced by real tourists rather than by official tourism organizations. The study concluded that while YouTube was useful as a promotional/ communications tool, more research is required to understand how the YouTube generation filter, select and use tourism information in their trip planning. The