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Motivations and Barriers for the Participation of Family Forest Owners in Conservation Practices: An Application of the Transtheoretical Model: Supplemental Materials
No full textSupplemental Materials for Harrington, M., Butler, B. J., & Sass, E.M. In review. Motivations and Barriers for the Participation of Family Forest Owners in Conservation Practices: An Application of the Transtheoretical Model. Submitted to Human Dimensions of Wildlife.
This document contains supplemental materials associated with Harrington et al. (in review) including:
• Diagram of the Transtheoretical Model Stages of Change
• Coding of Survey Responses into Transtheoretical Model Stages of Change
• Survey Instrumen
Augmenting Super Educators: Redefining Educators for the AI Pedagogy Frontier
No full textThis article explores the evolving role of educators in an era shaped by generative AI, focusing on the emergence of “Super Educators”—teachers augmented by AI tools to expand their pedagogical reach and imagination. Drawing on practical implementations in K–12 and higher education settings, as well as theoretical frameworks such as prompt literacy and posthuman pedagogy, the work examines how educators are leveraging AI to design responsive, equitable, and creative learning environments across diverse educational contexts
In Maui’s Short-Term Rental Policy Debate: A Dialogue inside the Meeting Room
No full textThis study ethnographically examines conflicts and debates during three testimony sessions held by Maui’s Planning Commission in 2024, regarding a proposed short-term rental (STR) ban policy. The research extracts planning procedural details through observations, ‘neighboring’ interviews, and visual ethnography to understand how stakeholders interact, confront, and negotiate during these sessions. Additionally, the study analyzes stakeholders’ verbal and emotional expressions on the STR ban proposal to uncover connections to both individual and broader socio-economic and cultural conditions. The findings contribute to knowledge in tourism destination policy-making, the power dynamics among stakeholders, as well as insights of procedural justice for sustainable tourism management practices
From likes to dislikes: Unpacking the impacts of social media bragging on workplace impressions
No full textWith increased connectedness with colleagues on social media, the blurred line between life and work has become a new norm. Scant is known about how social media use affects work-related impressions. This study seeks to investigate the spillover effect of social media bragging in personal life on interpersonal impressions and collegial support at the workplace using a qualitative focus group approach. Drawing on insights from 7 focus group interviews in the UK and 6 in China among employees who had been exposed to their colleagues’ social media bragging, this study uncovered the nuanced dynamics of social media bragging—particularly travel-related and work-related bragging— and their influences on workplace impressions and collegial support, with a comparative lens on the UK and China. This study provides important implications on individual employees’ impression management strategies, and extended work relationship management in personal life in a connected social media era
Made for Residents, Enjoyed by Visitors: Examining Tourism as a Byproduct of Local Outdoor Recreation Development
No full textMade for Residents, Enjoyed by Visitors: Examining Tourism as a Byproduct of Local Outdoor Recreation Development Introduction Many rural communities aim to leverage tourism as means of economic revival and vitality. Nature and outdoor recreation are typically some of the primary assets to attract visitors to rural or remote regions. In the Northeastern United States, local parks and recreational trails are often developed and overseen by local nonprofit organizations, recreational clubs, land trusts, or municipal or regional conservation/recreation offices, committees, or commissions. These groups may have very little, if any, affiliation or regular interaction with tourism-related agencies or organizations. However, the spaces and experiences they help to create can become key components of a region’s destination development and visitor appeal. In these scenarios, local organizations and individuals may be unwittingly designing tourism products, without much intentional consideration for tourists or tourism. What might this mean in terms of economic development, sustainability, and visitor and resident satisfaction? Do such trails and recreation areas manage to serve both residents and visitors in a more “local,” “low-key,” and “authentic” fashion? Or, is a lack of intentional tourism planning potentially putting outdoor recreation on a course toward frustrations and pitfalls for both the local community and visitors? Insights from applied research on locally-focused trail and outdoor recreation development in New Hampshire raise a variety of questions pertaining to the design and management of outdoor amenities. This paper encourages recreation/land managers and tourism practitioners to critically examine the visitor experience implications of tourism amenities that aren’t necessarily designed with tourists in mind. This inquiry pays special attention to how the popular tourism construct of authenticity may (or may not) be valuable in understanding or predicting visitor use of “local” outdoor recreation sites. Literature Review Visitor motivations and use of “local” spaces Many tourists seeking outdoor recreation and natural scenery choose well-known and superlative destinations such as national parks. However, many others seek outdoor recreation on a smaller scale or supplementary basis while visiting other types of destinations, such as rural regions or small cities. Tourists are not motivated only by “the extraordinary,” but also by variety, quality, and congenial atmospheres (Cohen, 2010). Research indicates that for tourists seeking “soft adventures” (e.g., hiking), motivations including discovery, relaxation, and socialization contribute positively to satisfaction (Bichler & Peters, 2021). Casual outdoor recreationists, perhaps seeking stress relief, are often driven by convenience and proximity when selecting locations (Komossa et al., 2018). Factors such as age and activity preference may impact how far people are likely to travel for recreation (McCormack et al., 2006). Some outdoor recreation enthusiasts may seek alternatives to major outdoor recreation destinations (such as national parks) to avoid crowding (Ferguson et al., 2022a; Manning & Valliere, 2001), or opt for less-visited places for sustainability reasons (Seeler et al., 2022), especially in light of growing public attention to overtourism (Mihalic, 2020). Research on urban tourism has noted increasing visitor preferences for “off the beaten track” destinations as alternatives to crowded, well-known cities (Matoga & Pawłowska, 2018), but this phenomenon has not been as widely investigated in formal studies pertaining to the intersection of outdoor recreation and rural tourism. It is no surprise that tourists often enjoy the same things as local people. Sometimes, visitors intentionally seek experiences that mimic or provide a taste of what it’s like to be a resident, such as through choosing accommodation choices like shared rooms or apartments (Paulaskaite et al., 2017), seeking out local food and dining (Sims, 2009), and spending time in spaces like pubs and coffee shops (Oldenburg, 1999; Maitland, 2008). Interaction with local people can be a key factor determining whether visitors feel endearment for a destination (Prentice et al., 1994). Like pubs and cafes, parks and trails are key public spaces that visitors may seek out as part of their travel experience, while residents enjoy as part of their regular/daily lifestyle. Visitors’ trail-based experiences may play an important role in their overall impressions of their trip and the destination, and thus their likelihood to return and/or spend more time in a community. Many local trails and recreation areas are unhosted and available free of charge, and a visitor might have no or very little interaction with other people while there. Experience-wise, a visitor’s hike or mountain bike ride might be virtually identical to how a local person would use the area, minus some degree of local knowledge (e.g., orientation/directions, safety considerations) and priorly-developed preferences (e.g., favorite routes). Trails and other outdoor recreation spaces developed primarily for local people thus offer an intriguing setting to examine access to local knowledge and the perceived authenticity of the visitor experience, as well as site design and management implications of these themes. Authenticity For several decades now, tourism research has expressed much interest in the concept of authenticity and how visitors’ perceptions of a destination’s or attraction’s “realness” or, conversely, performative qualities may impact travel motivations, choices, and satisfaction. Following MacCannell’s (1973) seminal work on “staged authenticity,” investigations of authenticity in tourism have most often focused on visitor experiences at cultural sites and in other contexts with more apparent performative interactions between “hosts” and “guests.” Contextual extensions and definitional interpretations of authenticity continue to capture the interest of many tourism researchers (Ning, 2017). While it could be assumed that less-touristic places typically offer a more authentic experience to visitors, the role of authenticity in “off the beaten track” regions has been elusive in the literature (Tiberghien et al., 2017). Lovell and Bull (2017) note that rural regions have long evoked a variety of clichés and preconceived notions in the collective mind. This engrained societal enamoredness with bucolic settings may impact visitor perceptions of (or the ability to perceive) authenticity in rural areas. The limited tourism research investigating the roles of perceived authenticity in influencing outdoor recreation experiences have typically focused on national parks or heritage areas (e.g., Lee et al., 2017), rather than lower-profile, community-oriented recreation sites. Similarly, there is a noted shortage of research examining authenticity in the context of sport tourism (Takata & Hallman, 2021) and site management, for instance regarding natural resources interpretation (Hill & Cable, 2006). Cohen (2010) suggests that the construct of authenticity may be usefully applied more broadly in leisure studies, rather than just tourism studies, as lines continue to blur in society between what is “tourist” versus “leisure” behavior. Such blurring may be especially notable when comparing tourism activities and outdoor recreation activities (Williams & Shaw, 2009). Condevaux et al. (2016, n.p.) note that this blurring between “ordinary” and “tourist” places means that “tourists are becoming actors in the creation of tourism products,” raising more questions about what can really be considered authentic. It remains somewhat unknown in the literature the degree to which visitors seek trail-based outdoor recreation experiences specifically for their “local” or “authentic” qualities. Recreation research comparing locals and visitors has found that locals more often visit trails for purposes of seeking solitude and quietude and for health and fitness, whereas visitors tend to be more activity-driven, such as for mountain biking (Spencer, 2013). While factors such as proximity and ease of access may make local trails appealing, it may also be the case that in this modern era of overtourism and costly tourism experiences, contemporary visitors may increasingly enjoy using nearby trails in a “local style,” and be attracted to feelings of informality, discovery, and/or solitude offered by lesser-known recreational areas. Such visitor preferences, as well as differences in experience levels, may have management implications regarding promotion, signage, safety, visitor use planning, and trail feature design, which projects that are designed to serve local audiences might not consider. Case study geographical context This research focuses on a multi-community region of central New Hampshire (NH). A largely rural and forested state, NH has over 1.8 million publicly-accessible acres available for outdoor recreation, which are managed by a variety of public, private, and non-profit organizations (NH DNCR et al., 2024). The U.S. outdoor recreation economy has continued to grow in recent years, with 2023’s inflation-adjusted GDP increasing to 3.6%, compared to 2.9% growth for the overall U.S. economy (BEA, 2024). New Hampshire ranks #8 in the nation for its share of outdoor recreation within its total GDP. In terms of its identity as a destination, NH is most commonly known for its outdoors, and in general is not as well-known as its surrounding New England states (SMARInsights, 2016). Visitor spending for the grouped category of arts, entertainment and recreation has continued to grow steadily in NH, amounting to 534.9 in 2019 (DRA, 2024). In Central New Hampshire, a variety of rural towns and small cities lay just on the periphery of well-known tourism destinations, including the Lakes Region and the White Mountains Region. Some recreation sites in these nearby regions, such as in the National Forest, have been recently observed to have levels of visitor crowding that negatively influence the reported visitor experience quality (Ferguson et al., 2022a). While outdoor recreation has long been an important part of the local lifestyle in the study region, in the past decade there have been numerous efforts and initiatives to develop, improve, or formalize trail systems and recreation areas, such as for hiking, mountain biking, and snowmobiling. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the local growth in popularity of sports such as mountain biking and e-biking have influenced interest in trail development projects in this region. Some of this growth in outdoor recreation participation stems from new habits and interests that people developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in increased overall outdoor recreation participation in New England (Ferguson et al., 2022b) and in the U.S. more generally (Taff et al., 2021). Methodology Research (still underway) from a 2023-2025 New Hampshire-based project focused on community-driven recreational trail development offers useful insights for tourism and recreation planning. At time of writing, the research team is in final stages of analyzing results from the mixed-methods research, which includes three primary data sources: 1) post-event surveys from participants of three educational webinars and three in-person workshops, all focused on regional trail and recreation development topics relevant to the case study region within New Hampshire (n=88); 2) an online survey of New Hampshire trail-related outdoor recreation organization active members and leaders (n=116); and 3) interviews with recreational trail-related organization leaders (n=13). These research participants were all program participants in a multi-tiered and interdisciplinary educational engagement project called “Developing Interconnections for Regional Trails” (a.k.a. “DIRT”), led by University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension community and economic development and natural resource management specialists. To date, the DIRT project has engaged over 200 individuals in workshops, networking opportunities, and other events aimed at building knowledge and capacity for locally-based outdoor recreation development and trail stewardship. In the surveys and interviews, participants were asked directly about their interests in tourism and economic development pertaining to their respective trail projects, as well as given the opportunity to respond more open-endedly through general questions about their projects’ goals and what drives participation in their organizations’ initiatives. Surveys distributed to educational webinar and workshop attendees helped inform the subsequent in-depth interview questions. A forthcoming research report, intended to provide insights for both recreational organization leaders as well as educators and consultants, integrates findings from the post-event surveys, comprehensive program survey, and interviews. Findings Preliminary analysis of the data from New Hampshire indicates that there is a wide range of levels of engagement and intentionality among local project leaders pertaining to tourism planning and development. Some groups embrace tourism as an important component of their mission and see it as a promising pathway for rural economic development. Other organization leaders and members are not greatly considering visitors or tourism development when they design, construct, and maintain their trails and recreational areas. Overall, the majority of local trail and outdoor recreation organization leaders and participants are primarily engaged in trail development work because they are passionate about their own participation in outdoor recreation (e.g., mountain biking, snowmobiling, horseback riding), and many enjoy the local, special interest communities that these projects help generate. There is evidence in this region that tourism could become an unintentional (although not necessarily surprising) byproduct of local passion projects, as visitor interest in affordable, less-crowded recreation sites and off-the-beaten-track experiences continue to grow. Discussion The New Hampshire findings suggest that there are many individuals and organizations playing critical roles in local amenity development that are not giving very much thought to tourism development, even if their amenities are some of the key types of attractions that visitors seek. Importantly, this oversight does not necessarily stem from negative perceptions of visitors or intentional disregard for tourism, although for some, there may be elements of these influences at play. The NH data indicates that for many trail-related organizations’ members and leaders, catering to visitors is simply not a top priority, even if they acknowledge (often with appreciation and positivity) that their projects and actions may contribute to regional economic development via tourism. In some sense, these groups are creating trails that are “authentic” to the motivations, preferences, and lifestyles of local people, largely unadulterated by commercial interests. In their essences, the types of recreational trails included in this study represent local people making local products that they themselves plan to consume. Future research would be needed to effectively explore how this trail development intention translates to (non-local) visitor use and usability, as well as to visitors’ perceptions and preferences. It is important to note that levels of (non-resident) visitor traffic vary across the different types of recreational sites represented in the case study dataset, with tourists being more common historically at some than at others. Additionally, while the study region is largely “off the beaten track,” it is near several well-known destinations where many visitors spend extended time seasonally, for instance at lake houses. Many of these seasonal visitors do not consider themselves “tourists,” and due to the extended time they spend in their vacation communities, they may experience the destination differently than shorter-term or first-time visitors. Conclusion Blurred lines between “residents” and “visitors,” in tandem with growing visitor interests in off-the-beaten-track experiences, suggest that this is a timely moment to further consider how locally-focused outdoor recreation development contributes to destination development. In considering the implications of inadvertent tourism amenity development, these initial research findings provide justification for further exploration of: 1) the respective needs and interests of locals versus visitors; 2) visitor interests in “authentic,” local-style recreation experiences; 3) the ways in which outdoor recreation can contribute to visitor perceptions of destination-level authenticity; and 4) the potential management or community consequences of developing outdoor recreation amenities without much intentionality for tourism planning. Since the current NH research focuses on the producer side (local trail developers and managers) and did not include surveys or interviews with the [non-producer] consumer side (visitors), future research could also engage visitors in an investigation of the influences of authenticity upon recreation motivations and preferences
Navigating Wellness Tourism: Strategic Approaches to Destination Mapping of the Offer
No full textIntroduction By the end of the 1990s, the tourism industry worldwide had begun to pay attention to health and wellness (Sopha et al., 2019). Currently, the diverse types of health and wellness tourism play a more significant role in the global tourism sector (Sopha et al., 2019). However, the numerous definitions and typologies of wellness tourism present significant challenges in effectively mapping the offerings within a destination. This study addresses critical gaps by offering a comprehensive methodology to map wellness tourism offerings in a destination, leveraging and adapting key typologies. This research advances the academic and practical understanding of wellness tourism, aligning with the TTRA’s goals to explore contemporary travel trends and innovative solutions. This work also answers the call of Suban (2022) and Dini and Pencarelli (2021) asking researchers to study the unique qualities of wellness locations on the supply side. This study presents the argument that wellness tourism, an emerging sector focused on health and well-being, encompasses a diverse range of activities that have yet to be fully explored and understood. Despite its status as a specialized segment, wellness tourism offers a wide array of experiences and opportunities for tourists. The article aims to shed light on this relatively unexplored domain and contribute to the academic understanding of wellness tourism-related activities. Hence, the general objective is to share a comprehensive framework and methodology for the mapping and strategic grouping of wellness tourism offerings within a destination, with the ultimate aim of enhancing destination appeal, optimizing resource allocation, and improving visitor experiences through empirical analysis and case studies. The growing demand for immersive and restorative wellness tourism experiences has positioned Quebec, Canada, as a key player in the global market, particularly through its spa innovations. Recent attention to cold exposure highlights its physiological and psychological benefits, making it a compelling addition to spa experiences (Almahayni & Hammond, 2024; Berghmans, 2023). Academic literature on this wellness tourism in Canada is scarce albeit Joppe (2010). This research builds on global wellness trends to contextualize Quebec’s winter tourism potential within a broader academic discourse. Therefore, this study will use this province as an example to illustrate the recommended approach. Literature Review Our literature review will focus on the definitions, characteristics, and typologies of wellness tourism to develop a robust framework for our study. Definitions and Characteristics of Wellness Tourism Wellness tourism is a complex and multidimensional segment of the tourism industry, combining experiences focused on health, relaxation, and rejuvenation. This sector leverages natural and cultural environments to offer activities such as nature retreats, spas, mindfulness programs, and holistic care practices. For instance, Salou in Spain has diversified its traditional tourism offering by integrating wellness strategies to meet the growing demand for post-pandemic sustainable and rejuvenating experiences (Andreu et al., 2021). Unlike medical tourism, which focuses on specific treatments, wellness tourism emphasizes prevention, general well-being, and personal exploration. However, conceptualizing this domain remains challenging due to overlapping definitions and terminological ambiguities with related concepts such as medical and health tourism. Kemppainen et al. (2021) highlight that this conceptual vagueness complicates statistical analysis and the evaluation of ethical and socio-economic challenges associated with the phenomenon. A recent perspective, developed by Kaspar et al. (2019), reinterprets wellness tourism through the lens of “therapeutic mobilities.” This concept highlights the transnational dynamics where individuals, practices, and knowledge related to wellness circulate globally. This approach extends beyond the physical movement of tourists to include the global diffusion of wellness-related ideas, products, and services, enabling a broader understanding of the sector’s scope and implications. Furthermore, segmenting wellness tourists based on their motivations is critical to tailoring offerings to varied needs. Ting et al. (2021) identify key motivations such as the pursuit of health improvement, cultural exploration, and engagement with natural environments. These motivations reflect diverse aspirations, ranging from leisure to spiritual or therapeutic goals, and underscore the need for robust analytical frameworks to understand these dynamics. This study proposes adopting a conceptual framework based on the work of Kemppainen et al. (2021) and Kaspar et al. (2019) to clarify the contours of wellness tourism. This framework will facilitate the mapping and analysis of wellness tourism offerings while considering the unique characteristics of Quebec’s emerging winter wellness tourism sector. By leveraging local strengths such as Nordic spas and cold exposure practices, this approach aims to better understand how wellness tourism can address travelers’ needs while supporting the sustainable development of destinations. Table 1. Wellness Tourism Destination Mapping of the Offer Positioning (SEE PDF) Therefore, our project positions itself at the crossroads of the gaps identified in the existing literature. By adopting the conceptual frameworks of Kemppainen et al. (2021) to clarify definitions and of Kaspar et al. (2019) to understand therapeutic mobilities, we propose an innovative methodology to map wellness tourism offerings. Building on the tourist motivations identified by Ting et al. (2021), we tailor the offerings to the specific needs of visitors. Moreover, by using Quebec as a case study, we illustrate how a destination can leverage its local strengths, such as Nordic spas and cold exposure practices, to meet the growing demand for immersive and sustainable wellness experiences. Typologies The goal is to develop a comprehensive and practical typology of activities and services related to wellness tourism, drawing on the 10 key components identified by Dini and Pencarelli (2021). This typology will serve as a tool to (a) better understand the diversity of offerings in a given context (here, Quebec) and (b) guide strategic decision-making by local stakeholders (destinations, operators, promotion agencies).We also examined key references in the field (Joppe, 2010, etc.; Kemppainen et al., 2021; Smith & Puczkó, 2013, 2014; Smith & Puczkó, 2016) to identify definitions, minimum criteria, and common practices. This step provides the theoretical and conceptual foundation of our typology based on the following tables. This table summarizes the 10 components identified by Dini and Pencarelli (2021). Table 2. The 10 Components of the Well Tourism Offer System (Dini & Pencarelli, 2021) (SEE PDF) Note: References such as Mueller and Kaufmann (2001), Lehto and Lehto (2019), Chen et al. (2015), and others emphasize the importance of spas as a cornerstone of the wellness industry, highlighting the minimum standards required and the growing diversification of spa services. Methodology Based on the literature review, we developed and adapted a conceptual framework that categorizes wellness tourism offerings by key characteristics and criteria.We recommend a comprehensive data collection approach for mapping and strategically grouping wellness tourism offerings. Using Quebec as a case study, we will demonstrate the practical application of our methods. Results We propose classifying wellness tourism activities and services using cluster analysis and a strategic group approach. To achieve this, we will pursue specific objectives based on the Quebec, Canada model: 1. Identify, define and catalogue existing wellness tourism providers using a rigorous methodology based on systematic data collection from multiple sources; a. Data collection is conducted online, as research shows that Internet search engines are commonly used for choosing destinations and preparing trips (Fernández Cavia et al., 2020). We consulted the registry of key wellness tourism organizations and their online presence in the province. A snowball-inspired documentation search process was employed, which involved exploring the references cited in the consulted sources to gather additional information. We recommend supplementing the web data with organizational data publicly available from the Quebec Enterprise Register (Registraire des entreprises du Québec, 2023). 2. Define and develop a classification of activities associated with wellness tourism by considering the different characteristics of the experiences offered; a. The process of classification involves identifying key information that differentiates the activities from one another and categorizes them based on specific criteria and characteristics. The goal is that the distinct groups were internally consistent and externally distinguishable from one another based on the tables provided. 3. Adapt to the destination context: a. Assess the relevance of each component for the specific context under study (here, the province of Quebec), taking into account climate conditions, natural and cultural resources, the structure of existing offerings (spas, hotel-spas, natural sites, etc.), and emerging trends (cold exposure, Nordic baths). b. Integrate regional specificities (e.g., local products, traditional care practices, winter positioning). 4. Identify and classify the activities and services of the wellness tourism providers: a. For each component, compile a list of representative activities and services. For example, for spas, catalog various forms of body treatments, massage therapies, thermal experiences, mind-body activities, and so forth. b. Classify these activities and services into coherent main categories (thermal experiences, body treatments, sensory experiences, integration with the natural environment, etc.). 5. Classify wellness tourism providers into clusters; a. The cluster analysis is leveraged to extract different wellness tourism providers profiles per category. The selection of the number of clusters is based on a combination of statistical analysis and theoretical considerations. The goal is to strike a balance between having enough clusters to capture meaningful variation in the data and ensuring that they remained interpretable and distinct. 6. Classify wellness tourism providers into strategic groups; a. Strategic group analysis, a widely recognized research, groups firms based on similar strategic characteristics According to Porter (1980), strategic groups consists of firms with comparable strategies and business models. This analysis helps understand the diversity and similarities among firms and identifies gaps and opportunities within the industry. 7. Provide recommendations to support stakeholders in the development of this emerging industry. Below is how we plan to structure the specific typology for the spa component in Quebec’s context. Table 3. Example of a Typology of Activities and Services Offered in Quebec Spas (SEE PDF) The methodological approach involves starting from a global reference framework (the 10 components identified by Dini & Pencarelli) and specifying, for each component, a typology of the activities and services offered in the studied destination context (here, Quebec). This model will serve as a foundation for establishing typologies for the other components, ultimately leading to a comprehensive and coherent representation of Quebec’s wellness tourism offerings. Conclusion By sharing a comprehensive framework and methodology for the mapping and strategic grouping of wellness tourism offerings within a destination, as well as developing specific performance indicators, this study provides a foundation to practitioners and academics from which to monitor a destination’s appeal, and improving visitor experiences. Therefore, the findings offer actionable insights for practitioners, contribute to global academic discussions, and align with industry efforts to meet evolving consumer demands. References Almahayni, O., & Hammond, L. (2024). Does the Wim Hof Method have a beneficial impact on physiological and psychological outcomes in healthy and non-healthy participants? A systematic review. Plos one, 19(3), e0286933. Andreu, M. G. N.-l., Font-Barnet, A., & Roca, M. E. (2021). Wellness tourism—new challenges and opportunities for tourism in Salou. Sustainability, 13(15), 8246. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158246 Berghmans, C. (2023). L’impact de l’exposition à la nature (bain de forêts) sur la santé mentale: une revue d’études contrôlées et randomisées et une analyse des processus d’action. L'Évolution Psychiatrique, 89(4), 811-828. Chen, K.-H., Chang, F.-H., & Liu, F.-Y. (2015). Wellness tourism among seniors in Taiwan: Previous experience, service encounter expectations, organizational characteristics, employee characteristics, and customer satisfaction. Sustainability, 7(8), 10576-10601. Dini, M., & Pencarelli, T. (2021). Wellness tourism and the components of its offer system: a holistic perspective. Tourism Review, 77(2), 394-412. Fernández Cavia, J., Vinyals Mirabent, S., Fernández Planells, A., Weber, W., & Pedraza, R. (2020). Tourist information sources at different stages of the travel experience. El profesional de la información. 2020; 29 (2): e290219. Joppe, M. (2010). One country's transformation to spa destination: the case of Canada. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 17(1), 117-126. Kaspar, H., Walton-Roberts, M., & Bochaton, A. (2019). Therapeutic mobilities. In (Vol. 14, pp. 1-19): Taylor & Francis. Kemppainen, L., Koskinen, V., Bergroth, H., Marttila, E., & Kemppainen, T. (2021). Health and wellness–related travel: A scoping study of the literature in 2010-2018. Sage Open, 11(2), 21582440211013792. Lehto, X. Y., & Lehto, M. R. (2019). Vacation as a public health resource: Toward a wellness-centered tourism design approach. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research, 43(7), 935-960. Mueller, H., & Kaufmann, E. L. (2001). Wellness tourism: Market analysis of a special health tourism segment and implications for the hotel industry. Journal of vacation marketing, 7(1), 5-17. Porter, M. E. (1980). Competitive strategy: Techniques for analyzing industries and competitors. Free Press. Registraire des entreprises du Québec. (2023). Registre des entreprises du Québec https://www.registreentreprises.gouv.qc.ca/RQAnonymeGR/GR/GR03/GR03A2_19A_PIU_RechEnt_PC/PageRechSimple.aspx?T1.CodeService=S00436 Smith, M., & Puczkó, L. (2013). Health and wellness tourism. Routledge. https://books.google.ca/books?hl=en&lr=&id=ifYJBAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=Smith,+M.,+%26+Puczkó,+L.+(2008).+Health+and+wellness+tourism.+Butterworth-Heinemann.&ots=-a-H-yvg2q&sig=ut-E4uktj7-Ep-GJXo4pTcRDtq8&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false Smith, M., & Puczkó, L. (2014). Health, tourism and hospitality: Spas, wellness and medical travel (2 ed.). Routledge. Smith, M. K., & Puczkó, L. (2016). The Routledge handbook of health tourism. Taylor & Francis. Sopha, C., Jittithavorn, C., & Lee, T. J. (2019). Cooperation in health and wellness tourism connectivity between Thailand and Malaysia. International Journal of Tourism Sciences, 19(4), 248-257. https://doi.org/10.1080/15980634.2019.1706027 Suban, S. A. (2022). Wellness tourism: a bibliometric analysis during 1998–2021. International Journal of Spa and Wellness, 5(3), 250-270. Ting, T., Changyu, L., Changtai, L., Kexin, C., Zhiping, Z., & Linjun, H. (2021). Clustering of Health and Wellness Tourists Based on Tourism Motivation. E3S Web of Conferences
Traveling with AI: The Impact of AI Chatbot Dialogue Strategies and Tourist Goal Conditions on Acceptance of Recommendations
No full textWith the increasing application of AI chatbots in the tourism and hospitality industries, the issue of how to facilitate more effective and efficient human-computer interactions warrants empirical investigation. Existing research has confirmed that dialogue is a crucial influencing factor; however, studies on dialogue strategies remain underexplored. Therefore, this study adopts a perspective rooted in self-determination theory and uncertainty reduction theory, using three experimental scenarios to examine the impact of AI chatbot dialogue strategies and user goals on tourists' acceptance of recommendations. The findings indicate that when tourists' goals are ambiguous, a system-directed chatbot strategy is more likely to result in higher acceptance of recommendations, whereas when tourists' goals are specific, a user-initiated chatbot strategy is more likely to enhance acceptance. Additionally, the study reveals two competing mediation pathways—relatedness and autonomy—as well as the moderating role of information source disclosure
What’s Going on in Island Tourism? Big Insights from Big Data
No full textIsland tourism is increasingly influenced by tourists' sentiments expressed online. This study applies Natural Language Processing (NLP) to analyze reviews and social media posts, uncovering emotional drivers behind tourist experiences and identifying key themes that reflect visitor preferences and areas for improvement. It explores the role of social media influencers and digital word-of-mouth in shaping perceptions of island destinations and employs predictive modelling to forecast the impact of climate change and weather patterns on tourism, offering sustainability strategies. Addressing research gaps in understanding tourists’ online expressions and integrating predictive approaches for climate challenges, the study reveals evolving visitor preferences, highlights the importance of sentiment analysis in tourism marketing, and underscores the need for sustainable development. The findings provide actionable insights to enhance tourism experiences and ensure resilience in island destinations by bridging theoretical gaps and informing strategic decision-making
Addressing the Wicked Problem of Destination Stewardship
No full textDestination stewardship, an emerging approach to addressing the wicked problem of tourism sustainability, focuses on balancing the needs of communities through participatory governance and collaboration among stakeholders. This research explores how DMOs tackle this challenge by synthesizing academic and industry insights and analyzing existing stewardship plans and interviews with destination managers. A key objective is to develop a flexible, practical model to guide DMOs in addressing unique sustainability challenges. Preliminary findings emphasize the importance of community engagement and adaptability to local contexts, while highlighting the contributions of early adopters of destination stewardship practices. This study bridges academic and practical perspectives, offering a foundation for enhanced sustainable tourism management. While limitations such as language barriers and contextual diversity remain, the research underscores the transformative potential of collaborative governance in empowering DMOs as stewards of their destinations. A preliminary model will be presented at the conference for refinement and practical application
MOLECULAR INSIGHTS INTO SEA TURTLE IMMUNITY, REPRODUCTIVE STRATEGY, AND MIGRATION UNDER RAPID ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE
No full textAnimals interact with their environments in complex ways, shaping ecological and evolutionary dynamics across species. However, the mechanistic basis of these interactions remains poorly understood in many taxa; this is a pressing knowledge gap as species face accelerating environmental change. Sea turtles, highly migratory marine reptiles with global distribution, exemplify this challenge. In this dissertation, I applied molecular techniques to investigate how environmental interactions shape sea turtle ecology and evolution across three focal areas. In Chapter 1, I examined the genetic basis of disease susceptibility in green sea turtles affected by fibropapillomatosis (FP), a tumor-forming disease. Using RNA-sequencing I found that FP-positive individuals exhibited distinct gene expression profiles across 65 genes, and that they employed both disease tolerance and resistance mechanisms against FP infection. I additionally sequenced a key immune gene (MHCI) in one population of green turtles, finding low genetic diversity overall which could result in fitness costs in the future. In Chapter 2, I developed a high-throughput genotyping panel to reconstruct kinship and quantify breeding sex ratios in green sea turtles—an essential step for assessing the demographic impacts of climate change on species with temperature-dependent sex determination. In one population, I identified a male-biased breeding sex ratio (1F:1.86M), a high frequency of multiple paternity (>65%), evidence of polygyny (14.5% of males), and annual remigration by a subset of males (2%), findings that inform resilience strategies under climate warming. Chapter 3 explored the genetic basis of migratory behavior in leatherback sea turtles, focusing on variation in migratory timing and destination. I provided the first evidence of genetic control over migratory phenotypes in any sea turtle species, uncovering a complex genomic architecture—including inversions and genomic islands of divergence—that helps maintain divergent behaviors under scenarios of high gene flow. Collectively, these findings reveal the diverse, genetically mediated ways sea turtles interact with their environments across scales, from immune response to large-scale migration. This work advances our understanding of marine vertebrate biology and supports more effective, genomics-informed conservation strategies.This study was funded by NOAA-PIFSC (NOAA # NA19NMF4720180-T1-01), UMass Amherst Graduate School Fieldwork Grant, UMass Amherst Honors College, NSF-IOS award #1904439 and NSF INTERN grant.Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)2026-05-1