Journal of Sustainable Tourism and Entrepreneurship

Issued by Goodwood Publishing, Journal of Sustainable Tourism and Entrepreneurship (JoSTE) is an international, peer-reviewed, and scholarly journal aimed at being a platform for interdisciplinary researchers across the globe to develop and advance both theory and practice of tourism and entrepreneurship. JoSTE welcomes all well-developed papers exploring areas of tourism and entrepreneurship including papers in areas that may not directly be tourism and entrepreneurship based but concerning a topic of interest in the field of tourism and entrepreneurship, such as economics, marketing, business, management, sociology and statistics.

Current Issue

Issued by Goodwood Publishing, Journal of Sustainable Tourism and Entrepreneurship (JoSTE) is an international, peer-reviewed, and scholarly journal aimed at being a platform for interdisciplinary researchers across the globe to develop and advance both theory and practice of tourism and entrepreneurship. JoSTE welcomes all well-developed papers exploring areas of tourism and entrepreneurship including papers in areas that may not directly be tourism and entrepreneurship based but concerning a topic of interest in the field of tourism and entrepreneurship, such as economics, marketing, business, management, sociology and statistics.

Published
2025-01-07

Articles

Community Empowerment as a Catalyst for Marine Ecotourism: The Case of Spermonde Archipelago, Makassar

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the development of marine ecotourism and the community’s participation in marine ecotourism development in the Spermonde Archipelago. The findings were used as a foundation to create a conceptual framework for community empowerment in marine ecotourism in the Spermonde Archipelago. Methodology/Approach: The research was conducted on several islands in the Spermonde Archipelago, Makassar City, including Samalona Island, Kodingareng Keke Island, Barrang Caddi Island, and Lanjukang Island. The study employed a qualitative approach with a case study method. Data were collected through interviews, observations, documentation, and a literature review. The informants included local communities, government officials, the private sector, and academics. The data were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis. Results/Findings: The research developed a framework for community empowerment in marine ecotourism, focusing on improving political, economic, and environmental quality of life. Based on findings from the Spermonde Archipelago, it showed that ecotourism transformed natural resources into tourism products, leading to diverse community perceptions about its impacts. Community involvement was driven by economic motives but limited by knowledge and skills in integrating tourism and conservation. Nonetheless, communities had opportunities to participate in development, planning, and benefit distribution. Limitations: This research did not provide a detailed set of practical strategies based on the formulated community empowerment model. Contribution: This study contributed to the conceptual understanding by proposing a community empowerment model in the Spermonde Archipelago. This model was expected to serve as a theoretical reference for implementing community empowerment focused on social and environmental justice.

The role of marketing communications in influencing the promotion and visibility of tourist destinations: A systematic literature review

Purpose: This systematic literature review (SLR) analyzes tourism marketing communication, uncovering successful strategies and emerging trends. It covers branding, digital marketing, social media, and more, while assessing effectiveness across various contexts. Research Methodology:  Systematic literature review was conducted by analyzing 31 journals related to marketing communication, which addressed strengths, limitations, biases, and gaps, and answered the research objectives and questions coherently. Results: The discussion of the research questions revealed insights into the impact of digital marketing communication strategies on the promotion and visibility of tourist destinations (RQ 1). It is evident that digital strategies utilizing various online channels, real-time updates, and search engine optimization play a pivotal role in enhancing destination visibility. The influence of marketing communication on tourists' decision-making processes (RQ 2) was illuminated, highlighting the role of marketing communication at every stage of the traveler's journey. Marketing communication significantly shaped tourists' decisions, from creating awareness to post-trip engagement. Cultural, social, and environmental factors were found to influence the effectiveness of marketing communication strategies in sustainable and responsible tourism (RQ 3). Sensitivity to local culture, commitment to sustainability, and messaging of eco-friendly practices were pivotal in aligning communication with responsible tourism. Limitations: The literature reviewed may be limited to a specific time period; therefore, trends and strategies that emerged after that period were not covered. This affects the relevance of future findings in digital marketing communication. Contribution: This SLR contributes to a comprehensive understanding of marketing communication strategies in tourism, offering insights into their impact, relevance, and alignment with responsible practices.

Influence of tour operator’s sustainability practices on tourists’ spending and trip duration

Purpose: This study examines how sustainability practices influence tourists' propensity to spend more time and extend their stay. Research Methodology:  The study involved 114 tour firms and 342 tourists in Nairobi City County, Kenya. Tour operators' sustainability adoption levels were categorized using Z-scores from a compliance checklist, while tourist behavior was assessed through questionnaires. General Linear Models (GLM) were used to analyze the relationship between adoption levels and tourist behavior. Results: The findings of the study reveal that higher levels of sustainability - specifically Very High (VH), high (H), and moderate (M)–are positively associated with increased spending and longer stays. In contrast, low (L) and Very Low (VL) sustainability levels did not significantly affect these behaviors. Limitations: The use of Z-scores for categorization reduces complex data to a single dimension, which may oversimplify subtle differences in the adoption of sustainability practices among tour operators. Contribution: These results offer valuable insights for tour operators and stakeholders, demonstrating that integrating sustainability into business operations not only benefits the environment and local cultures, but also enhances economic outcomes for businesses and destinations.

Effect of motives on sustainability performance of tourist hotels: Mediating role of sustainability adoption

Purpose: This study examines how sustainability adoption mediates the relationship between sustainability motives and performance of tourist hotels in Sri Lanka. Research Methodology:  To check the proposed hypotheses of this quantitative investigation, a Structural Equation Model was utilized as an analytical technique using 207 datasets from registered tourist hotels in Sri Lanka. The questionnaire survey technique was used to collect the data. Results: The structural model analysis revealed that while managerial motivations significantly enhance sustainability performance when mediated by corporate sustainability adoption, stakeholder and institutional motivations do not exhibit the same mediating effect. Limitations: This study is confined to the Sri Lankan hotel industry, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other countries. Focusing solely on tourist hotels may limit the applicability of these results to other industries. The use of cross-sectional data limits one’s ability to infer causal relationships over time. Contribution: The contributions of both theory and practice are profound, advocating a strategic focus on internal leadership to drive sustainability in the lodging industry. Future research should explore these relationships across different sectors to enhance our understanding of the factors that foster sustainability initiatives. Implications: The findings emphasize the significance of internal leadership and managerial motivations, rather than external motives, in driving sustainability efforts toward the sustainability performance of hotels. This justifies the need for change in the literature on sustainability, with a greater focus on the role of managerial commitment as a critical component in attaining sustainable performance. Novelty: These findings challenge the conventional wisdom that external pressures alone can drive sustainability success, and highlight the importance of internal leadership and managerial commitment.

Advocacy for human capital development through entrepreneurship education: Preparing undergraduates towards self-employment

Purpose: The objective was to assess the impact of entrepreneurship education on human capital development. Research Methodology: This study employed a descriptive survey methodology, focusing specifically on students in their 300-level business education and business administration programs. The sample was drawn from selected Universities in Anambra and Imo states, Nigeria. To analyze data effectively, the study utilized a linear regression model, which allowed us to test the hypotheses we had formulated for this research rigorously. Results: This study uncovered compelling evidence that entrepreneurship education plays a crucial role in enhancing human capital development. Specifically, it fosters critical skills, innovative thinking, and practical knowledge. Limitations: This study was conducted with a specific focus on a sample of 440 undergraduate students, carefully selected from various universities located in two southeastern states of Nigeria. This deliberate choice of participants allows us to gain insights that reflect the unique educational context of the region. Contribution: This study has significantly enhanced our understanding of the challenges faced by undergraduates regarding white-collar job opportunities in the country. It has highlighted the reality that many of these positions may be increasingly out of reach due to various economic and competitive factors.

Cultural preservation as a catalyst for sustainable tourism: Challenges and potentials in Cimande tourism village, Indonesia

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the cultural potential and challenges of preserving the intangible cultural heritage and living culture of Cimande Tourism Village to enhance its development as a sustainable tourism destination. Research Methodology: A qualitative approach was used, with data collected through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews involving cultural practitioners, POKDARWIS (tourism committees), local residents, and government officials. Results: The study identified nine key cultural elements, including Pencak Silat, traditional medicine, and local rituals, while highlighting 11 major challenges, including insufficient stakeholder support, low community participation, limited human resource capacity, and minimal use of digital marketing. Limitations: This study focuses on cultural preservation efforts, specifically in Cimande Tourism Village, using qualitative methods such as thematic analysis and CAQDAS NVivo, limiting its scope. Contribution: This study deepens the understanding of how local culture can promote sustainable tourism, particularly in rural areas rich in cultural traditions such as Cimande. These findings provide valuable insights for tourism village managers and local governments to balance cultural preservation with economic growth through tourism. Novelty: This study offers a comprehensive exploration of the integration of local culture with sustainable tourism development in Cimande Village, an area that has not been extensively studied.

Mapping and rebranding ornamental fish farming in Depok, West Java, contributions to the SDGs

Purpose: This study aims to identify and prioritize effective rebranding strategies for the ornamental fish farming industry in Depok, West Java, using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to address challenges such as limited market access, environmental sustainability issues, and economic feasibility concerns while aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Research Methodology: The research employs a mixed-method approach, combining qualitative research through in-depth interviews with key stakeholders and quantitative analysis using the AHP to systematically evaluate and prioritize rebranding strategies based on multiple criteria. Results: The study identified market access as the most critical criterion, followed by environmental sustainability and economic feasibility, with digital marketing emerging as the most effective rebranding strategy, scoring 0.67, followed by sustainability certification (0.22) and community outreach programs (0.11). Limitations: The research is limited by a small sample size, potentially affecting result generalizability. The AHP methodology introduces possible subjective biases through pairwise comparisons. The study's regional specificity may constrain broader applicability. Furthermore, the emphasis on rebranding strategies may not encompass all potential solutions to industry challenges. Contribution: This research provides actionable insights for stakeholders in the ornamental fish farming industry to implement sustainable development strategies, aligning with SDGs 1, 8, and 14. It offers a systematic approach to decision-making through the application of AHP. Novelty: This study innovatively applies the AHP to rebranding strategies in ornamental fish farming, uniquely integrating sustainable development principles with quantitative decision-making. This approach offers a new paradigm for strategic planning in aquaculture, contrasting with traditional qualitative methods in the field.