Observational study on the neonatal outcome during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany.

AIM: We aimed to determine stillbirth, preterm birth, perinatal complications, and the developmental outcome of children born preterm during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. METHODS: National data from the perinatal survey of preterm and term infants born in 2017-2020 between 22 March and 31 December were evaluated. Neurodevelopment of preterm infants at 2 years corrected age was tested with the Parent Report of Children's Abilities-Revised questionnaire and by clinical testing with Bayley scales, either before or during the COVID-19 pandemic. Statistical significance was calculated using a Pearson's chi-square-independence test and a linear regression model. RESULTS: In 2020, there was an increase of stillbirths of 0.02% (p = 0.01) and a decrease in preterm births by 0.38% (p < 0.001). No changes were found in a representative subgroup of infants with regard to neurodevelopmental scores (mental developmental index and psychomotor developmental index) or in parent survey data (non-verbal cognition scale and language development scale). CONCLUSION: Increasing rates of stillbirths and decreasing preterm births in Germany were observed. Existing networks might stabilise neurodevelopment of preterm infants during the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 AND THE FUTURE OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN TOURISM INDUSTRY: A SUPPLY-SIDE PERSPECTIVE

The tourism industry is struggling to recover and overcome the shortfalls due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The research identified the determinants to consider in the future from a South African supply-side perspective. An online questionnaire was employed in 2020. Exploratory factor analyses identified the dependent (the perceived future of the industry after COVID-19) and independent variables: ways to reach suppliers' target market(s) during the pandemic, the predicted adopted strategies after COVID-19 and the perceived sector risk. Linear regression analyses revealed the significant variables that provide guidelines for managing the industry's future. © 2022 Editura Universitatii din Oradea. All rights reserved.

Delineating the South African domestic tourist's behaviour amid a crisis: A psychographic segmentation approach

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic forced transformational thinking regarding resilience and sustainability strategies to ensure the future of the tourism industry. Domestic tourism is predicted to recover first, emphasising the importance of profiling crisis-induced domestic tourist behaviour through market segmentation. Purpose: The research was conducted from a developing country perspective focusing on South African domestic tourists. A multi-psychographic segmentation approach was applied. Based on South Africa's marketing and media profile, perceived risk factors induced by the COVID-19 pandemic and the perceived safety of domestic travel and tourism activity, domestic tourists were profiled. Methods: An online questionnaire was employed from 2020 to 2021, and 427 responses were included in the analysis. Exploratory Factor analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis were performed to identify the segments based on the identified factors. Results: Four discernible domestic tourist segments emerged: Psychocentric, Traditional idealist, Apprehensive and Despondent domestic tourists. Each segment differed significantly based on their rating of the segmentation bases;thus delineating the heterogeneity of domestic tourist behaviour amid a crisis. The results show that a generic marketing approach is not feasible for domestic tourism in South Africa. Conclusion: It is vital to understand domestic tourist behaviour during a crisis to project and manage it proactively. This research addresses this urgent need. Marketing the country to South Africans requires dynamic and distinguished marketing efforts based on the perceptions of domestic tourists.

Music Event Tourism as a Means to Encourage Local Travel: The Case of the World Choir Games, South Africa

Events offer destinations the opportunity to showcase unique local resources and despite the challenges posed to this niche market, it can serve as part of post-COVID-19 recovery. Music events present experiences centred around unique local culture and serve the trend toward growth in domestic tourism. However, there is a dearth of literature on music event tourism from the Continent despite Africa being known for its rich cultures and popularity of music. Although a globally popular musical style, choir events are also underrepresented in the literature. This article describes local spectator segments of the World Choir Games held in South Africa, a first for the African continent, to identify the factors that drive positive perceptions of the host as a music event tourism destination. Data was collected from 350 spectators and segmentation carried out using cluster analysis. Results indicated two groups of spectators: Avid Exploring Supporters and Experienced Particular Supporters. Though the groups differ in motivations and experiences, both can contribute to sustaining this niche © 2022 AJHTL /Author(s)

Managing Travellers’ Predicted Future Travel Behaviour in a post-COVID-19 World: A Tourism Supplier Perspective

This research aims to assess the influence of COVID-19 on the travel and tourism industry from a supply-side perspective. More specifically, this research identifies the influential determinants to help manage tourists (main target markets’) predicted behaviour and changes in travel patterns due to COVID-19. The exploratory research made use of an online questionnaire. The questionnaire’s link was posted on a social media page in 2020, and a convenience snowball sampling method was used to gain access to travel and tourism suppliers. 111 responses were obtained. The multivariate analysis involved exploratory factor analyses (EFA) in identifying the dependent (tourists future travel behaviour) and the independent variables [suppliers’ initiatives to connect with their target market(s) during the pandemic, the predicted management and marketing strategies the travel and tourism industry will adopt after COVID-19 and perceptions regarding the future of the travel and tourism industry (in a post-COVID world)] that were included in regression analyses. A set of linear regression analyses was performed to show whether there is a significant relationship between the factors that may provide additional guidelines for managing travellers’ predicted travel behaviour due to COVID-19. This research provides valuable insights into the strategies the various sectors within the tourism industry implement and plan to adopt to regenerate their tourism operations post COVID-19. Moreover, since this research is primarily focused on the supply-side (tourism suppliers), the sectoral feedback is valuable in streamlining national tourism industry guidelines post-COVID-19. © 2020. AJHTL /Author(s).

Assisting and spotting

Despite the fact that professional assistance and spotting are important parts of gymnastics in physical education, the topic leads to uncertainty among physical educators due to a fear of accidents or, most recently, due to a connection with the Corona pandemic. Following educational considerations and a historic review, the authors have therefore presented a methodical instructional way of learning (challenging) gymnastic elements independently and with little physical contact.