The digital traveller: implications for data ethics and data governance in tourism and hospitality

Purpose>Big data and analytics are being increasingly used by tourism and hospitality organisations (THOs) to provide insights and to inform critical business decisions. Particularly in times of crisis and uncertainty data analytics supports THOs to acquire the knowledge needed to ensure business continuity and the rebuild of tourism and hospitality sectors. Despite being recognised as an important source of value creation, big data and digital technologies raise ethical, privacy and security concerns. This paper aims to suggest a framework for ethical data management in tourism and hospitality designed to facilitate and promote effective data governance practices.Design/methodology/approach>The paper adopts an organisational and stakeholder perspective through a scoping review of the literature to provide an overview of an under-researched topic and to guide further research in data ethics and data governance.Findings>The proposed framework integrates an ethical-based approach which expands beyond mere compliance with privacy and protection laws, to include other critical facets regarding privacy and ethics, an equitable exchange of travellers' data and THOs ability to demonstrate a social license to operate by building trusting relationships with stakeholders.Originality/value>This study represents one of the first studies to consider the development of an ethical data framework for THOs, as a platform for further refinements in future conceptual and empirical research of such data governance frameworks. It contributes to the advancement of the body of knowledge in data ethics and data governance in tourism and hospitality and other industries and it is also beneficial to practitioners, as organisations may use it as a guide in data governance practices.

Reflections on the theme issue outcomes

[...]achieving those goals has become the over-arching agenda of the global tourism network, given that tourism not only contributes to the implementation of SDGs but also triggers a wide range of market opportunities. [...]the SDGs are not necessarily perceived as a national priority despite their potential for eliminating poverty and addressing an array of basic human needs. [...]the personal experience of contributors added significant value to the collection of articles. [...]current perspectives relating to the SDGs and their implementation were explored with reference to destinations as diverse as Mauritius, India, France, Dubai, Africa, Romania, Zanzibar, Haiti and Algeria. Young consumer empowerment will need to be at the heart of every sustainable tourism initiative, which will lead in the long run to the development of a future responsible tourist capital development (FRTCD) framework.

Editorial

[...]the quest for sustainability in tourism continues to be a priority for both established and emerging destinations. [...]tourism businesses are conducted in an unsustainable way, and the consequences are often reflected in emerging issues such as overtourism and ongoing issues such as depletion of tourism resources. According to the UNWTO, attainment of the SDGs is possible through collaboration and discussion between stakeholders.

Tourism: how to achieve the sustainable development goals?

PurposeThe purpose is to provide an overview as to how the sustainable development goals (SDGs) are being implemented by countries with different tourism requirements and resources. In so doing, this theme issue presents case studies from across the globe and examines them from academic and practitioner perspectives. The case studies cover: hospitality, tourism agriculture, events, small and medium sized businesses, sport, the African Union as a regional organisation and wildlife tourism. Ultimately, the objective is to encourage countries to implement the SDGs by highlighting the benefits they bring to the economy, society and the environment.Design/methodology/approachThis paper outlines the theme issue approach which draws on a blend of case studies, online sources, literature review and industry reports. This combination of primary, secondary and tertiary data enables a meaningful analysis of the implementation of SDGs in destinations with different requirements and characteristics.FindingsThe theme issue findings provide insights on the history, status and progress of SDGs in hospitality and tourism worldwide. Based on reviews and practical evidence, it is clear that many countries have not yet successfully implemented the SDGs, whereas others have made significant progress by embracing sustainable action. The overall observations point towards collaboration between stakeholders, and the scale of organisations as a sine qua non condition for the achievement of sustainability.Originality/valueThe value of this theme issue is that it presents a variety of case studies that demonstrate how different countries have successfully implemented the SDGs and the challenges faced while embracing those actions. Each case presented is unique and the variety of strategies proposed therein serves as guide to practitioners and destination managers. Further, the findings may be applicable to other geographic regions with similar contexts.

Brexit and tourism. Process, impacts and non-policy

Cooperation among stakeholders (including governments) is crucial for the long-term sustainable development of the tourism industry (Guiver and Stanford, 2014;Séraphin, 2012). With COVID-19 challenging the tourism industry in Europe, and in the world, cooperation among (European) countries becomes all the more important (Jamal and Budke, 2020). [...]the conclusion wraps up the key points of the book while asking an important question regarding the future of the UK outside the EU.

Mountain tourism and second home tourism as post COVID-19 lockdown placebo?

Purpose The purpose of this study adopts a news media narrative approach to Yield insights on aspects of the COVID-19 impact. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts a news media narrative approach as this method can yield insights on aspects of the COVID-19 impact. Findings In the post-COVID-19 lockdown context, second-home tourism and mountain tourism could play the role of placebo. The dual dimension of second-home tourism and mountain tourism reflect the Janus-faced character of the tourism industry. Beyond the fact that this study has highlighted the placebo role that both forms of tourism are probably going to play, it makes the connection between mountain tourism and second-home tourism;highlights the Janus-faced character of both forms of tourism;and highlights the mutation impacts of COVID-19 on tourism trends. Originality/value COVID-19 is the current concern, and this paper offers a timely perspective on a topic of significant interest.