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230+ Innovative Hospitality Management Research Topics In 2023

Hospitality Management Research Topics

Have you ever thought about what goes on behind the scenes to make your hotel stay or restaurant food so great? Hospitality management research is like the investigative work of detectives in the world of hospitality. It aims to find ways to enhance your experiences away from home and ensure that hotels and restaurants run smoothly.

In this blog, we delve into the importance of research in the hospitality industry. It’s the key to enhancing guest experiences, optimizing business operations, and promoting sustainable practices. It keeps businesses up-to-date with changing trends and helps attract and retain the best staff, all while exploring innovative solutions for the challenges faced by the industry.

We’ll also provide you with over 230 innovative research topics in hospitality management for 2023, catering to various fields of study, whether you’re a social sciences, economics, STEM, or law and ethics student. So, if you’re curious about the world of hospitality research, read on to uncover the secrets of guest satisfaction and the ever-evolving landscape of this dynamic industry.

What Is Hospitality Management Research?

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Hospitality management research is like detectives studying how hotels, restaurants, and other places where people stay and eat can do things better. Imagine someone trying to find ways to make your hotel stay more comfortable or your restaurant meal tastier. That’s what researchers in hospitality management do. They ask questions, gather information, and use special tools to solve problems and make the experience of staying and eating out more enjoyable for everyone. They also look at how to make these places run smoothly and help the people who work there do their jobs better.

This kind of research is important because it helps hotels and restaurants become better at what they do. It can lead to new ideas and improvements that make guests happy and also help the businesses make more money. So, hospitality management research is all about finding ways to make your time away from home more enjoyable, relaxing, and delicious.

Importance Of Research In Hospitality Management

Here are some importance of research in hospitality management:

1. Enhancing Guest Experiences

Research in hospitality management helps hotels and restaurants figure out what makes guests happy. It’s like finding the secret recipe for a big smile. By asking questions and studying what guests like and don’t like, they can make stays and meals more enjoyable and memorable.

2. Efficient and Well-Run Businesses

Just like a chef needs a recipe to cook a delicious meal, businesses in hospitality need the right recipe for success. Research helps them find the best ways to do things, like how to manage staff, plan menus, and set prices. This makes the hotel or restaurant run smoothly and make more money.

3. Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Practices

Researchers in hospitality also look at ways to be kind to the planet. They explore how to save energy, reduce waste, and use fewer resources. This not only helps the environment but also saves money for businesses in the long run.

4. Keeping Up with Changing Trends

Travel and dining habits change over time, just like fashion trends. Hospitality research keeps businesses up-to-date with what’s popular and what’s not. It’s like knowing which clothing style is in fashion, but for hotels and restaurants.

5. Attracting and Training the Best Staff

Good staff is like the icing on a cake – they make everything better. Research in hospitality management helps businesses find and keep talented employees. Businesses can make their employees happier and more effective by knowing what they need and want. This will lead to better service for guests.

In this section, we will discuss hospitality management research topics: 

Great Hospitality Industry Research Topics

  • Consumer Preferences in Sustainable Accommodations
  • Technology’s Role in Personalizing Guest Experiences
  • Crisis Management in the Post-COVID-19 Hospitality Sector
  • Food Safety and Public Health in Restaurants
  • Diversity and Inclusion in the Hospitality Workforce
  • Cultural Exchange and Tourism Impact
  • Managing Employee Turnover in Hospitality
  • The Effect of Online Reviews on Hotel Selection
  • Social Media Marketing for Hotels
  • Environmental Responsibility in Hospitality Operations

Amazing Research Titles About Hospitality Industry

  • Sustainable Hospitality: Green Practices and Guest Satisfaction
  • Innovations in Guest Experience Management
  • Resilience in the Face of Crisis: Hospitality Industry Strategies
  • Digital Disruption in Hospitality: The Tech Transformation
  • From Stars to Stories: Rethinking Hotel Ratings
  • Exploring Cultural Tourism in the Hospitality World
  • Unveiling the Secrets of Top-Rated Hotels: A Guest-Centric Analysis
  • Banquets and Conferences in the Digital Age: Innovations in Event Management
  • Social Media Crisis Communication for the Hospitality Industry
  • Dining Experiences Beyond the Plate: Restaurant Innovations

List of Recommended Philippines Hotel and Restaurant Management Dissertation Topics

  • Boutique Hotels and Local Tourism Development
  • Culinary Tourism in the Philippines: A Flavorful Journey
  • Community-Based Tourism Initiatives: Socioeconomic Impacts
  • Sourcing Locally: Sustainable Food Practices in Filipino Restaurants
  • Promoting Filipino Hospitality and Cuisine through Social Media
  • Revenue Management Strategies for Philippine Hotels
  • Cultural Festivals and Hotel Occupancy Rates
  • Elevating Customer Service in Filipino Restaurants
  • Ecotourism Trends and Eco-Friendly Accommodations in the Philippines
  • Adapting to the ‘New Normal’: Challenges and Opportunities in Philippine Hospitality

Research Topics in Hospitality Management for Social Students

  • Social Responsibility in Hospitality: A Comparative Study
  • Indigenous Communities and Tourism: Social Implications
  • Gender Diversity in Hospitality Leadership Roles
  • Mental Health Among Hospitality Workers: A Social Perspective
  • Social Media’s Impact on Destination Marketing
  • Inclusivity and Diverse Populations in Hospitality
  • Reducing Food Waste in Restaurants: A Social Goal
  • Tourism as a Catalyst for Cultural Exchange
  • Social Entrepreneurship in the Hospitality Sector
  • Community Engagement in Tourism Development

Research Topics for Hospitality Management for Economy Students

  • Mega Events and Their Economic Impact on Hospitality and Tourism
  • Price Elasticity in the Hotel Industry
  • Economic Analysis of All-Inclusive Resorts
  • Tourism’s Role in the Economic Development of Developing Nations
  • Foreign Investment in Hospitality: Economic Insights
  • The Economics of Luxury Hotel Operations
  • Market Entry Strategies for International Hotel Chains
  • Tourism Taxes and Their Influence on Visitor Numbers
  • Airbnb and Its Economic Impact on Traditional Hotels
  • Agrotourism’s Economic Viability and Potential

Outstanding Research Titles For Hospitality Management Students

  •  Crafting Exceptional Guest Experiences: A Study in Hospitality Excellence
  •  Hospitality Resilience in Times of Crisis: Strategies and Success Stories
  •  The Digital Revolution: Innovations in Hospitality Management
  •  Beyond Stars and Diamonds: A New Era of Hotel Classification
  •  The Art of Hospitality: Unveiling the Secrets of Top-Rated Establishments
  •  Events Redefined: Innovations in Banquets and Conferences
  •  Navigating Social Media in the Hospitality Industry
  •  Sustainability and Responsibility: The Future of Hospitality
  •  Restaurants Reinvented: Culinary Adventures in Modern Dining
  •  Emerging Ethical Dilemmas in Hospitality Management

Leading Thesis Titles For Hospitality Management

  •  Hotel Revenue Management Strategies and Their Impact on Profitability 
  •  The Influence of Guest Reviews on Hotel Selection 
  •  Digital Transformation in Hospitality: A Case Study of Leading Chains 
  •  The Role of Environmental Practices in Guest Satisfaction 
  •  Global Diversity in Hospitality Leadership: Challenges and Opportunities 
  •  Promoting Cultural Tourism for Sustainable Economic Growth 
  •  Employee Turnover: Causes, Costs, and Solutions in the Hospitality Sector 
  •  Social Media Marketing for Hotels: Best Practices and Pitfalls 
  •  Legal and Ethical Aspects of Food Safety in Restaurants 
  •  The Sustainability Movement in Boutique Hotels: Case Studies 

Hotel Management Research Paper Ideas

  •  Optimizing Hotel Room Pricing Strategies 
  •  Enhancing Hotel Operations Through Technology 
  •  Sustainable Practices in Hotel Management 
  •  Crisis Management and Disaster Preparedness for Hotels 
  •  The Role of Leadership in Hotel Success 
  •  Innovations in Hotel Guest Services 
  •  Customer Relationship Management in the Hotel Industry 
  •  Effective Marketing Strategies for Hotels 
  •  The Impact of Employee Training on Guest Satisfaction 
  •  The Influence of Hotel Design on the Guest Experience 

Argumentative Essay Topics for Research in the Hospitality Industry

  •  The Pros and Cons of All-Inclusive Resorts 
  •  Online Travel Agencies vs. Direct Hotel Booking: Which is Better? 
  •  The Ethics of Wildlife Tourism: Balancing Conservation and Entertainment 
  •  The Role of Technology in Replacing Human Workers in Hospitality 
  •  Is Sustainable Tourism Truly Achievable, or Just a Buzzword? 
  •  Cultural Appropriation in the Restaurant Industry: Where to Draw the Line 
  •  Balancing Economic Growth and Environmental Sustainability in Tourism 
  •  The Impact of Overtourism on Local Communities 
  •  Are Hotel Loyalty Programs a Benefit or a Burden for Guests? 
  •  Legal and Ethical Issues in Food Allergen Handling in Restaurants 

Read More 

  • Social Media Research Topics
  • Mental Media Research Topics

Creative Hospitality Management Research Topics

  •  The Influence of Art and Design on Hotel Guest Experience 
  •  Gastronomic Tourism: Exploring the World Through Food 
  •  The Theater of Fine Dining: Immersive Restaurant Experiences 
  •  Hospitality as a Form of Entertainment: Theatricality in Hotels and Restaurants 
  •  Novel Approaches to Hotel Branding and Theme Concepts 
  •  Music and Soundscapes in Enhancing Ambiance in Hospitality Establishments 
  •  The Role of Storytelling in Hotel and Restaurant Marketing 
  •  Innovative Hotel Room Features and Amenities 
  •  Sensory Marketing in the Hospitality Industry 
  •  Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Applications in Tourism and Hospitality 

Social Media Research Topics About the Hospitality Industry

  • The Impact of Influencer Marketing on Hospitality Businesses
  • Crisis Management in the Age of Social Media
  • User-Generated Content and Its Influence on Hotel Bookings
  • The Role of Instagram in Promoting Food Tourism
  • The Viral Power of TikTok for Restaurant Marketing
  • Online Reputation Management for Hotels and Restaurants
  • Social Media as a Tool for Personalized Guest Experiences
  • The Dark Side of Social Media: Handling Negative Reviews
  • Popular Topics in Philippine Hotel and Restaurant Management Theses
  • The Privacy Debate: Social Media and Guest Data in Hospitality

Excellent Research Titles About Hospitality Management

  • The Guest Journey: A Holistic Approach to Hospitality Management
  • Resilience in the Hospitality Industry: Lessons from Adversity
  • Tech Transformation: Shaping the Future of Hospitality
  • Guest Satisfaction Beyond Stars: Secrets of Highly Rated Hotels
  • Innovations in Event Management: Redefining Conferences and Banquets
  • Navigating the Digital Age: Social Media Marketing for Hotels
  • Sustainability and Responsibility: The New Imperatives in Hospitality
  • Culinary Experiences: The Evolution of Dining in the Modern Era
  • Ethical Dilemmas in Hospitality Management: A Comprehensive Study
  • Unlocking the Potential of Boutique Hotels: Case Studies

Tourism and Hospitality Research Topics for STEM

  • Data Analytics in Tourism: Optimizing Operations and Guest Experiences
  • Smart Cities and Sustainable Tourism Development
  • Biotechnology and Food Safety in Hospitality
  • The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Personalized Tourism Recommendations
  • Environmental Engineering in Sustainable Hotel Design
  • Renewable Energy Solutions for Eco-Friendly Accommodations
  • Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in Destination Planning
  • Sustainable Transportation and Tourism
  • The Impact of 5G Technology on Tourism Services
  • Waste Management and Recycling in the Hospitality Industry

Sustainability Research Topics for Tourism and Hospitality

  • Zero-Waste Initiatives in Hotels: Challenges and Success Stories
  • Sustainable Agriculture and Farm-to-Table Dining in Restaurants
  • Carbon Footprint Reduction in Air Travel and Its Implications
  • The Role of Green Certifications in Eco-Tourism
  • Plastic Reduction Strategies in the Hospitality Sector
  • Community-Based Tourism and Local Ecosystem Preservation
  • Sustainable Water Management in Hotels and Resorts
  • Sustainable Practices in Adventure Tourism
  • Responsible Tourism and Conservation of Endangered Species
  • Green Building Design and Energy Efficiency in Hotels

Simple Hospitality Research Topics

  • The Importance of Customer Service in Hospitality
  • Hotel Pricing Strategies and Occupancy Rates
  • Food Safety and Hygiene in Restaurants
  • The Impact of Guest Reviews on Hotel Reputation
  • Staff Training and Retention in the Hospitality Industry
  • Innovations in Hotel Room Design
  • Effective Marketing Strategies for Small Hotels
  • Local Food Sourcing for Sustainable Dining
  • The Role of Hospitality in Economic Development
  • The Psychology of Guest Satisfaction

Top Hospitality Research Ideas

  •  Destination Branding and Its Legal Implications 
  •  The Role of Insurance in Hospitality Risk Management 
  •  Privacy and Data Protection in Guest Information Handling 
  •  Intellectual Property and Copyright Laws in the Culinary World 
  •  Alcohol Licensing and Regulation in the Hospitality Sector 
  •  The Legal Aspects of Hotel Contracts and Booking Agreements 
  •  Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Laws in Hospitality Employment 
  •  Environmental Compliance in Hotel Building and Operations 
  •  Liability in Tourism Activities: Legal Protection for Tour Operators 
  •  Health and Safety Regulations in the Restaurant Industry 

Hospitality Management Research Topics

  •  The Significance of Employee Training in Hospitality Service Excellence 
  •  Innovations in Hotel Room Amenities and Design 
  •  Food Safety and Hygiene Practices in High-End Restaurants 
  •  The Role of Technology in Guest Service Enhancement 
  •  Sustainability Initiatives in Hotel Operations 
  •  Crisis Management Strategies in the Hotel Industry 
  •  Tourism and Cultural Exchange: Promoting Diversity and Inclusion 
  •  Legal and Ethical Issues in Alcohol Service at Restaurants 
  •  The Psychology of Customer Loyalty in Hospitality 
  •  The Impact of Hotel Design on Guest Satisfaction 

Research Topics on Hospitality and Tourism

  •  The Interplay of Tourism and Local Culture Preservation 
  •  Sustainable Tourism in Protected Natural Areas 
  •  Hospitality Innovation for Accessible Tourism 
  •  The Influence of Cultural Events on Hotel Bookings 
  •  Online Travel Agencies and Their Impact on Small Hotels 
  •  Destination Marketing through Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality 
  •  Hotel Booking Behavior: A Comparative Study of Different Generations 
  •  Disaster Preparedness and Crisis Management in Tourism 
  •  The Effects of Weather and Climate on Tourism Destinations 
  •  Dark Tourism: A Study of Morbid Attractions in Travel 

Excellent Hospitality Research Topics

  •  The Power of Personalization in the Hospitality Industry 
  •  Exploring Resilience in Crisis-Hit Tourism Destinations 
  •  Hospitality Technology Adoption and Its Influence on Guest Satisfaction 
  •  Beyond Stars and Diamonds: A New Era of Hotel Classification 
  •  Crafting Unique Guest Experiences: A Study of High-Rated Hotels 
  •  Innovations in Event Management: Rethinking Conferences and Banquets 
  •  Social Media Marketing Strategies in the Hospitality Sector 
  •  Sustainability and Responsibility: Imperatives for Future Hospitality 
  •  The Evolution of Culinary Experiences in the Modern Dining Landscape 
  •  Ethical Challenges in Hospitality Management: A Comprehensive Analysis 

Outstanding Hospitality Research Topics

  •  The Guest Journey: A Holistic Approach to Hospitality Management 
  •  Strategies for Resilience in the Hospitality Industry 
  •  Digital Transformation in Hospitality: Innovations and Challenges 
  •  Guest Satisfaction Beyond Stars: Unveiling Top Hotels’ Secrets 
  •  Innovative Approaches to Event Management: Redefining Conferences and Banquets 
  •  Social Media Marketing in Hospitality: Best Practices and Pitfalls 
  •  Sustainability and Responsibility in the Modern Hospitality Landscape 
  •  Reimagining Restaurants: Creative Concepts and Trends 
  •  Ethical Dilemmas and Moral Compass in Hospitality Management 
  •  Boutique Hotels: A New Wave of Luxury Accommodations 

Innovative Hospitality Dissertation Topics

  •  The Impact of Blockchain Technology in Hotel Operations 
  •  Augmented Reality and Its Application in Hotel Marketing 
  •  Biosecurity Measures in Hospitality Post-Pandemic 
  •  Sensory Marketing and Its Role in Guest Satisfaction 
  •  Sustainable Practices in Hotel Interior Design 
  •  Robotics and Automation in the Hospitality Industry 
  •  Micro-Moments in Guest Decision-Making: A Mobile-First Approach 
  •  Virtual Reality-Based Tourism Experiences 
  •  Waste Reduction Strategies in Hotel Operations 
  •  The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Hotel Leadership 

Unique Hospitality Research Paper Topics

  •  The Impact of Feng Shui in Hotel Design and Guest Satisfaction 
  •  The Use of Scent Marketing in Enhancing the Guest Experience 
  •  The Role of Astronomy Tourism in Dark Sky Destinations 
  •  Hospitality for Space Travel: Preparing for a New Frontier 
  •  The Influence of Animal-Assisted Therapy in Hotel Stays 
  •  The Revival of Historic Hotels: Challenges and Success Stories 
  •  Gaming and Virtual Reality Integration in Hotel Entertainment 
  •  Culinary Tourism and Edible Landscapes in Restaurants 
  •  The Art of Mixology: Craft Cocktails in Modern Bars 
  •  Hospitality as a Platform: Cross-Industry Collaborations in Guest Services

Hospitality Management Research Topics in the Philippines

  •  The Impact of Ecotourism on Philippine Local Economies 
  •  Local Food Sourcing and Sustainability in Filipino Restaurants 
  •  Community-Based Tourism Initiatives in the Philippines 
  •  Promoting Filipino Hospitality and Cuisine through Social Media 
  •  Adapting to the ‘New Normal’: Challenges and Opportunities in Philippine Hospitality 
  •  Cultural Festivals and Their Role in Philippine Tourism 
  •  Boutique Hotels and Their Contribution to Philippine Tourism 
  •  Sustainable Practices in the Philippine Hotel Industry 
  •  Tourism and Indigenous Communities: Social and Economic Impacts 
  •  COVID-19 and Its Effects on Philippine Hospitality: Lessons Learned 
  • Tourism in the Philippines: Addressing Overcrowding and Overtourism

Challenges Face By Students During Hospitality Management Research 

Here are some challenges that are faced by students during hospitality Management research:

  • Complexity of the Industry: The multifaceted nature of the hospitality industry demands an in-depth understanding of various sectors, making it challenging to focus on a specific research area.
  • Data Collection: Gathering reliable and relevant data can be a hurdle, as it often requires cooperation from industry partners or access to real-time customer data.
  • Changing Trends: Hospitality is constantly evolving with emerging trends and technologies. Students must keep up with these changes to ensure their research remains current.
  • Cultural Diversity: The global nature of the industry means that students may encounter challenges when conducting research in culturally diverse settings, from language barriers to understanding local customs.
  • Ethical Considerations: Studying the hospitality industry may involve complex ethical dilemmas, such as privacy concerns or the impact of research on businesses and employees.
  • Resource Constraints: Access to resources for research, such as funding, relevant literature, and technology, can be limited, especially for students with tight budgets.
  • Time Management: Balancing coursework, internships, and research can be demanding. Students often struggle with time management to meet deadlines and make progress in their research endeavors.

Hospitality Management Research is like the secret ingredient that makes hotels and restaurants better. It’s all about creating enjoyable experiences for guests, ensuring businesses run smoothly, and even being kind to our planet. As we’ve explored a wide range of research topics, it’s clear that this field is ever-evolving and holds countless opportunities for students and professionals alike.

By understanding the importance of research in enhancing guest satisfaction, improving business operations, and promoting sustainability, we can appreciate the immense impact it has on the hospitality industry. So, whether you’re a student or a business owner, keep exploring, innovating, and embracing the world of hospitality management research to ensure a brighter and more delightful future for all.

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Top 200 Hospitality Research Topics and Ideas

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If you are pursuing a degree in hospitality courses, then to obtain graduation, definitely during your final semester, you will have to submit a thesis on any hospitality research topic. Since hospitality is a vast field of study, it might be challenging to identify a good research topic on it. So, for your convenience, in this blog post, we have presented a list of 200 outstanding hospitality research paper topics on different themes related to the subject. Continue reading to gain a wide range of hospitality research ideas. Also, from here, get to know about the preparation of hospitality research papers.

What is Hospitality?

Hospitality means offering a warm or friendly welcome to visitors and guests. On this planet, hospitality is one of the dynamic industries where innovation and technology are used to improve the experience of the guests. The hospitality and tourism industry majorly encloses all the activities that are associated with travel and tourism. Primarily, the hospitality sector includes

  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Night Clubs & Bars
  • Restaurants & Catering
  • Travel & Transportation
  • Cruise Liners and bus tours
  • Events (Private, Business, Cultural & Sports)
  • Spas & Wellness

Hospitality management or hotel management is a vast field that deals with managerial activities in the hospitality industry. The ultimate aim of the hospitality industry is to satisfy customers by offering the best services. Hence, to improve customer satisfaction, the industry requires a lot of skills, creativity, and the help of technology. Also, to build unique strategies for attracting customers, various research and analysis activities are conducted in the hospitality industry.

Hospitality Research Topics

Hospitality Research Paper Writing

A hospitality research paper is an academic paper that focuses on any topics that are related to hospitality. For writing a research paper, first, you should identify a good topic. During topic selection, make sure to pick a topic that matches your interest. The research topic should not be too broad or too narrow.

If the topic is too broad, narrow it down and focus only on a particular theme. You can select either a topic or a subtopic for discussion, but it should have a strong thesis statement. Remember, all the main points related to the research statement should be explained with supporting facts.

Like other academic papers, the hospitality research paper you prepare should also be well-structured and informative. When writing a hospitality research paper, include the following elements.

Introduction: It is the opening paragraph of the paper. In the introductory paragraph, you should mention brief background information on the topic and thesis statement .

Literature review: In this section, you should discuss the theoretical framework and the sources you have used to research and write the paper.

Research Methodology: Here, you should list and explain all of the methods you have used to collect and analyze the data.

Data Analysis: In this section, you should analyze all the research data you have gathered.

Results: Here, you should focus on the meaning and implications of the data you have collected.

Conclusion: In this section, you should summarize all the major points. Also, you should specify how your analysis has provided the answers to your research question.

References Page: Here, you should list all the sources you have used as a reference in your research paper.

List of Hospitality Research Topics and Ideas

Hospitality is a broad field with endless research topics to consider. When it comes to writing a hospitality research paper, you can prefer any hospitality topics based on history, culture, management, and recent industry trends.

Are you asked to prepare a hospitality research paper on the best topics? Cool! Here, we have shared the top hospitality research topics and ideas for you to consider.

Refer to the list mentioned below and identify a topic of your choice.

Simple Hospitality Research Topics

  • Talk about the origin of the word Hospitality.
  • Hospitality in the Islam culture.
  • Hospitality in Ancient Greece.
  • Best ways to greet a tourist in Rome.
  • Hospitality in the Christian culture.
  • The effect of global trends on the hospitality industry.
  • Explain the relationship between the host and the guest.
  • An in-depth look at hospitality ethics.
  • Best ways to greet a guest in Prague.
  • Analyze the negative effects of travel bans
  • Contribution of tourism to global economic growth
  • Development of sustainable tourism
  • Contribution of tourism to development and poverty reduction
  • Discuss the tourism destinations across Europe
  • Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global tourism

Hospitality Research Topics on Tourism

  • Contribution of Tourism to the Worldwide Trade
  • Improvement of Competitiveness of Tourism
  • The advancement of Tourism contribution to the development
  • Best ways to greet tourists in Rome
  • Comparison between the hospitality laws in Middle-East countries and European countries
  • Existing hospitality laws in Japan and China
  • Employee performance in the establishment of Hotel: Case Study of Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort
  • Best practices of hotel management
  • Talk about etiquette in the hospitality industry.
  • The effects of smoking bans on casinos.
  • Analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic-led social distancing on the global tourism management
  • How the removal of travel restrictions in the post-COVID year is going to benefit the tourism industry of the United Kingdom?
  • Assess how government policies, rules, and regulations impact the development of a country’s tourism business
  • Analyze the impact of natural disasters and hazards on the tourism industry of the UK
  • Discuss the impact of travel bloggers and vloggers on the global tourism business

Interesting Hospitality Research Paper Topics

  • Explain the concept of favored guests in Christianity.
  • The right to free transit.
  • Analyze the concept of perverse hospitality.
  • An in-depth look at fair wages in the hospitality industry.
  • Case Study: The Izmailovo Hotel.
  • Case Study: The Abraj Al-Bait.
  • Make a strategic analysis of the Circus Circus Las Vegas.
  • Make a strategic analysis of the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
  • Discuss the tagline “Atithi Devo Bhava”
  • Hospitality training of flight attendants
  • Intercultural challenges in the hospitality industry and the role played by hospitality management: a descriptive review
  • Hospitality management and Access-based sharing options: factors driving consumers to make such decisions
  • Analyze the concept of experience sampling technique in the hospitality management domain
  • Comparative analysis of the working hours in the hospitality sector of the UK and the US
  • Discuss the potential challenges and interventions involved in international hospitality management

Unique Hospitality Research Ideas

  • Importance of the hospitality industry on France’s economy
  • Smart and innovative tourism development
  • Promoting employment through fostering knowledge, education, and capacity-building
  • Examining perception and attitude of customers towards online travel agents.
  • How can small catering firms utilize integrated marketing communication to create brand recognition and sales?
  • Discuss the financial management and accounting of a hotel.
  • Revenue management of a large hotel.
  • A study on French hotel management.

Research Topics on Hotel Management

  • Traits of a good hotel manager.
  • Case Study: The Ambassador City Jomtien
  • Case Study: The Wynn Las Vegas
  • Managing a hotel in Pakistan.
  • Case Study: Hotel & Plaza
  • Explain the customer service at a 5-star hotel.
  • Analyze the difference between a full-service hotel and a limited-service hotel
  • Space, Society, and Hospitality
  • Use of technologies in hotel management practices
  • The current trend in hotel management

Hospitality Law Research Topics

  • Problems confronting the development of the hospitality industry (a case study of Models Hotel Enugu)
  • A closer look at the Laws of Innkeepers.
  • Discuss insurance waivers.
  • Explain bailments in the hospitality industry.
  • Research the risk of theft in hotels in the UK.
  • Hospitality law in South Africa.
  • Hospitality law in India.
  • Research hospitality law in Russia.
  • Hospitality law in South Korea.
  • Hospitality law in North Korea.
  • Talk about the liability of hotel owners in the US.
  • Importance of hospitality law in driving tourism growth
  • Critical analysis of the hospitality laws in the United States
  • Loss of guest property in the European Union
  • Talk about hospitality as a virtue.

Hospitality Management Research Topics

  • Importance of hotel management
  • Discuss the salary expectations of hotel managers.
  • Major issues in the hospitality industry.
  • The role of the General Manager of a hotel.
  • The different types of hospitality accommodations.
  • Evaluating the need for effective policies as a panacea for the sustainable hospitality and tourism industry
  • Role of interior design in the hospitality industry cutting wrought iron as a case study
  • The course of food poisoning in catering establishments (a case study of a selected restaurant in Aba)

Additional Research Topics on Hospitality Management

  • Working conditions in a large hotel.
  • The various types of hospitality accommodations.
  • Talk about the salary expectations of hotel managers.
  • Offering food, shelter, and safety in Nepal.
  • Discuss hotel management during the COVID pandemic.
  • An in-depth look at hotel marketing management.
  • Prepare a strategic analysis of a hotel of your choice.
  • The role of a Director of Groups and Events.
  • Food and beverage in the hospitality industry.
  • Offering shelter in Judaism.
  • The role of facility managers.
  • Research the effects of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic on the hospitality industry.
  • Discuss hospitality training of restaurant workers.

Advanced Research Topics on Hospitality Management

  • The importance of the hospitality industry for the US economy.
  • Discuss hospitality training of flight attendants.
  • Make a strategic analysis of Caesars Palace Hotel.
  • Research what off-season means for holiday resorts.
  • Discuss how hospitality companies diversify.
  • Case Study: The MGM Grand Las Vegas and The Signature
  • Make a strategic analysis of the Excalibur Hotel and Casino.
  • Case Study: The Londoner Macao
  • Case Study: The Venetian Resort Las Vegas
  • Talk about personalization in hospitality.

Research Paper Topics on Hospitality and Tourism

  • Analyze the 7 components of tourism.
  • Talk about the 3 main concepts in tourism.
  • Best tourist attractions in the US.
  • Going contactless in the hospitality industry.
  • Domestic tourism in the United States.
  • Best tourist attractions in the UK.
  • Research outbound tourism trends in 2022.
  • How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect tourism?
  • What does inbound tourism mean?
  • Use of Sig Sigma and TQM (Total Quality Management) in the hospitality and tourism business

Best Hospitality Research Topics

  • Discuss destination promotion.
  • Make a strategic analysis of the Shinagawa Prince Hotel.
  • The way tech has affected the hospitality industry.
  • Talk about seamless technology in hospitality.
  • Make a strategic analysis of the Resorts World Las Vegas.
  • Discuss the best ways to cater to millennials.
  • Augmented reality in the hospitality industry.
  • Sustainability in the hospitality industry.
  • The most important service in the hospitality industry.
  • Discuss the growing emphasis on well-being.
  • Using tech to meet the needs of hotel guests.
  • Make a strategic analysis of the Atlantis Paradise Island hotel.
  • Crushing the competition in the hospitality business.
  • The most important part of hospitality in a luxury hotel.
  • Research the importance of a good tour guide.

Great Hospitality Dissertation Topics

  • Why do customers prefer leisure hotels when they plan overseas holidays?
  • The positive impacts of Royal Weddings on the hospitality industry.
  • Factors affecting restaurant selections on a Friday night out.
  • How to motivate employees in pubs and restaurants?
  • With more people traveling solo, what has the hospitality industry done to accommodate and attract more visitors?
  • How do buying decisions affect leisure tourism regarding British customers?
  • Does brand extension in hotel chains affect the buying decisions of customers?
  • Perception and attitude of British customers towards Thai food.

Excellent Hospitality Research Ideas

  • Analyze the operations of a pub of your choice.
  • Discuss the tips system.
  • Changing laws in the hospitality sector.
  • The importance of proper etiquette.
  • Research the wages of hotel staff in your area.
  • The influence of hospitality on the direct and indirect economy.
  • Hospitality going green in the upcoming years.
  • Compare 3 major hotel chains in the UK.
  • Hospitality laws and regulations in the Maldives.
  • Hospitality during the Olympic Games.
  • The best ways to attract guests to your hotel.
  • Hospitality in Ancient Egypt.
  • Discuss the bread and salt tradition in Eastern Europe.
  • Discuss hospitality in your local hospital.
  • A closer look at sports tourism.

Trending Hospitality Research Topics

  • Explain the role of culture in hospitality.
  • Describe the role of food critics in the hospitality industry.
  • Examine the impact of tourism on infrastructure and the environment.
  • Analyze the importance of customer service in the hospitality industry.
  • What is the difference between managing a hotel and running one?
  • Discuss the challenges and opportunities that come with managing a hotel.
  • Investigate the impact of social media on the hotel industry.
  • Explain the role of a hotel or resort manager.
  • How important is it to have an online presence for hotels and resorts in today’s world?
  • What is the importance of event planning in the hospitality industry?

Popular Hospitality Research Topics

  • Latest trends in the hospitality industry.
  • What is a hotel crisis management team?
  • What are leisure travelers?
  • How important are workspaces in hotels?
  • What is essentialism in the hospitality business?
  • Can you talk about the peculiarities of solo travel guests?
  • What is holistic hospitality?
  • Discuss the skills of an experienced restaurant manager.
  • Research a new sector of hospitality.
  • How important is a review for companies in the hospitality industry?
  • How hospitality services are provided across different geographical regions varies.
  • The role of the hospitality management staff.
  • How hotels are remaining alive in the competition of providing hospitality services.
  • Types of hospitality services that are in demand.
  • Innovative techniques to satisfy the needs of guests in hotels.

Captivating Hospitality Research Paper Topics

  • Middle Eastern and European countries’ hospitality laws are contrasted.
  • encouraging knowledge, education, and capacity-building to promote employment
  • Analyze the Hilton Hawaiian Village from a strategic perspective.
  • An in-depth examination of equitable pay in the hospitality sector
  • Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort is a case study on employee performance in the hotel setting.
  • Do some research on how the hotel sector will be affected by the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.
  • TQM (Total Quality Management) and Sig Sigma are used in the hospitality and tourism industries.
  • Remote communication’s importance in the hospitality and tourism industries
  • An in-depth examination of increasing earnings in the hospitality sector
  • Do a strategic study of the hotel Caesars Palace.

Final Words

By using any topic from the list of hospitality research topics suggested above, you can write an excellent research paper. In case, you still find it difficult to select a good research topic for your assignment, quickly call us for online assignment help . We have numerous subject matter experts to help you with topic selection and writing a plagiarism-free hospitality research paper according to your requirements. Moreover, by utilizing our reliable hospitality research paper writing service, you can finish your academic work ahead of the due date and secure good grades.

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130+ Hospitality Research Topics: Great Ideas

Hospitality research topics

A research paper is mandatory for all students to graduate from a course, including hospitality courses. Research in the hospitality industry can be easy if you have the right topic. So, one of the first things you should prioritize before starting your hospitality research is finding an excellent topic.

Great Hospitality Industry Research Topics

Argumentative essay topics for research in hospitality industry, creative hospitality management research topics, social media research topic about hospitality industry, excellent research title about hospitality management, tourism and hospitality research topics for stem, sustainability research topics for tourism and hospitality, amazing research title about hospitality industry, top hotel and restaurant management thesis topics in the philippines, research topics in hospitality management for social students, research topic for hospitality management for economy students, outstanding research title for hospitality management students, leading thesis title for hospitality management.

A good topic for research in hospitality will serve as the foundation for your paper. It will also attract readers and trigger interest in your paper. Are you looking for a research title in the hospitality industry that guarantees a top grade? Check out the following examples in this article:

Research topics on the hospitality industry should focus on the key and hot topics faced in the sector. Here is a list of research titles for hotel and restaurant management:

  • The origin and meaning of the word hospitality
  • How different cultures view hospitality
  • An in-depth look into the impacts of the COVID pandemic on the hospitality sector
  • Hospitality and tourism: what is the link?
  • Hospitality and hotel management: a comprehensive analysis
  • The role of hospitality in the tourism sector
  • Essential elements of the hospitality sector
  • A strategic analysis of the hospitality sector in your country
  • Etiquette in the hospitality sector
  • Hospitality industry wages: what is fair?

An argumentative essay topic should state your opinion on a subject so you can argue it in the essay. Some argumentative essay topics on the hospitality industry are:

  • Travel bans triggered by the COVID pandemic negatively impacted the hospitality sector
  • The impacts of global trends on the hospitality sector
  • Hospitality ethics: an in-depth analysis
  • The relationship between a host and guest about hospitality
  • The contributions of the hospitality sector to global economic growth
  • Sustainability as a global trend in the hospitality sector
  • The development of sustainability in the hospitality sector
  • Challenges encountered by the hospitality sector in the 21 st century
  • Technology as a tool for change in the hospitality sector
  • Hospitality in Christian and Islam culture

Creativity is a vital element when choosing a research topic. It will make your essay stand out and attract readers. Here are some great examples of research topics about hospitality management and their reasons:

  • Qualities of an effective hotel manager
  • How customer service can influence the quality of hotel management
  • Full-service vs. limited-service hotels: the difference in their hotel management
  • How large hotels conduct revenue management
  • Hotel management in European nations
  • How can hotel management impact an establishment’s success?
  • Financial accounting is a critical part of hotel management
  • Hotel management: a comprehensive overview
  • The impact of the internet on hotel management
  • The role of hotel management on guest satisfaction rates

You should always find social media research topics for your hospitality research paper. Check out the following hospitality research topics:

  • The impact of social media on the hospitality sector
  • How companies in the hospitality sector take advantage of the power of the internet
  • The social media influencer trend and its impact on the hospitality sector
  • How hospitality practitioners use the internet to enhance their services
  • Hospitality training and the internet
  • Technology as a tool for hospitality training
  • The role of the internet in hospitality diversification
  • Social media and its impact on hospitality diversification
  • Strategic ways for hospitality companies to take advantage of technology and the internet
  • Social media and hospitality: the correlation

An excellent research title can play a vital role in earning good grades. Find a sample of a thesis statement about social media and more titles about hospitality management below:

  • What is the role of a hotel manager
  • Types of hotel managers in large establishments
  • Core issues in the hospitality management sector
  • Salary expectations for hotel managers
  • The core roles of facility managers in the hospitality sector
  • Hospitality as a virtue independent of the hospitality sector
  • Factors that prevent hospitality managers from providing effective services
  • Hotel marketing management: a comprehensive assessment
  • Hotel revenue management: a comprehensive assessment
  • Hotel management in your country

Tourism and hospitality often go hand in hand. So, you can cover the two elements in your research paper if you have an ideal topic that brings these concepts together. Check out the following research topics for STEM students :

  • The tourism and hospitality sector after the coronavirus pandemic
  • The long-term effects of travel bans on the tourism and hospitality sector
  • What is the way forward for the tourism and hospitality sector after the pandemic?
  • Online tourism: an in-depth analysis
  • Advances in the tourism and hospitality sector
  • Social advancing and tourism management: a comprehensive overview
  • Medical tourism: an analysis
  • Impacts of social media on the tourism and hospitality sector
  • Impacts of government regulations on the tourism and hospitality sector
  • The impacts of natural hazards on the tourism and hospitality sector

Sustainability research topics are critical for all tourism and hospitality students. Find research topics and ideas for tourism students related to sustainability below:

  • Sustainability in the tourism sector
  • Tourism sustainability: perspectives of guests and practitioners
  • Sustainable tourism as a tool for heritage and culture preservation
  • A study of sustainable tourism in mountainous destinations
  • The practice of sustainable tourism in island destinations
  • Challenges encountered in sustainable tourism
  • The impacts of sustainable tourism on the digital world
  • Sustainable tourism efforts for disaster prevention
  • The impacts of the pandemic on sustainable tourism
  • How is sustainable tourism measured?

A creative research title will show your reader what to expect from the rest of your paper. It creates a good first impression. Find a good thesis title or professional thesis writer about the hospitality industry below:

  • Tourism marketing and sustainable tourism: an in-depth study
  • Hospitality and tourism in emerging economies
  • The correlation between ecotourism and sustainable tourism
  • The impacts of politics in the hospitality sector
  • An evaluation of local tourism and hospitality sectors
  • The profitability of the hospitality sector
  • How governments can improve their hospitality sectors
  • The effect of local communities on the hospitality and tourism sector
  • Sustainability is a critical trend in the hospitality sector
  • A comparative analysis of the hospitality sector in the US and Europe

Hotel and restaurant management are significant topics in the Philippines. So, writing a good essay on these topics can come in handy for your academic performance. Find a good research title about hotel and restaurant management below:

  • Hotel and restaurant management ethics in the Philippines
  • Hotel and restaurant management laws in the Philippines
  • Why should hotels invest in restaurants?
  • The concept of perverse hospitality in the Philippines
  • Hotel and restaurant management salaries in the Philippines
  • The role of the Philippino government in hotel and restaurant management policies
  • Strict hotel and restaurant management policies in the Philippines
  • Smoking bans in hotels in the Philippines
  • Fair wages in the hotel and restaurant management sector in the Philippines
  • The concept of hospitality in Philippino hotel and restaurant management

Students studying social sciences can write research papers on hospitality management because these subjects are related. Find a research topic about hospitality management that covers social issues below. All social issues research topics are actionable.

  • Hospitality training for hotel workers
  • Flight attendants and hospitality: an overview
  • How to conduct hospitality training for flight attendants
  • How hotel managers can maximize profits in the hospitality sectors
  • Challenges experienced in hospitality management
  • Barriers to success in hospitality management
  • The value of the hospitality sector for the global economy
  • Hospitality management and augmented reality: an in-depth overview
  • Safety precautions in hospitality management since the CORONA pandemic
  • How local governments depend on the hospitality sector

The hospitality management sector and the economy industry often influence each other. So, you can write a paper that explains their link. Here are some economic research paper topics in hospitality management:

  • How hospitality economics impact overall country economics
  • How the hospitality sector can improve their profits
  • Challenges hindering the hospitality sector from growth
  • Hospitality laws and profitability: the correlation
  • The best ways the hospitality market can improve their finance management
  • Finance management in hospitality: an overview
  • Personalization as a tool for promoting growth in the hospitality sector
  • Countries that benefit the most from the hospitality sector
  • Inbound tourism: its impact on the global economy
  • Tourism and hospitality as tools for economic growth

Hospitality management is a popular course; all students must complete a research paper to graduate. So, you ought to be creative with your paper, especially the title, so it does not look like anyone else’s. Let us look at some excellent hospitality management thesis topics:

  • The best tourist attractions
  • Tourism management perceptions according to various cultures
  • Diverse views of hospitality management
  • Can hospitality management be taught?
  • An in-depth look at ways hospitality management can be trained
  • Hospitality management training for restaurant workers
  • Key elements in hotel management
  • How hotel management can influence its customer satisfaction rates
  • How many managers should a hotel have
  • Management and hospitality: a comprehensive guide

The hospitality management sector is prone to many changes. So you can easily find a current topic for your research paper. As you check out the hospitality thesis topics highlighted below, take some time to read about anatomy research paper topics .

  • How competitive is the hospitality management sector?
  • Causes of the high turnover in the hospitality sector
  • Strategies that guide management organizations in the hospitality
  • Hospitality management in Australia
  • How the hospitality sector does employee management
  • Basic training elements for hospitality management
  • What type of training do hospitality management practitioners go through?
  • The value of hospitality management
  • Changes in hospitality management brought about by the internet
  • How online reviews influence the hospitality management sector

Choosing the right topic is the first step to writing a good research or thesis paper in hospitality management. However, many students struggle to prepare quality research papers. If you are one of such students, worry not because we have got you covered.

You can trust us with your research paper writing needs. Our writers will help you create a paper that matches your quality topic to earn you excellent grades. Contact our writers today and get your quality research paper in no time. Feel free to read more on biochemistry topics .

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150+ Interesting Hospitality Research Topics To Consider

Table of Contents

Are you searching for the best hospitality research topics for your final year project? If yes, then you are at the correct place. Basically, hospitality is a broad subject that predominantly deals with the various activities, technology concepts, and creativity required to build the customer experience. The subject mainly focuses on everything related to the travel and tourism industry and hence while preparing a hospitality research paper, it might be challenging for you to identify a good topic to work on. But with us, you need not worry. For your convenience, in this blog, we have suggested 150+ outstanding hospitality research topics and ideas on different themes related to the subject. Continue reading to get exclusive ideas for hospitality research paper writing.

Hospitality Research Topics

Hospitality Research Paper Topics List

Wonder what topic to choose for your hospitality research paper? Cool! When it comes to writing a research paper or thesis on hospitality, you can consider topics that deal with some significant aspects to build successful strategies. Other than that, you can also give high preference to case studies and hospitality research ideas based on history, law, management, culture, etc. as presented below.

Hospitality Research Topics

Hotel Management Research Paper Ideas

  • Discuss the qualities of a good hotel manager.
  • Explain the customer service at a 5-star hotel.
  • Compare a full-service hotel and a limited-service hotel.
  • Revenue management of a large hotel.
  • Case Study: The Wynn Las Vegas.
  • A study on French hotel management.
  • Case Study: The First World Hotel & Plaza.
  • Hotel management in Pakistan.
  • Case Study: The Ambassador City Jomtien.
  • Explain the financial accounting of a hotel.
  • Case Study: Pavilion Hotel Kuala LumpurManaged by Banyan Tree
  • Describe the best practices of hotel management
  • Analyze the hotel management practices of The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, India
  • Discuss the best practices for hoteliers to improve customer service and hotel maintenance management
  • Case Study: Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, Italy
  • What are the best practices for employee management in the hotel sector
  • Why it is important for the hospitality industry to switch to sustainable practices?
  • Compare and contrast the hotel industry of Thailand and Malaysia
  • Discuss five modern technologies used by American hotels
  • Analyze the growth and development of the hotel industry in Dubai
  • Compare the ‘check-in’ and ‘check-out’ processes and amenities in European and Asian hotels

Simple Hospitality Research Topics

  • Discuss the relationship between the host and the guest.
  • Explain hospitality in the Christian culture.
  • How to greet a tourist in Rome.
  • Explain hospitality in Ancient Greece.
  • The negative effects of travel bans.
  • The effect of global trends on the hospitality industry.
  • Hospitality in the Islam culture.
  • Explain the origin of the word Hospitality.
  • Best ways to greet a guest in Prague.
  • Discuss hospitality ethics.
  • Why ‘Four Seasons Resort Bali’ at Jimbaran Bay is considered one of the most luxurious hotels in the world?
  • Compare and contrast Explora El Chaltén, Argentina, and Six Senses Fort Barwara, India
  • Analyze the contribution of the hospitality industry to global economic growth
  • Importance of leadership management in hospitality businesses
  • Which form of leadership style is most effective to apply in the hospitality industry?
  • Discuss the global hospitality industry’s contribution to the world economy over the past three decades
  • Critical analysis of the roles and responsibilities of the housekeeping staff on guest satisfaction in classified hotels
  • Discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global hospitality industry
  • Compare and contrast hospitality services available in Islamic and Christian culture

Hospitality Law Research Topics

  • Insurance waivers.
  • Hospitality law in India.
  • The liability of hotel owners in the US.
  • Research hospitality law in Russia.
  • Hospitality law in South Korea.
  • Research the risk of theft in hotels in the UK.
  • Bailments in the hospitality industry.
  • Hospitality law in North Korea.
  • A closer look at the Laws of Innkeepers.
  • Hospitality law in South Africa.

Top Hospitality Research Ideas

  • The right to free transit.
  • Case Study: The Abraj Al Bait.
  • Explain the idea of favored guests in Christianity.
  • Make a strategic analysis of the Circus Circus Las Vegas.
  • The effects of the smoking ban on casinos.
  • A closer look at fair wages in the hospitality industry.
  • Etiquette in the hospitality industry.
  • Make a strategic analysis of the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
  • Analyze the idea of perverse hospitality.
  • Case Study: The Izmailovo Hotel.

Hospitality Management Research Topics

  • Discuss the salary expectations of hotel managers.
  • Major issues in the hospitality industry.
  • The role of the General Manager of a hotel.
  • Discuss hotel management during the COVID pandemic.
  • The different types of hospitality accommodations.
  • Food and beverage in the hospitality industry.
  • Working conditions in a large hotel.
  • Analyze the effects of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic on the hospitality industry.
  • Hotel marketing management.
  • The role of a Director of Groups and Events.
  • The role of facility managers.
  • Providing food, shelter, and safety in Nepal.
  • Hospitality as a virtue.
  • Offering shelter in Judaism.
  • Prepare a strategic analysis of a hotel of your choice.

Research Topics on Hospitality and Tourism

  • Domestic tourism in the United States.
  • Talk about outbound tourism trends in 2022.
  • Top tourist attractions in the UK.
  • Define inbound tourism.
  • Talk about the 3 main ideas in tourism.
  • How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect tourism?
  • Talk about personalization in hospitality.
  • Analyze the 7 components of tourism.
  • Going contactless in the hospitality industry.
  • Best tourist attractions in the US.
  • Discuss the contribution of tourism to worldwide trade.
  • Explain the impact of travel bloggers and vloggers on the global tourism business.
  • Discuss the impact of natural disasters and hazards on the tourism industry.
  • Write about Ex Ante Tourism Forecasting Assessment.
  • How to improve the competitiveness of Tourism.
  • Discuss the advancements of Tourism contribution to the development.
  • Explain the significance of remote communication in the tourism industry.
  • Write about family tourism.
  • Bibliometric analysis of medical tourism.
  • Community resourcefulness and partnerships in rural tourism
  • Discuss how hospitality companies diversify.
  • Case Study: The MGM Grand Las Vegas and The Signature
  • The importance of the hospitality industry for the US economy.
  • Prepare a strategic analysis of the Excalibur Hotel and Casino.
  • Hospitality training of flight attendants.
  • Case Study: The Londoner Macao
  • Research what off-season means for holiday resorts.
  • Case Study: The Venetian Resort Las Vegas
  • Make a strategic analysis of Caesars Palace Hotel.
  • Discuss hospitality training of restaurant workers.

Read more: Best Leadership Research Topics and Ideas To Deal With

Excellent Hospitality Research Topics

  • Discuss the best ways to cater to millennials.
  • Sustainability in the hospitality industry.
  • Augmented reality in the hospitality industry.
  • Discuss the growing emphasis on well-being.
  • Explain the seamless technology in hospitality.
  • Make a strategic analysis of the Shinagawa Prince Hotel.
  • The most important service in the hospitality industry.
  • Discuss destination promotion.
  • The way tech has affected the hospitality industry.
  • Specify the importance of a good tour guide.
  • The most important part of hospitality in a luxury hotel.
  • Strategic analysis of the Resorts World Las Vegas.
  • Analyze the Atlantis Paradise Island hotel.
  • How to meet the needs of hotel guests using tech.
  • Crushing the competition in the hospitality business.

Outstanding Hospitality Research Topics

  • The influence of hospitality on the direct and indirect economy.
  • Compare 3 major hotel chains in the UK.
  • Discuss the tips system.
  • Hospitality going green in the upcoming years.
  • Hospitality in Ancient Egypt.
  • The best ways to attract guests to your hotel.
  • Changing laws in the hospitality sector.
  • Hospitality laws and rules in the Maldives.
  • Discuss sports tourism.
  • Analyze the operations of a pub of your choice.
  • Research the wages of hotel staff in your area.
  • Discuss hospitality in your local hospital.
  • Hospitality during the Olympic Games.
  • Discuss the bread and salt tradition in Eastern Europe.
  • The importance of proper etiquette.

Innovative Hospitality Dissertation Topics

  • How do buying decisions affect leisure tourism on British customers?
  • Why do customers prefer leisure hotels when they plan overseas holidays?
  • Perception and attitude of British customers towards Thai food.
  • Factors affecting restaurant selections on a Friday night out.
  • The positive impacts of Royal Weddings on the hospitality industry.
  • How can small catering firms use integrated marketing communication to create brand recognition and sales?
  • With more people traveling solo, what has the hospitality industry done to accommodate and attract more visitors?
  • How to motivate employees in pubs and restaurants?
  • Does brand extension in hotel chains affect buying decisions of customers?
  • Examining perception and attitude of customers towards online travel agents.

Read more: Top Human Resources Research Topics and Ideas for Students

Unique Hospitality Research Paper Topics

  • Talk about the weird qualities of solo travel guests.
  • What is essentialism in the hospitality business?
  • What is holistic hospitality?
  • Research a new area of hospitality.
  • What are leisure travelers?
  • How hotels are remaining alive in the competition of providing hospitality services.
  • How important is a review for companies in the hospitality industry?
  • Discuss the skills of an experienced restaurant manager.
  • The role of the hospitality management staff.
  • How important are workspaces in hotels?
  • How hospitality services are given across different geographical regions varies.
  • What is a hotel crisis management team?
  • Innovative techniques to meet the needs of guests in hotels.
  • Latest trends in the hospitality industry.
  • Types of hospitality services that are in demand.

The Bottom Line

From the list of research topics and ideas suggested in this blog, choose any topic of your choice and draft a detailed hospitality research paper. In case, you are not sure what topic to select or how to write a hospitality research paper, contact us. We have a dedicated team of academic writers on almost all subjects including hospitality management to offer authentic, top-quality  assignment writing service . Based on the requirements you share with us, the subject experts from our team will prepare and deliver a plagiarism-free hospitality research paper deserving of an A+ grade. Moreover, with the support of our scholarly writers, you can also complete your hospitality assignments in advance of the deadline at an affordable cost.

Just book your order and enjoy the scholastic benefits that our assignment help service provides.

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142 Brand New Hospitality Research Topics

hospitality research topics

Are you looking for the best hospitality research topics? You will be thrilled to learn that we have compiled a list of 142 original topics for you. You can use any of our topics for free, of course.

In addition, we will be talking about the key elements of a great hospitality research paper. Why spend hours searching for the best topics when you can simply take a look at our list? Let’s get started!

Key Elements Of A Hospitality Research Paper

Our bachelor thesis writers can help you with much more than a list of exceptional hospitality topics. We will show you the main elements of a research paper and give you some additional information about how you can write each chapter quickly:

  • Title (cover page). This page is pretty self-explanatory. Just make sure you follow the guidelines when writing this page.
  • Introduction. This chapter is where you present your thesis statement, as well as some background information about the topic.
  • Literature review. This is the part where you discuss the theoretical framework and the sources you have used to research and write your paper.
  • Research methodology. In this section, you will have to list and describe all of the methods you have used to collect and analyze the data.
  • Data analysis. In this chapter, you will need to analyze the data you have collected. Don’t discuss its implications yet.
  • Results. In the Results chapter, you have the chance to discuss the meaning and implications of the data you have collected.
  • Conclusion. This section is where you summarize all the key ideas and show how your research and analysis have answered the research questions.
  • References page. In this section, you will need to list every source you have used during the process of writing your research paper.

The good news is that, on this page, we have all the research paper topics hospitality management students will ever need. The list is updated periodically with new topics, so don’t hesitate to come back at a later date.

Great Hospitality Ideas

We will start our paper with a list of great hospitality ideas because we know you want to pick an idea as quickly as possible. Here are the topics that should work great in 2023:

  • Discuss the origin of the word Hospitality
  • Best ways to great a guest in Prague
  • Research the first 3 hotels
  • Important points in the relationship between the host and the guest
  • Best ways to greet a tourist in Rome
  • An in-depth look at hospitality ethics
  • Hospitality in Ancient Greece
  • Discuss the negative effects of travel bans
  • Hospitality in the Islam culture
  • Hospitality in the Christian culture
  • Research the anthropology or hospitality
  • The effect of global trends on the hospitality industry
  • The effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on hospitality

Hotel Management Ideas

Are you interested in writing about some excellent hotel management ideas? We have some topics right here for you, so you don’t have to waste your time searching:

  • Managing a hotel in Pakistan
  • A closer look at French hotel management
  • Discuss hotel management during the Covid pandemic
  • Traits of a good hotel manager
  • Discuss the financial accounting of a hotel
  • Case Study: The First World Hotel & Plaza
  • Revenue management of a large hotel
  • Case Study: The Wynn Las Vegas
  • An in-depth look at hotel marketing management
  • Case Study: The Ambassador City Jomtien
  • Talk about customer service at a 5-star hotel
  • What is a full-service hotel?
  • What is a limited service hotel?

Hospitality Management Research Paper Topics

Writing a hospitality management research paper? Our skilled writers have created a list of the best and most interesting hospitality management research paper topics for you:

  • The role of the General Manager of a hotel
  • Major issues in the hospitality industry
  • Research the effects of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic
  • Offering shelter in Judaism
  • Discuss the various types of hospitality accommodations
  • Food and beverage in the hospitality industry
  • Make a strategic analysis of a hotel of your choice
  • The role of a Director of Groups and Events
  • Discuss working conditions in a large hotel
  • Discuss the salary expectations of hotel managers
  • What does a Facilities Manager do?
  • Offering food, shelter and safety in Nepal
  • Talk about hospitality as a virtue

Easy Hospitality Research Paper Topics

In case you want to spend as little time as possible writing your paper, we have some very easy hospitality research paper topics that you can use right now:

  • Case Study: The Abraj Al Bait
  • Discuss the concept of favored guests in Christianity
  • Research the concept of Melmastia in Pashtunwali
  • Case Study: The Izmailovo Hotel
  • The effects of smoking bans on casinos
  • Talk about etiquette in the hospitality industry
  • Make a strategic analysis of the Hilton Hawaiian Village
  • An in-depth look at fair wages in the hospitality industry
  • The right of free transit
  • Talk about the concept of perverse hospitality
  • Make a strategic analysis of the Circus Circus Las Vegas
  • The effects of smoking bans on hotels
  • The importance of a restaurant for a hotel

Advanced Research Topics On Hospitality Management

If you want to impress your professor and write a paper on a more complex topic, just take a look at these advanced research topics on hospitality management:

  • Case Study: The Londoner Macao
  • Discuss hospitality training of flight attendants
  • Talk about hospitality training of restaurant workers
  • Case Study: The MGM Grand Las Vegas and The Signature
  • Case Study: The Venetian Resort Las Vegas
  • Research what off-season means for holiday resorts
  • Make a strategic analysis of the Excalibur Hotel and Casino
  • Discuss how hospitality companies diversify
  • An in-depth look at maximizing profits in the hospitality industry
  • Make a strategic analysis of Caesars Palace hotel
  • The importance of the hospitality industry for the US economy
  • How dependent is France of its hospitality industry?
  • Discuss serving alcohol in pubs in the UK

Hospitality Law Research Paper Topics

Yes, you can write about hospitality law, of course. In fact, we have some of the best hospitality law research paper topics right here for you:

  • Hospitality law in India
  • Discuss hospitality law in South Korea
  • Hospitality law in South Africa
  • A closer look at the Laws of Innkeepers
  • Research hospitality law in Russia
  • A closer look at hospitality law in North Korea
  • Discuss the liability of hotel owners in the US
  • Discuss the loss of guest property in the EU
  • Mandatory safety deposit boxes
  • Discuss bailments in the hospitality industry
  • Research the risk of theft in hotels in the UK
  • Discuss insurance waivers

Hospitality Related Research Topics

Do you want to write about a topic that is related to hospitality? If you do, all you have to do is pick one of the hospitality related research topics below:

  • Make a strategic analysis of the Shinagawa Prince Hotel
  • Discuss the best ways to cater to millennials
  • The way tech has affected the hospitality industry
  • Discuss the growing emphasis on well-being
  • Make a strategic analysis of the Resorts World Las Vegas
  • Talk about destination promotion
  • Sustainability in the hospitality industry
  • Talk about seamless technology in hospitality
  • Augmented reality in the hospitality industry

Research Topics On Hospitality And Tourism

We have a long list of research topics on hospitality and tourism that you will find to be not only original and interesting, but also relatively easy to write a paper on:

  • Going contactless in the hospitality industry
  • Talk about personalization in hospitality
  • An in-depth look at domestic tourism in the United States
  • How did the Covid 19 pandemic affect tourism?
  • Best tourist attractions in the US
  • What does inbound tourism mean?
  • Best tourist attractions in the UK
  • Talk about the 3 main concepts in tourism
  • Research outbound tourism trends in 2023
  • Analyze the 7 components of tourism

Cool Hospitality Research Topics

In this list, we have compiled the topics we consider to be the coolest. Check out our list of cool hospitality research topics and choose one today:

  • Make a strategic analysis of the Atlantis Paradise Island hotel
  • Talk about managing a restaurant in 2023
  • Make a strategic analysis of The Venetian Macao
  • Research the importance of a good tour guide
  • Discuss the effects of the travel restrictions in the UK
  • The most important part of hospitality in a luxury hotel
  • Make a strategic analysis of the Flamingo Las Vegas
  • Crushing the competition in the hospitality business
  • Using tech to meet the needs of hotel guests
  • The most important service in the hospitality industry
  • Make a strategic analysis of the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center

Interesting Hospitality Research Topics

If you are looking for some interesting hospitality research topics, you are in luck. We have a long list of topics that you can use right now. Pick one and start writing your research paper:

  • Changing laws in the hospitality sector
  • Analyze the operations of a pub of your choice
  • An in-depth look at the training of flight attendants
  • Hospitality laws and regulations in the Maldives
  • The important of proper etiquette
  • Compare 3 major hotel chains in the UK
  • Research the wages of hotel staff in your area
  • Discuss the tips system
  • Hospitality going green in 2023
  • The influence of hospitality on the direct and indirect economy
  • Best ways to attract guests to your hotel

Comprehensive Hospitality Topics

Looking for some comprehensive hospitality topics that you can write an exceptional research paper about? No problem, we’ve got your back. Check out these awesome ideas:

  • Discuss the bread and salt tradition in Eastern Europe
  • A closer look at sports tourism
  • Hospitality in Ancient Egypt
  • Hospitality during the Olympic Games
  • Discuss a controversial topic in tourism and hospitality
  • Hospitality in Ancient Rome
  • The decline of tourism caused by the COVID pandemic
  • Hospitality in books
  • Discuss hospitality in your local hospital
  • Improving your reviews in 2023
  • Latest trends in the hospitality industry

Excellent Hospitality Research Questions

What better way to find a great topic than by looking at some excellent hospitality research questions? These questions will help you get started in minutes:

  • What does managing a hotel require?
  • What is hospitality law?
  • How important is the guest’s well-being?
  • How to work around Covid-19 restrictions
  • What are bleisure travelers?
  • How important is technology?
  • What are the current trends in the hospitality industry?
  • What do you know about asset management?
  • Can you talk about the peculiarities of solo travel guests?
  • What is essentialism in the hospitality business?
  • What is holistic hospitality?
  • How important are work spaces in hotels?
  • What is a hotel crisis management team?

Best Hospitality Topics For 2023

Last, but not least, we have compiled a list of the best hospitality topics for 2023. These ideas should be exactly what your professor is looking for:

  • Discuss the skills of an experienced restaurant manager
  • How will hotels survive the pandemic in 2023?
  • Discuss the development of tourism in 2023
  • Research operations at a restaurant of your choice
  • Talk about sustainable tourism
  • How important are reviews for companies in the hospitality industry?
  • Research a new sector of hospitality
  • Research operations at a hotel of your choice
  • Hospitality on board a passenger plane
  • Is the customer always right?
  • Major trends in hospitability in 2023

Get Thesis Help Today

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Tourism and Hospitality Dissertation Topics and Titles – Best Advice

Published by Grace Graffin at January 10th, 2023 , Revised On August 16, 2023

Introduction

As a tourism student, you will be required to study the basics of tourism, hospitality, and event management. Some important issues surrounding tourism include but are not limited to medicine, finance, culture, geography, and more.

We understand that choosing the right dissertation topic can be a bit overwhelming for you. Therefore,  our writers have provided a comprehensive list of tourism dissertation topics. These topics are recent, relevant, and exploratory enough for you to conduct a comprehensive research study.

We can even customize topics according to your needs. So, go through our list of dissertation topics, choose the one that interests you, and let us know if you would like any help from our writers.

Check our  dissertation example to get an idea of  how to structure your dissertation .

You can review step by step guide on how to write your dissertation  here.

Tourism Research Topics for 2022

Investigating how the tourism industry has taken green and sustainable measures- a case study of uk.

Research Aim: This study will investigate the various aspects of the UK tourism industry towards making green and sustainable measures for the environmental benefits. It will also look into the consumer’s perspective towards green tourism and its positive and negative impacts on the tourism industry and the tourists. It is also helping you develop a better understanding of the concept of a green environment and its influence on the tourism industry.

Environmental Management Systems and their Implementation in the UK- A Systematic Review.

Research Aim: This study will explore the quality of environmental management systems, environmental performance, improvements, and implementation in the UK. We will be focusing on different companies with high environmental impacts and how they have improved the environment and the use of environmental management systems (EMS). This study will also look into how it has changed or influenced the hospitality industry.

Investigating the impact of Social Media Recommendations on Hotel Booking in the UK.

Research Aim: Social media is a part of every aspect of our daily life. This research will investigate the influence of social media on tourism and specifically on choosing a hotel; and help you evaluate if consumers perceive social media-based recommendations differently than more traditional sources of internet-based marketing. Qualitative research will be used in this, followed by thematic analysis to find the role of social media in recommendations in influencing consumers’ search, decide and book hotels.

Assessing the Impact of Virtual Reality on Tourism.

Research Aim: Virtual reality (VR) is an emerging technology in tourism. This study will find the impact of virtual reality on the tourism industry. It will also investigate consumer behaviour towards it. We will better understand how VR has affected the tourism industry and significantly influenced the results. TAM research model will be developed to describe the nature of the 3D virtual world. It will also cover some psychological aspects to understand the consumer perspective.

Role of Social Media Marketing in deciding a Travel Destination- A Systematic Review.

Research Aim: This study investigates the role of social media marketing in deciding a travel destination. This study aims to find and understand how social media can achieve marketing objectives. Taking a quantitative approach, we will find the role of social media marketing and its effect on making travel choices through interviews and surveys. It will further explore the tourist’s perception, expectations, and experiences.

Effects of Covid-19 on Tourism and Hospitality Dissertation Topics 

Topic 1: tourism after coronavirus pandemic - way forward for tourism and hospitality industry in the uk or any other country of your choice.

Research Aim: Tourism is a reason for most of the human mobility in the modern world. According to the World Tourism Organization (2020), international tourism has indicated continuous growth for the tenth consecutive year reporting 1.5 billion international tourist arrivals in 2019 and an estimated 1.8 billion international tourist arrivals by 2030 )people are forecasted to be. This particular research will focus on the effects of the Covid-19 outbreak on the tourism and hospitality industry in the United Kingdom or any other country of your choice.

Topic 2: Investigating the Long Term Effects of Prolonged and New Travel Restrictions on the UK Tourism Industry

Research Aim: Britain will require anyone entering the country to self-quarantine for two weeks, and other European countries are pondering similar measures, but the prospects of prolonged and even new travel restrictions are destroying what hopes the continent’s airlines and tourist industry have been harbouring of at least a partial coronavirus rebound. Can the tourism sector of the UK overcome these challenges?

Topic 3: Coronavirus: Dubai Tourism Insists Emirate's Hotel Sector is Healthy, Rejects Bloomberg Report but Is It Really the Case?

Research Aim: Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) has denied a Bloomberg report about the emirate’s hospitality businesses being adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic. This research will employ primary research methodology to gather data from the key stakeholders of the Emirates hoteling industry to assess whether or not the ongoing Covid-19 crisis is causing panic and financial damages to the hoteling industry.

Topic 4: Will Easing the Travel Restrictions Benefit the UK Tourism Sector in the Short Term?

Research Aim: Many European countries, including the UK, are easing lockdown measures, including tourist destinations preparing for the summer. Cafes and restaurants in London and other cities hardest hit by the virus in the UK have opened two weeks behind the rest of the country. However, with most travellers preferring to stay home in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, how effective are these measures going to be?

Topic 5: Coronavirus outbreak: Caribbean Tourism Struggles as Visitors Stay Home

Research Aim: In the Caribbean, the government plans to require all visitors to undergo rapid Covid-19 testing upon entry. They hope provisions such as virus tests for all industry workers and socially distanced resort dining will make people feel comfortable travelling. This research study will explore whether the measures taken by the Caribbean government will actually encourage the visitors to leave the comfort of their home and travel in the midst of the Covid-19 Crisis.

More Tourism and Hospitality Dissertation Topics 

Topic 1: online tourism agents and websites.

Research Aim: This research aims to study online tourism websites and travelling agents

Topic 2: Advances in Tourism and Hospitality Post-pandemic

Research Aim: This research aims to assess the advances in Tourism and Hospitality post-pandemic

Topic 3: Impacts of Social Distancing on Tourism Managements

Research Aim: This research aims to study the impacts of social distancing on tourism managements

Topic 4: Advances in Hotel Management Post-pandemic

Research Aim: This research aims to assess advances in Hotel management post-pandemic

Tourism and Hospitality Dissertation Topics for 2020

Topic 1: factors impacting destination selection for medical tourism.

Research Aim: Medical tourism is a growing trend. An increasing number of people travel to another country, seeking medical treatment which is expensive or unavailable on their own. Various factors impact the destination selection process for medical treatment purposes. The destination can be local or international. With limited evidence on the factors that impact destination selection for medical tourism, there is a need for a comprehensive study exploring these factors in detail.

Topic 2: Impact of Low budget Airline Services on Boosting International Tourism in Europe: A Case Study of Ryanair.

Research Aim: With increasing costs of air travelling, the demand for low-budget airline services is on the rise. Ryanair is one of the leading low-budget airline services based in the UK. Its cheap air tickets attract many regular travellers. Given this, the main aim of this research will be to explore whether or not low-budget airlines are actually helping to increase international tourism in Europe or not. This research will be conducted based on quantitative data which will be collected from a sample of Ryanair international tourism travellers.

Topic 3: Eco-friendly Practices and Their Effect on Hotel Selection Decision: A Case Study of UK Hospitality Industry.

Research Aim: Various technologies can be implemented to achieve eco-friendliness, such as; internet of things, automation technology, bamboo industrialisation, and sustainable building construction. On the other hand, eco-friendly practices include; water and energy conservation, renewable energy use, waste recycling and management, alternative plastic products, and more. Many hotels in the UK install solar panels and automated systems, which generate renewable energy and ensure complete automation for lights and water. It is worth evaluating how eco-friendly technologies and practices affect the hotel selection decision of guests in the UK hospitality industry.

Topic 4: How Economic Conditions of a Country Impact its Local Tourism: Identifying the Economic Factors Influencing the Tourism Sector.

Research Aim: Economic factors have a great impact on tourism. When a country is economically strong, it spends a great deal on tourism development. On the other hand, tourism could be adversely affected if a country is struggling with its finances. This research aims to investigate and critically analyse the economic factors which tend to affect the tourism sector of a country. The study will also weigh the economic upsides and downsides of these factors concerning local tourism.

Topic 5: Assessing the Impact of Social Media Platforms on Tourism Destination Selection.

Research Aim: These days, social media websites play a tremendous role for tourists in destination selection. The experiences and reviews that people share on online social platforms have a huge impact on making or breaking the future of any tourist destination. This research will analyze the role of different social media platforms in choosing tourism destinations among tourists. This research will also shed light on the rationale and factors people rely on social media to select their tourism destination.

Topic 6: Assessing the Impact of Government Rules, Regulations, and Policies on Tourism Development: A Case Study of Developing Countries.

Research Aim: The tourism sector of any country is greatly looked after by governmental and regulatory bodies. This research will analyze the role played by such bodies from the perspective of policymaking and regulation implementation. The study will also explore how the impact of policymaking and government regulations in developed countries might be different from that of developing countries.

Topic 7: Analysing the Impact of Natural Hazards on the Tourism Industry of the UK: Recommending Effective Measures to Minimise Risk.

Research Aim: Natural hazards can have a disastrous effect on the tourism industry of any country. The UK is one of the countries where the tourism industry has experienced huge success. Thus, this research will be carried out to analyze the impact of such hazards on the UK’s tourism sector.

Topic 8: Assessing the Factors and Preferences Impacting Tourist's Decisions to Travel to a Dark Tourism Site.

Research Aim: As a result of a shift in preferences of tourists and an urge to explore and learn, dark tourism has gained immense popularity and success in recent times. This research will explore the factors and reasons why tourists choose dark places as their tourism destination.

Topic 9: The Impact of Travel Bloggers and vloggers on the Tourism Industry.

Research Aim: Travel bloggers and vloggers are an important part of the tourism industry now. These people travel the world, document their experiences through their writing or videos, and influence people. Tourists throughout the world now depend on their reviews and choose their travel destinations accordingly. This research will aim to explore how these influencers have completely changed the tourism industry.

Educational Tourism Dissertation Topics

Tourism has gained tremendous popularity among academicians and researchers in recent times. Educational tourism primarily takes into consideration technical competencies and new knowledge gained outside the classroom environment.

Educational tourism brings to light the idea of travelling to learn about the cultures of other nations. Exchange student programmes are perhaps the most commonly employed educational tourism strategy, allowing students to learn about the culture of the host nation through research work and travel. Possible areas of research in this field of tourism for your dissertation are provided below;

Topic 1: Educational Tourism Programmes and the Popularity of Host Nations

Research Aim: This research will discuss the educational exchange programmes in detail and will also assess how educational tourism can add to the appeal of the host nations for prospective tourists.

Topic 2: Factors Affecting the Decision of British Students to Join International Student Exchange Programmes.

Research Aim: Even though student exchange programmes are popular throughout the world, there are certain countries where they are practised the most. This research will study one such country, the UK, concerning the factors that encourage British students to join international exchange programmes.

Topic 3: Factors Contributing Towards the Success of Work & Study Programmes in the UK

Research Aim: This research will analyse the factors that contribute towards the success of study programmes in the UK, i.e. benefits of studying in the UK and the attractiveness of the UK as a place to live and study.

Topic 4: To Analyse the Satisfaction of International Students Enrolled in Student Exchange Programmes in the UK

Research Aim: This research will cover an important topic, i.e., measure the satisfaction of international students enrolled in exchange programs in the UK – the same topic can be used for any other country such as the USA or Canada.

Topic 5: To Investigate Potential Marketing and Communication Tools to Promote “any country” as the Best Place to Pursue Higher Education.

Research Aim: This research will investigate and conclude the most successful marketing and communication tools that are used to promote exchange programmes in a particular country. The topic can be customised according to the country of your choice.

Topic 6: What are the factors Influencing British Students’ Decision to Join Academic Year Exchange Programme in Japan?

Research Aim: Japan is one of the most popular destinations when it comes to student exchange programmes. This research will assess the factors that influence a British student’s decision to go to Japan to pursue education.

Topic 7: To Examine the Popularity of Student Exchange Programmes Offered by Chinese-speaking Countries.

Research Aim: This research will explore the reasons for the popularity of student exchange programmes in countries where Chinese is the official language such as Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, etc.

Topic 8: To Investigate the Attitude and Perception of British Students toward Summer Camps.

Research Aim: Summer camps are extremely popular in the west. This research will explore the perceptions of British students towards summer camps and what motivates them to attend them.

Topic 9: Factors Affecting the Decision of University Students to Pursue a Placement Programme in the US?

Research Aim: This research will aim to understand the rationale of university students’ decisions to pursue placement programmes in the US,

Topic 10: To Examine the Satisfaction of University Students Returning from Cultural Exchange Programmes in the US.

Research Aim: This research will aim to understand the satisfaction of university students who are on their way back from exchange programmes in the US.

Medical Tourism Dissertation Topics

Medical tourism is a new area of study in the tourism industry. The gap in the prices of medical facilities available in developing and developed countries is significant, propelling many patients to travel to far destinations to benefit from economic, medical services.

Similarly, many financially well-off patients decide to have medical treatment in foreign countries with advanced and established medical systems that provide state-of-the-art medical facilities unavailable in their home countries.

Although there may be insufficient secondary data to analyse this tourism sub-topic, researching this area will prove to be interesting. You can choose your medical tourism dissertation topics from this list.

Topic 1: Investigating the Reasons Why British Citizens Travel to Different Countries for their Dental Procedures

Research Aim: This research will identify and discuss in detail the reasons why British citizens travel to different countries for dental treatment.

Topic 2: The efficacy of marketing and communication tools employed by Thai plastic surgery and extreme makeover service providers – An investigation into the attitude and perception of British travellers.

Research Aim: A large number of British citizens travel to Thailand for cosmetic and plastic surgeries. This research will aim to understand the attitudes and perceptions of British travellers who opt for these surgeries in a foreign country. The research will also assess the marketing and communication tools employed by Thai medical service providers.

Topic 3: To Identify and Discuss Critical Marketing Strategies to Promote a Weight Loss Centre in the UK.

Research Aim: This research will talk about the marketing strategies that are undertaken in the UK to promote weight loss centres.

Topic 4: Measuring Customer satisfaction of British Lesbians After Having Sex Reassignment at Yanhee International Hospital, Bangkok

Research Aim: This research will measure the customer satisfaction of British lesbians after they have undergone gender reassignment at the Yanhee International Hospital in Bangkok.

Topic 5: To Examine the Factors Influencing the Decisions of British Women to Buy Body Contour Tour Packages in East Asia.

Research Aim: This study will analyze the factors that influence the decision-making of British women when burying body contour tour packages in East Asia.

Topic 6: To Investigate the Extent to Which Swiss Weight Control Tour Packages Have Influenced Women in the UK.

Research Aim: This research will focus on the decision-making detriments of British Women who opt to purchase weight control tour packages in Switzerland.

Topic 7: How Young British Females Perceive Facial Lifting package Tours in East Asia?

Research Aim: This study will analyze how young British females perceive facial lifting package tours in East Asia.

Topic 8: To Understand and Discuss the Factors Affecting Buying Decisions to Benefit from Extreme Makeover Tour Packages in Eastern Europe.

Research Aim: This research will critically explore the factors that influence the buying decision of customers who purchase extreme makeover packages from Eastern Europe.

Topic 9: How Attractive are the Plastic Surgery Makeover Services to Female British Customers – A Qualitative Study

Research Aim: This research will understand and analyze the attractiveness of plastic surgery makeover services that influence British females to purchase them. The research will be descriptive in nature.

Topic 10: How Homosexual Men Choose Medical Tour Packages for Sex Reassignment.

Research Aim: This study will investigate gender reassignment tour packages that interest homosexual men and the factors influencing their decision-making process.

Tourism Management Dissertation Topics

Tourism management is perhaps the most interesting area of the tourism industry. It mainly involves travelling for the purpose of leisure and recreation. People travelling to other countries and outside their usual environment with the intent of leisure can be classified as tourists.

It should be noted that the phenomenon of tourism has grown tremendously in recent years, thanks to the impact of globalisation. There are many countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Maldives, and Fiji, whose largest source of income is tourism. In these countries, tourism generates huge revenue for the government and also provides employment opportunities for the working class as well as businesses.

The suggestions below can help you to narrow your research for your tourism dissertation.

Topic 1: How British Tourists Perceive Chinese World Heritage Tour – A Qualitative Study

Research Aim: This research will focus on how Chinese heritage is perceived by British tourists and what compels them to visit China.

Topic 2: Exploring the Factors that Make London the Most Popular Destination for Christmas Shopping

Research Aim: This research will analyse and explore the various factors that promote London as one of the most attractive destinations for Christmas shopping.

Topic 3: Investigating the Underlying Factors that British Citizens Consider when Choosing a Destination for Their Winter Holidays.

Research Aim: This research will analyse the various factors that British citizens consider and evaluate when choosing a destination for their winter vacations.

Topic 4: An Analysis of Factors Affecting Employees’ Motivation in Luxury Hotels of Dubai.

Research Aim: This research will study the factors influencing employee motivation in luxury and five-star hotels in Dubai. The study will make use of secondary data and primary research to establish the exact factors that motivate employees to work for luxury hotels in Dubai.

Topic 5: How the Tourism Industry of Thailand Responded to the Tsunami.

Research Aim: This study will dive into the past to establish how the Thai tourism industry responded to Tsunami.

Visit our topics database to view 100s of dissertation topics in your research area.

Topic 6: Factors Influencing British Customers’ Decisions of Purchasing Egypt Tour Packages.

Research Aim: This research will explore the factors that British citizens consider when planning their holiday to Egypt.

Topic 7: Attitude and Perception of British Tourists Toward Thailand as a Winter Holiday Destination

Research Aim: This study will research why the British choose Thailand as their winter holiday destination.

Topic 8: The Increasing Popularity of Cruise Travel in South Africa Among British Tourists

Research Aim: This research will consider the reasons why South African cruise is extremely popular amongst British tourists.

Topic 9: To Investigate the Efficacy of Integrated Marketing Communication Tools to Restore the Image of Amsterdam as the Best Tourist Destination in Europe

Research Aim: This research will explore the marketing and communication tools utilized to market Amsterdam as the best tourism destination in Europe.

Topic 10: Factors Influencing British Customers’ Decision to Choose a Particular Destination During the Summer/winter Holiday

Research Aim: This research will discuss all the factors that influence British citizens to choose a destination for their summer or winter holidays. This topic can be customized according to a country of your choosing.

Hospitality Dissertation Topics

Hospitality industry  consists of casinos, resorts, restaurants, hotels, catering as well as other businesses that serve the tourists. At its core hospitality can be defined as the relationship between a guest and the hotel.

Other aspects of hospitality include but are not limited to liberality, friendliness, warm welcome, entertainment, goodwill, and reception. Modern-day businesses pride themselves on their acts of hospitality. Thus, it is an extremely interesting sub-topic to base your dissertation on. Some topics in this area of tourism are suggested below.

Topic 1: Examining How Popular Travel Agents Such as eBrooker and Opodo are Perceived by British Tourists

Research Aim: This research will evaluate some of the best and most popular travel agents such as Opodo and eBookers and how they assist British tourists with their destination planning.

Topic 2: Identifying the Factors that Influence Leisure Hotel Buying Decisions of British Customers

Research Aim: This research will identify the factors that influence British customers’ decision to opt for luxury hotels.

Topic 3: Identifying Features of a leisure hotel that attract British honeymoon couples

Research Aim: This research will identify features of a luxury hotel that attract British couples looking for a honeymoon location.

Topic 4: Investigating Hospitality Practices of Popular Leisure Hotels in Dubai

Research Aim: This study will investigate hospitality purchases of attractive luxury hotels in Dubai.

Topic 5: What are the Prime Factors Influencing Restaurant Selection Decisions of Young British Couples?

Research Aim: This research will explore the factors that influence British couples to select restaurants for their time out.

Topic 6: Investigating and Reviewing Strategies Employed by Hotel Restaurants and Pubs in London to Keep Their Employees Motivated

Research Aim: This research will study an important aspect of the tourism industry, i.e., how hotel restaurants and pubs in London keep their employees motivated.

Topic 7: Exploring the Relationship Between Culture and Leisure Hotel Buying Decisions in London.

Research Aim: This research will investigate the relationship between how customers in London choose a luxury hotel based on their culture.

Topic 8: Creating Brand Sales and Recognition Using Integrated Marketing Communication Tools.

Research Aim: This research will explore how brand sales and recognition are built using various marketing and communication tools.

Topic 9: Understanding the Relationship Between Customers’ Buying Decisions and Leisure Hotel Hospitality Features within the Context of Overseas Holidays

Research Aim: This research will explore the relationship between customers’ decision to choose a luxury hotel while visiting different countries.

Topic 10: The Impact of Hospitality Companies’ Brand Image on Tourists’ Buying Decisions.

Research Aim: This research will first talk about different hospitality companies and how their brand image impacts tourists’ buying decisions.

Black Tourism Dissertation Topics

Black tourism, also known as dark tourism and grief tourism, involves travelling to historical sites/places associated with death, casualties, and suffering.

Dark or black tourist sites such as battlefields, monuments, castles, Tsunami sites, and Ground Zero are man-made or natural. They are found commonly in Scotland, South Asia, China, and Eastern Europe.

Dark tourism may not be the ideal choice for many students. However, it is an exciting topic to explore. Possible research topics under this field of tourism are listed below:

Topic 1: How Local Communities Can Benefit Commercially and Socially from Tours to Death/Casualty Sites – A Qualitative Study

Research Aim: This research will explore the various benefits that local communities can experience from touring death or casualty sites.

Topic 2: Attitude and Perception of Tourists Towards Taj Mahal in India

Research Aim: Taj Mahal can be categorised as a dark tourism site because many people consider it a mausoleum. This research will discuss the attitude and perceptions of tourists when visiting the Taj Mahal.

Topic 3: To Investigate and Identify the Factors Influencing Tourists’ Decisions to Visit gGrief Sites in the UK

Research Aim: This research will explore the factors that influence the decisions of tourists to visit grief sites in the UK.

Topic 4: Is Mercat Tour in Scotland a Grief Tourism Site for Potential Tourists?

Research Aim: Mercat Tour in Scotland is considered a ghost site. This study will explore what makes this site a dark tourism destination.

Topic 5: Developing a Highly Effective Marketing Strategy to Promote London Dungeon Among the Tourists

Research Aim: This research will understand the various marketing strategies undertaken to promote the London Dungeon amongst tourists.

Topic 6: What are the Primary Factors Influencing British Tourists’ Decision to Choose Grief Sites?

Research Aim: This research will understand the various factors that influence British tourists’ decision to select a dark tourism site.

Topic 7: Developing a Marketing Strategy to Promote Beaumaris Prison in Wales as Another Black Tourism Site in Britain

Research Aim: This research will focus on developing a successful marketing strategy that will help promote Beaumaris Prison in Wales as a black tourism site in Britain.

Topic 8: How are Man-made Grief tourism Sites are Perceived by British Tourists?

Research Aim: This research will discover how British tourists perceive man-made dark tourism destinations.

Comparing the Man-made Black Tourism Sites with the Natural Disaster Grief Sites from the Perspective of Tourists

Research Aim: This research will compare manmade and natural dark tourism destinations with a focus on tourists’ perceptions.

Topic 10: Do the Local Communities Economically Benefit from Tourists Visiting Dark Tourism Sites?

Research Aim: This research will explore whether or not local communities are impacted in any way when dark tourist sites in their locality are visited.

Sustainability and Tourism Dissertation Topics

At its core, this field of tourism primarily focuses on the way tourists can live harmoniously with the planet earth. Ecotourist sites or sustainable tourist sites are those that promote fauna and flora and cultural heritage. Another objective of  eco-tourism  is to provide social and economic opportunities to local communities. Some interesting topics worth exploring, in this area, are suggested below:

Topic 1: Investigating the Impact of the Internet on the Growth of Eco-tourism in the UK

Research Aim: This research will study the impact of the internet on the rising eco-tourism trend in the UK.

Topic 2: Factors Affecting British Customers’ Decision of Choosing an Eco-tourism

Research Aim: This research will study the reason why British tourists opt for an eco-tourism site as compared to traditional destinations.

Topic 3: Establishing and Discussing Strategies to Promote Swansea as the Best Eco-tourist Spot in the UK

Research Aim: This research will discuss the various ways through which Swansea can be promoted as the best eco-tourist spot in the UK.

Topic 4: Analysing the Role of Price in the Selection of Eco-tourism Destinations

Research Aim: This research will understand the various factors that influence the tourists’ decision to choose an eco-friendly site for their next holiday destination.

Topic 5: Examining the Use of Integrated Marketing Communication Tools to Promote Eco-tourism in Great Britain

Research Aim: This research will study and analyze the different ways through which integrated marketing communication tools should be used to promote eco-tourism in the UK.

Topic 6: Comparing Developing World Eco-tourism Sites Against Western Eco-tourism Sites

Research Aim: This study will compare developing eco-tourism sites and developed or Western eco-tourism sites. The study will conclude which sites tourists prefer and what factors lead them to their decision.

Topic 7: Does Eco-tourism Develop Social and Economic Opportunities for Local Communities?

Research Aim: This research will explore whether or not eco-tourism helps develop social and economic opportunities in the local communities. If it does, the study will explore those factors as well.

Topic 8: Exploring the Factors Affecting the Buying Decisions of Customers Interested in Eco-tourism Sites

Research Aim: This research will identify and discuss the various factors that affect the buying decision of customers who are interested in eco-tourism sites. These factors will then be explored in detail in this study.

Topic 9: Analysis of the Potential of Edinburgh as an Eco-tourism Site in the UK

Research Aim: This research will compare manmade and natural dark tourism destinations and will also include tourists’ perceptions.

Topic 10: Assessing the Impact of Grass Root level Education in Promoting Sustainable Tourism in Europe – A Review of the Literature

Research Aim: This research will discuss the impact of grass root level education to promote sustainable tourism in Europe. The study will be based on the qualitative research method.

Important Notes:

As a tourism and hospitality student looking to get good grades, it is essential to develop new ideas and experiment on existing tourism and hospitality theories – i.e., to add value and interest in your research topic.

The field of tourism and hospitality is vast and interrelated to so many other academic disciplines like civil engineering ,  construction ,  law , engineering management , healthcare , mental health , artificial intelligence , physiotherapy , sociology , management , marketing and nursing . That is why it is imperative to create a project management dissertation topic that is articular, sound, and actually solves a practical problem that may be rampant in the field.

We can’t stress how important it is to develop a logical research topic; it is the basis of your entire research. There are several significant downfalls to getting your topic wrong; your supervisor may not be interested in working on it, the topic has no academic creditability, the research may not make logical sense, there is a possibility that the study is not viable.

This impacts your time and efforts in  writing your dissertation  as you may end up in the cycle of rejection at the very initial stage of the dissertation. That is why we recommend reviewing existing research to develop a topic, taking advice from your supervisor, and even asking for help in this particular stage of your dissertation.

While developing a research topic, keeping our advice in mind will allow you to pick one of the best tourism and hospitality dissertation topics that fulfil your requirement of writing a research paper and add to the body of knowledge.

Therefore, it is recommended that when finalizing your dissertation topic, you read recently published literature to identify gaps in the research that you may help fill.

Remember- dissertation topics need to be unique, solve an identified problem, be logical, and be practically implemented. Please take a look at some of our sample tourism and hospitality dissertation topics to get an idea for your dissertation.

How to Structure your Tourism and Hospitality Dissertation

A well-structured   dissertation can help students   to achieve a high overall academic grade.

  • A Title Page
  • Acknowledgements
  • Declaration
  • Abstract: A summary of the research completed
  • Table of Contents
  • Introduction : This chapter includes the project rationale, research background, key research aims and objectives, and the research problems to be addressed. An outline of the structure of a dissertation  can also be added to this chapter.
  • Literature Review :  This chapter presents relevant theories and frameworks by analysing published and unpublished literature available on the chosen research topic, in light of  research questions  to be addressed. The purpose is to highlight and discuss the relative weaknesses and strengths of the selected research area while identifying any research gaps. Break down of the topic, and key terms can have a positive impact on your dissertation and your tutor.
  • Methodology:  The  data collection  and  analysis  methods and techniques employed by the researcher are presented in the Methodology chapter which usually includes  research design, research philosophy, research limitations, code of conduct, ethical consideration, data collection methods, and  data analysis strategy .
  • Findings and Analysis:  Findings of the research are analysed in detail under the Findings and Analysis chapter. All key findings/results are outlined in this chapter without interpreting the data or drawing any conclusions. It can be useful to include  graphs ,  charts, and  tables in this chapter to identify meaningful trends and relationships.
  • Discussion  and  Conclusion: The researcher presents his interpretation of results in this chapter, and states whether the research hypothesis has been verified or not. An essential aspect of this section is to establish the link between the results and evidence from the literature. Recommendations with regards to implications of the findings and directions for the future may also be provided. Finally, a summary of the overall research, along with final judgments, opinions, and comments, must be included in the form of suggestions for improvement.
  • References:  Make sure to complete this in accordance with your University’s requirements
  • Bibliography
  • Appendices:  Any additional information, diagrams, graphs that were used to  complete the dissertation  but not part of the dissertation should be included in the Appendices chapter. Essentially, the purpose is to expand the information/data.

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For further assistance with your dissertation, take a look at our full dissertation writing service .

Our team of writers is highly qualified and is an expert in their respective fields. They have been working for us for a long time. Thus, they are well aware of the issues as well as the trends of the subject they specialise. 

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How to find dissertation topics about tourism and hospitality.

To find tourism and hospitality dissertation topics:

  • Examine industry trends and challenges.
  • Explore cultural, environmental, or tech impacts.
  • Research niche areas like ecotourism or event management.
  • Analyze customer behavior and satisfaction.
  • Consider sustainable practices.
  • Select a topic aligning with your passion and career aspirations.

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Tourism, hospitality, and events play a significant role in providing transformative experiences that have the potential to positively impact the well-being of individuals and communities. These transformative experiences lead to profound changes in individuals' worldviews, values, and behaviors, promoting ...

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Top 10 Trends in the Hospitality Industry in 2024

hospitality trends 2024

January 10, 2024 •

15 min reading

What are the latest trends in the hospitality industry? As a testament to its resilience, agility and innovative spirit, this article reflects today’s increasingly dynamic hospitality industry in terms of its long, medium and short-term evolution. Discover the industry's adaptability and forward-thinking approach, shaping its trajectory in the face of challenges and opportunities, while staying attuned to the latest hospitality trends. 

Best-selling author, Will Guidara, claims “We are entering into a hospitality economy” – suggesting that what underpins the essence of hospitality, (service excellence, human interaction, personalization and the co-creation of memorable experiences), is actually what many sectors of industry are desperately in need of today.

As we charge at break neck speed towards an ever-more digitalized society , the hospitality industry stands out as the successful hybrid that balances the implementation of tech innovation for improved operations whilst preserving the human need for connection, authenticity and real-life discovery.

With statistics predicting a healthy expansion of the sector (e.g., the bleisure and wellness markets on the up, room demand set to reach an all-time high, booking.com as the most valuable tourism brand in the world, and new positions opening up in the sector), we can confirm that the hospitality industry is poised for a significant transformation in 2024.

So what new trends are emerging?  Driven by interlinked factors, including technological progress, evolving consumer preferences and a deeper focus on sustainability, hospitality businesses can capitalise on emerging opportunities to enhance guest experiences and position themselves for long-term success.

10 hospitality trends 2024 - Elevate experiences, embrace evolution

  • Workforce empowerment: Transforming challenges into opportunities
  • Artificial intelligence and technology: Choosing the best tech to revolutionize hospitality
  • Culinary experiences: Putting experiences, authenticity and the senses first
  • Bars and drinks redefined: Adding creativity and design to the drinks' menu
  • Fine dining: In need of reinvention but full of potential
  • Fine wine prices: Navigating the fluctuating vineyard market
  • Rising interest rates: The impact on hotel property values and transactions
  • Green hospitality: Beyond sustainability to net positivity
  • Data-driven decision-making: Data-analytics for optimum personalization
  • The power of social media: Crafting authentic narratives

1. Workforce empowerment: Transforming challenges into opportunities

Over the past two years, the industry's biggest challenge has not been attracting customers but rather finding and retaining staff. To address this issue, many hotel groups have begun to make improvements, and there has never been a better time for newcomers to the industry to negotiate better working conditions and salaries.

Today, many hotels offer their staff free or low-cost accommodation , increased wages and reduced peak-time working hours. They also invest in training programs to motivate staff and allow mobility up the corporate ladder. Empowered employees not only have a positive impact on how guests feel and their decision to become repeat guests, but also help attract other employees to build a cohesive, high-quality workforce.

2. Artificial intelligence and technology: Choosing the best tech to revolutionize hospitality

As Chat GPT celebrates its first birthday, we can only surrender to the fact that, like it or not, we have entered into an AI-accelerated world, and consequently, the pace at which the industry adapts has become a pressing issue. But which forms of AI best harness hospitality stakeholder outcomes?

Contactless services: Effortless technology, impeccable stay

Embracing contactless technologies is about redefining the hospitality experience to cater to modern travelers, not just adapting to the pandemic-driven shift toward touchless interactions. Contactless services simplify the guest journey by reducing wait times and physical contact points. Mobile check-in, digital keys and voice or tablet-controlled room automation allow guests to move seamlessly through the hospitality experience. The citizenM hotel brand has pioneered this minimum-fuss check-in and room experience with a hugely successful UX-friendly app.

Other popular tools such as WhatsApp allow hotel staff to remain in constant contact with customers during their stay, respond immediately to requests and thus provide bespoke services. It also streamlines operations by reducing the need for face-to-face interactions and human error, improving service delivery and lowering the burden on a scarce workforce. In line with contactless services , hospitality companies need to prioritise data privacy and security, putting solid safeguards in place to protect guest information against cyber threats.

Technology-driven innovation: Beyond boundaries

At the heart of technology innovation is the ability for managers and employees to centralize information at all times. Migrating to a fully cloud-based solution is a first but essential step . This enables real-time sharing, better service orientation and personalisation of the guest experience, improving all hotel departments.

Robotic systems (as used in the Henn-na Hotels in Japan) optimise processes and increase efficiency in back-of-house operations such as housekeeping or F&B outlets, reducing staffing requirements and allowing managers to respond to problems in real-time and with accountability.

The use of augmented reality helps with staff onboarding, allowing new employees to be put in real-life situations and trained before even entering a room. Pedagogically speaking, as practiced at EHL in the Virtual Housekeeping class, AR provides a more interactive and complete learning environment. Augmented reality also allows hotels and airlines to market themselves in an ad hoc style - an innovative and sustainable approach. Potential customers can better immerse themselves in the facilities and make more informed decisions.

Hyper-personalization: Tailored moments, lasting loyalty

In a world of commoditised practices, guests are increasingly looking for personalized experiences that cater to individual preferences and aspirations . In the hospitality industry, hyper-personalisation means relying on technology-based micro-segmentation to tailor each guest interaction to real-time needs and behaviours. For example, eliminating 'deadlines' such as check-in/check-out/F&B closing times, knowing whether a customer wants to be accompanied through check-in or do it contactless, personalizing room temperature, lighting and amenities or tailoring F&B options promptly and accurately. At Fauchon l'Hotel in Paris clients suggest the menu and define their portion sizes. From a hotel perspective, this enables better dynamic pricing strategies, higher guest-spent for experiences, or tailored loyalty programmes with commercial partners.

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3. Culinary experiences: Putting experiences, authenticity and the senses first

The desire to experience rather than simply consume means that experiential dining has today evolved in new ways. Hotels are now required to offer a range of dining options to cater to different customer tastes and, when correctly done, can become a culinary destination where the restaurant is at the heart of the experience and not just an extension of the hotel. A good example is the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz in Switzerland which boasts seven restaurants, three bars, a bistro, a café and a sushi takeaway, (plus an array of Michelin stars and GaultMillau points), unsurprisingly making it a mecca for traveling gourmets.

Experiential design can also allow customers to taste food in a multi-sensory environment that stimulates all the senses, not just the taste buds (e.g., Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet in Shanghai ). Some hotels have started to provide experiences even on a smaller and more dynamic scale. E.g., They offer four-hand dinners (an invited chef cooks with the in-house chef), organise kitchen parties (clients eat in the kitchen), or have a front-cooking area. Specialist cooking classes can complement this. The key here is to offer a unique experience like how to make your own gin, cook local food , or bake bread with the experts.

Another trend relates to children . A menu of unimaginative, standard food à la burger and chips is no longer enough; parents want their children to eat healthier, globally-inspired food with high-quality ingredients. Adding world food or plant-based products and packaging them in innovative ways will make for happy families likely to return.

A final significant trend in the food sector is off-premise dining and digitalisation. Although customers have returned to eating in restaurants since the pandemic, a large proportion mix on- and off-premise dining. Restaurants need to cater to this clientele to increase revenues, as takeaways are no longer limited to fast food but also exist for traditional and even fine dining. This means that restaurants need to reorganise their workflows and operations to cater to in-house diners and delivery, alongside designing appropriate, creative, high-quality packaging and optimising delivery or collection methods to be easy and inexpensive without competing with traditional delivery platforms.

This can also include ghost kitchens focusing only on food production for delivery and takeaway. Post-Covid, ghost kitchens have become an increasingly popular trend in the restaurant industry with statistics showing that they are projected to be a $157 billion market by 2030. As of 2021, there are over 100,000 ghost kitchens operating worldwide .

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4. Bars and drinks redefined: Adding creativity and design to the drinks' menu

Today's bars need to stand out by offering unique drinks paired with a special, Instagrammable atmosphere to create an immersive experience for their customers. E.g., Ashley Sutton Design Bars are known across Asia for their ability to transport guests to enchanting, immersive worlds, offering not just a place to drink but an entire experience that stimulates the senses and sparks curiosity.

Gone are the days of a simple wine list and international beer and spirit brands. Bars and restaurants need to specialise and cater to an international clientele with evolving tastes. A dedicated beer menu with local craft beers, wines from specific vintages and terroirs with a narrative, eclectic spirits collections (after whisky and gin, look out for rum in the coming years), and fresh hyper-locally sourced juices are what customers want.

Mixology has been around for some time, but offering mocktails and non-alcoholic food pairings is also becoming essential due to stricter alcohol laws and healthier lifestyles driven by Gen Z and millennials. Faux booze has gone mainstream and now it’s not just a case of ‘dry January’, but mocktails all year long! Cocktail and mocktail innovations should go beyond traditional recipes to include unique ingredients, techniques and presentation styles (e.g., Bar Benfiddich in Tokyo ) and be taught to customers in mixology classes.

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The effect of economic uncertainty on hotels, restaurants and fine wines

5. fine dining: in need of reinvention but full of potential.

The pandemic has unexpectedly affected consumer behaviors: they now organize themselves on short notice, have become increasingly spoilt for choice and no-shows are today the norm . More and more restaurants are responding by asking for a credit card at the time of reservation. But this only treats one of the symptoms without solving the problem. "A full house one day, but only four tables occupied the next" , is an observation that led Antoine Lecefel to shut his restaurant – sadly one of many fine dining establishments to do so.

Inflation and declining purchasing power play a part, but more generally, the fundamental problem lies in the inability of fine-dining restaurants to reinvent themselves. Unlike hotels and other players in the hospitality industry that increasingly compete with them through ambitious and innovative culinary projects, they have to contend with limited financial and human resources. They have neither the capacity to implement and manage a proactive strategy nor the means to invest in cutting-edge, highly experiential concepts. Initiatives such as Eatrenalin , which create a unique experience by combining gastronomy, décor and entertainment, offer a glimpse of this changing industry and the new competition facing traditional players.

Solutions? A strong, contemporary concept plus a business-oriented management that understands consumers, connects with them and is thought through from the outset to generate margins and create synergies and/or economies of scale. The Igniv chain is a shining example of this, driven by an extraordinary chef and based on the principle of “we love to share”, Andreas Caminada has created a unique and fully coherent concept, the success of which is now being rolled out in various locations, all of which have been rewarded with rave reviews from customers and expert guides.

6. Fine wine prices: Navigating the fluctuating vineyard market

Another challenge facing restaurants is cellar and wine list management. Restaurants with limited financial resources may even wonder whether fine wines still have their place on their menu . Indeed, fine wine prices have risen almost exponentially since the Global Financial Crisis of 2008. But here, too, the situation appears to have changed.

A year ago, fine wine prices were at record highs. Demand for rare, artisanal wines from regions with long-standing terroir reputations was at its peak. One could go on about Burgundy, but many other examples are as revealing. For example, the Châteauneuf-du-Pape Réserve cuvée from Rayas, worth between 150 and 200 euros (for young vintages) less than a decade ago, has soared to reach and exceed the 2’000 euro mark. At this point, voices suggested that this was normal; inflation should also positively impact the prices of fine wines. But there is no reason this should be the case: demand drives prices, not production costs. Fine wines attract wealthy people, collectors and investors. For them, the resources that can be invested in wine depend on economic conditions and financial markets. The latter have fallen sharply since the beginning of 2022. Not surprisingly, wine prices have followed the same trend.

The most spectacular move was in Burgundy wines. Prices had become so high that these wines had detached from the rest of the market. Just a year ago, many wines from the 2019 vintage were selling for several thousand euros a bottle. One wondered whether these wines had permanently changed their status and would never be traded at lower prices again. Today, the trend has abruptly reversed, and it appears more like a speculative bubble that has begun to implode. Time will tell. The fine wine market offers an almost perfect setting for this kind of phenomenon: herding behaviour is common, and, in the end, price levels depend not on financial arguments but simply on what people are willing to pay for a bottle.

7. Rising interest rates: The impact on hotel property values and transactions

As we have seen with wine, economic conditions considerably impact on the value of tangible assets. The same applies to real estate . The market proved relatively resilient last year, thanks to the ability of hotels to pass on (sometimes more than proportionally) higher costs to their customers, while maintaining high occupancy rates. The increase in RevPar thus more than offsets the rise in discount rates.

Today, consumers having finished dipping into their COVID-19 savings and interest rates remaining high, the very long upward cycle in hotel property values has ended. What remains as a stabilising factor is the fact that the pipeline of hotel projects is thin. In other words, supply is likely to stagnate over the coming years and should thus not contribute to aggravating the supply-demand imbalance. Nonetheless, we can expect pressure on prices. Refinancing transactions will further exacerbate this, which will take place on far less favourable terms over the next 12-24 months. As is always the case in this type of environment, we can expect forced sales, sometimes at substantial discounts to current valuations.

Another consideration is sustainability . The residential real estate market is becoming highly selective, making it hard to rent and make profitable properties with an unfavourable environmental record. This trend has already begun and will likely intensify, affecting commercial real estate in a major way. In other words, hotels that have not been renovated and adapted to today's standards and expectations will likely suffer more than proportionately.

Other trends that have been, still are, and will continue to shape hospitality

8. green hospitality: beyond sustainability to net positivity.

After a period of harvesting low-hanging fruit, hospitality groups are increasingly looking for more innovative and meaningful ways to implement, measure and communicate their sustainability practices . In the F&B industry, local sourcing has become standard in many outlets. However, it has now started to scale up more by offering better traceability of products (e.g., The Europe Hotel in Ireland has its own farm with livestock, fish, and produce ). In addition, guests are increasingly being educated on sustainable practices, e.g., cooking classes on how to use the entire ingredients and avoid food waste. It is no longer about doing good but rather showing customers how to do good.

Hospitality groups are also increasingly adopting sustainable building techniques and are generally trying to adopt a 360-degree strategy that allows them to be sustainable from the first brick up to the operation (e.g., the Beyond Now Network where industry experts have joined forces to transform hospitality businesses into environmentally friendly, efficient and profitable enterprises). Some are going even further, not content with being net zero but aiming to become net positive, exemplified by ‘regenerative tourism’ practices .

9. Data-driven decision-making: Data-analytics for optimum personalization

"Information is the oil of the 21st century, and analytics is the combustion engine" (Peter Sondergaard, senior vice president and global head of Research at Gartner, Inc.). The current trend is moving away from simply collecting data to engineering and analysing the vast amount of data efficiently into actionable decisions and gaining an edge over competitors.

Today's successful early-adopter hospitality companies have a data-driven business model . For example, through its platform, Booking.com has extensive knowledge of guest and hotel behaviour, which it can use in real-time to adapt its offers and displays and negotiate better deals with hoteliers. The Marriott International hotel chain uses data analytics to personalize guest experiences, with their loyalty program as a major source of data collection.

Data is reshaping hotel marketing, allowing hotels to better monitor guest satisfaction and desires to personalise experiences and better target the customer base . Finally, it enables hotels to increase revenue through more accurate yield and revenue practices by better forecasting demand and thus offering more dynamic pricing strategies.

10. The power of social media: Crafting authentic narratives

This consistent trend is entering a new phase of maturity. First, marketers need to find more innovative ways to capture the attention of customers who are constantly bombarded with messages. With their short video content, the rise of TikTok and Instagram seems promising. It allows the sharing of stories to enhance the storytelling of hospitality outlets (e.g., the customer becomes part of the act through employee or behind-the-scenes videos).

Second, the use of influencers has gained traction in the industry. On average, businesses generate $6.50 in revenue for each $1 invested in influencer marketing . Here, marketers need to find the needle in the haystack with influencers who have enough reach and best fit the hotel's values and story.

Third, with advances in technology and the many options available, marketers need to accurately measure the impact of their social media efforts and finetune the message accordingly. They also need to balance customer and organic content creation and paid or free content. Overall, the cost of social media must be commensurate with the benefits, be professional, authentic and follow a clear strategy in line with traditional marketing efforts.

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Master in Hospitality Management

Key takeaway from ehl's hospitality industry trends 2024 - crafting experiences, influencing lives, and paving the way to tomorrow.

In today’s hospitality landscape, it is difficult to confine ourselves to an annual update. Certainly, several general trends have been in place for years and continue to evolve, but by and large, this once cozy industry is constantly innovating and reinventing itself. It is not just adapting to customers. It is creating its own momentum, helping to shape the society and economy of 2024 and beyond.

From computer games to popular films and TV shows, the hospitality industry impacts our daily lives more than we realize. As a sector that thrives on personalized, immersive encounters, it caters not just to our desires for leisure, travel and memorable life experiences but also influences the way we interact, socialize and dream.

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Associate Professor of Finance at EHL Lausanne

Dr Philippe Masset

Associate Professor at EHL

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A content analysis of hospitality research's research methods in the 2010s

International Hospitality Review

ISSN : 2516-8142

Article publication date: 19 November 2021

Issue publication date: 7 November 2023

This study aims to describe the development of hospitality research in terms of research methods and data sources used in the 2010s.

Design/methodology/approach

Content analyses of the research methods and data sources used in original hospitality research published in the 2010s in the Cornell Hospitality Quarterly (CQ), International Journal of Hospitality Management (IJHM), International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management (IJCHM), Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research (JHTR) and International Hospitality Review (IHR) were conducted. It describes whether the time span, functional areas and geographic regions of data sources were related to the research methods and data sources.

Results from 2,759 original hospitality empirical articles showed that marketing research used various research methods and data sources. Most finance articles used archival data, while most human resources articles used survey designs with organizational data. In addition, only a small amount of research used data from Oceania, Africa and Latin America.

Research limitations/implications

This study sheds some light on the development of hospitality research in terms of research method and data source usage. However, it only focused on five English-based journals from 2010–2019. Therefore, future studies may seek to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on research methods and data source usage in hospitality research.

Originality/value

This is the first study to examine five hospitality journals' research methods and data sources used in the last decade. It sheds light on the development of hospitality research in the previous decade and identifies new hospitality research avenues.

  • Research method
  • Hospitality research
  • Content analysis

Functional areas

Geographic regions.

Shum, C. , Garlington, J. , Ghosh, A. and Baloglu, S. (2023), "A content analysis of hospitality research's research methods in the 2010s", International Hospitality Review , Vol. 37 No. 2, pp. 286-313. https://doi.org/10.1108/IHR-03-2021-0020

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2021, Cass Shum, Jaimi Garlington, Ankita Ghosh and Seyhmus Baloglu

Published in International Hospitality Review . Published by Emerald Publishing Limited. This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) licence. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this licence may be seen at http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode

Introduction

Hospitality research has developed rapidly in the 2010s. Changes in economic, social and technological factors – including postrecession economic recovery, growth of the sharing economy, globalization and evolution in technology – have increased the number of hospitality research publications, changes in research topics and development in research methods and analytical techniques (e.g. Law et al. , 2012 ). There is also an increased emphasis on research rigor with a few recent content analyses studies analyzing analytical techniques (e.g. Cheah et al. , 2018 ; Xu and Martinez, 2018 ), research biases (e.g. Min et al. , 2016 ; Yüksel, 2017 ) and bibliometrics (e.g. Cunill et al. , 2019 ; García-Lillo et al. , 2016 ; Köseoglu et al. , 2016 ; Köseoglu et al. , 2015 ).

Despite these developments, much less attention in the last decade has been paid to examine hospitality empirical research methods – the tools and means (e.g. experiments, surveys and qualitative designs) researchers use to collect data to uncover new knowledge. A well-designed method ensures that hospitality research findings are not only valid but can also yield trustworthy practical implications to hospitality managers (McKercher, 2018). Accordingly, the research methods employed have often been suggested as an indicator to assess maturity, paradigm, sophistication, quality and progress of a discipline (e.g. Baloglu and Assante, 1999 ; Köseoglu et al. , 2016 ; Rivera and Upchurch, 2008 ). However, the lack of recent content analysis of the research methods used in hospitality research hinders our understanding of the current state of hospitality research or ways to improve its sophistication level.

Indeed, the recent development of technology has facilitated new research methods, such as user-generated data (e.g. online review), web data (e.g. hotel pricing data on websites) and simulation ( Stamolampros et al. , 2020 ; Lu and Stepchenkova, 2015 ). Compared with traditional research methods (e.g. survey and experiment), these new methods are available to hospitality managers and researchers at a low cost ( Lu and Stepchenkova, 2015 ). Technology also facilitates new data sources (e.g. online panels) ( Aguinis et al. , 2021 ). More importantly, hospitality is a broad field with different functional areas (including marketing, finance, strategy, operations, technology and human resources [HR]) covering multiple geographic regions (including North America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, Latin America, Africa and multi-region) ( Baloglu and Assante, 1999 ; Shen et al. , 2018 ). Yet, the education and preference in research methods in each function area and geographic region can differ ( Ali et al. , 2021 ; Amarante, 2014 ; Mehmetoglu, 2004 ; Shen et al. , 2018 ). Therefore, a description of research methods and data sources by each functional area and geographic region can enhance validity and pinpoint specific areas that need further development ( Shen et al. , 2018 ).

As we progress to the new decade of the 2020s, it is time to take stock of the research method used in the 2010s and look forward to new opportunities. To ensure the findings can be comparable to the content analysis of research methods conducted by Baloglu and Assante (1999) , we focused the content analysis on the five established hospitality journals, including the Cornell Hospitality Quarterly (CQ) , International Journal of Hospitality Management (IJHM) , International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management (IJCHM) , Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research (JHTR) and International Hospitality Review (IHR, formerly the FIU Hospitality Review) . This content analysis focused on the research methods and data sources used in original hospitality empirical articles published in these five journals in 2010–2019 by (1) time span, (2) functional areas and (3) geographic regions of the data. It provides implications on the development of hospitality research in the last decade, identifies new avenues of study designs for functional areas and sheds light on potential collaboration opportunities and education and training for academia in different geographic regions. In the next section, we present a brief review of content analyses within the boundaries of hospitality.

Content analyses of research methods in hospitality

Research methods.

Scholarly works have used content or bibliometric analyses to reveal the type of research (qualitative versus quantitative), research designs, measurement, sampling and statistical techniques used in hospitality research articles (e.g. Baloglu and Assante, 1999 ; Chon et al. , 1989 ; Crawford-Welch and McCleary, 1992 ; Mehmetoglu, 2004 ; Palmer et al. , 2005 ; Rivera and Upchurch, 2008 ). Previous content analysis of research methods ( Baloglu and Assante, 1999 ; Law et al. , 2012 ; Line and Runyan, 2012 ; Yoo et al. , 2011 ) suggested six major methods, including (1) surveys, (2) experiments, (3) qualitative studies, (4) archival data, (5) objective data and (6) simulations. Previous recommendations ( Fong et al. , 2016 ) further categorized experiments into (1) scenarios, (2) fields and (3) quasi-experiments. Similarly, past studies (e.g. Arendt et al. , 2012 ) further classify qualitative studies into (1) structured questionnaires, (2) interviews and (3) focus groups and refined archival data into (1) printed materials (2) public data, (3) website data and (4) user-generated data. Some researchers also use multiple studies with mixed research methods to balance different research methods' strengths and weaknesses ( Mariani and Baggio, 2020 ; Truong et al. , 2020 ).

What were the research methods used in the 2010s?

Data sources

Although each research method diverges in its ability to test causal relationships ( Baloglu and Assante, 1999 ), data sources and samples also impact the external (i.e. generalizability and realism) and internal validity (i.e. measurement precision) of the findings. The strengths and weaknesses of each method are summarized in Table 1 . However, such discussions are based on assumptions of the use of specific data sources. For example, Baloglu and Assante (1999) suggest that survey research can have high external validity if researchers use an effective sampling strategy. Similarly, because it is generally assumed that experiments use convenience samples with scenario experiments, scholars argue that experiments demonstrate causality at the cost of realism ( Fong et al. , 2016 ; Mattila, 2004 ). With the assumption of using a small sample based on personal contact and snowballing sampling techniques, qualitative studies are commonly touted for providing rich data with a high level of realism at the cost of measurement precision and generalizability ( Arendt et al. , 2012 ; Walsh, 2003 ). Archival studies mostly use publicly available data, which results in a high level of context realism and a low level of measurement flexibility ( Jones, 2010 ).

What were the data sources used in the 2010s?

Research methods and data sources by functional areas

To provide a refined understanding of research topics and methods used, some researchers focused their content analysis on one functional area within hospitality research – marketing (e.g. Line and Runyan, 2012 ; Oh et al. , 2004 ; Yoo et al. , 2011 ). These studies found that most marketing studies published between 2000 and 2010 use empirical field surveys. The results were in line with Morosan et al. (2014) , which suggested a paradigm shift in hospitality marketing research in 1989–2013 to focus on empirical research with a change in the research method. Unfortunately, content analyses including a method component are rarely seen in other functional areas, including finance, strategy, operations, technology and HR.

What were the research methods and data sources used in each functional area in the 2010s?

What was the geographic focus of data collection by hospitality researchers in the 2010s?

Research methods and data sources per geographic regions

What were the research methods and data sources used in each geographic region in the 2010s?

Journals and articles selection

Consistent with Baloglu and Assante (1999) , we narrowed our content reviews in these five hospitality journals (CQ, IJHM, IJCHM, JHTR and IHR) for four reasons. First, because tourism and hospitality research differ in the unit of analysis and the data availability, we limited our scope to hospitality research and excluded tourism journals (e.g. Annals of Tourism Research , Tourism Management ). Second, we focused on hospitality journals with a general focus and excluded some functional-specific journals, such as the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Education and the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology . All five journals specify that they welcome research from all functional areas, such as marketing, finance, HR, strategy, operations and technology. Third, all the journals are well-established. Using the same set of journals by Baloglu and Assante (1999) also allows a direct comparison of the results in this decade (2010–2019) and the 1990s (1990–1996). Finally, all of these five journals welcome submissions of all research methods.

Coders and validity of coding

We analyzed the content systematically. First, three researchers developed the coding scheme in an initial meeting. Then, to ensure the accuracy and validity of coding, two researchers coded each article. Finally, inconsistencies were resolved by a discussion among the three researchers.

Coding method

Empirical vs conceptual. Researchers manually coded the articles in five steps. In the first step, we identified the articles to be analyzed and only included original empirical hospitality articles and research notes. Excluding editorial, there were 3,227 articles published between January 2010 and December 2019 in the five hospitality journals. After excluding 48 research method papers, 110 destination tourism papers, 199 literature reviews and 108 conceptual papers, we retained a total of 2,759 original hospitality empirical articles for this content analysis.

Coding research method and data sources. In the second step, we coded the research method into (1) mixed method, (2) survey, (3a) scenario experiment, (3b) field experiment, (3c) quasi-experiment, (4a) structured questionnaire, (4b), interview, (4c) focus group, (5a) printed materials, (5b) public data, (5c) website data, (5d) user-generated data, (6) objective data and (7) simulation based on the definition in Table 3 . We also coded the data sources into (1) student data, (2) panel data, (3) organizational data, (4) user-generated data, (5) public data, (6) personal contacts, (7) random data and (8) mixed data sources based on the definition in Table 2 . Finally, we noted the number of empirical studies in each article. Most articles (2,628) have one study, and 131 articles have multiple empirical studies. Among the 131 multi-studies articles, 50 articles used mixed methods, and 81 used the same methods. Additionally, 20 of the 131 multi-studies articles used mixed data sources, while the other 111 used the same data sources.

Coding functional areas. In the third step, we identified the functional areas. Following Baloglu and Assante (1999) , we classified articles into six functional areas: marketing, finance, strategy, operations, technology and HR. Table 4 lists the definitions of each functional area, the editors' functional backgrounds and the distribution of articles. To ensure consistency in coding and avoid overlaps in functional areas, we coded the functional areas based on the study's dependable variables. For example, a study investigating the factors that increase customer satisfaction (e.g. Choi and Chui, 2001 ) was considered a marketing study. In contrast, a study investigating factors driving employee behaviors (e.g. Curtis et al. , 2013 ) was classified as a human resources study.

Coding geographic regions. Fourth, we coded the studies' geographic regions. We manually coded regions based on major continents: Africa, Europe, Asia (which includes Russia, East Asia, South Asia and Middle-eastern), North America (includes Canada and the USA), Latin America (which includes Mexico, South America and the Caribbean), Oceania (which includes Australia and New Zealand) and multi-regions (which collect data from two or more regions). Considered similarities in culture within a large continent area ( Hofstede, 2001 ) and some studies collecting data from multiple proximal countries, regions can provide more clarity in the results than a country-level analysis. In the next section, we present the results of our content analyses.

Articles distribution by journals

The total number of original empirical articles published increased from 178 to 491 articles from 2010 to 2019. Table 4 shows that the journals differ significantly on the published articles' functional areas ( χ 2  = 81.61, p  < 0.01). Over half of the JHTR articles were marketing studies (51%, 130 articles), higher than the other four journals (ranging from 36% [107 articles, CQ] to 41% [24 articles, IHR]). Also, CQ had a relatively large portion of finance studies (18%, 54 articles) when compared with IJHM (13%, 164 articles), IJCHM (9%, 78 articles), IHR (3%, 2 articles) and JHTR (5%, 12 articles). The five journals were very similar in the other functional areas, including strategy (ranging from 5% [3 articles, IHR] to 13% [33 articles, JHTR]), operations (ranging from 5% [3 articles, IHR] to 11% [27 articles, JHTR]) and technology (ranging from 3% [33 articles, IJHM] to 6% [14 articles, JHTR]). On the other hand, IHR published almost 40% of HR articles (23 articles), higher than the other four journals (ranged from 15% [37 articles, JHTR] to 30% [264 articles, IJCHM]).

Research methods’ usages in the 2010s

RQ1 focused on the research method used in the 2010s. Table 5 illustrates the research method used in the last decade. Survey research increased sharply in the early 2010s from 44% in 2010 (78 articles) to 55% in 2013 (152 articles), followed by a stable period in the rest of 2010s ranging from 51 to 48% in 2014–2019 (128–237 articles). Overall, 51% of analyzed articles used survey designs (i.e. 1,401 articles).

Archival data were the second popular research method (593 articles, 22% of all articles), comparable to the results in the 1990s (19%, Baloglu and Assante, 1999 ). While the use of public data, including data from financial markets and census data, decreased to 13% (363 articles), new forms of archival data – namely web data (3%, 79 articles) and user-generated data (4%, 116 articles) – played a more prominent role in empirical hospitality research. Although archival data remained relatively stable over time, there were some changes in the sub-categories. While the use of printed materials and public data decreased over time, there were more published articles using web data and user-generated data. In particular, the number of studies using user-generated data, such as online reviews, increased from 3 articles (2% of the published articles in 2010) to 42 articles (9% of the published articles in 2019).

Experiments were the third popular research method (11% of all articles, 318 articles). There was also a strong positive correlation between the total number of studies and the percentage of the experiment study ( r  = 0.69, p  < 0.05). Scenario experiment was the most popular among the three different types of experiments (8%, 225 articles), followed by quasi-experiment (2%, 56%) and field experiment (1%, 37 articles). Specifically, the representation of scenario experiments doubled over the years (from 4% [7 articles] in 2010 to 8% [41 articles] in 2019).

Around 9% of the published articles (235 articles) used a qualitative method. Among all three qualitative methods (structured questionnaire, interview and focus group), interviews were the most popular, with 200 published articles (7% of all articles). The number of qualitative studies decreased in the first half of the 2010s, dropping from 27 articles (16%) in 2010 to 14 articles (6%) in 2014. However, the number of qualitative studies increased in the latter half of the 2010s, representing 9% of the articles published in 2018 (29 articles) and 2019 (42 articles).

Similar to previous studies (e.g. Baloglu and Assante, 1999 ; Law et al. , 2012 ), there was only a handful of studies using objective data (1%, 40 articles) and simulation (1%, 14 articles). Around 6% of the published articles used a mixed method design. However, the portions of mixed method articles decreased from 10% in 2010 (18 articles) to only 6% in 2019 (29 articles). The total number of publications published in a year was negatively related to the percentage of mix-method studies ( r  = −0.56, p  < 0.1).

Data sources used in the 2010s

Figure 1 answers RQ2 , which investigates the use of data sources in the 2010s. Half (50%) of the studied articles use organizational data (1,368 articles), making it the most used data source. However, organizational data usage decreased from 58% (104 articles) to 35% (174 articles), while panel data increased from 3% (5 articles) to 24% (118 articles) over time. Although public data dropped from a high of 21% in 2010 (38 articles) to 12% in 2016 (32 articles), it slowly recovered to 18% in 2019 (93 articles). User-generated data increased from 1% (2 articles) to 8% (40 articles) over the 2010s, indicating the increasing reliance on this new data source. Student data decreased from a high of 7% in 2010 (12 articles) to 2% in 2019 (10 articles). Other data sources, including personal contact (2%, 44 articles), random data (4%, 106 articles) and mixed data sources (5%, 125 articles), remain to be used in less than 5% of articles in 2010s.

To further understand the above results, we analyzed how the functional areas of original hospitality empirical research changed over time (see Figure 2 ). Marketing was the most popular functional area (40%, 1,102 articles). The portion of marketing articles increased from 33% in 2010 (59 articles) to 44% in 2019 (214 articles). HR were the second most popular functional area, accounting for 25% (729 articles) of all articles. However, HR articles decreased from 32% (57 articles) to 24% (118 articles) over the 2010s. The portion of finance (11%, 310 articles), strategy (10%, 275 articles) and operations (9%, 244 articles) articles remained relatively stable over time. In the 2010s, there was a slight increase in technology articles from 2% in 2010s (4 articles) to 4% in 2019 (21 articles). However, technology remains the least popular functional area (4%, 99 articles) in the 2010s. In short, although there are more articles published in each year ( r year-total number of articles  = 0.80, p  < 0.05), marketing research contributes to most of the increases ( r year-total number of marketing articles  = 0.88, p  < 0.05).

Research methods by functional areas

Figure 3 addresses RQ3 by showing the research methods by functional areas. Functional areas were related to research method usage ( χ 2 df = 65  = 039.05, p  < 0.01). Operations was the only functional area that used all seven research methods, including 29% surveys (70 articles), 27% archival data (65 articles), 19% qualitative methods (47 articles), 9% objective data (22 articles), 6% experiments (15 articles) and 3% simulations (7 articles). Additionally, 7% (18 out of 244) of the operations articles used mixed method designs.

Similarly, marketing articles used a wide range of methods, including 5% mixed method (60 articles), 53% surveys (584 articles), 24% experiments (260 articles), 12% archival data (133 articles) and 5% qualitative methods (51 articles). The increasing number of marketing studies over time (see Figure 2 ) and the diverse methods used in marketing articles (see Figure 3 ) may explain the rise of experiment and user-generated data over time. Indeed, 83% (260 out of 315) of the experimental studies and 80% (93 out of 115) of the user-generated data were marketing articles.

The diversity of research methods used in operations and marketing articles strongly contrasts with finance articles, which predominantly used archival data (84%, 261 articles). Moreover, 73% (227 articles) of finance articles use only one category of archival data – public data. Indeed, 63% (227 out of 360) of the public data articles were finance articles. A small portion of the finance articles used surveys (8%, 26 articles) and qualitative methods (2%, 6 articles). Around 3% of finance articles (10 articles) used a mixed method design. Only one finance article used experiments, making it the field with the fewest articles that employed experiments.

Similarly, HR articles did not use diverse research methods. Over 76% of HR articles (551 articles) used surveys, while 11% (78 articles) used qualitative methods. With only 5% of HR articles (35 articles) used experiments, experimental designs were not common in HR articles. There was only 5% (35 articles) used a mixed method design. Only 4% of HR articles (29 articles) used archival data. There were no HR studies that used objective data, and only 1 HR study used simulations.

Strategy and technology articles shared a similar pattern in the research method. Such that the top three methods were surveys (42% [115 out of 275 strategy articles]; 57% [56 out of 99 technology articles]), archival data (33% [92 out of 275 strategy articles]; 16% [16 out of 99 technology articles]), and qualitative methods (20% [56 out of 275 strategy articles]; 12% [12 out of 99 technology articles]). However, 24% (65 out of 275) of strategy articles used public data versus none of the technology articles used public data. Conversely, 16/275 (6%) of strategy articles versus 13/99 (13%) of technology articles used web data and user-generated data.

Data sources by functional areas

As shown in Figure 4 , functional areas of research were related to the data sources. With marketing research had a good mix of different research methods, it also used diverse data sources. Organizational and panel data were most popular, accounting for 46% (503 articles) and 24% (266 articles) of marketing articles, respectively. However, marketing articles also use other data sources, including public data (7%, 82 articles), user-generated data (7%, 73 articles), student data (5%, 57 articles) and personal contact (1%, 13 articles). There were also 4% of marketing articles (46 articles) that used mixed data sources.

Organizational data were most commonly used in HR studies (74%, 543 articles). Around 8% of HR studies (59 articles) used panel data, 5% (38 articles) used student data and 5% (36 articles) used public data. However, other data sources, including random data (1%, 9 articles), personal contacts (1%, 8 articles) and user-generated data (1%, 4 articles), were seldomly used. Only 4% of HR studies (32 articles) used mixed data sources.

Since finance mainly uses archival data as a research method, public data were the most commonly used data source (73%, 226 articles). In addition, there were 14% of finance studies (44 articles) used organizational data. Finance studies seldom use other data sources, including user-generated data (5% 16 articles), mixed data sources (4%, 12 articles), panel data (3%, 10 articles) and random data (1%, 2 articles). No finance studies used personal contact or student data. The top four data sources used in technology studies were organizational data (34%, 34 articles), panel data (29%, 29 articles), user-generated data (10%, 10 articles) and public data (10%, 10 articles). The usage of student data (5%, 5 articles), random data (4%, 4 articles) and personal contacts (4%, 4 articles) were not common in technology articles. There were also only 4% of technology articles (4 articles) that used mixed data sources.

Both strategy and operations studies feature the use of organizational data (strategy: 46% [127 articles]; operations: 48% [117 articles]) and public data (strategy: 33% [92 articles]; operations: 22%, 53 articles). Strategy and operations studies seldom used random data (strategy: 5%, 14 articles; operation: 6%, 15 articles), personal contact (strategy: 4%, 10 articles; operation: 4%, 10 articles) and student data (strategy: 1%, 2 articles; operations: 2%, 5 articles). While panel data were not common in strategy (3%, 9 articles), it was common in operations (10%, 24 articles). Mixed data source was also uncommon in strategy (7%, 18 articles) and operation (5%, 13 articles).

Geographic regions overtime

RQ4 investigates the research intensity in different geographic regions. Despite increased emphasis on globalization, Table 6 showed that the portion of studies conducted in the various geographic regions remained relatively stable over time. Results showed that most articles used data from North America (1,119 articles, 41%) and Asia (979 articles, 35%). European data articles increased slowly from 12% (22 articles) in 2010 to 16% (77 articles) in 2019. Overall, there was 14% of the articles used European data (387 articles). Unfortunately, there was only a handful of studies using data from Oceania (3%, 94 articles), Africa (1%, 37 articles) and Latin America (1%, 19 articles) in the 2010s. Less than ten articles were from Latin America and Africa each year, representing around 0–2% of the analyzed articles. There was a drop in multi-region articles from 2010 (6%, 10 articles) to 2014 (2%, 6 articles). However, the number of multi-regions articles increased steadily since 2015 (4%, 11 articles). As a result, 7% of the 2019 articles (33 articles) used data collected from two or more geographic regions.

Research methods by geographic regions

Figure 5 answers RQ5 by showing the research method used in different geographic regions. Geographic regions had different research method usage patterns ( χ 2 df =  91  = 572.74, p  < 0.01), suggesting that the usage of hospitality research can differ across geographic regions. It is worth noting that user-generated data were collected from all six geographic areas and contributed 10% of the multi-region articles (13 articles).

Researchers used a variety of methods to collect data from North America. It had a low reliance on survey research (40%, 453 articles) and has a good mix of experiments (20%, 223 articles) and archival data (28%, 311 articles). It also used all other methods, including qualitative studies (5%, 56 articles), objective data (2%, 25 articles) and simulation (1%, 5 articles). Indeed, researchers collected 62% (223 out of 360) of the public data studies from North America.

Despite the relatively low usage of experiments (7%, 26 articles), data collected from Europe originates from a good mix of methods, including survey (43%, 168 articles), archival data (29%, 114 articles) and qualitative studies (14%, 54 articles). Furthermore, it also contributes to the usage of mixed method (5%, 19 articles), objective data (1%, 4 articles) and simulation (1%, 2 articles). Thus, the results indicating that the development of the research methods was quite sophisticated in Europe. Interestingly, Oceania had the lowest reliance on surveys (37%, 35 articles) and the highest reliance on qualitative studies (25%, 24 articles). Similar to North America and Europe, Oceania also had a good balance of experiments (13%, 12 articles), archival data (16%, 15 articles) and objective data (3%, 3 articles).

Although Asia also used all research methods, it relied on surveys (67%, 660 articles). On the other hand, there was a relatively small portion of archival data (12%, 114 articles), qualitative studies (9%, 54 articles), mixed method studies (6%, 19 articles), experiments (5%, 26 articles), objective data (1%, 4 articles) and simulation (1%, 2 articles). Such reliance on survey research was similar to other developing regions, such as Latin America (53%, 10 articles) and Africa (73%, 27 articles). Researchers collected archival data (21%, 4 articles) and a mixed method study (16%, 3 articles) in Latin America. On the other hand, some qualitative studies were collected in Africa (16%, 6 articles). Only one qualitative study (5%) and one simulation (5%) were collected from Latin America. Similarly, researchers only collected one mixed method study (3%), one objective data (3%) and two archival data (3%) in Africa. However, no experiment was collected from Latin America or Africa.

Data sources by geographic regions

Table 7 illustrates the data sources by geographic regions. Although North America and Asia contribute the most data, the types of data they contribute can be very different. For example, while North America contributes the most student data (64%, 69 out of 107 articles), panel data (76%, 300 out of 397 articles) and public data (52%, 257 out 499 articles), Asia contributes the most organizational data (50%, 687 out of 1,368 articles), personal contacts (59%, 26 out of 44 articles) and random data (48%, 51 out of 106 articles). Of the 133 studies using user-generated data, 46% originated from North America (52 articles), 19% from Europe (22 articles), 18% from Asia (20 articles), 4% from Oceania (4 articles), 2% from Latin America (2 articles) and 1% from Africa (1 article). Researchers also collected 11% of the user-generated data from multi-region (11 articles), indicating that it can be possible to conduct multi-region research. In the next section, we discuss the implications of the result of this study and make recommendations for the journal editors, researchers and institutions. Additionally, we address the limitations of this project.

Discussion, recommendations and conclusion

This study analyzed research methods and data sources of 2,759 original hospitality research articles published in the top five hospitality journals from 2010 to 2019. As research methods can be a proxy of research rigor, they illuminated the overall progression of the research development. By focusing on five journals, six functional areas and seven geographic regions over the last decade, we showed that hospitality research had developed significantly over the last decade. First, the results indicate a continuing trend of increasing empirical studies in hospitality research: the portion of empirical studies increased from 32% in 1990–1996 ( Baloglu and Assante, 1999 , which analyzed the same five journals) to 82% in 2000–2005 ( Rivera and Upchurch, 2008 , which focused on IJHM only) and 85% in 2010–2019 as selected in this study.

As technology had enabled new research methods (e.g. user-generated data) and new data sources (e.g. online panel data), there was growing diversity in the research methods employed. There was a slight increase in qualitative research in the mid-2010s. This change could be attributed to the launching of designated special qualitative sections in IJHM in 2018 ( Elsevier, 2017 ), indicating that journals' special issues can impact researchers' method choices. Recent calls of specific research methods, such as experiments ( Fong et al. , 2016 ) and user-generated data ( Lu and Stepchenkova, 2015 ), increased the usage of these methods and decreased reliance on the survey. However, as in the 1990s ( Baloglu and Assante, 1999 ), objective data and simulation remain minimal, suggesting potential new avenues. Thus, the research method and data sources usage depend on journal editorial decisions and the calls from prolific scholars.

Overall, these results suggested that hospitality research in the 2010s was more advanced and diversified than in previous decades. The portion of survey studies across the 2010s was significantly lower than previously reported (e.g. Baloglu and Assante, 1999 ; Law et al. , 2012 ). Compared with Baloglu and Assante (1999) , which use the same list of five journals, the reliance on surveys dropped from 80 to 51% during the period of 1990–2010s. However, surveys remained to be the most popular research method in the 2010s. While hospitality research was using the new technology-enabled method, such as website data and user-generated information, the use of objective data and simulation remains minimal.

However, the technology also results in new threats, as seen in the decreased usage of organizational data and increased reliance on panel data. One possible reason is the availability of online panels, such as Amazon MTurk, Qualtrics Panels and SurveyMonkey online panels. Although panel data provide easy access to the diverse sample (MTurk, 2017), organizational data can provide richer contexts for researchers to understand the implications of the studies.

The developing trend of using diverse methods was not the same in all functional areas. Similar trends can be seen in the data sources because data sources and research methods are highly related. Together, the results showed that functional area was related to the research method used, and each functional area varied in terms of developments in research techniques. Unfortunately, the results indicate that some functional areas develop faster than other functional areas. While marketing and operational research contribute to the diversity of the research method used, other functional areas, such as HR and finance, continued to use the same method (survey with organizational data; archival data with public data) as in the 1990s. Because finance and HR were the second and third most popular functional areas, the primary usage of archival data in finance articles and surveys in HR articles may explain the popularity of survey and public data in all hospitality research.

Compared with Shen et al. (2018) , our results showed that the geographical landscape of hospitality research did not change much over the years – the majority of the studies used data from North America and Asia. Oceania, Latin America and Africa remained underrepresented in the five hospitality journals focused on this research. The results indicate that the findings yield in hospitality research from these five journals may be more applicable to North America and Asia. However, the findings from these five journals may have limited generalizability to developing geographic regions, such as Oceania, Africa and Latin America. One plausible explanation would be that most established hospitality schools are in the USA, Asia, and Europe, and all five journals are US-based. Geographic regions were related to the research method used, which may be attributed to the training and the differential norms of the preferred method in the culture ( Shen et al. , 2018 ). Geographic regions also provide different data sources. Aside from language and training, the differences across geographic regions can be attributed to legal requirements ( Benoit et al. , 2019 ). For example, while getting data from organizations in North America requires corporate legal approval, getting such data in Asia is usually a regional office decision ( Benoit et al. , 2019 ). Similarly, although most North American publicly traded organizations are required to share their financial information, the sharing requirements can be different in Asia ( SEC, 2020 ). However, user-generated data across all geographic regions suggest that this new research method can be a potential avenue for collecting data in different geographic regions, which may be difficult for traditional research methods.

Finally, due to the difficulties of using a mix-method or collecting data from multiple geographic areas, only a small portion of articles used mixed method (6%, 158 articles) or collected data from multiple geographic regions (4%, 124 articles). Unfortunately, this suggests that the hospitality research method has not improved significantly since previous content analyses work in the past two decades (e.g. Baloglu and Assante, 1999 ; Law et al. , 2012 ). Therefore, as researchers, we need to spark new conversations by diversifying our research methods and study designs. Drawing on the above findings, we made a few recommendations to the hospitality editors and researchers.

Recommendation for editors: Be open to nontraditional research methods

To stimulate research method diversity, editors should be more open to other research methods that have seldom been used in the functional areas. For example, several mainstream studies suggested that experimental designs can be utilized to extend finance (e.g. Libby et al. , 2002 ; Karlan, 2005 ) and HR research (e.g. Aguinis and Bradley, 2014 ; Podsakoff and Podsakoff, 2019 ). Therefore, we encourage editors to create a special section on mixed method articles. They can also call for nontraditional methods in special issues (e.g. nonsurvey research in HR or nonarchival data research in finance), thus allowing for exemplar studies that show interesting and potentially different results by using unconventional methods.

Recommendation for researchers: use new tools to conduct research

It is important to note that each research method diverges in its generalizability, realism and measurement precision ( Baloglu and Assante, 1999 ). Thus, we reiterate Baloglu and Assante's (1999) recommendation for researchers to use multiple research methods in their studies. Specifically, we encourage researchers to consider adding qualitative analysis into quantitative research. For example, researchers can use a qualitative study to showcase the decision-making process and explains quantitative results. We also encourage researchers to use more qualitative research in finance and marketing.

Technology also enables researchers to have more research methods to conduct research. Our results showed that the utilization of user-generated data was on the rise. However, this rise was mainly limited to marketing research. Researchers from other functional areas can learn from their marketing peers and use more user-generated data. For example, HR researchers can use online employee reviews (e.g. Glassdoor and Indeed) to understand employee outcomes ( Stamolampros et al. , 2020 ). Similarly, researchers can use traditional methods (e.g. qualitative) to analyze data from newer methods (e.g. review comments data from user-generated data).

The use of objective data remains minimal in the 2010s. However, this can be changed with the availability of wearable technology and smart-home technology. For example, operations research can use auto-generated data from smart-home devices (e.g. smart thermostats) to improve operational efficiency ( Nadkarni et al. , 2019 ). In addition, by using both traditional methods (e.g. survey and experiment) and newer technology (e.g. wearable technology), researchers test more interesting research questions related to the personal well-being of guests and employees ( Massaro and Pecchia, 2019 ), as well as to understand workplace relationships ( Chaffin et al. , 2017 ).

We challenge researchers to consider different data sources. Although technology facilitates the use of online panel data (e.g. MTurk), which provides cheap and easy access to the diverse sample ( Aguinis et al. , 2021 ), we encourage researchers to keep using field research (e.g. organizational data) such that researchers would be able to know more contextual information (e.g. organizational background) from organizations and provide practical implications to organizations that provide data access ( Tracey, 2020 ).

Recommendation to institutions: conduct research globally

Since each culture has its unique values, the findings from one geographic region may not be generalizable to other regions ( Hofstede, 2001 ). Thus, in line with Law et al. (2012) , we call for more research in traditionally ignored geographic areas, such as Oceania, Latin America and Africa. In particular, the hospitality industry in Africa and Latin America has developed dramatically in the last few years ( Benzitouni and Wawira, 2019 ; Schmitt and Cruz, 2018 ). It presents unique HR, strategy and operations research ( Aguinis et al. , 2020 ). We recommend interinstitutional collaboration such that seasoned researchers establish research collaborations with local researchers in Latin America and Africa. This will facilitate the progression of hospitality research. Moreover, it will allow researchers to develop culture-specific research in these developing regions.

Limitations and future research

This study synthesizes the research method used in original hospitality research in the 2010s. Although we addressed several issues, some other vital issues are out of the scope of this research and warrant future research attention. First, we did not include a content analysis of statistical-related issues due to space constraints, such as sample size, level of measurement and analyses. Future research can compare statistical usage and identify potential analytical recommendations. Second, our content analyses excluded tourism articles and research method articles. Some research methods and data analyses articles provide sample studies to illustrate the method/analyses. Although it only accounts for 48 articles, these articles usually showcase newer methods. Thus, our results may underestimate some of the usages of newer methods. Third, we limited our content analyses to research articles published in five journals. The results cannot be generalized to articles that are not conducted but not accepted in the five journals. It is unclear whether editorial decisions or authors' preferences caused the changes in the method used. Although the five journals have a general focus, the background of editors may change editorial decisions, favoring articles of specific functional areas, research methods and data sources used. A comparison of the journals, SSCI journals and non-SSCI journals may provide a more comprehensive understanding of the hospitality research development in terms of the research methods used.

Fourth, our study focused on a systematic description of the method and data sources usage over time. It does not provide an in-depth description of how the method changes over time. However, empirical studies are getting more sophisticated. For example, survey research has changed from a cross-section self-report survey to multi-level, multi-source, multi-wave and longitudinal surveys ( Dolnicar, 2018 ). Similarly, more realism checks are used in experiments ( Fong et al. , 2016 ). We encourage future research to focus on each method and describe how the method changes over time. Finally, the COVID-19 pandemic may make some research methods that rely on face-to-face interactions (e.g. face-to-face interview/focus-group) impossible. Since some organizations can be focusing on dealing with the pandemic, they may be unwilling to collaborate with research, making data collection in organizations more difficult. Future research can expand our study and understand how the COVID-19 pandemic affects the research method used.

research topics in hospitality industry

Data sources original hospitality empirical research over time

research topics in hospitality industry

Functional areas over time

research topics in hospitality industry

Research method by functional areas

research topics in hospitality industry

Research method by geographic regions

Advantages and disadvantages of each research method

Definitions of research method

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Hospitality, Hotels & Restaurants

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Below are some of the top resources for finding market and industry research:

Note: For general overviews and market research reports search for terms like: 

  • Hospitality OR lodging OR hotel OR motel
  • Restaurant OR fast food OR fast casual
  • QSR OR quick service restaurant
  • Food service OR bar OR tavern
  • IBISWorld This link opens in a new window Industry Market Research reports and Industry Risk Ratings. Focuses on United States, but has some data on global markets.

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Listed below are links to trade publications and relevant industry news:

Note: A trade publication (often a magazine) is an information source that is intended for a very specific audience and will have content that appeals to that audience. The content may come directly from people within the industry, or it may come from freelance or staff writers that have vast experiences writing for that particular trade.

Professionals often subscribe to trade magazines in order to gather valuable information that will help them achieve something within their industry or field.  Trade publications are a Marketer's secret weapon  and can be helpful for tracking recent industry developments, identifying competitors or uncovering market opportunities. 

  • Hotel Business
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  • Hotels Magazine
  • Lodging Magazine
  • Full Service Restaurant (FSR) Magazine
  • Nation's Restaurant News
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  • Restaurant Hospitality
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  • Hospitality Technology Covers technology trends for restaurants and hotels.

Here's a list of important journals:

  • Cornell Hospitality Quarterly

Below are links to key industry associations:

Note: If your industry is not represented here, search Google with your industry name + "association".  Not all content on these websites is free; you may need to be a member to access exclusive reports and data.

In some industries, associations might be referred to as;

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Hospitality

  • Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International Search under 'Knowledge Center' and 'Trends & Research' for free content.
  • Hospitality.net Industry news and resources. Market reports include summary data from STR, RateGain (Hotel Rate Parity Trends) and TRI Hospitality Consulting.
  • International Tourism Partnership "Environmental & social responsibility in the hospitality industry"; access provided by Hospitality Net.
  • American Hotel & Lodging Association - AH&LA
  • California Hotel & Lodging Association
  • Hotel Association of Los Angeles

Restaurants & Food Service

  • National Restaurant Association
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  • Deloitte - Transportation, Hospitality & Services
  • U.S. Travel & Hospitality Outlook A 2019 report from Deloitte.
  • Demystifying the Digital Marketplace: spotlight on the hospitality industry A 2018 report from the American Hotel & Lodging Organization.
  • AMRC - Food Resources Agricultural Marketing Resource Center.
  • Hospitality Trends News on the hospitality industry.
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  • STR Global -Smith Travel Research Industry news and travel glossary; reports available for sale.
  • Technomic - Food Industry Facts & Insights Consulting See 'Complimentary Resources' for statistics and facts.
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  • AHLA - Research & Reports A variety of reports published by the American Hotel & Lodging Association.
  • Hotel Market Trends & Analysis for the United States A 2021 report from Horwath HTL.
  • State of the Hotel Industry, 2021 A 2021 report from the American Hotel & Lodging Association.
  • Tourism & Hotel Market Outlook A 2021 report from Deloitte.
  • State of the Restaurant Industry, 2021 Published annually by the National Restaurant Association.
  • The Future of Restaurants A 2021 report from Square.
  • U.S. Restaurants: 21 themes for 2021 A massive 2021 report from Credit Suisse.
  • State of the Full Service Restaurant, 2021 U.S. industry overview from TouchBistro.

Find key government data, including reports and statistics using the following resources:

  • Bureau of Labor Statistics - Industries at a Glance - Leisure & Hospitality See sub sectors: Accommodations & Food Services - NAICS 72 Accommodations - NAICS 721 Food & Drinking Places - NAICS 722
  • U.S. Census - Statistics of U.S. Businesses Accommodation - NAICS-721; Food Services & Drinking Places - NAICS 722
  • U.S. International Trade Administration - National Travel & Tourism Office Statistics on tourism, travel to and from the U.S.

For lists of hotel or restaurant rankings, consult the following:

  • Nation's Restaurant News: Top 500 Published annually.

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Global trends in hospitality ☆

Lerzan aksoy.

a Fordham University, Gabelli School of Business, New York, NY, United States

Sunmee Choi

b School of Business, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea

c Dean of College of Business and Management, VinUniversity, Hanoi, Viet Nam

Tarik Dogru

d Florida State University, Dedman College of Hospitality, Tallahassee, FL, United States

Timothy Keiningham

e St. John’s University, Peter J. Tobin College of Business, Queens, NY, United States

Melanie Lorenz

f Florida Atlantic University, College of Business, Boca Raton, FL, United States

J. Bruce Tracey

g Cornell University, School of Hotel Administration, SC Johnson College of Business, Ithaca, NY, United States

The disruptions to the global hospitality industry have been accelerated, particularly after the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, it is even more important for scholars to focus on future research that addresses the most relevant and important industry-specific challenges. In this paper, we analyze the recent hospitality research and industry trends to identify the topics that have received the most attention, and then compare these trends to the survey results from two key industry stakeholders – academics (N = 67) and practitioners (N = 235) – regarding the most important short- and longer-terms research priorities. Overall, the findings suggest that both stakeholder groups have placed supply and demand characteristics, as well as technology, as the industry’s most pressing priorities in both the short- and longer-term future. The relative importance of safety and cleanliness is expected to decline over time while environmental sustainability will gain increasing attention in the future.

1. Introduction

The global hospitality industry, which includes hotels and other types of accommodations, as well as restaurants, bars, casinos, cruise ships, travel agencies, tour operators, and similar organizations, accounted for roughly $4.5 trillion in consumer spending during 2020 ( Hospitality Global Market Report, 2020 ). More broadly, the travel and tourism segments accounted for 10.3% of the global GDP in 2019, totaling $8.9 trillion ( WTTC, 2020b ). Unfortunately, it is not surprising that many of the firms that operate within service- and labor-intensive industries have suffered immensely because of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of the extensive scope of this global crisis, pre-pandemic industry trend projections alone are unlikely to be helpful in guiding future academic research and managerial actions. The overarching aim of this research is to provide needed insight into the most important short- and long-term trends from the perspectives of hospitality academics and practitioners by combining historic trends with prognostications from both such stakeholders.

This investigation is conducted in three parts: (1) a review of articles in the leading academic hospitality journals; (2) a review of articles in hospitality trade journals; and (3) a survey of hospitality academics and practitioners. By doing so, we identify critical gaps in the literature and significant differences in the perspectives of academics and practitioners—both in terms of established areas of interest and their future expectations.

As might be expected, the findings point to a short-term focus on disease prevention and related issues, which subsequently declines in importance over the longer term. Nonetheless, technology and supply and demand issues stand out amongst both academics and practitioners alike as key trends in both the short- and long-term. In general, however, when significant differences exist between academics and practitioners (e.g., sustainability, branding), practitioners tend to place greater importance on more immediate financial well-being needs, while academics focus on broader, longer-term trends. By identifying the gaps in the literature and differences in the perceived importance of various trends, this investigation offers insight for rigorous and relevant academic research agendas to help guide the recovery of the hospitality industry through the extreme turbulence caused by COVID-19.

2. Literature review

2.1. scope: global hospitality industry.

The travel and tourism sector is recognized as an important driver for job creation and a dynamic engine of employment opportunities ( Dogru and Bulut, 2018 , Wttc, 2020a ). In 2019, one in 10 jobs (total 330 million jobs) were supported by the global travel and tourism sector, and one quarter of all net new jobs were created by this sector over the last five years ( WTTC, 2020b ).

In 2020, however, this industry faced unprecedented challenges and threats from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic ( WTTC, 2020b ). Community lockdowns, social distancing requirements, stay-at-home orders, travel and mobility restrictions, and dining limitations have resulted in a temporary suspension of many hospitality businesses and significantly decreased the demand for businesses that were allowed to continue to operate ( Bartik et al., 2020 , Gursoy and Chi, 2020 ). While the optimistic scenario projects a 30% reduction in jobs and GDP compared with 2019, the pessimistic scenario projects a 60% reduction in jobs and a 62% reduction in GDP compared with 2019 ( WTTC, 2020b ).

Of all industries, the global hospitality industry is among the hardest hit, while facing reductions of >90% of activities in some markets ( Fernandes, 2020 ). An above average representation of SMEs in sectors such as accommodation and food services have been particularly affected by the crisis ( OECD, 2020 ). As of 22 June 2020, 513 companies in the restaurant segment filed for bankruptcy ( WTTC, 2020c ). Large firms have also suffered from the downturn ( WTTC, 2020c ). For example, Marriott International, which has 174,000 employees globally, placed tens of thousands of workers on furlough, and Hilton Worldwide notified lenders in March 2020 that they would be borrowing a precautionary $1.75 billion under a revolving loan to preserve money and to maintain flexibility ( Nicola et al., 2020 ).

In contrast, it has been suggested that the travel and tourism sector is poised to be the key sector in driving the recovery of the global economy post COVID-19 by generating new jobs, driving visitors back to destinations, and having a positive economic domino effect on suppliers across the entire supply chain ( Dogru and Bulut, 2018 , Wttc, 2020a ). Projected recovery plans involve rebuilding traveler confidence, developing innovative and digital technologies, and offering more affordable products ( WTTC, 2020d ). Transitioning from crisis management to recovery, hospitality is preparing for the “new normal” by ensuring operational excellence; assuring a safe experience for staff and guests through enhanced cleanliness and hygiene best practices; rebuilding trust and confidence through transparency and communication; and implementing new enabling policies ( WTTC, 2020e ).

Having discussed the scope, importance, and disciplinary range of the industry as well as the status and future outlook, the next section explores the academic and practitioner literatures to compare – across disciplines – trends that may influence the current and future developments in the hospitality industry. The goals are to derive important insights about the state of the respective literatures, as well as to identify discrepancies between academics and practitioners in an effort to promote research that is more aligned with the industry’s challenges and that helps stimulate timely and actionable solutions. This is particularly important in the time of COVID-19 as traditional ways of doing business have been hampered, and innovative solutions are desperately needed.

3. Study 1: Review & categorization of academic literature

The goal of Study 1 is to gauge what hospitality researchers believe to be the most important industry trends based upon the topics published in some of the leading academic hospitality journals. This effort is intended to provide a broad overview of the current state of the literature, with the expectation that the topics represent what academic researchers perceive to be of current or future importance in the hospitality industry.

3.1. Procedure & samples

To review and categorize the literature comprehensively, we deviated from the traditional literature approach and instead used a systematic review. First, the research team decided to examine the articles that were published in the following five hospitality research journals: Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research, Cornell Hospitality Quarterly, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, Tourism Management, and International Journal of Hospitality Management . These journals were selected because they publish research that is directly aligned with industry-specific challenges and priorities, and they are considered leading journals in the hospitality field (e.g., listed as “A” outlets by the Australian Business Deans Council on journal quality). The period of January 2018 to the end of the year 2020 was chosen to reflect the most recent trends, and we examined all articles including the ones published online but not yet in press.

Following the selection of the journals, two coders (both with advanced degrees and conduct hospitality-specific research) independently reviewed all articles (N = 1,459) and coded them based on disciplinary domain (e.g., consumer behavior, human resources, operations management, etc.) and main focus (e.g., use and utility of social media, employee engagement, efficiency, etc.) to identify the academic origin and primary research themes. The number of articles for each of the journals and interrater agreement indices are list in Table 1 .

Articles by journal and interrater agreements.

3.2. Results

The analysis identified five main disciplinary domains: consumer behavior/marketing, organizational behavior/human resource management, strategic management, operations management, and finance/economic/law/accounting. Articles of topics that did not fit any main discipline (e.g., research methodology, education, tourism, literature reviews, food and beverage, and entrepreneurship) were sorted into the category “others”. Of 1,459 articles reviewed, the majority fell into the consumer behavior/marketing discipline (652 articles; 44.69%), followed by organizational behavior/human resource management (280 articles; 19.19%), and strategic management (191 articles; 13.09%). To a lesser extent, articles could be placed into finance/economics/law/accounting (102 articles; 6.99%), or operations management (86 articles; 5.89%). 145 articles were summarized in the “others” category (9.94%). Within each of the disciplines, counts of the key words associated with the main focus of the studies were used to identify the primary trends and research themes. We will discuss the most prominent ones in the following paragraphs. Table 2 provides a complete overview of all trends by discipline, the distribution and count, as well as exemplary citations.

Overview of research trends per discipline.

The major research trends within the consumer behavior/marketing discipline focused on the customer experience (e.g., eWOM, social influences, emotions, and customer satisfaction; 29%), followed by online content (e.g., online reviews, online ratings, social media; 14%), brand and branding issues (e.g., brand love, brand personality, authenticity; 7%), and co-creation (e.g., customer-centricity, user generated content; 7%).

Research in the organizational behavior/ human resource management discipline focused on employee job attitudes and participation (e.g., engagement, innovative and creative behaviors, OCB; 29%), talent, recruiting, and retention management (e.g., job crafting, mentoring, training, selection; 18%), employee well-being (e.g., work-family conflict, work-life balance, burnout, bullying; 16%), and leadership (e.g., ethical, transformational, authentic leadership; 16%).

Strategic management articles examined the impact of firm-level policies, strategies, and practices (e.g., green practices, management strategies, transparency, and accountability; 18%), innovation, intellectual capital, and knowledge (e.g., knowledge sharing, collaboration, product, service, process innovations; 17%), performance management (e.g., profitability, survival, profit chain; 17%), and CSR (e.g., different strategies, influences of CSR on brand equity and reputation; 11%).

Finance/Economics/Law/Accounting articles centered on performance (e.g., efficiency, financial performance matrices and assessments, economic growth, revenue; 32%), governance (e.g., M&A, investments, ownership; 23%), risk (e.g., policy uncertainty, credit risk, risk management; 10%), and local and community impact (e.g., market structure, local environment, discrimination; 10%).

Finally, operations management articles highlighted trends such as revenue management (e.g., pricing, forecasting, modeling, rate conditions, discounting; 34%), technology (e.g., robotics, logistic robots, blockchain, key-less technology; 13%), supply chain, distribution, and procurement (e.g., lean techniques, supplier relationships, transparency; 11%), and sustainability (e.g., waste and water management, carbon footprint, packaging; 9%).

4. Study 2: Review & categorization of trade literature

The goal of Study 2 was to gauge the sentiment of hospitality practitioners and identify what they believe to be the most important topics related to the industry. In general, the expectation is that the topics covered in the hospitality trade literature represent either current needs or expected future needs within the industry. Given the fast turnaround for publication, in comparison to the academic literature, discussed topics may be more time-sensitive and driven by recent development.

4.1. Procedure & samples

To assess topic areas of interest to practitioners, we followed the same process described in the academic literature review and conducted a systematic review of three of the most widely circulated trade publications: Hotel Magazine , Hotels , and Hotel Business . As with the academic literature review, we examined the time period from January 2018 to September 2020, the most recently available issues at the time of writing. It should be noted that while hotels are the featured focus of these outlets, they include content that considers many other industry segments (e.g., food and beverage, OTAs, cruise, etc.).

As before, two coders independently evaluated 1,365 articles and classified each according to content areas discussed. It is important to note that content areas used to code these trade publications were not mutually exclusive, as articles regularly discussed multiple topics (average of 2.06 topics per article). Interrater reliability was calculated using Cohen’s Kappa (k = 0.75, p < .001), indicating substantial agreement between coders ( Landis & Koch, 1977 ).

4.2. Results

Analysis of the text allowed us to define a set of overarching trend categories (see Table 3 for complete overview). Of these 34 trend categories, five (each > 10%), namely technology (e.g., AI, mobile applications, and blockchain; 22%), consumer segments/preferences (e.g. segmentation, guest expectations and experiences; 14%), corporate portfolios (e.g., diversification, expansion; 12%), employee management (e.g., training, education, compensation; 12%) as well as travel and tourism (e.g. travel habits, regional analysis; 11%) accounted for the majority of topics (>70%). Our analysis was based on trade publications with a largely set format, containing designated sections for topics such as food and beverage and design. As such, these categories may be overrepresented in this analysis.

Overview of trade publication trends.

In comparing the results of the academic literature review and the review of trade publications, we see that most interests between academics and practitioners do align. Both groups place considerable emphasis on each of the disciplinary foci, namely, consumer behavior/marketing, organizational behavior/human resource management, strategic management, finance/economics/law/accounting, and operations management. However, and most notably, practitioners seem to place a much greater emphasis on technology than academics, as this is by far the most discussed topic in trade publications.

5. Study 3: Assessment of short- & long-term trends by academics and hospitality industry professionals

The goals of Study 3 were to: (a) gauge what hospitality academics and practitioners believe to be the major trends impacting the industry in both the short-term (1 to 3 years) and long-term (4–10 years); (b) identify any significant differences between these perspectives; and (c) assess the general level of economic optimism regarding the hospitality industry over both the short- and long-term. The need to distinguish one to three year trends from longer term trends in part reflects a desire to mitigate respondents’ expected emphasis on the COVID-19 pandemic; it is hoped that this distinction will allow for the separation of long-term trends from those that may be pandemic-specific. Furthermore, perceptions about economic outlook may differ based on stakeholder status and if so, may offer some explanation for any differences that may be identified.

5.1. Data and measures

Sample : Data for this study was collected via an online survey. As the survey was designed to reach both academic researchers and hospitality practitioners, respondents were drawn from several sources. To gain insight into academia’s perceptions of hospitality industry trends, a survey was sent to the editorial review board members of seven journals: Cornell Hospitality Quarterly , International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management , International Journal of Hospitality Management , Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research , Tourism Management , Annals of Tourism Research , and Journal of Sustainable Tourism . The latter two journals were included to broaden the sample of hospitality scholars and include those who conduct tourism research that informs hospitality management practice. In total, 67 completed responses were received. To gain insight into hospitality practitioners’ perceptions of industry trends, a survey was sent to hospitality school alumni from ESSEC Business School in Paris, France, Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration (and members of the Advisory Boards of the School’s Centers and Institutes), and Florida State University. In total, 235 completed responses were received. Respondents fell into one of three primary groups: (1) academic (22.2%), (2) current or former hospitality industry practitioner (51.0%), and (3) other (26.8%); the “other” category was largely made up of individuals who supply services to the hospitality industry (e.g., consultant). Overall, the respondents were 62.7% male; 15.2% age 18–34, 44.9% age 35–54, 39.9% age 55 and older; 72.6% White, 14.2% Asian or Pacific Islander, 6.6% Hispanic or Latino, 1.0%% Black or African American, 4.6% Other Racial/Ethnic Identification.

Academic respondents were 36.5% Full Professor (tenured/tenure track), 22.2% Associate Professor (tenured/tenure track), 4.8% Assistant Professor (tenured/tenure track), 1.6% Clinical Professor (non-tenure track), 4.8% Adjunct Professor (non-tenure track), 12.7% Senior Lecturer, 11.1% Lecturer, 6.3% Emeritus Professor (retired). Hospitality practitioner respondents were 27.9% Executive/C-Level Management, 30.5% Administrative (e.g. GM, Restaurant Manager, Department Manager, Assistant Manager, etc.), 12.3% Sales and Marketing, 8.4% Data Analytics, 7.1% Revenue Management, 5.8% Hospitality Operations (e.g. Front Desk Agent, Guest Room Attendant, Guest Service Agent, etc.), 4.5% Human Resources, 3.2% Technology (e.g. System Operator, IT Specialist, etc.). See Fig. 1 for the respective details.

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Academic and practitioner positions held by respondents.

In total, respondents were from 42 countries (plus Hong Kong), with 64.5% from the United States. See Fig. 2 for the respective details.

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Top 20 countries of respondents.

Measures : The overriding aim of the survey was to identify both short-term (1–3 years) and long-term (4–10 years) trends in the hospitality industry. To help ensure that respondents were prepared to think about these issues separately, the survey began with the following text:

“For the first few questions, we ask that you think about what are the most important 1) short-term trends (current environment through the next 3 years) and 2) long-term trends (4 to 10 years into the future) impacting the hospitality industry separately .”

Respondents were first asked to list “the five most important trends impacting the hospitality industry in the current environment through the next 3 years ”, and their “prediction for the economic health of the hospitality industry in the current environment through the next 3 years ”. Respondents were then asked to list “the five most important trends impacting the hospitality industry over the longer term ( i.e. 4 to 10 years in the future) ”, and their “prediction for the economic health of the hospitality industry over the longer term ( i.e. 4 to 10 years in the future) ”. 1 Additionally, we included two measures that in the context of the pandemic may influence an individual’s disposition and perceptions about what may be important. The first measure included two questions that asked about the economic impact that COVID-19 may have had on respondents: (a) “How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted your employment status in 2020”, and (b) “How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted your total household income in 2020?” Response choice alternatives for the first item ranged were: temporarily furloughed, job eliminated, pay reduced without reduction in hours, pay reduced with deduction in hours, accepted buyout package/early retirement, and no change to employment status. Response choice alternatives for the second item were: increased significantly, decreased significantly, and no change in household income related to COVID-19 pandemic.

The second measure assessed the respondents’ general level of optimism and pessimism using the 10-item Life Orientation Test, developed and validated by Scheier, Carver, and Bridges (1994) . A principle components analysis (Varimax rotation, Eigenvalues > 1) revealed three significant factors. Reliability analysis, however, found that only one component achieved a Cronbach’s Alpha level of 0.7 or higher (i.e., 0.717). Specifically, this factor was comprised of three items associated with pessimism: (a) I hardly ever expect things to go my way; (b) If something can go wrong for me, it will; and (c) I rarely count on good things happening to me. Further analyses using median-based groupings on the expected trends and industry economic health indicators, however, revealed very few statistically significant differences (and as a result, very little additional insight). As a result, it appears that respondents’ general level of pessimism has little impact on their perceptions of hospitality trends.

5.2. Analyses and results

Personal Economic Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic : In contrast to the non-significant findings associated with an individual’s pessimism, there were significant differences in the personal economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic across the two industry stakeholder groups. Specifically, academic respondents were much less likely to be negatively impacted economically as a result of COVID-19 than were hospitality industry practitioners. Almost 80% of academic respondents (79.7%) indicated that they experienced no change to their employment status as a result of the pandemic. That number dropped to 35.1% for hospitality practitioner respondents (see Fig. 3 ). Similarly, 25% of academic respondents indicated that their household income had dropped significantly because of the pandemic, whereas 61% of hospitality practitioners saw a significant drop in household income (see Fig. 4 ). As such, any differences across the stakeholder groups may be explained in part by the personal economic impact of COVID-19.

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Impact of COVID-19 on employment status.

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Impact of COVID-19 on 2020 household income.

Expected Industry Health Over the Short- and Long-term : Despite differing levels of economic harm caused by COVID-19 on academics and practitioners, the projected health of the industry in the short- and long-term was remarkably similar among the groups (see Fig. 5 ). That, however, does not mean that there was general agreement in the outlook. Regarding their short-term outlook, both groups of respondents were almost evenly divided as to whether they were optimistic or pessimistic about the future (see Fig. 5 ).

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Level of economic optimism for the hospitality industry over the next 3 years Fig. 5 (continued): Level of economic optimism for the hospitality industry over the next 3 years.

Regarding their long-term outlook, however, 75% or more of respondents (regardless of group) were somewhat or very optimistic about the economic health of the hospitality industry (see Fig. 6 ). Moreover, there were no statistically significant differences between the mean levels of economic optimism for any group.

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Level of economic optimism for the hospitality industry over the next 4 to 10 years Fig. 6 (continued): Level of economic optimism for the hospitality industry over the next 4 to 10 years.

In sum, we did not observe any salient differences across the industry stakeholder groups regarding perceptions about pessimism and expected industry health. However, the personal economic impact of COVID-19 may explain, at least in part, differences across the stakeholder groups regarding the nature and perceived importance of future industry trends (although we do not make any major claims about the theoretical relevance of this finding).

Most Important Trends Impacting the Hospitality Industry : Respondents were asked to list the five most important trends impacting the hospitality over the short-term (i.e., “current environment through the next 3 years”) and the longer-term (i.e., “4 to 10 years in the future”). To assess the trends proposed by respondents, two independent coders read through all trends collected, and based upon this review developed a mutually agreed upon coding structure. Each coder, working separately, assigned codes to each trend. Codes were then compared for consistency, resulting in an initial agreement rate of 85%. Discrepancies were discussed and resolved for all divergent codes.

Respondents’ perceptions of the most important short- and long-term trends for both hospitality academics and practitioners combined are displayed in Fig. 7 . For the short-term, the most cited topics included: 1) sanitation, cleanliness, and health; 2) demand, supply, and revenue; 3) technology; 4) COVID-19; 5) travel policies and issues, 6) economic and competitive issues; 7) employee well-being; and 8) consumer confidence/sentiment. A similar list emerged for the longer-term priorities, though the relative importance of some topics changed: 1) demand, supply, and revenue; 2) technology; 3) economic and competitive issues; 4) travel policies and issues; 5) sanitation, cleanliness, and health; 6) environmental and sustainability issues; 7) employee well-being; and 8) customer and guest issues.

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Expected hospitality trends (all respondents).

The most obvious initial takeaway from examining differences in anticipated short- and long-term trends is the significant and expected decline in pandemic related issues in the longer term. In fact, all significant declining trends have an obvious relationship to concerns over health, safety, and disease prevention. Another major takeaway is the comparatively low perceived importance of environmental and sustainability concerns in the short- versus the long-term (where these concerns rose significantly).

To examine differences by type of respondent, short- and long-term trends were distinguished by academic, hospitality industry, and other employment groups (see Fig. 8 , Fig. 9 , Fig. 10 , respectively). Fig. 8 shows the expected short- and long-term trends for academic respondents. Unlike the aggregate trends shown in Fig. 7 , the pandemic did not alter the top two expected trends; they are the same for both the short- and long-term: (a) technology and (b) demand, supply, and revenue. Moreover, environmental and sustainability mentions rise significantly over the long-term, becoming the third most important expected trend. Pandemic related issues become much less prominent in the longer term, with the highest ranked issue being sanitation (ranked number nine).

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Expected hospitality trends (academic).

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Expected hospitality trends (hotel industry practitioner).

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Expected hospitality trends (other).

Fig. 9 shows the expected short- and long-term trends for hospitality industry respondents. The pattern of responses was similar to those of the academic respondents. The most important trend for hospitality industry respondents is supply and demand/revenue in both the short- and long-term. Technology is similarly important, ranking third in the short-term and second in the long-term. Unlike academic respondents, however, while environmental/sustainability rises significantly over the long-term, it did not reach the top five trends (rising to number seven). Additionally, branding rises significantly in importance over the longer term, becoming the tenth most mentioned long-term trend; by contrast, only 4.3% of academics mentioned branding, making it the twenty-third most mentioned long-term trend.

Fig. 10 shows the expected short- and long-term trends for respondents in the other category (primarily industry supplier) respondents. After examining both the academic and hospitality industry data, it is evident that respondents in this group tend to see trends in the industry differently. For example, technology never rises to the top three trends in either the short- or long-term. Moreover, no trends showed statistically significant increases in importance over the longer term, whereas numerous trends showed significant declines from the short to the long-term. It is possible that these differences are in part, impacted by the diverse nature of respondents’ involvement with and stakeholder position associated with the hospitality industry (e.g., supplier, consultant).

Because one aim of this investigation is to gauge the differences in perspectives between academics and hospitality industry practitioners, Fig. 11 , Fig. 12 provide direct comparisons between expected hospitality trends for these two groups. Examining both the short-term trends ( Fig. 11 ) and long-term trends ( Fig. 12 ) reveals that academics are much more likely to believe that technology related trends are important; this occurs despite technology being a top three trend for both academics and hospitality practitioners. Similarly, academic respondents are much more likely to believe that environmental/sustainability issues represent an important trend; in this case, however, this represents a large difference in the relative perception of this issue as an important trend by the two groups. Environmental/sustainability issues are the ninth most mentioned short-term trend for academics whereas they are the eighteenth most mentioned trend for hospitality industry practitioners. While the perception of this issue becomes significantly more important in the long-term for both groups, it is much more frequently mentioned by academics. Specifically, it is the third most mentioned long-term trend for academics, and the seventh most mentioned trend for hospitality industry practitioners. Another often mentioned trend where academics and practitioners differed significantly is food and beverage in the short-term. In terms of most mentioned short-term trends, the issue is similar for both academics and practitioners (seventh vs. tenth respectively). But in terms of percentage of respondents, almost twice as many academic respondents mentioned the issue compared to hospitality industry practitioners (28.4% vs. 14.3% respectively).

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Expected hospitality trends current to 3 years (academic vs practitioner).

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Expected hospitality trends 4 to 10 years (academic vs practitioner).

Additionally, academic researchers were more likely to mention innovation as a short-term trend (11.9%) while only 3.0% of hospitality industry practitioners did. By contrast, 13.6% of hospitality industry practitioners mentioned cost control as a short-term industry trend, while only 4.5% of academic respondents mentioned this issue as a priority.

6. Conclusions

Taken together, the results from studies 1, 2, and 3 provide important insights for both academic researchers and practitioners in the hospitality industry. Perhaps the most obvious and expected finding is that COVID-19 has pushed safety, and disease prevention issues to the forefront in the short-term. Moreover, although the importance of these issues appears to decrease over the longer term, given the significant and yet-to-be discovered implications of the current pandemic, we expect continued attention will be given to sanitation, cleanliness, and related issues.

However, our findings also suggest that future research should continue to focus on the topics that were important prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. First, and perhaps reinforced by the pandemic, technology-related issues remain at or near the top for both academics and practitioners in both the short- and long-term. Interestingly, despite technology being much more widely discussed in hospitality trade publications than in the hospitality academic literature prior to the pandemic, academic respondents were significantly more likely to mention technology as an important short- and long-term issue than were hospitality practitioner respondents, making it the most mentioned trend for both time frames. Why trade journals focus more on technology yet academics mention technology more is not possible to determine from this study (particularly given the structured formats and editorial calendars of trade publications), but it does point to a general alignment on the importance of technology between academics and practitioners.

Our review of the recently published hospitality research indicates several opportunities to extend the current body of knowledge about the roles and relevance of technology. For example, several studies have demonstrated positive effects associated with interactive- (e.g., Morosan & DeFranco, 2019 ) and AI-based technologies (e.g., Pillai & Sivathanu, 2020 ) that have been introduced to enhance or improve the consumer experience. These findings point to the need to consider the relative and/or differential influence of emerging technologies for customer satisfaction, loyalty, engagement, and related outcomes. Moreover, Cho, Bonn, Susskind, and Giunipero’s (2018) study on the supplier relationships in the independent restaurant segment demonstrated that information technology may be an important moderator of the relationship between a restaurant’s supplier dependence and market responsiveness. The results from this study suggests that further consideration is needed to examine the multi-level influences associated with technology (e.g. individual/customer versus unit/restaurant), as well as the extent to which technology may be an antecedent, mediator, and/or moderator within technology-embedded frameworks.

Another topic in which hospitality academics and practitioners agreed was the importance of supply, demand, and revenue issues for both the short- and long-term. Interestingly, while the academic literature provides some coverage of these topics (typically under disciplines related to finance/economics/law/accounting and operations management ), the total number of studies in this area was relatively small given its recognized importance by both academics and practitioners. Similarly, the trade literature devoted little space to supply and demand issues (see Table 3 ). However, given the significant economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for additional research into issues related to supply, demand, and revenue optimization, at least for the foreseeable future, appears well-justified. For example, studies in this domain have examined the use and applicability of predictive forecasting (e.g., Arbelo, Arbelo-Pérez, & Pérez-Gómez, 2018 ) and revenue management practices (e.g., Noone, Enz, & Canina, 2019 ) within and across industry segments. In addition, studies have demonstrated support for a wide array of individual (e.g., gender; Choi, Joe, & Mattila, 2018 ) and contextual (e.g., rate conditions; Arenoe & van der Rest, 2020 ) factors that may influence both individual- (e.g., consumer price evaluations) and aggregate-level outcomes (e.g., hotel pricing strategies). Thus, and similar to research on technology, we encourage future studies to examine the relative importance of key demand characteristics (e.g., customers’ willingness to pay), as well as explore the relevance of contingencies that may influence the efficacy and utility of demand, supply, and revenue management practices (e.g., distribution channel management).

Another noteworthy finding was the perceived relevance of environmental/sustainability. This issue is widely considered to be important across all industries ( unglobalcompact.org 2020 ), which is consistent with our finding that 41.8% of academic researchers mentioned environmental/sustainability issues as important over the longer term (making it the third most mentioned trend). However, our findings also indicated that this topic has received comparably much lower attention in the academic literature (i.e., 3.7% of all published articles), which is reflected by the dispersed treatment of this topic across multiple disciplines and stakeholder groups (e.g., strategic management, operations management, consumer behavior, etc.) By contrast, 6.4% of trade industry articles covered sustainability issues pre-pandemic. Yet while 19.5% of hospitality practitioners mentioned this issue as an important longer-term trend, it falls to seventh place behind financial and operational issues. Based on these findings, it appears there is a need for multi- and cross-disciplinary studies to extend our understanding about the roles and relevance of environmental and sustainability issues, especially policies, programs, and systems that can be linked to business outcomes that resonate with priorities expressed by industry practitioners (e.g. demand, supply, and revenue).

One noteworthy point of divergence between academics and practitioners is the perceived importance of trends and priorities associated with branding. While branding topics have been widely addressed in both the academic and trade literatures, this topic was seldom mentioned by academic respondents as a short- or longer-term priority. In contrast, 16.9% of hospitality industry practitioners mentioned branding as an important long-term trend. This difference may reflect the general tendency of internal stakeholders (i.e. industry practitioners) to focus more on immediate and tangible concerns versus external stakeholders (i.e., industry-focused academics) who may focus more on more longer-term and broader priorities ( Khan, 2019 , King et al., 2011 , Vong, 2017 , Wenzel et al., 2020 ). We see similar divergence—with likely similar causes—with several other less mentioned trends, such as innovation, differentiation, and cost control.

These findings point to additional opportunities for hospitality academic researchers to address gaps in the literature on topics believed to be important by both academia and practitioners. Moreover, the findings reinforce the need for academic researchers to carefully consider and integrate managerial relevance with academic rigor to their investigations. In this way, academic researchers can better assist the hospitality industry—which has suffered greatly from the pandemic—to recover more quickly and thrive in the long term.

CRediT authorship contribution statement

Lerzan Aksoy: Data curation, Conceptualization, Supervision, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. Sunmee Choi: Methodology, Formal analysis, Data curation, Conceptualization, Writing – review & editing, Writing – original draft. Tarik Dogru: Conceptualization, Data curation, Formal analysis, Methodology, Visualization, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. Timothy Keiningham: Writing – review & editing, Writing – original draft, Visualization, Methodology, Formal analysis, Data curation, Conceptualization. Melanie Lorenz: Conceptualization, Data curation, Formal analysis, Methodology, Validation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. Dan Rubin: Methodology, Formal analysis, Data curation, Conceptualization, Writing – review & editing, Writing – original draft, Visualization, Validation, Software. J. Bruce Tracey: .

Declaration of Competing Interest

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Biographies

Lerzan Aksoy's research interests are in service research, including customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, innovation and social innovation, its relationship to loyalty, firm performance and societal wellbeing. A prolific writer, Professor Aksoy has co-authored or edited five books. Her most recent book, The Wallet Allocation Rule, is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller. Professor Aksoy's research has received more than a dozen prestigious scientific awards, including the Marketing Science Institute/H. Paul Root Award from the Journal of Marketing, Citations of Excellence “Top 50” Award and Robert Johnston Outstanding Paper Award (3 times) from the Journal of Service Management. Her articles have been published in top tier journals such as the Journal of Marketing, Journal of Marketing Research, Marketing Science, Journal of Academy of Marketing Science, Journal of Interactive Marketing, Harvard Business Review, MIT Sloan Management Review, Journal of Service Research and Journal of Service Management. She is associate editor for the Journal of Service Research and was selected “Best Reviewer of the Year” among the editorial review board members of both the Journal of Service Research and Journal of Service Management. Dr. Aksoy served as co-chair of AMA SERVSIG (American Marketing Association - Service Special Interest Group) and worked with Filene Research Institute doing research with credit unions. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Marketing Edge, is a member of the Academic Council of the AMA and serves as the academic partner for the American Innovation Index. She has also been featured in media including CNN, CNBC and publications such as The Wall Street Journal, BrandWeek and Harvard Business Online. Professor Aksoy is a keynote speaker at academic and industry conferences. She has provided executive training and consulting to credit unions and companies including Sony, Ford, Pfizer, Nielsen and L'Oreal.

Sunmee Choi is Dean of College of Business and Management at VinUniversity in Hanoi, Vietnam, while taking a three-year leave of absence from School of Business at Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea. The areas of her research interest include service operations management, revenue management, demand-forecasting methods, distribution channel management, and customer experience management. Her work has been published in journals such as Journal of Business Research, Journal of Service Management, Cornell Hospitality Quarterly, Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research, International Journal of Hospitality Management, Journal of Marketing Theory and Practice, Journal of Revenue and Pricing Management, and Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Marketing. Sunmee received her M.S. and Ph.D. from the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University.

Tarik Dogru earned his doctorate in hospitality management from the University of South Carolina and MBA from Zonguldak Karaelmas University, Turkey. Prior to joining the faculty of the FSU Dedman College of Hospitality, Dr. Dogru served as an assistant professor at Boston University (2016-18), an adjunct faculty member at the University of South Carolina (2013-16), and a research assistant at Ahi Evran University, Turkey (2009-12). He has taught a variety of courses in business and hospitality schools at undergraduate and graduate levels. The range of Dr. Dogru’s research interests spans topics in hospitality finance, corporate finance, behavioral finance, real estate investment, hotel investments, sharing economy, tourism economics, climate change, and block chain technology. Dr. Dogru is a highly productive researcher who publishes in many prestigious hospitality and tourism journals — Tourism Management, Annals of Tourism Research, Journal of Travel Research, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, International Journal of Hospitality Management, Cornell Hospitality Quarterly, Tourism Analysis, International Journal of Tourism Research, and Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights. He serves on the editorial board of Tourism Economics and Tourism Analysis and as a reviewer for several academic journals.

Timothy Keiningham, is the J. Donald Kennedy Endowed Chair in E-Commerce. He received the American Marketing Association’s Christopher Lovelock Career Contributions to the Services Discipline Award for teaching, research, and service that has had the greatest long-term impact on the development of the services discipline. This is the highest award presented in the field of service marketing. Dr. Keiningham was named one of the Top 50 Undergraduate Business Professors by Poets & Quants. He is author of the NY Times bestseller The Wallet Allocation Rule and author/editor of eight other books on customer loyalty. His research has been accepted in top-tier journals in marketing (e.g., Journal of Marketing, Journal of Marketing Research, Marketing Science, Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science), strategy (e.g., Harvard Business Review and MIT Sloan Management Review) and service management (e.g., Journal of Service Research, and Journal of Service Management). His research has received several awards. Dr. Keiningham’s work aims to bridge the gap between leading scientific research and management best practices. To advance management practice and inform his scientific research, he serves as chief strategy and client officer at Rockbridge Associates. Prior to joining Rockbridge, he worked for seventeen years in senior officer positions at Ipsos (the world’s 3rd largest market research firm); the last seven years he served as Global Chief Strategy Officer and EVP at Ipsos Loyalty. Dr. Keiningham received a BA from Kentucky Wesleyan College, an MBA from Vanderbilt University, and a PhD from Staffordshire University (UK).

Melanie Lorenz is an experienced Assistant Professor. A native of Germany, she has worked in banking and consulting. She then decided to become an academic, and earned her PhD in Marketing from the University of Alabama in 2016. She has been an Assistant Professor at the University of Toledo. Her focus is in International Business and Marketing; her research has been published in the Journal of World Business, International Marketing Review, and Academy of Management Learning and Education, among others.

Dan Rubin is assistant professor of marketing at St. John’s University, Peter J. Tobin School of Business. His research focusing on consumer behavior has been published in top-tier journals including the Journal of Consumer Psychology, Journal of Business Research, and Journal of Consumer Marketing. Dr. Rubin received his PhD from Baruch College.

J. Bruce Tracey is the Kenneth and Marjorie Blanchard Professor of Human Resource Management at Cornell University's Nolan School of Hotel Administration, where he has taught courses in human resources and organizational management for undergraduate, graduate, and professional audiences throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Professor Tracey's research considers a wide range of topics that examine the effectiveness of HR policies, practices, and systems. His work has been published in diverse outlets such as the Journal of Applied Psychology, Journal of Management, University of Pennsylvania Journal of Labor and Employment Law, and the Cornell Hospitality Quarterly, where he is currently serving in his second term as Editor. Sponsors for Professor Tracey's research and consulting include Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Hilton Worldwide, and Marriott International, and he has been cited in the New York Times, Bloomberg, Forbes, USA Today, Fast Company, among other popular press outlets.

☆ Author order is alphabetical. All authors contributed equally.

1 While we initially considered asking respondents to rank-order pre-defined categories and trends based on our academic and practitioner literature review, we decided that the results would not have been able to reflect the unprecedented turbulence in the industry that COVID-19 has created. Thus, open ended questions, while more difficult to code, will provide more in-depth insights.

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