This paper examines how a serious game approach could support a participatory planning process by bringing stakeholders together to discuss interventions that assist the development of sustainable urban tourism. A serious policy game was designed and played in six European cities by a total of 73 participants, reflecting a diverse array of tourism stakeholders. By observing in-game experiences, a pre- and post -game survey and short interviews six months after playing the game, the process and impact of the game was investigated. While it proved difficult to evaluate the value of a serious game approach, results demonstrate that enacting real-life policymaking in a serious game setting can enable stakeholders to come together, and become more aware of the issues and complexities involved with urban tourism planning. This suggests a serious game can be used to stimulate the uptake of academic insights in a playful manner. However, it should be remembered that a game is a tool and does not, in itself, lead to inclusive participatory policymaking and more sustainable urban tourism planning. Consequently, care needs to be taken to ensure inclusiveness and prevent marginalization or disempowerment both within game-design and the political formation of a wider participatory planning approach.
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Purpose – The hospitality industry creates a distinctive context in which learning takes place. The industry’s international perspective and large globalisation play an important role in learning, as well as the operational and structural features that give meaning to learning and development in the hospitality industry. This explorative research therefore studies the relation between workplace learning and organisational performance in the Dutch hospitality industry. Design/methodology/approach – The qualitative research is done through 15 in-depth interviews with general managers and HR managers of Dutch hotels with three or more stars and at least ten employees. Findings – It can be concluded that there is a relation between workplace learning and organisational performance in the hospitality industry, as the participants in this research and the literature both mention workplace learning enhances organisational performance. Originality/value – Little research has been done on learning and organisational performance specifically, in the (Western) hospitality industry. This research therefore focusses on HRD and studies the influence of workplace learning on organisational performance in the Dutch hospitality industry.
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This research analyses the current self-reported level of proficiency of environmental skills, the required future level of proficiency, and the gaps between them. Given the increasingly urgent need for the tourism industry to take action to support environmental management practices, this research provides evidence of key environmental skill gaps. Mixed methods research is applied where the sample includes 1404 respondents to a questionnaire and 264 interviewees from senior management of organisations from five tourism sectors (accommodation establishments, food and beverage outlets, destination management organisations, tour operators and travel agents, visitor attractions) in eight European countries. Analysis of variance, t-tests, correlation and cluster analyses, and Pearson Chi-square tests were employed for data analysis. The findings revealed that the country of registration, the size and the tourism sector type influence significantly the current and future proficiency levels of environmental skills, and the gaps between them. Most respondents did not receive environmental skills training. Theoretical, managerial and policy implications are also discussed.
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Het Lectorenplatform en Expertisenetwerk Duurzaam Stedelijk Toerisme brengt minimaal 16 lectoren enonderzoekers samen (o.a. Hogeschool Inholland, Breda University of Applied Sciences, StendenNHL,Hotelschool The Hague, Hogeschool Rotterdam, Hogeschool van Amsterdam, Saxion Hogeschool en deHaagse Hogeschool) samen. Zij willen zich binnen het platform bezighouden met de vraag hoe toerisme teontwikkelen die bijdraagt aan een duurzame stedelijke leefomgeving. Momenteel blijkt dit problematisch. Indrukke steden zoals Amsterdam is het zogenaamde "overtoerisme"een belangrijk punt van debat, terwijlandere steden (Rotterdam, Delft, Zwolle) willen leren hoe toerisme plaatsen en voorzieningen (cultuur, OV) inde stad kan helpen verbeteren.Het doel van het platform is om met lokale partners (gemeenten en Destination Management Organisations(DMOs), musea, hotels en (inter)nationale partners (NBTC, DMOs, European Tour Operator Association,Regenerative Tourism movement, Fairbnb) vanuit een gezamenlijke onderzoeks- en innovatieagenda te lerenhoe toerisme als middel te gebruiken voor verbetering van plaats en leven. Transdisciplinaire samenwerkingtussen verschillende lectoraten maakt het hierbij mogelijk om toerisme als maatschappelijk fenomeen teanalyseren, in plaats van als economische sector. Een dergelijk perspectief is innovatief en essentieel voor dehet beantwoorden van de vraag hoe ambitieuze visies voor de toekomst van toerisme (EC, 2021; NBTC, 2019;RLI, 2019) vertaald kunnen worden naar transities in de praktijk en welke sleutelmethodologieën (KEMs)kunnen helpen bij het versnellen van innovatie- en transitieprocessen voor stedelijke toerisme.Het streven is om, door samenwerking en het gericht afstemmen van expertise, binnen 5 à 10 jaar eenwereldwijd erkend kennisplatform op het gebied van duurzaam stedelijk toerisme te worden. Ommaatschappelijke impact te bereiken bundelen we hiervoor onze krachten met die van het Expertise NetwerkDuurzaam Stedelijk Toerisme (ENSUT) - gericht op het verbinden van belanghebbenden op dit thema inbinnen- en buitenland - en het Centre of Expertise Leisure, Tourism & Hospitality (CELTH).Partners:In Holland, Hotelschool Den Haag, NHL Stenden.
Het Lectorenplatform en Expertisenetwerk Duurzaam Stedelijk Toerisme brengt minimaal 16 lectoren en onderzoekers samen (o.a. Hogeschool Inholland, Breda University of Applied Sciences, StendenNHL, Hotelschool the Hague, Hogeschool Rotterdam, Hogeschool van Amsterdam, Saxion Hogeschool en de Haagse Hogeschool) samen. Zij willen zich binnen het platform bezighouden met de vraag hoe toerisme te ontwikkelen die bijdraagt aan een duurzame stedelijke leefomgeving. Momenteel blijkt dit problematisch. In drukke steden zoals Amsterdam is het zogenaamde ‘overtoerisme’ een belangrijk punt van debat, terwijl andere steden (Rotterdam, Delft, Zwolle) willen leren hoe toerisme plaatsen en voorzieningen (cultuur, OV) in de stad kan helpen verbeteren. Het doel van het platform is om met lokale partners (gemeenten en Destination Management Organisations (DMOs), musea, hotels en (inter)nationale partners (NBTC, DMOs, European Tour Operator Association, Regenerative Tourism movement, Fairbnb) vanuit een gezamenlijke onderzoeks- en innovatieagenda te leren hoe toerisme als middel te gebruiken voor verbetering van plaats en leven. Transdisciplinaire samenwerking tussen verschillende lectoraten maakt het hierbij mogelijk om toerisme als maatschappelijk fenomeen te analyseren, in plaats van als economische sector. Een dergelijk perspectief is innovatief en essentieel voor de het beantwoorden van de vraag hoe ambitieuze visies voor de toekomst van toerisme (EC, 2021; NBTC, 2019; RLI, 2019) vertaald kunnen worden naar transities in de praktijk en welke sleutelmethodologieën (KEM’s) kunnen helpen bij het versnellen van innovatie- en transitieprocessen voor stedelijke toerisme. Het streven is om, door samenwerking en het gericht afstemmen van expertise, binnen 5 à 10 jaar een wereldwijd erkend kennisplatform op het gebied van duurzaam stedelijk toerisme te worden. Om maatschappelijke impact te bereiken bundelen we hiervoor onze krachten met die van het Expertise Netwerk Duurzaam Stedelijk Toerisme (ENSUT) - gericht op het verbinden van belanghebbenden op dit thema in binnen- en buitenland - en het Centre of Expertise Leisure, Tourism & Hospitality (CELTH).
In this project on volunteering in LTH organisation we focus on three aims:1. To explain why organisations in different LTH sectors and regions had, have or need volunteers, how they interact with these volunteers, and the consequences (benefits and challenges) of volunteerism for these organisations.2. To determine how to find the right balance between paid and unpaid staff within the same organisation, considering the LTH sector and region they belong to, in order to create a healthy ecosystem within it (bearing in mind that no organisation can have both volunteers and paid staff do the same job - see above).3. To understand the perspectives, motives and expectations of why people (decide to) volunteer, how they interact with the organisation (management, paid staff) during volunteering, in order to interest them, recruit them, make use of them and retain them. In addition, it is also our aim to explain the benefits and challenges for people to volunteer.In this study, we will use an integrated approach, which implies that we aren’t only interested in the people- or organisation-side of volunteering (actor-side). We will also focus on the interactions between volunteers, paid staff and organisation during volunteering (core of the practice) in a certain LTH organisation, sector and region in the Netherlands (context-side). Studying volunteering in its specific contexts (organisation, sector, region) using an integrated practice approach, hasn’t been done before. In addition, as more and more LTH organisations in the Netherlands rely on volunteers (for their survival), either for economic, social or community (mienskip) reasons (context-related conditions), there is a need for a better understanding of volunteering (as indicated by aim 1-3). Finally, as not much literature has been based on Dutch studies about volunteering and the recruitment and retention of volunteers, this project will fill this gap.Besides the aims as outlined before, a more specific goal of this project is to provide recommendations for a sustainable business model for organisations to embrace volunteerism without affecting the structure of employees. In close cooperation with different LTH organisations, we will develop interventions as policy making instruments (and therefore also for the whole region where they are located). Furthermore, this research will contribute to industry, research (see also below), education (idem) and society. Our ultimate goal is to foster the wellbeing of the volunteers, paid staff and organisations and overall to contribute to social sustainability within The Netherlands.The above-mentioned aims and conceptual model lead to the following research question: How can volunteering in the LTH sectors in Dutch regions be shaped in a sustainable way for both volunteers as well as organisations?In line with what we discussed earlier, this also means contributing to a more stable labour market in hospitality, leisure and tourism in which voluntary work is recognised as an important and indispensable component of a healthy labour ecosystem.The approach we intend to adopt is a qualitative one based on narrative inquiry. While in the literature a quantitative approach using surveys to gather data is mostly used in understanding volunteerism and in measuring motives, we will observe and connect with the volunteers’ work in each sector/case identified and collect and analyse their individual stories. In addition, and in line with our integrated approach, we will investigate how the LTH organisations connected to these cases view the role, value and future of volunteerism.Societal IssueOur insights into volunteers’ work in different sectors will improve their quality of work by revealing drivers of their satisfaction, turnover, motivation, and passion. Managers can use these insights to train and retain volunteers as an integral part of not only their events, but the broader community. It is well-known that robust volunteering programmes are a cornerstone of contemporary social cohesion, and our findings will show how storytelling can strengthen these processes.Benefit to societyThis project will contribute in three ways to the LTH sector. The three outcomes of this study are first around a better understanding of what meaningful volunteering is, second, around the value of volunteers to LTH organisations, and, thirdly, about the value of such activities to Dutch society.The project will provide practical advice to LTH organisations on which interventions to use and in which contexts. This tangible output might take the form of a report, guide(s) mentioned above, and/or another instrument that suits the needs of managers and volunteers. The instrument(s) selected by LTH organisations and volunteers will help to disseminate best practices as well as to highlight the potential of volunteers and volunteering to wider society, other organisations and to current and potential volunteers. By following the steps in or using these instruments, we believe volunteer organisations will be better able to profile themselves and to recruit and retain volunteers.The present study will bring innovation in the field by generating new narratives on volunteerism, and by designing an engaging and appealing path for volunteers to join organisations. At the same time, it will design a structure for organisations to work with volunteers in a sustainable way.Consortium partners: Rodney Westerlaken, Geesje Duursma (both NHL Stenden, Leeuwarden)
Lectorate, part of NHL Stenden Hogeschool
