Browse all issues and articles from Rosen Research Review, a publication of the UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management.
WHAT DRIVES ME EVERY DAY I’m Juan Higueros, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Bear Robotics. My path has taken me from strategy and M&A at KPMG to corporate development…
THE RISE OF THE SMART HOTEL: WHY THIS RESEARCH MATTERS Smart technologies have transformed the hospitality industry, offering new ways to personalize service, streamline operations,…
THE HUMAN SIDE OF AUTOMATION: WHY THIS RESEARCH MATTERS In the wake of the pandemic, restaurants across the United States faced a labor crisis. With…
THE NEW FRONTLINE: HUMANS, ROBOTS, AND THE ART OF MAKING THINGS RIGHT Picture this: a robot named Pepbot delivers your dinner at a trendy restaurant—but…
WHEN WORDS BECOME WINDOWS INTO BEHAVIOR In today’s hospitality landscape, data is everywhere. From TripAdvisor to Yelp, guests leave behind digital footprints that reveal their…
WHEN DOGS BECOME DIGITAL BRAND AMBASSADORS In today’s social media landscape, influencers come in all shapes and species. From fashionistas to foodies, and now—furry friends.…
WHEN THE CLASSROOM MEETS THE CODE In lecture halls and research labs across the globe, a quiet revolution is underway. Generative artificial intelligence—tools like ChatGPT,…
GREEN GOALS AND GAMIFIED GETAWAYS Hotels are under pressure to reduce their environmental footprint. With the industry responsible for 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions—and…
THE DIGITAL DINER’S DILEMMA In the wake of the pandemic, hospitality businesses have faced not only economic recovery but a new frontier of customer behavior—online…
DRONES, DINNERS, AND DECISIONS Imagine ordering dinner and watching it descend from the sky. In Ghana, this futuristic vision is inching closer to reality. Drone…
WHEN YOUR FACE IS YOUR TICKET: THE RISE OF BIOMETRIC BOARDING The global aviation industry is undergoing a transformation, with smart technologies revolutionizing the way…
THE RISE OF FEELING MACHINES Artificial intelligence is no longer confined to back-end operations or robotic concierges. It is becoming a front-facing part of the…
Dynamic pricing has become a staple in various industries, including travel, entertainment, and hospitality. It allows businesses to adjust prices based on factors like demand, time of consumption, and customer…
As the hospitality and tourism industry becomes increasingly global, the demand for professionals with cross-cultural skills and experience has never been greater. In this context,…
UN TOURISM RECENTLY CHANGED ITS NAME. WHAT PROMPTED THE CHANGE, AND HOW HAS IT BEEN RECEIVED SO FAR? The rebranding to ‘UN Tourism’ reflects our…
Across the expanse of terrestrial history, a little over 4.5 billion years, Earth has witnessed periods of stability and periods of rapid and dramatic change.…
Take your mind back to 2019. The world’s tourism industry is flourishing. People are traveling more than ever—visiting ancient ruins, relaxing on tropical beaches, and…
At the intersection of healthcare and hospitality lies a rapidly growing industry: health tourism. Every year, thousands of Americans look beyond their borders for medical…
Human trafficking, the illegal capture, recruitment, transport, accommodation and/or exploitation of one or more people via force, fraud or coercion, is a serious human rights…
The hospitality industry is no stranger to crises, but few events in recent memory have tested its resilience as profoundly as the 2008 financial crisis…
Marketing is not a megaphone—it’s an alchemist, turning sparks of insight into roaring flames of action. In the world of higher education, marketing transforms knowledge…
Flying the flag for food service and hospitality management scholars is UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management’s Dr. Bendegul Okumus. Dr. Okumus is one of…
The word ‘snob’ and phrases such as ‘wine snob’ and ‘wine snobbery’ have featured in tourism and hospitality literature and have also been used in…
In an era of rapid technological advancement, the hospitality industry has increasingly integrated robotics to enhance guest experiences and streamline operations. Service robots are now…
In the rich tapestry of the hospitality and tourism (H&T) industry, internships are not merely transient experiences but are critical pathways, forging connections between the rich theoretical knowledge acquired in…
The allure of the tourism sector often paints an idyllic image etched with the promises of economic prosperity, cultural revitalization, and environmental stewardship. Unfortunately, this…
COULD YOU PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF ADVENTHEALTH’S COMMUNITY HEALTH INITIATIVES, INCLUDING ITS VISION, MISSION, AND CURRENT CHALLENGES?A faith-based, not-for-profit health care system, AdventHealth’s mission is…
In an era where health tourism is becoming increasingly mainstream, a pioneering study by Assistant Professor Suja Chaulagain, Professors Nan Hua and Youcheng Wang, and…
As we mark the 20th anniversary of the Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida, we celebrate a legacy that has…
Destination competitiveness can promote tourism demand and create memorable experiences for tourists. These experiences may then trigger higher consumption which generates more occupational opportunities for…
Imagine a future where you enter a hotel lobby, and instead of a smile and a warm greeting from a human concierge, a robot with…
Over the past decades, the golf industry has faced considerable challenges due to the sport’s declining popularity and difficulty recruiting newer generations. The strict entry…
In the bustling realm of the hospitality industry, where guest experiences intersect with environmental stewardship and community engagement, there lies a delicate balance between ethical…
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the hospitality industry. Business closures and capacity controls together with travel restrictions triggered an immediate decline…
Tourism and hospitality degrees are becoming increasingly popular worldwide, and the burgeoning hospitality sector has a growing appetite for highly educated and trained students. Importantly,…
Since the early 1980s, the hotel and airline industries have used dynamic pricing to improve their inventory control and increase their profits. Dynamic pricing involves…
Aging is inescapable, and old age awaits most of us. How we spend our so-called ‘golden years’ is important, not only to ourselves but our friends and family. In some…
Borne out of the success of London 2012 Olympics, Trivandi was set up to share knowledge and expertise in leading the design, delivery, and operations…
Storytelling, the sharing of stories and narration of events to others, is a long-standing human practice that facilitates the passing down of knowledge from generation…
It’s now impossible to eat in a restaurant and not see other diners photographing their food and posting it on social media. ‘Foodstagramming’ has become…
More than 40 million people worldwide are victims of human trafficking, a form of modern slavery that involves the forced or coerced exploitation of individuals…
Few events in recent history have impacted the hospitality industry more than the COVID-19 pandemic. As hotels emptied and restaurants closed, staff found themselves without…
Humans are social animals; they are drawn together to share experiences. And when they do, there’s a business opportunity for providing services. This is hospitality…
Predicting tourist demand is critical for successful tourist and hospitality planning. Much research has focused on income as the underlying driver of tourism demand. Income…
In a world grappling with the profound challenges posed by infectious diseases and global travel, the University of Central Florida (UCF) stands at the forefront…
Patient experience is the individual’s perception of how a healthcare institution treats them on their journey through illness or injury. Research shows that patient-centered care…
For most people considering a new holiday destination, the internet is the first port of call; only the fearless or foolish head off to the…
Over the past two decades, advocacy for accessible tourism has gained momentum, reflecting the rise of disability studies that began in the 1970s. While global…
Not all tourists are just out to have a ‘good time.’ For some, going on vacation is part of a longer, more meaningful journey to develop a richer sense of…
Baby boomers are a boon for the hospitality sector, especially in the U.S.A. While younger cohorts struggle with the rigors of growing up and the…
More than 521 million people visited the world’s top ten theme parks in 2019 according to the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA). Headed by the Disney…
It is undeniable that ‘smart destinations’ are becoming an increasingly popular offering in any innovative destination marketing organization’s portfolio. However, what is unresolved is what…
Tourists who are looking for an island that is environmentally unspoiled and want to unplug from technology, relax, and immerse themselves in the tranquillity of…
The tourism industry is responsible for a staggering 10.4% (approx. U.S.$ 9,170 billion) of the global gross domestic product (GDP) and a similar proportion of…
The lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT+) travel and tourism market is worth $63 billion a year in the United States, and $218 billion globally,…
Despite its popularity as a competitive sport on T.V., golf has several barriers that limit its uptake as a recreational sport. Traditional golf can be…
Despite decades of fighting for equality in the workplace, female employees in hospitality and other industries still experience sexism at work. According to research conducted…
Destination loyalty refers to the phenomenon whereby individuals choose to revisit the same vacation destination multiple times. It is a relatively well-known concept often used…
With society experiencing a technological revolution, robots are becoming an increasingly common sight in our everyday lives, including in the tourism and hospitality industry. In…
The global attractions industry has grown in size and innovation in the last few decades. Encompassing theme parks and waterparks as well as cultural and…
The perfect formula for successful development is constantly evolving. The art of conversation and relationship building are certainly ingredients that can enhance the outcome. However, finding individuals with the interest…
HOW CAN PRACTICING A HOSPITALITY ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE IN NON-HOSPITALITY ORGANIZATIONS RESULT IN HIGHER CUSTOMER SATISFACTION, LOYALTY, AND IMPROVED OUTCOMES?I believe real success in business can…
The COVID-19 pandemic, long predicted by experts but an unexpected thunderbolt to most, had profound impacts on all facets of life.There were degrees of devastation.…
Childhood family holidays, honeymoons, post-retirement adventures … travel experiences are often landmark events in people’s lives. In important new research from UCF Rosen College of…
Social sustainability has become increasingly important for businesses in recent years, including those within the hospitality industry In essence, social sustainability addresses social justice and…
As the pink economy continues to rise, tourism has become one of the fastest developing niches in the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community.…
Feeling at home. It’s what every senior hopes for when moving into residential care. Seniors have traditionally had to choose between an age-restricted community, independent…
In June 2022, delegates from around the world came together in Lisbon, Portugal, for the United Nations (UN) Ocean Conference. Jointly hosted by the governments…
Creating a positive experience for customers within the hospitality industry requires frontline employees to perform their roles with enthusiasm and commitment. Positioning frontline employees to…
By its very definition, tourism requires something of an extraordinary experience—an element of travel away from home for recreation, relaxation, pleasure, or novel exploits for…
Florida is a beacon to millions of tourists every year, but it is also attracting the unwelcome attention of an increasing number of powerful hurricanes.…
To a large degree, success in the accommodation sector in hospitality relies on managing expectations. In the professional sector, expectations are managed by proper marketing,…
Tourism has a profound impact on residents within local communities Prior research highlights the benefits of residents being able to engage with tourism. A key…
If you’re expecting traditional ivy-covered walls, lecture halls designed to seat hundreds, textbooks that weigh a ton, and stodgy professors, that’s not what you’ll find on the campus of UCF…
YOU ARE A PRODUCER OF MANY MUSIC FESTIVALS, FILMMAKER, AND OWNER OF ONE OF THE LARGEST INDEPENDENT LATINO LABELS WITH SEVERAL GRAMMY AWARDS. WHAT IS…
The fall in 1989 of the Berlin Wall—the symbol of the ideological and economic split between communism and capitalism—began a process of transition that has…
The COVID-19 pandemic forced educators around the world to rethink their teaching strategies as the need for social distancing meant that courses had to move…
At the close of 2020, The National Restaurant Association reported that the restaurant industry was $240 billion below pre-pandemic sales estimate. Loss of business due…
Should people with disabilities go on holiday? That’s a rhetorical question, and quite ridiculous. So, let’s rephrase it: how easy is it for people with…
Agritourism is a form of slow-paced, authentic, and eco-friendly travel. It’s a concept rooted in savoring experiences and becoming educated about the origins of quality…
The COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath have significantly impacted the tourism and hospitality sector. Before the pandemic, hospitality and tourism supplied nearly 330 million jobs…
In 1979, the University of Central Florida established the Dick Pope Sr. Institute for Tourism Studies (DPI), after receiving $25,000 from the Florida Public Relations…
Destination marketing is back in business, as countries, regions and cities around the world compete to attract the tourists who stayed away as a result…
Properly cleaning and disinfecting restaurants has always been important, yet it has become even more crucial after the outbreak of COVID-19. In September 2020, diners…
Medical tourism is one of the fastest growing and most profitable market segments for tourism in the world. An estimated 16 million individuals travel to…
Creating memorable experiences is the purpose of the tourism and hospitality industries. It makes strong business sense: if someone has a memorable experience, they are…
Few sectors were more adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic than the hospitality sector.Hotel rooms remained empty and restaurants and bars closed their doors, some never to open again; others…
If you arrive at the number one hospitality college in the nation and are greeted with the fragrant aroma of spices and hops, don’t question…
In 1979, the University of Central Florida established the Dick Pope Sr. Institute for Tourism Studies (DPI)The institute was established after receiving $25,000 from the…
Philippe Gas is at the helm of Qiddiya Investment Company as Chief Executive Officer. He possesses a deep understanding of entertainment and hospitality with 30…
An important new report by Rosen College researchers should be taken as a wakeup call for the tourism and hospitality industry in the U.S. following…
A tropical cyclone is a low-pressure system that can leave a trail of devastation in its path. These storms develop over tropical or sub-tropical waters…
In addition to millions of lives lost, the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a heavy toll on businesses worldwide. The hospitality industry has been one of…
A recent study by UCF Rosen College’s Dr. Edwin Torres and Dr. Tingting Zhang shines a light on the impact of wearable technology on employee…
The popular TV show, Star Trek, says that space is the final frontier. On October 13, 2021, William Shatner who played Captain Kirk in the…
Profit maximization has become a key strategic challenge for the hotel sector over the past decade as short-term market pricing restricts returns in a very…
When great disasters strike there is no time to plan an instant response; those who can mitigate the damage and recover fastest are those who…
You might have come across facial recognition as a security feature on your phone or laptop, or even at passport control in an airport, but…
We live in an aging world. Due to increasing life expectancy and the number of babyboomers reaching retirement age, the US Census Bureau estimates that…
Americans are probably most familiar with the concept of heroes in capes and costumes on the big screen. The budgets these blockbusters command, and the…
Clean water is important for coastal communities. Not only does it have a direct impact on health and the environment, but it is also critical for tourism and driving local…
Hospitality is a term which encompasses notions of warmth, friendliness, and comfort extended to others, across many different contexts and settings. Although the study of…
WHEN DID YOU FIRST REALIZE THE POWER OF SUSTAINABILITY AS A FORCE FOR GOOD IN BUSINESS AND THE ROLE IT COULD PLAY IN IMPROVING THE…
In its annual statistics for 2019—the year before the start of the global COVID-19 pandemic—the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) reported that tourism had…
Over the last few decades, there have been momentous shifts in the way the hotel industry conducts its business, largely because of developments in information…
A treasure trove of resources awaits the intrepid researcher who treks into the Universal Orlando Foundation Library, better known as the Rosen College Library. Located…
The human and economic debris left when the COVID-19 pandemic is finally brought under control will be picked over by a vast array of investigators…
The economic restructuring necessitated by the Covid-19 pandemic has ignited a fundamental transformation of the US workforce driven by powerful digital technologies. No sector has…
Most people come across a bad boss at least once in their working lives—someone who saps their motivation and stifles their initiative. The result, to…
Technological gadgets, such as robots, are now being successfully used to improve hospitality organizations. Robots can be used to interact with guests, provide front desk…
Tourism accounts for around 10% of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP) and approximately 10% of total global employment, making it an important source of…
Great customer service lies at the heart of a successful hospitality business. But how do we equip managers and employees with the knowledge required to…
Clean water is the thread that ties waterfront communities together, drives their economies, and provides a high quality of life for residents and an unforgettable…
In 1979, the University of Central Florida established the Dick Pope Sr. Institute for Tourism Studies (DPI), after receiving $25,000 from the Florida Public Relations…
Since the celebration of the third millennium, and less than a quarter of the way through the twenty-first century, the world has experienced the ravaging…
YOU DEFENDED YOUR DISSERTATION FIFTY YEARS AGO. YOU ARE ONE OF THE PIONEERS IN TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY RESEARCH. CAN YOU TAKE US FIFTY YEARS BACK AND SHARE WITH US HOW…
The University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management documented the economic footprint of Florida’s vacation rental home industry in excess of $27 billion.…
The rapid development of mobile technology presents a boom in business opportunities for competitive marketing tools offering services and online transactions to users of mobile…
Customer emotions have received a great deal of research attention in recent years, as these emotions – positive and negative – vary in response to…
To dine or not to dine: or in this case – where? Before the advent of digital technology, people traditionally relied on recommendations from friends…
What makes a person visit a particular restaurant? A good place to start is brand image. Branding is how a company markets itself to potential…
As the second highest emitter of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the tourism sector, the hospitality industry has been widely criticized for a lack of willingness…
Whether it’s fast service or full service, crowdfunding provides a new route for would-be food entrepreneurs to realize their dreams of opening a restaurant. The…
Timeshare, also referred to as ‘vacation ownership’, started to emerge in Europe in the 1960s, perhaps reflecting the growing confidence of building international relationships and…
Around 17 million people, or 11% of the US working population, are employed in the domestic hospitality and leisure industry, according to the US Bureau…
The year 2020 turned out to be a pivotal annum for the hospitality, event, entertainment, restaurant, sports, tourism and travel industries, and for UCF Rosen…
The average American spends 46% of their weekly food budget on dining out in restaurants. This may be good news for the food service industry,…
As the second highest emitter of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the tourism sector, the hospitality industry has been widely criticized for a lack of willingness…
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has long striven for the Olympic and Paralympic Games to be more, and mean more, than just a month of…
While country and destination image have long been key ideas in tourism marketing, they are often treated as separate concepts. Chaulagain, Wiitala and Fu’s research instead combines the two concepts…
The Breakers Palm Beach is one of the most iconic resorts in the United States. Located in South Florida, it offers its guests numerous choices,…
Darden Restaurants is the company behind some of North America’s most-loved restaurant brands. With its headquarters in Orlando, Florida, Darden employs more than 185,000 people…
The service economy relies on emotional connection between brands and customers. The traditional “service with a smile” is nowadays expanded to include customers’ expectations of…
Falling ill after eating shellfish is common enough that the mollusks have developed something of a reputation. This is not unwarranted; over the last few…
It’s about forty years since the first loyalty schemes were launched as a proactive marketing tool to keep customers coming back and to try and…
Since 1902, the AAA (American Automobile Association) has been covertly visiting hotels across the United States and assessing them against a range of criteria. Those…
There was a time when coffee drinkers only had to decide whether to have it with or without milk – it was literally a black…
Timeless elegance, exclusive facilities and experiences, staff who remember our children’s names – we have our own expectations of luxury hotels and the things that…
Travel that focuses on the use of healthcare services, medical treatments, or improving health or fitness outside of the country you live in has been…
The economic contribution of the LGBT market to tourism has been growing over the last two decades and is estimated to be worth over US$…
Increasingly, tourists are understood as consumers of ‘experience’. How a tourist feels about and remembers an experience will inform their decision to return or recommend…
Adiver’s paradise with pristine blue waters is located in the Caribbean Sea around the small Dutch island of Bonaire. With a population of about 20,000…
Former private financial equity investor and now Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Accor, Sébastien Bazin describes hospitality as part of the ‘old economy’. Compared with businesses like tech start-ups, the…
Traditionally a destination marketing organization (DMO) is responsible for promoting a particular place as a great destination for outsiders, be they day-trippers or holiday-makers. They…
We are all well used to self-service technologies (SSTs) within banking in terms of service tills and deposit machines and within retail with self-checkout. Less…
Social media and digital technologies are key to information exchange, especially among people born after 1981. The so-called Generation Y – a cohort defined here…
When people choose where to go for their leisure breaks, whether a major vacation or just a short visit, a main limitation is the budget…
Gone are the days where we tortured our relatives and close friends with a stack of printed photographs on our return from our annual holiday.…
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) estimates that nearly 70% of the elderly will require some form of long-term care, including appropriate…
Service recovery, simply put, is when a company or organization resolves a situation with a dissatisfied customer, resulting in the conversion of that customer from…
Climate change is a slow-to-take-effect, complex phenomenon that remains contentious among the American public with some arguing that it is a “socially” constructed rather than…
Spain is the third largest producer of grape wine, steeped in a rich history of wine production going back around 3000 years. While Spain has…
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines street food as ‘food or beverages prepared and/or sold by vendors in streets and other public places for immediate…
You might assume (and not without reason) that tourism can help improve the living standards of those in poverty. It is something that Western travelers…