Social Sciences

Abstract: Frontline artificial intelligence (AI) and service robotics are fundamentally transforming hospitality service encounters from traditional human-dominated touchpoints into complex, technology-infused service ecosystems. However, hospitality managers face a strategic paradox: balancing operational efficiency against relational value co-creation. Guided by Torraco's integrative review methodology, this study systematically synthesizes 29 primary source studies published across premier service management, marketing, and hospitality journals from 2004 to 2025 to reconceptualize how human–AI frontline configurations shape customer relationships. It unifies four complementary theoretical lenses: Service-Dominant Logic, Automated Social Presence Theory, the Stereotype Content Model, and the Four Intelligences Framework. It establishes a structural taxonomy of frontline configurations: AI-Led Substitution, AI-Augmented Hybrid, and Human-Led AI-Mediated encounters, and resolves three persistent empirical paradoxes. First, service robots significantly mitigate customer discomfort during awkward, embarrassing, or evaluative encounters by eliminating metaperception processing (judgment anxiety). Second, high robotic social presence is attenuated in the direct co-presence of human staff due to relative social cognition comparison penalties. Third, AI augmentation enhances customer-perceived warmth only when organizational systems convert automated time-savings into employee discretionary decision autonomy; using efficiency gains to accelerate guest throughput quotas triggers technostress, emotional exhaustion, and surface acting. Synthesizing these cognitive, affective, and organizational mechanisms into an integrative conditional process model, the study formulates six testable theoretical propositions and delineates a multi-level boundary condition matrix spanning task intelligence tiers, customer technology readiness, employee workload density, and hotel service tiers. Methodological and theoretical future research agendas are established alongside four strategic managerial directives for frontline service ecosystem design in the machine age.

Abstract: This study examined the effects of an eight-week VIFT-based HIIT intervention on physical performance in senior male futsal players. Methods: Seventeen senior male futsal players were allocated to an experimental (EXP, n = 9) or control group (CON, n = 8). The EXP group completed an 8-week VIFT-based HIIT intervention (2 ses-sions/week) alongside regular futsal training, using 15-s intervals at 95% VIFT inter-spersed with 15-s passive recovery and a 7% distance reduction for changes of direc-tion. The CON group continued regular training. Pre- and post-intervention assess-ments included body composition, SJ, CMJ, CMJ-AS, 5-, 10-, and 20-m sprint tests with and without the ball, the 5–10–5 Pro Agility Test, VIFT, and estimated VO₂max. Data were analyzed using mixed-design ANOVA. Significant time-by-group interactions were observed for VIFT (p = 0.024), estimated VO₂max (p = 0.023), and the 20-m ball-dribbling test (p = 0.035). VIFT increased from 19.28 ± 0.91 to 20.39 ± 0.49 km/h in the experimental group, compared with 18.13 ± 2.01 to 18.56 ± 1.86 km/h in the control group. Estimated VO₂max increased from 56.33 ± 2.69 to 59.39 ± 2.23 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹ in the experimental group and from 52.16 ± 4.95 to 53.29 ± 4.31 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹ in the control group. For the 20-m ball-dribbling test, performance was maintained in the experi-mental group, whereas completion time increased in the control group. No significant time-by-group interactions were observed for body composition, jumping perfor-mance, linear sprint performance, the 5-m or 10-m ball-dribbling tests, or change-of-direction performance. An eight-week VIFT-based HIIT intervention per-formed twice weekly during the competitive season was associated with more favora-ble changes in intermittent running performance, estimated aerobic capacity, and 20-m ball-dribbling performance than regular futsal training alone. No differential effects were detected for most other physical performance outcomes. These preliminary find-ings support the potential use of VIFT-based HIIT as a targeted conditioning strategy in senior male futsal players. Larger studies are needed to confirm these results.

Abstract: Background: Mental strength is defined as the behavioral capacity to persist through obstacles and challenges, and to recover from failures, adversities, and setbacks. Building on previous scale developments, Studies 1 and 2 aimed to develop, refine, and validate a brief, psychometrically robust measure of mental strength for combat sports practitioners. Methods: In Study 1, an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted on a sample of Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners (N = 328) to evaluate the factor structure of the 9-item Mental Strength Scale and to propose a brief version of the Mental Strength Scale. In Study 2, a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed on a separate sample of combat sports practitioners (N = 300) to test the factor structure of the newly derived Brief Mental Strength Scale (BMSS). Additionally, Study 2 assessed internal consistency and predictive validity against measures of self-efficacy, self-control, self-esteem, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Results: In Study 1, EFA results championed a two-factor structure, leading to the removal of 3 items. In Study 2, CFA confirmed good fit for the two-factor, 6-item model (subscales “Dealing with Failure” and “Facing Obstacles”), showing excellent fit indices: CFI = .985, TLI = .972, SRMR = .037, RMSEA = .090. The scale demonstrated strong internal consistency (α = .89). Moreover, the BMSS exhibited significant (p < .001) and robust predictive validity, positively predicting self-efficacy (β = .66), self-control (β = .51), and self-esteem (β = .45), while negatively predicting symptoms of anxiety (β = -.39) and depression (β = -.38). Conclusion: The Brief Mental Strength Scale is a valid, reliable, and structurally sound bidimensional instrument for assessing mental strength among combat sports practitioners, offering coaches and sport psychology professionals a practical tool for monitoring and enhancing well-being and performance.

Abstract: Peer-to-peer accommodation (P2PA) has expanded rapidly in Morocco, but evidence on how tourists evaluate it in emerging destinations remains scarce. This study examines how tourists' motivations and multidimensional perceived risks relate to their attitude towards P2PA, and how attitude, social norms and perceived behavioural control relate to intention and self-reported travel behaviour. Drawing on the theory of planned behaviour and perceived-risk theory, six motivational and six risk dimensions were modelled as components of two higher-order constructs. Data from a mixed-mode survey of 502 tourists, collected face-to-face in four Moroccan destinations and online, were analysed with partial least squares structural equation modelling. Motivations were strongly associated with attitude (β = 0.564), whereas risks showed a weaker negative association (β = −0.137). Authenticity and enjoyment contributed most among the motivations, and physical and cultural risk among the risks. Attitude and social norms were associated with intention (R² = 0.431), and intention and perceived behavioural control with travel behaviour (R² = 0.669). The findings indicate that tourists value P2PA in an emerging destination mainly as an experiential product, and that safety and cultural reassurance are key conditions for trust.

Abstract: Objective:This study explores the biomechanical characteristics and potential sports injuries of reverse vertical jump (CMJ) in male firefighters of different grades based on spatiotemporal parameters, dynamic parameters, and kinematic parameters. Method:A total of 86 male firefighters were recruited (age: 29.01±5.11, height: 1.73±0.05, weight: 69.61±8.15, service years: 5.83±5.05, BMI: 23.36±2.31). The IMU insole was adopted as the measurement tool and the relevant index parameters were measured. SPSS29.0 was used for sorting and statistical analysis. Result:The results of some CMJ indicators of firefighters of different grades showed statistically significant differences. The right leg lift-off time of senior firefighters was lower than that of junior firefighters (P < 0.05). The flexion Angle of the left ankle landing of senior firefighters was lower than that of junior and intermediate firefighters (P < 0.05). The left leg propulsion speed of senior firefighters was lower than that of junior firefighters (P < 0.01), and also lower than that of intermediate firefighters (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the right leg propulsion speed of senior firefighters was lower than that of junior firefighters (P < 0.05). There were statistically significant differences in the results of some CMH indicators among firefighters with different attributes. The right leg landing stability of the national team firefighters was higher than that of the professional team (P < 0.05). The commander's leg flight time, flight height, flexion Angle of the left ankle upon landing and the propulsion speed of the left leg were all lower than those of the firefighters (P < 0.05). Conclusion:As the rank of firefighters increases, their vertical jumping ability shows a declining trend. The decline of various indicators of senior firefighters (CMJ) is more obvious compared with that of junior firefighters, indicating that they have regressed in center of gravity control, strength level and joint range of motion, and have increased the potential risk of injury. The shock absorption capacity and stability of the right ankle joint of national team firefighters need to be improved more compared with those of professional team firefighters. Commanders have lower levels of center of gravity control, ankle range of motion and pushing force than firefighters, indicating a higher potential risk of injury for them during mission execution and strength and conditioning training.

Abstract: Special exercises are routinely used to monitor strength qualities in weightlifting when recent maximal snatch and clean-and-jerk performances are unavailable. This study developed and internally assessed an exploratory model for estimating a training total from special-exercise strength measures while accounting for sex and body mass. Retrospective records from 27 senior high-performance weightlifters (14 men and 13 women) were analyzed. The training total was calculated from the most recent maximal snatch and clean-and-jerk records obtained within an approximately two-week precompetition window. Simple and partial correlations, hierarchical linear regression, collinearity diagnostics, residual analyses, and leave-one-out cross-validation were examined. Sex and body mass explained 94.3% of the variance. Adding front squat and strict military press increased explained variance to 97.9% and reduced the standard error of estimate from 16.58 to 10.52 kg. The internally assessed RMSE was 11.47 kg and MAE was 9.25 kg; however, front squat showed substantial collinearity. The model may provide a provisional monitoring reference under comparable conditions, but the small sample, predictor selection within the same dataset, collinearity, and absence of external validation preclude treating it as a confirmed predictive equation.

Abstract: Sport is increasingly associated with sustainability and legacy objectives, although documentary commitments do not necessarily establish achieved effects. This study compared how sustainability- and legacy-related content was documented in Voga&Share, an Erasmus+ community-oriented rowing initiative, and the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with attention to the Marseille sailing-host context. A comparative qualitative document analysis was conducted using a corpus of 15 English-language documents: six relating to Voga&Share and nine to Paris 2024. Documents were converted into page-level records and screened deductively across governance; environment; health and inclusion; economy and heritage; and monitoring and evidence. Match frequencies were normalised per 1,000 words, and six high-density extracts were manually coded to distinguish claim types and evidence status. Paris 2024 showed a higher overall density of thematic matches (53.3 per 1,000 words) than Voga&Share (34.4). Monitoring and evidence was the most frequent dimension in Paris 2024 (12.4 per 1,000 words), whereas health and inclusion predominated in Voga&Share (13.5). Pilot coding identified strategic commitments, implemented activities and reported outputs, but did not independently demonstrate achieved outcomes. The findings indicate contrasting documentary profiles shaped by organisational scale, institutional setting, document type and reporting purpose. Documentary analysis can clarify priorities and reported actions, but it cannot establish causality, additionality or durable sustainability legacy.

Abstract: Maintaining physiological function, mobility, and independence throughout aging remains a major challenge in exercise and health sciences. Physical activity is widely recognized as a key determinant of healthy aging, yet different sports may confer distinct biological benefits. Tennis is unique in that it combines aerobic and anaerobic exercise, neuromuscular coordination, cognitive engagement, perceptual demands, and functional movement demands (balance, agility, change-of-direction performance, motor coordination) within a single activity. This comprehensive review synthesizes current evidence regarding the biological adaptations associated with tennis participation across the lifespan and evaluates its potential contribution to healthy aging and longevity. Available evidence indicates that regular tennis participation is associated with improved cardiovascular and cardiometabolic health, enhanced musculoskeletal function, greater bone mineral density, maintenance of cognitive and perceptual abilities, and improved psychological well-being. Studies involving veteran and masters tennis players further suggest that long-term participation may attenuate age-related declines in physical and cognitive function while supporting successful aging and quality of life. Emerging research also highlights potential benefits related to neuromuscular function, sensorimotor performance, perceptual-cognitive abilities and functional independence. Collectively, the literature supports tennis as a multidimensional lifelong physical activity capable of promoting health across biological, psychological, and social domains. While much of the current evidence remains observational, the available literature consistently suggests that tennis participation is associated with adaptations relevant to healthy aging and functional health. Further longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms and strengthen evidence-based recommendations for healthy aging, maintenance of physical function, and preservation of mobility across the lifespan.

Abstract: This study examines whether coastal and maritime heritage can diversify tourism experiences and support a more balanced spatial distribution of visitors in Porto, Portugal. It investigates the determinants of tourists’ intentions to visit coastal experiences and their effects on satisfaction and loyalty, considering the mediating role of visit intentions and moderating effects of age and income. A quantitative survey was conducted with tourists in Porto, Portugal, and 432 responses were collected. The findings show that coastal and maritime tourism motivation and interest most strongly influenced visit intentions and loyalty, while accessibility and information availability had the strongest effect on satisfaction, highlighting the importance of adequate access and information to engage with alternative experiences. Visit intentions also positively affected satisfaction and loyalty, with significant indirect effects supporting its mediating role, whereas age and income did not significantly moderate the relationships. The findings suggest that developing attractive coastal and maritime experiences, supported by adequate accessibility and information, can diversify Porto’s tourism offer and contribute to a more balanced distribution of visitors, reducing concentration in the historic centre while strengthening destination satisfaction and loyalty.

Abstract: This study examined the relationships between standardized technical performance and match-specific unforced errors in national-level badminton players aged 15–17 years, with particular attention to patterns observed in male and female players. Twenty national team athletes (10 males and 10 females) participated. Unforced errors were recorded across 55 official matches from six competitions organized by the Turkish Badminton Federation. Technical performance was assessed using standardized short serve, high serve, clear, drop shot, and smash tests, and associations were examined separately by sex using Spearman’s rank correlations. In male players, short serve performance was positively correlated with total net error, front-court error, and front-court net error (rs = 0.632–0.727, p < 0.05). In female players, short serve performance was negatively correlated with front-court error (rs = −0.741, p < 0.05); clear performance was negatively correlated with several front- and rear-court error measures (rs = −0.752 to −0.884, p < 0.05), and drop shot performance was negatively correlated with rear-court and rear-court out errors (rs = −0.653 to −0.657, p < 0.05). These findings indicate different association patterns between technical performance and match-specific errors in male and female players, although between-group differences in correlation coefficients were not directly tested. Representative match-based practice may complement isolated technical training.

Abstract: Malaysia's tourism sector has moved from crisis response to strategic repositioning since the COVID-19 pandemic. This article reviews 66 scholarly sources published between 2023 and 2026 that address tourism management in Malaysia. Using a structured thematic classification, the corpus is organised into six domains: (1) post-pandemic recovery, resilience, and governance; (2) destination image, marketing, competitiveness, and visitor experience; (3) smart tourism and digital technologies; (4) social media, user-generated content, and generational markets; (5) sustainable tourism and ecotourism; and (6) niche and special-interest tourism. The review shows that research attention has shifted from pandemic impact assessment toward technology-enabled experience design, sustainability-oriented competitiveness, and market diversification. Three cross-cutting patterns emerge: the growing centrality of memorable experience, satisfaction, and revisit intention as outcome variables; the convergence of digital and sustainability agendas; and a persistent reliance on cross-sectional, tourist-side survey designs. Significant gaps remain in supply-side and community perspectives, longitudinal evidence, evaluation of policy instruments, and the environmental costs of digitalisation. An integrative framework and a research agenda are proposed to guide future work and policy.

Abstract: Running events can contribute to destination development, but participation in a running event does not by itself establish tourism status. This study examines the relationships among motivation, destination image, satisfaction, and loyalty toward running tourism in Bali and then links the behavioral results to strategic development priorities. The quantitative analysis used 280 adult running-event participants. The survey documented participants' reported region of origin but, as currently reported, did not establish usual environment, overnight stay, or primary trip purpose; the empirical findings are therefore interpreted at the participant level rather than as estimates for a strictly defined tourist population. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) showed that destination image strongly influenced satisfaction (β = 0.745, p < 0.001), satisfaction influenced loyalty (β = 0.600, p < 0.001), and motivation directly influenced loyalty (β = 0.301, p < 0.001) but did not significantly influence satisfaction (β = 0.113, p = 0.095). Satisfaction mediated the destination image-loyalty relationship but not the motivation-loyalty relationship. Importance-performance map analysis (IPMA), the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), and focus group discussion (FGD) were used as a strategic translation layer to identify development priorities. Because the Fornell-Larcker assessment indicates potential overlap among several constructs, the structural and mediation results should be interpreted cautiously until HTMT, item-loading, and collinearity diagnostics are confirmed. Sustainability and collaborative governance are treated as strategic interpretation and recommendation domains rather than as latent outcomes tested in the PLS-SEM model.

Abstract: This paper examines whether sports whose rule structures reward the infliction of bodily harm—paradigmatically boxing and mixed martial arts—can be justified within a framework of human development understood through the capabilities approach. I argue that these sports generate a distinctive normative problem: they systematically undermine the very capabilities—bodily integrity, practical reason, affiliation, and play—that Sen and Nussbaum identify as conditions of human flourishing. The medical evidence on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and repetitive head trauma establishes a strong prima facie case against their permissibility, though significant evidentiary uncertainties remain. I then examine three lines of defence: Millian autonomy, consent-based moral permissibility, and the claim that reform rather than prohibition is the appropriate response. While the autonomy objection has considerable force for competent adults, it fails to address the intergenerational dimension of the harm: children of fighters are involuntarily exposed to parental cognitive decline, abandonment, and trauma. Moreover, the consent of fighters is undermined by the fact that the mechanism of risk and the mechanism of autonomy impairment are identical. I conclude that a qualified prohibition is justified: an immediate ban on youth participation, a phased elimination of professional competition, and a robust system of compensation and support. The argument is not that fighters are irrational or that their courage is unworthy of respect, but that a society committed to human development cannot coherently permit activities whose rule structures reward the destruction of the capabilities that make development possible.

Abstract: Tourism is a strategic sector in India's development agenda, and scholarship on its management has expanded quickly since the pandemic. This paper reviews 52 publications from 2022 to 2026 and organizes them into five themes: (1) smart tourism, artificial intelligence (AI) and digitalization; (2) sustainability and overtourism; (3) governance, policy and law; (4) niche and special-interest tourism (adventure, medical, spiritual); and (5) economic performance and hospitality management. The review finds a marked rise in technology-oriented and Viksit Bharat 2047-linked work since 2025, alongside a persistent reliance on conceptual, descriptive and single-region designs. Three gaps stand out: little empirical validation of AI and smart-tourism frameworks, weak integration between sustainability goals and governance mechanisms, and limited attention to workforce readiness and community outcomes. A research agenda is proposed.

Abstract: Sport events are increasingly recognized as potential catalysts for tourism development, destination promotion, local economic activity, and community engagement. However, the extent to which these opportunities are strategically leveraged in developing tourism destinations remains insufficiently understood in Ethiopia. This study examined the opportunities and challenges associated with using sport events as catalysts for tourism development in Ethiopia. An exploratory mixed-methods design was employed across five cities: Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar, Hawassa, Adama, and Dire Dawa. Quantitative data were collected from 384 respondents using a structured questionnaire measuring ten constructs related to sport-event tourism development. Qualitative evidence was obtained through 25 key informant interviews and six focus group discussions involving sport, tourism, government, hospitality, community, and academic stakeholders. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Cronbach’s alpha, Pearson correlation, one-way ANOVA, and multiple linear regression, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The findings indicate substantial perceived potential for sport-event tourism development. Strategic Event Leveraging recorded the highest mean score (M = 4.12), followed by Visitor Attraction (M = 3.92) and Destination Promotion and Branding (M = 3.84). In contrast, Institutional Coordination and Governance recorded the lowest mean (M = 2.88), while Infrastructure and Accessibility also remained relatively low (M = 3.10). Significant differences were observed across the five cities for all ten constructs (p ≤ .005). The regression model explained 61.6% of the variance in Strategic Development (R² = .616, p < .001), with Strategic Event Leveraging showing the strongest unique positive association (β = .418, p < .001). Qualitative findings reinforced a potential–implementation gap, highlighting institutional fragmentation, infrastructure constraints, limited cross-sector packaging, and uneven community benefits. The study concludes that Ethiopia’s challenge is not simply to host more sport events, but to strategically connect events with tourism resources, destination markets, local economies, communities, and long-term development objectives.

Abstract: Background: Cable wood-chop exercises are commonly progressed by changing body position and prescribing loads relative to the maximal capacity achieved in each posture. However, equivalent relative loads may not produce equivalent mechanical responses across postural configurations. Objective: To compare smartphone-derived thoracic acceleration across five cable wood-chop positions prescribed using posture-specific relative loads and to determine the intra- and inter-session reliability of this measure. Methods: Twenty-two physically active men were enrolled in a two-session repeated-measures study. Maximal break force was assessed in seated, kneeling, half-kneeling, parallel-stance and staggered-stance positions with pulley height standardized to shoulder level in each posture. Participants then performed 12-s isometric (70% maximal break force) and dynamic (40% maximal break force) wood-chop trials while attempting to maintain a neutral spinal posture. Thoracic acceleration was recorded using a smartphone secured at T3. Reliability was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients, typical error, and minimal detectable change. Differences between positions were examined using linear mixed-effects models, with complementary models accounting for posture-specific maximal break force. Results: Smartphone-derived thoracic acceleration showed good-to-excellent intra-session reliability, whereas inter-session reliability was posture dependent and lower in standing positions. Half-kneeling elicited greater unadjusted thoracic acceleration than all other positions during both isometric and dynamic conditions (all Holm-adjusted p < 0.001; |dz| = 1.18–1.57). Maximal break force was positively associated with thoracic acceleration in both conditions (p < 0.001). In the force-adjusted models, half-kneeling remained higher than all other positions during the isometric condition (all unadjusted p ≤ 0.015), whereas differences were substantially attenuated during the dynamic condition. The relative position-related pattern was consistent across testing sessions. Conclusions: Prescribing the cable wood-chop using posture-specific relative loads does not necessarily result in equivalent thoracic acceleration responses across postural configurations. Body position should therefore be considered an additional programming variable when prescribing the exercise. Smartphone accelerometry may provide a practical field-based method for quantifying thoracic acceleration responses during rotational resistance exercise.

Abstract: This study examined which technical-tactical indicators are associated with match outcomes in the Bulgarian First Professional Football League. Match-level Wyscout data were analysed for 829 fixtures across three seasons (2022/23–2024/25), with each fixture contributing a single record and indicators expressed as home-minus-away differences per 90 minutes. An ordinal proportional-odds logistic regression predicted the ordered match outcome (loss < draw < win), controlling for opponent strength, corroborated by a Random Forest classifier with permutation importance and SHAP attribution and by a structural equation model with a latent progression construct. A process-only regression was significant (McFadden pseudo-R² = 0.264): penalty-area entries via runs (OR = 1.75), counterattacks (OR = 1.63), interceptions (OR = 1.35), and deep completed passes (OR = 1.30) were positively associated with favourable outcomes, whereas penalty-area entries via crosses (OR = 0.50) and, after adjustment, ball possession (OR = 0.70) were negatively associated; all three corroborating methods converged on this pattern. Adding outcome-proximal indicators (expected goals, shots on target) improved fit (pseudo-R² = 0.354) but reflected outcome proximity rather than antecedent prediction. Match outcomes here are associated with how teams enter the penalty area—carried entries and transitions rather than crosses—rather than with possession dominance, extending the possession paradox in a less-resourced national competition and offering a transferable analytical template for under-studied leagues.

Abstract: Artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini are increasingly embedded in the way travelers search for destinations, develop itineraries, compare travel options, and make booking and activity-related decisions. As AI-based travel assistance becomes more accessible, understanding how travelers perceive and repeatedly use these technologies has become important for both tourism researchers and the travel industry. This study examined AI usage behavior, perceived value, and continuance intention among Korean travelers using a descriptive-correlational research design. A structured online questionnaire was administered to 401 respondents with prior overseas travel experience. The survey measured respondents’ use of AI across major stages of international trip planning, including destination search, itinerary development, accommodation search, transportation search, and activity recommendations, as well as their perceptions of AI’s usefulness, convenience, personalization, time-saving benefits, and trustworthiness. The results show that respondents generally “agree” that they use AI across the major stages of trip planning and perceive AI as a convenient and useful tool for obtaining and organizing travel information. Respondents also reported favorable perceptions of AI in terms of saving time, providing personalized recommendations, improving convenience, and offering trustworthy information. AI usage behavior and perceived value differed significantly according to age, occupation, travel frequency, and frequency of AI use, whereas no statistically significant difference was observed by gender. Correlation analysis further revealed that perceived value was the strongest correlate of continuance intention (ρ = 0.740, p < .001), followed by AI usage behavior (ρ = 0.679, p < .001). These findings indicate that travelers who perceive AI as useful, convenient, personalized, and trustworthy are more likely to continue incorporating AI into their future travel planning activities. The findings highlight the importance of improving AI-based personalization, usability, and information credibility to encourage sustained adoption and strengthen AI-supported travel experiences in the tourism industry.

Abstract: Tourism seasonality affects destination sustainability by concentrating demand into a short period and leaving accommodation capacity underused off-season. This study examines whether Romanian tourism reverted to its pre-pandemic seasonal pattern once volumes recovered, comparing 2019 with 2025 using monthly data (INS TEMPO-Online) on arrivals, overnight stays, and net occupancy, from which operating capacity is derived. Seasonal concentration is measured with the Gini index and three complementary measures, nationally, for exhaustive partitions by visitor origin and accommodation category, and for four destination case studies. Arrivals exceeded the 2019 level by 4.89%, overnight stays returned to it, and the average length of stay fell by 5.25%; operating capacity rose by 14.03%, and net occupancy fell in every month, from 34.15% to 29.76%. The national Gini index of arrivals rose by only 1.20%; counterfactual reweighting shows that the flattening of the non-resident profile offset most of the rise for residents, and that the shift of arrivals toward 4–5-star establishments offset about half of the increase by accommodation category. Operating capacity, non-resident arrivals, and the seaside case studies moved outside the range of 12-month rolling windows on all three measures. The analysis is descriptive; national aggregates understate the redistribution it documents.

Abstract: Whale shark watching has become an important nature-based tourism activity in La Paz, where small-scale tour operators have played a key role in conservation through long-term collaboration with several stakeholders and in acting in several activities since 2003. However, these operators are vulnerable due to stricter conservation regulations, intensified competition from larger and foreign firms, and external shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring persistent trade-offs between biodiversity protection and local livelihoods. To inform strategies that reconcile conservation and competitiveness, this study employs a Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE), Citizen Jury, and widely accessible digital platforms, presenting six scenarios to elicit individual willingness to pay (WTP). Results indicate that tourists' maximum WTP ranges from 147 to 195% more for better-trained guides, from 62 to 68% for maritime signaling, from 168 to 171% for monitoring, and from 23 to 37% for vessel improvement, suggesting that conservation-oriented investments can generate economic benefits rather than impose additional costs. The potential collection under these scenarios ranges from USD 1.044 million to USD 8.448 million if the strategies were implemented. The findings imply that investment in human capital, conservation practices, and branding strategies may enhance the resilience and competitiveness of small-scale operators while supporting conservation objectives.