Academic Papers by elena spanou
International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 2021
Purpose-Following Airbnb's recent turn to the luxury market, this paper aims to explore how Airbn... more Purpose-Following Airbnb's recent turn to the luxury market, this paper aims to explore how Airbnb hosts construct meanings of luxury as enacted in their hosting practices. Design/methodology/approach-Semi-structured interviews with 46 Airbnb hosts were undertaken using purposing sampling. Findings-Study findings reveal that social and personal meanings of luxury manifest in host practice, with "home feeling" representing the epicentre of the luxury peer-to-peer (P2P) accommodation experience. Research limitations/implications-Although this study draws from host views, it represents a first attempt to empirically examine perceptions and applications of luxury within P2P accommodation. The study provides a conceptual framework which may serve as a point of departure for further research into which luxury service dimensions guests value. Practical implications-The findings of the study carry implications to the wider hospitality context. Specifically, hospitality practitioners need to reconceptualize luxury hospitality provision to promote a "homotel" accommodation model which highlights the offering of physical and social luxury dimensions in addition to elements of personalized service and home-like hedonic benefits. Originality/value-The study offers a conceptual framework of the luxury P2P accommodation servicescape, which identifies two distinct luxury offerings that may be informative to both P2P accommodation providers and hospitality practitioners.
Tourism Management Perspectives, 2019
In classical Rome, the icon of a snake was used to depict the protection of place identity. This ... more In classical Rome, the icon of a snake was used to depict the protection of place identity. This genius loci helped identify the quintessential elements of a place. The present study explores the extent to which places experiencing significant tourism development have lost their genius loci. Findings are derived from a comparative appraisal of archival and current landscape photographs, supported by an exploratory study at a particular setting. The fieldwork reveals that tourism activity is predominantly accountable for changes in a place's genius loci and that certain sites seem to possess attributes that retain that “genius”. Points of reference are identified so that destinations can regain their lost genius loci.
Conference Papers by elena spanou
TOURMAN 2018 Conference Proceedings, 2018
It has been argued that residents" perceptions and attitudes towards tourism development in Islan... more It has been argued that residents" perceptions and attitudes towards tourism development in Island destinations is important for their future sustainability. This study aims to examine residents" perceptions and attitudes towards sustainable tourism development by focusing on the city of Larnaca, Cyprus. Through a mixed method approach, this study yields insights on residents" perceptions and attitudes towards sustainable tourism development, particularly in relation to the socio-cultural impacts of tourism. Residents recognise the role that the developmental limitations of small Island destinations play on the formation of their attitude. Conclusively, this study contributes a theoretical framework which tourism planners in Island destinations utilise to evaluate future tourism projects and strengthen residents" participation in the decision-making process.
Joint ApacCHRIE & EuroCHRIE Conference , 2019
In recent years, Airbnb has been attempting to grow its customer base by targeting luxury-oriente... more In recent years, Airbnb has been attempting to grow its customer base by targeting luxury-oriented guests. This study qualitatively examines host perceptions of the concept of ‘luxury’ and how the platform’s recent attempt to tap into the luxury market is influencing their host practice. Findings reveal a range of responses on behalf of different types of hosts ranging from exiting the platform as a form of resistance to Airbnb’s changing policies to embracing a more ‘professional’ host identity.
Papers by elena spanou
It has been argued that residents’ perceptions and attitudes towards tourism development in Islan... more It has been argued that residents’ perceptions and attitudes towards tourism development in Island destinations is important for their future sustainability. This study aims to examine residents’ perceptions and attitudes towards sustainable tourism development by focusing on the city of Larnaca, Cyprus. Through a mixed method approach, this study yields insights on residents’ perceptions and attitudes towards sustainable tourism development, particularly in relation to the socio-cultural impacts of tourism. Residents recognise the role that the developmental limitations of small Island destinations play on the formation of their attitude. Conclusively, this study contributes a theoretical framework which tourism planners in Island destinations utilise to evaluate future tourism projects and strengthen residents’ participation in the decision-making process
This paper is based on evaluating tourism development in Cyprus, a European nation, and its impac... more This paper is based on evaluating tourism development in Cyprus, a European nation, and its impacts on the socio-cultural structure of the island. The principal concern of this research is aid in sustaining the resource base on which the tourism development in Cyprus depends on. The paper concludes that in spite of all the negative and positive impacts of tourism on Cyprus it is not yet clear whether the benefits outweigh the costs. The reason for this uncertainty is that most of the research is done on an estimate as there is no empirical data available as yet to support either side of the equation.
International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 2021
Purpose Following Airbnb’s recent turn to the luxury market, this paper aims to explore how Airbn... more Purpose Following Airbnb’s recent turn to the luxury market, this paper aims to explore how Airbnb hosts construct meanings of luxury as enacted in their hosting practices. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews with 46 Airbnb hosts were undertaken using purposing sampling. Findings Study findings reveal that social and personal meanings of luxury manifest in host practice, with “home feeling” representing the epicentre of the luxury peer-to-peer (P2P) accommodation experience. Research limitations/implications Although this study draws from host views, it represents a first attempt to empirically examine perceptions and applications of luxury within P2P accommodation. The study provides a conceptual framework which may serve as a point of departure for further research into which luxury service dimensions guests value. Practical implications The findings of the study carry implications to the wider hospitality context. Specifically, hospitality practitioners need to...
Tourism Management Perspectives, 2019
Abstract In classical Rome, the icon of a snake was used to depict the protection of place identi... more Abstract In classical Rome, the icon of a snake was used to depict the protection of place identity. This genius loci helped identify the quintessential elements of a place. The present study explores the extent to which places experiencing significant tourism development have lost their genius loci. Findings are derived from a comparative appraisal of archival and current landscape photographs, supported by an exploratory study at a particular setting. The fieldwork reveals that tourism activity is predominantly accountable for changes in a place's genius loci and that certain sites seem to possess attributes that retain that “genius”. Points of reference are identified so that destinations can regain their lost genius loci.
Island tourist destinations are eager to embrace the economic benefits associated with tourism de... more Island tourist destinations are eager to embrace the economic benefits associated with tourism development without carefully evaluating tourism impacts through tourism impact assessments and residents' attitude studies so as to avoid serious issues that might arise in the process of a destination's development. This report presents the findings of a study conducted in the Larnaca region, of the Republic of Cyprus. The aim of the study was to explore residents' attitudes towards the socio-cultural impacts of tourism, taking into consideration factors that may play a role in the development of their attitudes (such as characteristics of island destinations), as well as their intention to act upon their attitude The study followed a mixed method approach that enabled the achievement a deeper understanding of residents' attitudes that can aid in the overall further development of the area with the least opposition from the locals. Recommendations derived from the finding...
This paper is based on evaluating tourism development in Cyprus, a European nation, and its impac... more This paper is based on evaluating tourism development in Cyprus, a European nation, and its impacts on the socio-cultural structure of the island. The principal concern of this research is aid in sustaining the resource base on which the tourism development in Cyprus depends on. The paper concludes that in spite of all the negative and positive impacts of tourism on Cyprus it is not yet clear whether the benefits outweigh the costs. The reason for this uncertainty is that most of the research is done on an estimate as there is no empirical data available as yet to support either side of the equation.
Tourism Management Perspectives, 2019
In classical Rome, the icon of a snake was used to depict the protection of place identity. This ... more In classical Rome, the icon of a snake was used to depict the protection of place identity. This genius loci helped identify the quintessential elements of a place. The present study explores the extent to which places experiencing significant tourism development have lost their genius loci. Findings are derived from a comparative appraisal of archival and current landscape photographs, supported by an exploratory study at a particular setting. The fieldwork reveals that tourism activity is predominantly accountable for changes in a place's genius loci and that certain sites seem to possess attributes that retain that “genius”. Points of reference are identified so that destinations can regain their lost genius loci.
International Journal of Tourism Research
The purpose of this paper is to qualitatively examine the perceptions of the residents of Pafos r... more The purpose of this paper is to qualitatively examine the perceptions of the residents of Pafos regarding the European Capital of Culture (ECoC) title awarded to the city in 2017, in response to the need for greater research on residents' perceptions within the context of cultural events. Utilizing the social exchange theory, the study identifies four types of residents based on their “perceptions” and “involvement in thetourism industry” and concludes that resident support of the ECoC initiative is impaired by the governance structure in place in the awarded city as well as factors emanating from the socio‐political environment.
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Academic Papers by elena spanou
Conference Papers by elena spanou
Papers by elena spanou