ASEAN Journal on Hospitality and Tourism

Travel Cost Method for Valuing Destinations and Atractions: The Paradox of Muslim-Friendly Tourism

Suteja Wira Dana Kusuma — 2026-04-30

This study compares the economic value of two tourist sites: Al-Jabbar, a single attraction, and the City of Semarang (CoS), a multi-attraction site, using the Travel Cost Method (TCM). The results show a significant difference in consumer surplus, with CoS generating about Rp. 6,289,308 per visit, far exceeding Al-Jabbar's Rp. 801,282 per visit. This highlights CoS's broader appeal and diverse offerings, attracting more visitors and maximising economic benefits. Al-Jabbar visitors are more sensitive to travel cost changes, affecting their visit frequency, while CoS visitors show lower sensitivity, likely due to the variety of attractions. The study also reveals a paradox in Muslim Friendly Tourism (MFT) services. At Al-Jabbar, MFT considers a decrease in visit frequency, suggesting limited appeal, whereas at CoS, MFT has no significant impact, possibly due to the destination's diverse attractions. These insights are crucial for destination management and tourism development.

The Impact of Travel Motivations on Destination Loyalty: The Mediating Role of Tourist Satisfaction among Russian Tourists in Post-Pandemic Sri Lanka

Prageeth Niroshan — 2026-04-30

The recovery of global tourism after COVID-19 has renewed interest in understanding international tourists' motivations and behavioral intentions. This study investigates how push and pull travel motivations influence tourist satisfaction and destination loyalty among Russian tourists visiting Sri Lanka in the post-pandemic period. Data were collected from 384 Russian tourists and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results indicate that both push motivations (β = 0.165, p < 0.01) and pull motivations (β = 0.662, p < 0.001) significantly enhance tourist satisfaction. However, destination loyalty is primarily driven by push motivations, while pull motivations influence loyalty indirectly through satisfaction. The mediation analysis confirms that tourist satisfaction plays a critical mediating role in translating travel motivations into loyalty intentions. This study contributes to tourism literature by extending push–pull motivation theory in a post-pandemic context and provides practical insights for Sri Lankan tourism policymakers and destination marketers seeking to strengthen tourist retention and repeat visitation.

Experiential Marketing and Tourist Satisfaction on Tourist Buses: A Comparison between Jakarta, Indonesia and Hainan, China

Ayydnamira Namira — 2026-04-30

Tourist buses are defined as a mode of land transportation designed explicitly for the needs of tourists by providing facilities that provide comfort, safety, and entertainment. The purpose of this research is to compare the effects of experiential marketing on visitor satisfaction with regard to bus transportation in Indonesia and Hainan. China. This study use a quantitative methodology and Smart PLS 3.2.9 for SEM analysis. Questionnaires with a sample size of 300 respondents were sent as part of the data collection method used in this study. Study conduted in Indonesia and Hainan showed that not all elements of experiential marketing significantly influence the satisfaction of Indonesian tourists on tourist buses in Jakarta, Indonesia. The analysis shows that the thinking and related aspects influence tourist satisfaction on tourist buses in Jakarta and Hainan, China. This finding indicates that creating creative consumer thinking and social relationships between consumers and guides are important factors in increasing tourist satisfaction. The other three variables: sense, feeling, and act do not have a positive effect on tourist satisfaction in either Indonesia or Hainan, China.

Assessing the Impact of Goods Receiving and Storage Issues on Warehouse Operational Effectiveness: Evidence from Belviu Hotel Bandung

Yuni Lisdianingsih — 2026-04-30

Warehouse management is a crucial part of supporting smooth hotel operations. This study was conducted to analyze problems that occur in the process of receiving and storing goods at the Belviu Hotel Bandung warehouse and their impact on warehouse operational effectiveness. The research method used was descriptive qualitative with data collection techniques through observation, interviews, and documentation. The research findings identified several major challenges, including discrepancies in the quantity and condition of goods upon receipt, inadequate warehouse infrastructure, and an inefficient stock management system, which led to damaged goods. These issues disrupted the availability of goods and affected operational costs and coordination between departments. The recommended solutions include improving staff capabilities through goods receiving training, strengthening coordination with suppliers and related departments, optimizing the implementation of the FIFO system, and providing adequate warehouse facilities. Maximizing the use of technology for goods recording, implementing audits, and conducting routine double-checks are highly recommended to minimize errors.

Tourism as Soft Power: Political Crises and Nation Branding in the Philippines (2008–2025)

Noel Y. Sinco — 2026-04-30

This study examines the relationship between political crises and international tourist arrivals to the Philippines (2008–2025) using multi-country Interrupted Time Series Analysis (ITSA). Major events—including the 2010 Manila Hostage Crisis, 2012 Scarborough Shoal standoff, 2013 Taiwanese Fisherman Incident, and 2017 Marawi siege—are analyzed across key source markets. Descriptive patterns indicate short-term bilateral fluctuations aligned with crisis events, particularly in markets directly involved in diplomatic disputes. However, ITSA's estimates do not detect statistically significant structural breaks in aggregate arrivals, suggesting the absence of sustained level or trend shifts. Western markets such as the United States, Canada, and Australia exhibit no statistically detectable post-crisis changes following the Marawi siege. Recovery periods, defined as the return to pre-crisis annual levels, generally reflect short-term adjustment rather than prolonged contraction. Overall, findings indicate temporary volatility alongside aggregate tourism resilience.

Classifying ASEAN Tourist Markets for Indonesia’s Tourism Strategy

Ramiz Ansharil Haq — 2026-04-30

This study examines the expenditure behaviours of international tourists from ASEAN nations in Indonesia employing the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Matrix to categorise countries according to market growth and relative market share. Data from the Indonesian Central Bureau of Statistics (2023–2024) indicates that Malaysia and Singapore are the primary providers to tourism earnings, but Brunei, Thailand, and the Philippines exhibit notable increase. The research classifies countries into four quadrants: Stars (Malaysia, Philippines, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand), Cash Cows (Singapore), and Question Marks (Brunei, Laos, Cambodia). Development plans are advised for each quadrant, including the enhancement of culture-based services, the expansion of flight routes, and regional collaboration. These findings offer guidance for stakeholders in formulating marketing strategies and resource distribution to optimise Indonesia's tourist potential.

Bridging the Green Gap: Fintech Adoption and Eco-Conscious Luxury Booking Behavior among Generation Z and Millennials — A Systematic Literature Review

Ameresekere Tharindu — 2026-04-30

This systematic literature review examines how fintech-enabled sustainability features influence eco-consciousness on luxury hotel booking intentions among young travelers (Gen Z and Millennials). This review revealed three main themes discussed in the literature: Eco-consciousness of young travelers, which emphasizes how ecological values, awareness shape sustainable travel intentions; Luxury hotel booking intentions, which highlights the influence of perceived value, service quality, Corporate Social Responsibility, and sustainability on booking behavior of young travelers; and Fintech-enabled sustainability features, which shows how digital tools, eco-booking apps, green loyalty programs etc. could improve the relationship between eco-conscious attitudes and actual booking decisions. This review suggests that eco-consciousness shapes young travelers’ sustainable decision-making, and that fintech could strengthen this relationship by making sustainability more rewarding, visible, and accessible. However, as per this literature review, there are still significant gaps: the lack of empirical research investigating how fintech elements affect the degree or trajectory of eco-conscious behavior in luxury hotel booking contexts; a considerable lack of qualitative studies, interdisciplinary perspectives, and cross-cultural grounding.