ASEAN Journal on Hospitality and Tourism

How Do International Tourists Choose Vegetarian Restaurant? A Thematic Analysis of TripAdvisor Reviews

Halimin Herjanto — 2025-12-31

Customer satisfaction is the mantra for successful and sustainable vegetarian restaurants. However, the existing literature has failed to provide a comprehensive taxonomy of this phenomenon because studies have primarily been conducted in the Western world, focusing on domestic customers, overlooking Asian contexts, and adopting the perspective of international tourists traveling to these regions. Gaining insights from the Asian context, specifically from international tourists who travel to Indonesia, may offer a better understanding of such a phenomenon. Online comments on the TripAdvisor website were analyzed, and the findings suggest that nine themes (price, entertainment, setting, surprise factors, food, service, facility, location, and staff) are responsible for Vegetarian restaurant customer satisfaction.

Beyond Static and Singular Community: Diverse Participation of the Baduy Community in Tourism

Tuti Elfrida — 2025-12-31

This study examines the diverse forms of tourism participation within the Baduy community in Indonesia, challenging monolithic portrayals of indigenous peoples as either wholly resistant or fully accepting of tourism. Drawing on qualitative fieldwork and thematic analysis, the research reveals a spectrum of responses, ranging from non-participation and cautious engagement to proactive involvement, shaped by a range of interrelated factors. These include spatial proximity to visitor routes, generational positioning, spiritual orientation, motivation, gender roles, and networks. The findings suggest that participation is not a fixed category but a dynamic and fluid process, where individuals and groups shift their level and mode of engagement depending on context, opportunity, and alignment with adat. Rather than viewing tourism solely as a threat to cultural integrity or an economic opportunity, many Baduy community members exercise agency by filtering tourism through adat-based priorities. Participation thus becomes a strategic and selective act, employed for adaptation, cultural expression, or local benefit, while refusal to participate equally reflects autonomous decision-making. By highlighting this internal diversity, the study contributes to broader debates on indigenous tourism, emphasizing the importance of moving beyond simplistic binaries. It calls for a more nuanced understanding of indigenous participation that foregrounds community-defined interests and values.

Integrating Tourism Villages Through Thematic Toursim Route Development: A Case Study in Bangka Island

Abadi Raksapati — 2025-12-31

Bangka Island, as one of the economic centres and the government hub of the Bangka Belitung Islands Province, plays a strategic role in fostering theregional self-suffiency. Bangka Island as the largest island in the Province of Bangka Belitung Islands has the largest population as well as an abundant potential resources for tourist attractions. To develop these potential reseorces into tourist attractions, the participation of host community is essential. The tourist village as a form of tourism destination should be able to play its function in optimising the various tourist attractions owned by the village by maximising existing human resources. Due to the limited human resources quality, tourist villages must collaborate with each otherin order to strengthen each other to develop their tourism products and addressing their respective shortcomings. This study tries to explore the element that can unite tourism villages on Bangka Island as a holistic tourism destination that offers variety of rural attractions. The findings show that tourism villages on Bangka Island have a common thread that can clustered tourism villages to be developed into several themes, whichthen can be used to foster several thematic tour packages that connect all the tourism villages. The recommended themes of Bangka Island tourism village development include Bangka Island Geotourism, Bangka Culture, Bangka Maritime Tourism, Bangka Typical Culinary Tourism, Animal Observation Tourism, and Bangka Typical Flora Observation Tourism.

Intellectual Property Rights and Gastronomy for Traditional Cuisine Tourism in Yogyakarta

Galih Dwi Ramadhan — 2025-12-31

Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) offer critical legal protection for human creations. While gastronomy explores the link between culture and cuisine, the intersection of IPR protection and traditional cuisine tourism remains underexplored in legal scholarship, creating a significant research gap. This paper investigates how IPR can be leveraged to promote traditional cuisine tourism in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. Employing a normative legal research method with statutory and conceptual approaches, the analysis reveals that while traditional cuisine is not directly protectable, specific elements such as unique preparation methods, branding, and commercial practices derived from culinary heritage are eligible for IPR protection by individuals, entities, or communities. The research contributes a legal framework demonstrating how these protections can be strategically owned and utilized to ensure the sustainable development and authenticity of traditional cuisine tourism in Yogyakarta.

Decarbonizing Hospitality: A Theoretical Framework for Achieving Net Zero

Mooi Kwong Anthony Tee — 2025-12-31

The compelling objective is to introduces a comprehensive theoretical framework for the Malaysian hospitality industry to achieve Net Zero status by addressing significant environmental challenges through sustainable practices. The methodology involved an extensive review of literature, policies, and sustainability initiatives, drawing on data from academic publications, government reports, industry documents, and reputable online sources. Anchored firmly in the ideals of sustainable development, systems thinking, and corporate responsibility, the framework confronts pressing challenges with a suite of strategic initiatives: from achieving Net-Zero ambitions and implementing robust policies to enhancing energy efficiency, managing waste, conserving water, and adopting sustainable procurement practices. It advocates green building standards, fosters innovation and training, and promotes active stakeholder engagement, all while embracing the circular economy and transparency. Financial incentives serve as catalysts, guiding industries toward sustainable practices; key to shrinking carbon footprints, bolstering competitiveness, and contributing meaningfully to global climate efforts. In harmony with Malaysia’s climate ambitions, this approach promises tangible benefits: cost reductions, operational improvements, and a strengthened brand reputation. The call to action is urgent, climate change demands immediate response, highlighting the profound positive ripple effects such efforts can generate for both industry and environment alike. The proposed theoretical framework is designed to guide the industry systematically toward achieving Net Zero status.