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The International Hospitality Review (IHR) invites scholars and researchers to submit papers for a special ongoing annual issue dedicated to exploring managerial takeaways for the hospitality and tourism industry. This special issue aims to highlight research with direct applications for industry professionals, focusing on the real-world challenges and opportunities faced by organizations in the sector.
We encourage contributions that:
• Focus on operational insights for hospitality and tourism practitioners.
• Draw from previously published, double-blind peer-reviewed articles in reputable journals.
• Provide insights applicable to industry professionals.
Topics for the Special Issue
• Soft Skills and Interpersonal Communication: Addressing critical soft skills gaps, including empathy, genuine hospitality, interpersonal communication, storytelling abilities, and maintaining professionalism; Developing effective training methods that enhance eye contact, guest engagement, and reduced reliance on digital devices during guest interactions.
• Innovative Leadership Development and Initiatives: Exploring approaches to fostering leadership skills, self-motivation, initiative, and proactivity among employees.
• Digital Literacy and Technological Integration: Evaluating essential digital competencies (CRM platforms, Excel, QuickBooks) for new hires in hospitality; Strategies to integrate (generative) AI and emerging technologies effectively into hospitality operations to enhance efficiency and guest experiences.
• Modernizing Recruiting, Hiring, and Talent Retention: Education’s role in preparing students for job interviews and training future managers in successful recruiting techniques; Reducing turnover through improved hiring processes, employee engagement, and realistic job previews in hospitality and tourism roles; Addressing challenges posed by gig economy competition on hospitality employment and talent availability.
• Organizational Change and Asset Management: Insights into managing organizational change, adaptability to shifting business demands, and maintaining flexibility; Effective strategies in hospitality asset management and asset preservation, emphasizing sustainable practices and resource optimization.
• Sustainability and Future-Proofing the Hospitality Industry: Addressing the integration of sustainability into hospitality practices, aligning with increased consumer expectations and global industry trends; Practical implementation and management of sustainable initiatives (environmental, operational, economic sustainability).
• Guest Relations and Customer Experience: Innovations and improvements in guest relations, service quality, and enhancing guest experiences in hospitality settings; Leveraging training to build employee enthusiasm, genuine caring, and consistent, high-quality guest interactions.
• Workforce Readiness and Professionalism: Enhancing workforce professionalism, emphasizing punctuality, attendance reliability, professional attire, and business etiquette; Bridging the gap between academic training and workplace realities, setting clear professional expectations early in the educational experience.
Submission Guidelines:
• Submissions will be made under the practitioner paper article type in the technical paper category.
• Papers should be heavily focused on operational insights or managerial takeaways.
• No more than 500 words on background and methods.
• A literature review is not required.
• Manuscripts must be based on your previously published research that has undergone double-blind peer review (acknowledged in the background).
• While based on the prior article, the content must be rewritten to be significantly different from the prior publication.
• Manuscripts should not exceed 2,500 words in total length.
• Authors must use accessible language without jargon or acronyms, and concise sentences.
• Authors must follow the Search Engine Optimization (SEO) recommendations outlined by Emerald Publishing (available at Emerald SEO Guidelines).
• Authors are encouraged to use direct, actionable headings and sub-headings that guide the reader (e.g., “How to Improve Employee Retention” or “Steps to Enhance Guest Satisfaction)
Suggested Structure:
• Title: Catchy and relevant in 10 words or less
• Background: Describe the research purpose and relevance that addresses a pressing issue in the hospitality industry
• Key Findings: Summarize the findings of the study in plain language (any methods that are deemed absolutely necessary for understanding, such as a sample description, would be in this section)
• Actionable Insights: Main section with specific, detailed recommendations for practitioners
• Real World Example/ Case: Optional, but highly encouraged examples of how to apply the recommendations.
• Visual Aids: Optional, but highly recommended to enhance understanding and readership (i.e., flow charts, models, frameworks, tools, etc.)
• Conclusion: key takeaways and/or action items
About the Journal:
International Hospitality Review (IHR) is an open-access journal committed to fostering scientific exchange and knowledge transfer on international hospitality topics. We publish cutting-edge research on a variety of topics including:
• Functional areas of management
• Marketing and sales strategies
• Public relations, promotions, and legal issues
• Personnel management and organizational development
• Technology applications in hospitality
As a Diamond Open Access journal, IHR ensures that all articles are freely accessible to readers, at no cost to authors, promoting wide dissemination and impact. Submissions undergo a double-blind peer review process and are subject to rigorous academic standards.
Submission Process:
Please submit your manuscript through the IHR submission portal:
We look forward to receiving your contributions that advance both academic understanding and practical applications in the hospitality and tourism industry.
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