CACTUS

By Ümit Şengel, Zeki Coşkun, Sena Uz

Cultural tourism emerges from various sources rooted in social life. Novels that explore social elements such as history, identity, and culture serve as important written sources of information, stimulating tourists’ interest in destinations. Although concepts like history and identity are abstract, they can become significant attractions when highlighted by authors’ descriptive abilities within the narrative, influencing readers and arousing their curiosity. In this context, the study aims to identify the roles of novels in cultural tourism by examining the themes of history and identity in postmodern novels. The study used the autoethnographic method and analysed Orhan Pamuk’s “The White Castle,” which compares East and West through cultural values such as history and identity, as it was considered suitable for the study’s purpose. The results indicate that the novel presents cultural differences through elements such as identity, history, religion, city, language, art, and gastronomy. The novel vividly conveys these cultural differences through the interplay of plot and description.

By Cristina-Mirabela Malaia, Vlad Diaconescu, Daniela-Elena Mocanu

The hospitality sector has been profoundly reshaped by technological innovation, societal change, and the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. These forces have redefined guest expectations, shifting focus from traditional service indicators to ethical conduct, personalization, and emotionally resonant experiences. This study explores how Romanian hotel chains address these evolving demands by fostering a value-responsive quality culture(VRQC). Using a qualitative research design with semi-structured interviews and content analysis, the paper identifies three key trends: (1) rising expectations for ethical, sustainable, and inclusive practices; (2) increased demand for personalization enabled by digital integration; and (3) greater emphasis on authenticity and emotional connection in guest experiences. Based on these findings, the article presents a VRQC framework that integrates these trends into a strategic model for improving service quality, providing practical guidance for hospitality managers and contributing to the academic discussion on quality culture in turbulent and rapidly changing environments.

By Angelina Titeryakova

Pop culture tourism, particularly media-induced tourism, is an increasingly relevant phenomenon in which travel decisions are shaped by popular media such as films, TV series, literary works, and other forms of media. This paper explores the intersection of media consumption and tourist behaviour, focusing on how audiences engage with cinematic franchises through travel and how these experiences influence travellers’ decisions. Using quantitative data collected through a questionnaire with a sample size of 116 respondents, distributed during a pop culture event – London MegaCon 2024—the study investigates the impact of demographic variables such as age, gender, and country of residence on preferences for franchise-related destinations, guided tours, and trip duration. The data were analysed with IBM SPSS and show that gender and country of origin significantly impact travel motivations, while age has less influence. A strong interest in guided tours and visits to franchise-related locations was recorded, especially among frequent travellers. The data also revealed interest in multiple franchises, suggesting that tourism experiences can be multifaceted, encompassing various fan interests rather than being tailored to a single franchise. These findings have implications for destination marketers and tourism product developers. Strategies such as immersive storytelling, customisable tour packages, and product diversification can enhance the appeal of pop culture sites.