The aim of this study was to analyze hotel brand loyalty (HBL) based on a systematic literature review conducted according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) statements. Following these statements, we searched two databases (Scopus and Web of Science) for studies containing the term ‘hotel brand loyalty’. Additionally, the backward and forward snowballing methods were applied. Only empirical studies concerning loyalty towards brand hotels were included, resulting in 26 studies in the final review. The quality of the various studies was evaluated according to the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist. The studies included in the systematic review were analyzed in three areas: general details and study design (authorship, year of publication, type of study, research country or location, characteristic of the sample population, the purpose of stay or travel, type of hotels, hotel brands), research specifications (factors/variables, hypotheses, measurement items, data analysis), and general findings (findings related to HBL and managerial recommendations). To summarize the results, word cloud visualization was applied. For studies included in the systematic review, HBL was analyzed on two levels: in the context of factors determining the guest/tourist loyalty to the hotel brands (such as frequently mentioned brand awareness, brand image, and perceived quality) as well as those pertaining to models of brand equity. This highlighted the need for managers to perform activities in terms of brand experience and shape long-term relationships in order to strengthen loyalty to hotel brands.
Nearly 20 years after the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) epidemic, we are facing another COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the aim of our study was to analyse the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism behaviour of international students in Poland. We paid attention to the overall impact of the pandemic on life, travel, choice of tourist destination, tourism activity, ecotourism preference, and health and safety issues. We formulated two research questions: What areas of international student tourism behaviour were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic? What differences in travel behaviour occurred between international students from Europe and Asia? Participants were recruited from universities located in Warsaw between June and September 2020. A total of 806 questionnaires were collected, 87 of which were eliminated due to non-response. The research sample consisted of 719 people. Six factors were identified in the survey results: tourism inclination, impact on tourist destination, hygiene and accommodation, impact on life, impact on tourism, and mode of tourism. Impact on life and impact on tourism were attributed to the general impact dimension; tourism inclination and mode of tourism can be summarized as attitude and preference. Food and accommodation were assigned to hygiene and safety dimensions. In almost all aspects, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people’s lives was greater for Asian respondents. Asian respondents were more likely to say that they would avoid COVID-19-affected areas when choosing tourist destinations in the future, and avoid travelling to crowded large cities after COVID-19 ended. European survey participants’ responses were more moderate.
The purpose of this research is to analyze the shopping behavior of international students (Asian vs. European) studying in Poland. Participants were recruited from universities located in Warsaw between June and September 2020. A total of 806 questionnaires were collected, 87 of which were eliminated due to non-response. The research sample consisted of 719 people. We conducted an exploratory factor analysis and cluster analysis for the entire study population and separately for European and Asian students. In exploratory factor analysis, two factors were extracted for the entire population, while three factors each were extracted for the European and Asian student groups. In cluster analysis, we obtained four clusters each for the entire study population and the group of European and Asian students. Our study found that among Asian students, compared to European students, there was a greater change in shopping behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic, expressed by a greater preference for online shopping, greater purchases of fruits and vegetables, purchases of local products, and shorter shopping time.