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Rojan Baniya is a doctoral student and graduate fellow at the Department of Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management at the University of Florida. His research interests include sustainable tourism, sustainable consumer behavior, and corporate social responsibility.
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in tourism are increasingly communicating their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives via their websites to build a positive image and promote customer relationships. This study examined such CSR engagement and communications by tourism SMEs in Nepal based on qualitative analysis of website content and in-depth interviews. Google search engine was used to select SMEs, and textual data were extracted from their websites. Following data saturation, a review of twenty-five websites was initially compared, and the obtained information was subsequently evaluated with information provided through individual interviews. Overall, CSR activities were largely practiced at a philanthropic level, and to some extent, at an ethical level. SMEs were primarily focused on activities related to social and environmental issues within the communities in which they operate. The results of this exploratory study provide an initial assessment of CSR among tourism SMEs in Nepal and could assist tourism associations/organizations with initiatives.
Rojan Baniya; Brijesh Thapa. CSR Communication among Tourism SMEs through Their Websites. Tourism and Hospitality 2021, 2, 319 -326.
AMA StyleRojan Baniya, Brijesh Thapa. CSR Communication among Tourism SMEs through Their Websites. Tourism and Hospitality. 2021; 2 (3):319-326.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRojan Baniya; Brijesh Thapa. 2021. "CSR Communication among Tourism SMEs through Their Websites." Tourism and Hospitality 2, no. 3: 319-326.
Gaurishankar Conservation Area (GCA) is a recently established natural-based protected area in Nepal, which has witnessed an increase in international visitors. To optimize visitor experience, it is essential to examine motivations to visit along with visitors’ characteristics and behavioral dispositions. The purpose of this study was to examine international tourists via a motive-based segmentation approach for GCA. In addition, the study also intended to identify visitor segments’ profile characteristics such as socio-demographic, travel behaviors, satisfaction, loyalty intention, and their willingness to pay for higher entrance fees. Data (N=121) were collected among international tourists visiting GCA either as a primary destination or as a transit point. Results identified three distinct segments of visitors — ‘local art and culture enthusiast’, ‘escapist’, and ‘nature adventurer.’ Each cluster was different with regards to their socio-demographics, travel behavior, satisfaction, willingness to revisit and recommend, and willingness to pay to support the environment and cultural resources, and local economy. The insights gained from motive-based segmentation can be beneficial to GCA to develop specific products and promotions and incorporate visitor monitoring & management programs.
Rojan Baniya; Brijesh Thapa; Ramesh Paudyal; Suman Shree Neupane. Motive-based segmentation of international tourists at Gaurishankar Conservation Area, Nepal. Journal of Mountain Science 2021, 18, 205 -218.
AMA StyleRojan Baniya, Brijesh Thapa, Ramesh Paudyal, Suman Shree Neupane. Motive-based segmentation of international tourists at Gaurishankar Conservation Area, Nepal. Journal of Mountain Science. 2021; 18 (1):205-218.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRojan Baniya; Brijesh Thapa; Ramesh Paudyal; Suman Shree Neupane. 2021. "Motive-based segmentation of international tourists at Gaurishankar Conservation Area, Nepal." Journal of Mountain Science 18, no. 1: 205-218.
Rojan Baniya; Humeyra Dogru-Dastan; Brijesh Thapa. Visitors' experience at Angkor Wat, Cambodia: evidence from sentiment and topic analysis. Journal of Heritage Tourism 2020, 1 -14.
AMA StyleRojan Baniya, Humeyra Dogru-Dastan, Brijesh Thapa. Visitors' experience at Angkor Wat, Cambodia: evidence from sentiment and topic analysis. Journal of Heritage Tourism. 2020; ():1-14.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRojan Baniya; Humeyra Dogru-Dastan; Brijesh Thapa. 2020. "Visitors' experience at Angkor Wat, Cambodia: evidence from sentiment and topic analysis." Journal of Heritage Tourism , no. : 1-14.
The surging interest of tourists in responsible business practices and their global popularity is making CSR imperative for tourism SMEs, including TTOs of Nepal. Consequently, there has been a rise in CSR engagements among tourism SMEs in developing countries. Nonetheless, due to limited attention by researchers, knowledge about their CSR engagement is scant. The same is also true for TTOs residing in Nepal. In such a scenario, it is prudent to generate an understanding of CSR engagement of Nepali TTOs. For this reason, this exploratory study investigated various dynamics of CSR engagement among TTOs (n=141) registered in the National Association of Tour and Travel Agents through a paper-based survey. The results showed that half of TTOs claimed that they had incorporated CSR in their mission and strategy; they exhibited positive attitudes about the benefits of CSR to businesses, customers’ favorability towards businesses simple menting CSR, and the need for a higher value to CSR within the tourism industry. Societal benefits and wellbeing, and the opportunity to market their image among customers motivated them to engage in CSR, whereas lack of resources and knowledge restrained them. Three fourth of them claimed to practice CSR of some sort, and most of them intended to continue their CSR engagement in the future. Collectively, TTOs had a positive outlook towards CSR. However, there are some deterrents for them to engage in CSR. This study provides valuable baseline insights to formulate the right plans and policies to influence CSR employment by TTOs, ultimately leading to sustainable tourism.
Rojan Baniya; Kripa Rajak. Attitude, Motivation and Barriers for CSR Engagement among Travel and Tour Operators in Nepal. Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Education 2020, 10, 53 -70.
AMA StyleRojan Baniya, Kripa Rajak. Attitude, Motivation and Barriers for CSR Engagement among Travel and Tour Operators in Nepal. Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Education. 2020; 10 ():53-70.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRojan Baniya; Kripa Rajak. 2020. "Attitude, Motivation and Barriers for CSR Engagement among Travel and Tour Operators in Nepal." Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Education 10, no. : 53-70.
Travel and tour operators (TTOs) have become increasingly and positively engaged in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) due to increased consumer awareness and responsible business practices. However, CSR engagement has not fully permeated the travel and tourism industry in Nepal as it is still considered ambiguous. There is a need to identify baseline knowledge, and to institute programs and policies for CSR engagement. This study formulated a conceptual model to empirically test the relationship between perceptions of CSR (comparative, benefits and favorability) and its association with the importance, participation and future engagement intentions among TTOs in Nepal. Data were collected via a questionnaire among TTO (n = 138) that were registered with the National Association of Tour and Travel Agents. Based on the results, CSR was deemed to be important due to customers’ favorability toward organizations that implemented related activities. This relationship influenced CSR participation and subsequently led to future intentions to engage. Overall, it was apparent that the TTOs which were essentially small and medium enterprises were focused on CSR implementation largely due to customers’ pressure and/or demand. This study provides knowledge to devise appropriate strategies to drive CSR implementation in the tourism industry via TTO in Nepal.
Rojan Baniya; Brijesh Thapa; Min-Seong Kim. Corporate Social Responsibility Among Travel and Tour Operators in Nepal. Sustainability 2019, 11, 2771 .
AMA StyleRojan Baniya, Brijesh Thapa, Min-Seong Kim. Corporate Social Responsibility Among Travel and Tour Operators in Nepal. Sustainability. 2019; 11 (10):2771.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRojan Baniya; Brijesh Thapa; Min-Seong Kim. 2019. "Corporate Social Responsibility Among Travel and Tour Operators in Nepal." Sustainability 11, no. 10: 2771.