Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine and provide insights into one of the most influential technologies impacting the tourism and hospitality industry over the next five years, i.e. big data and analytics. It reflects on both opportunities and risks that such technological advances create for both consumers and tourism organisations, highlighting the importance of data governance and processes for effective and ethical data management in both tourism and hospitality. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on a review of academic and industry literature and access to trends data and information from a series of academic and industry databases and reports to examine how big data and analytics shape the future of the industry and the associated risks and opportunities. Findings This paper identifies and examines key opportunities and risks posed by the rising technological trend of big data and analytics in tourism and hospitality. While big data is generally regarded as beneficial to tourism and hospitality organisations, there are extensively held ethical, privacy and security concerns about it. Therefore, the paper is making the case for more research on data governance and data ethics in tourism and hospitality and posits that to successfully use data for competitive advantage, tourism and hospitality organisations need to solely expand compliance-based data governance frameworks to frameworks that include more effective privacy and ethics data solutions. Originality/value This paper provides useful insights into the use of big data and analytics for both researchers and practitioners and offers new perspectives on the debate on data governance and ethical data management in both tourism and hospitality. Because forecasts from the UNWTO indicate a significant increase in international tourist arrivals (1.8 billion tourist arrivals by 2030), the ways tourism and hospitality organisations manage customers’ data become important.

Purpose In addition to data transforming the insurance sector from within, insurance consumers and their behaviour has transformed significantly over the past 20 years from traditional retail to, predominantly, online trading. Data are a fundamental part of how the sector operates, and the use of data in insurance is constantly evolving. This paper aims to explore consumer perceptions about digital privacy and their subsequent motivations to disclose personal data for insurance purposes. Design/methodology/approach The study uses an exploratory research approach based on in-depth interviews to generate metathemes to provide an understanding of consumer perceptions about digital privacy and data sharing in the insurance sector. Findings Consumers were extrinsically motivated to disclose data by financial reward and convenience; however, subsequent intrinsic motivations may be an influence on the initial motivations. Consumers perceived transactions as “fair” if they received the expected rewards, retained control of the data, and the data was not unilaterally used to their detriment. Concern for privacy was generally low, provided antecedent conditions were met. Research limitations/implications As the study uses an exploration for discovery approach, the main limitation of this study is its small sample. However, this research aimed to identify metathemes and issues that may be the focus of future research in this area and is, therefore, not proposing to suggest strong conclusions and definitive answers. Originality/value This paper presents the first empirical research to examine data privacy issues in the UK insurance context. It contributes to knowledge in the areas of motivation, applied ethics and online consumer behaviour in general.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the link between history (heritage) and tourism marketing (destination branding). More specifically, the paper focusses on how heritage is used by private- and public-sector tourism organisations of post-colonial, post-conflict and post-disaster (PCCD) destinations in their branding strategy. In particular, the paper investigates how these organisations use heritage in their branding and logo design. Design/methodology/approach Within the paradigm of theory building and exploratory approach, this conceptual study is based on a narrative literature review and analysis of research and secondary data on Haiti. The study uses visual research methods to examine and reveal the basis and composition of logos of both private- and public-sector organisations in Haiti. Findings The findings of this paper suggest that capturing the essence of the destination is critical for any visual identification (i.e. logos), and that the visual identification can either adjust representation of past events to the time being (heritage) or move away from the past with clear expectations for the future. Such findings are reflected within the new marketing strategies adopted by the Haitian destination marketing organisation (DMO) and a private resort that we used as examples. Both moved from an idiosyncratic identity-based logo to a universal “sea-and-sun” stereotyped one that goes against heritage for which authenticity is the most important criterion. Practical implications The findings of this research may help destination managers in general, and DMOs in PCCD destinations in particular, to design logos aligned with their marketing and branding strategies. The findings of the paper may also assist industry experts in designing logos that communicate with potential tourists, by leveraging heritage to influence their emotion and decision making. Originality/value This paper represents one of the first papers in tourism research that examines branding strategies of both public and private sectors in the context of Haiti. The research contributes to the body of knowledge on heritage and destination marketing by exploring the role of heritage in the Caribbean area’s branding and marketing strategies.

Purpose Big data and analytics are being increasingly used by tourism and hospitality organisations (THOs) to provide insights and to inform critical business decisions. Particularly in times of crisis and uncertainty data analytics supports THOs to acquire the knowledge needed to ensure business continuity and the rebuild of tourism and hospitality sectors. Despite being recognised as an important source of value creation, big data and digital technologies raise ethical, privacy and security concerns. This paper aims to suggest a framework for ethical data management in tourism and hospitality designed to facilitate and promote effective data governance practices. Design/methodology/approach The paper adopts an organisational and stakeholder perspective through a scoping review of the literature to provide an overview of an under-researched topic and to guide further research in data ethics and data governance. Findings The proposed framework integrates an ethical-based approach which expands beyond mere compliance with privacy and protection laws, to include other critical facets regarding privacy and ethics, an equitable exchange of travellers’ data and THOs ability to demonstrate a social license to operate by building trusting relationships with stakeholders. Originality/value This study represents one of the first studies to consider the development of an ethical data framework for THOs, as a platform for further refinements in future conceptual and empirical research of such data governance frameworks. It contributes to the advancement of the body of knowledge in data ethics and data governance in tourism and hospitality and other industries and it is also beneficial to practitioners, as organisations may use it as a guide in data governance practices.

PurposeThe purpose of this commentary is to reflect on the transformative changes organisations experience, in the form of increased use of emergent information and communication technologies (ICTs), as a significant factor in enabling the continuation of normal business practices during the COVID-19 pandemic, and subsequent key ethical considerations in the use of new technology by organisations.Design/methodology/approachThis commentary adopts a reflective approach and is based on a review of theories on diffusion of innovation, dynamic capabilities and data ethics and governance, as well as up-to-date business reports to reflect on the ethical implications of new technologies for organisations.FindingsOrganisations from different industries and sectors around the world have experienced major disruptive changes because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Adoption and integration of new ICTs occurred at an accelerated pace in a collective effort to maintain “business as usual”. The use of emergent technologies is not without risks. The commentary argues that, in times of crisis, it is vital that organisations address the growing concerns around privacy and security of personal data by designing effective data governance frameworks that go beyond a mere compliance with existing policies and prevailing data privacy and protection laws to ensure data security and protection for all stakeholders.Originality/valueThis commentary is making the case for more considered approaches to data governance and data ethics in business following the unprecedented challenges posed by the recent COVID-19 pandemic and suggests possible ways of moving forward from an ethical perspective.