Introduction to the thematic issue: transformative relationships between tourism and technology

Purpose The article offers a thorough and insightful examination of the transformative role technology plays in the tourism industry by introducing the articles of the thematic issue. Design/methodology/approach The discussion approach involves reviewing relevant literature and providing a detailed description of each article in the thematic issue. In particular, the issue consists of a compilation that includes a series of research articles, case studies and theoretical discussions; quantitative and qualitative research enquiries that examine various aspects of tourism technology, such as cybersecurity, digital marketing, smart tourism initiatives, the role of social media and the impact of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence through different perspectives of discussion. Findings Each article provides useful conclusions that shed light on the various ways that technologies can transform and revolutionize the tourism industry. Technology and tourism have a reciprocal relationship, where technology not only transforms tourism but also shapes it. Originality/value This thematic issue contributes and provides new insights into the evolving dynamics of tourism and technology, offering a multidisciplinary perspective that bridges theoretical frameworks and practical applications for industry stakeholders

Lived experiences of migrant and refugee parents: Challenges encountered during their journey and settlement in Europe

Parenting in the context of migration presents a unique set of challenges for refugee parents, who must navigate the cultural norms and expectations of both their home and resettlement countries while balancing their daily parenting responsibilities and practices. This study aims to provide a critical analysis of the experiences, needs, and challenges faced by migrant and refugee parents during their journey and settlement in Europe, as recounted through their personal narratives. Utilizing a qualitative approach, the researchers collected twenty-seven life narratives of migrant and/or refugee parents through purposive sampling. An analysis of the narratives identified four overarching themes that represent the primary challenges faced by refugee families and the need for support. These macro-themes include up rootedness, spatio-temporal uncertainty, trauma and abuses, and parental powerlessness. Parental powerlessness emerged as a synthesis of the causes of trauma from the previous three challenges and highlights the increased loss of parental identity and self-conflict that refugee parents experience. The study reveals that refugee parents face various challenges and barriers, such as language barriers, lack of information and awareness, and cultural differences. It is crucial for healthcare providers and policymakers to consider these findings and develop targeted interventions, such as utilizing interpreters, cultural mediators, and providing culturally sensitive and appropriate healthcare and educational services, as well as implementing specific policies to enhance the health and well-being of refugee parents and their children

Recording of Historic Buildings and Monuments for FEA: Current Practices and Future Directions

Cultural heritage (CH) sites and monuments share significant historical and cultural value, but at the same time, these are highly vulnerable to deterioration due to age, construction methods, and materials used. Therefore, stability studies for CH structures through numerical analyses allow researchers and stakeholders to safeguard them against time and exposure to hazards. To obtain reliable results for stability studies, detailed and accurate geometric documentation is needed prior to any modeling or simulation. In this context, geomatics technologies like LiDAR and photogrammetry can offer great support in documenting their structural integrity, providing efficient, non-invasive data collection methods that generate 3D point clouds. Nevertheless, despite the benefits, geomatic methods remain underutilized in structural engineering due to limitations in converting 3D point clouds directly for use in finite element modeling (FEM) analysis. The paper aims to review current approaches for the generation of FE models for structural analysis employing data obtained from 3D digital surveys. Each approach is described in detail, providing examples from literature and highlighting its advantages and disadvantages. Studies show that analysis accuracy depends strongly on point cloud level of detail, underlining the importance of precise geomatic surveys. Emerging workflows and semi-automated methods enable point clouds to be integrated with BIM (building information modeling) and FEM, thereby enhancing the contribution that laser scanning techniques and 3D modeling provide for the analysis of the stability of structures belonging to cultural heritage

Niche Tourism and Sustainability : Perspectives, Practices and Prospects

Niche tourism, also known as special interest tourism, refers to specialized tourism products offered to a small group of tourists. Examples include ecotourism, rural tourism, birdwatching tourism, dark tourism and motorcycle tourism. Regarded as the antidote to mass tourism, niche tourism has become particularly popular in recent years as a tourism developmental option that can address the problems caused by mass tourism including overtourism. It is commonly acknowledged that niche tourism fosters responsible tourism practices, minimizes negative tourism impacts and helps preserve the environment and culture of destinations; thereby, promoting sustainability in tourism. Likewise, niche tourism seems to be better equipped to address the needs and preferences of today's sophisticated and diverse tourist market. Despite these advantages, niche tourism development faces challenges such as overlap with mass tourism due to growing numbers of visitors, promotion of products that are not environmentally friendly and limited economic benefits being directed to the local community. This book is a collection of 12 conceptual and empirical chapters presenting niche tourism cases from around the world. It examines tourist behaviour and experiences, resident perspectives, implementation practices and future prospects, and contributes to the debate on tourism development and sustainability

Effect of Dy2O3 on the phase formation and electrical properties of Tl-1223 HTS

TlBa2Ca2Cu3DyxO8+δ superconductor samples (x = 0–0.075) were prepared by a two-step solid-state reaction technique to investigate the impact of Dy2O3 (dysprosium sesquioxide) addition on the formation and the transport properties of the Tl-1223 phase. The samples were analyzed using X-ray powder diffraction, AC susceptibility, and high-harmonics temperature dependence to study the effects of Dy2O3 on phase formation, superconducting transition temperature Tc, and the intergrain critical current density Jc. XRD results revealed that the prepared samples are nearly single-phases Tl-1223 with a tetragonal structure. Tc is not suppressed as Dy content increased, while Jc increased up to x = 0.025, then decreased with a further increase in x. Our findings show that the presence of dysprosium sesquioxide promotes the high-Tc phase and enhances the transport critical current densities

Unique Needs and Challenges Experienced by Young People With Stroke: An International Qualitative Analysis

Stroke in young adults has a lifelong impact on activities of daily life, including driving, leisure, and community-based activities; social participation; and reduced productivity. The needs of young people with stroke (YPwS) are likely to vary across different countries, and the development of age-adapted information and interventions is therefore critical in addressing those needs. This study aims to (1) identify the unmet needs of people with stroke aged 18 to 55 years across countries with varied income levels and cultural backgrounds and (2) determine their preferred means to access knowledge and information about stroke in the young.This project was funded by the Future Stroke Leaders project grant from the World Stroke Organization

Laser Acrobatics: A Picture Book of Cutting, Engraving and Making

Laser Acrobatics is a log book of experimental methods performed on a CO2 laser cutter from the perspective of the maker. It sprung from an unfulfilled personal need for more creative visual stimuli regarding the creative prospects of laser cutting technology. It is based on experiential learning through trial and error by testing material limits along with using the laser in “unorthodox” ways. Attempts which are usually classified as mistakes were purposefully documented as they may provide creative solutions to other disciplines. It is a record of possibilities which arise from popular processes as well as the “what nots” of laser cutters. It aims to complement mainstream information found in online discussion groups, commercial laser websites and books