Building a destination-operating model for successful transformation during adversity: The case of Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt

The aim of this study is to highlight how tourism development trajectories\u27 (TDTs) boundary-spanning nexuses can be used to prevent abandonment of Egyptian tourism destinations during adversity. This study argues that this aim can be achieved by investigating rational synergistic solutions, which may ultimately help generate a corrected context for destination transformations. However, despite rising concerns about TDTs, many abandoned destinations across the globe are failing to fully integrate TDTs\u27 promises into their transformation strategies and operating models. The findings reveal that capitalizing on TDTs\u27 boundary-spanning nexuses and alignments may help create meaningful change and allow collaborative values to enable a leap forward in the ways of operating destinations. Based on findings, it is concluded that understanding TDTs\u27 interconnected links may build better contexts for destination transformation. A useful destination-operating model to address the interests of destination planners and concerns of struggling businesses for successful transformations is presented

Managing tourists’ needs and expectations: ِAn empirical analysis of the Egyptian airline sector

An in-depth review of related literature has revealed that a majority of travel and tourism researchers tend to define quality as meeting tourists’ needs and expectations. Since tourists (Passengers’) expectations of service quality may vary at different stages in the service process, it has been strongly argued that in practice, most airlines measure passenger perceptions of their service offerings in order to evaluate and understand the airline’s performance level without clear knowledge of tourists’ expectations for service in each stage. Consequently, Lack of understanding or misunderstanding such expectations could pose serious problems in resource allocation decisions. On the one hand, this study therefore attempts to develop a new service quality management instrument called TNE-Matrix, to be used as a futuristic and a predictive airline strategic planning tool, which integrate airline service bundle planning, service delivery process enhancement and service process control. The results from the survey of the Egyptian airline frontline managers and employees suggest that TNE-Matrix is highly valued as a predictive and a daily management tool, used to empower frontline employees to act on information received regarding the passengers’ needs and expectations. On the other hand, it uses SERVQUAL model to measure perceived airline service quality from the passengers’ viewpoint. The results of both steps indicated that enhancing the communication process between tourists and the airline frontline staff, and particularly flight attendants, has been highlighted as a key benefit of using the TNE-Matrix in the services delivery process and consequently in managing tourists’ needs and expectations proactively

Managing tourists’ needs and expectations: ِAn empirical analysis of the Egyptian airline sector

An in-depth review of related literature has revealed that a majority of travel and tourism researchers tend to define quality as meeting tourists’ needs and expectations. Since tourists (Passengers’) expectations of service quality may vary at different stages in the service process, it has been strongly argued that in practice, most airlines measure passenger perceptions of their service offerings in order to evaluate and understand the airline’s performance level without clear knowledge of tourists’ expectations for service in each stage. Consequently, Lack of understanding or misunderstanding such expectations could pose serious problems in resource allocation decisions. On the one hand, this study therefore attempts to develop a new service quality management instrument called TNE-Matrix, to be used as a futuristic and a predictive airline strategic planning tool, which integrate airline service bundle planning, service delivery process enhancement and service process control. The results from the survey of the Egyptian airline frontline managers and employees suggest that TNE-Matrix is highly valued as a predictive and a daily management tool, used to empower frontline employees to act on information received regarding the passengers’ needs and expectations. On the other hand, it uses SERVQUAL model to measure perceived airline service quality from the passengers’ viewpoint. The results of both steps indicated that enhancing the communication process between tourists and the airline frontline staff, and particularly flight attendants, has been highlighted as a key benefit of using the TNE-Matrix in the services delivery process and consequently in managing tourists’ needs and expectations proactively

Effects of supplemental vitamin A on reproduction and antioxidative status of aged laying hens, and growth, blood indices and immunity of their offspring

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the impacts of vitamin A (VA) supplementation in feed at levels of 0 (control), 2,000, 4,000, 6,000, and 8,000 IU VA/kg diet on the reproductive efficiency and antioxidative properties of aged Sinai laying hens at 52 wk of age (n = 300 females and 30 males) in 6 replicates (10 females + 1 male/replicate). As well as blood biochemical indicators, carcass characteristics, growth performance, immunity, and the antioxidative status of their chicks. Results showed that diets supplemented with 2,000 or 6,000 IU/kg of VA increased fertility rate and decreased early embryonic mortality (P < 0.05). Increasing VA from 4,000 to 6,000 IU/kg significantly boosted hatchability rates. All VA levels significantly enhanced glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and late embryonic mortality. In the shell gland, dietary supplementation of 6,000 or 8,000 IU/kg of VA enhanced actions of GPx actions, catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). In hatched chicks, all VA levels boosted (P < 0.05) hemoglobin, red blood cell count, and serum concentration of total proteins and IgA while decreasing eosinophils percentage and aspartate aminotransferase activity (AST) concentration. Dietary VA supplementations from 4,000 to 8,000 IU/kg improved lymphocytes, serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC), SOD, and IgM, while decreasing heterophils, heterophils/lymphocytes ratio, and creatinine in hatched chicks. Serum triglyceride concentration was reduced by adding 6,000 or 8,000 IU/kg of VA, while globulin and high-density lipoprotein concentrations were heightened only by 8,000 IU/kg of VA. It could be concluded that the dietary supplementation of VA (6,000 IU/kg) improved reproductive efficiency and antioxidative status in the liver and the shell gland of aged laying hens and improved hemato-biochemicals parameters, antioxidative status, and immunity of their offspring