Vol. 3 No. 1 (2019)

Editorial

Alison McIntosh, Shelagh Mooney and David Williamson

Kia ora whānau, kia ora tātou.

Welcome to the fourth issue of Hospitality Insights. The journal continues to present concise summaries of cutting-edge research and opinion that explore hospitality in all its contexts. Topics covered in this issue include ‘The Cost of Convenience’ – an opinion from the NZRA on the cost of electronic payments; ‘The Value of Indigeneity in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry in Aotearoa – Manaakitanga’; ‘Hospitality Training for Prisoners: A Second Chance?’; ‘International Visitor Surveys: More than Just Numbers’; ‘Accommodating Travellers with Pets: Is Auckland Ready?’; and finally, a reminder of the importance of social connections at work: ‘Warm Workplace Relationships – How to Retain Hospitality Employees’.

The content of this issue is highly relevant to practitioners, researchers and all fellow travellers in the hospitality community. Our industry (both in New Zealand and internationally), is increasingly being recognised as a powerful force for social good. The research presented in this issue reflects our contemporary aspirations to make Aotearoa New Zealand a more inclusive society. The range of articles show how hospitableness can be extended to the marginalised in a myriad of ways. We can enshrine the Māori principles of manaakitanga (‘warm’ hospitality) to create equality in our tourism and hospitality practices, as well as using them to welcome former prison inmates to a hopeful new career. We can implement visitor surveys to improve the wellbeing of local communities and we can also offer sincere hospitality to the travellers whose companion animals are their ‘family’. The aim of this journal remains: that by presenting this type of accessible research summary to a wide audience, the resulting engagement will lead to a more successful and sustainable hospitality community.