Dr Hugues Séraphin
PhD
Senior Lecturer Tourism, Hospitality & Events
Oxford Brookes Business School

Role
Dr Hugues Séraphin is a Senior Lecturer in Tourism, Hospitality and Events. He joined Oxford Brookes Business School in January 2023. Hugues holds a PhD from the University of Perpignan (Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, France).
Teaching and supervision
Modules taught
- Festival and Cultural Events Management
- Planning and Delivering the Sustainable Event
- Global Visitor Economy
Research
His current research interests include:
- Sustainable Tourism / Events
- Tourism (and Events) in Post-Colonial and Post-Conflict Destinations
- Children in Tourism, Hospitality and Events
- Tourism Education
My publications can be found on ResearchGate
Research impact
Mandić, A., Pavlić, I., Puh, B., & Séraphin, H. (2023). Children and overtourism: An experiment in cognitive neuroscience to reflect on exposure and behavioural consequences, Best Paper Award, 2023 TTRA Europe Conference, April 2 4 - 2 6th 2 0 2 3 (Dijon - Burgundy, France)
Most cited paper in Journal of Teaching in Travel and Tourism, within the last 3 years (since 2020):
- Tiwari, P., Séraphin, H., & Chowdhary, N. (2021). Impacts of Covid-19 on Tourism Education: Analysis and Perspectives, Journal of Teaching Travel and Tourism
Most cited paper on Overtourism:
- Séraphin, H., Sheeran, P., & Pilato, M. (2018). Over-tourism and the fall of Venice as a destination, Journal of Destination Marketing & Management, 9, 374-376
Most cited paper in Journal of Convention and Event Tourism within the last 3 years:
- Séraphin, H. (2021). COVID-19: An opportunity to review existing grounded theories in event studies, Journal of Convention and Event Tourism, 22(1), 3-35
Article published in 'The International Journal of Management Education' which has received the most social media attention (within the last 3 years):
- Séraphin, H., Vo-Than, T. (2020). Investigating the Application of the Principles for Responsible Management Education to Resort Mini-Clubs, The International Journal of Management Education, doi: org/10.1016/j.ijme.2020.100377
Projects as Co-investigator
- Collaborative Community for Sustainability Mindset Education (led by Université de Neuchâtel)(01/10/2023 - 30/09/2025), funded by: Movetia, funding amount received by Brookes: £8,759, funded by: Movetia
Publications
Journal articles
-
Mandić A, Pavlić I, Puh B, Séraphin H, 'Children and overtourism: a cognitive neuroscience experiment to reflect on exposure and behavioural consequences'
Journal of Sustainable Tourism [online first] (2023)
ISSN: 0966-9582 eISSN: 1747-7646AbstractPublished here Open Access on RADARAs tourism research has paid limited attention to children, this study investigates children’s reactions to tourism development, focusing on their unique viewpoints on the World Heritage Site of Dubrovnik, Croatia. It employed cognitive neuroscience methods with 397 participants, revealing that, despite their preference for sustainable tourism scenarios, children exhibit a notable fixation on images emblematic of overtourism and associated challenges, particularly overcrowding. When exposed to sustainable tourism photographs, there was an observable increase in physiological arousal, albeit not as pronounced as when confronted with an overtourism scenario. Intriguingly, regardless of the scenario, children predominantly expressed neutral emotions. Within the sustainable tourism context, gender differences manifest as girls exhibiting lower levels of place attachment. Furthermore, inner-city residents exhibit diminished levels of nature connectedness, and emotions are indirectly linked to nature connectedness, place attachment, or pro-environmental behaviour. Conversely, in the unsustainable scenario, older children and inner-city residents exhibited a heightened sense of neutrality towards overtourism-related concerns, whereas those outside the inner city displayed a stronger affinity for nature connectedness. Positive emotions were negatively associated with nature connectedness and pro-environmental behaviour but positively associated with place attachment. Accordingly, this study advocates a more inclusive and sustainable future through children’s empowerment in tourism development.
-
Chaney D, Séraphin H, 'A systematic literature review and lexicometric analysis on overtourism: Towards an ambidextrous perspective'
Journal of Environmental Management 347 (2023)
ISSN: 0301-4797 eISSN: 1095-8630AbstractPublished here Open Access on RADARWhile overtourism is a relatively recent term, it has nevertheless triggered a large number of publications because of its human, environmental and social challenges. This systematic review therefore aims to take stock of the literature on overtourism. A lexicometric analysis based on 236 articles reveals that research on overtourism is highly concentrated and articulated around three main themes: the management, the experience, and the context of overtourism. The findings also suggest that academic research has so far focused on the negative impacts of overtourism. Subsequently, this study is calling for an ambidextrous approach, taking into account both the negative effects of overtourism, while also considering it as an opportunity in addressing the problem.
-
Séraphin H, Chaney D, 'A research agenda for the sustainability of the tourism industry: A childism perspective on overtourism'
Journal of Cleaner Production 414 (2023)
ISSN: 0959-6526 eISSN: 1879-1786AbstractPublished here Open Access on RADARAcademic research focusing on overtourism, and related negative impacts have overlooked the role children could have played in the sustainability of the tourism industry. This lack of interest is surprising knowing that: first, they are the future of the industry; second, when empowered they can be agents of change. Subsequently, the objective of the study is to show that research on overtourism is totally compatible with childism. Using a bibliometric and lexicometric analysis, the study suggests how the literature on overtourism has evolved over time and demonstrates the absence of children in this evolution. As a result, this study proposes a strategy for children to be involved in initiatives to mitigate the negative impacts of overtourism. Equally important, this study is providing a research method to develop a research agenda, alongside three key main area for research.
-
Smith SM, Cripps K, Stokes P, Séraphin H, 'The Principles for (Ir)Responsible Management Education: An Exploration of the Dynamics of Paradox, the Hidden Curriculum, Competencies and Symbolization'
Management Learning 54 (3) (2023) pp.384-395
ISSN: 1350-5076 eISSN: 1461-7307AbstractPublished here Open Access on RADARThis article discusses whether, as academics, we are behaving irresponsibly in the manner in which we deliver the much-vaunted Principles for Responsible Management Education. The Principles for Responsible Management Education constitutes an association and ethos which seeks to promote and infuse responsible management education into business schools and organisations. RME seeks to, inter alia, surface and challenge hegemonic neo-liberal and capitalistic meta-narratives with a view to replacing these with more value-driven, ethical, sustainable and corporately socially responsible education in business schools and business. In our article, we propose a more complementary approach – one in which Principles for Responsible Management Education/RME might work in parallel with dominant capitalistic perspectives. We do this by considering the impact of the hidden curriculum, sustainability competencies and related symbolization (through rankings and accreditations) all within the paradox-explanatory framework of organisational ambidexterity. The argument proposes that a paradoxical approach is needed that is aligned with both the capitalist norms of business society and yet, achieves the more socially orientated United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Business schools and Principles for Responsible Management Education can play an essential role in ensuring this happens. In essence, we hope to provoke thought, change and action towards the achievement of more socially and societally focused United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on which Principles for Responsible Management Education is predicated.
Books
-
Lestar T, Pilato M, Séraphin H, (ed.), Eating Together in the Twenty-first Century, Routledge (2023)
ISBN: 9781032447698AbstractPublished hereThis book presents theoretical and empirical insights on communal food and dining practices which challenge the less sustainable and often solitary lifestyles encouraged by a social system based on unlimited growth. -- Provided by publisher.
-
Séraphin H, Korstanje M, Gowreesunkar V, (ed.), Post-disaster and post-conflict tourism: Toward a new management approach, Apple Academic Publishing (2023)
ISBN: 9781774913505 eISBN: 9781003387930AbstractPublished hereThis new volume, Post-Disaster and Post-Conflict Tourism, now going into its 2nd edition, takes an in-depth look at how global geopolitical tensions and global threats affect the tourism industry and offers tools and strategies for meeting these challenges.
The book is updated with chapters that include new research, studies, and experiences, many of which consider the fall-out from the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism. It also includes five brand new chapters, for over 50 new pages of text.
With chapters by well-versed scholars who have worked as experts in post-disaster and post-conflict tourism, the book presents a host of case scenarios along with innovative strategies that can be implemented by postcolonial, post-conflict, and post-disaster destinations to encourage travel and tourism in these areas. Topics include using tourism as a vehicle for economic recovery, educating tourists at the pre-visit stage, developing and employing postcolonial branding and self-branding, using sports tourism and food events as a marketing strategy, the ethics revolving around post-disaster consumption, and much more. The new chapters discuss tourism in the age of the coronavirus pandemic and its dramatic disruptive effect on the tourism industry. The authors delve into post-COVID tourism marketing, health and wellness education and practices, ethical considerations for tourism operators, and more. A chapter also considers the challenges of sustainable supply chain management in tour operations.
With contributions from experts in this emerging field, this volume is a rich resource for travel and tourism professionals, policymakers, researchers, and others. It creates a bridge between the conceptual discussions around “dark consumption” (tourism directed to places that are identified with death and suffering) and the urgency to develop empirical models that support destination marketing organizations in a rapidly changing world. -- Provided by publisher. -
Séraphin H, (ed.), Events Management for the Infant and Youth Market, Emerald (2023)
ISBN: 9781804556917AbstractPublished hereInfants and young adults represent the future of the events industry. Yet, until now, there has been little research in this important and growing sector. Events Management for the Infant and Youth Market takes a comprehensive look at the unique challenges posed for planning and delivering events for young people. Bringing together practitioners and academics in unparalleled partnership, ground-breaking research is presented on event design and type in Europe, America, Asia, and Australia. The focus is on real-world application of ideas formed from empirical data.
Topics include: the ‘greening’ of events, factors affecting attendance, satisfaction, and the loyalty of customers, plus a detailed cross-section and analysis of stakeholders. Four types of events are covered, business, family, sports, and cultural. The scale of events encompass local community gatherings, business events, and private functions. Practical guidelines are given for the planning and delivering of these events successfully for infants and young adults. This is the future of events, as seen by leading experts and professionals. -- Provided by publisher.
Book chapters
-
Séraphin H, Cripps K, Smith SM, 'Educating Tourists at the Pre-Visit Stage' in Post-Disaster and Post-Conflict Tourism, Apple Academic Publishing (2023)
ISBN: 9781774913505 eISBN: 9781003387930AbstractPublished here Open Access on RADARIt is safe to say that global capitalism has created the conditions for a more liberal market as well as free interchange among nations. This particularly pivoted in the rise and expansion of tourism, but at the same time, it made things harder for the destinations in view of a climate of excessive competition. This chapter brings some reflection on how educating tourists to visit destinations is mainly marked by an ongoing state of political violence and instability. The thesis held by the authors stands for tourism education avoids long-dormant ethnocentric discourses based on the fear of traveling to so-called risky destinations. This begs the question to what extent behind the alarmism of tourism safety and security lies deep western ethnocentrism.
-
Séraphin H, Cripps K, Smith SM, 'Global Branding Strategy and Framework' in Post-Disaster and Post-Conflict Tourism, Apple Academic Publishing (2023)
ISBN: 9781774913505 eISBN: 9781003387930AbstractPublished here Open Access on RADARAlthough tourism marketing and management have gained firm positions over the recent years, no less true seems to be that the rules of marketing have been put upside down just after the pandemic. The DMO model has been proven to be efficient in recycling destinations in the context of crisis and chaos. This chapter delves into the world of national identities and heritage as key factors of national cohesion and unity. Having said this, the DMO model helps readers to expand their understanding of tourist preferences as well as the narratives emanating from the core of nations and sold as national heritage.
Other publications
-
Séraphin H, 'Women and Events: Inside-out and Inside-in Passive Activism', (2023)
AbstractPublished here Open Access on RADARAn empirical study based on the examination of 5048 photos uploaded by1100 female users of the dating application happn reveals that women are adopting an inside-out and inside-in passive activism attitude with regards to event related products/services to protest against the glass-ceiling situation they are facing in the events industry. The study also suggests that future research should look at other industries to see if the results can be generalised.
-
Gladkikh T, Séraphin H, 'Conclusion: What is the impact of luxury yachting on the well-being of consumers and relevant stakeholders?', (2023)
AbstractPublished here Open Access on RADARPurpose.
This concluding paper offers an overview of the academic and practitioner approaches to the issue of well-being in the luxury yachting sector of tourism, highlighting the significance of the theme issue. The paper proposes a Model of Luxury Yachting Research illustrating the relationship between the areas directly affecting well-being and suggests that the Model can serve as a road map for further research in the field.Design/methodology/approach.
This paper argues that luxury yachting could be considered as a form of tourism which contributes to the well-being of a wide range of stakeholders relevant to the sector, and not only to those who experience their holidays on board luxury yachts. It builds on the range of contributions in this theme issue, using a synthesis of the knowledge generated from this publication.Findings.
The paper argues that luxury yachting as a specific and unique sector of tourism, which presents itself as a meta economic sector, is representative of the evolution of global finance and the global economy. Additionally, luxury yachting can act as a transformative societal force which positively encompasses and impacts its relevant stakeholders and sectors. The synthesises of the articles presented in this issue identifies four main areas of further academic enquiry in the field.Originality/value.
The value of this paper is that it presents luxury yachting as a prism which enables the investigation of the issue of well-being in the context of luxury tourism. This theme issue has addressed the well-being aspect of the luxury yachting tourism and, by doing so, has emphasised the significance of luxury yachting as a field of research which is ripe for extensive academic investigation. The outcomes of the issue have informed the Model of Luxury Yachting Research, a road map which is offered as a guide for further research in the field of luxury tourism. -
Séraphin H, Yallop C, 'Rethinking the relationship between the dating services and the hospitality industry through speed dating events: Towards a partner ecosystem strategy', (2023)
Published here -
Séraphin H, Yallop A, 'Marriage à la mode: The hospitality industry’s connection to the dating services industry', (2023)
AbstractPublished here Open Access on RADARThe dating services industry has grown strongly over the past five years worldwide, with dating services increasing in popularity, contributing billions to the hospitality industry. In this opinion paper we carry out a preliminary examination of the connection between the dating industry and the hospitality industry and conduct a a pilot study as platform for further research seeking to examine the connections between these industries. The preliminary findings indicate that the dating services industry and the hospitality industry are interconnected, and that entertainment, service interaction and the hospitality venue’s ambiance are central factors to both the dating and hospitality industries. Nevertheless, future research must investigate further intersectional gaps, more specifically, to examine the synergies between business partners delivering products and services which are placed at this intersection between dating and hospitality.
-
Séraphin H, Maingi SW, 'The luxury yacht charter market and sustainable brand image: the case of Sunreef', (2023)
AbstractPublished here Open Access on RADARPurpose
Drive, power and consciousness are the corner stones for the long-term sustainability of any industry. In the luxury yachting industry, the objective of this study is to evidence through the case of sunreed yachting that environmental innovation in the yachting industry has been key to sustainability.
Design/methodology/approach
As a case study central to this paper, Sunreef has reconciled key luxury sustainability indicators to improve its brand image. This article adopted a case study approach to provide a systematic documentary analysis of online materials. It is also supported by a critical review of recent literature.
Findings
Beyond reconciling the three core components of any long-term sustainable strategy, the paper provides evidence that luxury yachting can operate without impacting negatively on the environment and local population, providing it is fully aware of the challenges faced by the planet in terms of sustainability, and that everyone has a role to play in achieving sustainability (consciousness) and also a willingness (driver) to invest in research and development (power).
Originality/value
This paper addresses the sustainability challenge in the luxury yachting industry. The case of Sunreef Yachts Eco has shown that green communication and innovations are able to reverse the unsustainable ecological trends in the yachting industry. This paper argues that “green activism” is the key encapsulating all the approaches by Sunreef, linking “consciousness”, “power” and “drivers” in sustainability yachting.
-
Séraphin H, Gladkikh T, 'Introduction: what is the impact of luxury yachting on the well-being of consumersband relevant stakeholders?', (2023)
AbstractPublished here Open Access on RADARPurpose
This introductory paper aims to provide an overview of the significance of the theme issue.Design/methodology/approach
The article explains why luxury yachting can be considered as a form of tourism which contributes to the well-being of stakeholders in the sector.Findings
Luxury yachting (tourism) can be considered as a meta economic sector because luxury yachting is a representative of the evolution of global finance and economics. Luxury yachting is also a transformative sector of activity which positively spills over to other sectors and stakeholders, contributing to the well-being of a large community.Originality/value
The value of this paper is that the paper presents luxury yachting as a prism which enables the investigation of other topics. For this reason, the article refers to luxury yachting as a meta-sector of the economy and a field of research. -
Séraphin H, Yallop AC, Kennell J, 'Connecting transformative luxury with individual and collective well-being: A conceptual approach', (2023)
AbstractPublished here Open Access on RADARPurpose – The tension between individual and collective well-being is at the core of the macromarketing
perspective, and transformative luxury research (TLR) has recently begun to consider this in the context of
luxury consumption. This conceptual paper reviews TLR in the setting of the tourism and hospitality industry.Design/methodology/approach – The study is based on a literature review in the field of marketing and
tourism management.Findings – The authors propose a TLR–management model (MM), which identifies the link between TLR and well-being, as well as four elements that are important for the success of luxury innovations: risk; trust; ethics and ambidextrous management practices. Further studies will be able to apply this conceptual model in diverse luxury markets to develop more industry-specific versions of it but should always maintain the model’s focus on individual and collective well-being to ensure that it supports the growth of transformative luxury in the future
Practical implications – The research has highlighted the benefits (individual and community well-being) of
transformative research in the field of luxury products and services, but also the requirements (taking risk,
trust and ambidextrous management) to achieve this transformative stage.Originality/value – The study provides a guideline to be followed by the luxury yachting industry to reach
its transformative potential. -
Séraphin H, 'Speed dating events: Introducing "Special interest and meso-adultainment events" as a new type of event to existing Literature', (2023)
AbstractPublished here Open Access on RADARThis study bridges the gap between three industries, namely the dating industry, the event industry, and the hospitality industry. Because of the width and depth of speed dating events, this type of event is perfectly suitable to further discuss and formulate propositions in hospitality and event management studies. From a conceptual point view, this study is supporting the fact that a new type of event should be added to the existing ones developed by Getz and Page (2020). As a result, this study has coined ‘Special Interest and Meso-adultainment events’, as a new type of event. This type of event would include entertainment and recreational activities such as speed dating events, masochism bondage events, etc. From a practical point of view, this study has revealed the fact that speed dating events are not only meeting existing needs, but have some potential to grow. In terms of future research, this study is suggesting a focus on the hospitality industry and on hospitality management studies.
Professional information
Memberships of professional bodies
- Fellow of the Higher Educations Academy (FHEA)