Each summary explains what the team did, what they found, and why it matters. Last updated October 19, 2026.
Robots
Occupational gender stereotyping of humanoid robots in hospitality
Y. Gultekin, Z. Cilingir Uk, S. Dogan, C. Cobanoglu · Information Technology & Tourism, 2026
What they did
Researchers asked 401 U.S. consumers to picture robots working nine different hotel jobs and, without asking about gender directly, say whether each robot felt like a "he" or a "she".
What they found
People gave robots the same job stereotypes they give humans. Only the receptionist and housekeeper robots were mostly seen as female. The other seven roles, such as concierge, valet, and maintenance, were mostly seen as male.
So what?
Guests bring their old assumptions to new technology. Hotels choosing a robot's voice, name, and look should decide on purpose, so they do not accidentally copy outdated stereotypes.
Smart destinations
Can digital twins redefine destination management? A socio-technical framework from a machine learning driven systematic review
W. Ali, C. Cobanoglu · International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 2026
What they did
A digital twin is a living virtual copy of a place that updates in real time. This study used a machine learning method to read through the scattered research on digital twins in tourism destinations.
What they found
The research field is fragmented. The paper maps it into four main themes and shows how digital twins can support planning, sustainability, crisis response, and visitor experience.
So what?
Cities and tourism boards could test decisions, such as managing crowds or responding to a disaster, in a virtual copy before doing it for real. Success depends on people and institutions working together, not just on the technology.
Tourism and society
Can tourism establish peace? New evidence from global panel data
E. Kocak, M. Cavusoglu, A. Acar, C. Cobanoglu · International Journal of Tourism Research, 2026
What they did
The study looked at data from countries around the world to see whether more tourism goes together with more peace, both the absence of violence and the presence of trust and strong institutions.
What they found
Tourism was consistently linked with less violence and conflict. For deeper, lasting peace, tourism helped most in countries with low peace levels and made little difference in countries already very peaceful.
So what?
Tourism is a useful peace-building tool, especially where peace is most fragile. It is a help, not a cure-all, so governments should combine it with other efforts.
Marketing
How ecotourism website design drives booking intentions: evidence from eye-tracking
S. B. Bayar, D. Skandali, I. Yfantidou, C. Cobanoglu · Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Horizons, 2026
What they did
Researchers tracked where 62 people looked on a test ecotourism website, then surveyed 196 people and interviewed 18 to learn what made them want to book.
What they found
Text caught most of the attention (62 percent of viewing time), but food photos drew first glances more than twice as long as generic landscapes. Travelers were most likely to book when detailed sustainability text matched an official ecolabel.
So what?
Small eco-lodges and tour operators can win bookings by pairing real sustainability details with a recognized eco-label, and by showing the local food, not just the scenery.
Sustainability
Is there a nexus between tourism development and energy transition in Asia-Pacific countries?
E. Kocak, C. Cobanoglu, A. G. Yucel · Current Issues in Tourism, 2026
What they did
The paper studied 23 Asia-Pacific countries from 2000 to 2019 to see how growing tourism relates to energy use and clean energy.
What they found
More tourism went along with using energy more efficiently, but also with less use of clean energy.
So what?
Tourism growth alone will not green a country's energy. Governments should pair tourism growth with incentives for renewable energy.
Metaverse
Sustainability of tourism and recreation in transition from the real world to the metaverse
B. Gulcan, D. Erdem, S. B. Bayar, C. Cobanoglu, A. Yuce · Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, 2026
What they did
The study interviewed 25 tourism and recreation professionals about whether virtual worlds can make tourism more sustainable.
What they found
Experts saw virtual tourism as a way to reach more people, ease overcrowding, and include travelers who cannot easily travel. They also worried about the energy that virtual platforms use and whether the experience feels authentic.
So what?
The metaverse looks best as a partner to real travel, not a replacement. It can take pressure off popular places while real visits stay special.