Yehia Elzek

@usc.edu.eg

Tourism Studies Department/ Faculty of Tourism and Hotels
University of Sadat City

Yehia Elzek


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https://researchid.co/yehia

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Tourism Studies
11

Scopus Publications

335

Scholar Citations

9

Scholar h-index

8

Scholar i10-index

Scopus Publications

  • Behavioural motivators of solo female travel in non-western contexts: empirical evidence
    Shaymaa Abdul-Wahab El-Sisi, Yehia Elzek, Mohammad Soliman, Bassam Samir Al-Romeedy
    Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, 2026
    Purpose This study draws on the self-determination theory (SDT) and theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to underscore the fundamental factors driving females’ attitudes and intentions towards solo travel. Additionally, it investigates the mediating influence of attitude towards solo travel and the moderating impact of online psychological–social support. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative method was utilised, employing an online survey to collect data from 445 Egyptian females. Findings Using PLS-SEM, the results revealed that female attitude towards solo travel is influenced by novelty and relaxation, while self-actualisation and self-esteem showed no significant impact. Females’ attitude acts as a mediator between novelty, relaxation and their travel intention, but not between self-actualisation, self-esteem and intention. Additionally, the moderating role of online psychological–social support was not upheld. Research limitations/implications This paper offers numerous theoretical implications. By integrating SDT and TPB, it outlines the factors shaping Egyptian females’ attitudes and intentions towards solo travel, highlighting the role of culturally specific motivators. Practical implications Practically, the results highlight the need for tourism marketers and destination managers to design and promote experiences that emphasise novelty and opportunities for relaxation, as these are key drivers of positive attitudes and intentions towards solo female travel. In addition, the findings suggest that digital communities currently play a limited role in fostering travel intentions, presenting opportunities to develop stronger online platforms that better support solo female travel. Originality/value The present paper is novel in its examination of solo female travel motivations and behavioural intention within a non-western context, an area underexplored in tourism literature, especially in the Middle East region. It introduces an empirically grounded behavioural model using data from Egypt, capturing culturally specific motivators, thereby enriching global tourism scholarship.
  • Augmented reality and water cultural heritage: a comprehensive model for destination evangelism
    Yehia Elzek, Hamada Hussein, Mohammad Soliman
    Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, 2026
    Purpose This study aims to examine the use of augmented reality (AR) and its consequences in the water cultural heritage (WCH) destination. It introduces an integrative model to assess attitudes toward AR, intentions to use (IU) and its sequential impacts on destination visit intentions (DVIs) as determined by perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEU). This study also tests the relationship between DVI and destination evangelism (DEV), with particular focus on the mediating variables of destination engagement and self-congruity (SC). Design/methodology/approach Partial least squares structural equation modelling was used to analyse the data collected from visitors to Egyptian WCH sites. Findings Findings revealed that PU and PEU had a considerable effect on AR attitudes and intention to use AR. In addition, DVI was substantially related to DEV, where destination engagement and SC had a significant mediating relationship. Research limitations/implications This work extends the technology acceptance model (TAM) to the AR-enabled WCH context by linking the TAM core variables to DVI and DEV and by incorporating destination engagement and SC as mediators. However, findings may be limited by sample scope and contextual specificity. Practical implications This empirical research offers concise guidance for heritage destination managers and marketers on the use of AR to enhance visitor experiences and stimulate advocacy. It highlights the importance of designing AR applications aligned with visitors' self-concepts to strengthen engagement, increase visit intentions, and foster DEV in WCH sites. Originality/value The study expands the knowledge about the use of AR in heritage tourism and strategies that can be employed to increase engagement and advocacy behaviours.
  • Sustainable tourism certification: a systematic literature review and suggested ways forward
    Sayed Elhoushy, Yehia Elzek, Xavier Font
    Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 2026
  • The power of professionalism: Enhancing tour guide impact on visitors’ experience and satisfaction to foster visitor sustainable behaviour
    Hassan Aideed, Ahmed Mohamed Elbaz, Islam Elbayoumi Salem, Hamada Hussein, Yehia Elzek
    Tourism and Hospitality Research, 2025
    Distinguishing between tour guide performance and professionalism is crucial for understanding their distinct contributions to fostering visitor sustainable behavior. Therefore, this study aims to explore the moderating role of the tour guide’s professionalism in the relationship between visitor experience, satisfaction, and sustainable behaviour. It also examines the impact of the tour guide’s performance on sustainable behaviour through the mediating role of visitors’ experiences and satisfaction. To test the proposed conceptual framework, we ran a PLS-SEM analysis on 249 visitors. Drawing on expectancy disconfirmation theory (EDT), the findings show that tour guide performance encourages sustainable visitor behaviour, improves their experience, and achieves satisfaction. Besides, tour guide professionalism amplifies these effects, highlighting its crucial function in fostering positive outcomes through experience, satisfaction, and enduring conduct. Our findings present significant implications for the tourism industry decision-makers, travel agents, tour operators, and tour guides in particular, as well as the research community.
  • The impact of nepotism and workplace gossip on job performance in travel agencies and hotels in Egypt: the moderating role of organizational justice
    Hazem Ahmed Khairy, Yehia Elzek
    Journal of Human Resources in Hospitality and Tourism, 2024
  • Talent management and sustainable performance in travel agents: do green intellectual capital and green servant leadership matter?
    Yehia Shihata Elzek, Mohammad Soliman, Hafidh Al Riyami, Noel Scott
    Current Issues in Tourism, 2024
  • Perceived Environmental Corporate Social Responsibility Effect on Green Perceived Value and Green Attitude in Hospitality and Tourism Industry: The Mediating Role of Environmental Well-Being
    Hazem Ahmed Khairy, Yehia Elzek, Nadir Aliane, Mohamed Fathy Agina
    Sustainability Switzerland, 2023
    This study examines how green perceived value (GPV) and green attitude (GA) are affected by environmental corporate social responsibility (ECSR). It also investigates the mediating role of environmental well-being (EWB) on the relationship between ECSR and GA and on the relationship between ECSR and GPV. A total of 910 responses gathered from the guests of travel agencies and 5-star hotels in Egypt were analyzed using PLS-SEM. The results showed positive relationships between ECSR with GA, EWB, and GPV. Positive relationships between EWB with GA and GPV also existed. In addition, there was a mediating role of EWB in the relationship between ECSR and GA and in the relationship between ECSR and GPV. The research provides a theoretical contribution to bridging the gap in studies related to ECSR and EWB in relation to GPV and GA, specifically in the tourism and hotel sector. Practically, the research provides the tourism and hotel enterprises with recommendations to improve ECSR and EWB—this could, in turn, positively impact the GPV and GA of their guests. Limitations and potential directions for future research were also presented.
  • What will the Entrepreneurial Students of Tourism and Hotels Intent to do After Graduation? Self-Employment or Green Entrepreneurship
    International Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Systems, 2023
  • The Impact of Tourism Seasonality on Employees’ Entrepreneurship Intention and Intention to Leave in Egyptian Tourism and Hospitality Industry: The Moderating Role of Internal Corporate Social Responsibility
    African Journal of Hospitality Tourism and Leisure, 2023
  • The impact of green innovation on sustainability performance in travel agencies and hotels: The moderating role of environmental commitment
    International Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Systems, 2021
  • The Effect of Green Human Resource Management on Green Organizational Behaviors: Evidence from Egyptian Travel Agencies
    African Journal of Hospitality Tourism and Leisure, 2021

RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • The Power of AI Literacy in Developing Students' Innovative Behavior and Wellbeing in Tourism and Hospitality Education: The Roles of Creative Self-Efficacy and Learning Agility
    S Abdelrahman, Y Elzek, A Aborya
    2026 International Conference on AI Innovations and Industry (ICAIII), 1-5 , 2026
    2026
  • Behavioural motivators of solo female travel in non-western contexts: empirical evidence
    SAW El-Sisi, Y Elzek, M Soliman, BS Al-Romeedy
    Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights 9 (3), 1236-1255 , 2026
    2026
    Citations: 4
  • Augmented reality and water cultural heritage: a comprehensive model for destination evangelism
    Y Elzek, H Hussein, M Soliman
    Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, 1-20 , 2026
    2026
  • Sustainable tourism certification: a systematic literature review and suggested ways forward
    S Elhoushy, Y Elzek, X Font
    Journal of Sustainable Tourism 34 (2), 355-381 , 2026
    2026
    Citations: 31
  • The Role of Marketing Improvisation in Achieving Marketing Agility in Airlines: The Mediating Role of Marketing Vigilance
    AE Saad, A Refaat, R Abouzeid, Y Elzek
    مجلة کلية السياحة والفنادق-جامعة مدينة السادات 9 (1), 43-66 , 2025 ‎
    2025
  • The power of professionalism: Enhancing tour guide impact on visitors’ experience and satisfaction to foster visitor sustainable behaviour
    H Aideed, AM Elbaz, IE Salem, H Hussein, Y Elzek
    Tourism and Hospitality Research, 14673584251350782 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 6
  • Designing Tourist Souvenirs inspired by Mamlūk Ranks as a tool for Marketing Islamic Art and Antiquities
    H Hassan Hemeda, Y Shihata Elzek
    مجلة کلية السياحة والفنادق-جامعة مدينة السادات 8 (1), 27-59 , 2024 ‎
    2024
    Citations: 2
  • The impact of organizational virtuousness on job burnout and work engagement in the tourism and hospitality industry: the moderating role of organizational support Mamdouh
    H Younes, H Elsawalhy, Y Elzek, M Al-Saied
    Journal of the Faculty of Tourism and Hotels-University of Sadat City 8 (1/1 … , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 4
  • The impact of organizational inertia on organizational performance in travel agencies and hotels: The moderating effect of organizational agility
    G Ibrahim, YEH Elsawalhy
    Journal of the Faculty of Tourism and Hotels-University of Sadat City 8 (1/2) , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 9
  • The impact of nepotism and workplace gossip on job performance in travel agencies and hotels in Egypt: the moderating role of organizational justice
    HA Khairy, Y Elzek
    Journal of Human Resources in Hospitality & Tourism 23 (1), 52-75 , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 22
  • Perceived environmental corporate social responsibility effect on green perceived value and green attitude in hospitality and tourism industry: The mediating role of …
    HA Khairy, Y Elzek, N Aliane, MF Agina
    Sustainability 15 (6), 4746 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 65
  • The impact of tourism seasonality on employees’ entrepreneurship intention and intention to leave in Egyptian tourism and hospitality industry: The moderating role of internal …
    S City
    2023
    Citations: 12
  • Talent management and sustainable performance in travel agents: do green intellectual capital and green servant leadership matter?
    Y Elzek, M Soliman, H Al Riyami, N Scott
    Current Issues in Tourism, 1-16 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 53
  • What will the entrepreneurial students of tourism and hotels intent to do after graduation: self-employment or green entrepreneurship
    H Elsawalhy, Y Elzek
    International Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Systems 16 (2), 81 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 9
  • The Impact of Female Students’ Capabilities on Women’s Empowerment for Achieving Sustainable Tourism Development: Evidence from Egyptian Faculties of Tourism and Hotels
    Y Elzek
    Quality of Life, 5-27 , 2022
    2022
  • The Impact of Green Innovation on Sustainability Performance in Travel Agencies and Hotels: The Moderating Role of Environmental Commitment
    Y Elzek, H Gaafar, H Abdelsamie
    International Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Systems 14 (2), 15-24 , 2021
    2021
    Citations: 62
  • The Effect of Green Human Resource Management on Green Organizational Behaviors: Evidence from Egyptian Travel Agencies
    G Hebatallah, Y Elzek, B Al-Romeedy
    African Journal of Hospitality Tourism and Leisure 10 (4), 1339-1356 , 2021
    2021
    Citations: 36
  • Evaluation of Sustainable Tourism Investment in Tourism Businesses: Evidence from Egypt
    Y Elzek, H Gaafar, H Abdelsamie
    Journal of the Faculty of Tourism and Hotels-University of Sadat City 4 (2/2) , 2020
    2020
    Citations: 10
  • Practices of Tourism Innovation in Tourism Industry: The Case Study of Egypt
    Y Elzek, H Gaafar, H Abdelsamie
    Journal of the Faculty of Tourism and Hotels-University of Sadat City 4 (1/2) , 2020
    2020
    Citations: 8
  • GREEN INNOVATION AS A TOOL FOR ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE TOURISM INVESTMENT IN EGYPT
    Y Elzek
    University of Sadat City , 2020
    2020

MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • Perceived environmental corporate social responsibility effect on green perceived value and green attitude in hospitality and tourism industry: The mediating role of …
    HA Khairy, Y Elzek, N Aliane, MF Agina
    Sustainability 15 (6), 4746 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 65
  • The Impact of Green Innovation on Sustainability Performance in Travel Agencies and Hotels: The Moderating Role of Environmental Commitment
    Y Elzek, H Gaafar, H Abdelsamie
    International Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Systems 14 (2), 15-24 , 2021
    2021
    Citations: 62
  • Talent management and sustainable performance in travel agents: do green intellectual capital and green servant leadership matter?
    Y Elzek, M Soliman, H Al Riyami, N Scott
    Current Issues in Tourism, 1-16 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 53
  • The Effect of Green Human Resource Management on Green Organizational Behaviors: Evidence from Egyptian Travel Agencies
    G Hebatallah, Y Elzek, B Al-Romeedy
    African Journal of Hospitality Tourism and Leisure 10 (4), 1339-1356 , 2021
    2021
    Citations: 36
  • Sustainable tourism certification: a systematic literature review and suggested ways forward
    S Elhoushy, Y Elzek, X Font
    Journal of Sustainable Tourism 34 (2), 355-381 , 2026
    2026
    Citations: 31
  • The impact of nepotism and workplace gossip on job performance in travel agencies and hotels in Egypt: the moderating role of organizational justice
    HA Khairy, Y Elzek
    Journal of Human Resources in Hospitality & Tourism 23 (1), 52-75 , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 22
  • The impact of tourism seasonality on employees’ entrepreneurship intention and intention to leave in Egyptian tourism and hospitality industry: The moderating role of internal …
    S City
    2023
    Citations: 12
  • Evaluation of Sustainable Tourism Investment in Tourism Businesses: Evidence from Egypt
    Y Elzek, H Gaafar, H Abdelsamie
    Journal of the Faculty of Tourism and Hotels-University of Sadat City 4 (2/2) , 2020
    2020
    Citations: 10
  • The impact of organizational inertia on organizational performance in travel agencies and hotels: The moderating effect of organizational agility
    G Ibrahim, YEH Elsawalhy
    Journal of the Faculty of Tourism and Hotels-University of Sadat City 8 (1/2) , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 9
  • What will the entrepreneurial students of tourism and hotels intent to do after graduation: self-employment or green entrepreneurship
    H Elsawalhy, Y Elzek
    International Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Systems 16 (2), 81 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 9
  • Practices of Tourism Innovation in Tourism Industry: The Case Study of Egypt
    Y Elzek, H Gaafar, H Abdelsamie
    Journal of the Faculty of Tourism and Hotels-University of Sadat City 4 (1/2) , 2020
    2020
    Citations: 8
  • The power of professionalism: Enhancing tour guide impact on visitors’ experience and satisfaction to foster visitor sustainable behaviour
    H Aideed, AM Elbaz, IE Salem, H Hussein, Y Elzek
    Tourism and Hospitality Research, 14673584251350782 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 6
  • Behavioural motivators of solo female travel in non-western contexts: empirical evidence
    SAW El-Sisi, Y Elzek, M Soliman, BS Al-Romeedy
    Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights 9 (3), 1236-1255 , 2026
    2026
    Citations: 4
  • The impact of organizational virtuousness on job burnout and work engagement in the tourism and hospitality industry: the moderating role of organizational support Mamdouh
    H Younes, H Elsawalhy, Y Elzek, M Al-Saied
    Journal of the Faculty of Tourism and Hotels-University of Sadat City 8 (1/1 … , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 4
  • Designing Tourist Souvenirs inspired by Mamlūk Ranks as a tool for Marketing Islamic Art and Antiquities
    H Hassan Hemeda, Y Shihata Elzek
    مجلة کلية السياحة والفنادق-جامعة مدينة السادات 8 (1), 27-59 , 2024 ‎
    2024
    Citations: 2
  • The Role of Holy Family Path and Egyptian Pilgrimage Route Restoration in Promoting Religious Tourism to Egypt
    Y Elzek, N Alfy
    Journal of the Faculty of Tourism and Hotels-University of Sadat City 2 (2 … , 2017
    2017
    Citations: 2
  • The Power of AI Literacy in Developing Students' Innovative Behavior and Wellbeing in Tourism and Hospitality Education: The Roles of Creative Self-Efficacy and Learning Agility
    S Abdelrahman, Y Elzek, A Aborya
    2026 International Conference on AI Innovations and Industry (ICAIII), 1-5 , 2026
    2026
  • Augmented reality and water cultural heritage: a comprehensive model for destination evangelism
    Y Elzek, H Hussein, M Soliman
    Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, 1-20 , 2026
    2026
  • The Role of Marketing Improvisation in Achieving Marketing Agility in Airlines: The Mediating Role of Marketing Vigilance
    AE Saad, A Refaat, R Abouzeid, Y Elzek
    مجلة کلية السياحة والفنادق-جامعة مدينة السادات 9 (1), 43-66 , 2025 ‎
    2025
  • The Impact of Female Students’ Capabilities on Women’s Empowerment for Achieving Sustainable Tourism Development: Evidence from Egyptian Faculties of Tourism and Hotels
    Y Elzek
    Quality of Life, 5-27 , 2022
    2022