ETR: Journal of Tourism Connectivity is firmly committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity, originality, and responsible scholarly publishing. To protect intellectual property, uphold research integrity, and maintain the credibility of the journal, all submitted manuscripts undergo an originality and similarity screening before entering the peer review process.

1. Originality and Similarity Screening

All incoming manuscripts are systematically screened for text similarity using appropriate similarity-detection software, such as Turnitin or iThenticate. The screening is conducted by the Managing Editor as part of the initial desk review process.

A similarity report is used as a screening and editorial assessment tool and does not, by itself, constitute a determination of plagiarism. The editorial team considers the nature, context, and sources of identified similarities when evaluating a manuscript.

2. Acceptable Similarity Index

The maximum allowable overall similarity index for a manuscript submitted to ETR is 15%.

Where technically available, the similarity screening may be configured to exclude legitimate sources of similarity, including:

• References or bibliography;
• Properly cited direct quotations; and
• Minor text matches below the software’s configured threshold.

Authors remain responsible for ensuring that all ideas, statements, data, and materials derived from other sources are appropriately cited and acknowledged, regardless of the similarity percentage reported by the screening software.

3. Handling of Similarity Concerns

• Similarity above 15% and up to 18%: The manuscript may be returned to the authors for clarification, revision, and appropriate paraphrasing or citation. A revised manuscript may be subject to a second similarity screening before proceeding to peer review.

• Similarity above 18%: The manuscript may be rejected at the desk review stage if the editorial assessment determines that the level or nature of similarity raises significant concerns regarding originality or inappropriate source use.

• Serious Academic Misconduct: Evidence of deliberate plagiarism, substantial unattributed copying, data fabrication, data falsification, or other serious forms of research misconduct may result in immediate rejection. If such misconduct is identified after publication, ETR may issue a correction, expression of concern, or retraction, as appropriate, in accordance with the journal’s publication ethics policies.

Any decision regarding plagiarism or research misconduct will be based on editorial assessment of the evidence and relevant ethical standards rather than solely on a numerical similarity score.

4. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digital Authorship

As a technology-oriented journal exploring digital ecosystems and emerging tourism technologies, ETR recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI) tools can support various aspects of research and scholarly communication. However, authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, integrity, and ethical compliance of their submissions.

• AI as an Author: Large Language Models (LLMs) and other AI tools, including ChatGPT, Claude, and similar systems, must not be listed as authors or co-authors. Authorship requires accountability and responsibility that can only be assumed by human researchers.

• Permitted Uses: Authors may use AI tools for legitimate purposes such as language improvement, translation, grammar correction, formatting assistance, coding support, or data analysis, provided that such use does not compromise research integrity, confidentiality, privacy, or intellectual property rights.

• Disclosure of AI Use: Any substantive use of generative AI or AI-assisted tools in manuscript preparation, analysis, interpretation, or other aspects of the research process must be appropriately disclosed. Authors should indicate the tool used, its purpose, and the relevant stage of the research or manuscript development. Routine spelling, grammar, and formatting assistance may not require disclosure unless otherwise specified by the journal.

• Human Responsibility: The use of AI does not transfer responsibility for the manuscript to the AI system. Authors remain responsible for verifying the accuracy of AI-assisted content, checking references and citations, protecting confidential information, and ensuring that the final manuscript represents their own scholarly judgment and intellectual contribution.

• Undisclosed or Misleading AI Use: Failure to disclose substantive AI use, misrepresentation of AI-generated material as original human scholarship, or reliance on AI-generated content that contains fabricated information, citations, or data may constitute a breach of the journal’s publication ethics policies and may result in rejection or further editorial action.

5. Post-Publication Concerns

If evidence of plagiarism, substantial unattributed content, data fabrication, falsification, or other serious academic misconduct emerges after publication, ETR will investigate the matter in accordance with its publication ethics procedures.

Depending on the severity and circumstances, editorial action may include a correction, expression of concern, retraction, notification of relevant institutions, or other appropriate measures. Any restriction on future submissions will be considered only in serious cases and in accordance with applicable publication ethics standards.