Designed to reflect TConnect: Journal of Tourism Connectivity’s technology-forward, modern, and international positioning, these guidelines are intended to ensure that all submitted manuscripts meet rigorous academic standards while aligning with the journal’s focus on digital, physical, socio-cultural, and supply-chain ecosystems.

1. General Requirements

• Language: Manuscripts must be written in clear, professional, and academic English using either Standard American or British English consistently throughout the manuscript.
• Word Count: Manuscripts should contain 5,000–8,000 words, including the abstract and main text but excluding the reference list, tables, figures, and appendices.
• File Format: Manuscripts must be submitted in Microsoft Word format (.doc or .docx).
• Formatting: Manuscripts should use Times New Roman, 12-point font, 1.5 line spacing, with standard margins of 2.54 cm (1 inch) on all sides.
• Anonymity: To facilitate double-blind peer review, the main manuscript must contain no information that identifies the authors. Author names, affiliations, acknowledgments, and other identifying information should be provided on a separate Title Page.
• Original Submission: Manuscripts must be original and must not be simultaneously submitted to or under consideration by another journal.

2. Manuscript Structure

Authors should organize their manuscripts using a clear and logical structure that demonstrates the theoretical contribution, methodological rigor, and practical relevance of the research.

Title

The title should be concise, informative, and accurately reflect the central theme and contribution of the study. Titles should preferably contain no more than 15 words.

Structured Abstract

The abstract should not exceed 250 words and should be structured under the following headings:

• Purpose
• Methodology
• Findings
• Originality/Value

The abstract should clearly communicate the purpose of the research, methodological approach, principal findings, and its contribution to tourism and hospitality scholarship.

Keywords

Provide 4–6 keywords, separated by semicolons. Keywords should accurately represent the principal concepts, methods, contexts, or phenomena examined in the manuscript.

Introduction

The Introduction should establish the research context, identify the relevant research gap, explain the connectivity issue or phenomenon being investigated, and clearly state the research objectives and, where appropriate, research questions or hypotheses.

Literature Review

The Literature Review should establish a strong theoretical and empirical foundation for the study. Authors are encouraged to engage with current international literature, relevant theoretical frameworks, and recent developments in tourism, hospitality, technology, infrastructure, sustainability, and related fields.

Methodology

The Methodology section must clearly describe the research design, study context, data sources, sampling procedures, research instruments, analytical techniques, and relevant ethical considerations.

For studies involving big data, artificial intelligence, digital footprints, social-media data, online platforms, or other digital datasets, authors must clearly explain how data privacy, informed consent where applicable, data security, anonymity, and potential algorithmic or technological biases were addressed.

Results/Findings

Results should be presented clearly and logically and should directly address the research objectives, questions, or hypotheses. Tables, figures, and statistical analyses should be used where appropriate.

For studies concerning tourism infrastructure, digital ecosystems, hospitality operations, or supply chains, evidence concerning operational feasibility, system performance, efficiency, scalability, or implementation potential is particularly encouraged where relevant to the research design.

Discussion

The Discussion should interpret the findings in relation to previous literature, theoretical perspectives, and relevant industry or societal contexts. Authors should clearly explain how the findings contribute to existing knowledge.

Where applicable, the Discussion should include the following two subsections:

• Theoretical Implications
• Managerial and Operational Implications

Conclusion

The Conclusion should summarize the principal findings and contributions of the study without simply repeating the Results section. Authors should also acknowledge important limitations and identify relevant directions for future research.

3. Data Visualization and Presentation

In keeping with TConnect’s modern and minimalist visual identity, authors are encouraged to present figures, charts, tables, and diagrams in a clear and professional manner.

Clarity and Readability

Visual materials should prioritize clarity and effective communication. Authors should avoid unnecessary visual complexity, excessive decoration, three-dimensional charts, and heavy gridlines.

Color

Authors are encouraged to use restrained and professional color palettes. Muted tones, soft greens, greys, warm neutrals, and other visually accessible colors are preferred over excessively saturated or distracting colors.

Color should not be the sole means of communicating essential information so that figures remain interpretable in grayscale and accessible to readers with color-vision deficiencies.

Resolution

Figures, diagrams, flowcharts, network maps, and digital interface illustrations should be provided at an appropriate resolution for publication. Raster images should generally be submitted at a minimum of 300 dpi.

4. Referencing Style

TConnect uses the American Psychological Association (APA) 7th Edition referencing style.

Authors are strongly encouraged to use reference management software such as Mendeley, Zotero, or equivalent tools to ensure consistency and accuracy.

In-text Citations

Examples:

• Parenthetical citation: (Author, Year)
• Direct quotation: (Author, Year, p. X)
• Two authors: (Author & Author, Year)
• Three or more authors: (Author et al., Year)

Reference List Examples

Journal Article:

Buhalis, D., & Leung, D. (2018). Smart hospitality—Interconnectivity and interoperability towards an ecosystem. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 71, 41–50. https://doi.org/xxxxx

Corporate/Technical Report:

World Economic Forum. (2025). Digital transformation in aviation and travel. URL

Authors should ensure that all works cited in the manuscript appear in the reference list and that every reference listed has been cited in the manuscript.

5. Originality, Plagiarism, and Research Integrity

Manuscripts submitted to TConnect must be original and must not have been previously published or be simultaneously under consideration by another journal.

All submissions may undergo similarity screening using appropriate plagiarism-detection tools, such as Turnitin or iThenticate.

A similarity score of 15% or lower is generally expected. However, similarity scores are not considered in isolation. The editorial team may examine the nature, source, and context of detected similarities, including legitimate overlap arising from references, technical terminology, standard methodological descriptions, or other unavoidable text.

Manuscripts containing substantial unattributed textual overlap, plagiarism, duplicate publication, data fabrication, data falsification, or other forms of academic misconduct may be rejected.

The editorial team reserves the right to request clarification, revision, or additional documentation where concerns regarding originality or research integrity arise.

6. Ethical and Responsible Research

Authors are responsible for ensuring that their research complies with applicable ethical standards and regulations. Where research involves human participants, personal data, digital footprints, online communities, artificial intelligence, or other potentially sensitive datasets, authors should provide appropriate information regarding ethical approval, consent, privacy protection, anonymization, and responsible data management where applicable.

Authors must disclose relevant conflicts of interest, funding sources, and other information that could reasonably affect the interpretation or integrity of the research.

7. Submission Checklist

Before submitting a manuscript, authors should ensure that:

• The manuscript falls within the journal’s Focus and Scope.
• The manuscript is written in clear academic English.
• The manuscript follows the required structure and formatting.
• The manuscript contains 5,000–8,000 words.
• The abstract does not exceed 250 words.
• There are 4–6 keywords.
• The manuscript is properly anonymized for double-blind peer review.
• All tables and figures are clearly numbered and referenced in the text.
• References and in-text citations follow APA 7th Edition.
• The manuscript is not under consideration by another journal.
• Ethical, privacy, funding, and conflict-of-interest disclosures have been provided where applicable.
• The manuscript has been checked for plagiarism and appropriate attribution.

Failure to comply with the Author Guidelines may result in a request for revision before the manuscript proceeds to the peer-review process.