Example tourism dissertation topic 4:

The role of original art in the commercial success of boutique hotels.

Although the ’boutique’ hotel sector bears so single definition, consensus seems to be drawn that such hotels have relatively few guest rooms, offer a distinctive art and design style, and a high standard of service. This paper considers how much the role of art in hotels has escalated in recent years and has become a characteristic of boutique hotels. It explores the cost of individual and original art in a number of boutique hotels in the UK, and interviews are conducted with hotel management and guests to determine the role that art plays in choosing to stay with particular hotels.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Aggett, M. (2007). ‘What has influenced growth in the UK’s boutique hotel sector?’, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, Vol. 19(2), pp.169-177.
• Mcintosh, A.J. and Siggs, A. (2005). ‘An exploration of the experiential nature of boutique accommodation’, Journal of Travel Research, Vol. 44(1), pp. 74-81.
• Strannegård, L. and Strannegård, M. (2012). ‘Works of art: Aesthetic ambitions in design hotels’, Annals of Tourism Research, Vol. 39(4), pp. 1995-2012.