Journals / Anatolia: Turizm Araştırmaları Dergisi / 2026 / Sayı: 1

Anthropomorphic Service Robots in the Tourism Industry: An Evaluation and Recommendations

Turizm Sektöründe Antropomorfik Hizmet Robotları: Bir Değerlendirme ve Öneriler

Zeynep Utkan(AFYON KOCATEPE ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0003-1377-7452
Ahmet Baytok(Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi)0000-0002-5826-7694
Pages
252–256
Publication Date
2026-03-17
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The aim of this study is to explore the scope, role, and consequences of anthropomorphic features in service robots by utilizing Human-Robot Interaction and the Uncanny Valley Theory, revealing the mechanisms through which anthropomorphic robots shape employee and customer experiences, and to provide theoretical and practical insights for designing and managing effec￾tive human-robot collaboration in the tourism sector.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:With the impact of developments in robotics and artificial intelligence (AI), the use of anthropomorphic robots in the tourism sector is rapidly becoming widespread.
📊
Key Findings & Data:With the impact of developments in robotics and artificial intelligence (AI), the use of anthropomorphic robots in the tourism sector is rapidly becoming widespread.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:The aim of this study is to explore the scope, role, and consequences of anthropomorphic features in service robots by utilizing Human-Robot Interaction and the Uncanny Valley Theory, revealing the mechanisms through which anthropomorphic robots shape employee and customer experiences, and to provide theoretical and practical insights for designing and managing effec￾tive human-robot collaboration in the tourism sector.
🔬Design:Editöre Mektup
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Antropomorfizm · Hizmet robotları · İnsan–robot etkileşimi

Abstract

With the impact of developments in robotics and artificial intelligence (AI), the use of anthropomorphic robots in the tourism sector is rapidly becoming widespread. The aim of this study is to explore the scope, role, and consequences of anthropomorphic features in service robots by utilizing Human-Robot Interaction and the Uncanny Valley Theory, revealing the mechanisms through which anthropomorphic robots shape employee and customer experiences, and to provide theoretical and practical insights for designing and managing effec￾tive human-robot collaboration in the tourism sector.

Özet

Robotik ve yapay zekâ (YZ) alanındaki gelişmelerin etkisiyle, turizm sektöründe antropomorfik robotların kullanımı hızla yaygınlaşmaktadır. Bu çalışmanın amacı İnsan-Robot Etkileşimi ve Tekinsiz Vadi Teorisi’nden yararlanarak hizmet robotlarında antropomorfik özelliklerin kapsamını, rolünü ve sonuçlarını keşfetmek için antropomorfik robotların çalışan ve müşteri deneyimlerini hangi mekanizmalar aracılığıyla şekillendirdiğini ortaya koyarak, turizm sektöründe etkili insan–robot iş birliğini tasarlama ve yönetme konusunda teorik ve pratik çıkarımlar sunmaktır.

🔖

Cite This Article

Utkan, Z., Baytok, A. (2026). Anthropomorphic Service Robots in the Tourism Industry: An Evaluation and Recommendations. Anatolia: Turizm Araştırmaları Dergisi, Sayı: 1, 252–256. https://doi.org/10.17123/atad.1911783

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (22)

  1. Alsaad, A. (2023). The Dual Effect of Anthropomorphism on Customers' Decisions to Use Artificial Intelligence Devices in Hotel Services, Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management, 32(8): 1048-1076.
  2. Airenti, G. (2018). The development of anthropomorphism in Interaction: Intersubjectivity, İmagination, and Theory of Mind, Frontiers in Psychology, 5(9): 2136.
  3. Balaji, M. S., Jiang, Y., ve Zhang, X. (2025). Robots in Service: How Robot Capabilities and Personalities Drive Customer Value Co-Creation and Satisfaction, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 37(3): 1016-1035.
  4. Belanche, D., Casaló, L. V. ve Flavián, C. (2021). Frontline Robots in Tourism and Hospitality: Service Enhancement or Cost Reduction? Electronic Markets, 31(3): 477-492.
  5. Cantrell, K. ve Hawkes, L. (2021). Empathy, Anthropomorphism, and the Uncanny Valley Effect: Why Audiences Strayed Away from the Film Adaptation of Cats, Journal of Popular Culture, 54(3): 1-23.
  6. Casaló, L. V., Millastre-Valencia, P., Belanche, D. ve Flavián, C. (2025). Intelligence and Humanness as Key Drivers of Service Value in Generative Al Chatbots, International Journal of Hospitality Management, 128:104130.
  7. Christou, P., Simillidou, A. ve Stylianou, M. C. (2020). Tourists' Perceptions Regarding the use of Anthropomorphic Robots in Tourism and Hospitality, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 32(11): 3665-3683.
  8. Epley, N., Waytz, A. ve Cacioppo, J. T. (2007). On Seeing Human: A Three-Factor Theory of Anthropomorphism, Psychological Review, 114(4): 864-886.
  9. Hao, N., Bi, X., Liu, M. T., Wang, H. H. ve Liu, X. (2025). Anthropomorphic Robots, Job Insecurity and Customer Preference in Service Industry: Testing Uncanny Valley Curve in Restaurants, Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics. Advance online publication.
  10. Huang, J., Wong, I. A., Lian, Q. L. ve Huang, H. (2025). Robotic Companionship for Solo Diners: The Role of Robotic Service Type, Need to Belong, and Restaurant Type, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 37(3): 890-917.
  11. Liu, W., Xin, X. ve Zheng, C. (2025). The Effect of Behaviorally Anthropomorphic Service Robots on Customers' Variety-Seeking Behavior: An Analytical Examination of Social Presence and Decision-Making Context, Frontiers in Robotics and Al, 12: 1503622.
  12. Mori, M. (1970). The uncanny valley. Energy, 7: 33-35.
  13. Murphy, J., Gretzel, U. ve Pesonen, J. (2019). Marketing Robot Services in Hospitality and Tourism: The Role of Anthropomorphism, Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 36(7): 784-795.
  14. Puzakova, M. ve Kwak, H. (2023). Two's Company, Three's a Crowd: The Interplay Between Collective Versus Solo Anthropomorphic Brand Appeals and Gender, Journal of Advertising, 52(1): 94-114.
  15. Ruiz-Equihua, D., Romero, J., Loureiro, S. M. C. ve Ali, M. (2023). Human-robot Interactions in the Restaurant Setting: The Role of Social Cognition, Psychological Ownership, and Anthropomorphism, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 35(6): 1966-1985.
  16. Seo, S. (2022). When Female (Male) Robot Is Talking to Me: Effect of Service Robots' Gender and Anthropomorphism on Customer Satisfaction, International Journal of Hospitality Management, 102:103166.
  17. Shum, C., Kim, H. J., Calhoun, J. R. ve Putra, E. D. (2024). "I Was So Scared I Quit": Uncanny Valley Effects of Robots' Human-Likeness on Employee Fear and Industry Turnover Intentions, International Journal of Hospitality Management, 120:103762.
  18. Singh, S., Olson, E. D. ve Tsai, C.-H. (2021). Use of Service Robots in an Event Setting: Understanding the Role of Social Presence, Eeriness, and Identity Threat, Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 49: 528-537.
  19. Weizenbaum, J. (1966). ELIZA-A Computer Program for the Study of Natural Language Communication Between Man and Machine, Communications of the ACM, 9(1): 36-45.
  20. Yang, B., Sun, Y. ve Shen, X. (2025). Building Harmonious Human-AI Relationships Through Empathy in Frontline Service Encounters: Underlying Mechanisms and Journey Stage Differences, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 37(3): 740-762.
  21. Yang, Y., Chi, M., Bi, X. ve Xu, Y. (2024). How Does the Anthropomorphism of Service Robots Impact Employees' Role Service Behavior in the Workplace? International Journal of Hospitality Management, 122, 103857.
  22. Yan, J., Luo, B. ve Zhang, T. (2024). Can Cuteness Soften My Anxiety? The Impact of Conversational Styles of Service Robots on Consumer Service Acceptance, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 37(3):763-782.