ICT in Sustainable Tourism: A Systematic Review

Considerable attention has been paid in recent years to the fundamental changes in the global tourism system related to the emergence of information technologies (IT), and, specifically, the rise of social media. Opportunities to search travel related information, to reserve and book, evaluate and judge; to receive travel advice and to communicate one’s mobility patterns have all profoundly changed the practices of performing tourism, with concomitant repercussions for the management and marketing of businesses and destinations. This paper provides a discussion of the implications of these changes for the sustainability of the global tourism system. Based on an exploratory research design, key changes in the tourism system are identified and discussed with regard to their environmental, socio-cultural and psychological, as well as economic significance. The paper concludes that IT affects the tourism system in numerous and complex ways, with mixed outcomes for sustainability: while most changes would currently appear to be ambivalent - and some outright negative -, there is considerable potential for IT to support more sustainable tourism. Yet, this would require considerable changes in the tourism system on global, national and individual business’ levels, and require tourism academics to probe many new issues.

Administrative Sciences

This study explores the adoption of digital technology in sustainable tourism destinations and provides insights into current research. Using a bibliometric analysis approach, it comprehensively evaluates research outputs, identifies trends, and highlights key themes and collaborative networks. Employing a bibliometric analysis approach, this study utilizes the Scopus database and bibliometric software. After rigorous data cleaning, bibliographic coupling maps, collaboration networks, and keyword maps are generated using Biblioshiny and VOSviewer for comprehensive analysis. Analyzing 559 papers, the study reveals a consistent growth in publications, indicating increasing research interest in digital technology adoption in sustainable tourism destinations. Europe, Asia, and North America are the primary regions of research activity. Interdisciplinary collaboration is high, emphasizing the multidimensional nature of the field. While valuable, the bibliometric analysis is limited by da...

Very good initiative by its creator, Covid cancellation. A quality conference. Most tourists use the Internet to get information, prepare and organize their trips. Digitization in tourists’ behavior is mainly oriented towards preparation of trips and the sharing of experience after it is over. While it is true that different nationalities use the Internet differently, all tourists attach importance to the comments and ratings posted on reservation sites to confirm their choice, discover bargains or share their experience. Digital technology makes it possible for tourists to look for information (about accommodation, transport, leisure, journeys), to plan their activities during their stay and to share information. The tourism industry plays a major role in the development of places and in communication to the general public. Thanks to digitization, the actors of tourism can, for example, develop awareness of the development of sustainable development. The issue at stake for sustainable tourism is notably to develop communication on the Internet in relation with best practice of leisure and tourism activities, via interactive and community tools. The question of the digitization of tourism products in tourist sites, notably insular ones, needs to be considered. What digital strategy should be put into place for sustainable tourism and the protection of nature, notably in the context of islands? What are the best communication strategies to be applied in sustainable tourism? The objective of the conference is to examine the means to organize digitization in the framework of the commercialization of tourism destinations and products, notably islands. Researchers are invited to submit empirical, methodological research and conceptual documents which emphasize topics linked to the implementation of sustainable tourism management. Suitable potential issues are as follows: Specifics and issues at stake in sustainable island tourism Management of tourism flows Tourism sites’ absorption capacity Valuation and protection of heritage Island accessibility and tourism development (international and local air/sea transport). Economic dependency on tourism and associated risks Distribution of tourism revenue Management of real estate Preservation of public access to the seashore Protection of marine areas and tourism policies Management of sustainable tourism Marketing and sustainable tourism organizations Challenges and opportunities for the development of sustainable tourism Visitors’ expectations in terms of sustainable tourism Management of sustainable destination tourism Sustainable tourism and development of practices Tourism between economic and sustainable development Planning sustainable tourism and sustainable development Sustainable tourism and hospitality Socio-ecological resilience and tourism The hotel industry and sustainable tourism Green accounting applications and mass tourism E-tourism, social media and sustainable tourism Tourism and climate change Leisure and sustainable tourism Sustainable regional approach and production of certificates such as ecolabels Business and benefits for communities in sustainable tourism Innovation and sustainable tourism Public management public and sustainable tourism Sustainable tourism and communication Quality and sustainable tourism Greenwashing and business ethics Destination attractiveness and caring for the environment Advantages and costs of sustainable tourism Consumer demand and sustainable tourism sustainable tourism and cooperation between stakeholders Sustainable tourism and protection of ecosystems

Information Technology & Tourism

The world's economic structure is increasingly moving towards a digital framework, boosted by the fourth industrial revolution. As a versatile sector, tourism is also embedded within this digital transformation process, albeit at a slower pace due to the uncountable challenges and uncertainties surrounding it. Nevertheless, the most recent implications of the pandemic crisis warned both managers and politicians of the urgent need for new development paths aligned with sustainability, particularly with the United Nations' sustainable development goals. Furthermore, direct issues related to tourism activity, such as overtourism, pollution, and economic dependency, call for alternative and balanced approaches. Smart and digital solutions might play a key role in this process, but little is known concerning their potential. Aiming to extend knowledge concerning these potentials, a systematic literature review was conducted to examine the state-of-the-art about the implications of digital transformation in tourism as a catalyst for sustainable development, identifying gaps and providing directions for future research. From the analysis of 38 manuscripts, visitor experience, destination management, business solutions, and smart sustainable destinations emerged as the most common topics. However, inconsistencies were identified concerning the management narratives and the actual implementation of smart approaches. Additionally, the novelty of the concepts gravitating around smart tourism promotes some theoretical inconsistencies, which also need to be remedied.

2018

The positive experience for the local people, tourism companies and tourists due to tourism development is experienced by tourism sustainability. Despite the huge possibilities of ICTs and the revolution of the contemporary tourism industry, very little academic research has been carried out on the contribution of ICTs to sustainable tourism development (STD). This study aims to explore various stakeholders’ perception on the contribution of ICTs to sustainable tourism development in Shantiniketan, West Bengal. The objective of this research is to study the emerging information and communication technology and its role to maximize tourism’s positive impacts on stakeholders and minimize negative impacts in tourism development. This research also identifies a number of barriers to the implementation of the ICTs in sustainable tourism development through qualitative and model analysis approach and quantitative method where the interviews conducted with different stakeholders who are in...

World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 2015

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has inevitable impacts on different industries and their performances. The tourism industry, as the largest and fastest growing industry in the world, cannot be excluded from this technology and its huge impacts. ICT provides information about tourist attractions in different destinations before travelling and improves tourists’ satisfaction. Although Algeria has great tourism potentials, it still needs to be performed well in promoting its attractions to international tourists via ICT tools yet. This research explores the impact of ICT on foreign tourists’ satisfaction of the tourism industry and uses Algerian tourist agencies as a case study, and proposes a model for the impact of ICT on sustainable tourism. It proposes a model; namely, Al Djazaer Siyaha, for improving information quality and tourist services’ quality in the eTourism industry. Also, it is recommended that the tourism authorities should develop e-tourism infrastructure...

Nepalese Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management

Achieving sustainability is a primary agenda of developing countries for Vision 2030. On the other hand, technological advancement appears to be a catalyst for achieving those goals. Similarly, the role of social media cannot be ignored while reviewing the impact of tech advancement on our social well-being. This research study evaluates the nexus between different factors of sustainable tourism. It focuses on tourism resources, i.e., natural, artificial, renewable, and non-renewable. Government participation is responsible for optimising economic benefits; while preserving social, cultural, and ecological features. The researcher analyses different social media in India to assess the significance of Responsible/ Sustainable Tourism. This research paper will help the tourists to suggest the various platforms of social media and its importance related to tourism.

The emergence of Web 2.0 has enabled enormous revenues from online products and services provided to users via the internet. Web 2.0 facilitates users with a wide array of websites and applications that enable them to buy, sell, pay, browse, post, share, among other online activities. This study focusses on investigating the impact of web 2.0 on sustainable tourism, and customer decision making. Tourism attracts people who enjoy traveling around the world for exploring, education, adventure, and pleasure purposes. Sustainable tourism involves tourists visiting with respect to culture environment and people of the destination country, which will create a positive impact on the environment, economy, and society of foreign countries. This explanatory study has deployed the deductive approach for testing the research hypothesis. The research findings depict that Web 2.0 has a significant positive impact on sustainable tourism and customer decision making.

E3S web of conferences, 2024

This study delves into the transformative role of mobile applications in shaping sustainable tourism from 2013 to 2023. Analysing 56 articles from Scopus, it reveals the pervasive influence of these apps beyond altering traveller behaviour, encompassing destination management, and fostering sustainability. Mobile apps contribute to environmental conservation, cultural heritage preservation, and responsible tourism practices. The research emphasizes integrating sustainability principles into app development, including reducing ecological footprints and promoting environmental awareness among travellers. Leading studies highlight mobile apps not just as enhancers of user experiences but also as drivers for sustainable travel behaviours, emphasizing local cultural engagement and environmental stewardship. This study offers a comprehensive view, urging ongoing research leveraging mobile technology to propel sustainable practices within the tourism industry.

Sustainability

The growing popularity of smart tourism destinations (STDs) has increased the need to investigate their potential impact on sustainable development. This systematic literature review (SLR) aims to analyse the past achievements and future directions of smart tourism destinations in the context of sustainable development. The review was conducted through a systematic literature review that examined 20 papers using a rigorous framework of the research problem, the primary delimitation of the research, and the definition of the data collection and extraction tools. The review focuses on identifying and analysing the current state of the research on SLRs in smart tourism destinations and their implications for sustainable development. This includes the research questions, methods, journals, dates of publications, and key themes. The review also examines the implications and limitations of SLRs in this field, and it identifies gaps in the literature and areas for future directions. The re...

Digital Transformation in Business and Society, 2020

Cities are often multi-cultural and multi-ethnic melting pots with strong ecological resources that make them dynamic urban tourism destinations. Driven by digital and green technologies, today's cities are becoming smarter and sustainable attracting a new generation of digitally savvy yet ecologically conscious travellers. This study is going to provide a conceptual overview of the connection between technology and sustainability in urban tourism contexts. Firstly, it will provide an understanding on the mainly identified dimensions of sustainability in urban tourism contexts-urban ecotourism, food tourism, urban culturescapes and smart transport. These dimensions encompass types of attractions that reflect ecological and social sustainability in urban tourism contexts. Secondly, the dimensions of technologies (digital and green technologies) applied in urban tourism contexts will be discussed which will include Wifi and data connectivity-enabled social media and user-generated content at attraction sites, gamification opportunities in urban tourism sites, M-Learning (mobile-based learning) opportunities, green energy technologies and green/soft mobility technologies. The underlying strong interconnections and interrelationships between technology and sustainability in terms of-marketing and communications, digital learning experiences for tourists, soft mobility technology-enabled ease in accessibility and affordability experienced by all sections of the society, state-of-the-art green technologies embedded in urban ecotourism attractions as well as collaborative and co-creative tourist practices enabled by social media, will then be broadly discussed in urban tourism contexts.

Multidiszciplináris kihívások, sokszínű válaszok

The notion of digital marketing has emerged as a prominent topic in the tourism industry and received high attention from the marketing research community in recent years. However, there is a noticeable absence of theoretically grounded research on how the tourism industry should apply and implement digital marketing to bring about sustainable tourism development. To address this concern, the researchers conducted a systematic literature review (SLR) of 83 journal articles related to digital marketing and tourism, indexed in the Scopus database and Web of Science from 2015 to 2021. In doing so, this review makes an important contribution to the identification of existing and future digital marketing tools applied in the tourism industry and their role in the progress of sustainable tourism development. Furthermore, researchers propose an integrated conceptual framework to provide a comprehensive overview of the relationships between technology, marketing, and tourism to add somethin...

2020

Buhalis, D. (2020), "Technology in tourism-from information communication technologies to eTourism and smart tourism towards ambient intelligence tourism: a perspective article", Tourism Review, Vol 75(1). Purpose-Technology revolutionises the tourism industry and determines the strategy and competitiveness of tourism organisations and destinations. This paper aims to explore the transformational and disruptive nature of technology for tourism. Design/methodology/approach-This paper is based on systematic research. Findings-Technology innovations bring the entire range of stakeholders together in tourism service ecosystems. Technology-empowered tourism experiences increasingly support travellers to co-create value throughout all stages of travel. Ambient Intelligence (AmI) Tourism (2020-future) is driven by a range of disruptive technologies. Inevitably smart environments transform industry structures, processes and practices, having disruptive impacts for service innovation, strategy, management, marketing and competitiveness of everybody involved. Originality/value-The paper synthesises developments in technology for tourism and proposes a future perspective.

The debate about tourism sustainability, and its contribution to local development has been very active, especially in connection with UNESCO World Heritage Sites, whose preservation is of the utmost importance. In recent times, the pervasiveness of ICTs within the tourism experience and industry has called for more research on how ICTs can help attaining the sustainable tourism goals. In this paper, ninety-one available online resources have been studied to assess the presence of sustainability-related contents in Victoria Falls, one of the most known WHSs in Africa, so to measure how important it is for information providers covering this topic.

Inversini, A., Buhalis, D. 2025, Digital technology and Regenerative Tourism, In Fusté- Forné, F., and Hussain, A., The Routledge, Handbook of Regenerative Tourism, Routledge https://www.academia.edu/128580520/ The regenerative approach is a possible solution to the current global social and environmental challenges in the wider travel field. In this respect, travel businesses (including – for example – hospitality businesses) can instigate interventions to generate net- positive impact on local natural and social ecosystems (Polman & Winston, 2022; Assiouras & Bayer, 2024). The theoretical conceptualization of regeneration has been progressing relatively fast in the past few years (Pollock, 2019) with some interesting cases of application (Bellato et al., 2024; Dredge, 2022). The possible role of smart tourism digital technology in supporting travel- related businesses, regeneration transition, and management still require further development This book chapter will therefore decompose the key characteristic of regenerative tourism to propose a digital technology architecture to support regenerative tourism in its multifaceted complexity.