ICT and its Role in Sustainable Tourism Development

Research into the application of Information and Communications Technologies as an approach to managing the sustainable development of tourism is limited. This paper introduces the proposition that use of such technologies can be a practical approach which destinations may use to mitigate some of tourism’s potential negative impacts. This research analyses and synthesises 54 articles selected from 20 tourism journals from the period 1998-2007 which directly and indirectly discussed the use of information and communication technology for sustainable tourism development. The intent of this paper was to provide tourism researchers with a research foundation underpinning the topics, methods and focus of previous research in order to guide future research efforts. The findings indicate that research on information and communication technology and sustainable tourism development is still in its infancy with more work needed on exploring the specific information and communication technology-based tools/applications for use in sustainable tourism development. An expansion of the current research strategies employed in this domain is also required.

Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, 2014

Purpose– The aim of this research is to foreground information and communication technology (ICT) as an innovative approach for sustainable tourism (ST) development of destinations. ICT is the technology required for information processing which facilitates data processing, information sharing, communication, searching and selection. This paper concentrates on the Abernathy and Clark model and its usefulness in applying ICT as innovative in managing ST.Design/methodology/approach– An online survey was administered to destination managers and to eTourism experts. Destination managers were selected as they were identified as the person responsible for the overall management of a Destination Management Organisation. eTourism experts were identified as someone who possesses special expertise, knowledge and skills on ICT applications to tourism and offered expertise on which ranged from such areas as electronic distribution, recommender systems, user-generated content, online communities...

Information Technology & Tourism, 2014

2020

The emergence of sustainable tourism has been seamlessly replacing many facets of traditional tourism. ICT is regarded as an ideal partner to sustainable tourism as it can proficiently disseminate information and services. Several research studies have been conducted to study this synergy. This systematic review aims to investigate the emerging ICT discourse in sustainable tourism using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Relevant articles were searched in the most common databases. Out of 357 articles retrieved, 41 articles were selected for the final analysis based on inclusion-exclusion criteria. MS Excel and Zotero applications were used. It has been observed that most commonly researched topics in ICT in sustainable tourism include GIS, web applications, gaming, Augmented Reality, IoTs and social media. This review identifies a need for a larger body of research focusing on ICT use in sustainable tourism and supports its advancement by identifying future directions.

The tourism sector has experienced a steady growth in the last decades, becoming one of the key sectors for the development of countries. However, the pandemic caused by COVID-19 brought about an unprecedented social, economic and health crisis that has forced a change in the way tourism is conducted. This article presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of different Information and Communication Technologies' uses in sustainable tourism management to study the literature and serve as a roadmap for future research in this field.

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.

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

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...

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...

Abstract Book Manage heritage imn Heart , 2018

New technologies have radically changed the way to share information, to speak, to consider relationships, to work, to travel and, in general, to live. They can represent, for some aspects, both a problem and a precious resource. As we concerns, in tourism sector, ICT can help in managing and promoting destinations in a better way than in the past, especially in those cases where problems linked with the management of tourist flows and the need to manage a sustainable development exist. Monitoring tourism impact at the destination is a fundamental issue in order to respect the right pressure and to avoid negative effects in the destination and with the residents. ICT, in this case, can be employed to drive tourists towards alternative paths, promoting other sites, as well as to monitor the number of tourists visiting or walking through a specific site at the destination, reducing for example the lack of data deriving from the administrative nature of traditional surveys. There are several devices available and useful for different needs, then almost each kind of monitoring and analysis can be supported by the right tools. This knowledge should encourage local responsible to implement regular and meticulous surveys and analysis to manage the impact of tourism pressure and to respect the optimal carrying capacity of the site. The paper will present some of the existing technologies and methods to monitor and to evaluate the impact of tourism at the destination, showing how ICT tool can support an efficient and effective management. The aim is, indeed, to keep the attention towards the available methods and tools and encourage the use of technologies in promoting the preservation of the site, through the evidences obtained in the existing case studies. Particularly, the attention will be on the use of ICT tools in contexts characterized by high levels of tourism pressure and relevant problems between residents and tourists. Cities involved are usually characterized by a relevant city center which includes notable treasure of arts attracting a lot of tourists. But, since the considered cities are often islands or on the coast with amazing beaches, the tourist flows are concentrated during the summer, causing congestion and high pressure in the destination. The need to reduce the impacts of tourist flows in the destination is linked with the preservation of local heritage, either material and immaterial, and the promotion of a real exchange between residents and tourists, based on a respectiv approach oriented to the relationality and the valorization of the local identity. Without any form of control, in case of very popular sites, the risk is to receive so much visitors that they are perceived as invaders rather than guests by the residents. This doesn\u2019t help the creation of a good exchange between residents and tourists as well as the valorization of the local culture. In general, the whole local heritage, is threatened by this massive flo