Information And Communication Technologies For Sustainable Tourism

Sustainable development is a highly topical issue and is of critical importance to tourism as the environment is of utmost importance for the continued development and prosperity of the industry. There have been numerous texts written on sustainable tourism and the measures to mitigate and manage this but none which acknowledges Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) as a mechanism of doing so despite being an emerging area of research. ICT in this context refers to innovative tools which form an integrated system of software and networked equipment that facilitates data processing information sharing communication and the ability to search and select from an existing range of products and services for an organisation’s benefits. Despite the symbiotic relationship, which exists between ICT and sustainable tourism, there has been little research, which has considered how the use of such technology can be used to make sustainable tourism development a more workable reality. This opportune book is the first to provide a focus on the interrelationship of these two important topics demonstrating their synergies and providing insight into a new and innovative approach to managing sustainable tourism development. It considers the use of technology to reduce the negative impacts of tourism from both the demand and supply side perspectives. A critical review of a range of cutting edge technologies used by tourists and businesses to assess their usefulness in managing sustainable tourism development from the macro to the micro level is also discussed. It further integrates examples and practical applications to show how ICT can be an invaluable mechanism in the management of sustainable tourism development. This cutting-edge volume provides a wealth of information on an important yet neglected subject. This book will be invaluable reading for students, researchers, academics and members of the tourism industry looking for new and innovate ways of fostering a more sustainable tourism industry.

The papers in this volume address advances in mobile tourism services, online destination marketing, GPS-based tracking of tourist behaviors, decision support tools, website design and evaluation, online travel distribution, ICT adoption in tourism and hospitality businesses, virtual experiences, online information search, Web 2.0, social media marketing, and the role of ICTs in sustainable tourism development. The volume shows a high diversity in disciplinary approaches and methodologies used to explore the intersection of tourism and technology. Thus, the included papers would be of interest to readers with varying backgrounds.

This open access book is the proceedings of the International Federation for IT and Travel & Tourism (IFITT)’s 28th Annual International eTourism Conference, which assembles the latest research presented at the ENTER21@yourplace virtual conference January 19–22, 2021. This book advances the current knowledge base of information and communication technologies and tourism in the areas of social media and sharing economy, technology including AI-driven technologies, research related to destination management and innovations, COVID-19 repercussions, and others. Readers will find a wealth of state-of-the-art insights, ideas, and case studies on how information and communication technologies can be applied in travel and tourism as we encounter new opportunities and challenges in an unpredictable world.

The Emerald Handbook of ICT in Tourism and Hospitality incorporates key research findings, in-depth case studies and discussion of the future implications stemming from technologies changes and developments across a number of core themes.

Sustainable development is a highly topical issue and is of critical importance to tourism as the environment is of utmost importance for the continued development and prosperity of the industry. There have been numerous texts written on sustainable tourism and the measures to mitigate and manage this but none which acknowledges Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) as a mechanism of doing so despite being an emerging area of research. ICT in this context refers to innovative tools which form an integrated system of software and networked equipment that facilitates data processing information sharing communication and the ability to search and select from an existing range of products and services for an organisation’s benefits. Despite the symbiotic relationship, which exists between ICT and sustainable tourism, there has been little research, which has considered how the use of such technology can be used to make sustainable tourism development a more workable reality. This opportune book is the first to provide a focus on the interrelationship of these two important topics demonstrating their synergies and providing insight into a new and innovative approach to managing sustainable tourism development. It considers the use of technology to reduce the negative impacts of tourism from both the demand and supply side perspectives. A critical review of a range of cutting edge technologies used by tourists and businesses to assess their usefulness in managing sustainable tourism development from the macro to the micro level is also discussed. It further integrates examples and practical applications to show how ICT can be an invaluable mechanism in the management of sustainable tourism development. This cutting-edge volume provides a wealth of information on an important yet neglected subject. This book will be invaluable reading for students, researchers, academics and members of the tourism industry looking for new and innovate ways of fostering a more sustainable tourism industry.

The papers advance in recommender systems, website quality and analysis, user-generated content, eWOM, mobile tourism, hospitality applications, technology acceptance and impact, Web 2.0, destination management, technology solutions, social media, marketing, tourist behavior, and other important topics. Authors of these articles are affiliated with some of the world’s prominent research institutes and organizations worldwide. Such a diversity of authorship in geographical regions and topics bring a wealth of values of international experiences and methods to examine various issues that are pertinent to information technology and tourism. The papers investigate different issues on different topics, provide answers to some major research questions, and, at the same time, raise additional questions that drive future research.

This book provides an extensive, up-to-date overview of the ways in which information and communication technologies (ICTs) can be used to develop tourism and hospitality. The coverage encompasses a wide variety of topics within the field, including virtual reality, sharing economy and peer-to-peer accommodation, social media use, hotel technology, big data, robotics, and recommendation systems, to name but a few. The content is based on the 2019 ENTER eTourism conference, organized in Nicosia, Cyprus by the International Federation for Information Technologies and Travel & Tourism (IFITT) – the leading independent global community for the discussion, exchange, and development of knowledge on the use and impact of new ICTs in the travel and tourism industry. The book offers a global perspective and rich source of information on important innovations and novel ideas. Though it will prove especially valuable for academics working in the eTourism field, it will also be of considerable interest to practitioners and students.

"This book examines the process of transformation as it relates to the tourism industry, and the changes to that industry from modern electronic communications. It covers not only geographically supportive technologies in communication, but also in terms of culture, economics, marketing, social, and regional issues"--Provided by publisher.