Technology in tourism-from information communication technologies to eTourism and smart tourism towards ambient intelligence tourism: a perspective article

TLDR

Technology, including Ambient Intelligence, is reshaping tourism by influencing strategy, competitiveness, and driving disruptive innovations across the industry. The paper explores and synthesises the transformational and disruptive impact of technology on tourism, proposing a future perspective. The authors conduct a systematic review of the literature on technology in tourism. Technology innovations unite stakeholders, enable travelers to co‑create value throughout travel, and smart environments disrupt industry structures, processes, and practices, affecting service innovation, strategy, management, marketing, and competitiveness.

Abstract

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.