IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v16y2024i8p3318-d1376542.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Exploring the Impact of Smart Technologies on the Tourism Industry

Author

Listed:
  • Ana-Maria Ionescu

    (Department of Engineering and Industrial Management, Transilvania University of Brașov, 500036 Brașov, Romania)

  • Flavius Aurelian Sârbu

    (Department of Engineering and Industrial Management, Transilvania University of Brașov, 500036 Brașov, Romania)

Abstract

The implementation of smart technologies in the tourism industry has become a new trend. This is aimed at enriching tourists’ experiences and improving their satisfaction. The purpose of the present paper is to enhance tourists’ experiences and to increase tourists’ satisfaction using smart technologies and to identify experts’ perspectives regarding the use of these technologies. This research was conducted using quantitative and qualitative research. In the process of data collection, the research involved a questionnaire which focused on tourists’ experiences with various smart technologies and their intentions to return to the visited region. An exploratory factor analysis was applied to determine the elements of satisfaction and their attribute levels in different Romanian touristic regions. This study employed an analysis of variance to determine whether groups with different reasons for visiting exhibit varying levels of satisfaction and whether the touristic regions under investigation generate differing levels of satisfaction. Cross-tabulation and a Pearson’s chi-square test were used to determine whether the tourists’ segment influenced their intention to revisit specific regions. The research was augmented using qualitative research based on the Delphi technique to identify experts’ opinion on the impact of smart tourism technologies on the Romanian tourism industry. This study presents a global perspective on the current situation of smart technologies in the Romanian tourism sector. The results indicate that there is a significant relationship between tourists’ satisfaction and their perception of the value of smart technologies. The use of smart technologies has a positive impact on the experiences of tourists during all phases of their journey. Romania’s tourism capabilities can support the development of smart and sustainable tourism. Smart technologies have a double role in the tourism industry. They can enhance satisfaction by introducing new experiences while also improving the operational efficiency and sustainability of tourist destinations. The use of smart solutions will be essential in creating smooth and unforgettable tourist experiences as the industry develops. Their theoretical and practical implications are deduced. This paper provides valuable information not only for organizational practitioners considering the implementation of smart technology solutions, but also for academics wishing to develop this area of study.

Suggested Citation

  • Ana-Maria Ionescu & Flavius Aurelian Sârbu, 2024. "Exploring the Impact of Smart Technologies on the Tourism Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-23, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:8:p:3318-:d:1376542
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/8/3318/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/8/3318/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Piera Buonincontri & Roberto Micera, 2016. "The experience co-creation in smart tourism destinations: a multiple case analysis of European destinations," Information Technology & Tourism, Springer, vol. 16(3), pages 285-315, September.
    2. Yili Chen & Congdong Li & Han Wang, 2022. "Big Data and Predictive Analytics for Business Intelligence: A Bibliographic Study (2000–2021)," Forecasting, MDPI, vol. 4(4), pages 1-20, September.
    3. van Dolen, Willemijn & de Ruyter, Ko & Lemmink, Jos, 2004. "An empirical assessment of the influence of customer emotions and contact employee performance on encounter and relationship satisfaction," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 57(4), pages 437-444, April.
    4. Josep A. Ivars-Baidal & Marco A. Celdrán-Bernabeu & Jose-Norberto Mazón & Ángel F. Perles-Ivars, 2019. "Smart destinations and the evolution of ICTs: a new scenario for destination management?," Current Issues in Tourism, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(13), pages 1581-1600, August.
    5. Cristinel Petrișor Constantin & Ana Ispas & Adina Nicoleta Candrea, 2022. "Examining the Relationships between Visitors Profile, Satisfaction and Revisit Intentions: Evidence from Romanian Ecotourism Destinations," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-20, January.
    6. Shuxian Li & Shan Jiang, 2023. "The Technology Acceptance on AR Memorable Tourism Experience—The Empirical Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-19, September.
    7. P. V. Thayyib & Rajesh Mamilla & Mohsin Khan & Humaira Fatima & Mohd Asim & Imran Anwar & M. K. Shamsudheen & Mohd Asif Khan, 2023. "State-of-the-Art of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Analytics Reviews in Five Different Domains: A Bibliometric Summary," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-38, February.
    8. Pedro Liberato & Elisa Alen & Dalia Liberato, 2018. "Smart tourism destination triggers consumer experience: the case of Porto," European Journal of Management and Business Economics, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 27(1), pages 6-25, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Junjie Gao & Younghwan Pan, 2022. "Evaluating Influencing Factors of Tourists’ Experiences with Smart Tour Guide System: A Mixed Method Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-19, December.
    2. Gordon Liu & Catherine Liston-Heyes & Wai-Wai Ko, 2010. "Employee Participation in Cause-Related Marketing Strategies: A Study of Management Perceptions from British Consumer Service Industries," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 92(2), pages 195-210, March.
    3. Dong, Ping & Siu, Noel Yee-Man, 2013. "Servicescape elements, customer predispositions and service experience: The case of theme park visitors," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 541-551.
    4. Assumpció Huertas & Antonio Moreno & Jordi Pascual, 2021. "Place Branding for Smart Cities and Smart Tourism Destinations: Do They Communicate Their Smartness?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-18, October.
    5. Dejan Križaj & Miha Bratec & Peter Kopić & Tadej Rogelja, 2021. "A Technology-Based Innovation Adoption and Implementation Analysis of European Smart Tourism Projects: Towards a Smart Actionable Classification Model (SACM)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-19, September.
    6. Hussam Al Halbusi & Pedro Jimenez Estevez & Tan Eleen & T. Ramayah & Md Uzir Hossain Uzir, 2020. "The Roles of The Physical Environment, Social Servicescape, Co-Created Value, and Customer Satisfaction in Determining Tourists’ Citizenship Behavior: Malaysian Cultural and Creative Industries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-23, April.
    7. Singh, Sangeeta & Duque, Lola C., 2009. "'Unserved' interpretations of service satisfaction," DEE - Working Papers. Business Economics. WB wb097407, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. Departamento de Economía de la Empresa.
    8. Tomašević Ivana & Đurović Sandra & Abramović Nikola, 2019. "Analysis of the Use of Digital Technologies in Montenegro’s Tourist offer on the Example of a Hotels in Bar," Economics, Sciendo, vol. 7(1), pages 119-125, June.
    9. Ioana-Mădălina Purcaru & Ana-Maria Urdea & Cristinel Petrişor Constantin & Gabriel Brătucu, 2022. "Building Long-Term Business Sustainability: The Influence of Experiential Marketing on Sales Representatives’ Loyalty to Multi-Level Marketing Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-16, August.
    10. Young, Gary J. & Meterko, Mark M. & Mohr, David & Shwartz, Michael & Lin, Hai, 2009. "Congruence in the assessment of service quality between employees and customers: A study of a public health care delivery system," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 62(11), pages 1127-1135, November.
    11. Mateusz Naramski, 2020. "The Application of ICT and Smart Technologies in Polish Museums—Towards Smart Tourism," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-27, November.
    12. Qidi Dong & Jun Cai & Shuo Chen & Pengman He & Xuli Chen, 2022. "Spatiotemporal Analysis of Urban Green Spatial Vitality and the Corresponding Influencing Factors: A Case Study of Chengdu, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-17, October.
    13. Youssef El Archi & Brahim Benbba & Kai Zhu & Zineb El Andaloussi & László Pataki & Lóránt Dénes Dávid, 2023. "Mapping the Nexus between Sustainability and Digitalization in Tourist Destinations: A Bibliometric Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-16, June.
    14. Errajaa, Karim & Hombourger-Barès, Sabrina & Audrain-Pontevia, Anne-Françoise, 2022. "Effects of the in-store crowd and employee perceptions on intentions to revisit and word-of-mouth via transactional satisfaction: A SOR approach," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    15. Dirk Schmücker & Julian Reif & Eric Horster & Denise Engelhardt & Nele Höftmann & Lisa Naschert & Christof Radlmayr, 2023. "The INPReS Intervention Escalation Framework for Avoiding Overcrowding in Tourism Destinations," Tourism and Hospitality, MDPI, vol. 4(2), pages 1-11, April.
    16. Yun, Wonjoo & Hanson, Nicole, 2020. "Weathering consumer pricing sensitivity: The importance of customer contact and personalized services in the financial services industry," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 55(C).
    17. Xu, Jun & Liu, Yongmei & Guo, Yi, 2014. "The role of subordinate emotional masking in leader–member exchange and outcomes: A two-sample investigation," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 67(2), pages 100-107.
    18. Gretzel, Ulrike, 2018. "From smart destinations to smart tourism regions," INVESTIGACIONES REGIONALES - Journal of REGIONAL RESEARCH, Asociación Española de Ciencia Regional, issue 42, pages 171-184.
    19. Yolanda María De La Fuente-Robles & María Dolores Muñoz-de-Dios & Ana Belén Mudarra-Fernández & Adrián Jesús Ricoy-Cano, 2020. "Understanding Stakeholder Attitudes, Needs and Trends in Accessible Tourism: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-23, December.
    20. Pam Lee & William Cannon Hunter & Namho Chung, 2020. "Smart Tourism City: Developments and Transformations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-15, May.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:8:p:3318-:d:1376542. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.