Digital Technologies in the Management of Smart Tourism Destinations: A Systematic Review

Smart tourism destinations, embedded by the internet and information and communication technologies, have been improving tourists’ experiences and connectivity. However, Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) still lack knowledge of how digital technologies can enhance their role and bring greater competitive advantage to destinations. In this sense, this study aims to develop an integrated smart tourism destination management ecosystem model that clarifies the relationships between digital technologies, managerial functions, benefits and implementation barriers within the broader smart city context. The study adopts a mixed-review design, combining bibliometric analysis and a systematic literature review. Bibliometric mapping was conducted using VOSviewer to analyse co-occurrence networks, thematic clusters and research trends. At the same time, the systematic review, with a systems thinking approach, enabled an in-depth qualitative examination of technological applications, managerial roles and governance implications. Data was gathered from 29 Scopus-indexed articles. The analysis identifies key benefits, including enhanced visitor experiences, improved decision-making and increased destination competitiveness, alongside persistent barriers related to governance, digital literacy, interoperability and cybersecurity. Based on these findings, the study proposes a conceptual ecosystem model that illustrates how DMOs can orchestrate digital technologies to support smart, sustainable and adaptive destination management. This research contributes to the smart tourism and smart cities literature by integrating bibliometric insights with a systems thinking perspective to develop a holistic destination management ecosystem model. Unlike prior reviews that address technologies or outcomes in isolation, this study offers a structured and actionable framework that advances theoretical understanding of smart tourism destinations while providing practical guidance for DMOs engaged in digital transformation.