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Blockchain: Is it the future for the tourism and hospitality industry?

Author

Listed:
  • Irem Önder

    (14707University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA)

  • Ulrich Gunter

    (125047MODUL University Vienna, Austria)

Abstract

Recently, blockchain and cryptocurrencies have become topics of discussion in both research and industry. Iansiti and Lakhani perceive blockchain as a foundational technology rather than a disruptive one, since potentially new economic and social systems can be based on blockchain. Therefore, understanding blockchain and contemplating its impact on the tourism and hospitality industry is essential. The tourism and hospitality industry has to focus not on the technology itself but on how it can be used for the benefit of consumers and suppliers, while at the same time creating new tourism products or systems. The purpose of this study is to explore and identify use cases for blockchain for the tourism and hospitality industry. In addition, an outlook on potential future blockchain applications given the current COVID-19 pandemic is provided.

Suggested Citation

  • Irem Önder & Ulrich Gunter, 2022. "Blockchain: Is it the future for the tourism and hospitality industry?," Tourism Economics, , vol. 28(2), pages 291-299, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:toueco:v:28:y:2022:i:2:p:291-299
    DOI: 10.1177/1354816620961707
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Ram Narayan & Anita Gehlot & Rajesh Singh & Shaik Vaseem Akram & Neeraj Priyadarshi & Bhekisipho Twala, 2022. "Hospitality Feedback System 4.0: Digitalization of Feedback System with Integration of Industry 4.0 Enabling Technologies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-18, September.
    3. Li Zhou & Chunqiao Tan & Huimin Zhao, 2022. "Information Disclosure Decision for Tourism O2O Supply Chain Based on Blockchain Technology," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-21, June.
    4. Alina Petronela Pricope Vancia & Codruța Adina Băltescu & Gabriel Brătucu & Alina Simona Tecău & Ioana Bianca Chițu & Liliana Duguleană, 2023. "Examining the Disruptive Potential of Generation Z Tourists on the Travel Industry in the Digital Age," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-19, May.
    5. Tarik Dogru & Nathana Line & Lydia Hanks & Fulya Acikgoz & Je’Anna Abbott & Selim Bakir & Adiyukh Berbekova & Anil Bilgihan & Ali Iskender & Murat Kizildag & Minwoo Lee & Woojin Lee & Sean McGinley , 2024. "The implications of generative artificial intelligence in academic research and higher education in tourism and hospitality," Tourism Economics, , vol. 30(5), pages 1083-1094, August.
    6. Raffaella Folgieri & Sergej Gričar & Tea Baldigara, 2025. "Methodological Framework as a Decision-Support Tool in Addressing NFTs and Blockchain Projects in the Tourism Industry," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-16, June.
    7. Richard Carey & Claire G. Coleman & Tim M. White, 2024. "The Impact of Blockchain on Logistics and Supply Chain Management: A Review," Journal of Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Global Peer Reviewed Journals, vol. 3(1), pages 1-11.
    8. Albert Fornells Herrera & Agustina Paradela Morgan & Jordi Ficapal Mestres, 2024. "Navigating the Technological Landscape in Hospitality: Added Values and Entry Barriers of Technologies 4.0," SAGE Open, , vol. 14(4), pages 21582440241, November.
    9. T. D. Dang & M. T. Nguyen, 2023. "Systematic review and research agenda for the tourism and hospitality sector: co-creation of customer value in the digital age," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 9(1), pages 1-14, December.
    10. Valentina Ndou & Gioconda Mele & Eglantina Hysa & Otilia Manta, 2022. "Exploiting Technology to Deal with the COVID-19 Challenges in Travel & Tourism: A Bibliometric Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-25, May.
    11. Yassine Mountije & Dora Agapito & Celia Ramos, 2025. "Reshaping the future of tourism & hospitality industry through blockchain technology: a systematic literature review," Information Technology & Tourism, Springer, vol. 27(2), pages 317-343, June.
    12. Liping Fu & Jie Yang & Yongqing Dong & Tong Pei, 2025. "How does information and communication technology promote tourism development? Evidence from the e-commerce pilot city policy in China," Tourism Economics, , vol. 31(2), pages 332-358, March.

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