Leveraging technology for sustainable tourism: A comprehensive literature review on smart tourism
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17977/um022v10i2025p260-277Keywords:
smart tourism, digital tourism, smart travel, sustainable tourism, eco-friendly tourismAbstract
The fast-changing face of technology makes it difficult for tourism stakeholders to develop an effective tourism information system. Much research has been devoted to smart tourism, especially tourist behavior and how to promote it through digital media, but few works have investigated its contribution to sustainable tourism in its entirety. This research study performs a Systematic Literature Review and a thematic analysis of 33 papers from Scopus and WoS, which evidences the need for integrating technology into all aspects of tourism: economic, social, and environmental. However, privacy concerns persist as a barrier on the part of consumers and stakeholders. For smart tourism to work, models should be inclusive, balancing the diverse interests of all parties. The emphasis should go toward accessibility, participation, and sustainability during the application of digital tools to tourism management. This research provides a framework that outlines how smart tourism can be made greener while addressing privacy and stakeholder issues. Valuable insights are provided for governments and tourism stakeholders to develop transparent, inclusive models that will integrate innovative technology with sustainable practices. Further research is recommended to explore how new technologies and collaborative governance can better position smart tourism to contribute to sustainable development globally.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Rudi Hermawan, Afiifah Al Rosyiidah, Idris Idris, Cheng-Wen Lee
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