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Smart tourism experiences: conceptualisation, key dimensions and research agenda

Author

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  • Femenia-Serra , Francisco

    (University of Alicante)

  • Neuhofer, Barbara

    (Salzburg University of Applied Sciences)

Abstract

«Smart tourism» has gained momentum in research fostered by the revolution of the latest generation of information and communication technologies and has rapidly become a leading stream of literature. The concept has permeated governments and the business sphere and has been accompanied by the quest for developing smart devices, services and tourist destinations. However, experiences as the main focus of smartness development in tourism and destinations have received comparably little attention in the smart discourse. Smart destinations, as new ecosystems backed by concrete geographical contexts, facilitate the co-creation of a rich, technology-based, smart tourism experience (STE). Yet, a clear definition and examination of the dimensions of what constitutes a smart tourism experience is still to be developed. This paper aims to discuss the main core precedent constructs of STEs, namely: a) technology enhanced experiences and b) smart destinations, to underpin a holistic definition of a smart tourism experience. Based on an in-depth literature review, a novel conceptual model for this concept is developed and an agenda for further research is proposed drawing on the identified key themes and dimensions of this construct. By mapping out smart tourism experiences and providing real examples, this research contributes to the theoretical foundations of smart tourism and tourist experiences.

Suggested Citation

  • Femenia-Serra , Francisco & Neuhofer, Barbara, 2018. "Smart tourism experiences: conceptualisation, key dimensions and research agenda," INVESTIGACIONES REGIONALES - Journal of REGIONAL RESEARCH, Asociación Española de Ciencia Regional, issue 42, pages 129-150.
    • Handle: RePEc:ris:invreg:0386
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Yuejiao Wang & Shiwei Shen & Marios Sotiriadis & Li Zhang, 2020. "Suggesting a Framework for Performance Evaluation of Tourist Attractions: A Balance Score Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-22, August.
    3. Chenkuo Pai & Sangguk Kang & Yumeng Liu & Yingchuan Zheng, 2021. "An Examination of Revisit Intention Based on Perceived Smart Tourism Technology Experience," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-14, January.
    4. Shiwei Shen & Marios Sotiriadis & Qing Zhou, 2020. "Could Smart Tourists Be Sustainable and Responsible as Well? The Contribution of Social Networking Sites to Improving Their Sustainable and Responsible Behavior," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-21, February.
    5. Sustacha, Inés & Baños Pino, José Francisco & del Valle, Eduardo, 2022. "Research trends in technology in the context of smart destinations: a bibliometric analysis and network visualization," Cuadernos de Gestión, Universidad del País Vasco - Instituto de Economía Aplicada a la Empresa (IEAE).
    6. Shiwei Shen & Marios Sotiriadis & Yuwen Zhang, 2020. "The Influence of Smart Technologies on Customer Journey in Tourist Attractions within the Smart Tourism Management Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-18, May.
    7. Giachino, Chiara & Pattanaro, Giulio & Bertoldi, Bernardo & Bollani, Luigi & Bonadonna, Alessandro, 2021. "Nature-based solutions and their potential to attract the young generations," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    8. Chung-Ming Chuang, 2023. "The conceptualization of smart tourism service platforms on tourist value co-creation behaviours: an integrative perspective of smart tourism services," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-16, December.
    9. Diaz Pranita & Sri Sarjana & Budiman Mahmud Musthofa & Hadining Kusumastuti & Mohamad Sattar Rasul, 2023. "Blockchain Technology to Enhance Integrated Blue Economy: A Case Study in Strengthening Sustainable Tourism on Smart Islands," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-24, March.
    10. David Perrain & Philippe Jean-Pierre, 2019. "The smart destination strategy, a key factor for changes in vulnerable tourist destinations? [La stratégie de destination intelligente, facteur clé des mutations des destinations touristiques vulné," Post-Print hal-02144769, HAL.
    11. Adalberto Santos-Júnior & Fernando Almeida-García & Paulo Morgado & Luiz Mendes-Filho, 2020. "Residents’ Quality of Life in Smart Tourism Destinations: A Theoretical Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-24, October.
    12. María del Carmen Verduzco Villaseñor & José Luis Cornejo Ortega & Rodrigo Espinoza Sánchez, 2023. "Governmental Strategies and Policies in the Projection of Smart Tourist Destination: An Approach to the Conceptual and Theoretical Qualitative Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-17, April.
    13. David Flores-Ruiz & Adolfo Elizondo-Salto & María de la O. Barroso-González, 2021. "Using Social Media in Tourist Sentiment Analysis: A Case Study of Andalusia during the Covid-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-19, March.
    14. María Magdalena Solís-Radilla & Lucio Hernández-Lobato & Luis Jose Callarisa-Fiol & Héctor T. Pastor-Durán, 2019. "The Importance of Sustainability in the Loyalty to a Tourist Destination through the Management of Expectations and Experiences," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(15), pages 1-23, July.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    smart tourism experience; tourist experience; smart tourism; smart destination; co-creation; research agenda; smart tourism destination;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L83 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Sports; Gambling; Restaurants; Recreation; Tourism
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D
    • R10 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - General

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