Technology Applications in the Asian Tourism Industry in Future

Abstract

Technological developments affecting the lifestyles of all people are important in terms of ensuring the sustainability of businesses in the tourism industry, gaining competitive advantage, increasing the quality of service, creating a positive image, and meeting the needs and demands of tourists fully. The increasing prevalence of social media in the tourism industry; rapid advances in automation through robotics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence; new technologies such as the use of bitcoin and blockchain technology, and the use of virtual reality technology and other smart tourism technologies can offer tourists the opportunity to provide highly customized products and experiences. For this reason, tourism businesses need to analyze the innovations in information and communication technologies in tourism effectively and efficiently and develop technology-oriented tourism policies. In addition, tourism businesses should focus on anticipating what new technological opportunities may arise in the future and be prepared for the future to cope with the challenges of technology innovation. In this context, it was examined that the technological applications used in the tourism industry today in this chapter. Then, it was also examined that the expected developments in the technology usage in the future and what kind of applications may arise depending on these developments. In addition, it was discussed that the COVID-19 outbreak affecting the whole world might bring what kind of new technological applications to the tourism industry. Finally, within the scope of the study, it was presented recommendations to the businesses in the tourism industry. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2022.