Smart Technologies for Smart Tourism Development

Abstract

Development of technologies have also influenced tourism sector introducing the concept of Tourism 4.0 and thus emphasising the smart approach. Besides the fact that smart tourism technologies are recognised to have a positive impact on tourists’ experience, effectiveness and competitiveness of businesses and destinations, their profound evaluation from tourists’ and industry point of view is still lacking. The aim of the article is to analyse the level of expected impact and period of maximum impact of smart tourism technologies in Central Europe. The findings reveal that technologies providing information have reached the maturity, while the maximum impact is being soon awaited from technologies applied in data management, followed by technologies enhancing the experience. The true development of smart tourism in Central Europe can be expected within 3 to 4 years, as sensing technologies powered by Internet of Things will reach their plateau of productivity.