Digital Divide in E-Tourism

Abstract

The digital revolution and the widespread use of information and communication technologies (ICT) have empowered information management to enhance the social and economic impacts of tourism worldwide. The digital divide is one of the competitiveness issues currently facing tourism organizations and destinations, affecting their capacity to interact effectively in a global tourism environment. Generally understood as a phenomenon of unequal distribution of information, the digital divide can lead to digital and social exclusion, as certain groups of tourists and destinations are unable to participate in the opportunities emerging from the use of the Internet and ICT. In this chapter, we discuss the two most important conceptual models used to interpret the digital divide and the barriers to tourism competitiveness it presents for different territorial areas, from the perspective of both supply and demand. Given that the digital divide has important implications for tourism organizations and destinations, we review the main indicators, tools, and instruments used to measure this phenomenon, as well as the strategies and recommendations employed to minimize it. Finally, we discuss new research approaches to the digital divide, especially those that focus on the link between digital technology, tourism inequalities, and connectivity.