Information and Communication Technology for Sustainable Tourism Development

The role of ICT for sustainable tourism development is discussed in this chapter. The tourism industry is experiencing a sustainability crisis. Mounting evidence exists on the detrimental impacts created as a result of tourism activities such as overcrowding in destinations and accelerated production of carbon emissions. Research in sustainable tourism is mature but challenges still exist in its operationalization and addressing the consequences of tourism on the economic, socio-cultural and natural environments. Therefore it is critical that eTourism researchers focus their attention on how ICT can be of critical significance in addressing sustainability issues. This chapter first examines the relationship between ICT and sustainable tourism and subsequently focuses on ICT role in sustainable tourism for destination planners, tourists and local communities. The specific ICTs used by each of these aforementioned groups are expanded upon. Detailed attention is given to how destination planners can position ICT for achieving the sustainable development goals. The chapter concludes by looking at the critical success factors of the effective implementation of ICT for sustainable tourism development.