This chapter begins with a concise overview of recent studies and reports on how the tourism industry is embracing digital transformation. This initial section aims to provide context for the current significance of technology adoption in tourism and an insight into the prevailing strategies and challenges faced by the industry. In light of this context, it becomes essential to delve into the scientific literature to comprehend how it reflects the evolution of technology adoption within tourism, including themes under investigation and potential trends. Hence, the following section delves into a bibliometric analysis of scientific production related to the use of technologies in tourism over the past decade. This study enables us to gain a comprehensive understanding of the evolving scientific literature on technology adoption in tourism and it sets forth an agenda for future research, paving the way for advancements in the realm of new digital technologies in the tourism sector.
TopIntroduction
Technology has become a crucial part of the tourism industry, with its integration growing significantly in recent years. As we continue to move towards a digitized society, the demand for advanced tech applications from tech-savvy generations has soared. Cutting-edge digital tools, such as touch-screen devices, audio guides, augmented and Virtual Reality, and beacon technology, have emerged as essential elements in enhancing visitors' tourism experience. These innovations offer immersive, personalized, and captivating content, elevating the visitor's journey.
Art resources are a significant aspect of tourism, representing cultural heritage and unique artistic value. Traditional presentation methods often lack the vividness and sharpness to make these resources feel charmless. Immersive technologies like VR, AR, and MR have the potential to create unforgettable tourist experiences, especially in heritage tourism (Alexandra Bec et al. 2019). Moreover, emerging digital technologies are critical to the sustainable preservation and communication of cultural heritage to the general public (Nikonova and Biryukova 2017).
The opening section of this paper explores recent studies and reports on how the tourism industry is embracing digital transformation. These studies highlight various factors propelling the tourism sector forward, including the increasing demand from tech-savvy younger generations, the potential for enhancing visitor experiences, and the unprecedented access and availability facilitated by the internet. Additionally, the section also delves into the challenges that come with technology adoption in tourism, such as maintenance requirements, digital literacy considerations, and resource limitations.
The visual support provided by software-generated tables and graphs enhances result interpretation, enabling us to comprehend the evolving scientific literature on technology adoption in the tourism industry. Through this visual aid, we address pertinent questions, such as:
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What are the prevailing XR technologies currently propelling the tourism sector towards digital transformation?
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Which published articles hold the greatest influence and explore which themes?
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Who are the most prolific authors and what technologies do they focus on?
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How do countries collaborate in advancing technology adoption within tourism?
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What are the most frequently used keywords in articles, revealing insights into the trending technology usage in the tourism sector?
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In what ways does XR technology play a role in the tourism industry?
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Which groundbreaking articles have the greatest influence on tourism?
TopBackground
The concept of a “virtuality continuum” was introduced in 1994 (Paul Milgram and Kishino 1994) and it refers to a spectrum ranging from complete virtuality to complete realism (Fig. 1). Essentially, it encompasses all possible variations and compositions of real and virtual components. The term is commonly used in the context of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality technologies. A “virtual continuum” is described as a way to identify the various levels of immersion and interaction that can be experienced in virtual environments, ranging from fully immersive virtual worlds to Mixed Reality experiences that blend virtual and real elements.