Title: Tourism 4.0 in Portuguese tourism businesses

Authors: Bárbara Coelho; Kateryna Levytska; Kate Torkington; Célia M.Q. Ramos

Addresses: ESGHT, Universidade do Algarve, Campus da Penha, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal ' ESGHT, Universidade do Algarve, Campus da Penha, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal ' ESGHT and CiTUR, Universidade do Algarve, Campus da Penha, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal ' ESGHT and CinTurs, Universidade do Algarve, Campus da Penha, 8005-139 – Faro, Portugal

Abstract: The future of tourism must take into consideration not only the new technologies associated with the environment provided by Tourism 4.0, but also concerns regarding sustainable development objectives. In this context, it is important to analyse the extent to which Portuguese tourism companies are adopting technologies associated with Tourism 4.0 through the identification and diagnosis of opportunities, the perception of their benefits, as well as the obstacles involved. A nationwide questionnaire survey was administered, and a sample of 412 responses was produced. The results of this study showed that many Portuguese tourism companies are not aware of the concept of Tourism 4.0, and that it is not being applied successfully due to perceived obstacles to adoption, although many companies recognise that Tourism 4.0 has advantages for their business and for sustainability practices.

Keywords: Tourism 4.0; digital transformation; sustainability; ICT; information and communication technology; Portugal.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTP.2023.134512

International Journal of Tourism Policy, 2023 Vol.13 No.6, pp.505 - 524

Received: 07 Oct 2022
Received in revised form: 01 Feb 2023
Accepted: 07 Feb 2023
Published online: 26 Oct 2023 *