Challenges of Technology Integration in the Tourism Industry in Africa

Technological innovation is a game-changer in the contemporary corporate world. Technology improves cost-effectiveness, better staff management, revenue management, and competitive advantage. While there are several benefits brought about by technology, the understanding of its future challenges especially for tourism and hospitality enterprises remains a work in progress. This chapter, therefore, explores the challenges of tourism digitalisation and technological integration in Africa. The chapter follows a conceptual research approach. It is based on the analysis of existing debates to highlight some of the challenges that can emerge from technological integration. The chapter shows that technology integration results in security risks in relation to data and fraud, increased risk of job cuts, over-dependence on technology, and increased costs for small enterprises. The chapter concludes that although technology wields enormous benefits for businesses, the impact can be adverse for enterprises and employees that are in emerging economies such as Africa. It is crucial that technology be implemented gradually to safeguard enterprises as well as the livelihoods of employees in those enterprises. Future research can explore labour transformation within tourism and hospitality enterprises in the context of digitalisation and technology integration.