The State of Technology Deployment in South Africa’s Tourism and Hospitality Industry

Significant global developments have marked the period following COVID-19 to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Technological innovation plays a crucial role in pursuing these goals, and the tourism industry has also recognised its importance. This study focuses on assessing the progress of technological innovation in the tourism and hospitality industry in South Africa. The study combines primary data collected through field observations with secondary data analysis from reliable sources and online customer reviews. The findings indicate that the South African sector has made impressive strides in adopting technology across various tourism sectors and subsectors. Moreover, the sector has embraced artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance service delivery and improve the overall quality of the tourism experience. Despite facing challenges, the sector can benefit from worldwide technological innovation hubs that aim to address critical issues faced by the industry. However, it is worth noting that barriers such as funding constraints, a skills gap and inadequate infrastructure have hindered the sector’s progress towards technological transformation.