The Strategic Relationship Between Smart Tourism and Sustainability—A Theoretical Approach

According to the definition and understanding of the UNWTO, one of the pillars of smart tourism and smart destination research and practice is the context of sustainability: “A smart destination is one with a strategy for technology, innovation, sustainability, accessibility and inclusivity along the entire tourism cycle: before, during and after the trip. A smart destination is also one with residents as well as tourists in mind, factoring multilingualism, cultural idiosyncrasies, and seasonality into tourism planning” ( https://www.unwto.org/digital-transformation ). Therefore, also based on the title and topic of the book, the present chapter intends to collect and highlight the essence of the strategic relationship between sustainable tourism and smart tourism. It looks at the joint benefits and drawbacks of introducing cutting-edge technologies into the travel industry with the long-term goal of creating a sustainable balance between ecological, economic, and social factors (Butler in Tour Geogr 1:7–25, 1999). The definition and characteristics of smart tourism are examined in this research, which emphasizes the pivotal role that information and communication technologies (ICTs) have had in transforming traditional tourism strategies. Simultaneously, it looks at tourism sustainability, explaining the various benefits and difficulties associated with encouraging travel that is socially, economically, and environmentally responsible. The relationship between smart tourism and sustainability is broken down, revealing shared goals and the revolutionary potential of intelligent technologies to reduce the environmental effect of the sector, promote economic growth, and protect cultural heritage. The investigation of environmental sustainability highlights the ways in which smart and intelligent technologies might lessen the environmental impact of tourism. The viewpoint of empowering local communities and promoting economic prosperity through wise tourism practices informs the concept of economic sustainability. It makes social sustainability clear by highlighting programs that put community engagement and cultural heritage protection first. Along with discussing the risks and difficulties of incorporating smart technologies into tourism, the chapter presents practical approaches on how to minimize any negative effects. Future directions and innovations are outlined, providing a roadmap for additional study and advancement in the fields of sustainability and smart tourism. The conclusion of this overview emphasizes how crucial it is to forge a strategic partnership between smart tourism and sustainability in order to steer the tourism sector toward a more accountable, robust, and equitable future.