STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF SMART TOURISM DESTINATIONS: A CROSS-GENERATIONAL STUDY
Transforming tourism destinations using technology that makes the travel process efficient and pleasant for different generational groups is crucial. Any attempt to achieve this goal should start with an analysis of the feedback tourists provide about their digital experience at a destination. Th...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | deu |
| Published: |
University of Oradea
2024-12-01
|
| Series: | Annals of the University of Oradea: Economic Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://anale.steconomiceuoradea.ro/en/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/AUOES.December.2024.21.pdf |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | Transforming tourism destinations using technology that makes the travel
process efficient and pleasant for different generational groups is crucial. Any
attempt to achieve this goal should start with an analysis of the feedback tourists
provide about their digital experience at a destination. This study was carried out to
gain an understanding of the perceptions of Romanian tourists of the strengths and
weaknesses of smart tourism destinations as the first part of any SWOT analysis
designed to collect critical factors about the current situation aiming to improve it to
remain on a highly competitive market. The empirical data was obtained from 628
tourists belonging to Baby Boomers, Generation X, Generation Y, and Generation
Z. The results showed, after a MAXQDA Analytics Pro analysis, that for all four
generations considered, the number of respondents who identified strengths is
higher than those who mentioned weaknesses. The study also found more
similarities than differences across generations in tourists' perceptions of smart
technology. Beyond Wi-Fi, destination marketers should focus on internet signal
quality and mobile apps for improved travel experiences. However, generational
gaps emerged: older generations valued ease of use, while younger ones prioritized
access to information apps. Gen Y identified virtual experiences as a weakness,
while Gen Z highlighted problematic applications By leveraging these tourism
destination strengths, marketers can optimize their digital strategies, ensuring
relevance and resonance across diverse demographic segments. Moreover, such
insights empower tourism destinations to innovate more effectively, meeting the
evolving needs and expectations of each generation in an increasingly digital
landscape. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1222-569X 1582-5450 |