Information and Communication Technologies for Sustainable Tourism

LondonSustainable development is a highly topical issue and is of critical importance to tourism as the environment is of utmost importance for the continued development and prosperity of the industry. There have been numerous texts written on sustainable tourism and the measures which can be used to mitigate and manage this, but none which acknowledges Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)as a mechanism of doing so, despite it being an emerging area of research. ICT in this context refers to innovative tools which form an integrated system of software and networked equipment that facilitates data processing information sharing communication and the ability to search and select from an existing range of products and services for an organisation's benefits. Despite the symbiotic relationship,that exists between ICT and sustainable tourism, there has been little research considering how the use of such technology can be used to make sustainable tourism development a more workable reality. This opportune research monograph is the first to provide a focus on the interrelationship of these two important topics, demonstrating their synergies and providing insight into a new and innovative approach to managing sustainable tourism development. It considers the use of technology to reduce the negative impacts of tourism from both the demand and supply-side perspectives. A critical review of a range of cutting-edge technologies used by tourists and businesses to assess their usefulness in managing sustainable tourism development from the macro to the micro level is also provided. It further integrates examples and practical applications to show how ICT can be an invaluable mechanism in the management of sustainable tourism development.div_BaMpub2930pu