THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION IN MANAGING GLOBAL VALUE CHAINS IN THE TOURISM INDUSTRY

There is growing awareness that the SMEs in a value chain are strongly disadvantaged due to asymmetries of information and power in the chain, with few opportunities of upgrading. However, it is argued that technological innovation and the advent of the Internet have diminished many of these asymmetries between larger and smaller actors. This paper intends to offer an outline of the global tourism value chain, explore how technological innovations have impacted its governance. It also outlines the emerging paradigm shift as well as the increasing role of consumers in the Global Value Chains of the tourism industry