Research Article

Reflection of the Digital Transformation Process on the Tourism Sector: A Study on the Use of Smart Tourism Technologies

Volume: 14 Number: 4 October 3, 2025
TR EN

Reflection of the Digital Transformation Process on the Tourism Sector: A Study on the Use of Smart Tourism Technologies

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the level of use and experiences of smart tourism technologies by employees and managers in tourism businesses. A nested multiple case design, which is one of the qualitative research designs, was used for this purpose in the study. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with 48 employees and managers from two accommodation establishments, two food and beverage establishments, two travel agencies and two airline establishments in Istanbul, which were determined as cases in the study, using the maximum diversity sampling method. The data obtained from the interviews were subjected to content analysis using the Maxquda 2020 qualitative data analysis program. Cloud technologies, big data, QR codes, mobile applications, virtual reality, infrared communication, electronic flight technology, global positioning systems, and digital self-service technologies are used in tourism businesses. It has been determined that employees and managers in tourism enterprises welcome the use of these smart tourism technologies because of their perceived benefits, ease of use, safety, welfare, improving employee performance, enriching recipes, the quality of digital software systems used in enterprises and various organizational support provided for employees. On one hand, it has been determined that smart tourism technologies have various benefits for employees, businesses and customers such as fast service, time saving, competitive advantage, flexible working, sustainability, reduction of airplane accidents, strengthened brand image, increased operational efficiency, correct ordering and the chance to re-order food and beverages while on the other some negativities such as data security problems, service disruption, standardization of food tastes, expensive service, cyber loafing, burnout syndrome and loss of employment have also been determined.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

During the writing process of the study titled “Reflection of the Digital Transformation Process on the Tourism Sector: A Study on the Use of Smart Tourism Technology”, scientific rules, ethics and citation rules were followed; no falsification was made on the collected data and this study was not sent for evaluation to any other academic publication environment. The necessary ethics committee permissions were obtained at the meeting of Dokuz Eylül University Social and Human Sciences Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee dated 02.11.2021 and numbered 25.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Digital Marketing

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

October 3, 2025

Submission Date

February 22, 2025

Acceptance Date

September 3, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 14 Number: 4

APA
Hazarhun, D. E., & Yılmaz, Ö. D. (2025). Reflection of the Digital Transformation Process on the Tourism Sector: A Study on the Use of Smart Tourism Technologies. MANAS Sosyal Araştırmalar Dergisi, 14(4), 1651-1674. https://doi.org/10.33206/mjss.1645011
AMA
1.Hazarhun DE, Yılmaz ÖD. Reflection of the Digital Transformation Process on the Tourism Sector: A Study on the Use of Smart Tourism Technologies. MJSS. 2025;14(4):1651-1674. doi:10.33206/mjss.1645011
Chicago
Hazarhun, Dr. Eda, and Ö. Devrim Yılmaz. 2025. “Reflection of the Digital Transformation Process on the Tourism Sector: A Study on the Use of Smart Tourism Technologies”. MANAS Sosyal Araştırmalar Dergisi 14 (4): 1651-74. https://doi.org/10.33206/mjss.1645011.
EndNote
Hazarhun DE, Yılmaz ÖD (October 1, 2025) Reflection of the Digital Transformation Process on the Tourism Sector: A Study on the Use of Smart Tourism Technologies. MANAS Sosyal Araştırmalar Dergisi 14 4 1651–1674.
IEEE
[1]D. E. Hazarhun and Ö. D. Yılmaz, “Reflection of the Digital Transformation Process on the Tourism Sector: A Study on the Use of Smart Tourism Technologies”, MJSS, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 1651–1674, Oct. 2025, doi: 10.33206/mjss.1645011.
ISNAD
Hazarhun, Dr. Eda - Yılmaz, Ö. Devrim. “Reflection of the Digital Transformation Process on the Tourism Sector: A Study on the Use of Smart Tourism Technologies”. MANAS Sosyal Araştırmalar Dergisi 14/4 (October 1, 2025): 1651-1674. https://doi.org/10.33206/mjss.1645011.
JAMA
1.Hazarhun DE, Yılmaz ÖD. Reflection of the Digital Transformation Process on the Tourism Sector: A Study on the Use of Smart Tourism Technologies. MJSS. 2025;14:1651–1674.
MLA
Hazarhun, Dr. Eda, and Ö. Devrim Yılmaz. “Reflection of the Digital Transformation Process on the Tourism Sector: A Study on the Use of Smart Tourism Technologies”. MANAS Sosyal Araştırmalar Dergisi, vol. 14, no. 4, Oct. 2025, pp. 1651-74, doi:10.33206/mjss.1645011.
Vancouver
1.Dr. Eda Hazarhun, Ö. Devrim Yılmaz. Reflection of the Digital Transformation Process on the Tourism Sector: A Study on the Use of Smart Tourism Technologies. MJSS. 2025 Oct. 1;14(4):1651-74. doi:10.33206/mjss.1645011

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