EVALUATION OF SMARTNESS OF THE TOURISM DESTINATION WEBSITES OF THE KLAIPEDA REGION

##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.main##

##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.sidebar##

Published: Dec 30, 2024

  Julius Ramanauskas

  Šarūnas Banevičius

  Putinas Bielskis

Abstract

In the context of the smart tourism ecosystem, destination communication websites occupy a pivotal position in the process of selecting destinations and hotels. In the contemporary era, the concept of smart cities, propelled by telecommunications-based information and communication technologies (ICT), is transforming the urban landscape. The concept of a smart city is not merely concerned with operational efficiency; it also seeks to enhance the overall value and quality of life for residents. This is of paramount importance for the sustainable development of urban areas. The tourism sector plays a significant role in this system, particularly due to the impact of sophisticated tourism ecosystems. The websites of local tourist information centres serve as the primary communication platforms for travellers, facilitating their decision-making processes regarding travel destinations and accommodation. This scientific publication assesses the efficacy of the websites of the tourism information centres (TICs) in the Klaipėda region, evaluating them according to criteria including user experience, integration of smart city principles and the provision of value-added services. When evaluating the websites of tourist information centres in the Klaipeda region, the authors tried to determine their smartness in relation to the following parameters 1. informativeness; 2. functionality; 3. innovation; 4. accessibility, supporting the development of regional tourism and its alignment with the broader goals of a smart city. The aim of the study is to propose directions for improvement after analysing the smartness parameters of the websites of the tourism information centres of the Klaipeda region. A review of the study's findings reveals that the informativeness parameter was rated favourably in the Klaipeda region, particularly in relation to the provision of comprehensive information about tourist destinations, accommodation facilities and catering establishments. However, the functionality and innovativeness parameters were identified as the most pressing areas for enhancement. In the functionality parameter, synchronization with weather forecasts and monitoring of tourist data (traffic dynamics) received the lowest scores – 3.6 and 3.9 points respectively (on a 10-point scale). In the context of innovation, two areas for improvement were identified: the application of virtual reality (VR) (2.4) and the measurement of visitor experience (4.6). In contrast, accessibility, particularly the availability of booking services and tourist information, was rated relatively higher. However, accessibility for people with hearing or visual impairments remains a significant challenge (4.41). Furthermore, it was observed that there is no unified city card system in place for public transport and entry to museums. The findings of the study offer valuable insights into the potential for enhancing the websites of information tourism centres by evaluating them in light of the objectives of smart city and smart tourism.

How to Cite

Ramanauskas, J., Banevičius, Šarūnas, & Bielskis, P. (2024). EVALUATION OF SMARTNESS OF THE TOURISM DESTINATION WEBSITES OF THE KLAIPEDA REGION. Baltic Journal of Economic Studies, 10(5), 31-39. https://doi.org/10.30525/2256-0742/2024-10-5-31-39
Article views: 101 | PDF Downloads: 94

##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.details##

Keywords

smart tourism, smart tourism destination, innovation

References

Albino, V., Berardi, U., & Dangelico, R. M. (2015). Smart cities: Definitions, dimensions, performance, and initiatives. Journal of Urban Technology, Vol. 22(1), p. 3–21. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10630732.2014.942092

Buhalis, D., & Amaranggana, A. (2015). Smart Tourism Destinations Enhancing Tourism Experience Through Personalisation of Services. In: Tussyadiah, I., Inversini, A. (eds) Information and Communication Technologies in Tourism 2015. Springer, Cham. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-14343-9_28

Buhalis, D., & Amaranggana, A. (2013). Smart Tourism Destinations. Information and Communication Technologies in Tourism, p. 560. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-03973-2_40

Choi, Il. Y., Ryu, Y. U., & Kim, J. K. (2021). A recommender system based on personal constraints for smart tourism city. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, Vol. 26(4), p. 440–453. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10941665.2019.1592765

Elshaer, A. M., Marzouk, A. M. (2022). Memorable tourist experiences: the role of smart tourism technologies and hotel innovations. Tourism Recreation Research. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02508281.2022.2027203

Femenia-Serra, F., Ioannou, A., & Tussyadiah, I. P. (2022) Is smart scary? A mixed-methods study on privacy in smart tourism. Current Issues in Tourism, Vol. 25(14), p. 2212–2238. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2021.1987399

Gretzel, U., & Koo, Ch. (2021). Smart tourism cities: a duality of place where technology supports the convergence of touristic and residential experiences. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, Vol. 26(4), p. 352–364. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10941665.2021.1897636

Gretzel, U. (2022). The smart DMO: A new step in the digital transformation of destination management organizations. European Journal of Tourism Research, Vol. 30, p. 1–12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.54055/ejtr.v30i.2589

Gretzel, U., & Jamal, T. B. (2020). Guiding principles for good governance of the smart destination. Travel and Tourism Research Association International Conference: Advancing Tourism Research Globally, June. Available at: https://scholarworks.umass.edu/ttra/2020/research_papers/42

Gretzel, U., Werthner, H., Koo, C., & Lamsfus, C. (2015). Conceptual foundations for understanding smart tourism ecosystems. Computers in Human Behavior, Vol. 50, p. 558–563. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.03.043

Hamid, R. A., Albahri, A. S., Alwan, J. K., Al-Qaysi, Z. T., Albahri, O. S., Zaidan, A. A., Alnoor, A., Alamoodi, A. H., & Zaidan, B. B. (2021). How smart is e-tourism? A systematic review of smart tourism recommendation system applying data management. Computer Science Review, Vol. 39, 100337. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosrev.2020.100337

Hollands, R. G. (2015). Critical Interventions into the Corporate Smart City. Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, Vol. 8(1), p. 61–77. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/cjres/rsu011

Huang, C. D., Jahyun G., Kichan N., & Chul W. Y. (2017). Smart Tourism Technologies in Travel Planning: The Role of Exploration and Exploitation. Information & Management, Vol. 54(6), p. 757–70. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.im.2016.11.010

Ivars-Baidal, J. A., Vera-Rebollo, J. F., Perles-Ribes, J., Femenia-Serra, F., & Celdrán-Bernabeu, M. A. (2022). Sustainable tourism indicators: what’s new within the smart city/destination approach? Journal of Sustainable Tourism. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2021.1876075.

Jeong, M., & Hailey Shin, H. (2020). Tourists’ Experiences with Smart Tourism Technology at Smart Destinations and Their Behavior Intentions. Journal of Travel Research, Vol. 59(8), p. 1464–1477. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287519883034

Kim, H., & Chen, J. S. (2019). The memorable travel experience and its reminiscence functions. Journal of Travel Research, Vol. 58(4), p. 637–649. DOI: https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287518772366

Komninos, N., & Mora, L. (2018). Exploring the big picture of smart city research. Scienze Regionali, Vol. 17(1), 15–38. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14650/88815

Li, Y., Hu, C., Huang, C., & Duan, L. (2017). The concept of smart tourism in the context of tourism information services. Tourism Management, Vol. 58, p. 293–300. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2016.03.014

Lee, H., Lee, J., Namho, Ch., & Culmo K. (2018). Tourists’ Happiness: Are There Smart Tourism Technology Effects? Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, Vol. 23(5), p. 486–501. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10941665.2018.1468344

Lee, P., Hunter, W. C., & Chung, N. (2020). Smart tourism city: Developments and transformations. Sustainability, Vol. 12(10), p. 3958. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su12103958

Sigala, M. (2018). New technologies in tourism: From multi-disciplinary to anti-disciplinary advances and trajectories. Tourism Management Perspectives, Vol. 25, p. 151–155. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2017.12.003

Soares, J. C., Domareski Ruiz, T. C., & Baidal, J. A. I. (2022). Smart destinations: a new planning and management approach? Current Issues in Tourism, Vol. 25(17), p. 2717–2732. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2021.1991897

Um, T., & Chung, N. (2021). Does smart tourism technology matter? Lessons from three smart tourism cities in South Korea. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, Vol. 26(4), p. 396–414. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10941665.2019.1595691

Weaver, D. B., Moyle, B. D. (2019). Tourist stupidity’ as a basic characteristic of ‘smart tourism’: challenges for destination planning and management. Tourism Recreation Research, Vol. 44(3), p. 387–391. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02508281.2019.1637611

Yigitcanlar, T., Kamruzzaman, M., Buys, L., Ioppolo, G., Sabatini-Marques, J., da Costa, E. M., & Yun, J. J. (2018). Understanding ‘smart cities’: Intertwining development drivers with desired outcomes in a multidimensional framework. Cities, Vol. 81, p. 145–160. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2018.04.003

Zhang, L. Y., Li, N., & Liu, M. (2012). On the basic concept of smarter tourism and its theoretical system. Tourism Tribune, Vol. 27(5), p. 66–73.

Zhang, T., Cheung, C., & Law, R. (2018). Functionality Evaluation for Destination Marketing Websites in Smart Tourism Cities. Journal of China Tourism Research, Vol. 14(3), p. 263–278. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/19388160.2018.1488641

Other articles by author(s)