Title: Comparative insights into the digital transformation of the tourism industry: a literature review

Authors: Yuan Zhang; Zoltán Szabó; Árpád Papp-Váry; Ragif Huseynov; Nidhi Shukla; Aamir Aijaz Syed

Addresses: University of Sopron, Sopron, Hungary ' University of Sopron, Sopron, Hungary ' University of Sopron, Sopron, Hungary ' Department of Economics, Azerbaijan Technological University, Ganja, Azerbaijan ' Shri Ramswaroop Memorial University, Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, India ' Shri Ramswaroop Memorial University, Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract: This review conducts a comparative analysis of digital transformation in the tourism industry, bridging Chinese and international perspectives. Utilising an interdisciplinary framework, it critically evaluates the transformative role of digital technologies on operational and managerial aspects of tourism. The findings highlight distinct approaches and outcomes of digitalisation in different regions, revealing three primary dimensions: consumer experience enhancement, innovative business models and sustainability practices. The review acknowledges the dual nature of digital transformation, offering opportunities for improved consumer engagement and operational efficiency while addressing challenges like data privacy and sustainable development. A significant contribution of this paper is its synthesis of diverse impacts of digital transformation across various geographical contexts, providing strategic insights for industry practitioners and policymakers in the digital era, especially under the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: digital transformation; tourism industry; comparative analysis; COVID-19 impact; international perspectives.

DOI: 10.1504/IJDIPE.2025.147309

International Journal of Diplomacy and Economy, 2025 Vol.11 No.3, pp.276 - 303

Received: 07 Oct 2023
Accepted: 02 Dec 2023
Published online: 14 Jul 2025 *

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