Space Economy and Rural Development

Space Economy and Rural Development

Explaining the Role of the Capacity of Modern Information Technologies in the Development of Smart Tourism (Case Study of Tourism Target Villages in Khorasan Razavi Province)

Authors
Amin Faal Jalali
Maryam ghasemi
Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
10.61186/serd.13.49.4
Abstract
Purpose

This research aims to investigate the impact of utilizing smart capabilities on improving rural tourism and addressing rural challenges in the target villages of Khorasan Razavi Province.

Method

The study’s statistical population comprised 261 tourists who either traveled to the villages or used virtual platforms to plan their visits. Due to the dispersed nature of the statistical population, a snowball sampling method was employed to select the sample. Data were collected through a questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS software, applying statistical tests. Additionally, to examine the impact of information and communication technologies (ICT) on the development of smart tourism in the studied villages, the PLS (Partial Least Squares) model was utilized.

Results

The findings indicate that existing tourism capacities have a direct and significant impact on the development of smart tourism. Among the evaluated components, smart transportation emerged as the most influential. Key aspects of smart transportation include online and offline routing, route traffic information, interstate services, and other related benefits. Following smart transportation, communication tools were identified as the second most effective component in fostering smart tourism. These tools include email, telephone, internet sites, and participation in messaging platforms or channels.

Additionally, the smart environment was found to play a significant role in the development of smart tourism. Features of the smart environment include the availability of robust antenna networks, internet connectivity at the village level, electronic banking services, and similar infrastructural advancements.

Conclusion

The results demonstrate that the average indicators related to virtual facilities in the studied villages exceed normal values. This indicates that the villages possess the necessary infrastructural and human resources to support the development of smart tourism. Furthermore, the analysis confirms that rural smart capabilities have a measurable impact on the advancement of smart tourism in the region.
Keywords
Khorasan Razavi
Information and Communication Technology
Rural Tourism
Intelligence
Anabastani, A. Barani Ali Akbari, S. (1403). Spatial analysis of factors affecting the formation of smart rural tourism approach (case study: target villages for tourism in the east of Kermanshah province). Spatial Planning, 14(3), 87-114. [DOI:10.22108/sppl.2024.141126.1782 (in Persian).]
ابراهیم پور، حبیب؛ رحمتی، منصور؛ و نعمتی، ولی. (1401). امکان‌سنجی توسعه گردشگری هوشمند با تأکید بر توسعه پایدار (مطالعه موردی: شهر اردبیل). مطالعات علوم محیط زیست، 7(1)، 4622-4631. [DOI:10.22034/jess.2022.145675]
Andersen, I. M. V., Blichfeldt, B. S., & Liburd, J. J. (2016). Sustainability in coastal tourism development: an example from Denmark. Current Issues in Tourism, 19(5), 1-8.
صفری علی اکبری، مسعود. (1401). تحلیل بستر گردشگری هوشمند در روستاهای هدف گردشگری و موانع پیش رو (مورد مطالعه: شهرستان پاوه). روستا و توسعه پایدار فضا، 3(4)، 44-64. [DOI:10.22077/vssd.2023.5697.1138]
Anthopoulos, L. G. (2015). Understanding the smart city domain: A literature review. Transforming city governments for successful smart cities, 9-21. [DOI:10.1007/978-3-319-03167-5_2]
عنابستانی، علی اکبر؛ بارانی، علی اکبری، سجاد. (1403). تحلیل فضایی عوامل مؤثر بر شکل‌گیری رهیافت گردشگری هوشمند روستایی (مورد مطالعه: روستاهای هدف گردشگری شرق استان کرمانشاه). برنامه ریزی فضایی, 14(3)، 87-114. [DOI:10.22108/sppl.2024.141126.1782]
Beck, J., Rainoldi, M., & Egger, R. (2019). Virtual reality in tourism: a state-of-the-art review. Tourism Review. [DOI:10.1108/TR-03-2017-0049]
Anabastani, A. Barani Ali Akbari, S. (1403). Spatial analysis of factors affecting the formation of smart rural tourism approach (case study: target villages for tourism in the east of Kermanshah province). Spatial Planning, 14(3), 87-114. [DOI:10.22108/sppl.2024.141126.1782 (in Persian).]
Bhattacherjee, A., & Sanford, C. (2006). Influence processes for information technology acceptance: An elaboration likelihood model. MIS quarterly, 805-825. [DOI:10.2307/25148755]
Andersen, I. M. V., Blichfeldt, B. S., & Liburd, J. J. (2016). Sustainability in coastal tourism development: an example from Denmark. Current Issues in Tourism, 19(5), 1-8.
Bitner, M. J., & Obermiller, C. (1985). The elaboration likelihood model: Limitations and extensions in marketing. ACR North American Advances.
Anthopoulos, L. G. (2015). Understanding the smart city domain: A literature review. Transforming city governments for successful smart cities, 9-21. [DOI:10.1007/978-3-319-03167-5_2]
Buhalis, D. (2015). Working Definitions of Smartness and Smart Tourism Destination, available at: http://buhalis.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/working-definitions-of-smartness-and.html (Accessed 2 March 2015).
Beck, J., Rainoldi, M., & Egger, R. (2019). Virtual reality in tourism: a state-of-the-art review. Tourism Review. [DOI:10.1108/TR-03-2017-0049]
Buhalis, D. Law. R. (2008). Progress in information technology and tourism management: 20 years on and 10 years after the Internet-The state of Tourism research. Tourism management, 29(4): 609-623. [DOI:10.1016/j.tourman.2008.01.005]
Bhattacherjee, A., & Sanford, C. (2006). Influence processes for information technology acceptance: An elaboration likelihood model. MIS quarterly, 805-825. [DOI:10.2307/25148755]
Buhalis, D., & Amaranggana, A. (2013). Smart tourism destinations. In Information and communication technologies in tourism 2014 (pp. 553-564). Springer, Cham. [DOI:10.1007/978-3-319-03973-2_40]
Bitner, M. J., & Obermiller, C. (1985). The elaboration likelihood model: Limitations and extensions in marketing. ACR North American Advances.
Buhalis, D., & Amaranggana, A. (2015). Smart tourism destinations enhancing tourism experience through personalisation of services. In Information and communication technologies in tourism 2015 (pp. 377-389). Springer, Cham. [DOI:10.1007/978-3-319-14343-9_28]
Buhalis, D. (2015). Working Definitions of Smartness and Smart Tourism Destination, available at: http://buhalis.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/working-definitions-of-smartness-and.html (Accessed 2 March 2015).
Choi, I. Y., Ryu, Y. U., & Kim, J. K. (2019). A recommender system based on personal constraints for smart tourism city. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, 1-14. [DOI:10.1080/10941665.2019.1592765]
Buhalis, D. Law. R. (2008). Progress in information technology and tourism management: 20 years on and 10 years after the Internet-The state of Tourism research. Tourism management, 29(4): 609-623. [DOI:10.1016/j.tourman.2008.01.005]
Dašić, D., Živković, D., & Vujić, T. (2020). Rural tourism in development function of rural areas in Serbia. Економика пољопривреде, (3). [DOI:10.5937/ekoPolj2003719D]
Buhalis, D., & Amaranggana, A. (2013). Smart tourism destinations. In Information and communication technologies in tourism 2014 (pp. 553-564). Springer, Cham. [DOI:10.1007/978-3-319-03973-2_40]
Del Chiappa, G., & Baggio, R. (2015). Knowledge transfer in smart tourism destinations: Analyzing the effects of a network structure. Journal of Destination Marketing & Management, 4(3), 145-150. [DOI:10.1016/j.jdmm.2015.02.001]
Buhalis, D., & Amaranggana, A. (2015). Smart tourism destinations enhancing tourism experience through personalisation of services. In Information and communication technologies in tourism 2015 (pp. 377-389). Springer, Cham. [DOI:10.1007/978-3-319-14343-9_28]
Del Vecchio, P., Mele, G., Ndou, V., & Secundo, G. (2018). Creating value from social big data: Implications for smart tourism destinations. Information Processing & Management, 54(5), 847-860. [DOI:10.1016/j.ipm.2017.10.006]
Choi, I. Y., Ryu, Y. U., & Kim, J. K. (2019). A recommender system based on personal constraints for smart tourism city. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, 1-14. [DOI:10.1080/10941665.2019.1592765]
Dumitru, A., Budică, A., & Motoi, A. (2016). Managerial-systemic profile of a tourism company. Polish Journal of Management Studies, 13(2), 36-45. [DOI:10.17512/pjms.2016.13.2.04]
Dašić, D., Živković, D., & Vujić, T. (2020). Rural tourism in development function of rural areas in Serbia. Економика пољопривреде, (3). [DOI:10.5937/ekoPolj2003719D]
Ebrahimpour, H. Rahmati, M., & Nemati, V. (1401). Feasibility of smart tourism development with emphasis on sustainable development (case study: Ardabil city). Environmental Science Studies, 7(1), 4622-4631. [DOI:10.22034/jess.2022.145675 (in Persian)]
Del Chiappa, G., & Baggio, R. (2015). Knowledge transfer in smart tourism destinations: Analyzing the effects of a network structure. Journal of Destination Marketing & Management, 4(3), 145-150. [DOI:10.1016/j.jdmm.2015.02.001]
Garau, C. (2015). Perspectives on cultural and sustainable rural tourism in a smart region: The case study of Marmilla in Sardinia (Italy). Sustainability, 7(6), 6412-6434. [DOI:10.3390/su7066412]
Del Vecchio, P., Mele, G., Ndou, V., & Secundo, G. (2018). Creating value from social big data: Implications for smart tourism destinations. Information Processing & Management, 54(5), 847-860. [DOI:10.1016/j.ipm.2017.10.006]
Gretzel, U., Zhong, L., Koo, C., Boes, K., Buhalis, D., & Inversini, A. (2015). Smart tourism destinations: ecosystems for tourism destination competitiveness. International Journal of Tourism Cities.
Dumitru, A., Budică, A., & Motoi, A. (2016). Managerial-systemic profile of a tourism company. Polish Journal of Management Studies, 13(2), 36-45. [DOI:10.17512/pjms.2016.13.2.04]
Higgins-Desbiolles, F., Carnicelli, S., Krolikowski, C., Wijesinghe, G., & Boluk, K. (2019). Degrowing tourism: Rethinking tourism. Journal of Sustainable Tourism. [DOI:10.1080/09669582.2019.1601732]
Ebrahimpour, H. Rahmati, M., & Nemati, V. (1401). Feasibility of smart tourism development with emphasis on sustainable development (case study: Ardabil city). Environmental Science Studies, 7(1), 4622-4631. [DOI:10.22034/jess.2022.145675 (in Persian)]
Hjalager, A.-M. (2010), "Progress in Tourism Management: A review of innovation research in tourism", Tourism Management, Vol. 31, 1-12. [DOI:10.1016/j.tourman.2009.08.012]
Garau, C. (2015). Perspectives on cultural and sustainable rural tourism in a smart region: The case study of Marmilla in Sardinia (Italy). Sustainability, 7(6), 6412-6434. [DOI:10.3390/su7066412]
Hollands, R. G. (2015), Critical interventions into the corporate smart city, Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, Vol. 8, 61-77. [DOI:10.1093/cjres/rsu011]
Gretzel, U., Zhong, L., Koo, C., Boes, K., Buhalis, D., & Inversini, A. (2015). Smart tourism destinations: ecosystems for tourism destination competitiveness. International Journal of Tourism Cities.
Jovicic, D. Z. (2019). From the traditional understanding of tourism destination to the smart tourism destination. Current Issues in Tourism, 22(3), 276-282. [DOI:10.1080/13683500.2017.1313203]
Higgins-Desbiolles, F., Carnicelli, S., Krolikowski, C., Wijesinghe, G., & Boluk, K. (2019). Degrowing tourism: Rethinking tourism. Journal of Sustainable Tourism. [DOI:10.1080/09669582.2019.1601732]
Kramer, R., Modsching, M., Hagen, K., & Gretzel, U. (2007). Behavioural impacts of mobile tour guides. Information and communication technologies in tourism 2007, 109-118. [DOI:10.1007/978-3-211-69566-1_11]
Hjalager, A.-M. (2010), "Progress in Tourism Management: A review of innovation research in tourism", Tourism Management, Vol. 31, 1-12. [DOI:10.1016/j.tourman.2009.08.012]
Lee, P., Hunter, W. C., & Chung, N. (2020). Smart tourism city: developments and transformations. Sustainability, 12(10), 3958. [DOI:10.3390/su12103958]
Hollands, R. G. (2015), Critical interventions into the corporate smart city, Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, Vol. 8, 61-77. [DOI:10.1093/cjres/rsu011]
Li, H., Nijkamp, P., Xie, X., & Liu, J. (2020). A New Livelihood Sustainability Index for Rural Revitalization Assessment-A Modelling Study on Smart Tourism Specialization in China. Sustainability, 12(8), 3148. [DOI:10.3390/su12083148]
Jovicic, D. Z. (2019). From the traditional understanding of tourism destination to the smart tourism destination. Current Issues in Tourism, 22(3), 276-282. [DOI:10.1080/13683500.2017.1313203]
Li, Y., Hu, C., Huang, C., & Duan, L. (2017). The concept of smart tourism in the context of tourism information services. Tourism Management, 58, 293-300. [DOI:10.1016/j.tourman.2016.03.014]
Kramer, R., Modsching, M., Hagen, K., & Gretzel, U. (2007). Behavioural impacts of mobile tour guides. Information and communication technologies in tourism 2007, 109-118. [DOI:10.1007/978-3-211-69566-1_11]
Litvin, S. W., Goldsmith, R. E., & Pan, B. (2008). Electronic word-of-mouth in hospitality and tourism management. Tourism management, 29(3), 458-468. [DOI:10.1016/j.tourman.2007.05.011]
Lee, P., Hunter, W. C., & Chung, N. (2020). Smart tourism city: developments and transformations. Sustainability, 12(10), 3958. [DOI:10.3390/su12103958]
Loureiro, S. M. C., & González, F. J. M. (2008). The importance of quality, satisfaction, trust, and image in relation to rural tourist loyalty. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 25(2), 117-136. [DOI:10.1080/10548400802402321]
Li, H., Nijkamp, P., Xie, X., & Liu, J. (2020). A New Livelihood Sustainability Index for Rural Revitalization Assessment-A Modelling Study on Smart Tourism Specialization in China. Sustainability, 12(8), 3148. [DOI:10.3390/su12083148]
Ma, C., & Huang, C. (2019). Research on the Development Model of Rural E-commerce in the Smart Tourism Environment. In 1st International Symposium on Economic Development and Management Innovation (EDMI 2019). Atlantis Press. [DOI:10.2991/edmi-19.2019.23]
Li, Y., Hu, C., Huang, C., & Duan, L. (2017). The concept of smart tourism in the context of tourism information services. Tourism Management, 58, 293-300. [DOI:10.1016/j.tourman.2016.03.014]
MacKay, K., & Vogt, C. (2012). Information technology in everyday and vacation contexts. Annals of Tourism Research, 39(3), 1380-1401. [DOI:10.1016/j.annals.2012.02.001]
Litvin, S. W., Goldsmith, R. E., & Pan, B. (2008). Electronic word-of-mouth in hospitality and tourism management. Tourism management, 29(3), 458-468. [DOI:10.1016/j.tourman.2007.05.011]
ogicevic, V., Seo, S., Kandampully, J. A., Liu, S. Q., & Rudd, N. A. (2019). Virtual reality presence as a preamble of tourism experience: The role of mental imagery. Tourism Management, 74, 55-64. [DOI:10.1016/j.tourman.2019.02.009]
Loureiro, S. M. C., & González, F. J. M. (2008). The importance of quality, satisfaction, trust, and image in relation to rural tourist loyalty. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 25(2), 117-136. [DOI:10.1080/10548400802402321]
Pai, C. K., Liu, Y., Kang, S., & Dai, A. (2020). The role of perceived smart tourism technology experience for tourist satisfaction, happiness and revisit intention. Sustainability, 12(16), 6592. [DOI:10.3390/su12166592]
Ma, C., & Huang, C. (2019). Research on the Development Model of Rural E-commerce in the Smart Tourism Environment. In 1st International Symposium on Economic Development and Management Innovation (EDMI 2019). Atlantis Press. [DOI:10.2991/edmi-19.2019.23]
Petty, R. E., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2012). Communication and persuasion: Central and peripheral routes to attitude change. Springer Science & Business Media.
MacKay, K., & Vogt, C. (2012). Information technology in everyday and vacation contexts. Annals of Tourism Research, 39(3), 1380-1401. [DOI:10.1016/j.annals.2012.02.001]
Poddubnaya, N. V. (2019). The use of internet technologies in tourism marketing. In Актуальные проблемы развития сервиса и туризма (pp. 135-137).
ogicevic, V., Seo, S., Kandampully, J. A., Liu, S. Q., & Rudd, N. A. (2019). Virtual reality presence as a preamble of tourism experience: The role of mental imagery. Tourism Management, 74, 55-64. [DOI:10.1016/j.tourman.2019.02.009]
Ramshaw, G., & Hinch, T. (2006). Place identity and sport tourism: The case of the heritage classic ice hockey event. Current Issues in Tourism, 9(4-5), 399-418. [DOI:10.2167/cit270.0]
Pai, C. K., Liu, Y., Kang, S., & Dai, A. (2020). The role of perceived smart tourism technology experience for tourist satisfaction, happiness and revisit intention. Sustainability, 12(16), 6592. [DOI:10.3390/su12166592]
Roberts, L., Hall, D., & Morag, M. (2017). New directions in rural tourism. Routledge. [DOI:10.4324/9781315248097]
Petty, R. E., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2012). Communication and persuasion: Central and peripheral routes to attitude change. Springer Science & Business Media.
Rodrigues, A., & Virtudes, A. (2019, February). A smart rural project for tourism of Madeira Island. In IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering (Vol. 471, No. 9, p. 092042). IOP Publishing. [DOI:10.1088/1757-899X/471/9/092042]
Poddubnaya, N. V. (2019). The use of internet technologies in tourism marketing. In Актуальные проблемы развития сервиса и туризма (pp. 135-137).
Romão, J., & Neuts, B. (2017). Territorial capital, smart tourism specialization and sustainable regional development: Experiences from Europe. Habitat International, 68, 64-74. [DOI:10.1016/j.habitatint.2017.04.006]
Ramshaw, G., & Hinch, T. (2006). Place identity and sport tourism: The case of the heritage classic ice hockey event. Current Issues in Tourism, 9(4-5), 399-418. [DOI:10.2167/cit270.0]
Rosentraub, M. S., & Joo, M. (2009). Tourism and economic development: Which investments produce gains for regions. Tourism management, 30(5), 759-770. [DOI:10.1016/j.tourman.2008.11.014]
Roberts, L., Hall, D., & Morag, M. (2017). New directions in rural tourism. Routledge. [DOI:10.4324/9781315248097]
Safari Ali Akbari, M. (1401). Analysis of smart tourism platform in tourism target villages and upcoming obstacles (case study: Paveh city). Village and sustainable development of space, 3(4), 44-64. [DOI:10.22077/vssd.2023.5697.1138 (in Persian).]
Rodrigues, A., & Virtudes, A. (2019, February). A smart rural project for tourism of Madeira Island. In IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering (Vol. 471, No. 9, p. 092042). IOP Publishing. [DOI:10.1088/1757-899X/471/9/092042]
Song, J. H., & Zinkhan, G. M. (2008). Determinants of perceived web site interactivity. Journal of marketing, 72(2), 99-113. [DOI:10.1509/jmkg.72.2.99]
Romão, J., & Neuts, B. (2017). Territorial capital, smart tourism specialization and sustainable regional development: Experiences from Europe. Habitat International, 68, 64-74. [DOI:10.1016/j.habitatint.2017.04.006]
Taks, M., Chalip, L., Green, B. C., Kesenne, S., & Martyn, S. (2009). Factors affecting repeat visitation and flow-on tourism as sources of event strategy sustainability. Journal of Sport & Tourism, 14(2-3), 121-142. [DOI:10.1080/14775080902965066]
Rosentraub, M. S., & Joo, M. (2009). Tourism and economic development: Which investments produce gains for regions. Tourism management, 30(5), 759-770. [DOI:10.1016/j.tourman.2008.11.014]
Tam, K. Y., & Ho, S. Y. (2005). Web personalization as a persuasion strategy: An elaboration likelihood model perspective. Information systems research, 16(3), 271-291. [DOI:10.1287/isre.1050.0058]
Safari Ali Akbari, M. (1401). Analysis of smart tourism platform in tourism target villages and upcoming obstacles (case study: Paveh city). Village and sustainable development of space, 3(4), 44-64. [DOI:10.22077/vssd.2023.5697.1138 (in Persian).]
Wang, D., Li, X. R., & Li, Y. (2013). China's "smart tourism destination" initiative: A taste of the service-dominant logic. Journal of Destination Marketing & Management, 2(2), 59-61. [DOI:10.1016/j.jdmm.2013.05.004]
Song, J. H., & Zinkhan, G. M. (2008). Determinants of perceived web site interactivity. Journal of marketing, 72(2), 99-113. [DOI:10.1509/jmkg.72.2.99]
Wang, X., Li, X. R., Zhen, F., & Zhang, J. (2016). How smart is your tourist attraction?: Measuring tourist preferences of smart tourism attractions via a FCEM-AHP and IPA approach. Tourism Management, 54, 309-320. [DOI:10.1016/j.tourman.2015.12.003]
Taks, M., Chalip, L., Green, B. C., Kesenne, S., & Martyn, S. (2009). Factors affecting repeat visitation and flow-on tourism as sources of event strategy sustainability. Journal of Sport & Tourism, 14(2-3), 121-142. [DOI:10.1080/14775080902965066]
Tam, K. Y., & Ho, S. Y. (2005). Web personalization as a persuasion strategy: An elaboration likelihood model perspective. Information systems research, 16(3), 271-291. [DOI:10.1287/isre.1050.0058]
Weaver, D., & Oppermann, M. (2000). Tourism management. John Wiley and Sons.
Wang, D., Li, X. R., & Li, Y. (2013). China's "smart tourism destination" initiative: A taste of the service-dominant logic. Journal of Destination Marketing & Management, 2(2), 59-61. [DOI:10.1016/j.jdmm.2013.05.004]
World Tourism Organization, 2017
Wang, X., Li, X. R., Zhen, F., & Zhang, J. (2016). How smart is your tourist attraction?: Measuring tourist preferences of smart tourism attractions via a FCEM-AHP and IPA approach. Tourism Management, 54, 309-320. [DOI:10.1016/j.tourman.2015.12.003]
Yoo, C. W., Goo, J., Huang, C. D., Nam, K., & Woo, M. (2017). Improving travel decision support satisfaction with smart tourism technologies: A framework of tourist elaboration likelihood and self-efficacy. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 123, 330-341. [DOI:10.1016/j.techfore.2016.10.071]
Weaver, D., & Oppermann, M. (2000). Tourism management. John Wiley and Sons.
Zanker, M., Fuchs, M., Höpken, W., Tuta, M., & Müller, N. (2008). Evaluating recommender systems in tourism-a case study from Austria. In Enter (pp. 24-34). [DOI:10.1007/978-3-211-77280-5_3]
World Tourism Organization, 2017
Yoo, C. W., Goo, J., Huang, C. D., Nam, K., & Woo, M. (2017). Improving travel decision support satisfaction with smart tourism technologies: A framework of tourist elaboration likelihood and self-efficacy. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 123, 330-341. [DOI:10.1016/j.techfore.2016.10.071]
Zanker, M., Fuchs, M., Höpken, W., Tuta, M., & Müller, N. (2008). Evaluating recommender systems in tourism-a case study from Austria. In Enter (pp. 24-34). [DOI:10.1007/978-3-211-77280-5_3]

  • Receive Date 08 June 2026
  • First Publish Date 08 June 2026