Progress in wireless technologies in hospitality and tourism

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to critically review the progression of wireless technologies in tourism and hospitality since 2000. Wireless technologies are a set of information and communications technologies (ICTs) involving radio transmission (such as mobile or satellite technologies) that are extensively used in tourism and hospitality, but which have not yet been studied comprehensively. Design/methodology/approach This study is a mixed methods review combining a quantitative and qualitative approach and including a systematic review of the academic literature since 2000. Findings Contrary to the prevailing focus of study on mobile technologies, the authors open the field to other technologies (such as Zigbee or Bluetooth), and in a particular highlight, the large role played by satellite technology in tourism and how this is reflected in the literature. In literature reviews linking tourism and ICTs, the authors find that excluding some journals may leave out notable aspects for any systematic analysis. Moreover, the study highlights the importance of wireless technologies in a sensor-based convergence between the physical and digital worlds. Originality/value The contribution is mainly twofold: first, the authors develop the literature on tourism with a better understanding of the role played by these technologies in supporting tourism and hospitality, by updating sources and research work; second, the authors take a holistic, all-encompassing approach, providing a truly comprehensive view of the literature on tourism and ICTs, in which wireless technologies have always been approached with fragmented or limited scope, lacking a view in the round.