Tourism Value Chain Determinants Toward Destination Competitiveness and How Increases Tax Base; Mobile Application Usage as a Mediating Variable: A Case of Tanzania

Abstract

The research paper investigates the influence of tourism value chain determinants on destination competitiveness and tax base, focusing on the mediating role of mobile application usage. It emphasizes the importance of technology, particularly mobile apps, in enhancing the tourism sector's competitiveness and increasing tax revenue. Key factors include perceived advantages, technological self-efficacy, market capabilities, and ICT usage in Tanzania. Despite the lack of an official regional mobile application and low web-based marketing ratings, the study highlights the mediation effect of mobile apps on the relationship between the tourism value chain and destination competitiveness. The proposed model examines mobile app usage's impact on pre-travel, during-travel, and post-travel experiences. Data collected via questionnaires from May to July 2022, with 89 responses, support the theoretical model, showing that mobile app usage enhances destination competitiveness. The study concludes that to compete with other African destinations, Tanzania needs to adopt official mobile applications.