Smart Tourism Destinations:A Systematic Review of Research Using the Paradigm Funnel Approach

Abstract

Along with the influence of the Internet and the dramatic advances in the use of information technology in businesses, a new concept has been introduced in the tourism literature called smart tourism destinations. Although studies have been conducted in this area in recent years, the research process is not clear due to the short time of introduction and development of this technology. In addition, the synthesis of knowledge has not been done in order to draw conclusions about the evolutionary nature of this issue and to develop its theories. This study used the paradigm funnel method to fill this gap and investigate the research. For this purpose, 105 articles were reviewed from 2000 to 2017, and after selecting articles, 34 articles were identified and classified. The findings indicate the focus of the articles is on the level of specific theories and the lack of articles in the field of ontology and basic hypotheses. This study will help researchers to better understand the conducted research process, to get acquainted with the concepts and components, and to identify the existing research gap.

Keywords

• paradigm funnel smart tourism smart tourism destinations systematic review