Tourism and Hospitality for Sustainable Development: Technological Innovations and Development Realities (1)

Tourism and hospitality industry, particularly in the 21st century, can no longer be imagined, designed, marketed, managed or even studied independent of digital mediation and technology. In addition to increasing the profitability of the industry, technology also enables the industry to positively respond to contemporary pressing global challenges such as pandemics, climate change, energy crises, staffing challenges and hyperinflation, among others. Technologies are, however, not a perfect-finished whole or a straightforward process to implement efficiently and ethically. The opportunities, costs, and challenges differ in geo-political and socio-economic contexts.

With the drive towards disability inclusion, digitalisation, technological innovations, and inventions can play a significant role in universal design and reasonable accommodation for the aged and population with disabilities in Global North and South. Such forms one of the key pillars of accessible tourism and hospitality. In the context of the above and in response to the thoughtful need for new and sustained study of the developments, interrelationships, potentialities of the topic, and synergies, this edited book explores the trends, opportunities, challenges, and complexities of digitalisation and technology integration in the tourism and hospitality industry, as well as strategic shifts that will contribute to emerging research streams. The book comprises contributions that generate theoretical insights, empirical findings, and evidence-based recommendations by focusing on emerging and forecasted technologies that are used in the tourism and hospitality industry, such as blockchain, robots, Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, big data, and analytics, among others. The aim is to provide a better understanding of how disruptive technologies and digitalisation are being currently utilised and how they currently and potentially influence the various stakeholder groups, as wellas their future possibilities and impossibilities.

Emmanuel Ndhlovu is a scholar and student of development. His research interests are in peasant and informal sector livelihoods, land reform issues, political economy, digitalisation of industries, and food sovereignty. He holds a PhD in Development Studies from the University of South Africa. At the time of writing, Emmanuel was with the Vaal University of Technology as a postdoc researcher.

Kaitano Dube is an Associate Professor at the Vaal University of Technology under the Ecotourism Management Department. He has successfully hosted five post-doctoral and supervised several Post Graduate Students at the Master's and PhD Levels. He is a visiting Professor at Emirates Aviation, Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Chandigarh University in India. He holds several editorial and Associate Editorial Positions with several international journals. His research interests are in tourism, climate change, sustainability and aviation. Prof Dube is a university leader who has served in several senatorial and research roles. He is also a curriculum expert who has shaped programs of several universities in the SADC region and abroad.

Ngoni Courage Shereni is a Senior Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the School of Tourism and Hospitality at the University of Johannesburg in South Africa. He holds a PhD in Tourism and Hospitality Management from the University of Johannesburg. His research interests are in sustainable tourism, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), climate change, tourism education, disruptive technology, urban tourism, tourism exhibitions, community-based tourism (CBT), and community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) practices.