The Role of Tourism Startups in the Smart Tourism Industry: International, Arab, and National Experiences

Abstract

This study aims to identify the role of tourism startups in the smart tourism industry. The study reviews the concept and characteristics of tourism startups, in addition to the fundamental concepts of the tourism industry, smart tourism, and the pillars upon which they are established. The study also addresses how startups contribute to the smart tourism industry through their ability to embrace the concept of innovation and keep pace with the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) enhanced by Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, with the goal of improving the tourist experience. Furthermore, the study presents a collection of international, Arab, as well as national experiences of startups that have effectively contributed to the smart tourism industry. This study concluded that startups can offer innovative solutions that contribute to building a smarter future for the tourism industry