Smart Tourism for Managing Climate Change Effects on Tourism Industry and Tourism Development in African Countries

Abstract

The tourism sector is among the fastest-growing sectors in the global economy. Despite the significance of this sector in the global economy, the tourism industry is facing several climate change problems, such as wildfires, droughts, changes in water levels, and flooding, which disturb the sector’s development. Thus, a lack of advanced solutions to tackle these issues in the tourism industry decreases tourism revenue and biodiversity. This study examines the role of smart tourism in managing climate change effects in the tourism industry and its development in Africa, precisely to document climate change effects in the industry and explore people’s perspectives on smart tourism in managing climate change effects. A questionnaire of both closed and open questions was used to capture the views of 100 respondents (99 city residents and one expert from the urban economic development of Kigali City) on how intelligent tourism can assist in handling climate change problems linked with the tourism sector. Results show that digital technology in tourism can manage climate change effects and increase revenues, as mentioned by Kigali City’s expert in the urban economic development and 79% of the interviewed city residents. Additionally, the study has revealed that road cameras to monitor tourists’ security were distributed in the cities and towns of Rwanda. Also, there is a loss of species in the forests caused by wildland fires. Financial capacity to buy emerging technology-related equipment and qualified personnel to fix it were mentioned by 80% of the respondents as factors that delay smart tourism operations in African countries. Smart tourism must be taken into consideration to boost tourism and manage its climate change effects. This line-up includes early warning systems to alert heavy rain in touristic areas and sensors to detect fires occurring in touristic areas for future climate change related effects management.