Artificial intelligence and tourism innovation as a lever for developing sustainable ecotourism: An analytical study of leading international experiences
Keywords:
Artificial Intelligence, Tourism Innovation, Ecotourism, Sustainable Tourism DevelopmentAbstract
This study aimed to demonstrate the role of tourism innovation and artificial intelligence applications in supporting and enhancing sustainable ecotourism, through the use of the descriptive-analytical method. The study concluded that the Emirati and Spanish experiences have succeeded and proved effective in employing smart technologies to manage ecotourism destinations through monitoring systems based on artificial intelligence. The United Arab Emirates focused on creating interactive applications to raise visitors’ awareness of responsible environmental behavior. Spain, on the other hand, was distinguished by integrating tourism innovation into green transition projects through the development of digital platforms to distribute tourists and reduce environmental pressure on sensitive areas. These experiences confirm that artificial intelligence represents a strategic tool for developing ecotourism by improving efficiency, rationalizing resource use, and enhancing the tourist experience in a manner that supports sustainable development.
References
Gretzel, U. (2021). The Smart DMO: A new step in the digital transformation of destination management organizations. European Journal of Tourism Research, 30, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.54055/ejtr.v30i.2589
Ceballos-Lascuráin, H. (1996). Tourism, Ecotourism, and Protected Areas: The State of Nature-Based Tourism Around the World and Guidelines for Its Development. IUCN Publications.
EU Transition Pathways. (2022). Digital transformation and tourism: Spain’s pathway to smart destinations. Brussels: European Commission.
Gössling, S., Scott, D., & Hall, M. (2015). Tourism and Water: Interactions, Impacts and Challenges. United Kingdom: Channel View Publications.
Honey, M. (2008). Ecotourism and Sustainable Development: Who Owns Paradise? (2nd ed.). Washington: Island Press.
OECD. (2023). Green innovation in tourism: Policies for a circular and sustainable economy. Paris: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
United Nations World Tourism Organization. (2022). Tourism for Sustainable Development Goals – Journey to 2030. Madrid.
Vasja, R., Danijel, D., Maja, M., & Vedran, M. (2021). Evolution of sustainable tourism concepts. Sustainability, 13(22), 1–21.
Weaver, D. (2008). Ecotourism (2nd ed.). New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Ben Dineidina, A., & Salem. (2024). Artificial intelligence and its role in enhancing smart tourism and expanding tourism investment opportunities: A reading of the United Arab Emirates experience and the possibility of Algeria benefiting from it. Journal of Business Administration and Economic Studies, 10(02), 109–128.
Al-Shahid, E., & Tammah, J. (2024). Tourism marketing and its role in achieving economic development: A comparative study of some countries. Al-Manhal Economic Journal, 07(02), 587–600.
Abu Zaid, A. R. (2017). The concept of sustainable development, its dimensions, and its applications in tourism. Journal of Economic and Administrative Studies, 11(02), 85–104.
Al-Shammari, A. (2018). Sustainable ecotourism: Concepts, development, and strategies. Arab Journal of Tourism and Environment, 05(01), 45–63.
Al-Zahrani, M. (2020). Principles of Sustainable Ecotourism and Its Management. Riyadh: University Publishing House.
Mansour, M. A. (2019). Sustainable Tourism and Balanced Development: Foundations and Practices. Cairo: Dar Al-Fikr Al-Jami‘i.
Ibrahim, M. (2023). Artificial intelligence as a mechanism for enhancing sustainable tourism: An analytical study of international experiences. Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development, 08(01), 145–168.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Copyright (c) 2026 Ahmed Nadjib NESROUCHE, Bentayeb Ali
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Allows users to: distribute and copy the article; create extracts, abstracts, and other revised versions, adaptations or derivative works of or from an article (such as a translation); include in a collective work (such as an anthology); and text or data mine the article. These uses are permitted even for commercial purposes, provided the user: gives appropriate credit to the author(s) (with a link to the formal publication through the relevant URL ID); includes a link to the license; indicates if changes were made; and does not represent the author(s) as endorsing the adaptation of the article or modify the article in such a way as to damage the authors' honor or reputation. CC BY
