The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Regenerative Tourism and Green Destinations

This book is essential for anyone in artificial intelligence (AI) and destination management in the tourism industry or government. The book includes both theoretical and practical writings for stakeholders. In all chapters, we provide titles including AI, regenerative and green destinations, sustainable tourism, tourist motivations and expectations, good examples of smart destinations and regions, the regeneration of the tourism industry via AI, rethinking tourism activities and products, current issues in robots, self-service technology, effect of pandemic on smart destinations, sustainable gastronomy and regenerative tourism and tourism issues are discussed in the management plans of the centralisation. This book provides cases and empirical studies that deal in depth with the current situation, challenges, solutions and future strategies after technological development of tourism and increasing interest on smart destinations from a responsible perspective, for readers with an equitable interest or involvement with the organizations in inquiry.

Despite the concept of regenerative tourism (RT) is still under research, there are recognized attempts to conceptualize RT from different thoughts, paradigms, worldviews and frameworks, even though the integral or alternative paradigms lack a detailed description. Therefore, the goal of this chapter is to overview the current debates on the background of RT, its definitions and its relationship with sustainability and tourism besides exploring the RT paradigms, principles and objectives in extant literature.

This chapter explores the concept of regenerative tourism as a sustainable approach to travel and destination development. It examines the interconnectedness of regenerative agriculture and tourism, incorporating the adaptive cycle model and principles from the regenerative development framework. The chapter proposes a conceptual framework comprising five design dimensions: regeneration mindset, inherent potential, systems capability, intended system effects and tasks and resources. These dimensions guide the design and development of regenerative tourism interventions, aiming to shift the tourism regime towards regeneration. The chapter highlights the importance of adopting an ecological worldview, discovering the unique potential of each place, leveraging tourism living systems, creating regenerative places and communities and collaborating to enact regenerative approaches. Regenerative tourism offers solutions for rethinking and rebuilding the tourism industry, enhancing local economies, preserving cultures and biodiversity and providing transformative experiences for guests. The descriptive methodology allows for a comprehensive exploration and explanation of the conceptual framework and its potential implications for the tourism industry. It serves to inform readers about the key concepts, principles and dimensions of regenerative tourism, facilitating a better understanding of its theoretical foundations and practical applications. The chapter concludes that regenerative tourism requires a change in the economic model and societal perspective, focusing on qualitative development and improving human well-being through ecosystem health. It recommends the adoption of regenerative practices, emphasizing the positive impacts on destinations and stakeholders. Future directions include further research on regenerative tourism's effectiveness, exploring innovative strategies and technologies and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to enhance its implementation.

Green tourism and ecotourism have close meanings focusing on environmental factors and are sometimes related to rural tourism in general or a type of ecotourism itself. These forms emerged due to the concerns to protect the environment, and greater consideration has been given to tourism development and the notion that it should be approached carefully in light of recognizing its impacts.

The thematic concepts of green and responsible tourism raised questions about the definitions of both notions and their nexus of sustainability. Thus, the current chapter looks for an overview to understand green and responsible tourism, their emerging, definitions, practices and their role in the current scenario in the post-pandemic era.

The integration of tourism, artificial intelligence (AI) and travel has ushered in a new era of exploration. This book chapter delves into their interconnectedness and their transformative influence on the future of tourism. Firstly, it examines the concept of the metaverse – a virtual realm that enables immersive interactions between users and their surroundings. This virtual world presents novel opportunities for the travel sector, allowing tourists to experience destinations in captivating ways, without the constraints of physical travel. AI plays a pivotal role in the advancement of tourism, processing vast amounts of data to offer personalized recommendations, streamlining travel planning and providing round-the-clock customer service through AI-powered chatbots. Additionally, AI contributes to the development of virtual tour guides, offering tailored experiences based on travellers' interests, preferences and abilities. However, the chapter also addresses the broader implications of these technologies on the tourism industry, considering potential job displacement and economic impacts on local communities. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of utilizing these innovations in a manner that benefits both travelers and localities. In summary, this chapter provides an extensive exploration of the convergence of tourism, AI and travel, shedding light on the potential for growth and innovation in the industry while acknowledging the challenges and considerations associated with the metaverse in tourism and travel.

The growth of sustainable tourism has emerged as a major topic of discussion on a global scale, and the hospitality industry is playing a crucial part in the achievement of this goal. The hospitality industry in China is experiencing rapid growth, and with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI), the country may be able to realize sustainable growth in the tourism sector. Within the context of the Chinese hospitality industry, this chapter investigated the role AI plays in promoting sustainable tourism and how the Chinese government is supporting the hospitality industry in doing so. Sustainable tourism practices increase travellers' trip experiences while protecting the environment and local people; however, China could invest more in AI technology to promote sustainable tourism, which might benefit the economy, environment and society. This chapter examines AI deployment in the Chinese hotel industry and its challenges and benefits. AI technology can increase service quality, operational efficiency and hospitality operators' competitiveness, according to the authors. AI application requires careful consideration of employee training, ethics and customer privacy.

The tourism industry is undergoing a rapid transformation brought on by artificial intelligence (AI), which is offering a wide range of benefits to both businesses and their customers. Nevertheless, this technological advancement also poses a number of difficulties for which the sector will need to find solutions. This chapter investigates the effects that artificial intelligence (AI) has had on the tourism industry in Europe, with a particular focus on how the hospitality industry has reacted to the advent of this technology. Following an overview of the tourism and hospitality industries in Europe, this chapter begins with an introduction to artificial intelligence (AI) in the tourism industry. The section on the methodology describes the various approaches to research that were utilised in this study, and the section on the conclusion summarises the findings.

The development of ‘smart destinations’ has fundamentally altered the travel and tourism sector by making trips more individualised and enhancing overall operational effectiveness. Using (AI) technology in the creation of smart destinations has provided the tourism industry with the opportunity to reimagine and redevelop tourism in a way that is both environmentally responsible and technologically advanced. This chapter investigates the use of AI and smart destinations in China and Hong Kong with the goals of enhancing tourist experiences, boosting environmental sustainability, and propelling economic expansion. AI and smart destinations have greatly impacted China and Hong Kong tourism. AI has improved tourism, customer service, and trip recommendations while intelligent destinations reduce carbon emissions and promote ecotourism to sustain tourism. AI and intelligent locations boost visitor satisfaction and economic growth. As the tourism industry faces future challenges, AI technology and smart destinations will be crucial to creatively and sustainably rebuild tourism. Smart locations and AI have transformed tourism by offering customised, efficient, and environmentally responsible travel experiences.

The usage of AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants facilitates seamless communication, offering instant responses to inquiries and enhancing customer satisfaction. In Japan, the hospitality industry is at the forefront of this AI-driven transformation and through collaborations with technology companies, hotels are deploying AI-powered concierge services, smart room automation, and language translation systems to cater to diverse guest needs. The integration of AI in Japan's tourism sector not only enhances operational efficiency but also showcases the country's commitment to innovation and delivering exceptional customer experiences. As Japan embraces AI in its hospitality industry, it navigates the delicate balance between leveraging technology and preserving human interaction and by combining the efficiency and accuracy of AI with the warmth and personal touch of human hospitality, Japan aims to redefine the future of tourism. Moreover, AI streamlines operations by automating repetitive tasks, optimising resource allocation, and improving efficiency in areas such as reservation management, inventory control, and demand forecasting. However, along with these benefits, there are significant challenges to consider. Privacy concerns arise as AI systems collect and process personal data, necessitating robust security measures to protect sensitive information. Ethical considerations must also be addressed, as the use of AI raises questions about transparency, bias, and accountability. Furthermore, while AI enhances efficiency, there is a concern about losing the human touch that has long been a hallmark of the hospitality industry. Balancing the benefits of AI with maintaining personalised and authentic guest experiences becomes a crucial challenge.

The hospitality industry has been debating the merits of sustainable tourism for some time, but more and more people are becoming interested in regenerative tourism. The concept of regenerative tourism goes beyond that of sustainable tourism in that it seeks to restore and regenerate both the natural environment and the communities in which it operates. The Chinese hospitality industry has been expanding at a rapid rate and has the potential to adopt practices that are associated with regenerative tourism. This chapter investigated the hospitality industry of China and the shift from sustainable tourism to regenerative tourism. Consumer expectations, government programmes, and AI are driving this shift from sustainable to regenerative tourism. Despite the challenges of transitioning tourism from sustainable to regenerative, many Chinese initiatives and programmes are helping the environment and communities.

This chapter examines the effect of the Regenerative Tourism Movement on the global industry and the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in driving sustainability and innovation. The Regenerative Tourism Movement represents a paradigm shift in the tourism industry, focussing on the interconnectedness of economic, social, cultural, and environmental well-being. This approach aims to generate positive impacts on local systems by fostering partnerships, diversity in local economies, and transformative experiences for travelers. This chapter explores the key principles and nature-based solutions associated with regenerative tourism. Additionally, it delves into the role of AI in the tourism sector, highlighting its potential to enhance sustainability practices, deliver personalised experiences, and streamline operations. Various AI tools and technologies, such as data analytics, machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, IoT integration, recommender systems, optimisation algorithms, blockchain technology, and AR/VR, are discussed in the context of regenerative tourism. This chapter concludes by outlining the benefits of AI in sustainable and regenerative tourism, emphasising reduced environmental impact, enhanced efficiency, and improved customer service. It also highlights the challenges and considerations associated with AI adoption in the tourism industry. Recommendations for the integration of AI-driven solutions and future directions for research in this field are provided, aiming to inspire further exploration and implementation of AI in regenerative tourism.

This chapter proposes to understand the prospects of smart technologies that can transform tourism destinations and instigate regenerative development process. Bio-based resource consumption and technology-driven practices aimed for better sustainable development have been the need of the era. This study emphasizes the theory of regenerative tourism, which attempts to preserve and improve a destination's natural and cultural resources while contributing to the socio-economic development of the host communities. It examines how transformational technologies, like smart infrastructure, big data analytics and renewable energy systems, could assist the tourism industry achieve the transition to a green economy. This chapter illustrates the benefits and problems of integrating such technologies into the tourism infrastructure of a destination. Additionally, it highlights the necessity of cooperation among stakeholders and policymakers and examines the possible environmental, social and economic implications of using a regenerative approach to tourism. The results of this study contribute to the expanding body of knowledge on the development of sustainable tourism and shed light on the transformative potential of technology in creating a more sustainable and resilient future.

This chapter offers an insightful exploration into the burgeoning field of eco-tourism, focusing on the expectations and motivations of tourists gravitating towards green destinations. Eco-tourism, while not a novel concept, has seen a significant resurgence in interest over the past few decades, with its roots tracing back to the wildlife reserves of Kenya in the 1960s. The narrative then transitions to an in-depth examination of what constitutes a green destination, emphasizing its foundational pillars, such as environmental conservation, sustainable tourism practices, active community engagement, educational initiatives, and the pursuit of certifications that affirm their commitment to sustainability. A central theme of the chapter is the nuanced expectations of eco-tourists who are increasingly seeking destinations that not only offer the tranquillity and beauty of nature but also adhere to sustainability principles and cultural authenticity. These expectations are intricately linked to the motivations driving tourists towards green destinations, including the desire to connect with nature, contribute to conservation efforts, and engage in travel practices that are both responsible and enriching. By weaving together theoretical insights and empirical evidence, the chapter provides a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic interplay between the demand for green destinations and the supply of sustainable tourism experiences, ultimately highlighting the critical role of eco-tourism in paving the way for a more sustainable and ethical travel industry.

Due to the rapid increase in global warming and environmental disasters, destination management and tourists' environmental awareness have increased. This increase in environmental awareness has led destinations to prioritize green practices that reduce environmental pollution. Moreover, in recent years, with the rapid development of technology, artificial intelligence technology has also been used in applications that reduce environmental pollution in destinations. This is because environmentally friendly products and services offered by destinations have started to have an impact on tourists' travel choices. Additionally, tourists' awareness and loyalty towards environmentally friendly destinations have started to increase, resulting in the formation of brand value for destinations. Therefore, green practices and AI technologies play a role in the formation of consumer-based destination green brand value.

As the tourism industry continues to evolve and adapt to changing consumer demands, automated systems and artificial intelligence have gained significant attention. However, concerns related to ethical, social and environmental aspects have arisen alongside the benefits offered by these technologies. This chapter explores the emerging challenges surrounding the integration of robots and self-service technology in responsible and creative tourism.

The growth and promotion of green tourism destinations can have many potential benefits from artificial intelligence (AI). The literature on AI and applications of AI in promoting green destinations is very less. The major areas of research in this direction are related with nature-based tourism or sustainable tourism. There is a great potential to research in this area as AI can play an important role in promoting green destinations. Simultaneously, AI can play the role of enabler to achieve environmental targets by promoting various green destinations. The major finding of this chapter is that the research in this area is majorly revolving around tourist destinations and sustainable development. Another area of research where AI is used is eco-tourism and sustainable tourism. With the help of various decision support systems, sustainable tourism can be promoted. Social media platforms and digitalization of tourism is a great enabler of using AI in the field of tourism.

Artificial intelligence (AI) supports increased efficiency in different sectors. AI is among various sectors' most innovative and measurable solutions. AI has revolutionized new ideas in our daily lives, such as the Internet of things, the Internet of people and the sharing economy. Like other sectors, the tourism sector is one of the sectors affected by AI, where different intelligent systems are used in travel agencies and transport companies. In addition, technological breakthroughs are expected to increase in the tourism sector, leading to a rearrangement of the technological revolution in the tourism sector. We hope that the process of technological progress in the field of tourism is constantly advancing and cannot be stopped. Accordingly, we came to the following question: How can adaptation be made to the progress brought by AI to the tourism sector? The continuous technological advancement in the tourism sector is expected to lead to the end of human civilization, especially since technological machines have become more intelligent than humans.

Augmented reality (AR), which is a variation of virtual reality, is a technology that can appeal to a number of senses with its sound, video, image or touch sense features, take the information created by computers or digital environments and adapt it to the real environment, thus allowing the user to see and explore the real world. Although AR technology has the potential to be used to develop all senses in general, it is widely used today. AR, which is the subject of many scientific research, is turning into a subject that is especially curious and excited by the tourism sector and that consumers are very interested in. In particular, within the scope of examining consumer behaviours and searching for solutions, businesses have started to benefit from AR technologies in order to respond to the demands of consumers who spend the majority of their time with technology and to offer different, unforgettable and unique experiences. Moreover, promotional activities are very important in terms of preferability among competing destinations. At this point, the effect of AR on the persuasion efforts carried out within the marketing process for all kinds of messages and destinations conveyed to consumers cannot be denied. Therefore, AR technologies constitute one of the most effective steps in facilitating consumers' travel, creating a rich experience, speeding up their decision-making processes, enabling them to revisit the destination and increasing their satisfaction. In this chapter, what AR is, why it has an important place in destinations and marketing and the use of AR in destinations, hotels, cafes, bars and restaurants, and finally in recreation areas, are discussed.

After COVID-19, the tourism industry has been reshaped through a cycle of intertwined crises. So, the tourism industry has been the scene of discussions on how to proceed against vulnerabilities and uncertainties in recent years. Destinations have begun to think differently in terms of competitive advantage in order to survive. Therefore, the success of the tourism industry needs a change in mindset in order to keep up with the transformation accelerated by COVID-19. Regenerative tourism has triggered the search for a different mindset beyond sustainable tourism efforts by addressing responsibility and creativity together. As a result of these searches, regenerative tourism reveals a philosophical perspective as a mindset. Most of the studies on regenerative tourism contain conceptual clarification efforts. However, there is a need for a macro evaluation of regenerative tourism management on a destination basis. This chapter discusses the design of an appropriate policy and planning for the management of regenerative tourism. Regenerative tourism emphasizes a conscious intervention in the tourism industry with its creativity and innovative and responsible characteristics. This intervention can be evaluated within the scope of destination policy and planning for solving the problems about standardization and commercialization. Thus, it will conceptually be tried to put forward a planning and policymaking process that is suitable for regenerative tourism.

The current study is a review-based analysis combined with some case studies that focuses on establishing a link between artificial intelligence (AI) and the emerging trends of regenerative tourism and green destinations. Regenerative tourism and green destinations are the new hallmark, promoting sustainability in the travel industry by restoring ecosystems and encouraging friendly practices. The incorporation of AI into sustainable tourism has a potential to revolutionize how one can approach tourism by providing customer experiences and to contribute towards a sustainable future. AI has naturally found its place in industries due to the advancements in data analysis and computing power. In the context of tourism, AI’s data-driven capabilities are discussed in the current review, to showcase how they enable recommendations for intelligent automation and efficient resource management. With the implementation of AI-powered technologies, tourism operations become more efficient, providing opportunities for sustainable development and conservation in green destinations. The integration of AI in destinations encompasses applications such as energy management, waste reduction, transportation optimization and sustainable resource management. These AI-driven solutions play an important role in minimizing the impact caused by tourism activities while conserving natural resources. Additionally, AI facilitates delivering experiences that align with eco-values through recommendation systems and virtual assistants. The chapter tackles issues related to AI such as protecting data privacy, addressing biases dealing with job displacement and ensuring cultural relevance. It emphasizes the significance of inclusive implementation of AI and explores the challenges faced when implementing AI solutions in developing regions that have limited resources.

This study discusses the concepts of responsible tourism and creative tourism through regenerative tourism, which has sparked a debate, particularly in the post-pandemic world, and reviews these concepts in terms of their similarities and differences in light of current literature. It is also aimed to develop a framework within the scope of sustainable development goals for regenerative destination development through responsible and creative tourism. Within this context, this study analyzes the potential of responsible and creative tourism for regenerative destination development.

Green destinations are places that are important for the sustainable realization of tourism. In addition to the design of these destinations, the management also emerges as an issue that needs to be emphasized. As a matter of fact, stakeholders and their relations with each other and other issues are an important element in the management of green destinations. In this context, in the study, issues such as management of green destinations, stakeholders, relations between stakeholders, education and green destination management in Türkiye are discussed. Finally, some suggestions have been presented within the framework of the topics discussed.

In modern tourism, what is expected are natural beauties, tourism facilities and activities that can meet tourists' desires and expectations. In order for all of these to materialize, sustainability is necessary for tourists, the environment, the destination and the tourism supply. Fulfilling all of these requirements relies on the stakeholders fulfilling their responsibilities within the destination.

Therefore, the subject of this study is to focus on the expectations and motivations that lead tourists to visit a destination, along with the attractiveness of the destination itself, and the concept of responsible tourism. The study will explore the expectations and motivating factors that lead tourists to visit a destination, the creativity of the destination and the overall concept of responsible tourism in a comprehensive manner.

The tourism sector is one of the fastest growing sectors in recent years according to the World Tourism Organization. In recent years, there have been an increasing number of disasters and crises. There are many factors affecting the tourism sector, from natural events to human impact. Tourism sector has suffered great damage from national and global crises. The Gulf War in 1991, the tsunami disaster in 2004, the global economic crisis in 2009 and the pandemic in 2019 can be given as examples of events that negatively affected tourism. The tourism sector in the world has faced the pandemic, which is the biggest global shock in recent times. This situation reinforces the need for tourism businesses and stakeholders to be prepared for crisis and pandemic. With the globalization of the tourism industry and the world becoming more interdependent and interconnected, it is a fact that crises occurring in one part of the world can affect tourism activities in a wider area or worldwide. Since tourism is not at the top of peoples list of needs, it is one of the first plans that tourists will change and cancel as soon as they perceive a threat to themselves. Therefore, the tourism sector is highly sensitive to crises and pandemics. In the face of crisis sensitivity, the tourism sector is also very skillful in eliminating the effects of the crisis as soon as possible. In this study, the impact of crisis and pandemic on the destination in the tourism sector will be explained with examples from some crisis and pandemic cases, and the requirements of tourism enterprises for crisis and pandemic preparedness will be underlined.

This section of our study will serve as an exhibit of practices and activities falling within the scope of sustainable gastronomy. Moreover, on the basis of the concept of sustainability, the issue at hand is planned to be addressed by putting the emphasis on principles defined for regenerative (innovative) practices and on elements and factors which differentiate regenerative tourism from a conventional tourism understanding.

Sustainable development is the part of every context of life. However, these is a lack of serious attention on the concept of sustainable tourism. Therefore, issues like cultural disintegration, inequality of shared benefits and lack of conservation of resources for future have been evident regularly. Similar is the case of Asian market although lack of research and publication under this vein is one of the major reasons for lack of user or readers knowledge. Therefore, this chapter has been written purposively in order to discuss the concept, theories, problem as well as factors behind sustainable tourism with special focus towards the factors that are causing problem in development and managing of tourism destination. Although to make the chapter interesting and important, authors try to relate the work with hurdles in India and Pakistan. Therefore, the significance of the study has many folds as it does not only initiate further research work but also optimize policymaking and entrepreneurial activities in way that will suit and support sustainable tourism practices.