Shared Use of Digital Logistics Services by Consumers and Manufacturers of Tourist Services

Abstract

The presented study examines the major directions for the application of digital technologies in tourism with an emphasis on the efficiency of digital technologies and digital logistics services; proposes a definition of digital logistics services in tourism; describes directions for the shared use of digital logistics services by tourists and business entities; systematizes the shared use of digital technologies; provides a model for the shared use of digital logistics services that outlines the relationships between the participants of the tourism market.Aim. The study aims to propose a conceptual model for the shared use of digital logistics services that would outline the relationships between all participants of the tourism market and to accentuate the benefits of the shared use of logistics services.Tasks. The authors examine the major directions for the application of digital technologies in tourism both for the firm and the destination; analyze approaches and propose a definition of digital logistics services in tourism; systematize directions for the application of modern digital technologies and services in tourism; substantiate the practicability of the shared use of digital logistics services by the consumers (tourists) and producers (enterprises in the hospitality industry) of tourism services; substantiate a conceptual model for the shared use of digital logistics services in tourism.Methods. This study uses analysis, systematization, and modeling to create a model for the shared use of digital logistics services.Results. Based on the conducted analysis of the application of digital technologies and logistics services in tourism, the authors propose a definition of digital logistics services in tourism premised on the general understanding of logistics as a set of services that ensure the continuity and consistency of processes to achieve the planned result using digital technologies to accomplish the logistics goal. The study systematizes the shared use of digital technologies and services in tourism, including for the management of tourist flows, and provides a model for the shared use of digital logistics services that outlines the relationships between the participants of the tourism market, directions for their interaction, the place of the logistics service, and the benefits of the shared use of digital logistics services for market harmonization.Conclusions. The digital transformation of logistics in tourism is a new form of communication between producers and consumers of tourism services, serving as a source of competitive advantages for tourism organizations and an efficient way of managing tourist flows. Competitive advantages will be gained by those tourism enterprises that will manage to implement the process of customization in their services in the best possible way, thus turning consumers from potential into real, loyal clients and ensuring long-term sustainability based on consistently high profitability, which is particularly important during a crisis. The formation of a new market for tourism services based on the digitalization of all processes is now viewed as an opportunity not only to preserve this type of economic activity, but also to develop it through new opportunities provided by digital technologies. Some of the specific features of the digital transformation of logistics in tourism include the existence of personified services and application of the proposed model for the shared use of digital logistics services. Their efficient application will make it possible to preserve the economically and socially important sphere of emotional acquaintance of consumers with the world’s cultural traditions and historical artifacts.