Abstract
The blockchain technology has witnessed growing interest since cryptocurrencies became popular in 2016. Not only through payment issues, but the tourism sector is also likely to be affected by the blockchain in terms of front- and back-stage processes. As the blockchain could replace traditional intermediaries, the structure of the tourism sector in the future has been discussed widely in the news. This article aims to conceptually examine the implications of blockchain along the value system in the tourism industry in order to identify its potential benefits. To address this, the methodology follows a content analysis of 175 news articles on the topic of blockchain and tourism, which are analysed through a qualitative news analysis and the method of GABEK®. The results imply blockchain applications along with the whole tourism value system, while it became apparent that traveling is streamlined through the transformation of time-intensive back-stage processes and thus offers extra value for travellers. Through its novelty in the academic discourse, the paper makes obstacles and regulations a subject of discussion, too.
Highlights
The phenomenon of blockchain technology has emerged in the last ten years from a discussion in the fields of decentralised computer networking and communication security
The methodology follows a content analysis of 175 news articles on the topic of blockchain and tourism, which are analysed through a qualitative news analysis and the method of GABEK®
The article poses the research question: How does blockchain technology change the traditional tourism value system? To address this, the concepts of the value chain, front- and back-stage services and technology adoption will be applied to explain the change of the single elements of the customer journey
Summary
The phenomenon of blockchain technology (hereafter termed blockchain) has emerged in the last ten years from a discussion in the fields of decentralised computer networking and communication security. The concepts of the value chain, front- and back-stage services and technology adoption will be applied to explain the change of the single elements of the customer journey. Zupan Korze (2019) listed examples of implementation of blockchain technology and smart contracts and showed three main findings He sees the tourism industry lagging behind other sectors in the adoption. Theoretical background: technology adoption in the tourism value system In order to explore the implications of blockchain for tourism, the concepts of the customer journey and the tourism value chain are used as a theoretical framework As those have intersections and overlapping on a company and on a network level, they are summarised as “Tourism Value System”. Blockchain allows consumers and suppliers to connect directly, removing the need for a third party
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
