ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN SUSTAINABLE ECO-TOURISM: FRAMEWORKS AND APPLICATIONS IN INDIA AND BEYOND
Main Article Content
Abstract
Eco-tourism has emerged as a vital pillar of sustainable development, integrating environmental conservation with community participation and responsible travel. The accelerating digital transformation of the tourism sector has redefined eco-tourism practices, introducing new levels of efficiency, transparency, and inclusivity. This study provides a comprehensive review of how information technology (IT) tools and digital enterprises are reshaping eco-tourism ecosystems across global and Indian contexts. Drawing on secondary data from academic literature, policy reports, and corporate initiatives, the paper examines the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain, Big Data Analytics, and mobile technologies in promoting sustainability. Global platforms such as Google, TripAdvisor, and Airbnb, alongside Indian initiatives like the Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission, Madhya Pradesh Eco-Tourism Board, and MakeMyTrip, are analyzed to assess their impact on environmental, social, and economic outcomes. Findings indicate that digitalization enhances resource management, visitor experience, and local empowerment, while aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, challenges persist in digital inequality, data governance, and ethical implementation. The study concludes by proposing the framework of Responsible Digital Eco-Tourism (RDET), emphasizing technology’s role as an enabler of sustainability and community well-being rather than a driver of commercialization.
Downloads
Article Details
COPYRIGHT
Submission of a manuscript implies: that the work described has not been published before, that it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere; that if and when the manuscript is accepted for publication, the authors agree to automatic transfer of the copyright to the publisher.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work
- The journal allows the author(s) to retain publishing rights without restrictions.
- The journal allows the author(s) to hold the copyright without restrictions.