The application of blockchain in tourism: use cases in the tourism value system

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.

An enabling Framework for Blockchain in Tourism

“…For example, blockchain offers automatic flight delay insurance for its customers; as soon as a flight delay is detected, compensation is initiated immediately and securely, thus avoiding additional paperwork (Radanović and Likić 2018 ). Similarly, blockchain can automate secure check-ins at airports (e.g., digital passports, smart gates) and hotels through digital keys or biometric identification (Thees et al 2020 ). This automation creates mutually beneficial outcomes for tourists and service providers by reducing processing times.…”

“…Blockchain-based identity systems (e.g., secure biometric identity systems) could potentially negate this issue of lost passports and reduce identity theft and fraud (Nam et al 2021 ; Tyan et al 2020 ). Blockchain facilitates quick, automated, and seamless identification of tourists throughout their journey (Melkić and Čavlek 2020 ; Thees et al 2020 ). Also, digital IDs enable archiving medical tourist health records in a secure digital infrastructure that can be accessed from anywhere in the world for those authorized by the patient (Çapar2020).…”

“…Also, cryptocurrencies are convenient to use as they are typically stored in a prepaid digital wallet installed on a user’s mobile phone (Erceg et al 2020 ). The increasing acceptance of cryptocurrency has encouraged governments, especially those relying heavily on tourism, to recognize and support the use of cryptocurrencies and even consider creating their own cryptocurrencies (Kwok and Koh 2019 ; Rashideh 2020 ; Thees et al 2020 ).…”

Establishing a blockchain online travel agency with a human–computer interaction perspective

“…Using blockchain, transaction data can be added to all nodes and all travel documents can be permanently recorded and stored (Bodkhe et al , 2019). Travelers can be authenticated more quickly at all stages of their trip and loss or theft of documents can be preventing, ensuring quality travel and a more comfortable service experience (Thees et al , 2020). In the future, the alliance with the medical industry will enable the linking of personal health information (Subasinghe et al , 2020).…”

Statistical analysis of tourism flows between Ukraine and the Baltic Sea Region countries in 2012—2019

“…Modern life is unthinkable without travelling. In recent decades, tourism flows have steadily increased, driven by globalisation [1][2] and advances in technology [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. Journeys have become more affordable, and travel times have shortened.…”