The impact of Google Maps application on the digital economy

Abstract

Google Maps is indispensable for helping tourists navigate Thailand, which is a popular tourist destination. It includes comprehensive maps, points of interest, and lodging, dining, and attraction recommendations. It contributes to Thailand’s tourism industry’s growth by enhancing the overall travel experience (Amornvivat et al., 2017; The Nation, 2023). This study explains the Google Maps application’s impact on Thailand’s digital economy. This research adopted interviews with six Google Maps consumers and six business owners. Content analysis and NVivo were used to analyse the data. The results show that the Google Map application simplifies locating businesses, making reservations, and placing orders for users. Additionally, Google Maps recommends nearby businesses that may interest the user based on their location and preferences. Through mobile commerce and local recommendations, it encourages users to explore new businesses and stimulates local spending. Google Maps has had a significant impact on the digital economy in Thailand. It helps businesses increase visibility, interact with customers, and attract foot traffic to their physical locations. It also facilitates mobile commerce, provides local recommendations, and aids the tourism industry. Google Maps contributes to digital domain economic growth, increased sales, and enhanced user experiences by connecting users with pertinent businesses and facilitating efficient navigation.