The pandemic of loneliness: designing smart tourism for combating loneliness

Uglješa Stankov (), Ulrike Gretzel (), Miroslav D. Vujičić (), Vanja Pavluković (), Tamara Jovanović (), Milica Solarević () and Marija Cimbaljević ()
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Uglješa Stankov: Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad
Ulrike Gretzel: USC Center for Public Relations, University of Southern California
Miroslav D. Vujičić: Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad
Vanja Pavluković: Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad
Tamara Jovanović: Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad
Milica Solarević: Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad
Marija Cimbaljević: Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad

Information Technology & Tourism, 2022, vol. 24, issue 4, No 1, 439-455

Abstract: Abstract Many technologically driven societies currently experience a “pandemic of loneliness“. The purpose of this viewpoint paper is to conceptualize loneliness as a persistent and widespread issue among consumers that has been amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic and increasingly spills over into the travel and tourism domain. This issue creates many challenges for smart tourism design as it implies changed consumer perspectives on smart tourism and needs for smart tourist experiences. This viewpoint paper is based on a review of relevant academic literature and online resources regarding the issue of loneliness, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and potential solutions in smart tourism settings. Loneliness has been completely overlooked by the smart tourism research agenda despite its tremendous implications for engagement, value co-creation, and the need for experience enhancement. This viewpoint paper proposes a framework for designing a loneliness-sensitive smart tourism ecosystem (LoSSTE). The purpose of this paper is to start a debate on how to mobilize smart tourism research for combating loneliness in the post-pandemic era and to outline areas for further research.

Keywords: Loneliness; COVID-19; Pandemic; Smart tourism; Service design (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1007/s40558-022-00234-9

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