The Role of Digital Tourism Platforms in Advancing Sustainable Development Goals in the Industry 4.0 Era

Adelina Zeqiri (), Adel Ben Youssef and Teja Maherzi Zahar
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Adelina Zeqiri: Groupe de Recherche en Droit, Economie, Gestion (GREDEG)—Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), University Côte d’Azur, EUR ELMI 24, Avenue des Diables Bleus, 06300 Nice, France
Adel Ben Youssef: Groupe de Recherche en Droit, Economie, Gestion (GREDEG)—Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), University Côte d’Azur, EUR ELMI 24, Avenue des Diables Bleus, 06300 Nice, France
Teja Maherzi Zahar: Tunis Higher Institute of Management, University of Tunis, Tunis 1007, Tunisia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 8, 1-24

Abstract: The intersection of digitalization and sustainability is reshaping the tourism industry, with digital platforms playing a transformative role in optimizing travel experiences while simultaneously influencing economic inclusivity, labor dynamics, and environmental responsibility. This paper explores how Industry 4.0 technologies—such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data, blockchain, virtual reality (VR), and the Internet of Things (IoT)—are integrated into digital tourism platforms, assessing their dual impact on sustainability and market structures. The study develops a conceptual framework around five key dimensions: market power and digital dependency, AI-driven automation and workforce transformation, innovation and digital inclusion, sustainability innovations, and data security and governance. While digital platforms enhance personalization, operational efficiency, and eco-conscious travel, they also reinforce economic disparities, monopolization, and regulatory challenges, raising concerns related to SDGs such as SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption, and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). The study highlights the need for equitable governance frameworks to mitigate risks associated with AI-driven monopolization, algorithmic bias, and data privacy violations while ensuring digital accessibility for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The findings contribute to ongoing discussions on platform economics, digital governance, and sustainable tourism transformation, offering policy and managerial implications for fostering an inclusive and environmentally responsible tourism industry.

Keywords: digital platforms; tourism; sustainability; Industry 4.0; sustainable travel (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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