New Era of Tourism: Innovative Transformation Through Industry 4.0 and Sustainability

Marija Bratić (), Anđelina Marić Stanković, Danijel Pavlović, Tatjana Pivac, Sanja Kovačić, Tamara Surla, Slobodan Čerović and Sonja Zlatanov
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Marija Bratić: Department of Geography, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, University of Nis, 18000 Niš, Serbia
Anđelina Marić Stanković: Department of Geography, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, University of Nis, 18000 Niš, Serbia
Danijel Pavlović: Academy for Hospitality, Tourism and Wellness, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Tatjana Pivac: Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Sanja Kovačić: Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Tamara Surla: Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Slobodan Čerović: Academy for Hospitality, Tourism and Wellness, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Sonja Zlatanov: Academy for Hospitality, Tourism and Wellness, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 9, 1-22

Abstract: At the beginning of the third millennium, human civilization faces a paradox of significant proportions: on one hand, industrial and technological growth is causing extensive environmental degradation, threatening both current and future generations. On the other hand, the acceleration of industrial and technological development is essential, requiring a profound transformation of society as the only viable solution. With the advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and shifts in the economy, especially regarding sustainability, the process of transformative tourism becomes crucial. Transformative tourism not only aligns with sustainable principles but also fosters a deeper connection between economic development and the preservation of natural resources, ensuring that progress benefits both humanity and the planet. The goal of this research is to identify how the key factors of Industry 4.0 can contribute to the development of sustainable and transformative tourism. The methodological approach of this study uses a systematic literature review (SLR), which allows for a detailed analysis of existing scientific papers and the identification of key trends and challenges in this field. The literature review included scientific papers published between 2013 and 2025, applying predefined criteria of relevance, quality, and focus on sustainability and digitalization in tourism. The key findings of the research indicate that digitalization and automation contribute to improving tourist experiences, optimizing destination management and reducing the ecological footprint of tourism. This research analyses how changes prompted by the Fourth Industrial Revolution can contribute to the sustainability of tourism as the fastest-growing global economic activity. The findings of this paper stem from a literature review that focuses closely on the key aspects of Industry 4.0, including digitization, automation, and the use of innovative technologies in tourism. The results indicate that the benefits arising from the Fourth Industrial Revolution include improvements in tourist experiences, the enhancement of management and marketing activities in tourism, and implications through the ecological impacts of tourism. The paper provides an overview of how the effects of Industry 4.0 are transforming tourism, enabling it to become more resilient and sustainable in the face of the challenges posed by the modern world.

Keywords: industries 4.0; transformation; tourism; sustainability (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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