Digital Travel Planning during the first Covid-19 Pandemic Crisis

  • Jonathan Rosa
  • Isabel Teotónio Escola Superior de Gestão, Hotelaria e Turismo, Universidade do Algarve
  • Rafaela Scheiffer ICARUS Climate Research Centre, National University of Ireland Maynooth
  • Manuela Pires Rosa Universidade do Algarve
Keywords: Digital literacy, senior tourism, Algarve, contactless technology, elderly people, digital travel planning

Abstract

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have generated added value in accessing tourism-related information through apps, Quick Response codes (QR), and Near Field Communication (NFC). Digital technologies form the backbone of modern tourism, influencing how travellers search for destinations, compare prices, book trips and access real-time information, thereby transforming the entire travel experience. First Covid-19 pandemic crisis accelerated, significantly, the adoption of ICT in the tourism industry, turning them from useful additions into necessities for safety and efficiency. Digital literacy facilitates the participation of older adults in smart tourism, yet persistent gaps may hinder social inclusion. The present study surveyed 250 Portuguese tourists aged 60+ who were approached in Algarve (June–September 2020) using a structured questionnaire on socioeconomic profiles and communication technologies. The developed methods included descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Most respondents reported regular Internet usage, however, adoption of QR and NFC technologies was comparatively low and exhibited a significant decline with increasing age and disability. Online trip planning was achieved by 29.8% of the participants, mainly for accommodation-related purposes. These findings underscore that age, education, and disability are more salient than gender. The recommendation is for targeted intensive training and hybrid human-digital options to foster inclusive smart tourism.

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Published
2026-11-09
How to Cite
Rosa, J., Teotónio, I., Scheiffer, R., & Rosa, M. (2026, November 9). Digital Travel Planning during the first Covid-19 Pandemic Crisis. Journal of Tourism and Heritage Research, 9(4), 15-31. Retrieved from https://jthr.es/index.php/journal/article/view/832
Issue
Vol 9 No 4 (2026): Journal of Tourism and Heritage Research
Section
Artículos
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