Barriers to Bangkok as a Smart Destination with Internet of Things Technology

Abstract

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) offers the opportunity to design smart tourism destinations. A smart destination can integrate a variety of technologies to enrich the tourism experience. The Internet of Things (IoT) is a platform that can synergize ubiquitous sensing technologies and networks with physical components to enhance smart tourism destinations. Although building a smart destination and tourism promotion are major strategic goals of Tourism Authority of Thailand 4.0 (TAT 4.0), Bangkok has not yet developed as a smart destination with new IoT technology to enhance a tourists’ travel experience. This research identifies the barriers to Bangkok as a smart tourism destination by focusing on the readiness to use smart IoT technology and related management issues. There are five major barriers for Bangkok to be a smart destination: 1 the lack of a smart environment, 2 available valuable data, 3 resource competency, 4 privacy and safety, 5 strategic management issues related to policy consistency stability, an effective business model and the engagement of stakeholders. The reduction of these barriers could assist Bangkok to develop a more effective design for a smart destination.