Smart Tourism Technologies and Visitor Experiences: A Study of Post-Pandemic Traveler Preferences

Abstract: The global tourism industry is severely transformed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The situations accelerate the need of adoption of Smart Tourism Technologies (STTs) to meet traveler expectations. This study focuseson how STTs facilitate visitor experiences, and post-pandemic preferences of the travelers. It aims to understand the role ofdigital advancements in influence travel choices and satisfaction among tourists. A mixed methods approach i.e.,primary data derived from systematic analysis of various web-based sources such as social media trends, online reviews, and digital travel platforms along with secondary data is used for this study. To analyze the patterns ofthe derived primary data,statistical analysis tools such as descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests and ANOVA are used. The study shows a significant post-pandemic shift among the tourists towards technology, safety, and experience in travel. It is noticed that STTs such as mobile applications, AI-powered recommendations, and virtual/augmented reality are useful for touriststo enhance their personalization, accessibility, and overall satisfaction. Post-pandemic preferences show a strong inclination towards domestic, sustainable, and authentic cultural experiences facilitated by these smart technologies. The findings of this study revealscertain insights for tourism stakeholders by emphasizing strategic investment in digital infrastructure, personalized service delivery, and sustainable tourism initiatives to cater to modern travelers' evolving demands.

Smart Tourism Technologies, Visitor Experience, Post-Pandemic Travel, Traveler Preferences, India, Digital Tourism, AI, Augmented Reality, Sustainability

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