A Holistic Approach to Innovations in Tourism

This paper is focused on the importance and influence of the innovations in the time of the fourth industry revolution for the creation of value added in tourism industry. Innovative technology solutions solve problems in a tourist destination, as in the case of the effects of climate change as well as the revival of cultural heritage. New products that are connected with the Internet (e.g. Internet of things) and digital solution services invites small and medium sized firms, and other relevant actors, to apply for funding of co- operative tourism innovation projects. The proposals should primarily focus on the development of innovative products, services and concepts to accelerate the tourism sector. Innovative products and services form the framework of marketing efforts to encourage consumers to decide for the purchase and thus affect the sales success of tourist firms. Innovations that are intended to satisfy the wishes and needs of consumers, based on existing knowledge. Usually it is a technological innovation with features that provide additional solutions compared with the existing ones. Firms want to attract customers who have different needs from the existing customers. The contribution of the paper is mainly conceptual. With the development of the digital innovations (web 2.0., web 3.0., internet, the internet of things) that is central to the new industrial revolution, has led to “Industry 4.0” in tourism. The aim of this paper is to provide answers to RQ1: To present the known theory and practices of innovations in tourism ; RQ2: To investigate the changes that will result from Industry 4.0 in tourism.