THE ROLE OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF TOURIST DESTINATIONS

Purpose – This paper provides an overview of theoretical and practical knowledge regarding the role of telecommunications in managing sustainable tourism destinations. The aim is to determine the role of telecommunications in managing sustainable tourism development through assessing the level of telecommunications development in tourist destinations and their utilization in sustainable tourism management. The purpose of the study is to enrich the understanding of the connection between the development of telecommunications, sustainable and destination tourism development. Methodology – The paper is based on primary and secondary research, including the analysis of statistical data on telecommunications development, sustainability, and tourist development in destinations, as well as empirical research on the perception of entrepreneurs in the tourism sector in Croatian tourist destinations regarding the role of telecommunications and information and communication technologies in sustainable tourism development and the level of telecommunications development in the destination. The research results were processed using descriptive statistics and presented in tables and graphs. Findings – The results show a high level of availability of telecommunications services in Croatian tourist destinations and positive effects of telecommunications on destination sustainability, but also the shortcomings. A causal relationship between telecommunications development and sustainability, as well as telecommunications and tourist development, was also identified in Croatian tourist destinations. Contribution – The research results can contribute to enriching the literature on the impact of telecommunications on the development of tourism destinations and be useful in future research efforts to deepen existing knowledge and understanding of destination management mechanisms through the application of telecommunications technologies.