Role of destination smartness in shaping tourist satisfaction: A SEM based on technological attributes in Sri Lanka

Smart tourism significantly enhances tourist satisfaction, particularly through the integration of mobile technology and smartphone functionalities. A study on Sri Lankan tourists visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Sigiriya revealed that smart features—such as information search, communication, entertainment, social networking, and mobility-related tools—play a pivotal role in shaping positive travel experiences. Using structural equation modeling (SEM) with 1,052 respondents across multiple districts, researchers found partial mediation effects between smart tourism attributes and satisfaction, highlighting the potential for Sri Lanka to develop as a competitive smart tourist destination. This insight underscores the importance of embedding technology within destinations to enrich visitor experiences and bolster global competitiveness.

Ranasinghe, J. P. R. C., Danthanarayana, C. P., Ranaweera, R. A. A. K., & Idroos, A. A. (2020). Role of destination smartness in shaping tourist satisfaction: A SEM based on technological attributes in Sri Lanka. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 511(1), 12001. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/511/1/012001