Evaluating the opportunities, challenges and risks of applying the blockchain technology in tourism: a Delphi study approach

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to empirically evaluate the potential of the blockchain technology in tourism. The blockchain technology (BCT) holds potential to contribute significantly to tourism policy and practice. Academic interest in the BCT is rapidly growing with studies looking at the opportunities and challenges of its application. The shortcoming of research on the BCT in tourism has however been in its conceptual nature. The lack of empirical investigations hinders an understanding of how the BCT can be more broadly adopted in tourism, especially from the viewpoint of minimizing its risks.

Design/methodology/approach

The initial screening of the opportunities, challenges and risks is undertaken via a systematic literature review. The Delphi study is subsequently applied to empirically confirm what opportunities, challenges and risks can be attributed to the BCT use in tourism. Twelve industry and academic experts have contributed to the Delphi study.

Findings

The risks identified have been categorized as societal, technical, financial and legal. Propositions have been made on how these risks can, at least partially, be overcome.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first known attempt to study the BCT from the perspective of academic and industry experts. This research is also one of the first to evaluate the risks of the BCT use in tourism. Most risks are identified as not critical and can be addressed as the BCT develops.

摘要

研究目的

区块链技术（BCT）具有为旅游政策和实践做出重大贡献的潜力。随着研究着眼于其应用的机遇和挑战, 对 BCT 的学术兴趣正在迅速增长。然而, 旅游业中 BCT 研究的不足之处在于其概念性。缺乏实证研究阻碍了对如何在旅游业中更广泛地采用 BCT 的理解, 特别是从最小化其风险的角度来看。这项研究代表了第一次从学术和行业专家的角度实证评估 BCT 在旅游业中的潜力的已知尝试。

研究设计/方法/途径

机会、挑战和风险的初步筛选是通过系统的文献回顾进行的。德尔菲研究法随后被应用于实证确认哪些机会、挑战和风险可归因于 BCT 在旅游业中的使用。 12 位行业和学术专家是德尔菲研究法的主要贡献人员。

研究发现

已识别的风险分为社会、技术、财务和法律。研究就如何至少部分地克服这些风险提出了建议。

研究原创性

从学术和行业专家的角度研究BCT是已知的第一次尝试。该研究也是最早评估 BCT 在旅游中使用风险的研究之一。大多数风险被确定为不重要的, 可以随着 BCT 的发展而得到解决。

Citation

Dadkhah, M., Rahimnia, F. and Filimonau, V. (2022), "Evaluating the opportunities, challenges and risks of applying the blockchain technology in tourism: a Delphi study approach", Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, Vol. 13 No. 5, pp. 922-954. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHTT-04-2021-0115