Digital Twin Applications in Tourism Destination Management: Predictive Modelling for Tourist Flow and Resource Optimization

Authors

  • M Keertana Department of Commerce, Faculty of Science and Humanities, SRM Institute of Science, Tamil Nadu, India and Technology
  • C Vijay Vishnu Kumar Department of Commerce, Faculty of Science and Humanities, SRM INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70112/arss-2025.14.2.4333

Keywords:

Digital Twin, Tourism Destination Management, Predictive Modelling, Resource Optimization, Sustainability

Abstract

Tourism destinations across the globe are grappling with growing visitor numbers, congestion, and sustainability challenges. Traditional management strategies, which often rely on historical or static data, have proven insufficient in addressing these dynamic issues. Digital Twin (DT) technology offers an innovative pathway by creating real-time, virtual replicas of destinations that combine diverse data streams, simulate ongoing interactions, and generate predictive insights for managers. This study presents a conceptual framework for applying digital twins in tourism management, structured into five layers: the Input Layer, Digital Twin Core, Predictive Analytics Engine, Decision Support System, and Outcomes. Built on secondary data and aligned with Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) principles, the framework illustrates how raw information can be transformed into actionable strategies. Findings suggest that DTs improve the accuracy of tourist flow forecasting, enable smarter decision-making, and enhance sustainability by optimizing the use of resources. The research contributes to tourism management by connecting technological innovation with sustainability goals and lays the groundwork for future empirical testing.

References

Bello, A. O., Olanrewaju, O. I., Gbenga, P. O., Khan, A. A., & Isa, R. B. (2024). Exploring the barriers to digital twin adoption in the Nigerian construction industry: A structural equation modelling approach. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEDT-01-2024-0012.

Buhalis, D., Leung, R., & Li, S. (2022). Smart tourism and digital twins: Enhancing decision-making in destinations. Tourism Management, 90, 104472. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2021.104472.

Centorrino, G., La Corte, A., & Vinci, A. (2020). A stochastic digital twin for visitor management in cultural heritage. Journal of Cultural Heritage, 45, 234–243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2020.02.010.

Cheng, C., Tan, P., & Wong, L. (2022). National digital twin applications in Singapore: Implications for tourism. Journal of Urban Technology, 29(3), 1–18.

de Almeida, F. D. S., Brito e Abreu, F., & Boavida-Portugal, I. (2025). Digital twins in tourism: A systematic literature review. arXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2502.00002.

Florido-Benítez, L. (2024). Digital twin-driven smart destinations: Opportunities and challenges. Journal of Tourism Futures, 10(2), 145–162.

Florido-Benítez, L. (2024). The use of digital twins to address smart tourist destinations’ future challenges. Platforms, 4, 234–254. https://doi.org/10.3390/platforms2040016.

Gössling, S., Scott, D., & Hall, C. M. (2020). Pandemics, tourism, and global change: A rapid assessment of COVID-19. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 29(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2020.1758708.

Grieves, M. (2019). Virtually perfect: Driving innovative and lean products through digital twin development. Space Coast Press.

Gretzel, U., Sigala, M., Xiang, Z., & Koo, C. (2022). The digital transformation of the tourism ecosystem. Annals of Tourism Research, 92, 103318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2021.103318.

Katsoni, V., & Segarra-Oña, M. (2023). Digital twin technology for smart and sustainable tourism. Ethics and Information Technology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10676-023-09730-w.

Kunz, P., Peters, S., & Orlowski, S. (2022). Digital twins for smart cities: People and mobility flows. Smart Cities, 5(4), 221–238.

Li, Y., Wu, X., & Zhang, T. (2021). Predictive analytics and digital twins in tourism management. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 92, 102718. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2020.102718.

Litavniece, L., Kodors, S., Adamoniene, R., & Kijasko, J. (2023). Digital twin: An approach to enhancing tourism competitiveness. Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, 15(5), 538–548. https://doi.org/10.1108/WHATT-06-2023-0074.

Majeed, S., Zhou, Z., Lu, C., & Ramkissoon, H. (2020). Online tourism information and tourist behavior: A structural equation modeling analysis based on a self-administered survey. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, Article 599. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00599.

Milano, C., Cheer, J. M., & Novelli, M. (2019). Overtourism: Excesses, discontents and measures in travel and tourism. CABI Publishing.

Obulapuram, K., & Vemula, P. (2025). Determinants of green consumer behaviour in tourism. Journal of Tourism Research, 12(2), 33–48.

OECD. (2022). Tourism trends and policies 2022. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/tour-2022-en.

Prabawati, A. G., Widi Tamtama, A., & Santoso, H. B. (2024). Digital twin and tourism: Recreating and reimagining tourist experience by interconnecting physical and virtual systems. In Tourism and hospitality for sustainable development (pp. 45–65). Springer.

PropVR. (2023). Destination digital twin solutions for visitor management. https://propvr.com.

Rahmadian, E., Feitosa, D., & Virantina, Y. (2023). Digital twins, big data governance, and sustainable tourism. Ethics and Information Technology, 25, 61. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10676-023-09730-w.

Rahmadian, E., Feitosa, D., & Zwitter, A. (2023). Governing digital twin technology for smart and sustainable tourism. In A. Zwitter & O. G. Strein (Eds.), Handbook on the politics and governance of big data and artificial intelligence (pp. 105–137). Edward Elgar Publishing.

Raghavendra, S., & Diddimani, M. (2025). Determinants of green consumer behavior: Psychological, social, economic, and contextual factors. Asian Review of Social Sciences, 14(1), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.70112/arss-2025.14.1.4286.

Rodó, J. E., & Luna, R. E. R. (2022). Digital transformation of nature tourism: Structural equation modelling of SMEs in Colombia. arXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2211.03945.

Vona, F., Warsinke, M., Kojic, T., Voit-Antons, J.-N., & Moller, S. (2025). User-centric evaluation methods for digital twin applications in extended reality. arXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2502.17346.

Wilson, D., Dunlop, S., & Komninos, N. (2022). Smart destination resilience through digital twins. Tourism Review, 77(4), 985–1001.

Zhang, J., & Li, H. (2020). Applications of digital twins in Chinese scenic areas: Ecological conservation and visitor management. Sustainability, 12(21), 8890. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12218890.

Zhang, Y. (2023). Digital twin system for tourist attractions based on 3D GIS technology. Advances in Computer and Communications, 4(5), 324–327. https://doi.org/10.26855/acc.2023.10.011.

Downloads

Published

12-11-2025

How to Cite

Keertana, M., & Vijay Vishnu Kumar, C. (2025). Digital Twin Applications in Tourism Destination Management: Predictive Modelling for Tourist Flow and Resource Optimization. Asian Review of Social Sciences, 14(2), 43–49. https://doi.org/10.70112/arss-2025.14.2.4333

Similar Articles

<< < 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.