An integrative framework operationalising artificial intelligence destination governance and geopolitical risk moderation in sustainable tourism
This paper presents a systematic literature review synthesizing how AI-enabled governance enhances sustainable tourism resilience while highlighting the critical, yet under-theorized, impact of geopolitical risks like a Strait of Hormuz blockage on global tourism flows.
Original paper licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). This is an AI-generated explanation of the paper below. It is not written or endorsed by the authors. For technical accuracy, refer to the original paper. Read full disclaimer
The world's tourism industry is a massive engine that drives economies but also strains the environment and local cultures. For decades, experts have tried to balance this engine so it runs without breaking the planet or the communities it visits. They often look at three main things: making sure the money helps everyone, keeping nature healthy, and respecting local traditions. At the same time, the places where people travel are increasingly using smart technology, like artificial intelligence, to manage crowds and protect resources. But there is a missing piece in this puzzle. While scientists study the technology and the environment, they often ignore the big, scary risks that come from global politics, such as the threat of war or the closing of vital shipping lanes. These risks can suddenly stop people from traveling, yet they are rarely included in plans for how to make tourism sustainable.
A new study by researchers from universities in Pakistan and Malaysia sets out to fix this gap. They wanted to understand how artificial intelligence can help manage tourism in the Gulf region, where the landscape is fragile and the political situation is tense. Specifically, they looked at what would happen if a major shipping route, the Strait of Hormuz, were blocked. This narrow waterway is a critical choke point for global oil and gas, and a disruption there would send shockwaves through the entire world economy. The researchers asked a simple but difficult question: How do we build a tourism system that is green, fair, and smart, while also being strong enough to survive a geopolitical crisis?
To find the answer, the team did not conduct new surveys or visit sites themselves. Instead, they performed a systematic review, which is a rigorous method of gathering and analyzing existing scientific studies. They searched through thousands of academic papers published between 2018 and 2026, narrowing their focus down to 24 high-quality studies that dealt with tourism, technology, or security in the Middle East and similar regions. By reading these studies carefully, they looked for patterns in what works and what fails. They organized their findings using a framework that considers economic, environmental, and social factors, while also bringing in the role of local communities and the power of digital tools.
The researchers found that not all types of tourism are created equal when it comes to sustainability. They discovered that travel focused on nature and local history, such as ecotourism and heritage tourism, consistently performs better than other forms. These types of travel tend to protect the environment and support local people more effectively. However, this success only happens when the management is done correctly. The studies showed that when local communities are treated as active partners in decision-making, rather than just passive recipients of money, the results are much more durable. The best outcomes occur when these community-led efforts are supported by smart technology that helps monitor the environment and manage visitor numbers without overwhelming the site.
Artificial intelligence emerged from the review not just as a fancy gadget, but as a structural tool that changes how destinations are run. The researchers found that AI can act as a catalyst, helping destinations become more resilient. For example, smart systems can track how many people are visiting a fragile area in real time, adjusting access to prevent damage. They can also personalize the experience for visitors, making their trips more meaningful while reducing waste. The study suggests that when a destination uses AI to improve its governance and efficiency, it becomes better at handling the three main goals of sustainability: economic growth, environmental protection, and social fairness.
However, the most striking finding of the paper is what is missing from current plans. Despite the fact that the Strait of Hormuz is one of the most dangerous and strategically important places on Earth, almost no tourism models account for the risk of it being blocked. The researchers noted that security experts talk about the economic impact of a blockade, and tourism experts talk about sustainability, but the two groups rarely speak to each other. The study suggests that a disruption in the Strait would likely hurt tourism in several ways. It could lead to travel warnings that scare visitors away, cause fuel prices to spike and make flights more expensive, and make investors afraid to build new hotels or resorts. These effects would ripple through the entire industry, yet current sustainability plans do not include these risks.
The paper concludes that for tourism in the Gulf and similar regions to truly be sustainable, it must be viewed as a complex system that includes both technology and security. The researchers propose a new way of thinking that combines the best practices of nature and heritage tourism with the power of artificial intelligence, all while preparing for the possibility of geopolitical shocks. They argue that ignoring the threat of a maritime blockade is a dangerous oversight. For nations trying to diversify their economies away from oil, understanding how a conflict in the Strait of Hormuz could disrupt their tourism plans is not just an academic exercise; it is a matter of economic security. The study offers a blueprint for future research, urging scientists and policymakers to start testing these ideas together, ensuring that the tourism of tomorrow is smart, sustainable, and ready for the unexpected.
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