Deciphering the Development of Smart and Sustainable Tourism Cities in Southeast Asia: A Call for Research

Marcus L. Stephenson; Graeme Dobson

doi:10.14764/10.ASEAS-0033

Authors

Marcus L. Stephenson Sunway University, Malaysia
Graeme Dobson University of Birmingham, UK

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14764/10.ASEAS-0033

Keywords:

ASEAN, Case Studies, Smart Cities, Smart Tourism, Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

A recognized desire is noticeable within ASEAN nations to develop more sustainable approaches to urban development and tourism. One solution has been to promote the expansion of both smart cities and smart tourism practices. Recently, these smart approaches have been implemented across a variety of different cities and locales. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the potential for further research in developing relation- ships between ‘smart cities’ and ‘smart tourism’ practices in Southeast Asia. Rather than present a review of the entire region, three potential case studies located in Myanmar, Lao PDR, and Thailand are discussed. These include Yangon as a case of smart approaches in a primary city, Vientiane as a case of smart approaches in a smaller city, and Phuket as a case of smart approaches in an area which suffers from overtourism. The authors maintain that this type of case study research within ASEAN states can provide critical insights and local solutions to the advancement of smart and sustainable tourism destinations.

Author Biographies

Marcus L. Stephenson, Sunway University, Malaysia

Marcus L. Stephenson is Professor of Tourism and Hospitality Management and Dean of the School of Hospitality at Sunway University (Malaysia). Professor Stephenson is the co- author of Tourism and Citizenship: Rights, Freedoms and Responsibilities in the Global Order (2014, Routledge) and co-editor of International Tourism Development and the Gulf Cooperation Council States: Challenges and Opportunities (2017, Routledge). He has been involved in research projects in the Caribbean, UK, Tanzania, Middle East, and the Pacific. He has published extensively on the sociology of tourism, especially on issues concerning nationality, race, ethnicity, culture, and religion.

Graeme Dobson, University of Birmingham, UK

Graeme Dobson is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education at the University of Birmingham. He has had a varied career in education working predominately in schools and local au- thorities within urban areas within the UK. Graeme’s research interests include career interest, decision making, migration and mobility, and educational resource issues.

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