THE POTENTIAL OF BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGIES IN TOURISM DATA AND TRANSACTION MANAGEMENT

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to explore how blockchain technology can be used to process data and transactions in the travel and tourism industry. With the rapid digitalization of the tourism sector, there is a growing need for data protection, transaction transparency and reduced intermediary costs. Blockchain is considered a cutting-edge technology that will revolutionize key processes in the tourism industry through smart contracts, decentralization and data immutability. The study examines reports from international organizations, examples of blockchain platform implementation and scientific publications. The methodological basis is content analysis, expert assessment, case analysis and a comparative analytical approach. According to the report, booking, identification, data protection, verification and payment processing are the most important areas of blockchain application in tourism. The advantages and disadvantages of implementing the technology are also discussed. The conclusion is that blockchain technology has great potential in the travel and tourism sector, provided that the regulatory framework is created and the digital literacy of market participants is increased. The obtained results can be useful for business communities, IT solution providers in the tourism sector and the academic community interested in the digital transformation of tourism.