The impact of robotics on the tourism sector: the case of Barcelona

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3926/hdbr.225

Keywords:

robotics, innovation, interactivity, Internet, work, tourism, communication

Abstract

This research analyzes the influence of robotics on tourism. It is an innovative phenomenon, but one that is expected to be present in most tourism and communication activities. Robotics is beginning to produce results in terms of jobs related to tourism. Robots are incorporated in all types of establishments, especially in hotels, restaurants and museums. The phenomenon is analyzed through a quantitative (implementing data from automatic check-in and check-out machines in Barcelona hotels) and qualitative (in-depth interviews) methodology. The improvements and drawbacks that they can represent are observed, as well as their repercussion on the tourism work environment. It is concluded that the inclusion of robotics in tourism is still in the development phase, but it implies personnel savings and more personalized and interactive attention for the end user. The machines are used more often in hostels and tourist apartments than in hotels.

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Author Biographies

Joan Francesc Fondevila Gascón, Universitat Pompeu Fabra. Spain.

Doctorate in Journalism (Summa cum laude) from Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona. Professor at Universitat Pompeu Fabra, URL, EU Mediterrani (UdG), CESINE, UOC, UB, UAB, EAE (UPC) and Euncet (UPC). Director of the Cable Studies Center (CECABLE). Spain.

Joaquín Marqués-Pascual, EAE Business School. Spain.

Doctorate in Communication (Summa cum laude) from URL. Attorney and political scientist. Research professor at EAE Business School. Co-director of the scientific journal Comunicació, revista d’Anàlisi i Recerca. Spain.

Mónica Muñoz González, Escuela de Turismo y Marketing Mediterrani. Spain.

Doctorate in Marketing (Summa cum laude) from UAO-CEU. Professor at the Escuela de Turismo y Marketing Mediterrani, Barcelona. Member of the Innovative Systems for the Monetization of Journalism, Marketing and Digital Tourism (SIMPED) research group. Spain

Marc Polo López, Universitat Ramon Llull. Spain.

Doctorate in Advertising (Summa cum laude) from Universitat Ramon Llull. Associate Professor in the College of Communication and International Relations Blanquerna - Universitat Ramon Llull, teaching a class on media strategy and planning and research applied to project development. Spain.

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Published

2019-05-30

How to Cite

Fondevila Gascón, J. F., Marqués-Pascual, J., Muñoz González, M., & Polo López, M. (2019). The impact of robotics on the tourism sector: the case of Barcelona. UNIE Business Research, 8(1), 49–61. https://doi.org/10.3926/hdbr.225

Issue

Section

Articles