Digitalization is a driving factor of developing tourism industry

The COVID-19 pandemic has seriously affected the tourism and hospitality industry. The closure of borders and the introduction of quarantine measures have reduced the flow of international tourists. The development of digitalization has helped to restore the pre-pandemic level of development of the tourism sector. Introducing digital technologies to tourism sector has changed the way of doing travel business. Online booking platforms and mobile applications enable tourism industry more efficient and provide opportunity to countries to attract more foreign tourists. This article is dedicated to analyze the impact of digital technologies on developing tourism industry. In this research paper to assess the level of tourism digitalization in the countries was used index method. To make analysis was selected 22 countries around the world, including developed and developing countries and 13 indicators. The research provides result, which enable to determine factors significantly influencing to developing digital tourism in the country. According to the results of the research, access to fixed broadband subscribers, internet users and research and development expenditures are important factors in developing digital infrastructure. By assessing the innovation development high-tech export takes important place. Regarding to tourism development, number of hotels is important factor as it shows demand in this sphere.