Impact of Regenerative Tourism Practices on Sustainable Destination Performance through the Mediation of Smart Tourism Technologies and Moderation of Destination Competitiveness

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to explore the impact of regenerative tourism practices (RTP) on Jordan’s tourism industry in sustainable destination performance (SDP) with a focus on the mediating effect of smart tourism technologies (STT) and moderating effect of destination competitiveness (DC). It fills an important gap by providing insights into the ways in which technology and competition both contribute to the success of RTP in promoting sustainability in emerging destinations. The study uses partial least square-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to examine data from a survey of Jordan’s tourism professionals, namely hotel managers, tour operators, and destination management specialists. A set of six hypotheses involving direct, meditational and moderational effects were tested using SmartPLS version 4. The results suggest that RTP, including eco-centric service innovation, cultural heritage preservation, community involvement and resource efficiency, are positively associated with SDP. STT – such as big data analytics, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, Internet of Things, and integrated digital platforms – play a crucial role in mediating the influence of RTP on SDP, enhancing sustainability. Moreover, DC positively moderates the relationships between RTP-SDP and STT-SDP, implying the positive impacts of regenerative practices and smart technologies on sustainable performance are enhanced under greater levels of DC.