Applications of Digital Twin Technology in Tourism

Digital twin technology refers to real-time digital replicas of physical assets or processes. This technology offers innovative solutions in tourism for destination management, visitor experience, sustainability, and crisis management.

Destination Management and Planning

Digital twins assist decision-makers by creating digital models of tourist destinations, aiding in infrastructure planning, traffic management, and optimization of visitor flows. As a result, the sustainability of destinations is enhanced and visitor satisfaction is ensured.

Enhancing the Visitor Experience

Digital twin technology transforms the visitor experience before, during, and after the visit by creating real-time digital replicas of physical tourist sites, offering a more interactive, informative, and personalized experience. This technology is opening the door to a new era in tourism.

Prior Visit Experience (Planning Stage)

Before planning their trips, visitors can virtually explore museums, historical sites, or tourist areas of cities through digital twin technology. This pre-visualization enables:

• Clearer expectations and prevention of disappointment.
• More efficient planning of visit time—for example, visitors can decide which exhibits to prioritize.
• Opportunities for individuals with accessibility needs (such as people with disabilities) to evaluate the environment in advance.

Interactive Guidance and Real-Time Navigation

Through digital twins, personalized routes can be generated for visitors as they move within tourist areas. This technology:

• Uses crowd density analysis to guide visitors away from congested areas.
• Delivers content tailored to individual interests—for example, art, history, or architecture.
• Reduces dependence on information boards or human guides by providing real-time guidance.

Enhanced Information Delivery (AR/VR Supported)

When supported by augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), digital twins allow visitors not only to see what is present but also to experience how these sites appeared in the past:

• Virtually reconstruct buildings in their original state before destruction.
• Detail artworks or archaeological remains using 3D holograms.
• Enable visitors to experience historical events that occurred in these areas through a form of time travel.

Personalized Mobile Experience

Tourist sites integrated with digital twin applications via mobile devices offer personalized experiences to visitors:

• Content can be filtered by language, age group, or interest.
• Based on personal data analysis, tailored recommendations can be provided—for example, suggesting areas similar to those where the visitor spent the most time.

Social and Participatory Experiences

Visitors can be encouraged to share their experiences, leave comments, and even create content within the digital twin environment. This social participation:

• Strengthens community engagement.
• Adds value to the digital presence of tourist sites.
• Fosters a sense of belonging among visitors.

Opportunities for Accessible Tourism

Digital twin technology enables tourism experiences in situations where physical access is not possible—such as during pandemics, for people with disabilities, or in remote geographic areas. This inclusive approach ensures:

• Equal access to cultural heritage for everyone.
• Creation of new revenue models through digital platforms offering paid or free experiences.

Sustainability and Energy Management

Tourism facilities can use digital twins to monitor energy consumption, optimize water usage, and improve waste management. This reduces environmental impact and contributes to achieving sustainable tourism goals.

Crisis and Disaster Management

Digital twins assist in creating rapid and effective intervention plans during crises by simulating disaster scenarios. This technology enhances the resilience of destinations against disasters.

Preservation of Cultural Heritage

By creating digital twins of historical and cultural sites, their preservation and transmission to future generations are ensured. Additionally, visitors are given the opportunity to explore these sites virtually.

Digital twin technology provides innovative solutions across many areas of the tourism sector, enhancing destination sustainability, enriching visitor experiences, and improving crisis management. This technology plays a vital role in shaping the future of tourism.