Gamified Behavioral Nudges in Hospitality and Urban Tourism

This chapter investigates how gamification and behavioral nudges, integrated with the UTAUT2 framework, influence booking behaviors in hospitality and urban tourism. It synthesizes research and industry data, showing that gamified elements and nudges impact key factors such as performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, hedonic motivation, price value, and habit, thereby shaping actual technology adoption and booking decisions. Empirical examples across hotels, smart cities, mobile platforms, and eco-tourism illustrate their effectiveness in enhancing engagement, loyalty, and sustainable behaviors. The chapter highlights gaps in theory and research, emphasizing the need for cross-cultural and ethical studies. It offers practical strategies and policy recommendations to support ethical, inclusive, and sustainable digital tourism ecosystems.