Research on Digital Technology Integration in Tourism Marketing Education

Digitalization and digital transformation have become crucial development directions in the tourism and hospitality industry. In the tourism sector, the digitalization level directly influences younger consumers’ engagement. The convenience and functionality of digital tools increasingly impact consumer decisions when choosing travel platforms, and digital marketing plays an increasingly significant role in the tourism industry. This chapter introduces a newly designed course that adopts design thinking as its core methodology, systematically guiding students to start from user needs and utilize digital tools for innovative design and practical applications. The content, covering tourism map information, social media marketing, and website management, is efficient for employment. However, students’ foundational digital skills could be further enhanced. To address workload pressure, the course could include post-class guidance sessions, peer learning mechanisms, and preparatory materials to ease learning burdens. By integrating the five steps of design thinking, the course successfully bridges theory and practice, cultivating digital talents equipped with innovative thinking and practical skills.