This paper discusses the use of Augmented Reality (AR) applications for the needs of tourism. It describes the technology's evolution from pilot applications into commercial mobile applications. We address the technical aspects of mobile AR application development, emphasizing the technologies that render the delivery of augmented reality content possible and experientially superior. We examine the state of the art, providing an analysis concerning the development and the objectives of each application. Acknowledging the various technological limitations hindering AR's substantial end-user adoption, the paper proposes a model for developing AR mobile applications for the field of tourism, aiming to release AR's full potential within the field.