Smart Destination Research Articles

Smart tourism transformation of the Şi̇le district: strategic aspects through a SWOT analysis

PurposeThis study aims to evaluate the smart destination potential of the Şile district by identifying its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats related to smart city applications.Design/methodology/approachA comprehensive SWOT analysis was conducted using data from participants and relevant documentation to assess the feasibility of smart tourism initiatives in Şile.FindingsThe analysis reveals that Şile, due to its proximity to Istanbul, has significant potential to develop into a smart tourism destination. Key strengths include its natural attractions, while challenges revolve around infrastructure limitations.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is limited to the Şile district and may not be generalizable to other regions. Future research could expand the scope to include comparative studies with other potential smart tourism destinations.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the growing body of literature on smart tourism by offering strategic recommendations tailored to the unique context of Şile, a district with significant but underutilized potential.

Local Government Tourism Officer satisfaction with the Smart Destination model: A case study with the Kano method

The aim of this research is to analyse local government tourism officer satisfaction with a smart destination model using the Kano method. A causal model is proposed with four antecedent variables of tourism officer satisfaction with the smart destination model: perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, trust in and challenges of the model. The smart destination model applied to a smart destination network in the Valencian Community (Spain) is taken as a case study. The results show that trust, ease of use and challenges have a linear relationship with satisfaction, while usefulness has a non-linear relationship. However, structural equation modelling analysis shows that only trust in the model significantly influences local government tourism officer satisfaction with the model.

Conclusion: sustainability, smart tourism destinations and evolving visitor preferences

PurposeThe primary aim of this themed issue is to highlight the incorporation of sustainability principles in the progress of tourism and the monitoring of tourists' evolving preferences, all within the sustainability framework and smart tourism destinations. The strategic question underlying this theme issue is how can we interpret, relate and monitor the rapidly evolving visitor preferences within sustainability and smart tourism destinations?Design/methodology/approachThis issue’s critical outcomes as they relate to the strategic question are reviewed, with reference to the contributions made to knowledge, policy and practice and the implications for future applied research concerning sustainability, smart tourism destinations and evolving visitor preferences.FindingsArising from the analysis and synthesis of recommendations, the following themes were proposed as critical concentration points for rapidly evolving visitor preferences within sustainability and smart tourism destinations: as in all areas of life, sustainability will continue to be a prominent concept in the tourism sector. Smart solutions and the use of technology have also been identified as determining factors in creating sustainable destinations. On the other hand, changing and evolving tourist preferences are emerging as a driving force for smart destinations and sustainability. Tourism destinations must take steps toward sustainability by considering the changing visitor structure, evolving demands and needs. Some articles in this special issue also analyze tourist demands and sustainability efforts of destinations in specific destinations and provide invaluable insights.Originality/valueAs it is essential for all stakeholders of the tourism industry to achieve competitiveness while securing sustainability, this particular article suggests ways for the industry as a whole, its players, destination administrations, local and national policymakers and other major stakeholders of the tourism industry to address some issues faced by the industry. Factors such as changing customer structure, use of technology and increasing environmental awareness make it necessary for destination management and all players individually to take vital measures. This paper and the collection of articles in this thematic issue offer crucial insights for academics, professionals and decision-makers in creating a complete framework to assess, connect and regularly track changing visitor preferences. The papers include recommendations for creating robust tourism locations that effectively tackle challenges, promote inclusion and prepare for future advancements. This is achieved by examining the convergence of sustainability, smart tourism and changing tourist tastes.

Mengintegrasikan Teknologi IoT dan Smart Destinations dalam Pengelolaan Pariwisata Berkelanjutan

The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technology with the concept of Smart Destinations offers an innovative solution in tourism management with the aim of improving operational efficiency and tourist experience. IoT technology, which includes interconnected sensor devices and communication systems, provides the ability to unify and manage various aspects of a destination in real-time. Meanwhile, Smart Destinations use digital technology to optimize the tourist experience through personalization, resource efficiency, and desire. This article discusses the background and key benefits of IoT integration in Smart Destinations, including improving the visitor experience through data and analytics, better crisis management, and more efficient resource management. Application examples such as smart parking systems, automated energy management, and providing contextual information to tourists through sensors are described to illustrate the practical application of this technology. However, challenges such as data privacy and security, technology compatibility issues, and significant investment requirements are also discussed. In conclusion, while this integration faces several obstacles, its potential benefits in improving the quality and efficiency of tourist destinations make it a promising approach for the future of the tourism industry.

Формирование цифрового пространства внутреннего туризма Республики Коми

The weak connexity and dispersion of the tourism space in the Komi Republic is due to the insufficient inclusion of its subjects in the digital space, predetermined by the poor quality of the tourist product, low digitalization level of the territory and poor technological equipment of organizations in the tourism sector. The basic directions of the digital transformation of the industry are outlined, related to the expansion of digital infrastructure, development of the regional tourism platform, and improvement of the regional tourism management system through the digitalization of accounting, data collection and analysis. The most important direction is the formation of regional tourism and recreation cluster based on the “smart destination” approach using financial and programmatic mechanisms for the development of the tourism industry in the region.

The role of digital transformation in business and its impact on sustainable development goals (sdgs) in the tourism sector

Objective: The objective of this paper is to examine the role of digital transformation in enhancing sustainability within the tourism industry and its impact on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study aims to analyze how digital technologies can foster economic growth, social inclusivity, and environmental responsibility, thereby contributing to a more sustainable and resilient tourism sector. Method: The research employs a comprehensive literature review methodology, drawing on case studies, industry reports, and empirical evidence. Key areas of focus include the integration of digital tools in tourism operations, such as online booking platforms, customer relationship management systems, data analytics, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications. The study also explores the application of augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), blockchain technology, and smart destination management in promoting sustainable tourism practices. Results: The findings indicate that digital transformation significantly enhances operational efficiency, customer experience, and overall competitiveness in the tourism industry. Digital technologies enable data-driven decision-making, efficient resource management, and real-time monitoring of environmental impacts. The integration of digital platforms promotes eco-friendly practices, supports financial inclusion through digital payments, and facilitates stakeholder engagement. Moreover, virtual tourism and AR/VR technologies provide immersive experiences that reduce the environmental impact of physical travel while educating tourists about conservation and sustainability. Conclusions: Digital transformation is a powerful tool for advancing sustainability in the tourism sector. By leveraging digital technologies, businesses can align their operations with the SDGs, promoting responsible consumption, reducing environmental impact, and fostering inclusive economic growth. The study underscores the importance of a balanced approach where digital transformation drives economic benefits while ensuring social and environmental responsibility. Collaboration among stakeholders, including businesses, governments, and local communities, is essential for creating a sustainable and resilient tourism industry. The ongoing commitment to innovation and responsible practices will play a pivotal role in shaping a sustainable future for the tourism sector.

Tourist Tracking Techniques and Their Role in Destination Management: A Bibliometric Study, 2007–2023

The tourism industry has recently undergone a significant evolution because of the implementation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). These changes have raised new conceptions of destinations, thus giving rise to smart destinations. In this context, digital tracking of tourists has become of great interest. This article aims to analyze the research landscape on tourist tracking through a bibliometric study, which allows the evaluation of the performance of publications, recognition of the prominent SciVal topics, analysis of the evolution of the techniques, and recognition of their use as a tool that contributes to the development of smart destinations. Unlike prior studies in this area, in addition to the performance analysis of publications, this paper focuses only on empirical studies on tourist tracking, identifies the prominent SciVal topics, and analyzes the linkage thereof with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The bibliometric study was carried out based on articles on tourist tracking extracted from the Scopus database and published between 2007 and 2023. This research is mainly quantitative, based on research performance analysis (journals, authors, institutions, and countries) and science mapping (citation analysis, co-word analysis, co-authorship analysis). Results show the quality of the publications made in the 2007–2023 period and indicate that the most used techniques have been GPS devices, social media, and app-based GPS/GNSS. In addition, it was found that the evolution of the techniques occurred at the same time as the development of ICT and that the prominent SciVal topic that covers the largest number of publications is associated with destination management. It is concluded that the application of tourist tracking techniques contributes to the transformation of destinations into smart destinations, as they provide useful relevant information to tourism market stakeholders for the development of strategies that improve decision-making and allow for the sustainable management of destinations.

Smart tourism destinations: an overview of current research trends and a future research agenda

研究目的本研究旨在提供关于智慧目的地知识演变的概览, 并确定智慧目的地研究领域中涉及的关键问题、主要主题和子主题, 以及智慧目的地研究的研究空白, 同时提出未来研究议程以填补这些空白。研究方法本研究利用 Bibliometrix R 软件对发表的409篇智慧目的地文献进行了文献计量分析, 以全面回顾关于智慧目的地的研究, 并确定主要研究主题、文献中的空白以及未来的研究机会。研究发现基于研究结果, 本研究提出了智慧目的地研究的概念模型。该概念模型可作为进一步知识生成的基础。研究发现还为未来研究方向提供了启示, 强调了利用先进创新和数字化技术在智慧目的地各个维度上进行研究的机会。研究创新尽管过去的研究关注了智慧目的地的主题, 但本研究通过提出以可达性、可持续性、数字化、体验共创和创意为里程碑的新智慧目的地管理范式, 推进了科学知识的发展。

Digitalization and digital transformation in the tourism industry: a bibliometric review and research agenda

Purpose In recent decades, a significant number of research contributions have been made to the intersection of digital technologies and the tourism industry. However, a thorough examination of digitalization and digital transformation in the tourism industry has not been given sufficient consideration. This study aims to provide a bibliometric review of digitalization and digital transformation research in the tourism industry and devise future research agendas to advance the research field. Design/methodology/approach This study uses the Scientific Procedures and Rationales for Systematic Literature Reviews (SPAR-4-SLR) protocol and a bibliometric analysis to examine the research progress and scientifically map the research domain of digitalization and digital transformation in the tourism industry from 2002 to 2023 using bibliographic data retrieved from the Scopus and Web of Science. Findings This study presents the trends in publications and citations within the digitalization and digital transformation research domain in tourism. The findings also provide insights into the four primary clusters of the research field: digital innovation, smart tourism ecosystem, eTourism and smart destination experience. To further augment the application of digital transformation, this study offers several recommendations for future research on digitalization and digital transformation of the tourism industry. Practical implications This study provides valuable implications to researchers, managers and policymakers seeking to understand the current state and future research directions in tourism’s digitalization and digital transformation research field. Originality/value This study advances the research field of digitalization and digital transformation in the tourism industry by thoroughly examining the primary research clusters in the research corpus of the past two decades. Furthermore, it guides future research, thereby setting the stage for further progress in this domain.

Reverse engineering the last-minute on-line pricing practices: an application to hotels

We suggest a nonlinear time series methodology to model the (last-minute) price adjustments that hotels active in the online market make to adapt their early-booking rates in response to unpredictable fluctuations in demand. We use this approach to reverse-engineer the pricing strategies of six hotels in Milan, Italy, each with different features and services. The results reveal that the hotels’ ability to align last-minute adjustments with early-booking decisions and account for stochastic demand seasonality varies depending on factors such as size, star rating, and brand affiliation. As a primary empirical finding, we show that the autocorrelations of the first four moments of the last-minute price adjustment can be used to gain crucial insights into the hoteliers’ pricing strategies. Scaling up this approach has the potential to equip policymakers in smart destinations with a reliable and transparent tool for the real-time monitoring of demand dynamics.

Configurational Paths to Arouse Tourists’ Positive Experiences in Smart Tourism Destinations: A fsQCA Approach

The issue this study explores is to investigate the determinants of smart tourism destinations (STDs) on tourists’ experiences. To address this issue, this study purports to identify different configuration paths of determinants that lead to tourists’ positive experiences in STDs and explain the mechanism of the configuration effects of different determinants. The fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) method was adopted to conduct a survey on 266 tourists who went to five Chinese STDs between 2021 and 2022. Smart tourism technologies, smart destination governance, personalized service, and smart infrastructure, co-creation formed distinct combination paths through different configurations. The findings demonstrated that smart infrastructure and co-creation are necessary conditions to arouse tourists’ positive experiences. The results of fsQCA analysis further revealed five causal configurations leading to tourists’ positive experiences. The study provides theoretical and practical implications for STDs to design effective tourism services as well as enhance tourists’ overall experiences.

Attracting digital nomads: Smart destination strategies, innovation and competitiveness

Digital nomadism, as a new form of tourist mobility, brings opportunities and challenges for destination management. To attract this new market, smart destinations need to innovate to develop readiness and competitiveness. This research examines 225 digital nomad destination web articles, from multiple sources and different continents. The study aims to identify innovative strategies and practices using semantic content analysis and hierarchical network analysis. It explores relevant stakeholders and their importance, and pinpoints digital nomad trends. Findings suggest that smart destinations cater for the work, travel, social, financial and basic-living needs of digital nomads. These are different from those of short-term leisure and business tourists. Destinations tend to portray digital nomads as a homogenous group, although different segments have been identified. The long-term impacts of digital nomads on local economies and societies have yet to be fully explored. The theoretical significance of this study lies in the provision of an agency-structural perspective of destination innovation and competitiveness. Practically, the study contributes to digital nomad management and marketing within smart tourist destinations.

Exploring the contribution of neuroscientific approach to sustainable smart tourism

A recent development in the tourism industry is integrating smart technology into prominent destinations to provide personalized experiences for visitors and improve their satisfaction. As a result of smart destinations, knowledge and expertise are available to all parties involved, allowing for the constant transformation of activities by engaging tourists in actively co-creating their experiences. Significant beneficiaries, such as visitors, service providers, and destination marketing organizations, participate in the smart tourism ecosystem’s combination of systems, structures, and technology to co-create value and experience its advantages. The application of neuroscience in smart tourism ecosystem can help to better understand the needs and expectations of tourists, to design more efficient and sustainable services, and to measure the impact of tourism on society and the environment. Sustainable value co-creation based on neuroscientific approach are the new building blocks of smart tourist ecosystems to attain visitor satisfaction and loyalty by establishing positive associations with the co-creation of tourist experiences. Considering neuroscience as a valuable tool for understanding how tourists interact with their environments and how ICTs can be used to enhance their experiences, this paper analyzed literature on smart tourism ecosystem and sustainable value co-creation to provide insights into how sustainable smart tourism can be improved through the use of the neuroscientific approach.

Smart destination cards as big data generators. A proposal for a checklist and its application to Trentino Guest Card

Quality data on tourist behaviour is essential for destination management organisations, the promoters of smart destination cards (SDC). The different configurations of SDC stem from the relative importance attributed to their goals and entail different levels of quality of the data they collect. SDC are not only big data generators, but also marketing tools and the outcome of the cooperative games between the included attractions, with a trade‐off between these features. Consequently, strong sample selection, price distortion effects, and collection of limited personal details on card users often characterize SDC data. We propose a checklist for assessing the potential of SDC as big data generators, whose items are: large coverage of diverse attractions; same discount for all included attractions; low card price; stability of features over time; collection of personal data at issue. We exemplify its use by applying it to the SDC of Trentino, an Italian mountain destination.

Constructing Spanish smart destinations: a new guide for the tourism industry

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to analyse Benidorm, San Sebastián, Gijón, Málaga, Tenerife Island and Santander smart tourist destinations (STDs) as a touristic model and example to follow by other destinations in Spain and all over the world.Design/methodology/approachTo fulfil the stated objective, this study follows several phases that introduce and classify a set of measures implemented by the six Spanish smart destinations to be designed as a STD.FindingsFindings suggest that being a STD requires a high cost, and this is only accessible to big destinations with enough resources. Of the 50 Spanish provinces, eight are STDs, and these are localised in coastal areas. Obviously, this challenge is not within the reach of any Spanish city. Moreover, findings of the current study prove that the six Spanish smart destinations have a good air accessibility through their six airports, but the accessibility in a STD is not just physical; this must provide digital accessibility to tourists through destination marketing organisation’s website and app that will supply them with information on a wide range of services, including accommodations, tourist attractions, restaurants, public transport, museums and monuments’ locations, amongst many others.Originality/valueFrom a resident point of view, a STD cannot be only focused on a technological and tourism context; a STD also requires knowing and meeting the needs of local residents and having a voice in decision-making processes. Hence, this study shows a new perspective on STDs that will benefit the literature on STDs.

Smart Destination Management in Kashmir: A Study of the Integration of Technology and Tourism

Smart Destination Management in Kashmir: A Study of the Integration of Technology and Tourism

Revolutionizing Tourism: Harnessing the Power of IoT in Smart Destinations

The convergence of technology and travel has given rise to the paradigm of smart destinations, fueled by the transformative force of the Internet of Things (IoT). This review paper delves into the revolutionary impact of IoT on tourism, specifically focusing on the concept of smart destinations. Smart Hotels, exemplifying this paradigm shift, redefine the guest experience through seamless technology integration. Smart room controls, driven by IoT, intuitively respond to guest preferences, transforming the traditional stay into a personalized and efficient encounter. Transportation undergoes a parallel transformation through connected transportation, where IoT innovations reshape global mobility. From smart airports to intelligent traffic management systems, the integration of IoT ensures seamless and efficient travel experiences for both passengers and goods. Wearable devices further enhance the tourism experience, with smart tour guides leading the way. Wearables provide real-time information and personalized recommendations, with smart glasses employing augmented reality (AR) to overlay digital information onto the physical world. This hands-free approach enriches tourist exploration of historical sites and museums. In popular tourist attractions, IoT-enabled experiences redefine engagement. From smart museums to AR tours and interactive exhibits, the integration of IoT technologies enhances how visitors interact with cultural landmarks, creating immersive and technologically enriched tourism experiences. This review explores the multifaceted intersections of IoT and tourism, offering insights into current trends and future prospects in this dynamic space.

Smart Destination Management: Challenges and Practices

Smart destination management is a rapidly evolving concept that aims to enhance the sustainability,competitiveness, and resilience of tourism destinations through the integration of innovativetechnologies and practices. While the benefits of Smart destination management are significant,there are also several challenges that need to be addressed. In this abstract, we explore the challengesand practices of Smart destination management. One of the key challenges is the lack of astandardized framework for Smart destination management. The absence of a common set of indicators,metrics, and benchmarks makes it difficult to measure the effectiveness of Smart destinationmanagement initiatives and compare performance across destinations.

“Smart” Tourism as an Innovative Direction of Tourism Development

The article discusses smart tourism as one of the areas of smart specialization. Under the leadership of the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia, the “Smart Specialization” program has been developed, which is the basis for strengthening the innovative potential of the regions. When implementing this component, it becomes possible to identify the strengths of a particular region and their targeted development. As a result of active cooperation with the relevant structures of the European Union, Imereti was chosen as a pilot region. The article mentions the role of smart tourism in the context of smart specialization of Imereti, first of all, it can be smart tourism, artificial intelligence in tourism, smart destination, the use of various communication and IT technologies. The article discusses the importance of smart cities, smart destinations, artificial intelligence, and the 5G network in the development of smart tourism. “Smart” tourism determines the prospects for the development of the industry. However, the study of this complex phenomenon is currently in its infancy. It should be noted that a comparative and comprehensive study of the experience of smart tourism will undoubtedly become one of the main directions of this research in the world. Keywords: Smart Tourism, Smart Specialization, Smart Destination.

The role emotions play in loyalty and WOM intention in a Smart Tourism Destination Management

This study applies an extension of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) by including moral regulation and negative and positive emotions to determine the attitudinal and emotional factors that influence tourist loyalty and word-of-mouth. Structural equation modeling was applied to a sample of 303 face-to-face interviews with tourists visiting the smart tourism destination of Cáceres, a city that has also been declared a World Heritage site. The results indicate that the original components of the TPB, moral norms and positive and negative emotions significantly impact loyalty and intention to recommend the smart destination. Additionally, the proportion of variance explained shows that including moral norms and positive and negative emotions significantly improve the explanatory power of the original model. The joint communication of information in local campaigns and through social networks offering memorable experiences is the main strategy destination managers should follow in order to promote socially and environmentally responsible attitudes, positive emotions, and a greater intention to recommend the destination and build loyalty to it.