Not all municipalities seeking to become international smart tourism destinations must follow the same path or apply the same procedures.
Being a DTI will depend to a large extent on a series of factors such as tourist attraction, the degree of maturity as a vacation destination or investment capacity, among others.
However, some of the technology-based services already being used to increase the tourist attractiveness of cities at a low cost are, for example, virtual or augmented reality solutions, intelligent information offices or mobile applications that allow you to access all kinds of information about the city.
Four keys to becoming a smart tourist destination (and attracting international travellers)
The experts agree on four primary axes to go from a conventional destination to a true DTI and be recognized globally.
1. Knowledge
Analyze and know the traveller to anticipate and work predictively.
2. Innovation
Please help us with technology to adapt to the digital demands of the sector.
3. Sustainability
Achieve social and economic development while maintaining sight of the environmental commitment.
4. Accessibility
Promote inclusive spaces adapted to all needs
Digitized travellers in search of smart destinations
Today, technology allows the territory to ‘speak’ in real-time and get to know tourists better, even before they arrive at their destination, to offer them unique and personalized experiences.
Through the devices, the use of IoT and other advanced tools of Smart Cities, predictions of tourist behaviour can be made and thus guide their experience. This option can be exciting to combat mass tourism and gentrification in cities. In addition, they allow, ultimately, to promote little-known tourist locations based on the preferences and tastes of visitors.
At the same time, it would make it possible to decongest the best-known monuments without giving up offering quality tourism. For example, New York City increased visits to Central Park after developing a series of QR codes where the user could view scenes from famous movies shot there.
Technology and tourism: the perfect coexistence
The impact of technology on the tourism sector is undeniable. The tourism sector has been able to understand and absorb the advantages of using new technologies, but what makes this moment in which we live historically is the potential of Big Data.
We must seek a balance between cities and the tourism that comes to them and be able to provide unique experiences linked to digital solutions while paying attention to the new business opportunities they represent.
And it is that there are many in the field of the exploitation of technological services dedicated to tourists since the use of ICT applied to tourism (what we know as Smart Tourism) promotes ecological, sustainable and more attractive tourism.
In summary: most of the smart cities that exist today are essential Smart Tourist Destinations. We are already witnessing cities that promote tourism with digital solutions such as augmented reality and connectivity through 5G.
