Discover how smart tourism is transforming the travel industry through innovative technologies, creating personalized and sustainable experiences.
8min
In a world increasingly dominated by technology, it’s no surprise that even the way we explore the globe is getting a digital makeover. Enter smart tourism, an innovative approach that’s reshaping the travel landscape for both travelers and destinations.
At Worldpackers, we firmly believe in the power of technology to harness positive change. After all, our digital platform was born in 2014 with the aim of building a community based on collaboration and make travel more accessible to those seeking a profound cultural experience.
We wouldn’t be shuch a huge global community of travelers and hosts if it wasn’t for the help of technology, and we’re happy to see how smart tourism is making travel better through a smart use of technological advancements.
In this article, we'll explore this evolving approach to travel and see how it impacts both tourists and the places they visit.
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Defining smart tourism can be tricky, as noted by Gretzel et al. (2015). They point out that it’s a multifaceted concept without a simple definition. However, we can say that smart tourism leverages technology to enhance and improve every stage of the tourist journey.
The beauty of smart tourism is that it benefits everyone involved. Travelers enjoy a more personalized, convenient, and engaging trip. Meanwhile, tourism destinations benefit from better resource management, enhanced sustainability efforts, increased competitiveness, and stronger economic growth.
Its impact goes beyond just money - it allows cities to meet the evolving needs of both locals and visitors. Let's go into a bit more detail about each of the main benefits:
Imagine using your phone to instantly translate museum signage, book last-minute tours, find the best local restaurants, or report an issue in real-time. These are just a few ways smart tourism empowers travelers. Other perks can include:
Personalized recommendations: Tailored suggestions for attractions, activities, and dining options that align with your preferences.
Real-time information: Updates on traffic flow, public transport, available parking spots, and events.
Seamless booking and payments: Conveniently manage all aspects of your trip, from accommodations to transportation and tours, through dedicated apps.
Enhanced safety: Real-time security updates, access to emergency services, and improved crowd management systems to create a more secure environment.
Smart tourism provides a toolbox of solutions that empower destinations to be more attractive, sustainable, and efficient in managing the impact of tourism. This helps protect the environment, preserve cultural heritage, and boost local economies. Here's how:
Improved sustainability: Smart cities use technology to monitor resource use, reduce carbon footprints, and encourage eco-friendly practices in the tourism sector. This can range from intelligent irrigation systems that save water in public gardens to promoting electric transport.
Data-driven decision making: Through smart technologies, cities can collect valuable data about visitor preferences, patterns, and feedback, which informs how to improve the tourist experience, infrastructure, and marketing strategies. The EU guide on Data for Tourism Destinations provides insight on this topic.
Enhanced accessibility: Smart tourism seeks to create an inclusive experience by removing physical and communication barriers for all travelers, regardless of their needs or abilities. A shining example of this is Malaga, in Spain, that was recognized with a European Smart Tourism Award 2019 for outstanding achievements in accessibility.
So, what makes smart tourism tick? It’s powered by various digital technologies and practices seamlessly integrated to create an intelligent ecosystem. Here are some of the most common players:
From planning your travel experiences and providing personalized recommendations to navigating with interactive maps, ordering food, and finding hidden gems - travel apps have become the traveler’s essential companion. They also help with stuff like making reservations and handling contactless payments.
By using apps, cities can effectively guide tourists, disseminate relevant information, and address issues quickly, leading to a smoother experience for everyone. Smart cities often offer their own app that provides everything visitors need - from cultural information and public transport schedules to details about accessibility and special events.
This is all about interconnectivity. Smart sensors, smart grids, and data analytics are integrated throughout a city's infrastructure. They gather real-time information on traffic patterns, environmental conditions, and resource use - all of which informs decision-making and resource allocation. It's thanks to IoT that your phone can alert you about traffic delays or tell you how many bikes are available at a nearby docking station.
These ICT-based tools play a crucial role in creating smart tourism destinations that are efficient and responsive to the needs of both tourists and local businesses.
The learning and adaptability of AI makes it incredibly useful for personalized tourism. Smart chatbots and virtual assistants provide instant, tailored support to travelers.
The sheer volume of information generated by millions of tourists - booking details, preferences, movement patterns - necessitates cloud computing's ability to process this data in real-time.
By utilizing Big Data analytics, cities can gain a deeper understanding of tourist behavior and preferences, predict trends, identify popular attractions and services, and develop targeted solutions to meet those needs.
AR brings an exciting dimension to exploring historical sites and landmarks. Point your smartphone at an ancient monument, and watch it come alive on your screen - overlayed with historical information, 3D models, or even interactive stories.
In cultural hubs like museums and galleries, AR apps provide a deeper layer of information and make exhibits more engaging. AR/VR technology can also allow people to experience a destination remotely.
If you’re curious to see how smart tourism is shaping the real world, look no further than these smart destinations:
Malaysia recently pledged to develop its own approach to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which originated a so-called "Smart Tourism 4.0" initiative. Tools like tourism apps and social media are key components in elevating the overall travel experience. Smart Tourism 4.0 promotes digital innovation, sustainability, accessibility, and efficiency.
In 2020, they launched a 2020-2030 Tourism Policy, which aims to “transform Malaysia’s tourism industry by harnessing public-private sector partnerships and embracing digitalization to drive innovation and competitiveness towards sustainable and inclusive development in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals”, with a special focus in ecotourism.
In 2022, Medellín earned official recognition as a smart tourism destination by State Mercantile Society for the Management of Innovation and Tourism Technologies (SEGITTUR), from Spain, becoming the first city in South America to achieve this distinction.
To enhance the tourist experience, Medellín established a Smart Tourism Center at Parques del Río, a park along the Medellín River. This center leverages technology as a key resource, offering visitors engaging experiences through holograms, augmented reality, immersive videos, interactive maps, and touch screens. These tools allow tourists to explore the city in depth, personalize their visit, and focus on areas of interest.
Their Smart Tourism Center also provides inclusive accessibility features like a tactile map with Braille for the visually impaired and spaces designed for individuals with limited mobility or short stature. Sustainability is also a priority, with the center powered by 19 solar panels and equipped with mobile device charging stations for visitors.
Smart tourism initiatives are flourishing across many European cities, such as:
Malaga (Spain), as mentioned above, is working towards increasing accessibility, with fully adapted public transport, pedestrian-friendly zones, and apps for the visually impaired.
Ljubljana (Slovenia) focuses on digitalization and sustainability, with the URBANA card being used for integrated transport. The system allows tourists to use public transport, rent bikes, pay for parking, and access tourist attractions – all with one card. Ljubljana was the European Green Capital winner in 2016, and they are recognized for blending technology with tradition.
Karlsruhe (Germany) is leveraging technology to enrich the tourism experience through cultural attractions. They also have projects on digital administration and infrastructure, digital mobility, energy supply and more.
Lyon (France) works on centralized urban planning for better accessibility and received the 2018 Access City Award. At the time, the city’s public buses were already 100% accessible, and access to culture for all was also ensured, thanks to the inclusion of accessible equipment in libraries, such as reading machines, audiobook readers and magnifying screens.
Copenhagen (Denmark) works on digitalization with innovative visitor services, leveraging technology, moving billboards, robotics, and virtual reality experiences. The city’s app guides users between attractions, and a tracking module that asks users for consent gathers data so that the authorities can better understand movement patterns and collect data to continually improve services.
Gothenburg (Sweden) is a world leader in sustainability thanks to its innovative use of technology. They’re pushing the boundaries with projects like their ‘Green City Zone,’ which aims to be the world’s first fully zero-emission transport zone.
Helsinki (Finland) won the 2019 European Capitals of Smart Tourism award. They have accessible public transportation and a roadmap to reduce overcrowding, besides aiming for carbon neutrality by 2035.
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Smart travel means using technology to create a more convenient, personalized, sustainable, and engaging travel experience. It often includes digital tools like travel apps, contactless payment methods, interactive information systems, real-time travel updates, and eco-friendly transport options.
Smart tourism relies on integrating digital technology and data into the tourism sector. It usually involves utilizing mobile applications, the internet of things (IoT), Artificial intelligence (AI), Big data, and augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR). These technologies work together to streamline travel processes, improve destination management, and enhance visitor experience.
Smart tourism focuses on several principles:
Accessibility: Making travel experiences inclusive and available to all.
Sustainability: Minimizing environmental impact and promoting responsible practices in the tourism industry.
Innovation: Continuously adapting and improving solutions by using data and cutting-edge technology.
Collaboration: Creating successful outcomes through a connected ecosystem involving public-private partnerships, community involvement, and sharing best practices.
Personalization: Offering tailored services and information to travelers.
Efficiency: Streamlining travel experiences and improving operational efficiency within the tourism sector.
As we look to the future, it's evident that technology will continue to redefine how we experience travel. Smart tourism pushes us toward more sustainable, enriching, and interconnected journeys. By embracing these advancements, we can unlock the true potential of tourism while preserving our planet and its diverse cultures for generations to come.
Would you like to visit the world's leading smart tourism destinations with free accommodation? Create a free profile on Worldpackers website and look for the amazing opportunities to volunteer in exchange for a free stay in cities like Medellín, Ljubljana, Helsinki and many more.
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