Sustainable Smart Destinations: a case study for the implementation of a regional-based tourism intelligence system

Abstract

Proposal and Originality As remarked by Perles-Ribes & Baidal (2018, p.156), “STD links sustainable development with competitiveness”. In light of this, the aim of the study is to present a case study about the implementation of the first Sustainable Smart Tourism platform at a regional scale in Portugal, specifically in the Alentejo region. This region has implemented the first sustainable tourism observatory (ASTO) in Portugal which aims to monitor the evolution of sustainable tourism development in Alentejo destination and since 2018.

Methodology A three-step methodological procedures were conducted: 1) literature review and analysis of methodological guidelines for sustainable tourism indicators; 2) the questionnaire was validated by tourism professionals; 3) a second round of validation was conducted by the same professionals.

Results and Implications First results gathered from the information provided by the first 20 pilots (tourism offices at municipal level), evidence the importance of a real time data-driven solution to support tourism strategic management decisions at a municipal level. Results provided from the tourist offices visitors registrations are automatically computed and appear as dashboards. Results meet the assumptions of the diffusion of innovation theory (Rogers, 1962), which helps to explain how, over time, an idea or product gains momentum and spreads through a specific social system.