Smart Tourism Toolkits

Smart Tourism Tools (STTs) refer to the application of ICT for developing innovative tools and approaches to improve tourism. STTs usually rely on (i) technologies such as IoT, mobile communications, cloud computing, AI, AR/VR, or UAV (aka drones) and, (ii) analysis of data derived from physical infrastructure, social connections, and organizational sources (both government and non-government), and tourists themselves. By tackling concrete scenarios of the tourism practice, STTs aim at enhancing tourism experiences, improving the efficiency of resource management at a micro and macro level, ensuring that benefits are well distributed, and maximizing destination competitiveness with an emphasis on sustainable aspects. Summing up, STTs are a key ingredient for improving the quality of tourism services provided by SMEs, boosting their competitiveness, strengthening their sustainability performance, and maintaining Europe’s position as a leading tourist destination.