Market Insights 

Statistics 

Derived from Barcelona's tourism annual report 2023, the figures are as follows. Which covers 3 territories, Barcelona city, Barcelona region and Destination Barcelona. 

Length of Stay 

The Average number of nights stay is 2.6 In hotels.

(Barcelona’s tourism activity report 2023).

Demographics 

key 

Green= Barcelona City 

Orange= Barcelona Region

Blue= Destination Barcelona

Who is Going to be Interested in Barcelona Bound? 

·   Locals

·   Potential tourists of Barcelona

·   Tourists in Barcelona

The application will be available on the app store and google play store in all countries. Based on statistics it can be suggested that the main target market is 25–34-year-olds, and a strong American market. However, the application should aim to reach as many people as possible that fit into the tourist category of Barcelona. It can be theorised that having a focus market on a younger age group, will prove most effective, due to the influence mobile phone applications have on the consumer's mind. The mobile device can be defined as a travel tool, with a large network of users. Furthermore the mobile device is able to interpret location-based data. Mobile applications are increasingly influencing consumers travel plans. (Dickinson, 2014).

How the Target Market will be Reached 

The target audience can be identified through the presented demographics of Barcelona. Strategic marketing is required, particularly through social media applications: Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Companies use platforms to market their product to their desired target market. (Ceyhan, 2019.) Barcelona Bound will have its own website and social media platforms to achieve effective digital marketing. The application is free to encourage consumers to download and use it. Moreover, the content produced needs to hold value for the consumer, to encourage the intended person to follow the account and most importantly download Barcelona Bound. Most importantly Barcelona Bound marketing needs to hold social value, high social interaction with consumers allows higher commitment. (De Vries, 2014.) Presently, digital usage is high, moreover according to studies 65% of the population are visual learners, therefore websites and advertisements need to have image elements to attract consumers, based on the study that this content receives 94% more views then those without it. (AdAge, 2019).

5 Benefits of Barcelona Bound 

1. Promotion of Sustainable Tourism Practises

Information will be provided on how to treat the environment, alongside the consequences of over tourism, especially for social sustainability.

 Furthermore, it can be suggested that popular attractions within Barcelona cap the number of tourists who can visit at one time, to preserve the environment and infrastructure. (Mikel, 2019.) The use of sensors will be able to help to assist this plan.

In the past years Barcelona has invested in sustainable infrastructure, transportation and tourism activities. Barcelona Bound will be able to market and encourage tourists to utilize sustainable practises and make better decisions. (Patrichi, 2023).

2. Enhanced Tourist Experience

Barcelona Bound will provide real time information and updates regarding crowd/traffic management. This will enable visitors to have an enhanced experience as they will be able to avoid crowds and prevent over tourism. Hopefully crowd levels will decrease, with the use of Barcelona Bound. Decreased crowds will make Barcelona more attractive and enable an enhanced consumer experience. (Yu, 2021).

In addition to crowd management, the app will offer recommendations based on interests similarly to the ‘Feel Florence’ app, which will therefore add value to their trip. Furthermore, will assist with planning of the trip before and while in Barcelona.

3. Real Time Crowd and Traffic Updates

 Implementing smart technology represents technological, economic and social benefits within tourism lead by technologies that rely on sensors. Prevents over tourism in specific areas at one time, as Barcelona Bound will notify the user of areas to avoid. (Franke, 2015).

Improves public transport by providing real time crowd levels on specified routes and mode of transport. (Weerathunga, 2019).

An application called Smart Santander provides information collected from installed ioT sensors to detect traffic in important routes. The sensors were able to provide information on number of vehicles and occupancy per lane. which indicated to users of traffic management. (Santana, 2020.) The same concept will be applied to Barcelona Bound, this information will enable tourists in Barcelona to have a smoother journey to attractions.

4. Improved Lives of Locals

This application will help shape Barcelona into a ‘smart city’. The term smart economy can be defined as s city that relies on technology to promote collaboration and interaction among individuals. A smart city refers to urban situations that utilize innovative technology to optimize use of resources and governance. Furthermore, promoting sustainability and a better quality of life for the locals of Barcelona. This app intends to improve the environment and allow locals to be more accepting of tourists. (Pencarelli, 2020).

5. Increased Safety for Tourists and Locals

The application is to provide guidance on crowds, and best times to go and routes to take. Therefore, decreases crowd accidents and anti-social behaviour. Furthermore, avoiding queuing, in turn improving facilities and experience, which interlinks with enhanced consumer experience and improved lives of locals. (Nishinari, 2024).