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\nSource: Statista<\/em><\/p>\n
A fast-growing sector, tourism is far from immune to technological advancements. Augmented and virtual reality, Internet of Things<\/a>, next-gen 5G connectivity, and other technologies are reshaping how people travel and experience new destinations.<\/p>\n A tech buzzword of the last decade, \u201csmart\u201d has been applied to everything from mobile phones and TVs to factories and production sites. In the context of traveling, smart tourism refers to the innovative use of information and communication technology (ICT) to transform business models and facilitate access to hospitality, while generating new revenue opportunities.<\/p>\n Inspired by IBM\u2019s idea of the \u201cSmarter Planet\u201d, the smart tourism concept came into being when the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) officially launched an initiative to transform tourism into a technology- and knowledge-intensive modern industry.<\/p>\n Today, smart tourism is gaining traction across the world as more and more countries heavily invest in this sector, turning it into a competitive advantage. That said, smart tourism relies on a larger concept of smart cities that provide the necessary infrastructure and resources to win over digital-savvy tourists.<\/p>\n In a broad sense, a smart city is an urban area that leverages technology to transform its core systems and improve its operational efficiency. The ultimate goal of any smart city initiative is to provide an intelligent, connected infrastructure and engage all stakeholders into a holistic ecosystem to improve citizen services and create better living environments.<\/p>\n In 2011, IBM officially registered the trademark \u201csmarter cities\u201d, heralding the company\u2019s strong intention to contribute to the next generation of urban evolution. According to IBM\u2019s vision, the essence of a smart city is constituted by three I\u2019s:<\/p>\n According to the definition above, intelligent infrastructure is key to unlocking the full potential of a smart city and preparing for the tourism of the future. By leveraging cloud-based and edge computing, connected applications transmit, analyze, and manage real-world data, empowering governments, businesses, and communities with deep insights. This real-time 360-degree view can further translate into better energy resource management, more efficient trash collection, decreased traffic congestion, and better competitiveness. Discover how to leverage digital urban planning to build safer and more efficient cities of tomorrow<\/p>\n These benefits are not lost on forward-thinking cities that have already made smart tourism a part of their digital transformation roadmap.<\/p>\n Pyeongchang, South Korea<\/b><\/p>\n One example of smart tourism cities is Pyeongchang<\/a>, which hosted the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. The city became a live stage for cutting-edge 5G technology that opened new opportunities for visitors, like 4K video streaming, VR\/MR broadcasting, and 360-degree video. The most tech-centric Olympics to date also featured AI-powered translation robots, self-driving buses, and patrolling drones.<\/p>\n Mecca, Saudi Arabia<\/b><\/p>\n Having recognized the value of digital transformation, Middle Eastern countries also make the move to put themselves on the map as smart tourism destinations. Mecca<\/a> is on the fast track to becoming a world-class smart city. Already a popular tourist spot for millions of visitors, Mecca launched a smart tourism project aimed at ensuring better pilgrim experiences and services. The plan includes the use of smart transport cards, better surveillance measures, as well as AI and IoT to connect arriving pilgrims to medical services if needed.<\/p>\n Dubai, United Arab Emirates<\/b><\/p>\n Driven by the ambitious goal to emerge as a world-leading city by 2021, Dubai<\/a> has implemented over 1000 smart services and initiatives to promote technological advancements for the benefit of residents and visitors. One such example is the smart tourism guide solutions that leverage NFC tags to help tourists with effortless city navigation<\/a>. Another initiative is the smart parks<\/a> with VR learning centers and solar-powered smart benches that allow visitors to charge their mobile devices. Learn how the public sector is getting a complete digital overhaul to ensure a safer and more comfortable future for residents<\/p>\n In addition to its technological foundation, smart tourism encompasses various layers and components. According to some research, there are three pillars of smart tourism \u2014 smart destination, smart business, and smart experiences.<\/p>\n The expression \u2018smart destinations\u2019 refers to the integration of ICT into the physical infrastructure to provide mobility, allocate resources, and ensure sustainable quality of life for residents and visitors. \u2018Smart business\u2019 means the digitalization of core processes and the creation of a complex ecosystem with close public-private collaboration in order to exchange resources and co-create touristic experiences. And finally, the \u2018smart experience\u2019 component refers to enhancing and enriching experiences through personalization, real-time monitoring, and context-aware services.<\/p>\n There is no shortage of ways that governments, businesses, and communities can leverage innovative technology in tourism to achieve their goals. Here are some of these solutions:<\/p>\n Smart ticketing<\/b><\/b><\/p>\n Smart ticketing solutions enable a more efficient and integrated way for travelers to use public transport. These solutions can include smart cards, NFC mobile payments, ticketing kiosks, ticket wallets, and more.<\/p>\n Smart mobility<\/b><\/b><\/p>\nWhat is smart tourism?<\/h2>\n
Smart cities are paving the way for the future of tourism<\/h2>\n
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\nMeet smart tourism cities<\/h2>\n
\nKey elements of smart tourism<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nSmart tourism solutions<\/h2>\n