TOPICS

Beyond ICT, both innovation and efficiency in the tourism sector are combined in a general context which aims to achieve smart management of tourism destinations. And this means doing so in accordance with the principles of sustainable urban and territorial development, of social responsibility, and by including the involvement of the business sector, citizens, and public authorities. In this context, a need for smart management of tourism activity has arisen, as tourism has become the center of attention for politicians, public and private managers, and representatives of civil society. Tourism today is a structural economic vector and an element that can revitalize cities and regions. In this context, efficient management of territorial knowledge is required, which facilitates decision-making and a better fit of tourism activity in the preexisting structures. Smart management of tourism destinations is a reality today, with the design of tourism development models that include both the needs of the population as well as environmental challenges and limits.

Presentations will focus on the theoretical concepts, techniques, and instruments that contribute to designing management models that are comprehensive, coordinated, responsible, and efficient from the point of view of tourism scenarios. Smart management must be able to design models for accessible, quality tourism destinations that improve competitiveness and ensure sustainability in the long-term.

Topics of interest:

• Smart destinations: the state of the question
• Governance and efficiency in tourism
• Sustainability and social responsibility
• Tourism flow regulation and auto-regulation tools
• Revaluing identity and culture through gastronomy resources
• Experiential tourism
• Creation of sensory spaces
• Managing differences
• Adapting to the urban and regional environment
• Attracting new markets
• New trends in destination branding strategies
• Generating knowledge for decision making
• Case studies: good practices and successful models

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In the current social and economic situation, many tourism companies have redefined and rethought their business models in order to adapt to the sector's new needs and demands. In this process, business innovation and creativity have been key vectors, both in order to achieve more efficient management, as well as to differentiate themselves from the competition. Proposals are being developed that are adapted to the new reality of the demand, by personalizing tourism services, but also with business improvement strategies to optimize resources and minimize costs.

These presentations will deal with innovative business models that are thriving. Therefore, this topic aims to find new or adapted business opportunities in the current context.

Topics of interest:

• Low-cost strategies: “less is more”
• High-end strategies: “exclusivity and luxury”
• Revenue Management, e-commerce and online marketing
• New gastronomy formats (street food, bistro lines of Michelin star restaurants, etc.)
• Opportunity in specificity (food allergies, intolerances, people with disabilities, etc.)
• New markets and consumer profiles
• Customization of tourism packages. Dynamic packages.
• Business adaptability
• Generating value and brand to attract talent
• Management models to increase economic efficiency
• Collaborative economy
• Successful models and cases

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The emergence of new technologies in our society has brought about a radical change in the way we understand and conceive our daily life, whether when consulting information, consuming entertainment, or managing reservations and payments. In the field of tourism, new trends indicate the appearance and generalized use of technological applications that encourage creativity and innovation in the context of an increasingly competitive and demanding sector. Whether from the point of view of destinations or companies, the boom in technology has meant a total rethinking of the way we communicate, market, and practice tourism at all levels.

This topic aims to explore, from a global perspective of the sector, the potential and limits associated with applying the most advanced technologies in attracting and creating loyalty with tourists, positioning image, and consumption of the tourism experience, among other aspects.

Topics of interest:

• Innovative mobile applications
• “The Internet of things” linked to the tourism phenomenon
• Wearables
• Big data and Open Data
• Web 3.0, Semantic Web
• Artificial intelligence. Smart information management
• Trends in communication and social networks
• Combining different technologies
• Advantages and disadvantages of applying ICT
• Technological volatility
• Successful models and cases