Description:

The SmartVITATUR project is conceived in response to a critical gap in the domain of smart tourism research, which has largely emphasized technological enhancements aimed at improving the visitor experience, while often overlooking the broader impacts on residents' quality of life and on the sustainable socio-economic development of tourist destinations. This oversight is particularly evident in Portuguese regions like Algarve, where tourism's seasonal nature places significant demands on local infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and community well-being. Consequently, SmartVITATUR seeks to broaden the research and practical framework to include these wider effects, by integrating smart tourism development with comprehensive quality of life assessments. This approach is grounded in the belief that tourism's advancement should not only be driven by technology but should also positively affect the community's socio-economic conditions.

The project aims to integrate the Smart Tourism-Quality of Life (STQOLF) binomial in Algarve smart destinations. Thus, the SmartVITATUR strategic framework will be built and implemented in 16 pilot destinations based on a previous proxy measurement of the STQOLF binomial and the performance of benchmarking Andalusian destinations, introducing a tech monitoring network and the Smart & Green certificate to transition to smart destinations.

The project's outcomes will not only contribute significantly to enhancing visitors and residents’ quality of life in line with the 2030 Agenda, but it will also support the creation of environments conducive to smart transformation, emphasizing urban management models that prioritize inclusion and the socio-economic imperatives of citizens.

Partner institutions: University of Algarve (Lead Partner) (Portugal); Instituto Andaluz de Turismo (IATUR) (Spain); Cátedra de Turismo Inteligente (Universidad de Sevilla) (Spain), Cátedra Internacional de Inteligencia Turística (CIITU) (Spain).

CinTurs researcher(s): Patrícia Pinto, Margarida Santos, José Santos and Miguel Puig

Budget UAlg: 215.136,00€

Funding institution(s): FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia/ CCDR Alg - Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional do Algarve

Period: 01-08-2025 / 31-07-2028