Smart tourism: innovation, technology & connectivity in destination marketing

In 2016, Dr. Phil Xiang co-wrote a prescient academic paper on the then-emerging concept of “smart tourism.” 

I use the word “prescient” because it foresaw the complex future we are now living in. The fabric of the tourism industry has evolved, reshaping how experiences are created, exchanged, consumed, and shared in fundamental ways. In an interconnected world, where the systems that serve our lives and journeys are more integrated than ever, tourism must keep pace with the digital and technological revolution. 

Smart cities require smart tourism, a place where innovation, technology, and connectivity converge to enhance traveler experiences and meet the demands of a digitally driven society. 

To put it more simply, the emerging opportunity to connect cities, citizens, travelers, and businesses to create vibrant and sustainable places that we want to live and visit is already here. So … what do we do with it? We must start by asking ourselves: 

• Where are we now as places and destinations?

• Where are we going?

• What does that mean for the relationship between the destination and destination marketing organization (DMO)?

Two guests to join me for this thought-provoking episode of the Future of Tourism podcast. 

Dr. Phil Xiang is the Head of the Howard Feiertag Department of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Virginia Tech. He is a leader in the field of information technologies for the tourism and hospitality industry. 

Jason Swick is a friend and a peer at Simpleview, where he serves as the VP of Strategy & Insights, keeping up with industry trends in digital marketing, key performance indicators (KPIs), paid media, AI, and more.

The transition to smart tourism challenges us to rethink traditional models and harness these shifts to create meaningful, immersive, and seamless experiences in the new landscape of tourism. 

Join the discussion!