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Towards Smarter Management of Overtourism in Historic Centres Through Visitor-Flow Monitoring

Author

Listed:
  • Mikel Zubiaga

    (Tecnalia Research & Innovation, Bizkaiko Teknologia Parkea, Astondo bidea, 700 Eraikina, E-48160 Derio, Spain)

  • Jose Luis Izkara

    (Tecnalia Research & Innovation, Bizkaiko Teknologia Parkea, Astondo bidea, 700 Eraikina, E-48160 Derio, Spain)

  • Alessandra Gandini

    (Tecnalia Research & Innovation, Bizkaiko Teknologia Parkea, Astondo bidea, 700 Eraikina, E-48160 Derio, Spain)

  • Itziar Alonso

    (Tecnalia Research & Innovation, Bizkaiko Teknologia Parkea, Astondo bidea, 700 Eraikina, E-48160 Derio, Spain)

  • Unai Saralegui

    (Tecnalia Research & Innovation, Bizkaiko Teknologia Parkea, Astondo bidea, 700 Eraikina, E-48160 Derio, Spain)

Abstract

Historic centres are highly regarded destinations for watching and even participating in diverse and unique forms of cultural expression. Cultural tourism, according to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), is an important and consolidated tourism sector and its strong growth is expected to continue over the coming years. Tourism, the much dreamt of redeemer for historic centres, also represents one of the main threats to heritage conservation: visitors can dynamize an economy, yet the rapid growth of tourism often has negative effects on both built heritage and the lives of local inhabitants. Knowledge of occupancy levels and flows of visiting tourists is key to the efficient management of tourism; the new technologies—the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, and geographic information systems (GIS)—when combined in interconnected networks represent a qualitative leap forward, compared to traditional methods of estimating locations and flows. A methodology is described in this paper for the management of tourism flows that is designed to promote sustainable tourism in historic centres through intelligent support mechanisms. As part of the Smart Heritage City (SHCITY) project, a collection system for visitors is developed. Following data collection via monitoring equipment, the analysis of a set of quantitative indicators yields information that can then be used to analyse visitor flows; enabling city managers to make management decisions when the tourism-carrying capacity is exceeded and gives way to overtourism.

Suggested Citation

  • Mikel Zubiaga & Jose Luis Izkara & Alessandra Gandini & Itziar Alonso & Unai Saralegui, 2019. "Towards Smarter Management of Overtourism in Historic Centres Through Visitor-Flow Monitoring," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-23, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:24:p:7254-:d:299005
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. María García-Hernández & Manuel De la Calle-Vaquero & Claudia Yubero, 2017. "Cultural Heritage and Urban Tourism: Historic City Centres under Pressure," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-19, August.
    3. Francesca Nocca, 2017. "The Role of Cultural Heritage in Sustainable Development: Multidimensional Indicators as Decision-Making Tool," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-28, October.
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    1. Chunyu Jiang & Seuk Wai Phoong, 2023. "A ten-year review analysis of the impact of digitization on tourism development (2012–2022)," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-16, December.
    2. Tarmo Kalvet & Maarja Olesk & Marek Tiits & Janika Raun, 2020. "Innovative Tools for Tourism and Cultural Tourism Impact Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-30, September.
    3. Vitor Rodrigues & Celeste Eusébio & Zélia Breda, 2023. "Enhancing sustainable development through tourism digitalisation: a systematic literature review," Information Technology & Tourism, Springer, vol. 25(1), pages 13-45, March.
    4. Aitziber Egusquiza & Mikel Zubiaga & Alessandra Gandini & Claudia de Luca & Simona Tondelli, 2021. "Systemic Innovation Areas for Heritage-Led Rural Regeneration: A Multilevel Repository of Best Practices," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-27, April.
    5. Nansy Kouroupi & Theodore Metaxas, 2023. "Can the Metaverse and Its Associated Digital Tools and Technologies Provide an Opportunity for Destinations to Address the Vulnerability of Overtourism?," Tourism and Hospitality, MDPI, vol. 4(2), pages 1-19, June.
    6. J. Ramon Gil-Garcia & Tzuhao Chen & Mila Gasco-Hernandez, 2023. "Smart City Results and Sustainability: Current Progress and Emergent Opportunities for Future Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-17, May.

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