Sustainable tourism is a necessary but elusive ideal in a world facing an inescapable climate crisis, deep social inequities and excessive consumption of natural resources.
In this context, smart cities emerge as a hope, a promise of innovation that could transform the tourist experience and the relationship between visitors and destinations.
Can technology save us from ourselves?
By: Gabriel E. levy B.
From Venice, drowned by hordes of tourists, to Southeast Asian villages turned into theme parks for Westerners, mass tourism left deep scars on the landscape and local communities.
According to data from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), more than 1,500 million international arrivals were registered in 2019, a figure that seems harmless until it translates into millions of tons of carbon emissions, deforestation for hotel infrastructures and displacement of residents due to the increase in the cost of living.
John Urry, in The Tourist Gaze, points out that the massification of tourism not only transforms physical spaces, but also cultures that are forced to adapt to the expectations of the tourist. This dynamic generates social tensions that are often not considered when calculating the economic income left by the industry.
Unsustainable tourism is not just a matter of degraded landscapes or accumulated garbage; It is a reflection of how globalization and excessive consumption ignore planetary boundaries. Here arises the need to rethink tourism strategies to mitigate these effects and project a model that is more respectful of the environment and people.
Smart cities and the tourism of the future
Smart cities, with their ability to integrate technology, data and sustainability, could offer viable solutions to the challenges of sustainable tourism. A smart city is defined not only by its technological infrastructure, but by how it is used to improve quality of life, reduce environmental impact, and foster a more equitable economy.
Barcelona, a pioneer in the concept of a smart city, is already implementing sensor systems to control tourist density at key points such as the Sagrada Familia or Las Ramblas.
This technology not only allows crowds to be managed, but also to redistribute the flow of visitors to other less crowded areas.
According to Barcelona City Council, this strategy reduced the impact of tourism in the historic centre by 20%.
Another important facet is the use of digital platforms to connect tourists with authentic local experiences, reducing dependence on large international chains.
Richard Florida, author of The Rise of the Creative Class, argues that cities that are committed to a creative economy can attract more conscious tourism, interested in culture and sustainability.
However, the potential of smart cities in tourism is not without criticism. Some specialists warn that technological dependence could generate social exclusion or aggravate inequalities, if the benefits are not distributed equitably among residents.
Between promises and challenges: cases that light the way
In Amsterdam, smart cities demonstrated their ability to address mass tourism with technological innovations. The “City Card” initiative, integrated with public transport and museum tickets, encourages more dispersed and conscious tourism. In addition, the city implemented a data analysis system that allows tourist flows to be anticipated, improving the ability to respond to saturations.
On the other hand, in Kyoto, Japan, artificial intelligence is used to recommend less crowded times in the most visited temples. This not only enhances the tourist’s experience, but also protects the old structures from excessive wear and tear.
However, not all cases are encouraging. In Dubai, smart cities are the epicentre of tourism that focuses on luxury and ostentatious consumption, which contradicts the principles of sustainability. Although the city has advanced energy efficiency and water management systems, its model remains unsustainable as it relies on finite resources and contributes to climate change.
A hybrid model: sustainability and technology
The road to sustainable tourism is not easy and requires a paradigm shift that combines technology, regulation and social awareness. As Edward Glaeser points out in Triumph of the City, cities are not problems, but solutions: if we manage them intelligently, they can be key to meeting the challenges of climate change and mass tourism.
In this sense, the cities of the future must commit to collaborative governance, which involves citizens, companies and governments in tourism planning. Smart cities can act as catalysts, but success depends on prioritizing human and environmental needs over mere economic profit.
In conclusion
Sustainable tourism and smart cities have the potential to coexist and complement each other, as long as the technology is used in an inclusive and ethical way. The challenges are great, but so is the opportunity to reinvent the way we explore the world, ensuring that future generations can enjoy it without compromising its viability.
