Assessing Tourists’ Perception of ‘Smartness’ in a Destination: A Case Study of Tenerife Island

Abstract

AbstractSmart Tourism Destinations (STDs) have been presented as a key element to boost the tourism sector and keep it adapted to the changing needs of governments, local inhabitants and tourists. The Spanish government launched the STDs’ Network in 2013 to adapt Spanish tourist destinations to evolving needs. The program aims to create customized, accessible experiences using technology and innovation while ensuring sustainability. To be recognized as a STD, destinations must meet 80% of requirements set, classified into governance, innovation, technology, universal accessibility, and sustainability. The study aims to examine tourists’ awareness of the smart characteristics of destinations, by analyzing user-generated content. The data collection focuses on Tenerife Island's top attractions and includes reviews from the English section of TripAdvisor's “things to do” category. The analysis reveals changes in tourists’ comments and highlights that tourists are aware of some indicators and objectives such as accessibility. The article sheds light on the concept of STDs and their implications for the tourism industry.