Smart Destination in Latin America: a research agenda

uma agenda de pesquisa

Abstract

Globalization and urbanization are interconnected, reshaping the landscape worldwide, from cities to smart destinations. The aim of this article is to analyze the intelligence and tourism approaches being implemented in Latin American countries. The methodology employed was a systematic and integrative review of the scientific literature concerning tourism and intelligence approaches in various cities and regions across Latin American countries (n=40). The primary findings indicate that most studies focus on technology, with the conceptual basis of the smart city prevailing. However, studies grounded in the theoretical framework of smart tourist destinations adopt the model of the Spanish State Trading Company for the Management of Innovation and Tourism Technologies. This study contributes to advancements in understanding the diffusion of tourism policies in Latin America. It highlights the influence of the Covid-19 context on the rise of research connecting tourism to intelligence, the predominance of urban planning over tourism, and the adaptation of the smart tourism destination model to address the specificities of Latin American countries.