Development of a Smart Tourism Destination

This monograph presents a summary of theory and good practices, research results, and a model and strategy for the development of a smart tourism destination using the Varna Municipality in Bulgaria as an example. It begins with a theoretical overview and analysis of the characteristics of smart cities and smart tourism, sustainable development of tourism and tourism destinations, aspects of urban planning and management of a tourism destination, and application of modern digital technologies in tourism. The authors develop a human-centric model for a smart and sustainable tourism destination. Building on the model, they elaborate on a methodology for the evaluation and analysis of destinations as being smart and sustainable and apply this evaluation to four destinations in the Balkan region in Europe. The authors produce, in the end, an easy-to-adapt framework for the development of a smart tourism destination across different geographic regions.

Dr Genka Rafailova is Associate Professor (and former Director) at the College of Tourism in University of Economics – Varna, Bulgaria, where she is also Head of the Centre for Cultural, Creative and Social Entrepreneurship. She holds a PhD in Tourism and has experience as an expert in European Union-funded international projects. Her fields of scientific interests are sustainable and smart tourism development, development of smart and creative destinations, creative industries and tourism, blue economy and blue growth.

Dr Zlatka Todorova-Hamdan is Chief Assistant Professor at the College of Tourism in University of Economics – Varna, Bulgaria. She holds a PhD in Economics and Management (Tourism). She is a member of the Commission for Licensing of Tour Guides at the Ministry of Tourism, Bulgaria. Her fields of scientific interests are sustainable and smart tourism destinations, coastal tourism destinations, cultural heritage and tourism, etc.

Dr Hristina Filipova is Chief Assistant Professor at the College of Tourism in University of Economics – Varna, Bulgaria. She holds a PhD in Economics and Management (Tourism). She is a member of the Chamber of Tourism Varna and has experience as an expert in national and international research projects funded by ERASMUS + K2, etc. Her fields of scientific interests are consumer behavior, tourism marketing, and tangible and intangible cultural heritage.