• Journal of Smart Tourism
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.15-23
• /
• 2024

This study aims to present a framework involving smartness components and indicators of tourism destinations. This work had three phases. The first phase extracted the components and indicators of smartness evaluation in tourism destinations and validated them by experts' opinions. The second phase determined the effectiveness of each element of smartness using an online questionnaire tool, a survey of 320 tourism experts at the level of 12 selected urban tourism destinations, and a factor analysis method, in addition to measuring the level of their smartness. The third phase of the research analyzed the difference between the smartness of the selected urban tourism destinations using a One-Way Analysis of Variance and the Tukey Test. The results indicated six components and fifty-seven indicators. Also, a substantial difference between the smartness of urban tourism destinations was proved. This study substantially contributes to the existing body of knowledge by offering the smartness indicators within a detailed package of six components with a systemic, holistic, and integrated perspective. The results help policymakers and decision-makers evaluate and improve the smartness of tourism destinations. As a result, it is possible to achieve the goals of smartness of urban tourism destinations, including equality, livability, sustainability, and effectiveness of resource management by using different technologies, especially with the emphasis on two aspects: (1) increasing the quality of the tourism experience, and (2) improving the residents' quality of life.