The role of big data in monitoring sustainability of tourism destinations : the case of north Portugal region

Abstract

Tourist destinations are increasingly aware that achieving sustainability is a demanding, continuous process, which requires constant monitoring of tourism flows and activities. As such, worldwide public and private organizations and institutions have put significant efforts in the development of monitoring systems, aiming at helping destinations to measure their performance and progress over time. Although, applied to cities or destinations, traditional approaches, as statistical data analysis and surveys, are still privileged sources of information, recent approaches to sustainability have adopted the smart concept, focusing on technologies and integration of multiple data sources. Solutions as big data and open data (e.g., IoT, RFID, and NFC), are extremely relevant in the analysis of Tourism, contributing to decision making. However, in spite of the acknowledge opportunities these data sources represent, and some successful experiences can be identified, most destinations still have not attained the desired level of maturity in this regard. Using a methodology based on literature review, secondary data, and benchmarking of sustainability monitoring systems at European regional level, this paper will identify and analyse sustainable tourism indicators systems and data sources that are at present being used for monitoring tourism in the North of Portugal. Limitations and opportunities for improvement within a sustainability and smart destination strategy will be discussed.