Tourism is one of the main economic activities in the EU with a broad impact on economic growth, employment and social development. The EU tourism industry accounts for 10% of EU GDP. The EU considers tourism to be an important driver of the national economy and the labour market with an overall impact on local communities. In Spain, tourism has come to represent almost 13% of GDP.

How can we keep Spanish and European tourism at the forefront of a global market in the digital age? This research unit aims to generate knowledge based on precise quantitative and qualitative methodology from the paradigm of the Smart Tourism Destination (ITD), articulated around innovation, technology, sustainability in its three dimensions, governance and accessibility. The smart destination responds to the new demands and challenges of the digital society, in accordance with the parameters of the UNWTO and the European Commission in the field of tourism.

Such a change in the tourism ecosystem requires detailed studies from a multidisciplinary perspective, and this research unit with an interdisciplinary team of researchers aims to contribute to this transformation through the generation of quality knowledge based on specific quantitative and statistical techniques and approaches, which make it possible to analyse big data and provide intelligent solutions for tourism. In addition, economic, social and social planning studies will be carried out to provide solutions to the new challenges faced by destinations in the digital era, which can be translated into appropriate policies and actions to turn a destination into a Smart Destination, according to the Smart Tourism Destination (ITD) model.