Smart tourism destinations as open data providers: Barriers and opportunities

Smart destinations are innovative destinations characterised by an intensive use of information technology (IT) to improve their decision-making processes. These destinations use IT (such as sensors, conversational agents, applications, etc.) to collect and analyse multidimensional data. Due to this use of technology, smart destinations are also data-producing centres whose open publication allows for more innovative destinations that enhance the development of value-added products and services for destination stakeholders. However, the relevant tourism destinations and administrations are still lacking clear results in this regard. This study analyses the current situation of open data in the context of smart destinations, as well as the barriers and opportunities for the open publication of the data they produce. To do so, qualitative and quantitative techniques are applied to the case study of the Network of Smart Tourist Destinations of the Valencian Community (Spain). • It offers an insight into the potential of open data in smart destinations. • Explores the state of open data publishing in smart tourism destinations. • It analyses the barriers and opportunities arising from the publication of open data in tourism. • Suggests recommendations to make it easier for tourist destinations to open up data.