Spain lacks an orchestrated vision of the innovation ecosystem and a governance that is applied to the promotion of our competitive advantages and that fosters the connection between knowledge systems. This governance must also promote a aggiornamento The regulatory environment, so that it does not become a burden that slows down innovation in areas that, paradoxically, are directly linked to the Sustainable Development Goals that the Administration itself is so committed to promoting.
The tourism sector is one of the few examples of coordinated action in the technological development of a key area of activity for our country. However, it faces the challenge of joining the 4.0 hotel industry, a tourism of things that applies intelligence to physical systems and promotes the automation of an increasing number of processes in the relationship with end users, whose aim is to leave mass tourism behind and offer tailor-made experiences in parallel with its transition towards an increasingly sustainable travel experience. Without interoperable and interconnected data sharing systems, through digital platforms, there is a risk of creating a technological gap between SMEs and large tourism companies, between new players and the more traditional part of the sector. The call for a reaction reaches all sectors.
Smart destinations
The first wave of digitalisation of the tourism sector reduced travel and flight costs for users, who could search for information and book online without the need for intermediaries, and improved the profitability of hotels, travel agencies and tour operators. The phenomenon of what is already known as the hotel industry 4.0 harnesses the new battery of technologies and enablers of the digital revolution to provide solutions to the problems associated with mass tourism, deliver tailored experiences and commit to sustainability. This new smart tourism requires, however, an interoperable and interconnected system that helps to share information and provide added value to all stakeholders in the ecosystem, not just to some of its individual components, through digital platforms. This is the challenge to be faced so that a technological gap does not open up between SMEs and large companies, between the new players and the more traditional part of the sector, as has been reflected in the "...".The Barcelona Call to Action"of the World Tourism Organisation. In one of its points, it calls for "encouraging the digitalisation of tourism, the application of information and communication technologies and the implementation of smart destination schemes that generate value and advance sustainability".
Tourism experiences are changing, thanks to virtual reality, augmented reality and the internet of things. As a world tourism power, as the second largest receiver of international visitors each year, Spain is also a technological leader in some areas. In general, different technologies will offer tourists personalised and more efficient experiences. The digital transformation of tourism will change our trips, in all their phases: from preparation, planning and booking to the return home.