Open AccessAssessment of the potential of Varna City as a smart tourist destination
Author(s) -
Katina Popova,
Miroslava Malcheva
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
tourism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.337
H-Index - 22
eISSN - 1849-1545
pISSN - 1332-7461
DOI - 10.37741/t.68.3.5
Subject(s) - swot analysis , tourism , destinations , smart city , business , delphi method , mainstream , destination management , capital city , information and communications technology , marketing , geography , computer science , internet of things , political science , economic geography , archaeology , artificial intelligence , world wide web , law , embedded system
In recent years digitalization became a mainstreamfactor for socio-economic development and improvement of quality of life. Theconcepts of “smart cities” and “smart tourist destinations” are realconsequences of the global urbanization process. Nowadays, digitalization is aprivilege for every destination oriented towards young people and innovationinitiatives. Intelligent destinations require development of optimal urbanmanagement models bound by considerable investments. The current study examinesthe potential of the Sea capital of Bulgaria – Varna to become a smart tourismdestination. The used methodology is based on the selection of three scientifictools – PESTEL analysis, SWOT analysis and Delphi method. The major findingsshowed that the need of digitalization will become an important feature of thetourist supply in Varna. The city is a fast-growing academic destination and anattractive center for many young people. The tendency to use innovativetechnologies before and during the stay in a destination, typical for everyyoung person, creates numerous opportunities for Varna. The introduction of ICTin the modern life of the residents and the guests of the city should be donethrough a precise assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of thedigitalization process