Mapping the “Smart Destination” Concept: Uncovering Practitioners’ Perspectives in a Cross-National Setting

Abstract

In public administration and management literature, the smart city has become a major research topic, with growing interest in its definitions, characteristics, and implementation processes. In tourism, the concept of smart tourism destination mirrors this ideal, though the perspectives of practitioners remain underexplored. This article addresses this gap by examining what it means to be a smart tourism destination from the viewpoint of tourism professionals in Brazil, Italy, and Switzerland/Liechtenstein. Using a word association survey, the study identifies thematic clusters reflecting key elements such as technology and data, management and marketing, sustainability, users, and collaboration. These were cited by over 75% of 205 respondents, revealing a rich and varied understanding of the concept. The findings suggest that most participants are familiar with the smart tourism destination concept; however, further research is needed to assess whether this awareness translates into actionable strategies along a maturity continuum.