This study examines Natal in Brazil as a Smart Tourism Destination (STD) based on the perception of public and private managers who are members of the City Tourism Council. The research utilizes a systemic perspective of STD proposed by Ivars-Baidal et al. (2016), consisting of three interconnected levels: Strategic-Relational, Instrumental, and Applied. The findings reveal that Natal faces challenges in terms of infrastructure, accessibility, security, connectivity, and sensoring, which hinder its progress as STD. The study also identifies opportunities in the form of governance structures with smart destinations and the inclusion of smartness guidelines in the City Master Plan. The research aims to contribute to the theoretical understanding of STD and its application in destination development. It highlights the need for innovative planning and management in Natal, emphasizing that adopting the STD from a systemic perspective can enhance competitiveness and elevate the level of smartness in the destination.
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