Open Data and tourism. Implications for tourism management in Smart Cities and Smart Tourism Destinationss

The emergence of the Internet and the spread of information and communication technologies (ICT) have generated interesting opportunities for the planning and management of cities and tourism destinations of the twenty-first century. In this scenario, urban environments produce a large amount of data as a direct consequence of the intensive use of ICTs. This study addresses the concept of Open Data from two assumptions. On the one hand, that its application in the field of tourism can generate an innovative ecosystem that improves the tourist experience, thanks to the design of ICT products and services. And, on the other, that its current degree of application in tourism is low and needs support measures. In order to corroborate these assumptions, two objectives are proposed. First, and from a theoretical-conceptual perspective, to deepen the terminology of Open Data, related concepts and their implications for tourism management. Second, to determine their current degree of application in tourism, in order to propose recommendations that favor their use. To this end, the Open Data sets in tourism of the Spanish Network of Smart Cities (RECI) are analyzed. This study constitutes a starting point in the research of the relationships between Open Data and tourism.