Smart Tourism Destination as a sustainable tool of promotion By: Shpresim DOMI, PhD Cand. Agricultural University of Tirana (AUT) Economy and Agribusiness Faculty (EAF)

Smart tourism destination (STD) Smart tourism destination (STD) came as a need to handle the dynamic development and high competitive environment of tourism sector through a sustainable approach of promotion Different stakeholders of a destination are interconnected through a technological platform within which information related to the destination’s activities and resources are permanently exchanged

Defining the STD concept The concept of smart is related to every dimension of our life, wherein technology is embedded within that dimension Destination is a tourists’ perception of a place that motivates them to take the trip. Tourism destinations combined with innovation (example ICT) will facilitate and meet the requirements of visitors. Smartness into Tourism Destinations requires dynamically interconnecting stakeholders through a technological platform on which information relating to tourism activities could be exchange instantly.

Methodology Classic lecturing, to introduce students with... Students have to choose a geographical area (i.e., district) as a case study (Local community, Local businesses, Local government, ICT organizations, Environmental consultants and Tourists). Three days 2 hours per day. Focus group method will take place, which extend on 3 hours, 1 day World Café teaching method, 2 hours, 1 day Workshop, 5 hours, 1 day

Relevance for Sustainability By considering the STD approach to promote a destination, will affect the effectiveness and sustainability management of tourism resources of the destination at both, micro and macro level. STD, will facilitate the concentration of all information. In this line, all stakeholders involved will be more aware about the environment issues, cultural issues, heritage issues, history, accommodation capacity, beverage etc STD approach of promotion will encourage the stakeholders to cooperate

Previous Knowledge Students involved in this mini-project do not need wide knowledge but some basic knowledge on project concept, tourism, tourism destination and ICT concepts

Preparation Efforts Preparation efforts required in advance to work with the teaching resource preparation for the lecturer, 5 hours. Identification of the geographical area (case study) and suitable stakeholders. Preparing the time table of the all tasks that students and their groups will have to address.

Teaching Tool The teaching tool is part of the teaching material: Mini-project for students Written material, documents for presentation Computer program

Learning Outcomes Students will combine the theoretical and practical path. Thus, several contributions of this manner of lecturing are as follows: Inter- and multidisciplinary approach to address a problem Students are more interactive on discussions Students gain knowledge and experiences by other stakeholders involved Students learn about the advantages of a smart and sustainable format of promoting a tourism destination

… Students propose solutions for real problems of stakeholders involved Students are an important decision maker on addressing an problem Students gain knowledge about sustainability management Students gain knowledge about project management, and are encouraged to start and compete with their projects

… On the other side, regardless the advantages, there are some limitations as follow: Students need some basic knowledge in advance (STD, focus group, workshop, world cafe) A large number of stakeholders involved and to be contacted in advance Stakeholders may have a personal agenda

Assessment The assessment of students will be as follows: Different groups created on the previous phases, will defend their work regarding the case study. The level interactivity of the students during the focus group, workshop and world cafe, will be evaluated. However, the below questions are considered important to address the level knowledge absorption by students: - Have students understood the case challenges? - Are students able to apply their learning? - Are students actively engaged in team work and can they successfully contribute to the decision-making?

Thanks for your attention