RESEARCH TRENDS IN THE STUDY OF SMART DESTINATIONS

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Published: Jun 10, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29073/e3.v12i4.1150
Keywords:
Smart tourism destination smart tourism sustainability artificial intelligence destination management

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Alejandro Valencia-Arias
University of Los Lagos, Colombia
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9434-6923
Juan Camilo Patiño-Vanegas
Metropolitan Technological Institute, Colombia
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8334-9296
Martha Luz Benjumea-Arias
Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences, Colombia
Sebastián Cardona-Acevedo
Marco Fidel Suárez University Institution, Colombia
Esaú Toro Vanegas
Faculty of Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Colombia
Paula Andrea Rodríguez-Correa
Escolme Research Center, Colombia
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9748-0148

Abstract

Smart destinations represent a novel approach to contemporary tourism, integrating digital technologies, sustainability, and governance to enhance the visitor experience and the quality of life for residents. This involves the incorporation of tools such as the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, and artificial intelligence, and is consolidating itself as a cornerstone of the sector's digital transformation. However, the field exhibits conceptual, methodological and thematic fragmentation, which limits its structured understanding and demands a systematic analysis of its trends. Within this framework, the present study aims to identify these trends through a structured analysis of scientific production, its contributions, global distribution, and thematic evolution. A systematic review under PRISMA 2020 guidelines will be used to ensure rigor and reproducibility. The results reveal a complex dynamic with sustained expansion and conceptual reconfigurations, highlighting the need for greater theoretical and methodological articulation to guide more integrative and critical future developments.

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How to Cite
Valencia-Arias, A., Patiño-Vanegas, J. C. ., Benjumea-Arias, M. L., Cardona-Acevedo, S. ., Toro Vanegas, E. ., & Rodríguez-Correa, P. A. . (2026). RESEARCH TRENDS IN THE STUDY OF SMART DESTINATIONS. E3 — Revista De Economia, Empresas E Empreendedores Na CPLP, 12(4), 69–81. https://doi.org/10.29073/e3.v12i4.1150
Issue
Vol. 12 No. 4 (2026): V.12 (2026) – Special Issue, Part. 2: Smart Tourism, Digital Transformation and Sustainability
Section
Special Number
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Author Biographies

Alejandro Valencia-Arias, University of Los Lagos, Colombia

Alejandro Valencia-Arias received a degree in Administrative Engineering in 2010, a master’s degree in systems Engineering in 2013 and a PhD in Engineering in 2018 from Universidad Nacional Colombia. He has 9 years of experience as a university professor. His research interests include simulation, marketing research and statistics. He also has experience in the area of agent-based modelling and system dynamics, and his specialty is the development of social models.

Juan Camilo Patiño-Vanegas, Metropolitan Technological Institute, Colombia

Doctor in Complex Thought, Master in Innovation Management, Cooperation and Regional Development, Research Professor in Foresight, Innovation and Technological Management

Martha Luz Benjumea-Arias, Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences, Colombia

Teacher in the areas of human and social sciences, with an emphasis on topics of strategic and prospective administration, human talent, and organizational design and structure. Researcher in the areas of technological management and innovation (Associate level at Minciencias) Training in Business Administration, Organizational Management, and a Master's degree in Administrative Engineering.

Sebastián Cardona-Acevedo, Marco Fidel Suárez University Institution, Colombia

Master's student in Management of Technological Innovation, Cooperation and Regional Development at the Instituto Tecnológico Metropolitano. Technological administrator. Researcher of the GAMES group at the Institución Universitaria Escolme. Teaching researcher at the Institución Universitaria Marco Fidel Suárez and the Corporación Universitaria Americana. Leader of the Educa Int. Innovation Node research group. Winner of the Medellín Investiga 2023 awards. Researcher of G-PIEFORD international research group.

Esaú Toro Vanegas, Faculty of Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Colombia

Forest Engineer and Master in Forests and Environmental Conservation from the National University of Colombia. With 10 diplomas in protected areas, forest fires, crimes against natural resources, climate change and public health, senior management, virtual learning environments, teleworking and digital transformation, social innovation, technology transfer. With twenty years of work with private and public entities as a professional and research professor

Paula Andrea Rodríguez-Correa, Escolme Research Center, Colombia

Paula Andrea Rodríguez-Correa is a research professor at the Escolme University Institution. She has a professional training in Technological Administration and a master's degree in Management of Technological Innovation, Cooperation and Regional Development. She studies topics related to technology adoption, entrepreneurial intention, and Deaf digital literacy.

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