Investigating the use of smart technologies in the development of urban tourism, a case study: Tabriz metropolis

Tourism is an interdisciplinary phenomenon that has close ties with many industries and market sectors, and its development significantly impacts sustainable development. "Smart tourism" is a new and practical term that describes the increasing dependency of tourism destinations, industries, and various types of tourists on new forms of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), which transforms vast volumes of data into valuable insights. The aim of this study is to investigate the use of smart technologies in the development of urban tourism, with a case study of Tabriz metropolis. In terms of purpose, this research is applied-theoretical, and in terms of methodology, it is descriptive-analytical. The necessary data and information were collected through library research and field studies. In this research, the Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) method has been used. The ISM model helps us identify the structural relationships between the variables affecting the development of smart tourism in Tabriz and demonstrate which factors are foundational and which are more influential. The results of this modeling show that the development of smart infrastructure, the creation of comprehensive and accessible information platforms, and the enhancement of digital skills among tourism stakeholders play a pivotal role in improving the tourist experience and the sustainable development of tourism in Tabriz. Finally, by providing suggestions based on the ISM results, this study assists policymakers and urban tourism stakeholders in formulating and implementing more effective strategies to leverage smart technologies for the development of tourism in Tabriz.

کلیدواژه ها:

Smart Technologies ، Tourism Development ، Tabriz Metropolis ، ISM Model