ICT TO MANAGE TOURISM IMPACTS

Abstract

New technologies have radically changed the way to share information, to speak, to consider relationships, to work, to travel and, in general, to live. They can represent, for some aspects, both a problem and a precious resource. As we concerns, in tourism sector, ICT can help in managing and promoting destinations in a better way than in the past, especially in those cases where problems linked with the management of tourist flows and the need to manage a sustainable development exist. Monitoring tourism impact at the destination is a fundamental issue in order to respect the right pressure and to avoid negative effects in the destination and with the residents. ICT, in this case, can be employed to drive tourists towards alternative paths, promoting other sites, as well as to monitor the number of tourists visiting or walking through a specific site at the destination, reducing for example the lack of data deriving from the administrative nature of traditional surveys. There are several devices available and useful for different needs, then almost each kind of monitoring and analysis can be supported by the right tools. This knowledge should encourage local responsible to implement regular and meticulous surveys and analysis to manage the impact of tourism pressure and to respect the optimal carrying capacity of the site. The paper will present some of the existing technologies and methods to monitor and to evaluate the impact of tourism at the destination, showing how ICT tool can support an efficient and effective management. The aim is, indeed, to keep the attention towards the available methods and tools and encourage the use of technologies in promoting the preservation of the site, through the evidences obtained in the existing case studies. Particularly, the attention will be on the use of ICT tools in contexts characterized by high levels of tourism pressure and relevant problems between residents and tourists. Cities involved are usually characterized by a relevant city center which includes notable treasure of arts attracting a lot of tourists. But, since the considered cities are often islands or on the coast with amazing beaches, the tourist flows are concentrated during the summer, causing congestion and high pressure in the destination. The need to reduce the impacts of tourist flows in the destination is linked with the preservation of local heritage, either material and immaterial, and the promotion of a real exchange between residents and tourists, based on a respectiv approach oriented to the relationality and the valorization of the local identity. Without any form of control, in case of very popular sites, the risk is to receive so much visitors that they are perceived as invaders rather than guests by the residents. This doesn’t help the creation of a good exchange between residents and tourists as well as the valorization of the local culture. In general, the whole local heritage, is threatened by this massive flow