Learnings for Spain from the Experience of the Good Practices of the European Project SmartRural

Abstract

Smart rural tourism derives from smart villages and smart cities. It is an emerging concept that envisages new networks and enhanced services through digital media, communication technologies, innovations and better use of knowledge for the benefit of inhabitants and businesses in rural communities and areas. This chapter analyses the concepts developed in recent years from the literature review, the results of the European SmartRural project and the elements in relation to the attributes organised in good practices, as well as some existing models in Spain. From November 2019 until December 2021, the University of Alicante, through the Human Geography research group, participated as a partner in the European project SmartRural. Its objective was to identify existing gaps and best practices in EU countries in order to develop a training programme in smart rural tourism aimed at students, authorities and local communities (stakeholders). We have shared our results and learnings, which were realised in the context of COVID-19.