Smart Tourism Governance: An Institutional Perspective on Sustainability, Innovation, and Resilience

This study examines smart tourism governance in Spanish destinations using grounded analysis of key stakeholder perspectives, with a focus on sustainability, innovation, and resilience. The analysis reveals an institutional logic that positions smart tourism as a predominantly technology-driven strategy aimed at enhancing efficiency and competitiveness. Three interrelated themes emerge as follows: the Technocratic Imperative (emphasis on data-driven decision-making and technological infrastructure), the Sustainability Paradox (tensions between economic growth objectives and social equity commitments), and the Collaborative Ideal ((reflecting institutional aspirations for network-based governance). The findings highlight persistent power asymmetries and operational challenges, underscoring gaps between policy rhetoric and on-the-ground implementation. By situating these dynamics within a critical institutional framework, the study offers empirically informed recommendations for fostering more effective, resilient, and sustainable smart tourism ecosystems.