The smart tourism model canvas: aligning urban innovation and sustainability in smart city destinations

Purpose This paper aims to address the imbalance in smart tourism strategies that often prioritize technology over sustainability. This study introduces the Smart Tourism Model Canvas (STMC), a framework designed to support tourism destinations in aligning innovation with environmental, social and cultural objectives, leveraging knowledge management (KM) as a core enabler of strategic alignment. Design/methodology/approach The STMC is developed through a comparative case study analysis of three global cities – Barcelona, Singapore and New York City – selected for their relevance in both urban tourism and smart city innovation. The methodology involves thematic mapping of initiatives and policies, with a specific focus on KM practices that inform and support integrated tourism governance. Findings This study identifies five recurring dimensions across the cases: technology integration, stakeholder collaboration, policy alignment, cultural and social inclusivity and sustainability focus. These form the structural pillars of the STMC. The framework illustrates how combining these elements through effective planning and knowledge sharing can foster more sustainable and resilient tourism models. Originality/value This research contributes a novel and transferable planning tool – the STMC – that helps policymakers and destination managers co-design sustainable smart tourism strategies. This study advances the discourse on tourism governance by demonstrating how KM can serve as a strategic lever for integrating innovation and sustainability in diverse urban contexts. In addition, this study offers practical implications by translating KM principles into actionable components of urban tourism planning, thus enhancing the replicability and scalability of smart tourism approaches across different governance settings.