Local development based on the concept of Placemaking in Smart Tourist Destinations so they may become participative

Abstract

The objective of this research was creating a Placemaking usage plan in a Smart Tourist Destination (DTI) in order to render it more participative and promote sustainable local development. The specific goal established was the creation of a participative DTI plan. The research locus is Benidorm, municipality located in the Valencian Community, in Spain, because the municipality was the only one certified as a DTI until the conclusion of the research. Methodologically, the research is classified as exploratory and descriptive and was carried out via a case study that involved a documental stage followed by on-site interviews and observation. The gap addressed involves the combination of two recent and innovative constructs: Smart Tourist Destinations (DTI) and Placemaking, contributing to scientific and academic development on the subject. The main results obtained while addressing innovative topics in a joint analysis (DTI and Placemaking) contribute to generate social impact by considering citizen participation in the process, from a perspective focused on the administration of DTI territories, which also brings environmental benefits. The most relevant contribution is the model proposed in this work, which may be applied to DTI, both in Spain and other similar countries of Latin America, given that they use similar methodologies.