Arequipa, Peru | Officially Recognized as the Country's First Smart Tourist Destination

Arequipa, the colonial - era capital of Peru’s Arequipa region, located on the banks of of the Chilli River at the foot of the great El Misti volcano, filled with baroque buildings constructed from sillar, a white volcanic stone and for that nicknamed “Ciudad Blanca" (Spanish for “White City”) , a major cultural and economic centre, the seat of the Constitutional Court of Peru and often dubbed the “legal capital of Peru” highlighted by its historical centre extends over an area of 332 hectares and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been officially recognized as the country’s first smart destination.

The city is now an Adhered Smart Tourist Destination (STD),  a recognition delivered by the Secretary of State for Tourism of Spain, through SEGITTUR, the State Agency for the Management of Tourism Innovation and Technology, becoming the first Peruvian destination to receive this distinction.

A “smart Tourist Destination” refers to a tourist area that utilizes technology and innovation to enhance the visitor experience, promote sustainability, and improve overall destination management. These destinations integrate digital solutions, optimize resource management, foster accessibility and inclusivity throughout the tourism cycle.

The provincial Municipality of Arequipa was evaluated based on a methodology composed of 97 requirements and 261 indicators. The result was a diagnostic report with a roadmap that will allow progress towards a more transparent, participatory tourism management focused on the quality of life of residents and visitors.

The recognition achieved by Arequipa is valid until July 2027 and reflects the beginning of a transformation process based on accessibility, governance, innovation, sustainability and technology an achievement is part of a strategic plan to position the city and Peru at the forefront of smart tourism in Latina America.

This certification is part of the cooperation agreement between Mincetur, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Peru and SEGITTUR to implement the Smart Tourism Destination (STD) methodology that according a planned strategy aims to continue to have an application in various Peruvian destinations. 

The STD model is a framework that leverages technology and data to improves various aspects of a tourist destination and proposes a cross - cutting vision of tourism, incorporation key dimensions such as territorial planning, technological innovation and sustainability, in a process of continuous improvement adapted to the current and future challenges of the sector.

This milestone also marks a key step in the internationalization of the STD model, which has already been adopted in other Latin American destinations such as Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay and Uruguay, consolidating a regional network of destinations committed to smarter and more inclusive tourism management.

Link 
https://tres60.travel/arequipa-se-convierte-en-el-primer-destino-turistico-inteligente/