In a significant move towards revolutionizing tourism, Costa Rica, in partnership with Argentina, Colombia, and Spain, is leading the way with an innovative project called “Intelligent Tourist Destinations.” This initiative will take center stage at the Eighth International Meeting on Triangular Cooperation in Lisbon, Portugal, on October 7 and 8, 2024. This global event brings together over 200 key stakeholders from around the world, aiming to foster collaborative efforts in sustainable development through advanced technological solutions.
What is the “Intelligent Tourist Destinations” Project?
The “Intelligent Tourist Destinations” project is a forward-thinking initiative aimed at reshaping how tourism is experienced and managed. The project leverages technology to promote comprehensive tourism that not only enhances the experience for visitors but also benefits local communities and preserves the environment. The initiative is being implemented in Costa Rica (in Tibás, Tarrazú, Sarchí, and La Fortuna) and Colombia (Oriente Antioqueño), focusing on making these destinations smarter, more innovative, and environmentally sustainable.
Co-financed by the Triangular Cooperation Fund of the European Union – Costa Rica – Latin America and the Caribbean ADELANTE 2, the project is led by the Technological Institute of Costa Rica (TEC) in collaboration with several key partners, including Promotur Tourism of the Canary Islands (Spain), the City of Buenos Aires (Argentina), and the Mayor’s Office of Medellín (Colombia). Additionally, the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism, the Institute for Municipal Development and Advisory, the Promotion Agency of Eastern Antioquia, Coopelesca, and CAMTIC have contributed to this multi-faceted project.
Smart Tourism: Why It Matters
Guillermo Castro, a project team member and professor at the Technological Institute of Costa Rica (TEC), who is attending the Lisbon event, emphasized the significance of this initiative. According to Castro, over 600 people have already been trained through the project, with international experts from Europe providing insights and expertise to propel the project forward.
“The Smart Tourist Destinations initiative demonstrates how technology can make the tourism sector more innovative and accessible, benefiting tourists while also addressing opportunity gaps in rural communities and small businesses,” Castro explained.
This initiative reflects Costa Rica’s commitment to harnessing information and communication technologies (ICT) and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance tourism while maintaining respect for the environment. Costa Rica has long been recognized for its dedication to eco-tourism, and this project strengthens that reputation by integrating cutting-edge technology with sustainable practices.
Triangular Cooperation: A New Era of Global Partnerships
One of the most unique aspects of the “Intelligent Tourist Destinations” project is its foundation in triangular cooperation, a horizontal partnership model where technical knowledge and resources are shared between countries and regions to address sustainable development challenges. This approach is a break from traditional donor-recipient models, placing emphasis on collaboration, mutual learning, and joint problem-solving.
Triangular cooperation has become a key focus in international development, as it enables countries with similar challenges to pool resources and expertise for mutual benefit. In this case, Costa Rica, Argentina, Colombia, and Spain are using their combined knowledge to create smarter, more sustainable tourism destinations.
The Lisbon meeting will include a roundtable discussion in which Costa Rica will participate, focusing on how ICT and AI can enhance collaboration between partners and provide innovative solutions in triangular cooperation.
Significant Impact at the National and Regional Level
The “Intelligent Tourist Destinations” initiative is one of six major projects currently underway, co-financed by the Triangular Cooperation Fund of the European Union – Costa Rica – Latin America and the Caribbean, as part of the ADELANTE 2 framework. This fund represents a €1.2 million contribution from the European Union, coordinated by Costa Rica’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship (MREC) and the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Policy (MIDEPLAN), with implementation overseen by Spain’s Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID).
The initiative has already made a significant impact on the national and regional level. Local municipalities, tourism chambers, and cooperatives in Costa Rica and Colombia are seeing tangible benefits from the project. This includes improvements in tourism infrastructure, the adoption of smart technologies, and the growth of small businesses catering to the tourism sector.
The benefits of this initiative are not only economic but also social and environmental. By promoting sustainable tourism practices, the project is helping to protect Costa Rica’s rich natural heritage while creating new opportunities for rural communities that depend on tourism for their livelihoods.
A Global Showcase: The International Meeting on Triangular Cooperation
The Eighth International Meeting on Triangular Cooperation, held annually in Lisbon since 2012, has become an important platform for sharing knowledge and experiences in the field of triangular cooperation. The event aims to build a community of practice around this innovative approach to development and to explore how it can be used to achieve the goals of the global development agenda.
This year’s meeting, organized by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Camões Institute of Portugal, will bring together nearly 200 participants from Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, North America, Africa, and Asia. Attendees will include representatives from public institutions, international organizations, civil society groups, academia, and research institutions.
Costa Rica’s participation in this event highlights the country’s leadership in using triangular cooperation to promote sustainable development, particularly in the tourism sector. The “Intelligent Tourist Destinations” project is a shining example of how countries can work together to create innovative solutions to complex challenges, benefiting not only their own citizens but the global community as well.
A Bright Future for Smart Tourism
As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of sustainable development, projects like “Intelligent Tourist Destinations” offer a blueprint for how technology and collaboration can create a brighter future. By combining the best practices in tourism management, ICT, AI, and sustainability, Costa Rica and its partners are paving the way for a new era of smart, sustainable tourism.
Looking ahead, the success of this initiative could inspire similar projects in other parts of the world. As more countries recognize the value of triangular cooperation and the potential of smart tourism, we could see a global movement toward more sustainable and inclusive tourism practices.
A Model for the Future
The “Intelligent Tourist Destinations” project is more than just a local initiative—it’s a model for the future of global tourism. By leveraging technology, promoting sustainability, and fostering international cooperation, Costa Rica and its partners are showing the world how tourism can be both a driver of economic growth and a force for good.
With the backing of the European Union and the collaboration of key partners from Latin America and Europe, this project is poised to make a lasting impact on the tourism industry, the environment, and the lives of people in rural communities. And as Costa Rica shares its experiences at the International Meeting on Triangular Cooperation in Lisbon, it will undoubtedly inspire others to follow in its footsteps.
