Can Destination Cards Help to Shape Areas’ Sustainability?

Glykeria Myrovali (), Maria Morfoulaki and Thomai Mpaltzi
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Glykeria Myrovali: Centre for Research and Technology Hella, Hellenic Institute of Transport, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
Maria Morfoulaki: Centre for Research and Technology Hella, Hellenic Institute of Transport, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
Thomai Mpaltzi: Centre for Research and Technology Hella, Hellenic Institute of Transport, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 11, 1-18

Abstract: This paper examines whether destination cards can simultaneously serve tourists’ needs and sustainability goals. It provides useful insights for tourism authorities and policymakers in designing a smart tourist card that meets the needs of tourists while preserving and supporting areas’ wellbeing. Taking Thessaloniki city as a case study, a tourist survey, designed based on the key features of European destination cards, was implemented to identify needs and motivations. Interesting insight was revealed: tourists want to self-explore the city, are coming with their families, are history-lovers and gastronomy-keen, and are strongly willing to be provided with a destination card offering unlimited access to public transport. The latter reveals an opportunity for the city; the tourists are willing to use sustainable mobility options, which means that a base of sustainable travelling exists. The proposed Thessaloniki smart card can bring together tourists’ needs with the city’s sustainability goals; the development of tourist packages, including sustainable mobility provisions, walking-talking tours, and bike rentals, should be the backbone of the card. The next challenge for the city is to build a cooperation network to support this smart destination card implementation and promotion.

Keywords: tourism; destination cards; tourists’ needs; sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:11:p:8909-:d:1161193

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