The Regenerative and Circular Tourism Intelligence System (SIT-RC) is presented at FIDI in Curitiba (Brazil) 

19-03-24

The Regenerative and Circular Tourism Intelligence System (SIT-RC) represents a vanguard in the tourism sector, standing out for its innovative approach to sustainability and positive impact on communities. Scheduled for its official presentation on March 19 at FIDI in Curitiba, Brazil, this system promises to mark a before and after in the way tourism is understood and practiced worldwide.

Developed jointly by Dr. Flores, recognized for her outstanding academic career at the Municipal University of Sao Caetano do Sul (USCS), and Dr. Fernando Molina of the University of Valencia, the SIT-RC integrates synthetic indexes that allow for a continuous evaluation and improvement of the tourism impact on localities. This approach has been successfully tested in the International Network of Smart Tourism Routes (RTI), reaching an impressive expansion to more than 86 countries thanks to the support of the Tourism and Society Think Tank.

Dr. Fernando Molina's relevance in this project is not only limited to his co-authorship of the system; as Director of the Think Tank's Tourism Intelligence Working Group, Molina has been instrumental in establishing synergies between different global tourism networks. These include sectors as varied as Cocoa & Derivatives, Bioseda, Religious Tourism and Shopping Destinations. Cooperation among these networks aims at a uniform adoption of the SIT-RC methodology, overcoming national regulatory challenges and fostering tourism that is not only sustainable, but regenerative.

This commitment to regenerative tourism is reflected in the system's governance strategy, which promotes the active participation of communities, the digitalization of processes and collaborative data management. At the same time, it seeks to promote sustainable thematic experiences that value the cultural and natural wealth of the regions, promoting a network of territorial nodes that transcend national borders.

The importance of the SIT-RC was recognized in its presentation to Spain's European presidency in Benidorm on November 16. This system not only seeks to improve the social, economic and environmental impacts of tourism routes, but also establishes a framework for cooperation and mutual understanding among the member destinations. The methodology implies a commitment on the part of these destinations to align their indicators and consider the opinions and perceptions of residents and tourists, thus ensuring a more inclusive and respectful development.

The Silk Institute of Spain, with its innovative Regenerative Impact Laboratory "Factoría de Moreras CO2" in Buñol, Valencia, exemplifies the practical application of the SIT-RC principles. Through the Global Network of Bioseda Destinations, routes are promoted that not only stand out for their cultural and creative value, but also involve tourists in concrete sustainability actions, such as planting trees to offset CO2.

Finally, the implementation of Observatories and Intelligence Units specialized in tourism products and markets reinforces the specialization and attractiveness of each route. These tools provide crucial data and information for strategic planning and the marketing of unique experiences, strengthening the positioning of the SIT-RC as an exemplary model for the future of global tourism. With leaders such as Dr. Fernando Molina at the helm, the SIT-RC project is positioned not only as a catalyst for change, but also as a beacon of innovation and cooperation in the international tourism arena.