Studies on overtourism have been growing in the last decade. This article aims to understand the characteristics of the international scientific literature that links the theme Smart Cities in the Web of Science and Scopus databases, from 1998 to 2018. The established methodology was a bibliometric survey. The sample was composed of 24 articles selected in WOS and Scopus. The survey results show that the year with the most publications was 2018. The most relevant article is: “Understanding and overcoming the negative impacts of tourism in city destinations: a conceptual model and strategic framework” by A. Postma, & D. Schmuecker, published in the Journal of Tourism Futures in 2017 with 10 citations. Thus, future studies should expand the search for articles on the topics in other bases as well as national and international scientific events.
TopIntroduction
Tourism provides socio-economic progress and social welfare. In addition, it is mentioned as a significant activity for countries. In the recent years, world tourism has become one of the most important global economic spheres, participating in the gross domestic product (GDP) of different countries, as well as inducing employment (Costa et al., 2014).
According to WTO (2016), the tourism business dimension is as essential as oil exports, food products, or technologies. Tourism is a set of services and activities that converge to the traveler's experience, whether in a group or by itself (Goeldner & Ritchie, 2011). Authors Lohman & Beer (2013) mention that tourism is a cross-industry, greatly influenced by internal and external factors, especially in the areas of the economy, environment, politics, society, and technology.
In this perspective, tourism has been referred to as a critical factor in the progress of cities and regions worldwide. In addition to the economic characteristic, it aims to provide for the perpetuation of natural resources and the cultural valuation of individuals such as history, geology and fauna, and flora. Thus, a new tourist profile emerges, attracted by factors specific to destination locations.
Corroborating Scotolo & Netto (2015), they point out that tourism, apart from fostering the local and regional economy, drives the progress that is connected to the strategies of the public power directed to the needs and peculiarities of the local population. However, Blake (2008); Cleverdon & Kalisch (2000) emphasize that the driving force for socio-economic development needs to have families included in tourism activities.
To improve the performance parameters of tourism, the primary focus of managers and public authorities must be the quality of tourism supply and the skills of individuals working in the value chain, with particular attention being paid to startle and captivate tourists beyond their expectations. Besides, plans must be drawn up to provide long-lasting performance and sustainability to a destination (Costa et al., 2014).
Fernandes & Virgínio (2011), state that Social Responsibility is a factor capable of adding value to the tourism chain, together with government entities, private initiative and organized civil society, to establish citizenship actions. Thinking of social responsibility linked to tourism, one soon becomes an association restricted to environmental preservation, but tourism being multidisciplinary, can encompass various forms of Socioenvironmental Responsibility which a company in this area is capable of performing (Topke & Vidal, 2013).