Page 60 - Smart tourism: A path to more secure and resilient destinations

establishes more efficient artistic and cultural heritage management models. Forecasts point to an
increase in the number of tourists and visitors.

5.4 Decarbonizing tourism – the case of Valencia

5.4.1 Summary

The changes that have taken place in recent years are transforming the global tourism paradigm,
which is the result of the challenge of climate change and is reflected in new national and
international policies such as the UN's Agenda 2030, the Urban Agenda (Habitat III), the European
Green Pact and the Climate Emergency declaration in Spain.

In this context, the industry and destinations must rethink the parameters of competitiveness in
terms of safety, health and sustainability, as is the case of the city of Valencia (Spain), which has
redirected its model of tourist destination, promoting the improvement of the quality of life of
residents and the positive perception of tourism activity in the citizenry.

5.4.2 Entity

Valencia City Council.

5.4.3 Region and location

The Spanish city of Valencia is located on the
Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsula, on
the banks of the Turia River, in the middle of the
alluvial plain l'Horta, and its extension between
east and west does not exceed 8 km. It provides
mild winters and warm summers to enjoy in its
sunny white sandy beaches that extend from the
city itself along the Valencian Community, and
that make it the epicentre of a large tourist area.

Valencia is a city with a population of more than 800 000 inhabitants (2020). The current economy of
Valencia and its metropolitan area is closely linked to SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises),
and is centred on the service sector (commerce, leisure tourism and business tourism), since nearly
84 per cent of the active working population belongs to this sector. In addition, the city maintains
an industrial base, with an employed population percentage of 5.5 per cent, and agricultural
activities survive in the municipality with a total of 3 973 hectares, which are mostly occupied by
orchards and citrus crops.

50 Smart tourism: A path to more secure and resilient destinations