The Role of Local Stakeholders in the Development of Smart Tourism Destinations: Evidence from Kota Lama Semarang, Indonesia

The success of implementing the Smart Tourism Destination (STD) dimension is determined by the ability of local planning authorities to adopt technological innovations in building a smart ecosystem. However, the flexible use of technology in planning has resulted in a lack of conceptual clarity. This condition raises questions about whether a destination can be classified as a Smart Tourism Destination solely through technological adoption, or whether such innovations fail to address urban problems and eventually remain unused. Therefore, the implementation of the STD dimension should begin with the formulation of definitions and characteristics aligned with local capacities. The concept of STD emphasizes interaction among stakeholders as a key element in the development of tourism activities. This study employs a qualitative descriptive approach to understand the actual conditions of actors, their roles, and the interaction patterns that shape tourism activities in Kota Lama Semarang. The transformation of interactions among local stakeholders within tourism destinations into the Smart Tourism Destination framework is expected to contribute to the formulation of development strategies for the Kota Lama Semarang tourism area. Considering that the implementation of a Smart Tourism Destination must be adapted to regional characteristics, financial capacity, and human resource capabilities in adopting technological innovation, this study seeks to identify the stakeholders involved in the STD ecosystem at a fundamental level. The study aims to ensure that technological innovation remains aligned with the primary objective of a Smart Tourism Destination, namely enhancing the quality of experience for all actors involved in tourism activities.