Crowd Detection Technology Aims to Tackle Overtourism and Enhance Visitor Experience

Researchers from ISCTE-IUL developed a Smart Tourism Toolkit to monitor and manage overtourism by detecting mobile devices' wireless signals, offering a scalable solution for crowd control in popular destinations. The system is being tested in real-world scenarios and is set for deployment at Portugal's Pena Palace to enhance sustainable tourism practices.

The study conducted by researchers Tomas Mestre Santos, Rui Neto Marinheiro, and Fernando Brito e Abreu from the University Institute of Lisbon (ISCTE-IUL), addresses the increasingly pressing issue of overtourism, a phenomenon where the number of tourists exceeds the carrying capacity of a destination. This excess leads to a range of negative consequences, including environmental degradation, cultural dilution, and a diminished quality of life for local residents. The research proposes an innovative, low-cost approach to monitor and mitigate the impacts of overtourism by utilizing the wireless activity of mobile devices, specifically through Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals. This solution is particularly relevant as global tourism numbers are expected to continue rising, potentially reaching pre-pandemic levels and beyond, thereby exacerbating the over-tourism problem in popular destinations.

A Smart Solution for Managing Tourist Crowds

The proposed system is centered around a Smart Tourism Toolkit (STToolkit) that includes crowding sensors capable of detecting the presence of mobile devices by analyzing their wireless signals. These sensors address the challenge of MAC address randomization a privacy feature in modern mobile devices that complicates the accurate counting of unique devices. By overcoming this challenge, the STToolkit provides reliable, real-time data on crowd density, which is crucial for managing tourist flows in overcrowded areas. The data collected by these sensors is anonymized and stored locally, ensuring privacy before being transmitted to a cloud server. Various communication protocols, including Wi-Fi and LoRaWAN, are used to upload this information, making the system adaptable to different environments, whether indoor settings like museums or outdoor areas such as parks.

Testing the Toolkit in Real-World Scenarios

Field validation of the STToolkit was conducted on the ISCTE campus, where sensors were deployed in various locations with differing crowd dynamics, such as high-traffic passageways and areas where people tend to linger, like libraries and study halls. The goal was to assess the sensors' ability to detect and monitor crowding patterns, rather than simply counting the number of individuals present. The system successfully identified peak crowding times, such as class breaks and lunch periods, demonstrating its potential to provide valuable insights into crowd management. These insights are particularly useful for tourism operators, local authorities, and heritage managers who can use the data to make informed decisions about crowd control and resource allocation.

Supporting Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

The STToolkit's utility extends beyond mere data collection. The system is designed to support Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the tourism sector by providing tools that enhance the sustainability of their operations. For instance, the sensors can be used to promote alternative routes for tourists in overcrowded areas, thereby reducing pressure on critical hotspots and improving the overall visitor experience. Additionally, the system's scalability is enhanced by its use of off-the-shelf hardware and open-source software, making it an affordable option for widespread deployment. The flexibility of the communication methods whether through existing Wi-Fi networks or low-cost LoRaWAN further enhances its adaptability, ensuring that the system can be deployed in a variety of settings with minimal infrastructure investment.

Deploying the Toolkit at Pena Palace

One of the most promising applications of the STToolkit is its planned deployment at the Pena Palace, a major tourist attraction in Portugal that suffers from overtourism year-round. The system will be used to monitor crowd levels within the palace and its surrounding park, helping to manage tourist flows by promoting less congested areas and limiting the number of visitors in sensitive zones. This application highlights the broader potential of the STToolkit to contribute to more sustainable tourism practices globally, ensuring that tourism benefits both visitors and residents while preserving the natural and cultural heritage of destinations.

A Sustainable Future for Global Tourism

The research conducted by ISCTE-IUL presents a practical and scalable solution to the problem of overtourism. By leveraging the ubiquity of mobile devices and the data they generate, the STToolkit provides a means to monitor and manage tourist flows in real time, thereby mitigating the negative impacts of overcrowding. The system's field validation on a university campus and its upcoming deployment at the Pena Palace underscore its effectiveness and versatility in diverse settings. As tourism continues to grow, solutions like the STToolkit will be increasingly vital in ensuring that destinations remain sustainable and enjoyable for all stakeholders. This research not only addresses an immediate need but also lays the groundwork for future innovations in smart tourism management, ultimately contributing to a more balanced and sustainable approach to global tourism.