Project Proposal Report

Date: 20th March 2024

Tourism in Smart Cities

Created By: Maha Amir

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 Table of contents

1.0 Introduction...................................................................3

2.0 Background…................................................................7

3.0 Project Scope………......................................................11

4.0 Aim and Objectives........................................................11

5.0 Research Questions………….........................................12

6.0 Literature Review..........................................................13

7.0 Project Management Methodology.................................15

8.0 Project Research Methodology.......................................15

9.0 Project Plan…………….................................................16

10.0 Conclusion....................................................................17

11.0 Bibliography..................................................................18

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 Introduction
The expression “Smart” is becoming an extensively used buzzword
to demonstrate economic, social, and technological advancements
provoked by using technologies which depend on big data, new
methods of connectivity, sensors, open data, potential to whether
reason or inferring and exchanging the information.

Tourism Overtone
From innumerable years the tourism sector has undergone consistent
proliferation. Extensive diversity, extremely competitive constituent, and
globalized amplification, to be among the prime economic expansion
sectors worldwide. Tourism sector innovation relates to information and
communication technologies (ICT), playing crucial role for the tourist
industry. Aspects of ICTs and digitalized technology revolution summits
the domination of investing current and reliable technological application
for companies in tourism industry (Ruiz & Hernandez, 2017).
Nowadays smart tourism has been formulated from previously traditional
travelling and e-tourism, having root tips in adopting information and
communication technologies (ICT).
Even profusion of cities is joining use of artificial intelligence and big
data to facilitate with outnumbered tourist services. These cities are
switching gear towards metaverse from real life. Technology has the
potential of resolving multiple environmental and logistic concerns.
The advent of this metaverse, social distancing imputable to the
pandemic restrictions, there is explosive scrutiny in smart city tourism.
Allocating improved quality of life for residents, innovative experience
and making it problem solving to overtourism.

What is smart city tourism?

Using artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IOT), big data, cloud
computing and multiple distinct technologies to create an extensively
efficient, interactive, connected, and transparent city. When a specific
city implements smart tourism, provides tourist information, contact and
countless services. Assume that you are lost on your way in Tokyo, a
smartphone application is enough to help you searching routes back.

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Immeasurable cities have demonstrated their ambition towards being
smart. One such city is London and since 2013, it has been carrying out
the Smart London Plan, emphasizing digital technology and big data.
Such an assorted plan includes Visit London, an application for tour
guidance making bring forth personalized experience of tourists.
Multitude cities are transforming to smarter concept, comprising both
augmented and virtual reality.

Tourism a history
Monotonous development could be observed in the recent decades.
Emergence of aviation assist travel from local to international resorts.
Before the pandemic the number of international visitors has been
greater than twice it was in 2000.
Evolution of tourism commence former than the coinage and the word
‘tourism’, began from 18th century. Traditions in west involved travelling
with essential infrastructure, excursion, and experiencing important
destinations can be scrutinized in ancient Rome and Greece (historical
site comprising cultural significance). Seven Wonders of the World is
among one such dominant tourist location from Rome and Greece.
Another example of travelling is pilgrimage of former Buddhist places
around 2000 from now. Pilgrimage to Mecca as well reference to
travelling in past even behind the industrial revolution age. After World
War 2, in 1940s many people were forced to move, and they were keen to
repeat travelling experience to enjoy. Sharing stories to encourage other
for traveling too.

Tourism Escalation
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 Innovation of transport served to be crucial enabler to growth in tourism and globalization eventually. (Walton, 2018)

Internet is open source for 21st century, countries are increasingly

becoming interesting destination spots concluding flourishment in the
economy. Certain prominent cities for this sector, Venice (for historic
architecture and canals), London (for sparkling metropolis), Paris (for
emblematic landmarks, such as Eiffle Tower), New York (known for being
a city that never fall sleep, due to 24/7 people ongoing), Madrid (capital
of Spain, famous for art, culture, and cuisine) and Tokyo (known for
modernity in Japan and its traditions). Multiple aspects aided
exponential expansion in travelling industry, jet travel was launched long
ago in 1950s and hotels followed the franchising method to enlarge their
businesses. Introduction of Diner Club credit cards enabling travellers to
purchase things from anywhere in the world.

Technological development in tourism

From the information technology applications there is a shift to remote
services and e-tourism.
Travel Technology Impact on Dynamics of Industry

Automated and streamlining complicated operations, from

Operational capability logistics to customer services.
enhancement
Analysis and gathering of huge amounts of data to encourage
Providing updated data oversight pre-informed decisions.

Formulate modern convections of business engagement with

Improving experience and customers whether feedback to booking.
interaction with customers
Facilitate consistent innovation to compete in market.
Competitiveness and innovation

Evolution of Smart Cities

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Smart city concept started in late 19 th century and earned influence in
late 20th century. During that time, historical incidence dominated the
evolution and advancement to smarter cities.
In today’s world more than 54% population is estimated across the world
to live in cities, this percentage is suspected rising to 66% by 2025.
Cities must mandatory economic, environmental and social stability to
pitch the rapid extension by taxing out that city resources.

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IOT technologies and secured wireless connections are modifying
tradition attributes of life, for example the streetlights in next generations
will be converted into intelligent lighting platform with sensors.

Background
Smart Cities and essential hallmarks
Urban regions encouraging data accumulation and use of tech can refine
living standards, revamp efficient and sustainable city operations are
called smart cities. Smart technologies adopted by local government
involve internet of things (IOT) and information communication
technologies (ICT) according to many related authors (Gomsty and
Jonker, 2023). Gomsty and Jonker stated that the US transportation
department identified three distinct hallmarks in a city which is said to
be smart:

Network of integrated data and sensors used for measurable city service and
variety of applications.

Connectivity let municipal officials have direct interaction with the

community including monitoring and managing city frame.

Open data committing local government to frequently exchange planning and

operations data with public.

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Aiming at improving accessibility, efficiency, quality of life, environment
protection and economic boost. First ten smart cities in the world are:
New York, Paris, Tokyo, Copenhagen, Reykjavik, Amsterdam, Berlin,
Hong Kong, and Singapore. These cities comprise most of the following
features:

Virtual Reality; technologies, and platforms

Stimulation and using computer modelling which able individual interact
to artificial three-dimensional sensory environment. These application
platforms immerse users in a computer-generated surrounding by
interacting gadgets, sending, and receiving information worn like goggles,
gloves, body suits and headsets (Lowood, 2018).
I researched definition for virtual reality, relatively simple, and in one
source I found an interesting explanation that our understanding of
virtual reality comes naturally as “Virtual” and “Reality”, breaking down
(Virtual Reality Society, 2017).
Technologies used for virtual tourism are videos capturing 360-degree
immersive content by using specialized camera rigs, photographs can be
captured when user view from the virtual reality headsets. Generally, the
pictures captured are high in resolution and any location can be viewed
from different angles giving sense of immersion and presence. Virtual
Reality Headset is mandatory use for a complete 360-degree immersion,
mounted on head covering our eyes and ears and comprising of audio
and visual aids.
Some virtual reality tourism platforms for instance Oculus Travel,
opening doors to entrance of virtual tours. Facilitating customers with 3
D interactive videos and experience, giving sense of being on heart of the
selected destination.
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Google Earth VR is an application that beginning in space, and you can
zoom into whichever part of the globe with a bird’s eye view. Jump from
the top-most of Eiffel Tower to inside of your dreams, Disney Land.
Moving from day to night, capturing snapshots.
One distinct application Gala 360 is based on the theme of galleries from
professional photographers into 3D visuals. Explore the events,
landmarks, and museums artefacts just with swipe of your fingers.
Certain destination ports have audio commentary.
Realities travel app lets user explore modelled and scanned, here the
user interface is a giant globe controlled by virtual reality controller. By
taping on places, you wish to visit. Evert VR platform is restricted to
exciting Mount Everest virtual tourism.
Every application of virtual reality tourism needs a virtual reality headset
and few dominant companies selling them are: HTC Vive, Valve Index or
Oculus Rift.

Significance of Virtual Reality Tourism

Cost-effectiveness: People can view their desired places without
physically travelling. They are no longer limited to logistics, flight
bookings, open atmosphere or safety reasons. Including extreme weather
conditions and time zones are no longer problematic. Number of people
who do not possess affordability to travel can visit without being in
person.

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Improved Marketing: Contents of virtual reality can enable people to
view hotels and places with their properties. Guests might take a more
comprehensive visual, rising chances of future bookings.
Revenue Streams: Open new revenue streams for tourism industry.
Such experiences can appeal wider audience, even people who cannot
travel due to physical limitations. This technological advancement has
mounted efficiency and deducted promotional expenditures.
Globalized Connection: People experience different cultures, wonders
of nature and historical locations. Inspiration entailing curiosity and
filling geographical gaps.

Problems with Virtual tourism and proposed

solutions
Intangibility: Tangible features are compromised than real life journey.
Person would not have any sensory interactions.
Sensory deblocks: Unable to replicate complete smell, taste or touch
while being crucial compositions of travel journeys.
Existing platforms do not offer live streaming: No live streaming is
accessible to the user from the applications in the market and less
exposure of a specified resort is recorded in 3edd videos.
Festive not fully visualized: Unique landmarks are not audio
recorded with complete explanation for cultural events on that site, food
and visitors of the place.
To manage these obstacles, we can use CCTV cameras inserted over the
places for live streaming since cities are smarter, and they possess such
high resolution 360-degree view specialized cameras. Audio players
constitute information about historical and other events over the place,
cultures and nature of people living in that city where the destination is
based. Fewer sites added to content of the application, but full dedication
must be present to immerse the user int the surrounding much as
possible. Describe the near future changes in city dynamics from
technology advancements or macro-environmental factors.

Motivation
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Currently applications exhibit not enough disclosure of the spot and
instead enclose the entire globe. Displaying attributes of the places
partially or certain areas and in essence potential for misinformation. I
believe to bring forth a model that has covered most the weaker sides
and new elements to enlighten the user experience. I am eager to include
complete surrounding of any destination which will lead to less cities
involved in my project.

Justification of project
I am passionate to construct model for pre-planning application
framework. Utilizing CCTV cameras of smart cities (one of the cores of
the project requirements) and operating within smart cities of Europe
only which would encounter more focus over the deliverables. Normally
apps for tourism have covered entire globe or restricted to certain themes
under the sea, over the mountains and mundane stuff to say historical
areas.
My proposed modelling would include either actual sound picked from
the place viewed by the user or background commentators recorded
attempting to develop user understanding of the venue. With live
presentation anyone can see people going around, activities or events
being held.

Project Scope
I had spent considerable but relatively moderate time researching over
tourism in smart cities and found much of the source linked to
augmented reality of tourism for smart cities. According to many authors
tourism sector has transformed exponentially because of high tech usage
of smart cities and especially the pandemic COVID-19 as one of the gears
to virtual realty tourism. Enough platforms are already accessible but do
not have potential to cover ongoing and offer thriving connectivity with
the place.

Aim and Objectives

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Aim
Build application pre-planning model to suggest the travel industry for
developing an app that constitutes current facet of the place displayed to
user and multitude elements of previous platforms modified to encounter
greater customer satisfaction than rivals.

Objectives
 Contrast tourism before and after technological implementation.
 Analysis of growing trend of smart tourism and e-tourism.
 Analysis of evolution of smart destination tourism. Beneficial
fundamentals of any smart city encouraging online tourism without
being in person.
 Examine future expansion of virtual tourism in smart cities.
 Outline the favorable elements of an app engaging vast majority of
customers than previously.
 Modify version of audio recordings.

Research Questions
Q1. Investigate how development in technology is rising e-
tourism and remote travelling?
Q2. What technologies are essential for virtual reality
tourism experience?
Q3. How is the future of e-tourism and virtual travelling
affected with changing technology?

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 Literature Review
Mostly scholars emphasizes on Virtual Tourism in comparatively more
interconnected cities which proves to be much convenient to people.
Lowers carbon emissions and environmental impacts. Useful tool for
planning future expeditions by showing glimpse what place has.
Vacation plans are often tedious, when a place planned do not turn out
to be as expected, people get disturbed. Virtual reality technology would
let you sharp and detailed view of any resort including deciding whether
trips would be worth the time and effort.
Eliminates long time spent on organizing and researching travel
journeys. By instantaneous access to experiences and tours with just few
clicks. Some areas are not affordable or difficult locations to visit. You
can scrutinize the iconic natural wonder, landmarks, and museums on
premium prices (renting body suits or headsets). With witnessing
cultural rituals, engaging into local’s user has seen the authenticity of
various cultures from remote locations.
Natural resources remain preserved reducing needs for accommodation,
other resources and food required by the traveler. Contribution to
reduction in waste produced, eliminating items used linked with travel
and are disposable (Ablison, 2023).

Google Earth VR

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 Usefulness Drawbacks
Reality based visuals enough interactive and With fascinating visual aid still there is
zoom in and tap the places you desire to see. limitation to the extend you can zoom in.

No need for up-to-date hardware versions, you Users might want the user interface could be
can have a good time in comfort mode. Reducing improved. Newer apps Like Wooorld and Wander
the motion sickness. are built on Google Earth VR foundation and
provides even modern surroundings.

Using Virtual Reality ready computing device Not supported extensively than it uses to be in
and Oculus Quest-2, Google Earth VR is past. However, there are no universally preferred
accessible. Look from different angles and virtual reality tourism apps including Google
surfaces textures of the shown location. Earth VR.

YouVisit

Usefulness Drawbacks
User explore surrounding in 360-degree virtual There might be that user experience nausea
reality, cinema kind experience, captivating and when using the headset. If user feels queasy take
fully immersive. breaks or do adjustments in setting for
comfortable view.
Even now you can select your path through Unable to fully mimic the richness of interaction
story, proceed from one scene to another. in real world during campus virtual visits.
Interact with the story elements as if real. Students are said to miss out on conservation,
face-to-face faculty and peer exchanges etc.

Students who cannot physically be on campus

have facility to look around before they make
decisions of applying.

Brink Traveler

Usefulness Drawbacks
Workable over tablets, phones and virtual reality Every destination downloaded is around 1
headsets being accessible from your living room. gigabyte. Download in time consuming but faster
internet connection might decrease waiting time.

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Provides collection from 32 places within 22 You should be accessible to the virtual reality
locations. You can see any areas from equipment for the tour.
breathtaking vistas, desert landscape or national
parks.

There are certain people who would prefer real

world travelling.

Project Management Methodology

Although I have studied Agile Framework and Scrum method for the
respective course of study. However, the above-mentioned methodologies
are not applicable to my project since the dissertation is not a group
work. Under the vigilance of my project supervisor, Laden Husamaldin
(from university of West London academic staff), I am embracing
Waterfall Method.
Following the waterfall workflow, I am proceeding sequentially from all
stages. Beginning the model and its user interface, implementation
suggestions to the tourism industry and procedures to implement,
verifying the model is successful build (if the sector adopts my model)
and verification steps to look for successful implementation and lastly
convections of maintenance of the project. Though I need to be careful
that one phase or task would depend on the other.

Research Methodology
I am planning to research for my project using both primary and
secondary sources. I have decided to include the two qualitative (pie
charts, histograms, and graphs etc.) for evaluation of the importance of

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the topics, people likes and dislikes on its characteristics, usability, and
future expansion of the industry. In quantitative data gathers I will
create questionnaires or surveys for other people to rank my model from
the existing platforms, what aspects must be included, recommendations
for increasing scope of my project etc. Furthermore, secondary research
would be done as well to make sure that my project is not repetitive,
better substitute in market and solves the uprising or problems
previously uncovered by other people works.

Project Plan
The following is my individual project proposal report plan. There were
number of milestones that needed to be covered before the proposal
report itself was designed.

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Conclusion
The proposal report was structured following the guidelines provided by
the project supervisor and lecturers in dissertation session timing.
Further research is still prime for well-equipped interpretation of the
topic and the proposal report was an interesting start to my project. I
have decided on number of aspects to be included into the final project
for increased assistance of target customers. Rising the general-public
understanding of the topic and its expected benefits.

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