Trajectories, Dynamics and Co-Production of Sociotechnical Imaginaries: Smart Tourism in Latin America
Latin America; smart tourism destinations; Science and technology studies (STS); sociotechnical imaginaries; smart tourism.
Since the last decade, Ibero-America has emerged as a scene of proliferation of studies, initiatives and projects related to both smart cities and smart tourism destinations. Considering smart tourism as a sociotechnical phenomenon, the aim of this research is to understand the articulation of trajectories and dynamics involved in the co-production processes between tourism and smartness interrelationships in the Latin American region, drawing from both the academic field and other actors involved in sociotechnical assemblages. To this end, the concept of sociotechnical imaginaries, offered by the field of science, technology and society (STS) studies, works, in heuristic terms, as a theoreticalmethodological toolbox to investigate visions of futures that could be achieved with the support of advances in science and technology, and the emergence of landscapes of modernity in the region. With regard to methodology, empirical research was operationalized through an interpretative and integrated multiple case study, with a descriptive-exploratory and comparative approach based on mixed methods. In accordance with the methodological recommendations for the analysis of sociotechnical imaginaries, data collection involved a triangulation of materialities based on bibliographic analysis, documentary research and semi-structured interviews. The modes of analysis were based on inductive/abductive reasoning and the analysis techniques involved the application of constructivist grounded theory complemented by discourse analysis, focusing on discursive-evocative practices. Among the results of the study, it was identified that, based on the trajectories of the Latin American academic field, the relationships between tourism and smartness have been showing a growing trend that introduces changes from technocentric visions to broader and more systemic ones linked to planning, management and governance, as well as critical and alternative visions. In turn, based on the cases of initiatives and projects in the region, with a focus on Mexico, Uruguay, Argentina, Colombia and Brazil, the visions are presented as systemic, albeit flexible and heterogeneous strategies for renewal, related to the improvement of efficiency and modernization of tourism management in the territories; with a central role for data-driven strategic planning and integrated governance, in which tourism acts as an articulator; in addition to the constitution of cooperation networks, including those with regional and international scope. Finally, the opportunities and challenges that arise from the sociotechnical arrangements of smart tourism in Latin America are discussed, in order to continue reflecting, beyond the hegemonic sociotechnical imaginary informed by the global imperative of techno-utopian progress, on their consequences and impacts; also considering the contradictions and interests implied in the context of digital capitalism.