The main objective of the HERIT-DATA project is to promote sustainable, responsible management of historical and cultural heritage tourism in the cities located in the MED regions. To that end, the project outlines a set of activities that explore the provision of analytical and planning tools to those responsible for local and regional tourism policy, making use of the latest data collection and processing technology.

First, in order to measure the effect of mass tourism on cultural heritage, the project involves the specification of a set of indicators at different levels and based on different parameters. These are aimed at capturing information on congestion in the areas with the most popular tourist attractions, the tourist’s experience in the city, safety, and the impact on historic buildings. As part of the project, five pilot tests will be carried out in five different Mediterranean cities, including Valencia. Specifically, the analysis in Valencia will be primarily focused on the tourist flows from cruises, which by definition generate a momentary mass of tourists that must be managed by the cities in question in order to avoid crowding. This pilot will be headed up by Fundación Valenciaport.

Second, in order to have high-quality data to feed into the indicators designed and enable their calculation, different primary and secondary data sources will be used. Regarding primary data, sensors will be installed in places in the city of great interest to tourists and in buildings with high heritage value. Thus, the continuous collection of data from these devices will allow measurements of the flow of people as well as the CO₂ or the humidity inside the buildings, thereby facilitating their conservation. As for secondary data, statistical databases such as those produced by INE or the Generalitat Valencia will be used to calculate economic and social indicators.  Third, the project will develop a platform to integrate data into an artificial intelligence tool that will support decision-making processes, including:

• Identification, collection and harmonization of data (big/open/smart)
• Analysis and production of smart data that will provide information on tourist behaviour, seasonality, trends, etc.
• Measurement of sustainability indicators

The results obtained will therefore provide detailed information to decision-makers in order to implement actions that preserve cultural heritage and promote sustainable tourism.