Smart Tourism stars in the awards of Pedro Zaragoza Chair of Studies at the University of Alicante

"Pedro Zaragoza Orts" Chair of Tourism Studies has delivered this Friday the Awards for the best End-of-Degree Projects and End-of-Master Projects (TFG and TFM) developed and defended at the University of Alicante, which are related to the sector tourism, throughout the academic year 2018/2012019/2020 in one of its official programs.

The awards ceremony was carried out on line and had the participation of the institutions. Organizations and associations that participate in "Pedro Zaragoza Orts" Chair of Tourism Studies such as Benidorm City Council, Valencian Tourism Agency, Alicante Provincial Council, Hotel Business Association of Benidorm, Costa Blanca and the Valencian Community (HOSBEC) and University of Alicante.

The rector of the UA, Amparo Navarro, who has chaired the virtual ceremony together with the mayor of Benidorm, Toni Pérez, the general director of Tourism of the Generalitat Valenciana, Herick Campos, the president of the Provincial Council, Carlos Mazón, Nuria Montes, general secretary of HOSBEC and the director of the Chair, Armando Ortuño, has addressed the tourism and hospitality sector to affirm that "the University of Alicante is with you and we are not going to leave you alone" in reference to the complicated situation it is going through due to the pandemic. Navarro congratulated the winners and assured that "our university has the largest offer of studies on tourism and this chair is the best model for transferring scientific knowledge and collaboration between company and university."

On his part, the mayor of Benidorm, Toni Pérez, has recalled the spirit of people from Benidorm who gives the chair its name, Pedro Zaragoza Orts, pointing out the maxim that inspired him: “You also live by illusion”; illusion that continues to preside over all Benidorm initiatives. Pérez highlighted the solid foundations of our tourism model and the need to continue energizing destinations, to consolidate them with benchmarks. The delivery of these awards, he pointed out, "constitutes an endearing and highly desired act by Benidorm by reinforcing the link between the Academy and the social reality of one of the main vectors of economic development such as tourism." The mayor of Benidorm congratulated the winners, acknowledged the work of the Chair and thanked the University of Alicante for the work it develops, remembering that "Benidorm is a good student, diligent and always ready to learn" while also "being willing to share their experiences ”, always extrapolated.

Awards

The essay by José Verdú, Tourism student at the UA, “Xaló, Smart Tourist Destination. Vall del Pop ”has received the first prize in the TFG category, while“ The planning of urban tourist destinations from the intelligent approach: a comparative analysis ”, by Ana Pastor, student of the Official Master's Degree in Tourism Management and Planning, has received in the TFM category.

The second TFG prize went to Zahra Akbali, a Tourism student at the UA, for her work on “The role of e-commerce in Chinese tourism; potentialities and opportunities for Spanish tourism ”and in the TFM category, the award went to Marc Fuster, student of the Official Master's Degree in Tourism Management and Planning, for his study on“ The Integrated Destination Management System and its role in the current tourist scene. An analysis applied to the Network of Smart Tourist Destinations of the Valencian Community ”.

The third prize has been for the work “Sports tourism as a dynamic typology in consolidated destinations. Evolution and characterization in Torrevieja (Costa Blanca) ”carried out by the student of the UA Degree in Tourism, Nathalie Alexandra.

Aspects such as the impact of the work on improving the competitiveness of destinations and tourism organizations, its practical and application aspects have been assessed for the granting of these annual awards from the "Pedro Zaragoza Orts" Chair of Tourism Studies. , the analysis of the current and future situation of tourism, as well as other circumstances that affect the field of tourism. Each of the first prizes is endowed with 400 euros, the second with 250 and 150 for the third prizes.

Chair of Tourism Studies

The objective of "Pedro Zaragoza Orts" Chair of Tourism Studies is to analyze, research and teach the reality, problems and perspectives of companies and tourist destinations in general, from all relevant points of view, taking care of developing the program training and research tasks that contribute to improving training and knowledge in this area.

Its program of activities includes the organization of courses and seminars related to tourism issues, with special attention to the area of the Costa Blanca and Benidorm, as well as conferences and exhibitions on tourist activity, along with carrying out studies and research work. .