The smart tourism destination (STD) is an adaptation of the smart-city concept into a tourism destination. Smart cities relate to the urban use of technologies and internet in order to improve economic growth, quality of life, efficient management of resources, and generation of governance processes and social participation. This paper aims to highlight the perception that different tourism experts in Puerto Vallarta have about intelligent tourism destinations. The working method of this research was through a Delphi study to analyze the responses of local experts on the status of STD´s and their future trends. The experts’ perceptions on the concept’s definition, regional capacity for innovation, technological components, linking, and sustainability was analyzed. Experts perceived an optimistic scenario for STD in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, México. The participants in this study value the factors that determine the implementation of STDs as determinants; there are at least three of them: Training, Investment, and Governance.

The linear economic model consumes large amounts of energy and resources, but the limits on its physical capacity are being reached. The circular economy (CE), conversely, is reparative and regenerative; it aims to ensure that products, components, and resources maintain their usefulness and value. Tourism is a generator of wealth and employment worldwide (9.8% of world GDP and 9.1% of world employment), but it also contributes to a variety of environmental problems all over the world. Reducing the negative impacts of the practices of the tourism sector is essential. Therefore, implementing CE practices in this sector is crucial for producing changes that benefit the environment to reach the goal of sustainable development. The objective of this research was to explore the tourism sector knowledge of a CE and the actual implementation of its practices in Puerto Vallarta, and to determine companies´ willingness to design a transition to the CE. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, is a national tourist destination that ranks among the top three places in the country in terms of the number of tourist visitors, and therefore tourism is the basis of the local economy. A questionnaire was designed to collect information about attitudes and motives, which was answered by key informants from 64 tourism companies. The results show an incipient knowledge about the CE concept. However, companies conducting environmental activities, such as reducing consumption of fossil fuels and improving treatment of waste, indirectly generate a positive impact on the environment. In conclusion, Puerto Vallarta is prepared to implement the CE.

Given the uncertain outlook caused by COVID-19, it is important to carry out a review of the conditions in which the collective enterprises are influenced by the four helix model, specifically those dedicated to the sector most affected by the pandemic, tourism, for which raises the question: What have been the results of the four helix model in the social tourism entrepreneurships (STE) of Jalisco and Nayarit? In addition to: the participation of the actors of the four helix model has contributed to face the repercussions of COVID-19? The objective is to identify stakeholder input from the core elements of the four helix model and sustainability to the STEs during COVID-19. The methodology used was qualitative and involved the comparison of information from 12 key stakeholders from the government, social, academic and private sectors through Atlas.ti-8. Some results indicate that from the perception of the participants interviewed, the COVID-19 crisis has promoted innovation, support, and incentives among the four helixes, in which the STEs have benefited. As conclusions, the four helix model is functional to face the adversities of COVID-19 as long as there is planning within the entrepreneurships and the link with said model helix participants.

Percepción de Turistas de Puerto Vallarta sobre el aporte de la naturaleza, personas, turismo y TIC a la Inteligencia Territorial