Purpose – This article analyzes the productive structure of the municipality of Nova Petrópolis (RS) from the perspective of Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialization (RIS3), suggesting guidelines for digital transition and improving the consumer journey in tourism.
Design/methodology/approach – The quantitative-qualitative, analytical, propositional approach uses longitudinal secondary data on jobs and establishments (2020–2024) extracted from the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MTE), which were analyzed using the calculation of the Location Quotient (LQ) and the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI).
Findings – The results point to an economy concentrated in textile manufacturing and floriculture, sectors that remain disconnected from digital hospitality channels. The transition toward a smart destination depends on integrating digital layers with pre-existing productive vocations through transversal innovation platforms.
Practical implications – The study supports local governance in optimizing resources and provides guidelines for the formulation of public policies aimed at the socioeconomic and digital inclusion of small producers in the territory.
Originality/value – This work addresses a gap in the application of RIS3 and smart tourism in small municipalities with primary economic matrices.
Research limitations – The investigation is limited to the analysis of formal secondary data and faces restrictions due to the informality inherent in the tourism and hospitality sector.
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Turismo: Visão e Ação, linked to the Graduate Program in Tourism and Hospitality - Master's and Ph.D., is a scientific journal published in a continuous flow system, with an interdisciplinary and international scope. According to Qualis/CAPES criteria (2021-2024), it is classified as 'A4' in the fields of Administration, Accounting Sciences, and Tourism. Registered with ISSN number 1983-7151, Tourismo: Visão e Ação began its activities in 1998 with printed publications in English and Portuguese. In 2008, it transitioned to an online publication, expanding its reach to a broader audience. It maintains a policy of being an open-access journal without submission or access fees. The abbreviated title for the journal is Tur., Visão e Ação, commonly used in bibliographies, footnotes, references, and bibliographic captions.
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