PSTD Xacobeo and DTI Network

The municipality of Salas has been a beneficiary of the Sustainable Tourism Plan in Destination (PSTD) "Salas, gateway and soul of the Way", a strategic initiative funded by Next Generation EU European funds that drives the digital and sustainable transformation of our tourist destination.

What is the Sustainable Tourism Plan in Destination (PSTD)?

Sustainable Tourism Plans in Destination are programs designed and executed by local entities that include comprehensive interventions in tourist areas with the purpose of effectively incorporating sustainability and digitalization into the management of tourist destinations.

These plans have as main objectives:

• Address the new challenges of the tourism ecosystem
• Contribute to slowing down depopulation processes in rural areas
• Improve destination competitiveness through technological innovation
• Ensure sustainable and responsible tourism development

PSTD "Salas, gateway and soul of the Way"

Our Sustainable Tourism Plan is structured around the rich cultural and historical heritage of the municipality and its connection with the Primitive Way of Santiago, the oldest documented Jacobean route. The project includes actions in four main axes:

National Xacobeo Tourism Plan and Next Generation Funds

The National Xacobeo Tourism Plan is a program promoted by the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism with the aim of revitalizing and modernizing the Camino de Santiago routes. With an allocation of over 121 million euros from Next Generation EU European funds, this plan represents a historic commitment to the transformation of Jacobean tourism.

The main objectives of the Xacobeo Plan are:

• Rehabilitation of historical heritage linked to the Camino de Santiago
• Improving sustainability of Jacobean route destinations
• Enrichment of tourist offer of Camino municipalities
• Digitalization of destinations to gain competitiveness
• Population retention in rural areas through tourism promotion

Salas, as a municipality crossed by the Primitive Way, benefits from this program to drive its transformation into a smart tourist destination, keeping alive the millennial tradition of pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela while incorporating the most advanced technologies at the visitor's service.

Smart Tourist Destinations Network (DTI Network)

The Smart Tourist Destinations Network (DTI Network) is an initiative of the State Secretary for Tourism, managed by SEGITTUR (State Trading Company for Innovation Management and Tourism Technologies), which constitutes a meeting point and support for destinations in their transformation process towards a smart, digital and sustainable tourism management model.

The DTI Network represents Spain's leadership in implementing innovative methodologies for the transformation of tourist destinations, being a reference model internationally recognized by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the European Commission.

The 5 Axes of the DTI Model

The Smart Tourist Destination methodology is based on five core axes that guide the transformation of the destination:

Benefits of belonging to the DTI Network

Membership in the DTI Network provides destinations with multiple advantages:

• Technical assistance in implementing the DTI conversion process
• Advice on standardization and tourism quality standards
• Access to databases of grants, subsidies and funding
• Specialized training and capacity building programs
• Catalog of technology solution providers
• Presence at national and international fairs and forums
• Exchange of experiences and best practices with other destinations

UNE 178503 Standard

The UNE 178503 Standard is the technical reference standard for Smart Tourist Destinations in Spain. This standard defines the minimum requirements and best practices for technological solutions implemented in the DTI field, ensuring:

• Interoperability: Ability of systems to communicate and exchange information efficiently
• Accessibility: Universal design that allows access for all users
• Sustainability: Environmentally friendly technological development
• Quality: Excellence standards in digital services offered

All technological actions developed within the framework of the Salas PSTD comply with the requirements established in the UNE 178503 standard, ensuring maximum quality and compatibility of implemented solutions.

Salas' Commitment

Salas Town Council has assumed the commitment to transform the municipality into a Smart Tourist Destination, combining the preservation of its extraordinary historical, natural and cultural heritage with the incorporation of the most advanced technologies to improve the visitor experience.

This comprehensive project includes:

• Smart tourist website: Multilingual portal with complete information on tourist resources, accommodations, restaurants, routes and events
• Interactive information totem: Digital information point available 24/7 on the Town Hall facade
• Tourism management platform: Comprehensive system for efficient administration of municipal tourist resources
• Smart tourist signage: Signage network with QR codes connecting to multimedia content and audio guides

With these actions, Salas positions itself as a reference in sustainable and smart tourism in northern Spain, demonstrating that tradition and innovation can walk together towards a more prosperous and sustainable future.

Funding