SmartCity@Malta : potential and what the tourism industry can benefit from such a project

Abstract

This study’s aim is to investigate the potential the SmartCity@Malta project is set to contribute and offer towards Malta’s tourism industry and more. This study will enable one to have a better understanding of what the country can benefit from such a project as regards possible further increase in ICT (information Communication Technologies) growth and its relation with tourism. Factors such as raising the bar in IT prowess to attract better quality tourist or visitors, increasing foreign business partners, exploring the power of this international brand of SmartCity@Malta and the backing from Tecom holdings are just a few of the factors and influences that shall be explored. This study will answer how Malta’s profile would benefit from attracting large multinational companies to enter and operate through Smartcity@Malta, and whether SmartCity@Malta can hold to its name to utilize this new brand to its advantage for the strengthening of existing markets. This study will involve interviewing certain competent individuals, namely professionals, and analysing their views on how they perceive this project and what potential and benefits are brought with it. Questioning competitors, policy makers, local council members, large organisations and the general public, namely the local population of Kalkara have also been included in this study. The researcher shall additionally investigate whether the recent harnessing of ICT and the eminent reality of SmartCity@Malta will in fact strengthen Malta’s tourism industry. Will this newly introduced brand reap only benefits? How will it affect Malta’s international profile and image? How will it affect the stakeholders? Could this project possibly redefine and reshape the Island’s tourism industry? These are just some of the major issues that will be explored in this study.