Leveraging technology to enhance visitor experience and preserve cultural heritage, Rome’s Smart Tourism initiative employs a sophisticated IoT and AI infrastructure to manage visitor flows across the city's major cultural sites and historic districts. The system utilises a network of IoT sensors to gather real-time data on crowd density at key locations, including iconic landmarks and lesser-known attractions. AI-powered analytics then process this data to predict peak periods and identify potential congestion hotspots.
This information enables the system to provide dynamic routing suggestions to visitors, effectively distributing them across Rome’s vast network of over 900 churches and numerous other monuments. Digital ticketing systems are integrated to further optimise access and reduce queues. Ultimately, the Smart Tourism system aims to improve the overall experience for tourists while simultaneously mitigating the impact of mass tourism on Rome's precious cultural heritage. This initiative provides a valuable model for other European cities grappling with similar challenges, demonstrating how urban computing can be used to balance economic benefits with the preservation of cultural assets and the quality of life for residents.