Lorraine Williamson
Spain is bracing for a record-breaking summer, with more than 42 million visitors expected to flock to its coasts and cities. While the influx is a boost for the economy, it also threatens to overwhelm infrastructure, strain natural ecosystems, and stretch public services to the limit.
In response, Spain is turning to artificial intelligence, drone surveillance, and real-time data to keep its most popular destinations running smoothly—and sustainably.
AI and digital twins: the rise of smart coastlines
From Andalucia’s sprawling shores to the tranquil bays of the Balearics, technology is quietly transforming the way Spain manages its coastline. Central to this digital revolution is the concept of the “digital twin”—a virtual replica of a real-world environment that can be updated with live data. In the Balearic Islands, these models now track water cycles and beach capacity, helping authorities balance tourism with ecological health.
In the Basque Country and the Valencian coast, AI tools like the RESAC-OFF system analyse sea current patterns to reduce drowning risks. Meanwhile, Andalucia has rolled out smart surveillance across more than 800 beaches, covering 1,000km of coastline. The focus? Not just safety, but preservation—ensuring that coastal development doesn’t come at the cost of the environment.
Eyes in the sky: drones, sensors, and smarter sustainability
Alongside AI, Spain is deploying a network of sensors and drones to gather detailed environmental data. These tools monitor beach erosion, track swimmer activity, and assess water quality in real time. In the Canary Islands, for instance, drones scan beaches to detect signs of wear and tear or ecological disruption—crucial insights in the fight against rising sea levels and coastal degradation.
The aim is clear: protect vulnerable areas before they reach a tipping point. Predictive data allows for timely interventions, whether that means limiting access, reinforcing infrastructure, or redirecting visitor flows to less impacted areas.
Beyond the beach: smart cities for smart tourism
Spain’s digital upgrade extends inland too. Urban centres are harnessing smart city technologies to manage the seasonal surge. Municipalities collect data on traffic, pollution, crowd density, and public service use to prepare for high-season spikes. AI-driven forecasts help plan emergency responses, waste collection, and security measures with greater precision.
Cities like Barcelona and Valencia already use real-time dashboards to guide decisions—from adjusting public transport frequency to deploying more street cleaners in busy zones. The result is smoother, cleaner, and more resilient tourist hubs.
Investing in a smarter future
While Spain still lags behind the EU average when it comes to AI integration across businesses—currently around 13.4%—its public sector is advancing rapidly. According to monitoring platform Pandora FMS, momentum is growing, though improving national IT infrastructure remains a challenge.
Still, the direction of travel is clear. Spain is betting on tech not just as a tool for economic growth, but as a safeguard for its most precious resources: its beaches, cities, and natural beauty. With climate change and overtourism looming large, digital innovation could be the country’s best defence.
Expanding smart tourism beyond the coast
As Spain continues to modernise its approach to tourism, the focus will likely broaden to rural hotspots, inland nature reserves, and heritage sites—all of which face similar pressures. With smart beach tech already proving its worth, the next frontier is national: building a smarter, greener tourism model that works for residents, visitors, and the planet alike.
Source: elmundofinanciero.com