Research Tourist future expectations in-destination

Desired outcome

Boost Portugal, a leading tourism and experiences company, is seeking to collaborate with a team of experienced researchers for an EU-funded project focused on understanding and shaping the future of research tourism. The project aims to explore the evolving expectations, needs, and behaviors of research tourists in-destination to inform strategic developments and enhance the value proposition for this growing segment of the tourism industry.

Background
Research tourism is emerging as a significant niche in the tourism sector, where individuals or groups travel to engage with research, academic institutions, and local innovation ecosystems. As the tourism landscape shifts toward more meaningful and knowledge-driven experiences, understanding the future expectations and preferences of research tourists is critical to designing tailored, high-impact experiences.

Initial Problem Description

While research tourism is a growing niche within the tourism sector, there is limited understanding of how to effectively design and deliver meaningful in-destination experiences for research tourists. Research tourists are typically motivated by a desire to engage with local knowledge, academic institutions, innovation hubs, and cultural experiences—but existing tourism services and experiences are not sufficiently tailored to meet their specific needs.

Key Problems to Solve:
Identifying the Needs and Motivations of Research Tourists

What are the specific expectations and preferences of research tourists when they arrive at a destination?
How do their motivations (e.g., academic, professional, cultural, personal) shape their in-destination behavior and decision-making?
Enhancing the In-Destination Experience

What types of experiences, services, and infrastructure enhance the satisfaction and value perception of research tourists?
How can tourism providers create meaningful and differentiated experiences for research tourists beyond traditional sightseeing and cultural tours?
Overcoming Barriers and Friction Points

What logistical, cultural, or informational barriers prevent research tourists from fully engaging with the destination?
How can digital platforms, local networks, and tourism providers work together to remove these barriers?
Leveraging Technology and Innovation

How can technology (e.g., digital platforms, AR/VR, AI) be used to create more engaging and informative experiences for research tourists?
How can real-time data and personalization enhance the research tourism experience?
Sustainability and Long-Term Value Creation

Goal:
The goal of the challenge is to generate research-based insights and practical solutions that enable Boost Portugal to:
- Design and deliver high-value, personalized experiences for research tourists
- Position itself as a leader in the growing research tourism market
- Establish partnerships with academic and research institutions to create synergies
- Develop scalable models for enhancing research tourism experiences across multiple destinations

Context

Boost Portugal is at the forefront of experiential tourism, specializing in delivering curated, authentic, and culturally rich experiences across Portugal. Leveraging this expertise, Boost Portugal seeks to integrate cutting-edge research insights into its service design and strategic planning to position itself as a leader in research tourism.

Project Scope
The project will explore key themes, including but not limited to:
- Identification of emerging trends and patterns in research tourism
- Drivers and barriers to engagement for research tourists in-destination
- The role of technology and digital platforms in enhancing research tourism experiences
- Sustainability and environmental considerations in research tourism
- Collaboration opportunities between tourism providers and research institutions

Connection to cross-cutting areas

The challenge is connected to multiple of these areas, specifically General Sustainability, Industry 4.0, and Digitalisation in the following ways:

1. General Sustainability
Sustainable Tourism Practices: Research tourism presents an opportunity to promote more sustainable tourism models by focusing on longer stays, deeper engagement with local communities, and lower environmental impact compared to mass tourism.
Community and Economic Impact: Creating research-driven tourism experiences can contribute to the local economy by fostering partnerships with local institutions, knowledge hubs, and service providers.
Reducing Over-Tourism: By targeting research tourists, who often seek quality over quantity, the challenge aims to develop tourism models that balance economic benefits with environmental and social sustainability.
2. Industry 4.0
Smart Tourism Infrastructure: Leveraging Industry 4.0 technologies like IoT, AI, and big data to enhance in-destination experiences for research tourists.
Example: Smart city infrastructure that can provide real-time data on events, transportation, and local research hubs.
Automation and Personalization: Using data and machine learning to create personalized travel recommendations and tailored experiences for research tourists.
Seamless Connectivity: Facilitating frictionless travel experiences through automated booking systems, integrated payment platforms, and AI-driven customer service.
3. Digitalisation
Digital Platforms and Interfaces: Developing or improving apps, platforms, and digital resources to give research tourists easy access to information on local research institutions, academic events, and specialized experiences.
Example: A dedicated app or portal where research tourists can find information about local universities, research conferences, and lab tours.
Virtual and Augmented Reality: Enhancing the research tourism experience through AR/VR experiences, such as virtual lab tours, historical reconstructions, or interactive city guides.
Data-Driven Insights: Using real-time data to monitor tourist behavior, adjust offerings, and deliver a more responsive and customized experience.
- Strategic Connection:
The challenge aligns with global priorities in sustainable tourism and smart tourism development. By combining sustainable tourism practices with Industry 4.0 and digital tools, Boost Portugal can create a differentiated and innovative research tourism offering that enhances both the visitor experience and local economic resilience.

Input

Trend:
Platforms like Airbnb and Google Travel have increased tourist expectations for real-time, data-driven personalization.
Research tourists may expect similar capabilities—personalized recommendations for conferences, research hubs, and networking events.
Challenge:
Most personalization efforts in tourism are geared toward leisure tourists rather than knowledge-driven travelers.
Research tourists may have more complex needs (e.g., connecting with researchers in specific fields, finding local labs).
- Question for Students:
How can AI and data-driven insights be used to personalize and enhance the research tourist experience?

Trend:
Universities and research institutions are increasingly seen as hubs for innovation and economic development.
Destinations could benefit from building stronger connections between the tourism sector, universities, and local businesses.
Challenge:
Tourism providers and academic institutions often operate in silos, creating missed opportunities for collaboration.
Research tourists could benefit from integrated service models combining academic resources, business partnerships, and cultural experiences.
- Question for Students:
How can tourism providers and academic institutions create joint offerings that enhance the value of research tourism?

Expectations

The solution should evolve toward a scalable, research-backed, and market-ready model for delivering high-value research tourism experiences. The ideal solution should combine strategic insights with practical implementation potential, creating a clear path for Boost Portugal to enhance its service offerings and position itself as a leader in research tourism.

Strategic Goals for the Solution:
Actionable Customer Insights

A clear understanding of the research tourist’s profile, motivations, and decision-making process.
Identification of the key touchpoints in the customer journey where Boost Portugal can differentiate itself.
Innovative and Scalable Experience Design

Development of innovative in-destination experiences tailored to research tourists.
Integration of both physical and digital touchpoints to create a seamless and engaging experience.
Business Model Adaptation and Monetization

A clear proposal for how Boost Portugal can monetize research tourism experiences (e.g., premium packages, subscription-based access, partnerships with academic institutions).
Scalable solutions that can be extended to different destinations and adapted for different customer segments.
Data-Driven and Tech-Enabled Recommendations

Recommendations for how to use AI, big data, and personalization to enhance the customer experience.
Integration of real-time feedback and behavioral data to improve and refine the experience over time.
Sustainability and Community Impact

Ensure that the solution enhances local communities and minimizes environmental impact.
A model that creates long-term value for both Boost Portugal and the local economy.

Desired Team Profile

For a well-rounded solution focused on AI-driven personalization and digital experience enhancement, the team should have a strong emphasis on technology and data science, supported by business and tourism expertise.

Key Skills and Backgrounds:
AI and Data Science

Machine learning, predictive modeling, and customer behavior analysis.
Real-time personalization and automated customer recommendations.
Digital Platforms and UX/UI

Development of customer-facing platforms (e.g., apps, digital interfaces).
Expertise in user experience (UX) and customer journey mapping.
Business Strategy and Monetization

Business model development, market analysis, and competitive positioning.
Identification of revenue streams from personalized research tourism services.
Tourism and Consumer Behavior

Understanding research tourist motivations and decision-making.
Experience design for tourism and destination management.
Sustainability and Impact

Designing low-impact, high-value tourism models.
Ensuring alignment with local community and environmental goals.
Academic and Research Collaboration

Structuring partnerships with universities and research institutions.
Creating networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities.
Focus on AI and Tech:
AI and machine learning should drive the solution’s personalization and customer engagement.
Real-time data should inform dynamic adjustments in the research tourist’s experience.
Seamless digital platforms should provide easy access to information and tailored recommendations.

Additional Information

Boost Portugal aims to establish a competitive edge in research tourism by leveraging AI-driven personalization and data insights to enhance the customer experience. The company’s R&D focus will center on developing a scalable model that integrates real-time data, machine learning, and customer profiling to create tailored in-destination experiences for research tourists. This involves building a robust digital infrastructure, collaborating with academic institutions to design specialized offerings, and using predictive analytics to anticipate customer needs. The goal is to transform research tourism into a high-value, sustainable segment that differentiates Boost Portugal from competitors and creates long-term strategic value.

Related Keywords

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Applications for Tourism
• Sustainability
• Consumer related
• Computer related