COIMBRA Sustainable Tourism LLMLarge Language Models applied to create better experiences for tourists and local communities, whilst supporting the development of a Sustainable Tourism Destination

Located on the banks of the Mondego River, Coimbra is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its historic university and cultural richness. Despite its popularity, tourism in Coimbra faces challenges such as short stays, seasonal visitor peaks, and pressures on the historic centre. While tourism significantly contributes to local economic growth, sustainable solutions are essential to balance benefits for visitors, residents and businesses.

The COIMBRA Sustainable Tourism LLM project seeks to position Coimbra as a global model for sustainable tourism. By leveraging AI, data integration and innovative practices, the project aims to transform Coimbra into a welcoming, smart and sustainable destination that integrates local communities, businesses and tourists into a cohesive framework.

A key feature is the Welcome Centre 4.0, a cutting-edge facility equipped with immersive technologies and AI tools to provide personalised experiences, while  showcasing Coimbra’s heritage.

The project includes a Large Language Model-based portal for personalised travel planning and decision-making support to local stakeholders, a Labor Observatory to upskill and reskill the workforce, and an international certification model to foster sustainable tourism. Two pilot initiatives, on sustainable mobility and waste management, are set to address environmental challenges in the UNESCO site.

Expected results include a 20% increase in tourists' average stay, improved workforce skills for over 2000 trainees, and enhanced sustainability across the tourism sector. By uniting innovative technology with sustainable principles, Coimbra will set a benchmark for other cities worldwide.