Is the digital transformation of Spanish wine tourism progressing? Barriers and challenges

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25145/j.pasos.2026.24.023

Keywords:

Wine Tourism, Digitalization, Sustainability, Wine Routes, Spain

Abstract

The Spanish wine tourism sector is undergoing a digital transition. This quantitative study analyses the level of technological adoption and the perceptions of 356 wine route entities in Spain. The results reveal widespread use of basic tools such as email and social media. However, the implementation of advanced technologies such as customer relationship management systems and marketing automation is significantly low. The main barriers to this adoption are a lack of technological knowledge and a lack of budget. Regarding Generative Artificial Intelligence, there is considerable uncertainty about its potential to improve marketing personalisation and decision-making. The study concludes that these barriers must be overcome through investment, training and collaboration to optimize management and achieve sustainable development in the sector.

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Instituto Universitario de Investigación Social y Turismo. Universidad de La Laguna (España) - Instituto Universitario da Maia ISMAI (Portugal)

Author Biography

Manuel Velasco-Carretero, Escuela de Doctorado Universidad de Málaga

De incorporación extemporánea a la escuela por la necesidad de colaboración en la economía agrícola y ganadera familiar, ha ejercido de pastor, aprendiz de agricultor, camarero, pasante en bufete, ejecutivo de cuentas, titulado mercantil, economista, abogado, director de auditoría interna (en Euromarket), director general de cooperativas (en Punta Paloma-donut y Scaavo-Hojiblanca), secretario general organización empresarial (Cecap Andalucía - FACEP), socio de la entidad de capital riesgo M Capital (participada por UnicajaCajamarBBVA, Cajasur...) en Interempleo y en Servicios Empresariales de Consultoría Integrada (Sercoda) y director de casas de oficio (Oficios en la casa del Vino y Málaga Recurso Enológico), entre otras dedicaciones. En la actualidad, se encuentra realizando un doctorado interuniversitario en Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales (Turismo) a la par que profesor PSI - PDI en el Departamento de Derecho Público (áreas de Derecho Administrativo y de Derecho Penal) de la Universidad de Málaga (UMA) e investigador vía Oficina de Transferencia Resultados de la Investigación – OTRI-UMA, habiendo ejercido el Compliance, la docencia, la consultoría, la abogacía y la administración concursal.

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Published

2026-04-29

How to Cite

Velasco-Carretero, M., Guevara-Plaza, A., & Rossi-Jiménez, C. (2026). Is the digital transformation of Spanish wine tourism progressing? Barriers and challenges. PASOS Revista De Turismo Y Patrimonio Cultural, 24(2), 337–358. https://doi.org/10.25145/j.pasos.2026.24.023