Girona Deploys Smart Sensors to Manage Tourism and Protect Heritage

The city of Girona in Spain’s Catalonia region has deployed nine mobile signal–detecting sensors across its historic Barri Vell district to monitor visitor flows anonymously. The system, part of the municipality’s Menja’t Girona smart tourism strategy, captures mobile device signals without storing personal data, enabling real-time tracking of tourist volumes, movement patterns, peak visiting hours, and popular routes.

This €20,524 investment is complemented by an additional €17,619 spent on sensors embedded in tourist coach parking zones, with the initiative supported by European Union funding. Insights from the technology will help manage overcrowding, guide infrastructure improvements, and protect Girona’s medieval streets, walls, and squares from excessive wear.

The data is also expected to aid long-term tourism planning, ensuring more balanced visitor distribution throughout the year and enhancing both resident and tourist experiences while safeguarding the city’s cultural heritage.