Simple Structures to Tackle Complex Problems

This paper investigates the use of data-driven and interpretative models to support urban and territorial planning, with a specific focus on tourism as a complex spatial system. It introduces STESY (Sustainable Tourism Ecosystem), a methodological framework that classifies and interprets tourism destinations based on georeferenced data, spatial relationships, and thematic value chains. The model defines Specialized Tourism Destination Areas (DAs) as functional territorial units identified through the spatial coherence of attractions, services, and accessibility, rather than through predefined administrative boundaries.