Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly affected human societies worldwide. This study focused on the socio-economic development of the western border region of the Czech Republic, specifically comparing municipalities within protected areas (Šumava National Park, established in 1991, and Bohemian Forest Protected Landscape Area, established in 2005) and those outside protected areas. A total of 39 municipalities of similar size and history were included, and 17 socio-economic indicators covering demography, landscape use, and municipality income were studied. Data recorded in 1991, 2001, 2011, and 2021 were used to describe the development of the study regions over the last 30 years, compare the situation shortly after the establishment of protected areas with the last decade, and identify changes in the economy following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019–2021. ANOVA was performed to determine the association between the size and location of a municipality (outside or inside a protected area) and the socio-economic indicators. The results showed significant changes in demography, landscape use, and the economy during the studied period of 1991–2021. A few insignificant but noticeable trends were detected in population aging and the number of educated residents with a university degree. The most significant changes over time were found in municipalities located in the national park. However, contrary to expectations, there were no substantial population movements to the municipalities in protected areas during the COVID-19 pandemic. The demographic and economic changes followed a very similar trend during the studied years and were more dependent on municipality size than on other factors. This result is likely influenced by globally limited business and tourist activities in 2019–2021.

Abstract This paper evaluates the Smart Tourism Destination indicators and Standards for Sustainable and Smart Cities applied in Tourist Resorts in São Paulo State, Brazil, through the “DTI-BR Model”. This model selects the most suitable indicators for the Brazilian context, drawing on sources like SEGITTUR (the Spanish State-owned Company for the Management of Innovation and Tourism Technologies) and the Brazilian Technical Standards for Smart Cities. The study emphasizes the importance of using indicators to assess and standardize the evaluation of municipal tourism departments, highlighting their role in optimizing tourist resources, and underscores the necessity for tourist destinations to comprehend and integrate these indicators fully to improve service quality, environmental management, and the overall tourist experience. The process of standardizing these indicators not only allows for effective comparisons across various destinations but also aids in identifying and adopting best practices. This approach is poised to make significant contributions towards the sustainable development of tourism by promoting the conservation of both natural and cultural resources, alongside stimulating local economic growth. By understanding and implementing these indicators, tourist destinations can enhance the quality of their services, environmental management, and tourist experience. Moreover, standardizing indicators facilitates comparison across different destinations and the identification of best practices. This can significantly contribute to the sustainable development of tourism, promoting the conservation of natural and cultural resources, as well as boosting the local economy. Therefore, the adoption of Smart Tourism Destination indicators and standards for sustainable and smart cities is crucial for fostering responsible and high-quality tourism.