Dear Colleagues,

In the current digital era, the connection between social media platforms and smart tourism is quite important. Social media sites like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok are effective resources for travelers looking for ideas and knowledge (Farrell et al., 2022). They provide a variety of user-generated content, eye-catching images, and real-time updates that pique travel decisions and create wanderlust. Travelers boost their trust in their decisions by relying on the veracity of recommendations and evaluations from other users. These platforms are also essential for destination marketing since they enable tourism stakeholders to communicate with passengers directly, reach a worldwide audience, and use influencer partnerships for efficient promotion (Kalini? & Vuji?i?, 2022).Smart tourism is made possible by the real-time capabilities of social media platforms, which give visitors the most recent information on the weather, traffic, and activities (Del Vecchio et al., 2018). This quick access enables tourists to prepare accordingly, make wise decisions, and maximize their overall trip experience (Buhalis & Amaranggana, 2013). Additionally, social media encourages participation and enhances customer service by facilitating direct communication between travelers and tourism companies (Leung et al., 2013). This interactive component improves the entire visitor experience and enables companies to quickly respond to questions and complaints from tourists. Smart tourism benefits from customization thanks to social media. In order to customize recommendations and offers to meet specific interests, travel service providers might collect information and insights about travelers' preferences and habits. Additionally, these platforms act as hubs for crowdsourced travel itineraries, enabling users to use shared wisdom and experiences to streamline trip preparation and improve the caliber of their travels (Karmakar & Sahib, 2017).

In conclusion, there is a dynamic and synergistic interaction between social media platforms and smart tourism. These platforms have significantly changed how tourists find, organize, and enjoy their vacations. As social media and technology advance, their impact on the traveler's experience and the development of innovative smart tourism practices will remain crucial.

So, research articles, reviews and studies in this area of study are welcome. We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Mahmoud Alghizzawi

Section Editor