The concept of smart tourism destinations has gained increased attention in research literature and among tourism stakeholders. However, the concept is still considered in need of more in-depth explanations for understanding and making sense of the notion. The contribution of the concept of smart tourism destinations to managerially relevant knowledge is particularly difficult to assess due to its complexity. Therefore, a qualitative text analysis of stakeholder interviews is proposed and conducted using the GABEK® methodology to identify recurring themes in the stakeholders' understanding of smart tourism destinations. The GABEK® methodology aims to represent the texts of open interviews as networks of interrelated keywords to make sense of a complex phenomenon. This study explores how destination stakeholders from two different Swedish destinations make sense of the concept of smart tourism destinations. Study findings show that, from the destination stakeholders' point of view, there is a need to counterbalance the currently dominant focus on technology with softer though more existential values to construct a sustainable path of destination development. As for the theoretical contribution, this study clarifies properties of smart tourism destinations and stakeholders’ sense-making of the concept of smart tourism destination.

智慧旅游目的地的概念在研究文献和旅游利益相关者中越来越受到关注。然而，这个概念仍然被认为需要更深入的解释来理解和理解这个概念。智能概念的贡献由于其复杂性，旅游目的地对管理相关知识的评估尤其困难。因此，提出并使用 GABEK® 方法对利益相关者访谈进行定性文本分析，以确定利益相关者对智慧旅游目的地的理解中反复出现的主题。GABEK® 方法旨在将公开访谈的​​文本表示为相互关联的关键字网络，以理解复杂现象。本研究探讨了来自两个不同瑞典目的地的目的地利益相关者如何理解智能旅游目的地的概念。研究结果表明，从目的地利益相关者的角度来看，有必要平衡当前对技术的主要关注与更软但更存在的价值观，以构建可持续的目的地发展道路。在理论贡献方面，本研究阐明了智慧旅游目的地的属性和利益相关者对智慧旅游目的地概念的理解。