Digital: Managing overtourism in the mountains: the "Skadii Flow" software arrives

A technological solution based on artificial intelligence capable of monitoring tourist flows in real time and thus better managing the phenomenon of overtourism in the mountains. Called "skadii Flow," it was designed and developed by the South Tyrolean software company skadii , part of the Hti Group, and has already been adopted by several ski resorts, and now also by tourist destinations like Vipiteno, which, thanks to this new tool, have decided to concretely address the issue of sustainability by managing the ever-increasing number of visitors in their areas. "Skadii Flow has already established itself during the winter in some ski resorts, thanks to its ability to precisely count the number of skiers on individual sections of slopes.

"After extensive testing, the camera is now also in use in the summer, accurately distinguishing and counting bikers and hikers," explains Lukas Emberger, CEO of skadii. And Florian Mair, director of the Vipiteno Tourist Association, confirms: "Thanks to skadii Flow, we have detailed analyses of visitor numbers and behavior, which allows us to develop the city in a targeted manner and make it even more attractive." The increase in mass tourism in popular Alpine destinations poses significant challenges: crowded trails, long lines for cable cars, and constantly full parking lots not only put a strain on the environment and local communities, but also risk compromising the visitor experience. A technology developed in South Tyrol now demonstrates, after an extensive testing phase, how it is possible to efficiently and responsibly manage the influx of tourists. Based on artificial intelligence, "skadii Flow" uses special cameras that can be easily integrated into existing structures to monitor the number of people in real time (distinguishing hikers from bikers, etc.). and vehicles at strategic points, such as trails, cable car stations, and parking lots, ensuring complete anonymity and respect for privacy. This allows tourist destinations to receive precise data on traffic patterns, allowing them to intervene promptly and in a targeted manner.

Thanks to detailed crowding information, it's possible to anticipate and guide visitor flows. This opens up new tourism management opportunities: on-demand shuttles, live updates on web platforms, and guidance on less-frequented alternative routes. This data, which is promptly anonymized, allows for more efficient resource planning, from staff management to parking organization. All this, on peak days, makes the tourist experience more enjoyable and relaxing, and ensures ever-increasing sustainability of the mountain environment.