Published on
March 17, 2026
Image generated with Ai
The Spanish city of Elche, located in the province of Alicante in the Valencian Community, is rolling out exciting digital measures aimed at improving how tourists explore its rich cultural and historical heritage. Part of a wider sustainable tourism strategy, the city’s local government is introducing a fully digital Visit Elche Card alongside a network of smart tourist signage across the historic center to boost accessibility and enhance visitor experiences. These innovations are part of Elche’s Tourism Sustainability Plan and are expected to be operational in the second half of 2026.
Digital Tourist Card: Easy Access to Elche’s Top Sights and Services
At the heart of Elche’s tourism overhaul is the Visit Elche Card, a digital pass designed to allow visitors to use their smartphones to access a range of city services and attractions. Available in three time‑based versions—24, 48, and 72 hours—this card aims to make sightseeing in Elche seamless and user‑friendly for travelers. Tourists will be able to download the digital card directly to their mobile devices via official channels.
Each variant of the card offers progressively more benefits: the shortest‑duration option includes access to municipal museums, use of the city’s tourist train, and ticketless travel on urban buses; longer‑duration cards will expand access to additional museums, guided tours, and even city bicycle services. By consolidating entry tickets, transport passes and discounts into one digital platform, the Visit Elche Card eliminates the need for physical tickets and streamlines the experience for visitors.
Officials believe that this approach will not only make Elche easier to navigate but also encourage travelers to explore beyond the most well‑known landmarks and discover more of the city’s hidden gems. The city council anticipates that the convenience of the Visit Elche Card will contribute to longer stays and higher visitor satisfaction.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Smart Signage: Multilingual, Inclusive Information Across the City
In addition to the digital card, Elche is investing in a comprehensive smart tourist signage system. More than 20 points in the historic centre will be equipped with interactive information panels, digital totems, and signs that help visitors find their way while learning about local heritage, monuments, and cultural sites.
The signage will feature QR codes that tourists can scan with their phones to instantly access detailed information in multiple languages, including Spanish, Valencian, English and French. This digital innovation will help enrich the self‑guided tours of Elche’s historic treasures—such as the Basilica of Santa María, the Calahorra Tower, and the ancient Arab Baths—making it easier to understand their significance and context.
Advertisement
Advertisement
To improve accessibility for visitors with visual impairments, the system will integrate Navilens technology. This allows users to scan codes from a distance and receive audio guidance, ensuring that information is inclusive for all travelers. City planners say this technology supports Elche’s broader goals of equitable tourism and universal design.
Boosting Sustainability and Visitor Insights with Data
Beyond serving tourists directly, the new digital infrastructure is expected to help Elche gather anonymized data about visitor behavior and patterns. This information will provide city officials with insights into how long tourists stay in different parts of the city, which attractions are most popular, and how visitors typically move around.
By analyzing this data, Elche’s tourism authorities will be better equipped to plan future promotional campaigns, improve services and tailor new experiences to the preferences of different traveler segments. This data‑driven approach aligns with broader sustainable tourism goals found in national and regional tourism strategies, which emphasize responsible growth, cultural preservation and economic benefits for local communities.
Supporting Local Culture and the Economy
Elche’s tourism innovation doesn’t exist in isolation. The city is known for its rich heritage, including the Palmeral of Elche—Europe’s largest palm grove and a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and vibrant cultural events that attract international attention.
By integrating digital tools with cultural experiences, Elche is creating a stronger, more dynamic tourist offer that appeals to modern travelers who value convenience, accessibility and authentic encounters. Local businesses, museums, transport providers and tour operators stand to benefit from increased visitation and improved tourism flows, further supporting the city’s economy.
What to Expect in 2026 and Beyond
With a combined investment of roughly €280,000, the digital card and smart signage projects mark a significant step in Elche’s tourism strategy. The local council expects the Visit Elche Card and the accompanying smart information network to be fully launched in mid to late 2026, offering both first‑time and returning visitors a refreshed way to discover the city.
Tourism officials emphasise that this initiative will strengthen Elche’s position not only as a historic and cultural destination but also as an accessible, innovative and forward‑thinking city ready to compete in an increasingly digital travel landscape.
Conclusion: A More Connected and Insightful Visitor Experience
Elche’s embrace of digital tourism tools sets a new benchmark for visitor engagement in Spain’s Mediterranean destinations. By combining the VisitElche Card with smart signage and accessibility technologies, the city is enhancing both the convenience and depth of travel experiences for tourists. As these developments become fully operational later in 2026, Elche aims to stand out as a city that not only preserves its heritage but also welcomes the future of travel in a digital age.
