Boosting the tourism sector in Europe through digital tools and innovation
High-level DIGITOUR project event
13 September 2023, Burgas, Bulgaria
ABOUT THE EVENT
Welcome to the high-level event of DIGITOUR project, themed “Boosting the tourism sector in Europe through digital tools and innovation”. DIGITOUR project is focused on supporting SMEs through two types of vouchers, targeting different levels of digital maturity. The Up-skilling and Capacity Building Voucher (1) and The Collaboration Innovation Voucher (2) are geared towards the achievement of diverse objectives: from targeting individual SMEs willing to increase their skills and knowledge of digital tools and technologies to foster their competitiveness and scale-up (voucher 1), to targeting groups of SMEs (Voucher 2) wishing to cooperate on innovative projects at national or transnational level. DIGITOUR project (101038133)” is funded through the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA), entrusted by the European Commission, under the COSME Programme COS-TOURINN-2020-3-04.
The event is set to share results and knowledge gained (through voucher 1), good practices and lessons learned, as well as to demonstrate the collaborations created (voucher 2). The event will be a platform to discover the Black Sea region of Bulgaria and the city of Burgas, to connect different international players and create new planning’s and opportunities.
By organising this high-level event, the DIGITOUR Consortium would like to emphasize the importance of the tourism industry and how through transnational and cross-sectorial collaboration to find novel solutions for efficient and sustainable management, the development of new products and services, which are key of sustainability, and the marketing of tourism offers towards the needs of target customers.
The event will take place in Burgas, Bulgaria, as well as will allow remote participation. For further information, please check the venue, accommodation and registration section on the website.
#LEARNING CURVE
- We will look at significant issues across the entire life cycle of DIGITOUR project – from the establishment of its consortium and setting up the objectives, to building networks to reach and engage with the target groups
- We will hear the different points of view – those of the digital providers, beneficiaries (tourism SMEs) and media
- We will look at which KPIs measure the effectiveness of the project
- We will try to find solutions for problems or still open issues
- We will set the grounds for future collaboration and use of the products created
#Collaboration
The B2B event will connect the following target groups:
- Public sector – local and international
- Industry Associations – local and international (tourism boards, cvbs)
- Private sector (SMEs) – local and international, Tourism and ICT sector
This event will enable participants to attend high-level presentations and discussions aimed at improving practical skills, exchanging experience with professionals and companies in the ICT industry and to have successful communication with other business circles in Europe. An additional benefit to all participants is the opportunity to attend the Clusters Meet Regions event in Burgas (14 & 15 September), where the DIGITOUR project will be additionally presented.
Draft Agenda
The draft agenda is available online here.
Participation in the event is free of charge but requires pre-registration through the following link.
The link provides an opportunity to plan your participation and indicate your interests through all planned activities (DIGITOUR high-level event on 13 September, Clusters meet Regions event on 14 & 15 September).
Download the Practical Guidance to facilitate your participation in the Event.
Note: DIGITOUR high-level event on 13 September will allow online participation, while the Clusters Meet Regions programme will be only in person.
| Registration and networking coffee |
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Welcoming and setting up the scene: defining objectives of the event, presenting DIGITOUR Consortium and project.
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| Setting up the scene (defining objectives of the event: results and outcomes, lessons learned throughout the project execution, as well as to discuss the potential for future collaboration and expansion of the activities and networks created) |
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Welcoming address and presentation of the Bulgarian Convention Bureau
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Block I: Digital tools and technologies to improve competitiveness and resilience of Tourism SMEs: Materials and resources developed under the project and available to SMEs:
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Block I: Digital tools and technologies to improve competitiveness and resilience of Tourism SMEs: Digital readiness
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Block II: Collaboration in action, Part I: DIGITAL MINDS >> welcoming on the stage some of the digital providers, being part of the project implementation, to give their view on the collaboration with tourism SMEs, as well as new products available.
Special guests:
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Improving digital maturity, skills, and capacities of Tourism SMEs: dynamic Q&A session, giving the floor to tourism SMEs to ask questions and seek solutions from digital providers. Facilitator of the session: Ludek Kuhr, BizGarden, Member of DIGITOUR consortium |
| Networking lunch |
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Block II: Collaboration in action, Part II: TOURISM (Giving the floor to DIGITOUR Voucher 2 beneficiaries to present their projects and consortia; each presentation will last 4 minutes, following identical format; would be available for on-line and on-site participants) Moderation: Teodora Jilkova, Veritas Cluster, Member of DIGITOUR Consortium The final order will be confirmed, based on the status of participation.
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| Coffee break |
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Block III: Learning curve > Tutoring and Mentoring. Moderation:
Inputs and Discussion
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Block IV: Sustainable solutions and effective models Keynote speech and moderation of the discussion:
Inputs and Discussion:
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Building for the future (an overview of funding instruments available for tourism & creative industries sectors; how SMEs to collaborate better with EEN)
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| Q & A |
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Wrap-up, Next Steps & Closing
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Networking dinner for all participants.
CONSORTIUM
MAIN CONFERENCE VENUE
The event will take place in Hotel Bulgaria, Burgas
Over forty years of hospitality experience combined with innovational spirit and the desire to improve, find their expression in hotel Bulgaria’s philosophy – personal attention, excellent service, and first class comfort.
The hotel is situated in the center of Burgas and offers contemporary and elegant accommodation units, a magnificent Convention center of 380 sq. m., two restaurants & three Bars, a professional SPA center with an indoor swimming pool and fitness facilities, underground parking lots. The beach and the Sea Garden are just 10 minutes away on foot, the central railway and bus station are 100 meters away, and the airport can be reached in 15 minutes by car.
Hotel Bulgaria offers totally 194 signature & comfortable accommodation units, distributed into 30 contemporary Deluxe rooms,one of them for people with special needs, 32 Classical rooms & 121 standards rooms. Themagnificent 6 Deluxe Apartments & 5 Classic apartments at the top floors of the hotel feature inspiring views over the Black Sea, luxury ambience as well as extensive amenities and services.
Hotel Bulgaria Conference Hall boasts with 380 sq. m flexible meeting space. The hall could comfortably accommodate 414 delegates in theatre style seating, 368 pax in Classroom seating, 80 pax in U-shape set up, 300 pax in Banqueting set up, 320 in cocktail style and 82 pax Board meetings. For your privacy and comfort, we also offer two VIP halls, suitable for business meetings, lunches and dinners.
Our flexible meeting space can accommodate different events from intimate gatherings to receptions for up to 380 guests. Through a mobile modular system, our conference center can be easily divided into four smaller halls with an area of 95 sq. m. Each of them can function completely independently. They in turn can be configured according to the type of event and number of guests. The four multifunctional halls meet all modern standards and requirements.
ACCOMODATION
Pictures – Morning Session
Pictures – Afternoon Session
Location
Hotel Bulgaria, Burgas
Contact us
For further details, please do not hesitate to contact us at: