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E-tourism meetings, tomorrow’s tourism will be sustainable

The 16th edition of the National E-Tourism Meetings was held from October 13 to 15 (1), at the Palais Beaumont (64). The aim is to continue to provide efficient support to tourism players, particularly in the digital age.

Passing the crisis, tourism in the woods

The National Encounters of Surprisingism were able to take place in a strict health context. On the agenda, many stakeholders, mobilized to face the crisis today, as well as to prepare the tourism of tomorrow. The guest of honour for this edition was Charles-Edouard GIRARD, founder of Home Exchange, the home exchange platform

UNITEC, Ludovic DUBLANCHET and MONA co-hosted the event. UNITEC, in particular, reaffirms its position as an accompanist for startups in the Bordeaux region (2). For his part, Ludovic BLANCHET has been supporting the digital strategies of organizations for many years, as a Digital Destination Agitator. Finally, MONA – Mission of the Tourist Offices of New Aquitaine supports on its territory the professionalization of tourism players (3).

The themes covered revolved around the “next world”, the importance of taking into account the customer relationship in an omnichannel way, or the territorial initiatives to be implemented. Particular attention has been paid to the current crisis, which is particularly severely affecting the tourism sector.

Indeed, a workshop was dedicated to adaptation and rebound in times of crisis.

Crises bring their share of dangers but also new opportunities, they are fertile breeding ground for innovation and often prove that we are able to reinvent ourselves and imagine lasting solutions for the future.

Valentine HUCHOT, Yescapa Communications Director

Innovating to advance, discoveries and good ideas

The National Encounters of Surprisingism were also dedicated to innovation. A specific space, the Village Start-up, featured more than 50 entities. They were able to meet significant players and territories in the world of tourism, such as Bordeaux, Quebec, Ile-de-Ré or Crédit Agricole.

In tourism, innovation is focused on the quest for productivity and competitiveness. Under the aegis of Jean-Luc BOULIN, Co-President of the Francophonies of Tourism Innovation, several innovative solutions were on the front page (form, taste…). First of all, Myriel and its Green spots or Green Bubble, presented by Cyrielle NAU, an “eco-station, charging point electric vehicles and route discovered your domain or territory by electric bike, in mehari”.

Or the Patxamama restaurant in Bayonne, run by Chef Nicolas BOUCHARD, which mixes with surprising local cuisine and Inspiration from South America. Finally, Charlotte THIENPONT presented Prune, a turnkey catering solution for hoteliers, based on organic jars. The containers are in themselves innovative, as they keep food cool for 30 days.

The key word: sustainable tourism in the heart of New Aquitaine

Crisis, innovation, tourism is now being invented in a sustainable way. The National Encounters of Surprisingism was finally an opportunity to present a substantial action plan towards responsible tourism.

A first, towards an Iso2021 certification “Responsible International Destination” . According to Olivier OCCELLI and Julie BENISTY OVIEDO, of Bordeaux Tourisme and Congress, nine French cities are moving towards this certification. These include Cannes, Biarritz, Metz, Rennes, Nancy, Deauville, Marseille, Nantes and Bordeaux.

This approach is based on several commitments: mobility, the development of heritage, responsible consumption, the involvement of professionals in a sustainable dynamic… A consistent work initiated by Bordeaux Metropole, the Office of Tourism and Congresses, the Congress and Exhibitions of Bordeaux.

The sustainability of tourism thus focuses on proximity, in a context rather favourable to this “reconcentration”. To begin this transition, the impetus lies in coordinated local initiatives, such as “Stay asleep in Bordeaux”. From November 1 to January 3, 2021, hoteliers offer special prices for new Aquitaine residents. In addition, New Aquitaines benefit from Citypass and merchant vouchers, up to 100 euros (4).

Sources:

  1. Release National Encounters of Surprisingness, workshops accessible here
  2. “In 2019, Unitec has supported 120 start-ups and has a sustainability rate of companies followed by 86% at 5 years.” News release, Ibid.
  3. “10 people for about 155 tourist offices, about fifteen tourist territories or more than 1,400 employees”.
  4. Operation Stay asleep in Bordeaux

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