digi-lodgeShifting Greek regions to “Tourism 2.0” through ERDF

Yannis Larios // 16.01.2012 // Regiostars 2012 – The Awards for Innovative Projects

Greece has been linked to the crisis…Greece has been linked to the crisis…

… yet the collective perception on Greece, still holds true!

There exist bright spots of growth

There exist bright spots of growth

Tourism!

… the “heavy industry” of Greece

… has this specific look!

… Tourism is a major GDP contributor

… but Tourism is also a major employer

840.000 jobs840.000 jobs

… a recent McKinsey report*, identified

* Greece 10 Years Ahead – Tourism and Growth

Weak “reach” Weak “reach” in emerging tourism marketsin emerging tourism markets

CondensedCondensed tourist season tourist season

Low use of Low use of multi-channel platformsmulti-channel platforms to step- to step-improve improve pre-visit experiencepre-visit experience

Tourism How do you move it forward?

Tourism 2.0…step-up in innovation!

Nowadays, tourism is about shared experiences

… and these are our “Ambassadors”: Visitors!

…it’s them that build the brand of the country

yet…

We have to change that!

digi-lodgeinfuse service innovation to

hotels & lodges across Greeceby harnessing ERDF

Go Directly to the Real Economywith a “swiping” initiative

Infused Service InnovationInfused Service Innovation

co-financed “co-financed “service innovationservice innovation” in:” in:• multi-lingual websites, with multi-lingual websites, with obligatory e-booking systemsobligatory e-booking systems

• secure transaction platformssecure transaction platforms

• content management systems for touristic contentcontent management systems for touristic content

• online real-time services to clientsonline real-time services to clients

• mobile applicationsmobile applications

• backoffice and frontoffice systems that enhance the hotel’s backoffice and frontoffice systems that enhance the hotel’s efficiency efficiency (CRM, Inventory systems, Hotel Management software etc.)(CRM, Inventory systems, Hotel Management software etc.)

•InhouseInhouse wireless networking facilitieswireless networking facilities

digi-lodge accelerated “digital investments” at hotels and lodges

enhanced “enhanced “digital exposuredigital exposure” through financing:” through financing:• Search Engine Optimisation servicesSearch Engine Optimisation services

• Digital marketing and promotion campaigns Digital marketing and promotion campaigns

• Strategic use of Social media for promotionStrategic use of Social media for promotion

digi-lodge accelerated “digital investments” at hotels and lodges

Innovation in the Submission Process:Innovation in the Submission Process:Transparency and speedTransparency and speed

Innovation in auditingInnovation in auditing

total total envisaged budgetenvisaged budget per hotel/ lodge per hotel/ lodge

€€7.000 - €40.0007.000 - €40.000 ((according to stars-ratings or key-ratings)according to stars-ratings or key-ratings)

60%60% Initial available budget (public financing): Initial available budget (public financing): €45 €45 mil.mil.

National Private contribution: National Private contribution: €30 €30 mil.mil.

digi-lodge co-financing support

Phenomenal participation!Phenomenal participation!CC – Flickr user buck82

2.8592.859hotels successfully evaluated as eligiblehotels successfully evaluated as eligible

1.8001.800hotels’ digital investments concludedhotels’ digital investments concluded

SustainabilityHotels that embrace the digital-eracan never abandon efficiency gains!

Partnershipscountry-wide initiative that

combines regional needs

“Portable” to EU regions

Regional impact

digi-lodgeShifting Greece to “Tourism 2.0” through ERDF

Yannis Larios // Digital Aid – Information Society SA

Thank you!