A new digital innovation to support tourism has been launched at an initial partner meeting in the RDI Hub in Killorglin.
The Western Development Commission commenced the Digital Innovation in the Blue Economy to Support Tourism (DIBEST) project, funded by a European Regional Development Fund grant exceeding €2 million.
It aims to enhance the digital capabilities of the blue economy and social tourism sector in Ireland’s Atlantic area and beyond over the next three years.
It will enable small and medium companies to grow the marine tourism sector through the identification and adoption of best-in-class digital technologies.
This aligns with the Western Development Commission’s strategic aim to connect our unique regional offerings, in terms of communities, coastline and experiences, with global visitors.
The gathering heard that tourism micro, small and medium enterprises have long been the backbone of the Atlantic area’s economy and culture, offering a diverse range of services from accommodation and food to tours and entertainment.
However, the digital age has shifted the business landscape, often favouring larger enterprises like, for example, a tour operator without an online booking system who relies solely on phone bookings.
Such businesses are potentially losing out on customers to more digitally advanced providers who offer online booking capabilities. The new initiative aims to target this type of business and assist them in levelling the playing field.
A digital toolkit will be created as well as a comprehensive training programme that emphasises shared learning, mentoring and business matchmaking on digital transformation, innovation and technologies.
The RDI Hub is a not-for-profit public private partnership comprised of Fexco, Kerry County Council and the Munster Technological University.
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