7 MARCH 2018 – ITB Berlin is the world’s leading travel trade show – so naturally the European Capital of Smart Tourism is taking centre stage. On Thursday morning representatives from Helsinki and Lyon were on the eTravel stage to showcase the smart tourism measures that are in place in the two cities. An audience of technology journalists and stakeholders from the travel tech sector were clearly impressed by the cutting edge solutions presented by Blandine Thenet from Lyon and Jukka Punamäki from Helsinki.
Jukka kicked the event off by explaining how Helsinki is pioneering an open interface of three databases to offer up-to-date information about places, events and activities to anyone using the myHelsinki website – or the services of a company that has partnered with the city’s marketing department. He was then joined on stage by Blandine, who took the audience through Lyon’s groundbreaking new app – ONLYLYON Experience. The first visitors will be able to download the app later this month – they can expect push notifications, with activity suggestions that are precisely tailored towards their preferences.
Members of the public also had the opportunity to learn about the European Capital of Smart Tourism initiative at our stand – getting an insight into how the European Commission is helping the EU to respond to new challenges and demands in a fast changing sector. Representatives from the two 2019 Smart Tourism Capitals were also on hand to showcase the smart tourism measures in place in the two 2019 capitals. Visitors could even experience the two cities in VR and video formats – some even stayed behind for a photo in our special booth (you can check out our Facebook page to see some of the photo highlights).
Does your city have smart measures such as these in place? If so, make sure you apply here!
7 MARCH 2018 – ITB Berlin is the world’s leading travel trade show – so naturally the European Capital of Smart Tourism is taking centre stage. On Thursday morning representatives from Helsinki and Lyon were on the eTravel stage to showcase the smart tourism measures that are in place in the two cities. An audience of technology journalists and stakeholders from the travel tech sector were clearly impressed by the cutting edge solutions presented by Blandine Thenet from Lyon and Jukka Punamäki from Helsinki.
Jukka kicked the event off by explaining how Helsinki is pioneering an open interface of three databases to offer up-to-date information about places, events and activities to anyone using the myHelsinki website – or the services of a company that has partnered with the city’s marketing department. He was then joined on stage by Blandine, who took the audience through Lyon’s groundbreaking new app – ONLYLYON Experience. The first visitors will be able to download the app later this month – they can expect push notifications, with activity suggestions that are precisely tailored towards their preferences.
Members of the public also had the opportunity to learn about the European Capital of Smart Tourism initiative at our stand – getting an insight into how the European Commission is helping the EU to respond to new challenges and demands in a fast changing sector. Representatives from the two 2019 Smart Tourism Capitals were also on hand to showcase the smart tourism measures in place in the two 2019 capitals. Visitors could even experience the two cities in VR and video formats – some even stayed behind for a photo in our special booth (you can check out our Facebook page to see some of the photo highlights).
Does your city have smart measures such as these in place? If so, make sure you apply here!