‘Tourism and Technology’ will be the theme of the 2008 Tourism Innovation Day, being held on February 28 at Hampden Park, Glasgow.
The event, aimed at Scottish tourism organisations, will explore advances in digital, mobile and business technology in relation to the tourism sector.
Sabre Holdings chief innovator and vice president Ben Vinod and representatives from Holiday Autos and Lastminute.com are already signed up as speakers at the event, organised by the Tourism Innovation Group (TiG).
In addition to these keynote speakers sessions, there will be four workshops focusing on the use of technology in different stages of the customer journey from looking and booking to stimulating returners.
Sue Crossman, project director for TiG, said: “With the ever increasing use of the web coupled with mobile phone advances, new technology lets the customer source better deals and they expect much more customised tourist information.
“Tourism businesses, large and small, cannot afford to stand still. They really need to embrace technology now and make investments in hardware, software and support services.
“It’s a hard call, I know, but this event will help them to learn from businesses already applying the wonders of technology and will let them gain valuable information and knowledge that they can adopt in their own businesses.”
Tickets for the event cost £130 plus VAT and include lunch.
Discounts are available for micro businesses of four or less employees and for an organisation sending three or more participants.
See www.tourisminnovationday.com for more details.
By Bev Fearis
