What are the Traveltech for Scotland Tech Collectives?
Traveltech for Scotland has developed a series of Tech Collectives, bringing together SME’s to work together, experimenting with and applying technology in new and innovative ways to address business challenges and recovery in the tourism and hospitality sectors. Each Tech Collective has produced some valuable resources for industry.
What are the Traveltech for Scotland Tech Collectives?
The Traveltech for Scotland Tech Collectives are a series of funded projects, which, to date, have enabled tourism and hospitality SME’s and organisations to trial new technologies to address ongoing business issues in a collaborative, risk-free environment, where otherwise the attractions may not have had either the funds or human resources to do this. Funding has allowed these trials to be facilitated with the help of digital and tourism and tech experts.
Why ‘Collectives’?
To date, Traveltech for Scotland has found that the act of working together to share problems and challenges helps SME’s which otherwise may not have the human or economic resources to invest in technology. More can be achieved together as a collective and the benefits tend to be greater and longer-term in a collective approach. Working in collaboration, businesses can share ideas and knowledge, expertise and experience, but can also learn from each other and create new and lasting relationships which can be beneficial way after the original project ends.
Which Challenges have Tech Collectives addressed ?
So far, The Traveltech for Scotland Tech Collectives have addressed:
Enabling visitor attractions to experiment and trial technology to address common challenges, such as membership management, seasonal passes, contactless donations, revenue generation, digital marketing and more
New or unexplored technologies for tourism SME’s such as NFT’s and the Metaverse – how to approach and how this technology could potentially be used in tourism contexts, with examples
Technology to address labour shortages in the hospitality industry: recruitment, retention, efficiencies in back office and front of house, scheduling staff, automation and more
Empowering tourism and hospitality SME’s within a specific tourism destination/area by enabling them to access small grants and expertise to improve their digital skills and increase their autonomy and confidence when using digital technologies
What have been the main benefits for SME’s?
The benefits to SME’s have been multiple and have depended on the synergy between businesses and their respective aims however some of the key ones emerging:
Businesses can trial new technologies in a risk-free environment with help and advice while doing so
SME’s can develop and learn vital new digital skills to equip them to future-proof their businesses
·Businesses can build confidence in how they approach, understand and access digital technologies – losing the fear and taking calculated risks is important for micro businesses in the sector
SME’s can share knowledge, insights and learn from each other via collaboration, often developing longer-term benefits outside of the initial project
Staff can help transfer newly acquired digital skills to others, extending the value of digital skills within the organisation for greater efficiency and resource savings, as well as business sustainability.