The Demo Pilot Tourism 4.0 project (TRL 7–9), in which high-tech companies and the tourism sector were structurally connected for the first time, was the successor to the largest research and development project in the field of tourism in Slovenian history, known as Tourism 4.0 TRL 3–6.
Arctur was the project coordinator and leader of a strong consortium of 14 partners. The aim of the project was to identify and harmonise dispersed ideas, experience, knowledge and expertise through mutual cooperation, thereby achieving an exceptional application of Industry 4.0 technologies in Slovenian tourism and establishing a dedicated demonstration tourism infrastructure known as the Tourism 4.0 Living Lab.
The project took place during the challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic, which had a particularly severe impact on the tourism sector. For this reason, the project partners applied their knowledge and skills to develop a set of Tourism 4.0 technological solutions. The Smart Motorhome Parking 4.0 innovation also received the Gold Award for Best Innovation from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, Northern Primorska region, in 2021.
Through the Demo Pilot Tourism 4.0 project, the participating partners made an important contribution to increasing the added value of Slovenian tourism. As part of the project, 22 new Tourism 4.0 technological solutions and 3 Tourism 4.0 business models were developed, while 204 Tourism 4.0 stakeholders and 233,313 active Tourism 4.0 tourists were included. These achievements are proudly presented in the Demo Pilot Tourism 4.0 booklet.
“Local residents want modern tourists whose behaviour contributes to the positive effects of tourism on the local environment and does not reduce their quality of life. Only in this way can tourism be truly sustainable. This was also the main guiding principle of the Demo Pilot Tourism 4.0 TRL 7–9 project, in which high-tech companies and the tourism sector were structurally connected for the first time. With great passion, we embarked on change, innovation and the creation of new solutions – applications, services, training programmes and business plans that build the tourism of the future. Determined steps were required, above all the willingness of project partners to change existing work patterns. Over the past three years, despite dramatic challenges, we have largely succeeded in doing so. At Arctur, we are proud to be part of this consortium, which broke new ground in the tourism sector. By using digital technologies, the partners modernised their products and work processes. Our long-term goal is, of course, to increase the satisfaction of employees in tourism and of users, tourists, which is expected to result in a higher market share, the breakthrough of Slovenian knowledge into foreign markets and strong economic growth.”
Tomi Ilijaš, Founder and CEO of Arctur
