Successful Kick-off Meeting of the DIGITALIZE Project

News

22 July 2024

We are glad to announce the successful in-person kick-off meeting of the DIGITALIZE project, held in Hévíz on June 26-27, 2024. This event marked the beginning of the collaborative work of partners from eight different European countries, enhancing digitalization in the tourism sector across the participating regions.

26th June - Day 1

The two-day meeting started with a welcome from Mr. Gábor Papp, Mayor of Hévíz Municipality, as the Lead Partner. His inspiring words emphasized the significance of our project and the collaborative effort needed to achieve our goals.

Marianna Vásárhelyi-Müller, representing the Hungarian Ministry of Public Administration and Regional Development, an Associated Partner, presented the Territorial and Settlement Development Operational Programme Plus (TOP Plus) under the Széchenyi Plan Plus 2021-2027, one of the policy instruments addressed by the project. This program aims to reduce territorial disparities in Hungary, with significant funds allocated to the least developed regions. She highlighted the program's focus on sustainable development and the critical role of digitalization in improving the tourism sector’s competitiveness.

The day continued with interactive sessions and games fostering team cohesion, allowing participants to get to know each other better and promoting a deeper understanding of the consortium members. The Lead Partner also presented a comprehensive overview of the project and the current tasks and responsibilities for the first project semester.

At the end of the day, the participants visited and learned about the history and healing properties of the famous Lake of Hévíz, and experienced the beneficial effects of the natural thermal water.

27th June – Day 2

The second day focused on joint activities in different workshops and exercises, including an introduction to the Policy Learning Platform and creating a mind map around the central theme of Tourism and Digitalization. This exercise stimulated creative thinking and helped visualize our collective ideas and concepts, laying the groundwork for our discussions.

Participants then engaged in break-out sessions to discuss in-depth the challenges and strengths in tourism, exploring practical approaches to maximize tourism potential, examining the role of digital technology in tourism evolution, and discussing proven solutions and innovative ideas. The summary of these discussions highlighted common challenges such as the need for more efficient communication and data sharing, and the importance of digitalization in enhancing the visitor experience.

The collaborative planning and evaluation of pilot ideas and good practices were another significant part of the day. Partners presented and discussed innovative solutions and some of their best practices, such as digital totems in Badajoz (ES) and Alytus (LT), complex tourism developments in Almodovar (PT), and augmented reality in Hévíz (HU) – all under implementation.

The meeting concluded with a stakeholder mapping exercise and the preparation of a stakeholder engagement plan. Finally, the program ended with a guided tour of the Festetics Castle in the neighboring city of Keszthely, bringing the productive and interesting two-day event to a successful and memorable close.

Thanks to the energy and enthusiasm shown by the partners, the event was very productive, and we all look forward to our continued collaboration and successful implementation of the project.