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New ways of tourism product development during pandemic - CCT based on CCIs for SME competitiveness
Published on 25 November 2020
Hungary
Dél-Dunántúl
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
One of the sectors which suffers the most during the coronavirus period is tourism. This is the reason why the Municipality of Pécs has launched the # PécsNiytva (#PécsisOpen) campaign. Goal: to mobilize SMEs active in local tourism, to support SME Competitiveness, to develop package deals and safe programs for the visitors.
Cooperation between the Municipality and the local Chamber of Commerce and Industry resulted that more than 90 SMEs (including CCIs too) has been involved to the action.
The campaign focused on the presentation, revitalization, active involvement and experience-oriented programs of gastronomy, hospitality, cultural and creative industry.
CCT programs included light painting on Museum Street, concerts, dance houses, reading park, summer theatre (pop up stages, flash mob), giant puppets and family craft workshops. All programs were implemented under strict supervision in accordance with the regulations of the pandemic situation. The aim of these events is not only to boost the city’s tourist traffic, but also to create new values and traditions.
In social media platforms the local CCI’s got the opportunity to promote their products, so they are available not only at the events, but online too.
Cooperation between the Municipality and the local Chamber of Commerce and Industry resulted that more than 90 SMEs (including CCIs too) has been involved to the action.
The campaign focused on the presentation, revitalization, active involvement and experience-oriented programs of gastronomy, hospitality, cultural and creative industry.
CCT programs included light painting on Museum Street, concerts, dance houses, reading park, summer theatre (pop up stages, flash mob), giant puppets and family craft workshops. All programs were implemented under strict supervision in accordance with the regulations of the pandemic situation. The aim of these events is not only to boost the city’s tourist traffic, but also to create new values and traditions.
In social media platforms the local CCI’s got the opportunity to promote their products, so they are available not only at the events, but online too.
Expert opinion
This good practice is highly relevant as the activities target ways to support SMEs in the cultural tourism and creative sector who were impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. In addition to organizing safe, in-person activities, SMEs were given assistance to create new offerings that could be sold online as a packaged good. Other regions seeking to support or revitalize the tourism sector could learn from the safety measures used and ideas generated in Pécsis.
Although this is a COVID response, local SMEs were able to receive training and support to develop new offerings that could be sold online which will be beneficial for them in the long run. As a result, this helps SMEs develop a new service and increases their capacity because of the new knowledge they gained from the experience.
For policy makers, it is a good example of an agile and effective response to a crisis; so, from a learning perspective, this good practice helps create a framework for other policy makers to follow if there is ever a similar crisis in the future or if they want to implement a programme in general that could enhance the ability of local SMEs to innovate.
Although this is a COVID response, local SMEs were able to receive training and support to develop new offerings that could be sold online which will be beneficial for them in the long run. As a result, this helps SMEs develop a new service and increases their capacity because of the new knowledge they gained from the experience.
For policy makers, it is a good example of an agile and effective response to a crisis; so, from a learning perspective, this good practice helps create a framework for other policy makers to follow if there is ever a similar crisis in the future or if they want to implement a programme in general that could enhance the ability of local SMEs to innovate.
Works at
Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform
Resources needed
Apr. 9000 EUR for online (videos, Facebook, logo) and printed marketing campaign (bus stickers, billboards).
3 people to manage the scheme.
3 people to manage the scheme.
Evidence of success
Originally the program was planned for summer, but the number of SME’s (CCI’s) applying allowed to continue it during the autumn. The amount of incoming tourists during the summer holiday couldn’t reach the number of previously years, but the visitors actively took part at the CCT events, because they felt safe. The new round table meetings started in September with the stakeholders and came alive new ideas for CCT product development, for example the Pécs Eye (ferris wheel).
Potential for learning or transfer
The practice is considered an easy way brought again to life the local SME’s (gastronomy, hospitality, cultural and creative industry) during pandemic by the cooperation of the Municipality and Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Chamber actively keeps contact with these SME’s, so they could easily reach and marketing them. In parallel the Municipality of the city can give the permission, the venue and the support staff to organize the collaboration between the actors and the CCT events too.
The campaign is a modern and effective solution (using social media) for CCT product development in pandemic and could be implement in other regions too.
The campaign is a modern and effective solution (using social media) for CCT product development in pandemic and could be implement in other regions too.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Pécs-Baranya
Hungary
Dél-Dunántúl
Contact
trade development manager