The Tourism Innovation Summit (TIS) 2024 has announced the call for entries for the prestigious Tourism Innovation Awards, which recognise the most innovative companies and professionals in the tourism sector. Applications are open until 6th September 2024, and organisations are invited to submit their entries or nominate their peers in various categories. These awards celebrate creativity and adaptability in a constantly evolving sector.

Award Categories

The awards include several key categories, such as:

• Best Customer Experience: Recognises initiatives that have significantly improved the customer experience.
• Best Digital Transformation: Awards companies that have implemented innovative digital solutions, transforming their operations.
• Sustainability Leadership: Highlights organisations that have made significant advances in sustainability and environmental responsibility within tourism.
• Most Innovative Start-Up: Aimed at startups that have introduced groundbreaking ideas in the industry.
• Best Strategy to Rebuild Post-COVID: Recognises the most effective strategies for recovering from the impact of the pandemic.

The winners will be announced during TIS 2024, which will take place in Seville from 29th to 31st October. This event is a unique opportunity for industry leaders to share their experiences, explore new ideas, and prepare for the future of tourism.

How to Participate

To participate, interested companies and professionals must complete the online registration form before the deadline. Applications will be evaluated by a panel of experts in tourism, innovation, and technology, who will select the winners based on their impact, creativity, and relevance.

TIS 2024 promises to be a gathering place for visionaries in the sector, and the Tourism Innovation Awards are an opportunity to highlight those leading the way towards a more innovative and sustainable future for tourism.

For more information on how to submit an application or nominate a colleague, visit the official TIS website.

FESTIVALS

After the Italian preview in May, the Dancing Histor(y)ies Festivals of Ostia Antica, Viminacium, Mérida and Tharros have taken place in the last two months promoting the concepts behind the project and involving the public and the population of the fascinating locations that hosted them. Now, we just have to go through the news shared by our local partners of this exciting summer dedicated to Dance and European cultural heritage.

June 24/26 – Viminacium Arheološki park/Archaeological park

The Institute of Archaeology in Viminacium is the organizing partner of the first international contemporary dance festival for Dancing Histor(y)ies, which, under the title of ReMOVING Borders, was held from 24 to 26 June at the Archaeological Park in Viminacium. For the first time in this evocative setting, an event took place presenting a rich program of daytime and evening meetings dedicated to dance, curated by expert representatives of the world of contemporary dance, art and archaeology of Viminacium, involving the local communities of Kostolac and Požarevac. Three dance companies staged their productions: 420People, Derida Dance Center and ilDance.

All the details at the link: https://dancinghistoryies.org/viminacium/

July 05/07 – Festival de Teatro Clásico de Mérida

For this 70th edition, the Festival Internacional de Teatro Clasico de Mérida has staged a series of activities in line with the project values and concepts. At the same time, it has promoted several archaeological spaces in town that during the shows have involved the community and promoted the potential of using the city’s cultural heritage. “Diálogo” is the word that defines Dancing Histor(y)ies, the dialogue between the performing arts and cultural heritage, the dialogue between institutions and different countries. Proof is the fact that culture is a key to open doors to cross borders and establish collaborations. The artistic partners who presented their shows were ilDance, with a staging at the Roman Forum ‘Un día seremos estatuas’, and the group 420PEOPLE, with “Ícaro” at the Templo de Diana.

All the details at the link: https://www.festivaldemerida.es/en/the-festival/

July 12/14 – Tharros Archaeological Park

 The rhythm of international dance beats strongly in the ancient heart of Sardinia thanks to Dancing Histor(y)ies, which chose the wonderful archaeological area of Tharros. Six international dance groups took to the stage: ilDance, Polish Dance Theatre, Derida Dance Center, as well as Mvula Sungani Physical Dance and a co-production that saw the E-Motion Group, ASMED Balletto di Sardegna and Compagnia Danza Esttemporada together. The groups danced on History, recovering ancient and new narratives starting from the life of those communities that, precisely in territories so rich in memory, have chosen to reside, articulating their present.

The Off Festival calendar of events is also original, with a rich series of collateral activities aimed at actively promoting historical heritage: the Laboratory/scenic game/animation “Dance on your wave” dedicated in particular to children and young people and inspired by waves; the workshop entitled “The story in reverse” in which dancers, choreographers and musicians met local communities; the Talk “Sguardi su Tharros” (A glance on Tharros) with the artists who spoke about their encounter with the site of Tharros.

All the details at the link: https://dancinghistoryies.org/tharros/

Keep following us! See you in September for more news to come!

The European Commission’s support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents, which reflect the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

DATA MANAGEMENT
In compliance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 we hereby inform you that your personal data are part of a specific database for the collection and management of personal data within the project Dancing Histor(y)ies (from here onwards referred to as the “Project”) whose Joint Data Controller is Associazione Enti locali per le attività culturali e di spettacolo, with headquarters in Via Pasquale Paoli n.25 – 09128 Cagliari, VAT number: 01859050922 together with the other Joint Data Controllers defined by the GDPR agreement signed within the Dancing Histor(y)ies consortium.
The Joint Data Controllers may process the personal data collected for the period necessary to fulfil the obligations established in the Partnership agreement concluded between the Joint Data Controllers and other project partners and/or in the Grant agreement concluded between the Joint Data Controllers and other project partners and the European Commission.
Interested parties can contact the Data Protection Officer (DPO) by sending an email to: dancinghistoriesdpo@gmail.com to have a complete view of the GDPR or to exercise each of the following rights: access to their personal data; obtain a copy of the personal data; correct personal data; delete your data; limit processing; request data portability; exercise the right of objection; file a complaint.

The Extremadura Tourism Cluster is pleased to express our satisfaction with the selection of Cáceres as the host city for the 5th TURESPAÑA Convention in 2025. This event, presented by the Department of Culture, Tourism, Youth, and Sports of the Government of Extremadura, will not only benefit the city but also bring greater visibility to the entire region.

Cáceres joins the select group of previous host cities such as Seville, Barcelona, Donostia-San Sebastián, and Tenerife, being the first time it is held in an inland destination, in line with TURESPAÑA’s Strategic Marketing Plan. This selection once again highlights that Cáceres is on par with these important destinations, standing out for its rich heritage and culture. The hosting of the convention is further proof of Cáceres’ appeal and its capacity to host events of such magnitude.

The TURESPAÑA Convention, organised in collaboration with the Government of Extremadura and the City Council of Cáceres, will bring together industry professionals for three days of presentations, debates, and workshops focused on innovation, sustainability, and tourism promotion.

This event will not only boost tourism in the city and the region, but it will also have a significant economic impact by attracting numerous visitors and professionals who will have the opportunity to discover the wonders of Extremadura.

Our partner Atakama, represented by its CEO, Rocío Montero, has emphasised the importance of the Alcántara Classical Theatre Festival, which begins this Monday. Montero highlighted the event not only as a top-tier cultural reference but also as a significant driver of the local economy. According to her, the festival attracts thousands of visitors, leading to a notable increase in economic activity in the region.

Boost to the Local Economy

During the festival, sectors such as hospitality, retail, and tourism experience remarkable growth. Local hotels, restaurants, and shops see an increase in revenue thanks to the influx of tourists and event attendees. This economic impact translates into more job opportunities and development for the residents of Alcántara.

Promotion of Tourism and Culture

The Classical Theatre Festival not only offers a high-quality artistic programme but also highlights the historical and cultural heritage of Alcántara. The combination of art and economy demonstrates how events like this can revitalise and positively transform local communities.

Statements by Rocío Montero

Montero emphasised that the success of the festival lies in the community’s ability to organise an event that attracts both theatre enthusiasts and tourists interested in the region’s cultural richness. “The Alcántara Classical Theatre Festival is not only a cultural benchmark but also an essential driver of the local economy,” she stated.

For more information, read the full article on COPE Extremadura.

The Hotel Technology Institute (ITH) has released a study exploring the possibility of creating a Security Operations Center (SOC) for the hospitality sector. This center would be responsible for monitoring and protecting hotel technological infrastructures against cyber threats in real-time. A SOC, in simple terms, is a specialised unit that detects and responds to security incidents, safeguarding the organisation’s sensitive data.

Implementing a SOC would help improve the digital security of hotels, providing protection against potential cyberattacks that could compromise customer and employee data, as well as business operations. This study aims to help hotels assess the feasibility and benefits of having a SOC, particularly in a sector so reliant on technology like tourism.

For more details and to access the full report, you can visit:

On July 22, 2024, the El Rayo Verde building in Málaga hosted the technical launch meeting of the Interreg Spain-Portugal VI A pluriregional project of the Cross-Border Iberian Fluvial Cruise Network (Red CIFT). Led by the Maritime-Marine Cluster of Andalusia (CMMA), this project aims to create a network of sustainable nautical-cultural destinations along the five major rivers of the cross-border area: Miño, Limia, Duero, Tajo, and Guadiana.

The Extremadura Tourism Cluster will play a crucial role in the Red CIFT project, participating in training for the creation of nautical-cultural itineraries and in the project’s promotional campaigns. This joint effort aims to boost responsible tourism and the preservation of natural and cultural heritage in the cross-border region of Spain and Portugal.

Project Objectives

The Red CIFT project aims to achieve a significant impact in the participating regions by:

• Increase in River Tourism: Creating innovative nautical-cultural itineraries.
• Economic Development: Generating employment and economic opportunities.
• Heritage Preservation: Valuing cultural and natural heritage.
• Improvement of Accessibility: Promoting cross-border cooperation and sustainable mobility.

Structure and Activities

The program is structured around several key activities:

• Strategic Planning: Assessing economic viability and promoting nautical-cultural destinations.
• Certification: Establishing standards for accessible tourism and best practices.
• Training: Developing content and courses to foster innovation and creativity in itinerary creation.
• Communication: Creating a digital catalogue, the project’s corporate identity, and strategic visibility actions..

The Extremadura Tourism Cluster will lead group and individualised training for the creation of tourist products in workshops and will be responsible for designing promotional materials and communication campaigns for the Red CIFT.

With a budget of 816,646.61 euros co-financed by the European Union, the Red CIFT project aims to promote sustainable and responsible river tourism, improving accessibility and connectivity in cross-border river basins, and strengthening cooperation between Spain and Portugal.

Project Challenges

The Red CIFT project faces key challenges:

• Insufficient Promotion: The river landscapes of the border basins are little known and promoted.
• Lack of Infrastructure: Shortage of docks, moorings, and adequate services for river tourism.
• Limited Accessibility: Difficulties in connectivity and access to the river basins.
• Sustainable Management: Need to balance environmental conservation with tourism promotion.

Project Partners

The project includes eight partners, four from Spain and four from Portugal:

The POCTEP HEPRESTONE project has officially commenced with an initial in-person meeting in Mérida, marking the start of a significant collaboration for the protection and conservation of cultural heritage. This meeting, aimed at establishing contact and taking the first steps of the project, was attended by the Regional Minister for Culture, Tourism, Youth, and Sports, Mrs. Victoria Bazaga, and Mrs. Adela Montaña Rueda Márquez de la Plata, Director General of Libraries, Archives, and Cultural Heritage. Members of the consortium, including the Extremadura Tourism Cluster, also participated, advancing the sustainable management of monumental heritage in the cross-border area.

Project Summary

The HEPRESTONE project, spanning three years, aims to protect the cultural heritage of the EUROACE area against factors such as climate change and mass tourism. It identifies and applies best practices and innovative measures for the monitoring and conservation of heritage sites.

Key components include the development of critical alert indicators and the creation of digital twins for pilot monuments such as the Alcazaba of Mérida, the wall of Évora, and the castle of Portezuelo. These digital twins will facilitate corrective maintenance, predictive conservation, and tourism management, employing an algorithm to monitor the alert indicators.

The project promotes sustainable tourism and preventive heritage management through the HBIM (Heritage Building Information Modeling) methodology, capturing and managing detailed information about the evolution of historic buildings. This intervention will help preserve heritage while boosting economic development and population retention in the cross-border areas of Extremadura and Alentejo.

Co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Interreg Spain-Portugal (POCTEP) 2021-2027 program, HEPRESTONE underscores the importance of cross-border collaboration in the protection and enhancement of cultural heritage.

Partners

• INTROMAC (Technological Institute of Ornamental Rocks and Building Materials Consortium) – Coordinator
• Directorate General of Libraries, Archives, and Cultural Heritage of the Government of Extremadura
• Polytechnic School of Cáceres, University of Extremadura
• Institute of Archaeology of Mérida
• Extremadura Tourism Cluster
• University of Évora
• ARROW 4D
• Commission for Coordination and Regional Development of Alentejo

On June 17th in Badajoz, the first in-person meeting of the ILUMINA Project took place, with the attendance of the Extremadura Tourism Cluster. This meeting marked the official start of the project and allowed participants to connect and take the first steps towards its development. The meeting concluded with a visit to the Castle of Ouguela in Portugal, one of the sites to be involved in the project.

Project ILUMINA Description

The ILUMINA project, focused on the cross-border regions of Extremadura and Alentejo, aims to promote sustainable tourism through the ornamental lighting of heritage elements. This initiative seeks to transform cultural, historical, and landscape resources into attractive tourist products, enhancing the nighttime tourism offering.

Main Objectives:

• Promotion of Night Tourism: Increase the nighttime tourist appeal in Extremadura and Alentejo.
• Local Economic Development: Generate new business and employment opportunities in the tourism industry.
• Innovation and Sustainability: Foster innovative and sustainable cultural tourism.
• Pilot Projects: Implementation of six pilot projects of ornamental lighting in churches, hermitages, and castles.

The ILUMINA project is presented as a key initiative to boost cultural night tourism and improve the management of cultural heritage through cross-border cooperation and the use of advanced technologies.

The tourism sector increasingly relies on technology to manage bookings, communications, and sensitive data. However, many businesses are unaware of the risks they face. The National Cybersecurity Institute (INCIBE) has launched a tool that allows tourism businesses to assess their cybersecurity in just 5 minutes.

With this tool, businesses can identify risks related to the use of emails, websites, mobile devices, and more, helping to protect both company and customer information.

Reflecting on these issues is key to improving digital security and avoiding potential incidents that could compromise business operations. For more information and to access this tool, visit:

The National Cybersecurity Institute (INCIBE) has launched the Sectoriza2 program, focused on strengthening the cybersecurity of companies in the tourism and leisure sector, which are increasingly exposed to cyber threats. This program provides organisations with specific guides and resources to protect their infrastructure, sensitive data, and online services.

Sectoriza2 offers tools designed to reduce cyber risks in tourism businesses, helping to enhance the protection of their clients and ensure service continuity. Among the resources offered by INCIBE are practical manuals, recommendations to prevent attacks, and guides on how to respond to security incidents.

The goal of this program is to ensure that businesses in the tourism and leisure sector adapt to a safer digital environment, increasing customer trust and improving competitiveness in the market. Sectoriza2 not only promotes awareness but also provides training and technical advice.

For more information and to access the Sectoriza2 resources, visit: