Cutting-edge digital innovation is revolutionizing how tourism is evolving, empowering stakeholders to create smarter, more sustainable destinations. This transformative potential was on display last week at the MEDS Smart Destinations Final Conference, hosted by the Camera di Commercio della Basilicata in Matera. Over two days, partners from Slovenia, Italy, Estonia, Bulgaria, and Cyprus came together to showcase groundbreaking achievements in leveraging technology for cultural preservation and tourism development.
The conference highlighted the work accomplished through the Budding MEDS projects, an initiative aimed at educating and equipping stakeholders with the tools and knowledge to leverage digital innovation in cultural heritage and tourism. The presentations showcased creative and impactful ideas, demonstrating how cross-border collaboration can lead to sustainable and transformative solutions for smart tourism destinations.
A highlight of the event was an inspirational speech by Matevž Straus from Arctur, who emphasized the important role of digital innovation in preserving and promoting cultural heritage. His insights underscored how cutting-edge technology can bridge the gap between tradition and modernity, offering new ways to engage with and sustain cultural treasures.
The conference was a fitting conclusion to a project that united stakeholders across borders, fostering knowledge-sharing and partnerships that will have lasting impacts on the tourism industry. While the MEDS Smart Destinations project officially concludes, the ideas and collaborations it has sparked are only the beginning of a journey toward smarter, more sustainable tourism.
By focusing on education and the empowerment of stakeholders, the project has laid the groundwork for a future where innovation and cultural preservation go hand in hand, driving progress and resilience in the tourism sector across Europe.
