Take a look at the selected projects in Cyprus leading the digital and sustainable transition of tourism

Tourism innovation moves forward in Cyprus

It is a great pleasure to tell you something the 12 selected projects from Cyprus under fuTOURiSME Open Call. Each project will receive €30,000 and expert support to implement solutions that drive sustainability, digitalisation, accessibility, and innovation in the tourism sector.

👉 Discover the winners:

• i-Trip by Knossos Travel The iTrip project aims to modernize Knossos Travel through digital transformation and sustainability, focusing on preserving Cypriot cultural identity. It will develop an API Integration System (web app) for streamlined booking and operational management, and a mobile app for enhanced customer engagement. Key activities include needs analysis, interface design, web platform and mobile app development, and staff training. Expected outcomes are enhanced efficiency, improved customer experience, increased competitiveness, and a reduced environmental impact through digital solutions.

• e-MUSE by The Hambis Museum of Printmaking The e-MUSE project aims to transform the museum into a leading force in sustainable, digital, and inclusive tourism through several key initiatives. Implementing a Museum Digital Management System (DMS) will streamline operations, enhance visitor engagement, and improve financial sustainability. Digitizing the print collection ensures its preservation and accessibility to a global audience, while the development of a Digital Educational Kit (DEK) provides valuable resources for educators and promotes printmaking knowledge. Comprehensive staff training ensures effective management of digital infrastructure and environmental programs. Furthermore, the project's commitment to sustainability is evident in its registration with the EMAS scheme and transition to digital formats, reducing environmental impact. These initiatives collectively position the museum as a pioneer in responsible and accessible cultural tourism.

• future Mobility by Panayides and Fekkas Coaches The Future Mobility project is revolutionizing bus transfer operations by integrating cutting-edge technology and sustainable practices. This initiative streamlines fleet management, optimizes routes, and enhances passenger experience through a sophisticated web application, real-time GPS tracking, and advanced telematics. By equipping drivers with tablets and promoting eco-friendly driving behaviors, the project minimizes delays, reduces emissions, and improves passenger satisfaction. Comprehensive reporting and analytics tools enable data-driven decision-making, leading to increased efficiency and cost savings. Through these innovations, Future Mobility positions the company as a leader in the bus transfer industry, setting a new standard for sustainable, efficient, and customer-centric transportation.

• Sustainable Shores by Princess Hotels Development Sustainable Shores aims to drive the twin transition of digitalization and sustainability within the organization by conducting training sessions on sustainability frameworks and digital tools, developing a bespoke digital solution to assist in sustainability strategy development, including materiality assessment, gap analysis, KPI setting, GHG emissions calculation, and integrated reporting. External experts will support the development of a comprehensive sustainability strategy and GHG emissions inventory report, utilizing the digital solution for data collection and analysis. The project will also undergo ISO 26000 verification to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability and identify areas for improvement. Finally, communication and dissemination activities will ensure the project's impact is effectively shared.

• Blue Hotel by The Radisson Blu Hotel Blue Green will drive the twin transition of digitalization and sustainability within the organization by incorporating training sessions on sustainability frameworks and digital tools, developing a bespoke digital solution for sustainability strategy development, and providing external expert support for creating a comprehensive sustainability strategy and GHG emissions inventory. It also includes ISO 26000 verification to demonstrate commitment to sustainability and identify areas for improvement, with communication and dissemination activities.

• The Heritage Sustainability Project by Agora Lefkara This project is designed to propel the organization towards a more sustainable and digitally-driven future, in line with the fuTOURiSME programme. Through five key activities, it aims to embed sustainability principles into operations and leverage digital innovation for enhanced efficiency. The project kicks off with comprehensive training sessions for staff, followed by the development of a tailored digital solution to streamline sustainability management. External experts will then guide the creation of a robust sustainability strategy, complete with a GHG emissions inventory. Finally, the project will undergo ISO 26000 verification to ensure alignment with international standards, culminating in communication and dissemination activities to share key findings and best practices.

• Kultura Connect by Tangerine Homes This project aims to transform Cyprus's tourism ecosystem by creating a centralized digital platform that connects travelers with authentic local experiences. The platform will feature a user-friendly interface with advanced filters, enabling travelers to discover and customize experiences based on their interests and preferences. By onboarding and training local businesses, the platform will enhance their visibility and drive economic growth. Curated content showcasing Cypriot culture, nature, and heritage will enrich the visitor experience. Through targeted marketing campaigns and partnerships, the platform will attract eco-conscious travelers and promote sustainable tourism. Ultimately, this project will establish Tangerine Homes as a leader in experiential and sustainable tourism, benefiting both travelers and local businesses.

• ImMERSuRA by TRAVEL BOX T.B The ImMERSuRA project aims to transform TRAVEL BOX T.B. Ltd's tourism model into a more sustainable and community-centric approach. By developing new community-led experiential tours, fostering local partnerships, and implementing a comprehensive marketing plan, the project will create meaningful experiences that benefit both travelers and local communities. Key initiatives include acquiring an online booking system, obtaining sustainable certification, and developing a manual of procedures to standardize sustainable practices. Through these efforts, the project anticipates increased adoption of sustainable practices, enhanced customer satisfaction, economic benefits for local communities, and greater visibility within the tourism industry.

• WASD-AI by Crowne Plaza Limassol The WASD-AI Project takes a holistic approach to waste management in the hospitality industry, combining AI-powered technology with comprehensive sustainability practices and staff training. The project will design and deploy the WASD-AI app, which uses real-time data and AI image recognition to monitor, categorize, and analyze waste, optimizing resource use and reducing waste generation. It will also guide the organization to attain EMAS certification, demonstrating compliance with high environmental standards. To ensure effective implementation, staff will be trained on utilizing the WASD-AI app and implementing sustainable practices. Finally, the project results and best practices will be disseminated to encourage wider industry adoption and collaboration in sustainable waste management.

• SWIFT by BookYourWeddingDay.com The SWIFT project will revolutionize the wedding tourism industry with an innovative SaaS platform that offers instant booking and real-time availability for wedding services globally. By simplifying complex processes, the platform will provide a seamless and user-friendly experience for couples, agents, and venues. Key activities include upgrading the platform with AI and analytics integration, system integration and automation upgrades, and a global expansion and dissemination campaign. Expected outcomes include increased efficiency, reduced environmental impact, enhanced user satisfaction, market leadership, and support for SMEs in the wedding tourism industry. SWIFT will set a new benchmark for digitalization and sustainability in the wedding tourism sector.

• futurANIMA by Animafest Cyprus The futurANIMA project aims to enhance the visitor experience and operational efficiency of Animafest Cyprus by strengthening its digital infrastructure. This will be achieved through the development of a cutting-edge website with seamless navigation, high-speed access, and interactive features, including a detailed event calendar with real-time updates, event voting, and animated videos demonstrating different animation techniques. The website will be accessible to people of all abilities and languages, promoting inclusivity. A comprehensive training program will be implemented to ensure staff and volunteers can effectively manage and maintain the digital infrastructure. Additionally, the transition to digital formats will significantly reduce the festival's environmental impact by minimizing the use of printed materials.

• Peak by Troodos Hotel This project enhances the Troodos Mountains' tourism offerings through a multi-faceted approach. It focuses on achieving EMAS certification for Troodos Hotel to improve environmental performance, fostering collaboration among local SMEs through clustering training sessions, and leveraging digital promotion with a 360 virtual tour website and QR codes. Additionally, it diversifies offerings with specialized indoor workshops and raises awareness through dissemination and a launch event. These activities collectively aim to establish the Troodos Mountains as a premier destination for sustainable and experiential tourism.

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