CURRENT ACTIONS:
ETC is dedicated to sharing best practices with our members on many aspects of improving R&I for digital tools and services and tourism. Notably, we find that capacity carrying and using digital tools to manage tourist flows is a very relevant topic for our members, especially those that face overcrowding in some popular destinations. We are already supporting our members in this area by sharing information and resources on the subject. We have previously held two successful webinars related to capacity carrying, the most recent of which was in October 2023 and focusses on using digital tools to monitor and manage the movement of tourists.

Furthermore, ETC is committed to supporting the implementation of digital technologies such as AI and VR for tourist attractions. This not only holds the potential to improve the visitor experience, but also creates opportunities for remote experiences which are often more sustainable for the environment and historical sites. One of our key strategies to promote the uptake of digital tools is through co-organising the Destination of Sustainable Cultural Tourism Awards. This prize celebrates excellent efforts by tourism sector actors to digitise and democratise heritage and improve visitor experience through digital technologies. We are also introducing our members to the potential of AI by offering them access to Group Nao’s AI Opener for Destinations programme. 

FUTURE ACTIONS:
ETC is committed to continuing the work that we’re already doing to support R&I for digital tools and services in tourism. In order to better disseminate the resources that we produce on capacity carrying, these will be included on the online platform that ETC plans to launch for members in 2024. 

We will also continue to co-organise the Destination for Sustainable Cultural Tourism Awards, encouraging efforts to improve the visitor experience and preserve heritage through digital technologies. 

OUTPUT:
Further research on capacity carrying and including this research on an online platform to be launched in 2024.
Continued support for the Destination of Sustainable Cultural Tourism Awards.

TIME:
In the coming years, ETC will endeavour to create more resources and publications on capacity carrying and the potential of digital tools. The online platform for sharing and discussing research should be published for members in mid-2024, with a public version potentially being discussed in 2025. 

The seventh annual Destination of Sustainable Cultural Tourism Awards will take place in Autumn 2024, with further editions taking place annually in the coming years.