Charming transport systems. In line with the aforementioned congestion challenges, a smart solution to both release congestion and boost visits to the least popular sites is to develop charming transport systems connecting all sites and attractions throughout the destination. Both within and between clusters, the charming transport systems make the mobility an iconic experience of the destination, stimulating visitors to discover all hidden spots beyond the most crowded ones.
Such transport systems may be boats whenever there are water canals or lakes, rickshaws in Asia, horse carriages, old fashioned tramways, trains and funiculars with character, seaplane flights, snowmobiles, sledding carriages pulled by horses or reindeer, old fashioned taxis, bicycle rental, animal ride –elephant, camel, horse, etc.- in wilderness areas, etc.
This is not to be confused with some sightseeing products, whose goal is to let the visitor see all the destination spots without necessarily getting off the transport system; it is a sightseeing experience but it’s major goal is to move people from one site to another, releasing crowded areas and enhancing visits to the least accessible ones, spreading the tourist flows throughout the destination while enhancing its character.
DMC incubator. One of the key goals of Tourism 3.0 is to create life-changing experiences while fostering entrepreneurship at the base of the pyramid to alleviate poverty. The best way to do so is to create DMC incubators, where new entrepreneurs are trained and provided with the necessary infrastructure and services to start operating their business at no cost. They are designed to be the perfect environment to start up a business.
Given the nature of the tourism businesses, this idea is only –or mostly- applicable to DMC, businesses offering activities and integrated packages. However it should provide training and advisory services to other types of businesses such as accommodation, food & beverage, etc.
This could be also the place where to organize the co-creation workshops, to inspire these DMC owners in developing their products; and should be closely collaborating with the open innovation system, to benefit from the collective intelligence and imagination in their product development challenges.
Which other programs would you consider to develop new experiences?
