FITURTECHY, the section of FITUR specialising in innovation, sustainability and technology in the field of tourism, organised in collaboration with the Hotel Technology Institute (ITH), is holding a new edition on 18, 19 and 20 January 2023 at a time of global and social change, under the slogan “Journey to the Centre… of Tourism.”
The French writer Jules Verne said, “Everything imaginable can be achieved,” and many of the things he could imagine are captured in the stories that comprise his “Extraordinary Voyages”… the advance of civilisation as it was conceived at the end of the 19th century, and the impact that technology would have on the development of humanity. Today, in 2023, we are facing an uncertain future that it is almost impossible to make predictions for, but we can say that technology and sustainability are guiding and adjusting every possible solution. Artificial intelligence, the circular economy, digital twins… the technology is revolutionary… and the challenge is tremendously exciting.
At FITURTECHY 2023 there will be four discussion forums, in addition to the showroom hotel of the future, #techandhotel, which will provide answers and certainties in a complex and volatile environment, to continue the journey… to the centre of tourism. In addition, this section will have a Welcome & VIP Area, sponsored by the financial institution Grupo Cooperativo Cajamar.
#techandsustainability: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, sponsored by Grupo Cooperativo Cajamar
Applying the right technology and innovation is particularly important to this forum, as it can make all the difference in the service provided to the customer and can also help the tourism industry to better manage their resources, thus caring for the environment and society. All of this has an impact on preserving our planet’s future and, therefore, a greater alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Aligned with sustainability and “zero impact” on the environment, the Cajamar Group proposes formulas for “sustainable innovation (such as lines of financing for photovoltaic self-consumption projects, financing for projects to optimise and improve water consumption, financing for the acquisition of electric and hybrid vehicles and for renting electric and hybrid vehicles…) that help businesses in the tourism industry to adapt, as well as to consolidate themselves and grow. And to do it together. To this end, the Cajamar Group contributes its own financial energy and the accumulated knowledge of its business managers. This is accompanied by the advisory and information capacity offered by its Public Aid Platform in the management of Next Generation European Funds. What we call SUSTAINABLE RENEWAL,” says the Co-operative Group.
#techandbusiness: The Mysterious Island, sponsored by AdQuiver
Tourism is an activity that has developed since the beginning of time, probably a part of our history that has existed since before we have any written record of it. Perhaps we are moving at such a frenetic pace that we need to stop and reflect on the tourism model we want.
It is this uncertainty, this moment of reflection, that Jules Verne reflects in “The Mysterious Island”. The expert protagonist, who could be any one of us, is faced with the challenge of starting from scratch: his survival depends on his ability to adapt to the environment. Analysing the environment, knowing what resources the island has, planning where I want to go and how I want to do it, what kind of action I need to take to make the model productive and sustainable for the environment, the people and the economy: this is the leadership needed to survive on a mysterious island.
The sponsor of this forum, AdQuiver, is a digital revolution. Its purpose is to radically transform the paradigm of the tourism industry, placing data at the centre of business strategy and decision-making, as well as intelligently activating it in the digital marketing ecosystem.
Its objective is to be the main partner of tourism companies for the management and activation of data, “seeing in FITURTECHY an ideal forum to connect with the international tourism ecosystem and specifically with those companies that want to join this revolution,” they point out.
#techanddestination: Around the World in Eighty Days, sponsored by Sabre
150 years have passed since Jules Verne brought Phileas Fogg to life in this science fiction and adventure travel novel, in which the English gentleman travels around the world in 80 days, using all the means of transport of the time and going on numerous adventures.
With the novel as an inspirational framework, #techanddestinationwill address the main tourism innovations in the integrated management of destinations, analysing different trends and market opportunities, tourism promotion initiatives and new traveller profiles that make up an industry in constant evolution. All this while always maintaining a focus on technology and innovation as the driving force for the development of the industry.
“Sabre is investing in a technology evolution that will advance the intelligence behind our products and services and enable us to create a new marketplace for personalised travel in a cloud-based environment,” said Salman Syed, vice president of Agency Sales EMEA at Sabre. “As Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) are key growth markets for Sabre, we are delighted to participate in FITURTECHY 2023 to showcase our investments and plans for Spain and the region. We are hiring top talent and investing in product advancements that will help support travel industry players in this region to meet their goals and support their technology transformation journeys.”
#techandfuture: From the Earth to the Moon, sponsored by American Express
One hundred years before man made it to the moon, Verne published “From the Earth to the Moon”, a science fiction novel in which he imagined civilisation finally achieving this breakthrough of crossing space and reaching the moon. In the same way, today we must look for innovative solutions and research in order to meet the new challenges that lie ahead in the tourism industry. The expansion of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, the conceptualisation of cities for the society of the future or the development of new ways of travelling are shaping an industry based on experimentation and emotions, with a strong impact on a global and changing environment.
American Express is a sponsor of the #techandfuture forum within the FITURTECHY 2023 space. This is yet another example of the company’s commitment to the development of the tourism industry in Spain and around the world. Since their inception in 1850, they have strived to find new ways to enrich the lives of their customers, to support them and to provide them with a special service, be they large corporations, small or medium-sized businesses, or private individuals.
As its business has transformed – from money transport by stagecoach to payment cards, and from there to innovative digital products and services – one thing has remained constant: American Express’ unwavering commitment to earning the loyalty of its customers over the long term.
#techandhotel
This showroom will showcase current trends and allow attendees to experiment with using innovative tools and solutions in a recreational environment of the hotel of the future. In this edition, it will emulate the Nautilus, the fictional submarine devised by Jules Verne, which appears in his novels “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea” (1871) and “The Mysterious Island” (1875).
Once again this year, Menorca will be a collaborating destination at FITURTECHY 2023. On its 30th anniversary as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Menorca will attend FITURTECHY with its own stand and participation in the four forums.
An island that has been committed for many years to sustainable, responsible and quality tourism, which generates wealth and well-being. One of the most prized destinations in the Mediterranean for its natural balance between tradition and innovation. A harmony that is felt throughout the territory, which is a magnet for tourists and an inspiration for entrepreneurs from all over the world.
The main value of FITURTECHY, the result of the progress and knowledge acquired by the Instituto Tecnológico Hotelero (ITH) throughout its eighteen years of history, lies not only in boosting knowledge of current innovation projects, but also in offering new approaches to what is to come and how we need to consider these new trends as part of the change.
About ITH
ITH is the hotel industry’s response to the challenges that technological advances pose for entrepreneurs in the tourism industry. With eighteen years of history, the mission of this innovation centre, a member of the Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodation (CEHAT), is to promote the use of new technologies and management systems that contribute to improving the competitiveness, profitability, quality, efficiency and sustainability of companies linked to the hotel and tourism industry.
About FITUR
