SEPTEMBERHow can rural tourism businesses In the North East better embrace technology to help improve the visitor experience?

Charles Sellers Vantage Point Technologies

CHALLENGES FROM THE SALON

• Diversity of the Tourism Sector• Northumberland, Durham, Tees Valley

• Diversity of Support

• Online Booking sites

CHALLENGES FROM THE SALON

• Educating the Industry

• Educating the Customer

• Fragmented Rural Tourism Industry

• Digital Adoption, Digital Inclusion

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS FROM THE SALON

• Digital booking services: An opportunity, or a threat?• Major discussion point.• Accepting the problem allows for the provision of a

solution.• Currently a threat – future opportunity?

• Educating the industry• Sector AND Customers = Strategy

• “Joining up” the fragmented rural tourism industry

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS FROM THE SALON

• Ongoing!

• Need - Co-ordinated Strategy

• Need - Co-ordinate the Industry – fragmented

• Need – Go with those that will & have adopted Digital Technology

• Need – Awareness Programme – Training/Education

WHAT HAPPENED NEXT

• Blog produced and circulated

• Topic referred back to Leadership Group

• Blog content submitted as part of a successful bid for regional funding from central government