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Beyond Borders – Introducing Smart Tourism and Sharing Economy

FIELD
INFO
Project Title
Beyond Borders – Introducing Smart Tourism and Sharing Economy
Type of Contract/Category
Grant contract
IPA Component/ (national or regional) Programming year
IPA 2, Cross border cooepration: former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia – Republic of Albania, allocations 2014-2015
Lead applicant and co-applicants
CSO Local Agency for Development Institute for Research in Environment, Civil Engineering and Energy Biologist of Albania Mat municipality
Context/background

Not balanced tourism development between most and least developed tourism municipalities in the cross border region cross border region

Abstract (short project summary)

Introduced and sustained smart tourism, as borderless driver of economic development for cross-border communities

Final beneficiary
Citizens; Public institutions managing natural and cultural heritage; Municipalities
Action location/s
Republic of Macedonia, Southwest region Debar, Ohrid Lake Region Republic of Albania, Eastern region Mat, Diber, Bulqize, Klos
Objectives

Main goal: To introduce smart tourism and sharing economy concept based on more innovative and efficient use of endogenous cultural and natural resources and existing human capital

Key objectives:

· To stimulate usage of ICT technology in tourism sector and adapt current business models to fit to latest trends;

· To strengthen tourism sector thinking in the region going beyond administrative borders and enable networking among tourism key stakeholders;

· To enhance the position of tourism industry as borderless driver of economic development for cross-border communities;

· To deepen cooperation among communities on business, social and personal level by creating joint tourism niches between the municipalities in the cross-border region (Mat, Diber, Bulqize, Klos, Debar and Ohrid Lake Region).

Activities

1. Research- analysis, interviews, benchmarking, survey. Data sourcing-standards, reports, strategies, questionnaires, focus groups.

2. Training- tailor made programs and tools, needs assessments, publications, awareness raising campaigns, infrastructure rehabilitation.

3. Design and brand creation, technical development of software online platform, technical development of mobile apps, designing and building digital interactive infrastructure such as physical info posts and other gadgets, training and education of users.

4. Engaging travel bloggers, marketing and growth strategy.

Impact/Output/Result

1. Developed digital tangible infrastructure that can support new data model of smart tourism and stimulated innovative entrepreneurial spirit among local tourist providers;

2. Cross-border region becomes widely recognized as attractive tourism destination and its visibility is increased;

3. Balanced tourism development in both countries is achieved and cross   border cooperation at all levels is deepened by designing joint tourism packages, digital and other small infrastructure investments in target area.

Facts & Figures

The key facts figures relevant to the project:

• Project duration: 27 months

• Start date of the project: 01.12.2017

• End date of the project: 28. 02.2020

Figures

• Cost of the action:  304,054.00 €

• EU contribution: 258,445.90 €

• EU contribution percentage: 85 %

Final useful footnotes

Include at the bottom of the page the statement

CSO “Local Agency for Development” – LDA from Struga

Dimce Kovacevski 30/2 Struga

www.ldastruga.org

 

Institute for Research in Environment, Civil Engineering and Energy from Skopje

www.iege.edu.mk

 

Biologists of Albania from Tirana

www.biologet-al.com

 

Contact:

Project coordinator – Jasminka Popovska

smarttourismmkal@gmail.com

For more information:  followed by an appropriate web address and contact details

http://www.ldastruga.org/DefaultDetails.aspx?id=1632