The Smart City Hospitality project was featured at ITB Berlin, the world’s largest tourism Fair. On 6 March, Ko Koens presented and moderated the panel session “Overtourism: Smart Control Via Digital Technologies”, which was co-hosted by UNWTO and the Dutch Centre of Expertise, Leisure and Hospitality. It also featured Manuel Butler of UNWTO, Geerte Udo of Amsterdam & Partners, Joan Torella of Turisme de Barcelona and Leid Zejnilovic of Nova School of Business and Economics.
In his presentation Ko emphasised the need to not just focus on data and tools, but also on smart processes that will enable stakeholders to engage and implement Smart Solutions. The SCITHOS challenge was used as an example of a way in which serious gaming can aid smart processes.
The session was a great success, with an overflowing room and many interesting discussions, which highlighted that implementing smart solutions is far from easy and will require stakeholders to jointly look at the processes and legalities behind smart solutions.