Yesterday in Badajoz, the Annual Meeting of Members of the Extremadura Tourism Cluster took place, along with the 9th CDT Innova Tourism Space, a key event for the region’s tourism sector. The event brought together business owners, professionals, and institutions to reflect on innovation and the development of new projects in the tourism field.

The day began with a presentation of completed European projects, such as CulTourData and Tourism 4.0, where several companies shared their experiences and best practices. Participating companies included Gran Hotel Don Manuel, Montijo Tour, Naturalmente, Inzulae, and Cata con Cati, who explained how these projects benefited them, the tools they used, and the results achieved.

Funding Opportunities and New Projects

Councillor Rubén Galea, in his speech during the event to tourism professionals and experts in innovation and smart tourism, encouraged the exchange of ideas for the development of the sector.

In turn, Jesús Viñuales, General Director of Tourism for the Government of Extremadura, highlighted the region’s progress as an alternative inland destination, a result of collaboration between institutions and business owners.

Ignacio Sáez de Santamaría, representing Caja Rural Extremadura, gave a talk on the financing options that his institution offers to promote tourism projects in the region.

New Projects

During the morning, new projects in which the cluster is involved were also presented, including the innovative Dancing Histor(y)ies and three new POCTEP projects: Red Cift, Ilumina, and Heprestone. Their objectives and the challenges they pose were outlined, inviting attendees to learn more about these initiatives.

Innovation, Technology, and Tourism: Presentations and Panels

The meeting continued with three presentations focused on innovation, technology, and tourism. Among the speakers were Antonio Blanco, Director of Silice, and Juanjo Rodríguez from Futura Vive, who addressed key topics for the future of the sector. Additionally, a panel discussion was held with Sonia González from Martural and Juanjo Cerezo from Extremadura Curiosa, who discussed the benefits of working with influencers and marketing agencies, highlighting their value for tourism promotion.

2024 Tourism Innovation Award

One of the most notable moments of the event was the presentation of the 2024 Tourism Innovation Award. This year, the award was given to Marta Bastos for her initiatives: Ad Astra Hervás, related to astrotourism, and “e-bikes Hervás”, offering bike rentals and routes. The award recognised her contribution to tourism in Extremadura and her innovative approach.

On 20th September 2024, the Technical Workshop on the Transfer of Results from the TUR-RETOS2022-028 Project will take place at the San Francisco Cultural Complex in Cáceres. The event aims to share the progress and conclusions of this important project related to tourism and innovation.

Event Programme:

On 17th September, the Extremadura Tourism Cluster will hold its traditional Annual CDT Innova Tourism Meeting. In its ninth edition, this key event for the region’s tourism sector will take place in the iconic Jardines de la Galera in Badajoz, starting at 10:00 a.m.

As in previous years, the CDT Innova Tourism Space will bring together professionals from the tourism sector, as well as experts in innovation and smart tourism, with the aim of providing a day of learning, reflection, and connection among the key players in tourism in Extremadura.

The event is designed for attendees to gain new insights into the latest trends in tourism innovation and to promote networking among professionals, creating opportunities for collaboration in a constantly evolving sector.

Registration and Prices:

Both members of the Extremadura Tourism Cluster and CETEX members can register for the event free of charge.

If you are NOT a member, there are two paid registration options to participate in the 9th Annual CDT Innova Tourism Meeting:

• €40: Includes breakfast and working lunch.
• €20: Includes working breakfast.

Both options offer full access to all morning presentations and activities, along with a great opportunity to network with other professionals during the breaks.

Below, you can view the full programme and access the registration form.

Payment Method

Bank transfer to the following account:

IBAN: ES35 3009 0063 5728 004 7829 CAJA RURAL EXTREMADURA

FESTIVALS

After the Italian preview in May, the Dancing Histor(y)ies Festivals of Ostia Antica, Viminacium, Mérida and Tharros have taken place in the last two months promoting the concepts behind the project and involving the public and the population of the fascinating locations that hosted them. Now, we just have to go through the news shared by our local partners of this exciting summer dedicated to Dance and European cultural heritage.

June 24/26 – Viminacium Arheološki park/Archaeological park

The Institute of Archaeology in Viminacium is the organizing partner of the first international contemporary dance festival for Dancing Histor(y)ies, which, under the title of ReMOVING Borders, was held from 24 to 26 June at the Archaeological Park in Viminacium. For the first time in this evocative setting, an event took place presenting a rich program of daytime and evening meetings dedicated to dance, curated by expert representatives of the world of contemporary dance, art and archaeology of Viminacium, involving the local communities of Kostolac and Požarevac. Three dance companies staged their productions: 420People, Derida Dance Center and ilDance.

All the details at the link: https://dancinghistoryies.org/viminacium/

July 05/07 – Festival de Teatro Clásico de Mérida

For this 70th edition, the Festival Internacional de Teatro Clasico de Mérida has staged a series of activities in line with the project values and concepts. At the same time, it has promoted several archaeological spaces in town that during the shows have involved the community and promoted the potential of using the city’s cultural heritage. “Diálogo” is the word that defines Dancing Histor(y)ies, the dialogue between the performing arts and cultural heritage, the dialogue between institutions and different countries. Proof is the fact that culture is a key to open doors to cross borders and establish collaborations. The artistic partners who presented their shows were ilDance, with a staging at the Roman Forum ‘Un día seremos estatuas’, and the group 420PEOPLE, with “Ícaro” at the Templo de Diana.

All the details at the link: https://www.festivaldemerida.es/en/the-festival/

July 12/14 – Tharros Archaeological Park

 The rhythm of international dance beats strongly in the ancient heart of Sardinia thanks to Dancing Histor(y)ies, which chose the wonderful archaeological area of Tharros. Six international dance groups took to the stage: ilDance, Polish Dance Theatre, Derida Dance Center, as well as Mvula Sungani Physical Dance and a co-production that saw the E-Motion Group, ASMED Balletto di Sardegna and Compagnia Danza Esttemporada together. The groups danced on History, recovering ancient and new narratives starting from the life of those communities that, precisely in territories so rich in memory, have chosen to reside, articulating their present.

The Off Festival calendar of events is also original, with a rich series of collateral activities aimed at actively promoting historical heritage: the Laboratory/scenic game/animation “Dance on your wave” dedicated in particular to children and young people and inspired by waves; the workshop entitled “The story in reverse” in which dancers, choreographers and musicians met local communities; the Talk “Sguardi su Tharros” (A glance on Tharros) with the artists who spoke about their encounter with the site of Tharros.

All the details at the link: https://dancinghistoryies.org/tharros/

Keep following us! See you in September for more news to come!

The European Commission’s support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents, which reflect the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

DATA MANAGEMENT
In compliance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 we hereby inform you that your personal data are part of a specific database for the collection and management of personal data within the project Dancing Histor(y)ies (from here onwards referred to as the “Project”) whose Joint Data Controller is Associazione Enti locali per le attività culturali e di spettacolo, with headquarters in Via Pasquale Paoli n.25 – 09128 Cagliari, VAT number: 01859050922 together with the other Joint Data Controllers defined by the GDPR agreement signed within the Dancing Histor(y)ies consortium.
The Joint Data Controllers may process the personal data collected for the period necessary to fulfil the obligations established in the Partnership agreement concluded between the Joint Data Controllers and other project partners and/or in the Grant agreement concluded between the Joint Data Controllers and other project partners and the European Commission.
Interested parties can contact the Data Protection Officer (DPO) by sending an email to: dancinghistoriesdpo@gmail.com to have a complete view of the GDPR or to exercise each of the following rights: access to their personal data; obtain a copy of the personal data; correct personal data; delete your data; limit processing; request data portability; exercise the right of objection; file a complaint.

As a Supporting Partner of the Tourism Innovation Summit 2024 (TIS 2024), we are pleased to invite you to this global summit on innovation and technology in the travel and tourism sector, taking place in Seville from 23rd to 25th October 2024.

In an increasingly connected world, the tourism sector is undergoing a radical transformation thanks to the latest technologies. From travel planning to destination experiences, innovations such as mobile applications and augmented reality are reinventing every aspect of the industry. TIS 2024 positions itself as the epicentre of this revolutionary change.

Discover and Connect with the Latest Technological Trends

Join over 7,000 tourism professionals and explore the technological trends that are redefining the travel industry. TIS 2024 is the ideal platform to showcase your innovations, make valuable connections, and explore new business opportunities in a dynamic and collaborative environment.

Take Advantage of Our Exclusive 50% Discount!

As partners of TIS 2024, we offer you a unique opportunity: a 50% discount on GOLD and SILVER passes. When registering, benefit from this exclusive discount by applying the code US7H6.

How to Get the Discount?

To take advantage of this discount, simply visit the following link, where you will find all the information about pass types and the process to apply your discount:

TIS 2024 Tickets and Benefits

The Tourism Innovation Summit (TIS) 2024 has announced the call for entries for the prestigious Tourism Innovation Awards, which recognise the most innovative companies and professionals in the tourism sector. Applications are open until 6th September 2024, and organisations are invited to submit their entries or nominate their peers in various categories. These awards celebrate creativity and adaptability in a constantly evolving sector.

Award Categories

The awards include several key categories, such as:

• Best Customer Experience: Recognises initiatives that have significantly improved the customer experience.
• Best Digital Transformation: Awards companies that have implemented innovative digital solutions, transforming their operations.
• Sustainability Leadership: Highlights organisations that have made significant advances in sustainability and environmental responsibility within tourism.
• Most Innovative Start-Up: Aimed at startups that have introduced groundbreaking ideas in the industry.
• Best Strategy to Rebuild Post-COVID: Recognises the most effective strategies for recovering from the impact of the pandemic.

The winners will be announced during TIS 2024, which will take place in Seville from 29th to 31st October. This event is a unique opportunity for industry leaders to share their experiences, explore new ideas, and prepare for the future of tourism.

How to Participate

To participate, interested companies and professionals must complete the online registration form before the deadline. Applications will be evaluated by a panel of experts in tourism, innovation, and technology, who will select the winners based on their impact, creativity, and relevance.

TIS 2024 promises to be a gathering place for visionaries in the sector, and the Tourism Innovation Awards are an opportunity to highlight those leading the way towards a more innovative and sustainable future for tourism.

For more information on how to submit an application or nominate a colleague, visit the official TIS website.

The Extremadura Tourism Cluster is pleased to express our satisfaction with the selection of Cáceres as the host city for the 5th TURESPAÑA Convention in 2025. This event, presented by the Department of Culture, Tourism, Youth, and Sports of the Government of Extremadura, will not only benefit the city but also bring greater visibility to the entire region.

Cáceres joins the select group of previous host cities such as Seville, Barcelona, Donostia-San Sebastián, and Tenerife, being the first time it is held in an inland destination, in line with TURESPAÑA’s Strategic Marketing Plan. This selection once again highlights that Cáceres is on par with these important destinations, standing out for its rich heritage and culture. The hosting of the convention is further proof of Cáceres’ appeal and its capacity to host events of such magnitude.

The TURESPAÑA Convention, organised in collaboration with the Government of Extremadura and the City Council of Cáceres, will bring together industry professionals for three days of presentations, debates, and workshops focused on innovation, sustainability, and tourism promotion.

This event will not only boost tourism in the city and the region, but it will also have a significant economic impact by attracting numerous visitors and professionals who will have the opportunity to discover the wonders of Extremadura.

Our partner Atakama, represented by its CEO, Rocío Montero, has emphasised the importance of the Alcántara Classical Theatre Festival, which begins this Monday. Montero highlighted the event not only as a top-tier cultural reference but also as a significant driver of the local economy. According to her, the festival attracts thousands of visitors, leading to a notable increase in economic activity in the region.

Boost to the Local Economy

During the festival, sectors such as hospitality, retail, and tourism experience remarkable growth. Local hotels, restaurants, and shops see an increase in revenue thanks to the influx of tourists and event attendees. This economic impact translates into more job opportunities and development for the residents of Alcántara.

Promotion of Tourism and Culture

The Classical Theatre Festival not only offers a high-quality artistic programme but also highlights the historical and cultural heritage of Alcántara. The combination of art and economy demonstrates how events like this can revitalise and positively transform local communities.

Statements by Rocío Montero

Montero emphasised that the success of the festival lies in the community’s ability to organise an event that attracts both theatre enthusiasts and tourists interested in the region’s cultural richness. “The Alcántara Classical Theatre Festival is not only a cultural benchmark but also an essential driver of the local economy,” she stated.

For more information, read the full article on COPE Extremadura.

Digital transformation is now essential in the management of destination marketing. To adapt to this new environment, technicians must acquire up-to-date digital marketing skills, such as SEO, online advertising, and social media use, enabling them to develop effective strategies aligned with current trends.

Furthermore, destinations need to adopt a digital business model that integrates tools like CRM, collaborative tools, and virtual meeting platforms. These tools not only maintain contact with tourists throughout their entire journey but also enhance real-time strategic decision-making.

The implementation of agile methodologies and the use of data to analyse strategy results are key elements to ensuring continuous innovation. This allows destinations to respond swiftly to market changes and seize new opportunities. Together, these advances not only improve efficiency but also enhance the tourist experience, positioning destinations as digital leaders capable of attracting visitors from all over the world.

With a qualified team, tourist destinations can adapt to this new digital era, standing out not only for their infrastructure and offerings but also for their ability to innovate and remain competitive in an ever-evolving sector.