Collaboration
The constantly changing situation we currently find ourselves in requires a great deal of adaptability from tourism organizations. At the beginning of the Corona crisis, Camping de Bosrand, Watersports Camping Heeg, Hotel-Restaurant Bitter en Zoet and the Kazematten Museum asked first-year Tourism Management students of NHL Stenden to help them with new ideas and innovations for the summer of 2020. With this assignment the students started working in groups of 6, with the added challenge of online education and online collaboration in a group. They were supervised by 8 teachers. Since students could not visit, the organizations presented their specific challenges in a homemade video. Then the students analyzed the tourist's online search using the Customer Journey. For example, they looked at how well the organization could be found online. Based on the pluses and minuses they encountered, they developed tourism product innovations.
Winners
With an eye on feasibility, creativity, sustainability, suitability for the target group, and potential to attract more tourists, the best idea per location was chosen. In an online final presentation with teachers, students and the organizations, the following winners were announced.
Animated Soldier as a museum guide
The Kazenmatten Museum appointed the team with the concept "Animated Soldier and 360 view" as the winner. This soldier can attract more young people because he is a peer. He tells the story of the Casemates from his perspective and how he experienced World War II. The idea also appealed because it can be realized with low cost and in the short term.
Treasure Hunt
For Watersportcamping Heeg, a children's activity day was developed, including barefoot path, treasure hunting, sailing, playing in the water, and a closing campfire. The owner indicated that she will also take up several ideas from other groups as well.
Cycling to a play park
To attract Flemish people to the Camping de Bosrand in Oudemirdum, students came up with a Dutch bicycle tour with a stop at Sybrandy's play park for the children. This appealed to the entrepreneurs, because it allowed them to reach a new target group.
Cooking workshop for children
For Hotel-Restaurant Bitter and Sweet, a cooking workshop for children was developed. Children will first harvest their own food in the kitchen garden of the Hotel Restaurant, after which they will work with the ingredients. Local food, sustainable, and educational! This idea appealed to the entrepreneurs, because it makes good use of all facets of their business, and because there is an educational element to it.
The students came up with many creative, innovative ideas, which resonated well with the clients. All organizations indicated that they want and will use certain elements with all of the ideas submitted.