Digital Efficiency for Sustainable Tourism Growth

GeoCamp Iceland was one of 62 tourism SMEs in several European countries that received European project grant to support digital transformation process within their companies throught the TOURBIT project. 
 
In February 2023, TOURBIT project launched a call for proposals for tourism SMEs aiming to finance innovative digitisation projects for tourism SMEs located in Belgium, Catalonia (Spain), France, Iceland, Lapland (Finland), Portugal and Slovenia. The call raised a lot of interest from the tourism sector as it received more than 230 applications. 
 
Arnbjörn Ólafsson, Managing Director of GeoCamp Iceland, was invited to speak on behalf of beneficiary SME's at TOURBIT's final conference in Barcelona on 1 March 2024. Specifically he talked about the importance of having a strong digital presence and the journey that each business has been on as part of the Project, focusing on digital trends and opportunities. 

According to Arnbjörn, GeoCamp Iceland's participation in this acceleration programme has had an immediate impact on streamlining operations and enhancing customer engagement.

"The TOURBIT project marked a turning point for GeoCamp Iceland's digital approach, providing practical tools and applications that have turned around our operational efficiency. The transition from traditional planning methods to digital platforms has streamlined our processes, allowing for real-time information updates and enhanced planning capabilities. For GeoCamp Iceland, this digital shift has opened new doors for in B2B marketing."

During the project, GeoCamp Iceland has conducted workshops and developed training materials for the staff, in order to ensure a collective understanding. The emphasis on practical solutions, better aligned with the company's objectives, underscored the project's commitment to providing tangible results.

Gradual Adoption and Sustainable Expansion
 
Getting everyone on board with digital tools is acknowledged as a gradual process, but the positive outcomes from small changes made during the TOURBIT project are steadily gaining traction. As GeoCamp Iceland expands its tour offerings, the data collected through digital tools not only enhances marketing efforts but also guides the delicate balance between growth and maintaining high standards. 

Arnbjörn concludes by stressing the importance of not losing the human touch in a world ever more defined by digitalization. "By implementing CRM tools we look towards imporving customer data management in the future. We hope that our participation in the TOURBIT project can serve as a practical example of how digitalization can pave the way for sustainable expansion without compromising the personal aspect that defines our company."

Arnbjörn (far right) on the panel at TOURBIT with Nicholas Hall, CEO of Digital Tourism Think Tank, and Guilherme Silva from Casa dos Vales.