After a successful start of the "Tourism Go Green Camp" in 2011, the second Green Tourism Camp held in November this year dealt with the issue of sustainability in the tourism industry. In the quaint town of Meiningen in Thuringia, Germany, representatives of businesses, organizations and educational establishments gathered for a two-day exchange of ideas and innovations for the industry's future.
When making a large investment or switching to a new innovative technical solution, long-term planning security is essential. Looking into the future is much easier when decisions can be based on experiences. At the Green Tourism Camp 2012 representatives of the tourism and hospitality industry discussed concepts that combine tradition and future.
Based on the fundamental concept of a "barcamp" participants put forward ideas and issues that they were particularly passionate about. This created highly motivated discussion groups and an enthusiastic exchange of ideas on concepts and solutions. One topic that was discussed for instance was the question about what role the subject of sustainability plays in public relations. In the context of "sustainable lifestyles", participants also gathered ideas and suggestions on creating a sustainable corporate culture to promote a positive work environment.
Another group discussed how hard- and software can be used in a sustainable manner. Considering the example of e-Learning, participants quickly realized the economic, environmental and social benefits of training over the Internet and thus that Internet technology can support a sustainable lifestyle. Ultimately it's a win-win situation: A complex infrastructure is not required, there are no travelling expenses and it's environmentally friendly. Daily workflows are improved by well-trained personnel. The employees' satisfaction increases as employees receive practical assistance with their work. And the gained knowledge will enable them to work more independently.
"It was extremely inspiring to see how effective all participants worked together," says Jessica Lohmann, Head of Marketing at protel hotelsoftware GmbH who attended this year's Green Tourism Camp. "For us as a software provider it is very important to develop ideas and create new concepts together with other experts of the industry. In the long run only these solutions are good solutions that benefit all. The Green Tourism Camp is therefore a valuable forum to us which we gladly support."
The positive effects of exchange and training are also confirmed in a study conducted by the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne. Researchers surveyed 150 hoteliers from around the world and concluded that trained employees generated more revenue. Such results indicate that targeted investments in the future of a company pay off. Whether as a hotel, consultant or software provider, it is apparent that long-term success in view of ever-changing technological challenges can only be achieved through continuous exchange. A realization that benefits all: Sharing knowledge and expanding this knowledge together is the most important step to create future-oriented businesses.
More about the organizers of the Green Tourism Camp
Brita Moosmann, owner of yieldforprofit, Andreas Dittlmann, Partner at Inter Change Concept and Wolf-Thomas Karl, joint partner of the agency Karl & Karl initiated the Tourism Go Green Camp in 2011 with partners such as the Deutschen Bahn, Meininger Hotels as well as the Thüringer Tourismus GmbH. The event is official part of the UNESCO event "Education for Sustainable Development." Amongst the organizers and others, protel hotelsoftware GmbH is also sponsor of the Green Tourism Camp.
More information
- Green Tourism Camp | Session Content 2012 (only in german)
- protel Online Training | Ask about it!: training@protel.net
- Study by Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne
When making a large investment or switching to a new innovative technical solution, long-term planning security is essential. Looking into the future is much easier when decisions can be based on experiences. At the Green Tourism Camp 2012 representatives of the tourism and hospitality industry discussed concepts that combine tradition and future.
Based on the fundamental concept of a "barcamp" participants put forward ideas and issues that they were particularly passionate about. This created highly motivated discussion groups and an enthusiastic exchange of ideas on concepts and solutions. One topic that was discussed for instance was the question about what role the subject of sustainability plays in public relations. In the context of "sustainable lifestyles", participants also gathered ideas and suggestions on creating a sustainable corporate culture to promote a positive work environment.
Another group discussed how hard- and software can be used in a sustainable manner. Considering the example of e-Learning, participants quickly realized the economic, environmental and social benefits of training over the Internet and thus that Internet technology can support a sustainable lifestyle. Ultimately it's a win-win situation: A complex infrastructure is not required, there are no travelling expenses and it's environmentally friendly. Daily workflows are improved by well-trained personnel. The employees' satisfaction increases as employees receive practical assistance with their work. And the gained knowledge will enable them to work more independently.
"It was extremely inspiring to see how effective all participants worked together," says Jessica Lohmann, Head of Marketing at protel hotelsoftware GmbH who attended this year's Green Tourism Camp. "For us as a software provider it is very important to develop ideas and create new concepts together with other experts of the industry. In the long run only these solutions are good solutions that benefit all. The Green Tourism Camp is therefore a valuable forum to us which we gladly support."
The positive effects of exchange and training are also confirmed in a study conducted by the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne. Researchers surveyed 150 hoteliers from around the world and concluded that trained employees generated more revenue. Such results indicate that targeted investments in the future of a company pay off. Whether as a hotel, consultant or software provider, it is apparent that long-term success in view of ever-changing technological challenges can only be achieved through continuous exchange. A realization that benefits all: Sharing knowledge and expanding this knowledge together is the most important step to create future-oriented businesses.
More about the organizers of the Green Tourism Camp
Brita Moosmann, owner of yieldforprofit, Andreas Dittlmann, Partner at Inter Change Concept and Wolf-Thomas Karl, joint partner of the agency Karl & Karl initiated the Tourism Go Green Camp in 2011 with partners such as the Deutschen Bahn, Meininger Hotels as well as the Thüringer Tourismus GmbH. The event is official part of the UNESCO event "Education for Sustainable Development." Amongst the organizers and others, protel hotelsoftware GmbH is also sponsor of the Green Tourism Camp.
More information
- Green Tourism Camp | Session Content 2012 (only in german)
- protel Online Training | Ask about it!: training@protel.net
- Study by Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne
