(Scalable) Innovations in Tourism: Insights from our Workshop

Key Takeaways

1. Think BIG – creates perspective
   To scale, you must look beyond the local horizon. Thinking only in regional dimensions is not enough. Courage to take risks – and to accept failure – is essential. Success stories like GetYourGuide show that innovation often happens where big thinking is the norm.
2. Connecting competencies – drives success
   Innovation is not a solo project. Exchanging and combining expertise with other companies, partners, and customers is crucial. Early customer feedback helps develop market-ready products. A strong, diverse team also plays a key role – it’s about mastering the highs and lows together.
3. More start-ups – more opportunities – more success
   Founding takes courage. Especially in tourism, Graubünden can play a driving role with its expertise and numerous organizations. Key success factors are early customers, development partners, and a network of mentors (“Götti/Gotti pool”) who support start-ups. Inspiring success stories add motivation and show: founding a company pays off!
4. Digital transformation – the opportunity – creates customer value
   Digital transformation means simplification – and that creates customer value. In tourism, this offers tremendous potential. Platform solutions, automation, and smart technologies can optimize the guest experience and enable new business models.

The workshop discussions showed: Graubünden has the potential to take new paths in tourism. Entrepreneurial courage, cooperation, digital transformation, and support for start-ups are key. Those who think big and build networks can succeed not only locally, but internationally.
Summary from the workshop, 28.01.2025