Digitourism: submit your digital solution for tourism by May 17

Tourism companies in Valais need to step up their digitalization efforts to offer more sustainable and efficient services. Under the aegis of the Digitourism program, the canton of Valais is launching a Swiss-wide call for digital solutions. Interested companies undertake to implement their solution with a Valais tourism provider. They have until midday on May 17, 2021 to submit their applications, with the hope of winning CHF 15,000 each.

After a successful first edition in 2020, the Digitourism program - which aims to accelerate digital transformation within Valais tourism businesses - is launching a new call for digital solutions. It encourages Swiss technology companies providing digital solutions for tourism to team up with Valais tourism businesses (accommodation providers, ski lifts, outdoor activities, etc.) to propose digital solutions that can be rapidly mobilized. These digital solutions should contribute to more sustainable and efficient tourism.

Who can participate?

Any Swiss company with a digital solution applicable to the tourism sector. The company must team up with a Valais tourism business (hotel, restaurant, ski lift, ski school, etc.) in which the digital solution is already in place, or will be by the end of 2021. This is to ensure a rapid impact on the tourism industry, and therefore on the guests who will soon be staying in Valais.

For what purpose?

These digital solutions (software, SaaS solutions or digital platforms) should enable Valais-based tourism businesses to improve their operations and increase their efficiency. They could also help make their tourism products more sustainable, or enable them to offer new tourism experiences geared towards four-season tourism.

15,000 francs per solution chosen

In concrete terms, digital solutions can be submitted online at www.digitourism.ch from now until 12:00 on May 17. A jury of tourism and digitalization professionals will select up to five winners by early June 2021. These will each win 15,000 Swiss francs to facilitate the implementation of their solution, as well as support services. 

Economic development program

Digitourism is a multi-year economic development program launched by the canton of Valais and managed by CimArk SA. Thanks to its concrete services, it enables tourism professionals and technology companies to benefit from targeted support. Training, coaching, networking and calls for solutions: Digitourism draws on local digital skills to strengthen and accelerate the digital transformation of Valais tourism businesses.

Contact persons

Eric Bianco, Head of the Economy, Tourism and Innovation Department, 027 606 73 55

Jérôme Salamin, Digitourism Program Manager, Cimark SA, 079 342 78 16

Source: Canton of Valais press release