Star speakers at conferences connecting tourism to digital technology
Two of the best-known faces of the travel and rural tourism industries, Simon Calder and Adam Henson, will be sharing their views and expertise at digital tourism events to be held in Tewkesbury and Shrewsbury in February 2025.
The digital tourism conferences funded by the River Severn Partnership Advanced Wireless Innovation Region and delivered by Gloucestershire County Council will demonstrate how digital and wireless connectivity can enhance the industry across the region.
They will offer expert advice on:
- improving mobile and broadband connectivity
- Developing an Augmented Reality offer
- Using AI to improve business processes
- Understanding the benefits of wireless technology
- Ask the expert break-out sessions
There will be opportunities for attendees to explore a suppliers market place and hear about how 5G and wireless technologies can support businesses and boost the visitor economy.
Matt Smith, RSPAWIR programme manager, said:-
“The RSPAWIR recognises that tourism is a key part of the region’s economy. By partnering with Gloucestershire County Council to host these events we will demonstrate that advanced wireless technology can boost tourism, protect our environment and local businesses, improve how we deliver rural services and collect information to support future investment.
“We have drawn on the experience of Innovation Region colleagues, mobile network providers and experts in augmented reality and network builders to pull together an informative agenda.”
Robert Macey, Shropshire Council Cabinet member for culture and digital, added:-
“Our aim is to bring people from all areas of the tourism industry together and to demonstrate what can be achieved by embracing wireless connectivity and digital processes, whether that is streamlining their businesses through ticketing and booking or improving visitor experience by embracing promotional ideas such as immersive experiences.
“Both events promise to be informative and an excellent opportunity to explore the marketplace and network with colleagues including members of the Local Visitor Economy Partnerships for both Gloucestershire and Shropshire.”
The Digital Tourism Conferences are being held on Tuesday 11 February at Puckrup Hall Gloucestershire and Wednesday 12 February at Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury from 10am to 4pm.
Adam Henson will be the guest speaker in Tewkesbury and Simon Calder will be speaking at the Shrewsbury event.
Both B2B events are free to attend and are targeted at the tourism and hospitality industry. For more information please see:
Notes to editors: The RSPAWIR, managed by Shropshire Council has been awarded £3.75m of funding from the Government to support the growth of wireless innovation and technology in some of its key economic sectors.
The Partnership comprises the eight English and Welsh councils that cover the River Severn catchment area including Shropshire Council, and is one of 10 UK Innovation Regions to gain funding. The RSPAWIR will focus on accelerating the adoption of advanced wireless enabled technologies across three sectors which have particularly strong roots in the River Severn catchment area:-
- Water management
- Agri-tech
- Public sector
Further information: The award from the Department for Science Innovation and Technology is focused on the delivery of the Government’s Wireless Infrastructure Strategy, published in April 2023. The Partnership will look to its key sectors and communities to take full advantage of the transformative effect of using wireless networks to generate value and growth at the local level.
