Limited space for businesses on Digital Tourism Support programme
22nd March 2025
Businesses in the tourism sector and its supply chain in the Highland Council area are being encouraged to secure a place on the Digital Tourism Support Programme.
The programme is offering support to eligible businesses and social enterprises of up to three days of free, personalised, one-to-one digital advice from industry experts.
The programme is part of the Northern Innovation Hub (NIH), which was awarded £11m from the UK Government, £1.2m ERDF and £500,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) through the Inverness and Highland City Region deal, which is a joint initiative supported by up to £315m investment from the UK and Scottish governments, The Highland Council, HIE and the University of the Highlands and Islands, aimed at stimulating sustainable regional economic growth.
Businesses will receive a bespoke technology adoption plan and may be eligible to apply for a grant from HIE, which will cover up to 50 percent of the cost of implementing the recommended digital tools.
Designed to help tourism organisations advance their digital capabilities for immediate impact and sustainable growth, the programme will help with a range of digital areas, for example:
Streamlining business processes, such as finances or hotel pricing/demand analysis
Applications of AI (Artificial Intelligence) in customer service, e.g. through chatbots
Robotics and automation, e.g. cleaning, concierge services, and baggage handling; and
mobile technology, front and back-office systems, cloud computing and more.
Anna Miller, head of tourism at HIE, who took to the stage at the AI summit in Eden Court recently, said, "The AI summit focused on the impact of artificial intelligence in the tourism and hospitality industries. By adopting existing digital technology, organisations can become more efficient and productive. By participating in this programme, businesses can receive personalised digital advice from industry experts, helping them adopt AI applications, streamline operations and enhance customer experience.
"With limited space available on this programme, now is a good time for businesses to embrace digital transformation. Doing so can lead to immediate impacts and sustainable growth, positioning them at the forefront of innovation in the tourism industry."
Tourism businesses can find out more about the Digital Tourism Support programme on HIE's website.
https://www.hie.co.uk/support/browse-all-support-services/nih/digitaltourism/
Related Businesses
Related Articles
The new, state-of-the-art Technology and Innovation Centre at UHI North, West and Hebrides' Stornoway campus officially opened following a £2.3m investment. It is the first capital project to be delivered under the Islands Growth Deal, a ten-year package that seeks to drive economic growth and the creation of sustainable jobs across Shetland, Orkney and the Outer Hebrides.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is looking to contract a specialist operating company to run a new multi-million-pound innovation centre under development in Moray to support manufacturing. The three-year contract will involve developing and managing the service offering of the new Manufacturing Innovation Centre Moray (MICM), as well as stakeholder engagement, marketing and promotion of the facility.
An innovation project by a major carrot grower in Moray is forecast to strengthen the company's position and create more jobs. Family-run firm, AA Carrots Ltd grows carrots on 400 acres of land around Moray and Aberdeenshire, of which around half is organic.
More than 30 of the region's businesses are took centre stage at the UK's biggest renewable energy exhibition and conference at Glasgow’s SEC 14-15 May. Global experts, academics and innovators gathered at the annual All-Energy exhibition and conference to advance Scotland’s goal of net zero and achieving a sustainable future.
The scale of transformational opportunity facing the Highlands and Islands economy has been quantified for the first time in a new report. The study reports 251 planned development projects in the economic pipeline of what it refers to as regional transformational opportunities (RTOs).
The renewable energy credentials of the Highlands and Islands has attracted a visit this week from a top UK Government official leading the drive to secure clean energy by 2030. Chris Stark leads the UK Government's Mission for Clean Power by 2030, in the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has submitted an application for planning permission in principle to make way for the second and final phase of development at Inverness Campus. Most of the development in the proposals is for commercial floorspace, with other elements including hotel and academic space.
Highland food and drink supply chain or manufacturing businesses are being encouraged to take advantage of fully funded one-to-one technology advice and funding support. The support is part of the second phase of Food and Drink TechHUB, which itself is part of the Northern Innovation Hub (NIH), a multi-million-pound initiative led by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) under the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal.
The Highlands and Islands Regional Economic Partnership (HIREP)'s Regional Economic Strategy addresses the challenges affecting the region's businesses and communities. A partnership of public, private and academic organisations in the Highlands and Islands has unveiled its ten-year strategy to deliver sustainable economic growth across the region.
Loch Fyne company Otter Ferry Seafish Limited to increase production, safeguard the workforce and create new jobs. A £350,000 expansion project at a seafood company in Argyll will increase production, safeguard the workforce and create new jobs.