On 18th September Atlantic Technological University (ATU) and Donegal County Council hosted ten partners from across Europe for a TAAS (Tourism as a Service) Project study visit to Donegal.

TAAS is an Interreg Europe-funded project led by the Centre for Research and Technology Hellas in Greece with partners from Finland, Sweden, France, Italy, Netherlands, Slovenia, Moldovia, and from Ireland ATU and associate partner Donegal County Council. TAAS aims to add Smarter Europe achievement, with a special interest in tourism transformation, join forces to accelerate tourism digitalisation and improve related policy instruments supporting smart and sustainable development. TAAS adopts a ‘tourism as a whole’ approach; and will develop digital tools for addressing the needs and concerns of all tourism-related stakeholders and users while respecting sustainability principles and encouraging responsible tourists who make effective tourism-related decisions.

The day began with a morning session at ATU Letterkenny, featuring a series of insightful presentations from experts in the fields of sustainable tourism and digitalisation including:

Donegal County Council talks on the Sustainable tourism strategy, TEBEX and Donegal DNA
ATU James Hanrahan on the INSTO Observatory at ATU
Therese Maher Failte Ireland Digital that Delivers
Steven Perry from Donegal Local Enterprise Office, Green for Business
Stephen McPeak, Civic Dollar
Margaret Quinn and Catriona Strain Ernact discuss Donegal Digital and the TIDE project.
In the afternoon, the group visited the iconic Fanad Lighthouse, renowned as one of the most beautiful lighthouses in the world. There, the visitors experienced the unique VR exhibit The Storm, The Sea – The Saldanha which showcases the power of digital tourism. Through these engaging sessions, the partners gained valuable insights into leveraging digital technologies, sustainable practices, and innovative solutions to create exceptional tourism experiences from start to finish.

See more information here.