EUREKA TOURISM is a European strategic initiative launched within the EUREKA programme and led by Spain, oriented to the sustainable improvement of tourism, leisure and cultural sectors. The objective is the definition of the main lines of technological development and the generation of R&D projects that as a result would set up products, processes or innovative services with technological basis and a commercial interest.

Oriented to public and private entities, EUREKA TOURISM is a real European network for technological innovations in the tourist sector.

2009-03-25

FAQ

What is EUREKA?
Eureka is an initiative supporting Research & Development, focusing on the productivity and competitiveness of European companies through the promotion and the realization of technological projects at an international level.
Eureka is service and market-oriented and offers a strong network, counting on 38 participating European countries and the European Union, representing 12.000 partners from across Europe.
To get more information about Eureka, visit www.eureka.be

What is Eureka Tourism?
Eureka Tourism is a strategic programme for the development of new tourism concepts based on Technological Innovation.
The Eureka Tourism (E!3810) is the continuation of the former EUROTOURISM Umbrella (E! 2527), running from 2001 to 2004. The target of the new Umbrella is to become a meeting point for companies operating in the tourism sector (hotel chains, travel agencies, leisure enterprises, etc.) and for companies developing technology programmes to be applied in the tourist services. The technology area is mostly represented by information, communication, environment, food, automation and transport technology.

How can I receive information?
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How do I register?
Fill in the form on the Register section and you will receive all the information about projects.

What essential elements should be the main components of a Eureka Tourism project?
All Eureka projects must be clearly linked to Technology and Innovation. A project with poor information or relation to technology and Innovation has no chance to be approved, as all Eureka NPCs (National Project Coordinators) and Chair consider technology and innovation an essential ingredient.

I have an idea, what should I do?
If you wish to propose an idea, send us an e-mail to eureka.tourism@gmail.com or do it via the Eureka Tourism website, on "Propose an idea" and we will get back to you.

I have a Project idea, but no partner, how can I find partners?
The Eureka Tourism activity (both national and international) include workshops, seminars, participation in fairs, conferences to support action and activities to focus on the selected priority area.

Eureka Tourism actively promote its activities.
Also, the National Project Coordinators ensure information exchange between the national offices concerned and help projects find partners, sometimes through locally organised brokerage events.
Spreading information (promotion, newsletters, etc.) Eureka Tourism participate actively in the search of partners in Europe and has created a very complete data base, with a clear focus on Tourism and Technology.

What is the basic structure of Eureka Tourism projects?
It is essential that all the projects have at least a main participant. However, each concrete project's structure is determined by the participants.

Who define projects?
In collaboration with the Main Coordinator of the corresponding Thematic Area, the idea will be considered and developed.
The project basics must be clearly explained and determined before the project is started.

How many countries should be involved in a project?
A minimum of 2 countries must participate in a project.

Who can participate?
Large company, SME, University, Research Institute, Organization, Administration, etc.
… all with tourism, leisure, culture or technological activity.

What is the role of the Main Coordinator?
The Main Coordinator of a Thematic Area is responsible for the transmission of any document and information connected to the Eureka Tourism Umbrella, Secretariat and Chair; and of presenting the Work Plan at the Network Working Meetings.
For each thematic priority, one Member of the Eureka Tourism Member State is appointed main co-ordinator. The main co-ordinator chairs a working group dedicated to the thematic priority area.
The main co-ordinator is always either a National Public or National Private Representative, but the working group may be supplemented by experts and stakeholders within the area.

Who can I contact in my own country?
- The Eureka Networks currently counts 39 members, represented by National Project Coordinators in each country.

- Also, EUREKATourism has contact points in 10 countries around Europe. For more information check http://sites.google.com/site/weareineurekatourism/

What does the abreviation NPC stand for?
NPCs are National Project Coordinators. They provide market knowledge, scientific expertise, general information, support and facilitate access to national funding.
They are usually based in public entities, such as ministries or government agencies and they generally all meet regularly to propose projects to be endorsed and approved by the entire Eureka Network.

Why should I contact my NPC?
Once the project is established, you must contact your National Project Coordinator to present the project and ask for his support.
The NPC will assess and evaluate the project. Make sure you directly ask her/him of the legal aspect and administrative work you have to do. Sometimes, you will be asked to prepare a complete report on your own language, with information about the project itself, financial information, market research, complete established forms, etc. But this is no rule; each country has its own procedure.
Your NPC will assess and support (or not) the project. They must be aware of the situation. Her/his support is essential.

What are the financial requisites?
Each participant in the project must be able to deal and financially face the project, with all the consequences.
Each country has its own funding scheme, contact your NPC for information, or the Eureka Tourism Secretariat.
Also, in a project, contribution between participants should be balanced.

About us

To improve competitiveness of the European industry through technology
This is our objective within the EUREKA programme, to be the ideal framework for the R&D developments in the tourism sector. For this, the umbrella promotes co-operative execution of projects with a clear application to the market, and where at least two companies or research institutes from different countries - members would collaborate.

Only European collaborating projects...
Thus, it deals with a collaboration project between participants that would be able to foresee an open technology interchange and an adequate technical, organisational and financial qualification.

Flexibility
Participants determine their objectives, participation type, goals and budget in a flexible way and according to each entity’s needs and features (bottom-up philosophy).

If you are a Public or Private company, from the Tourism, Technology, Innovation Sectors, SME, Large, University, Research Centre... this project can be of your interest.

Unique international action for R&D in Tourism
The Eureka Tourism Umbrella represents the unique international action that gives a concrete and global response to the need, supporting new technologies in the sector of one of the most economic impacts at the world level. This initiative pretends to generate a modern and dynamic format of joint work between the tourist, culture and leisure companies and technology enterprises through the European co-operation.

Our Main Goal
The target of Eureka Tourism is to become a meeting point for companies operating in the tourism sector (hotel chains, travel agencies, leisure enterprises, etc.) and for companies developing technology programmes to be applied in the tourist services.
What is a Eureka Tourism Proyect
Essential ingredients for a project within the Eureka Tourism framework
  • Being a Cooperation project
  • Being trans-national, (i.e. 2 companies from 2 different member countries should be involved)
  • Market-oriented
  • Highly technological and innovative, applied to the Tourism Sector

What's the point in setting up a project within the Eureka Tourism criteria?

  • European technological label of quality of the project
  • European technologically innovative image of the company
  • Much easier access to national funding system
  • And much more...
Why joining us?

Improvement and sustainability of the tourism, leisure and cultural industry

The objective of this strategic project is the application of new technologies for the improvement and sustainability of the tourism, leisure and cultural industry as well as increasing the European citizen’s standard of life. The main objective of Eureka Tourism is to become a framework in which enterprises, business associations, research institutions and public administrations (at local, regional, national, EUROPEAN UNION and EUREKA levels) can work jointly and set up projects.

Eureka Tourism helps you...
  • Setting up a project: assessment from the beginning until the end of the project, on a development point of view as well as administrative labour
  • Establish international contacts and in your partner search throughout Europe and all the 37 countries forming the EUREKA Network
  • Project promotion & diffusion
  • Gives you access to a European technological label of quality
  • European technologically innovative image of the company
  • Much easier access to national funding system
  • And much more...