In its simplest terms, sustainable development means ensuring that human activities in the present do not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their needs – with models that (re)generate shared values.
The electrification of transport is a hot topic at the moment, but do we fully understand the opportunities for tourism business models and the future of the industry? Here are three ways of thinking about the potential of this heralded change in the transport and mobility sector.
1- New urban-scale logistics systems
You may not realize it yet, but the innovation ecosystem is bubbling over with new business models that are seizing on the electrification of transport to develop new markets.
The source of this wave lies in a few magic words – “break-even”. Whereas gasoline used to make transport operations within cities costly (just look at your vehicle’s fuel consumption indexes between city and highway), the very affordable cost of electricity in Quebec means that electric vehicles can do it all again. With improved break-even points, new logistical and sustainable systems can be created.
As an example, let’s consider the possibility of opting for zero-waste models for home catering. The logistics involved in collecting reusable dishes would have been too costly under a gasoline-powered transport model. With electric power, this is now possible. And the big question to ask in this example: for the same price, which restaurant would you recommend – the one that helps save the world, or the one where you can hear the delivery man’s exhaust announcing his arrival around the corner…?
This shows that the electrification of transport can help redefine the offer and services provided within an urban destination.
2- Aerial views of major cities
The electrification of transport also applies to air mobility. Indeed, as part of MT Lab’s international tourism innovation network, the ADP Group – a world leader in the airport sector – is currently running a pilot project to offer a flying cab service between now and the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. In 3 years’ time, not 10 or 20.
Now imagine the opportunities created by these new “direct” links between airport sites and tourist attractions. In the case of Montreal, for example, we could imagine a tourist bypassing the road congestion between the airport and the Casino de Montréal by air, cutting his or her transit time from 45 minutes to 15 minutes.
Too futuristic, you say? Considering that Bell Textron is currently developing its electric flying cab, the “Nexus”, at its Mirabel plant – don’t be surprised if these vehicles are part of the tourist landscape in our major cities within the next few years. This announced transformation of urban mobility will lead major attractions to position themselves on the subject and ensure they are competitive in terms of speed of access to this new network.
3- Long-term accessibility to Quebec’s regions
The Quebec government has committed to ceasing the sale of new fossil-fuel vehicles as early as 2035. This change is one of the measures included in the plan to combat climate change. As you can see, the challenge of sustainable mobility between the regions of Quebec involves the ability to cover long distances while ensuring travel with the lowest carbon footprint.
La Navette Nature is a prime example of a business model that takes advantage of the electrification of transport to generate sustainable tourism. The benefits of this model are threefold:
- The company offers shuttle bus services between urban centers and regional outdoor destinations – making nature accessible to tourists and citizens without cars.
- With routes maximized and, since it’s public transport, the carbon footprint of travel is already reduced.
- With the company’s decision to acquire electric buses, Navette Nature will be able to offer its customers affordable fares – avoiding future inflation in oil prices – as well as even more eco-responsible travel.
A proven business model, but one that also has the advantage of being built for the future. We can’t help but note that it also echoes the most recent orientations of Quebec’s Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Transport.
What about you? What opportunities does the electrification of transport bring for your organization?
If you know of any entrepreneurs with innovative sustainable tourism models, please get in touch!
Originally published on Tourisme Express on May 31, 2021
