WHY APPLY TO THE CALL FOR SOLUTIONS?
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Funding of up to $130,000 to develop and test your solution;
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Access to MT Lab’s network of experts to help you develop your solution;
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Your solution will be integrated into Tourisme Cantons-de-l’Est’s promotional tools and campaigns;
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Obtain access to workspace at Tourisme Cantons-de-l’Est for the duration of the project;
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Receive information on visitor profiles, available activities and current visitor facilities.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
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The applicant must be an innovative company wishing to implement its solution with Tourisme Cantons-de-l’Est;
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The applicant must have been in operation for more than one year;
- Applicants must have a Quebec Enterprise Number (NEQ);
- All projects are subject to approval by the Ministry of Tourism.
- It must be possible to complete the project in its entirety within the stated parameters before March 31, 2025;
- The same company may not receive financial support from the Tourism Innovation Program more than once in the same year;
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A supplier and/or recipient of Tourism Innovation Program funding may not be a winner for more than two consecutive years;
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Also, a supplier and/or a beneficiary of a call for challenges or a call for solutions cannot be a winner if they were a winner the previous year;
- The application guidelines, including those relating to the documents to be attached to the form, must be followed.
TRENDS TO LOOK FOR IN YOUR APPLICATION
Artificial intelligence solutions must be in line with one or more of the following five (5) trends that follow:
- Personalizing the experience: Personalization is at the heart of modern travelers’ expectations. AI makes it possible to collect and analyze data on visitors’ preferences and behaviors, offering personalized recommendations.
- Immersive experiences: The immersive approach aims to create memorable and engaging experiences from the moment visitors arrive at a destination or tourist site.
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The senses : The sensory experience is at the heart of tomorrow’s tourism. We no longer consume to “have”, but to “be”. Travelers expect even more emotions, with all their senses stimulated. Consumers have a strong need for experiences that appeal to all their senses.
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Access to dynamic information: Today’s visitors are looking for real-time information, tailored to their location, current weather conditions and personal preferences. The aim should be to offer visitors a personalized experience, using dynamic data to recommend activities and locations based on various criteria.
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Use of external data: To offer relevant recommendations, it’s crucial to integrate external data such as weather conditions, road traffic, public transport and more. This information helps refine recommendations and enhance the visitor experience in real time.
SOLUTION SELECTION CRITERIA
- The solution enhances the visitor experience
- Solution demonstrates ability to measure regional benefits
- The company’s ability to market the solution
- Ability to deliver the pilot project (robust technology, team expertise, on-time delivery)
- The business model is sustainable and aims to be replicable in the rest of the industry;
- The potential for increased productivity in the tourism business :
- Consideration of the principles of responsible and sustainable tourism in both the mas much in the business model as in the solution;
- Reducing the environmental footprint of tourism;
- Supporting the transition to a circular economy;
- Promote sustainable means of transport;
- Development of nature and adventure tourism with an ecotourism approach;
- Promoting tourism that benefits people and respects communities;
HOW TO SUBMIT A PROJECT
As an applicant, you must submit your application by completing this form. In the form, you will need to provide the following 2 documents:
1. Presentation document (maximum 8 pages – template to download and complete)including the following information:
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- Demonstrate your your understanding of the issues in terms of welcoming visitors (1/2 page)
- Presentation of your company and team (1 page);
- Presentation of your solution, explaining how it meets to the challenges faced by the as well as the trend (p.9-10) in which it fits (1 to 2 pages);
- Introducing your customers and your current current marketing capacity (1 page)
- Presentation of your business model (1 page) (How will your solution be financed after the pilot? Who will pay and what will be the rates?)
Indicate any intellectual property you own and, if applicable, partnership agreements with other companies; - Timeline (including all elements to be developed) (1 page);
- Detailed budget for solution implementation (1 to 2 pages) Cost overruns will have to be borne by your company;
2. A declaration of non-conflict of interest between the applicant and members of the MT Lab team as well as members of the MT Lab Board of Directors (1 page – template to be completed)
Do you have any questions?
Consult the Applicant’s Guide
Watch the recording of the information session of October 03, 2024
For all other questions, please contact Emilie Gaudette, Senior Advisor – Tourism Innovation Program Management, at emilie@mtlab.ca.
This program is part of the Tourism Innovation Program managed by MT Lab and set up with the financial support of the Ministry of Tourism.
