Keynote: Sharing Economy: Hype Or Paradigm Change In Tourism?

Everyone is talking about the Sharing Economy. Digitalization, huge amounts of capital and societal changes have facilitated new disruptive business models like Airbnb and Uber. Classic tourism businesses, like hotels or taxi and limousine services see these developments as a threat to their existence. Tourism destinations, hotels and transportation companies are struggling to find the best methods to meet these new challenges. What is behind the Sharing Economy phenomenon? Is it just temporary and limited to niche segments? Or are we currently experiencing a paradigm change in global tourism as a result of societal megatrends and macro forces? Could it be that the authentic experiences of the Sharing Economy are actually contributing to a form of tourism that conserves resources, is cost-effective and socially acceptable, and helps solve some global challenges? What new opportunities could arise for tourism companies and the industry as a whole?
Speaker:
April Rinne, Sharing Economy Advisor