Try tourism: Results of the 2nd Trophies for Touristic Innovation

The Trophees de l’Innovation Touristique (Trophies for Touristic Innovation), in partnership with the IRT and the University of Reunion Island, based on the theme of sustainable tourism, have their vi

The Trophees de l’Innovation Touristique (Trophies for Touristic Innovation), in partnership with the IRT and the University of Reunion Island, based on the theme of sustainable tourism, have their victors. On Wednesday, October 2, five prizes were awarded to laureates of the IAE competition (Business Administration Institute), in Saint-Denis.

In 2013, the IRT renewed the 2nd Trophees de lโ€™Innovation Touristique with the following theme: โ€œCome up with an innovative tourism project between Indian Ocean islands, based on the theme of sustainable tourism (minimum of 2 islands, including Reunion).โ€

This competition was designed to make the population aware of the new touristic strategy and more specifically young Reunion students. They are the players of tomorrow and are participating in the construction of the future tourism of Reunion. Through this challenge, they are led towards a territorial prospective approach and realize the tourism assets for the future economy of the island. Itโ€™s a difficult challenge which could encourage new jobs in this growth economic area. This competition was open to all the groups made up of 4 students in the third year of their degree up to the second year of their Masters.

The competition occurred from last April to June; the period of time during which the files were submitted by the candidates. A selection phase of five files took place between June and August 2013. This selection was then submitted to a final jury with a presentation completed by the five successful groups last September.

Itโ€™s worth noting that the three best works were compensated by IRT with prizes with a strong pedagogical value:

– 1st prize โ€“ a trip to South Africa
– 2nd prize โ€“ an educational trip to Reunion
– 3rd prize โ€“ a weekend in a hotel on the island
– 4th prize โ€“ a night in a guestroom
– 5th prize โ€“ a night in a hiking lodge

Discover the five winning projects in 2013

– 1st prize โ€“ Experiense as Group: the project is based on innovating the transportation services in the Indian Ocean. It aims to create a regional submarine network enabling touristic, economic, scientific and cultural exchanges at the bottom of the Indian Ocean. The idea is to recycle military submarines by adapting them thanks to marine current power techniques (hydraulic underwater or floating turbines). This project aims to innovate the transport sector, make local populations aware of the environment that surrounds them, but also to develop an underwater life style with, for example, the creation of underwater labs.

– 2nd prize โ€“ Indikon Pelago Group: The โ€œEco-responsible Indian Ocean cruiseโ€ project proposes a normal sized vessel (60 passengers) which would travel between Reunion, Mayotte, Madagascar and the Seychelles with the goal of creating a real Indian Ocean island identity during a participatory eco-sustainable trip. The vessel would have the quality of being eco-sustainable, thanks to the energy and propulsion options which could be a part of the boats design. The vessel would work in a participatory way where, on board, the passengers would be able to decide their future stops and learn about creole culture thanks to books, cinematographic projections and other things. The quite long ports of call planned into the cruise package would be based on sustainable development themes.

– 3rd prize โ€“ Vanโ€™Iles Group: The project consists of creating a shuttle which would travel both on the water and under it (for 60 passengers) this is with the ambition of creating a Reunion-Mauritius link in 1 hour, but also to compete with the aeroplane in terms of speed and an affordable price. This shuttle would run on renewable energy and would be built with transparent and sustainable materials (materials chosen to give passengers a panoramic view). On board, a projection room and a sports room would be made available for the passengers. This shuttle submarine ensures the economic development of the Indian Ocean islands.

– 4th prize โ€“ IndianOceaNovation Group: the project aims to create an original boat which would have multiple purposes, that of inter-island luxury cruises, mini-cruises and autonomous transport in the Indian Ocean. The aim is to make a boat available that is out of the ordinary through its style and its aesthetics, as well as the different travel themes and routes that it would create. The project has eco-construction characteristics, notably through the material that would be chosen; wood and glass, but also eco-management ones via an electric motor and a back-up motor working on biofuel (sugar cane).

– 5th prize โ€“ LIFDOI Group: The โ€œPlan and LIFDOI routeโ€ project suggest creating a tourist product able to contribute to development on the islands of Reunion and Mayotte. The touristic product is characterized by creating an inter-island sporting event in the form of games, promoted by emblematic celebrities from Reunion, Mayotte and metropolitan France. This inter-island competition would take care to highlight environmental projects and sustainable touristic development of the islands. Itโ€™s about bringing a promotional and communicative aid to the two islands.

About the author

Avatar of Linda Hohnholz

Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

Share to...