DAY 2 #DCHH17
Work hard—party hard
Twelve experts led 18 two-hour sessions across six thematic groups—as usual, the second day of DestinationCamp was packed from morning to night with discussions, expert talks, group work, roundtable discussions, and, for the first time, systemic constellations. The evening event aboard the MS KOI provided a well-deserved end-of-day celebration in the form of a four-hour cruise on the Elbe.
In the strategy workshops led by Cornelius Obier and Mathias Burzinski, participants discussed , on the one hand, whether tourism strategies and concepts are even necessary to successfully manage a destination. Strategy, they argued, could also be too restrictive. On the other hand, they called for changes to strategic processes and more information about useful tools. They also noted that cross-border strategic coordination of tourism is necessary.
The three sessions led by Dirk Schmücker and Achim Schloemer focused on digitalization in the workplace and in tourism. It opens up unprecedented opportunities for change, yet no one knows for certain what exactly needs to be changed or how. However, the DMO needs the courage to embrace change. The goal is to secure local value creation. It is “more important to develop an awesome product than to copy the ‘third-best’ systems used by the pros.” Above all, guests’ aspirations and desires should be linked to the region’s strengths. Digitalization is a means to an end in this context, but it does not, in and of itself, create feelings of happiness.
Under the theme “Clarity Through Insight,” Uwe Frers and Ilka Leutritz worked with the participants in their sessions to analyze the recipes for success used by startups and how these could be applied to destinations. They asked how to navigate conflicting demands for “strict” data protection and the added value derived from data sharing, and how to build robust digital data relationships. With structured content and digital services, a destination can gain a competitive edge. However, when building digital infrastructure, there is often a lack of the right mindset, technical expertise, leadership skills, strategy, and clear objectives.
The sessions led by Claudia Brözel and Kirsi Hyvaerinen focused on “free thinking and free speech” at the Magic Round Table. The central theme of the first round was the tension between “dramaturgy – sensation – experience – staging.” Tourism should foster a sense of identity. In the second session, the statements revolved primarily around the topics: “view of humanity – corporate culture – organizational development.” The latter is virtually nonexistent in tourism. In the afternoon session “W3 – Women Working the World,” the discussions focused more on “self-confidence – strengths – quotas – networking.” Conclusion: Feminism is still important—but it has taken on a different character today.
"Making the Hidden Visible" was the theme of the systemic constellations led by Georg Müller-Christ and Sybille Wiedenmann. Their three sessions focused on organizational systems, destinations, and one’s own inner system. Topics included, for example, the tensions between goals and resources, competition and cooperation, and the self versus others. They also explored the realization that changing one’s position in space can also promote the well-being of other participants. The two facilitators helped participants develop a keen sense of the mental effects of one’s position within the network of relationships in an organization or destination. When the constellation is altered, the participants’ “mental maps” reinterpret the relationships.
Ulrich Kastner and Gunar Bergemann ’s agenda included concrete questions under the heading “Sales 4.0”: DMOs are highly dependent on technology, a challenge they find difficult to address both structurally and in terms of content. Nevertheless, it is essential to retain marketing autonomy and ensure that service providers maintain transactional autonomy. This also includes offering better solutions to meet 365-day demand. While machines may be able to replace all structured job roles in the foreseeable future, they cannot replace empathy toward guests. The major challenge is to prepare for completely transformed work situations and to develop creativity in new roles.
While the weather over Hamburg had been damp and overcast that morning, the sky gradually cleared up. When the more than 200 participants boarded the party boat MS KOI behind the Fish Auction Hall at 7 p.m., it was still windy and cool, but the sun was shining brightly from a blue sky.
Just looking at the exterior of the event ship owned by Adler-Schiffe GmbH of Sylt, one could already sense that at least one surprise awaited on board. But what followed elicited numerous “Aaahs” and “Ooohs” from most of the tourism professionals: It’s breathtaking what the designers and interior architects have done with a nearly 40-year-old ferry. The Denmark ferry was built in 1980 at the Husum shipyard. In 2005, the Sylt-based shipping company Adler-Schiffe took it over, converted it into an excursion ship, and sailed it as the “Adler-Dania” across the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. In 2014, it was finally transformed into the party ship MS KOI, featuring an exclusive event space spanning three decks.
Panem et Salis served up stylish buffets: Thai curry, peppered roast beef, shrimp and cod parcels, handmade pasta, and a special selection of cheeses for a midnight snack. The sun set in a beautifully kitschy scene behind the banks of the Elbe, and Vargo set the mood with his popular electronica hits, compilations, and film scores. To the sound of “Clair de Lune” from the *Oceans 11* soundtrack, the MS Koi sailed past the Elbphilharmonie—illuminated at night—and returned to the Fish Auction Hall around midnight.
And here's the video recap of Day 2! The 2017 video documentary is presented on the second day by Scaltel, GEIOS, and HRS Destination Solutions: