The ” Technological Breakfasts” is an initiative by the Cabildo de Fuerteventura and the commission of CIC Fuerteventura- (Centro de Innovación Tecnológica y Conocimiento del Turismo de Fuerteventura), organized to boost productive conversations, debates, exchange of knowledge and experiences amongst the entrepreneurs of the island with the aim of making Fuerteventura a digital mecca of sustainable tourism and social innovation.
The event took place on March 3rd, 2022 at the Palacio de Congresos y Formacion de Fuerteventura and was spearheaded by the focused Jonathan Gil, Director of the Ministry of New Technologies of the Cabildo de Fuerteventura, and the charming Javier Franco Hormiga- Co-ordinator of Sciences Technological Innovation and Digital Development of the Island Council Fuerteventura (Ciencias Innovación Tecnológica y Desarrollo Digital (CITDD) del Cabildo Insular Fuerteventura) in association with the continuous support of Mario Montserrat de La Cruz, the director at ASOFUER( Association of Entrepreneurs of Fuerteventura).
With its new edition this year, the first Tech Breakfast hosted David Giner project co-ordinator for the Invat.tur– a center specialized in the generation and transfer of tourism knowledge, through the development of activities in research, development, and innovation (R+D+i) in tourism in the Comunitat Valenciana.
The conversations focused on examples of sustainable innovation and digitalization for greener tourism and circular economy. The big famous word “DTI” that has been moving governments and public-private partnerships in the Canary Islands was the focus point even here. DTI- is an intelligent tourist destination (or Smart Destination)- an innovative tourist space, accessible to all, consolidated on a cutting-edge technological infrastructure that guarantees the sustainable development of the territory while facilitating interaction and integration of the visitor within the environment while increasing the quality of life of the residents.
The presentation led to a round of questions and answers from the crowd, with most entrepreneurs questioning the means of bridging the gap between the snail-paced processes of a not-so-digitally-prepared government and the progressive ideas of residents to achieve digital sustainability. Amongst the attendees were Antonio Hormiga, the president of ASOFUER, represents of the Ayuntamiento of Pajara, Puerto del Rosario, and Antigua. From the north of the island were present the team of Fuerteventura Startups– the island’s first start-up and digital consultancy based in Corralejo.
One of the suggestions that were appreciated was of Antonio Hormiga about the possibility of labeling accommodations with an “S” for “Sustainability,” much like back in the day properties had a “Q” for “Quality.”
Another question came from one of the founders of Fuerteventura Startups– Varsha Krishnani, “All the suggestions and ideas presented in this two-hour presentation today, we have already provided the government with the solutions, plans, roadmaps, and technology wireframes. However, the lack of know-how and organized structure in the public bodies has led us to build these projects ourselves. What is your suggestion for young tech entrepreneurs like us who want to help the government in making this island a greener and smarter island?” The speakers did not have an answer to it, knowing the bureaucratic limits and processes, and suggested keeping the work on and pushing these public and private sector partnerships to see real change. With each featured edition of this beautiful initiative, we hope the government and the entrepreneurs get closer to making our island green and intelligent while protecting its heritage and making resident life richer.
