Unimaginable in the days of Heidi and Peter. Today, the next logical step in the direction of digitalisation: Tourism destinations are also considering how they can use the latest technologies for themselves. The holiday region Heidiland is currently working on a blockchain network in the tourism industry. The so-called "HeidiCHain" lays the foundation for numerous new digital applications and services.

Digital key to the holiday destination Heidiland

Book an overnight stay, rent an e-bike or order food with just one click? That is nothing new. But "HeidiCHain" offers more than just online bookings. "Our guests receive a digital key for the holiday region of Heidiland!" explains Orlando Bergamin, Managing Director of Heidiland Tourismus AG.

In the future, guests will register on their smartphone with the help of an application when they arrive. They will receive a so-called "HeidiCHain tourist ID". This means that their data will be stored decentrally and anonymously within a partner network. In future, guests will no longer have to fill out forms when checking into the hotel. The tickets for the hiking trip the next day can also be reserved directly, eliminating the queueing at the cable cars. Lunch in the restaurant could also be ordered and paid easily via smartphone.

Many advantages for guests and service suppliers

According to Orlando Bergamin, the focus is clearly on guest benefits. "HeidiCHain" is intended to make visitors' stay in Heidiland more comfortable. Among other things, guests should benefit from the networked tourist services and a bonus system.

But "HeidiCHain" is also interesting for partners of Heidiland Tourism: hotels, sports shops, restaurants or mountain railways - they should all have access to the anonymised data and thus offer visitors exactly what they need. "The system has enormous potential," says Bergamin. "In a further step, we could, for example, discuss the connection of public transport or networking beyond the region!

First implementations by autumn 2021

The managing director of Heidiland Tourism emphasises: "These are still visions at the moment". The basic concept will be worked on until October 2021. Various things are still being clarified at the moment, for example whether people will register via app or website. The first changes could be noticeable for guests in the 2021/22 winter season, for example in the form of personalised information or simplified access authorisations.

Heidiland Tourismus AG is working with the blockchain experts from the Solothurn company rell.io. The project is accompanied by the University of St. Gallen and supported by Innotour. This is the innovation programme of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) for tourism. The implementation of "HeidiCHain" is currently estimated at around one million Swiss francs.

More information Ferienregion Heidiland