Test your idea in the Sandbox of the Platform of the Open Innovation Ecosystem (PIA) — a secure and collaborative environment for experimenting with, developing, and optimizing technological solutions for the tourism sector.
What is the Sandbox?
The Platform of the Open Innovation Ecosystem (PIA) Sandbox is a secure development and testing environment designed for stakeholders in the tourism ecosystem — including technology companies, public administrations, universities and research centers, sector associations, and destinations — to develop and test digital solutions before their market deployment.
This space allows companies, universities, and research centers to work with real data, use advanced computing resources, and collaborate with other key players in the tourism sector, all within a controlled setting. The sandbox is the right solution for those looking to reduce risk, refine their technological tools, and drive tourism innovation.
Key benefits:
- Safe environment to test new technologies
- Access to real data from the tourism sector
- Advanced cloud computing resources
- Collaboration with the broader tourism ecosystem
Who can use the Sandbox?
The Platform of the Open Innovation Ecosystem (PIA) Sandbox is aimed at key stakeholders in the tourism ecosystem looking to develop and implement innovative solutions in a secure, collaborative environment. It is specifically designed for:
- Tech companies: Organizations developing digital tools or technological services for the tourism sector, looking to build and validate new products.
- Public administrations: Government bodies and destination management organizations seeking to explore and adopt innovative technologies to enhance visitor experience and tourism management.
- Universities and research centers:Academic and scientific institutions engaged in applied tourism and technology research, needing a space to test and turn ideas into practical solutions.
- Sector associations: Business associations, tech clusters, and innovation hubs that promote collaboration among their members and support impactful joint tourism projects.
- Destinations: Management entities promoting tourism-oriented technology services to drive data exchange and enable new use cases — such as managing mass tourism in summer, controlling visitor flows, or solving issues like disconnected conference zones and accommodations — ultimately improving destination management and fostering innovative products.
What benefits does the PIA Sandbox offer?
The Sandbox provides a set of benefits for those aiming to innovate and optimize technological processes in the tourism sector. From proof-of-concept testing to cross-sector collaboration, it’s a unique tool that drives digital development in tourism.
- Risk reduction.
Run tests and adjustments in a secure setting, minimizing the risk of errors in real market conditions. - Faster innovation.
Gain access to real data and advanced technologies that enable agile development and testing of new ideas. - Resource optimization.
Use cloud computing resources without needing to invest in your own infrastructure. - Collaboration and networking.
Foster interactions between tech and business stakeholders, creating synergies and driving joint innovation. - Feasibility testing (technical and economic)
Developers can assess both the technical viability and business case of their idea — understanding the costs involved and better planning their go-to-market strategy.
How does the Sandbox work?
The Platform of the Open Innovation Ecosystem (PIA) Sandbox is a controlled test environment where users can experiment and refine their ideas before launching them. Thanks to access to advanced technological resources, tourism stakeholders can validate their projects in a secure space, maximizing impact while minimizing risk.
Key Steps in Using the Sandbox
- Access and setup
Build a custom testing environment based on specific needs - Solution development
Use available data and tools to build and refine technological solutions - Testing and validation
Verify the solution and optimize outcomes in a risk-free setting - Collaboration and iteration
Collaborate with other stakeholders, share ideas, and receive feedback to improve your project
Innovation in tourism
The Platform of the Open Innovation Ecosystem (PIA) Sandbox is designed for those who want to drive innovation in tourism and improve their processes through technology.