Enhancing OceanNomads’ Digital Hub to advance sustainable sailboat travel

PROJECT ID

SME Name:

Ocean Nomads

Country:

The Netherlands

Subsector:

Tour Operator / Travel Agency

*Thematic Axis and Specific Topic:

  • Axis: Digital transition of tourism SMEs
  • Topic: Digital customer experience

*These are Cross-Re-Tour-specific thematic axes inspired by the Transition Pathway for Tourism. The thematic axis were chosen based on what category best reflects the main contributions of the project.

PROJECT SUMMARY & NEEDS

Project summary

Ocean Nomads aimed to leverage green and digital transformation to advance its ambition of promoting low-impact, wind-powered sailboat adventure travel. The core of the project consisted of upgrading a Digital Community Hub, including an interactive member map, digital nudging tools such as the ‘Ripple Log’, and educational resources, to connect members into a sustainable community, encourage greener behaviours, and raise awareness of responsible practices in sailboat travel. The project showcases how technology can be leveraged to connect like-minded adventure travellers and nudge them towards more sustainable choices.

Exploitation Area(s):

  • Mobility
  • Client Nudging

SME needs adressed:

  • Reduce environmental footprint
  • Adapt to changing customer expectations

OUTPUTS & OUTCOMES

Solution implemented

The Ocean Nomads Digital Hub was upgraded with a new interactive Map, the Ripple Log impact tracker, restructured community hub, new custom profile fields, expanded resource, a new website and other digital features, that were tested alongside two organised pilot expeditions (Mallorca to Tenerife and WILD Canaries). The platform also began supporting emerging member-led trips and partnerships.

Cross-Domain Innovation element

The SME adapted certain nudging techniques and tools that are not often used in the tourism industry, but are more commonly used in sectors such as consumer fitness and wellness apps (e.g. Activity tracker etc.)

Key ouputs:

  • The Ocean Nomads Digital Hub was upgraded with a new interactive Map, the Ripple Log impact tracker, restructured community hub, expanded course library, a new website and other digital features.

Key outcomes (Quantitative)

  • ‘The Ripple Log and Wavemaker system, launched in the project, gamify sustainable behaviour across 14 action types. Members log real actions: engine-free sailing, zero-waste swaps, repair, local provisioning;
  • Adoption is early stage: 17 ripples from 4 members at project end; growing participation is a post-project priority.

Key outcomes (Qualitative)

  • Community members linked trough the Hub actively contribute and engage with sustainable travel content: the Map holds 256 member bases, 64 eco tips, and 11 ocean projects (conservation, citizen science). The survey (10 responses) and feedback name conservation, eco-provisioning and real-life connection as top interests;
  • Public reviews cite the alcohol-free, vegetarian trip format.

Lesson(s) learned:

Even when you use digital tools for sustainability nudging, human connection is the starting point, then sustainability will come along. Digital tools are what make that connection scale, once people are connected, digital tools can nudge sustainable behaviour.

CONTACTS

Website / Social Media

https://oceannomads.co/