EU-funding creates competitiveness and sustainability amongst SMEs in West Sweden/Region Västra Götaland Lotta Nibell-Keating

West Sweden 49 municipalities 1,5 million inhabitants Car manufacturing Agriculture Tourism 6 universities students

West Sweden Tourist Board Publicly owned Mission is to develop and market Västra Götaland (West Sweden) ”West Sweden aims to be Scandinavia’s most visited, appreciated and profitable tourism region”

Strategic Development Areas Accessibility Attraction Co-operation Knowledge Sustainability

Air accessibility + 1% + 57% Göteborg City Airport Landvetter Main Airport Turn over per passenger 550€

Challenge Limited Online booking Majority are Small Businesses Rural Development Fund

Inventory Booking System Agreement – City Break Seminars One on one coaching Technical support Action Plan

From 17 to 350 Increased turnover Product development New markets Increase in international bed nights Results

Other positive effects Better statistics Increased knowledge Spill-over effects city-region 93 percent satisfaction rate

Customer Satisfaction

Recommend to others

MetU – Method to develop sustainable and competitive SMEs Regional structure fund for competitiveness and employment Section: Co-operation and innovation 200 active SMEs 10 new SMEs 25 new employments 50 new products 20 new packages in co-operation

Cross selling New Zealand model + modern technique Hospitality Co-operation Add on sales Distribution of tourism Benchmark: New Zealand Scotland- Green Business Tourism Scheme

Thank you and Welcome to West Sweden!