SYLT GEARS UP FOR TOURISM WITH APP

Sylt, is one of the most popular vacation regions in Germany. But tourists from other parts of the world also like to visit the idyllic North Sea island. To ensure that tourism soon returns to its usual form and the island is revitalized, Sylt has come a long way in terms of contact tracing in the face of the coronavirus pandemic: over 200 businesses on the island have registered for the "luca" app. This is an app that is designed to help break any chains of infection effectively and in compliance with data protection regulations.

An app saves tourism

By enabling the exchange of information with the health authorities, the app saves important time compared to conventional, analog systems. In addition, "luca" can also be used without a smartphone, for example with the help of QR code cards or key fobs. "For us islanders as well as for our guests, "luca" is the building block without alternative for the functioning of everyday life and tourism during the pandemicsays Moritz Luft, Managing Director of Sylt Marketing Gesellschaft, who initiated the system on the island at the end of last year. 

In addition to the ongoing installation of the app in Sylt's restaurants and accommodation, the SMG team is currently pushing ahead with implementation in other areas with customer or guest traffic. For example, medical practices, law firms, fitness studios and hairdressing salons are being familiarized with "luca", with schools and day-care centres to follow shortly. "With our cross-sector commitment, we can demonstrate that the desire expressed at federal level, among others, for uniform contact tracing can be realized with "luca". All the necessary conditions are met to ensure nationwide use", summarizes Luft. In future, it will also be possible to integrate test results and vaccination confirmations from the public and guests. "In this way, a further step towards transparency would be possible for all those affected and the upcoming test offensive could achieve a corresponding positive effect." 

For the coming weeks until the restart of the tourism season, Moritz Luft hopes for one thing above all: "The insights gained on Sylt regarding the implementation of "luca" are ideal as inspiration for all the regions and cities that are currently dealing with the topic. So we should waste no more time and coordinate feasible ways of living with the pandemic in the form of a knowledge exchange," he calls for cooperation.

On the websites www.sylt.de/luca or www.luca-app.de the application is available for download free of charge.

Picture CreditsSylt Marketing / Monica Gumm, culture4life, Kerstin Herrmann / Pixabay