11 November 2024, Switzerland. ‘You. Smart. Thing.’ (YST) has been selected by the Sustainable Mountain Alliance’s (SMA) Mountain Solutions Accelerator. The Accelerator supports a select number of innovative solutions that are designed to innovate and advance a regenerative sport and tourism economy in the mountains, conserve the mountain ecosystem, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
YST’s digital solution provides a travel demand management and travel assistant service that promotes carbon avoidance by prompting visitors to change their behaviour and choose low-carbon travel options.
Travel is a highly impactful activity in the mountains, as visitors often default to private car travel. The YST platform offers an opportunity to prompt behaviour change towards more sustainable, personalised routes. For destination management organisations, it allows for significant customisation of travel services, ensuring the most demand-driven services and up-to-date data on emissions from travel.
Image: An example of YST’s travel assistant service, in use for the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Image provided by ‘You. Smart. Thing.’ (YST).
“YST’s innovative digital approach aligns perfectly with the solutions the Accelerator seeks to support. By overlaying ski lift data, public transport routes and sports event venues, YST can provide more accessible and sustainable transport solutions for sports events in the Alps.” Ingrid Beutler, co-founder, SMA.
As a winning solution, YST will receive direct mentoring, visibility, and connections to the SMA network.
“We are thrilled to join the Mountain Solutions Accelerator and are committed to reducing the CO2 emissions from travel. We look forward to connecting with the SMA community and improving our innovative solution to protect our precious alpine environments.” Alex Townshend, ‘You. Smart. Thing.’ Sustainability Consultant
For more information please email Alex Townshend (alex.townshend@yousmartthing.com) or SMA (info@sustainablemountainalliance.org)
Editors Notes
About ‘You. Smart. Thing.’
‘You. Smart. Thing.’ (YST) is the leading travel demand management platform for destinations, venues, and events. It is used to enhance visitor experience and engagement whilst reducing the disproportionate carbon footprint created by visitor and stakeholder travel.
The platform comprises an easily embedded web-based travel assistant interface for visitors, an intuitive travel assistant configuration dashboard, and a comprehensive data analytics and insights suite. The travel assistant interface utilises state-of-the-art web-based technology making it easy for destinations to implement. There’s nothing to download or install, it’s intuitive, mobile optimised, and integrated with client systems such as websites, mobile apps, ticket booking systems, and marketing communications.
YST has been used by the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, All England Lawn Tennis Club, Transport for Greater Manchester, Manchester City Football Club, London Marathon Events. It is now deployed by multiple regional authorities, destination management organisations, venues, and events, both in the UK and internationally, to help address their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) challenges, and to tackle decarbonisation.
For information about ‘You. Smart. Thing.’ please email hello@yousmartthing.com
About the Sustainable Mountain Alliance
The Sustainable Mountain Alliance (SMA) is an NGO committed to promoting the transition to sustainable sports and tourism in mountain environments, which are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Their mission is to create a collaborative platform that supports innovative solutions and drives a regenerative economy, to protect these vital ecosystems and communities. The SMA integrates science, advocacy, and partnerships to inspire responsible practices and ensure sustainable development.
Mountains are essential, covering 27% of the Earth’s surface, supporting 22% of its population, and serving as critical sources of biodiversity and water. However, they face significant threats from rising temperatures, melting glaciers, and changing ecosystems. The SMA aims to safeguard mountain regions and promote solutions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Through fostering awareness and action, the SMA works to protect mountain environments and the livelihoods that depend on them. By collaborating with various stakeholders, the SMA strives to create a sustainable future for mountain communities and ecosystems worldwide.
For more information about the Accelerator programme, please visit our website.