TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE NEWSLETTER - MAY 2021

NEWSLETTER Second Edition - May 2021

IN THIS ISSUE

Arlind Haxhijaj: “We Believe in the Power of Collaboration” How are Tourism Services Using Promotional Videos?

5 Ways Technology Can Help with Mental Health This Newsletter is a product of JPHOSPITALITY.EU For more Service details https://jphospitality.eu/ Contacts: jose.pinto@jphospitality.eu” jose.pinto@jphospitality.eu & rudina.hoxha@hospitality.eu +355 69 608 8818

Arlind Haxhijaj: “We Believe in the Power of Collaboration and Technology to Impact”

By Rudina Hoxha

THE FOUNDER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF COOLAB TIRANA, ARLIND HAXHIJAJ TOLD TRAILBLAZING MAGAZINE NEWSLETTER WHY HE CREATED COOLAB TIRANA AND HOW HE SEES ITS FUTURE. “We want to offer inspiration, community, comfort and

excitement by providing a place where you can stay connected to your work and get playful at the same time.

Every day we have more and more members joining the space from different backgrounds and countries,” Haxhijaj said in this exclusive interview.

He said that during 2020, Coolab organized many successful events.

“With more than 40 Events online and in person with more than 600 Participants we are very happy to have hosted some of the biggest events during 2020.To name some

of them: Hack the Crisis Albania in collaboration with EU for Innovation and Crazy Town from Finland, Global Entrepreneurship Week and a series of events about startups with international experts in collaboration with Swiss Entrepreneurship

Program,” he said.

Full interview below: Let’s begin from the start. How did you start Coolab, and what is its mission?

Coolab Tirana started out in 2019 but the idea and first steps toward designing the space that we have today dated back to some years before that.

While I was working for a Tech company in Tirana, we always explored possibilities how to get involved with the Tech community in town. Back in the day only a handful of spaces were available and most of them saw coworking as a real estate business more than a Hub to support local entrepreneurs, startups or communities. Because of this need Coolab was created.

We created a space for freelancers, entrepreneurs, business professionals and technologists who want to be part of an active community.

What can Coolab offer to start-ups, young entrepreneurs in Albania or even youngsters coming back to Albania after finishing their studies?

We believe in the power of collaboration and technology expertise to achieve our goals and make an impact. We seek to be more than just a working place.

We want to offer inspiration, community, comfort and excitement by providing a place where you can stay connected to your work and get playful at the same time.

Every day we have more and more members joining the space from different backgrounds and countries.

Students returning from the studies or professionals working in international companies remotely in cities such as New York, Singapore, London, Berlin.

We are always constantly creating meaningful connections of talents, startups and organizations in the ecosystem and ways to have an impact.

Can you mention some of the main events Coolab has hosted so far?

Since day one we launched a series of events and activities that aim on building capacities for members and followers. Community building being one of the most important pillars for us has had a massive impact on the events scene in Albania.

With more than 40 Events online and in person with more than 600 Participants we are very happy to have hosted some of the biggest events during 2020.To name some of them Hack the Crisis Albania in collaboration with EU for Innovation and Crazy Town from Finland, Global Entrepreneurship Week and a series of events about startups with international experts in collaboration with Swiss Entrepreneurship Program.

Do you believe that coworking will grow a lot especially in such a pandemic time when people are moving away from 100% officebased work? Do you have a strategy?

Last year was a very important year for Coolab because of our launch but an unlucky year for the

industry because of the pandemic.

Running a coworking space in the last two years is a challenging task because we are here to bring people together and for most of the time that was illegal.

Nevertheless the future is looking bright , the pandemic accelerated in a global scale processes and regulations about remote work in the workplace.

This means that more and more companies let the employees choose where to work from, being inside or outside the country for short and longer periods of time.

This offers a big potential for Albania, being an attraction for remote workers and digital nomads having a Mediterranean climate and food, affordable real estate and great lifestyle.

We already have a lot of members having a pleasant experience in Albania, become ambassadors to other peers around the world and consider coming back.

We launched Coolab on the Beach in May as a way to adapt to these changes and offer an alternative for remote workers in Drymades.

We are making Coworking better for you. coolab.tirana

Cel: +355 67 404 4494 Email: hello@coolab.al

Coolab Coolab

How are Tourism Services Using Promotional Videos?

by CIFFT on 20 April 2021 Travel is a subjective experience, and for that reason, tourists look for different aspects while choosing their next destination: the destination itself, the variety of activities, the landscapes, the atmosphere of the place, the local community’s friendliness, access facilities, gastronomy and different accommodation options.

Nevertheless, all the travelers are looking for something specific. So is there a better way to present tourism experiences than travel video marketing?

Most consumers confirmed that watching videos of a destination in advance gives them confidence before buying tickets or booking hotels. Reading a magazine or going to a travel agency is not enough

anymore. They want to know firsthand what they are buying, what experiences they are going to withdraw from it, and whether it will match their expectations and personal tastes.

According to Think with Google, online videos are viewed throughout the travel journey, particularly before decisions are made.

Tourism Services as Accommodation, Transportation, Restaurants, Museums, Temples and Gardens, Theme Parks, Spas and Thermal Facilities, Recreational Services, among others, can harness the potential of video as a tool to spark

interest, attract new customers and create a connection with the audience.

The VidaMar Resort Algarve is an excellent example of how Tourism Services are using video in a very innovative way to promote their facilities and much more.

“You Only Love Once”, produced

by Lobby Productions, is more than just a promotional video. It is a love story that unfolds naturally in the resort, offering the viewers a chance to be interested in this plot without ever imposing or forcing any attempt of direct sell. The film was awarded with the title of World’s Best Tourism Film 2020 in the Tourism Services Category.

While all types of business can benefit from video marketing, it’s especially effective for the hospitality industry. Recently, the challenge of the Flair Boutique Hotel by Corissia in Greece was to entice

travelers to visit Chania, explore its real beauty, and finally showcase the stay experience, the services and the facilities that the hotel offers.

The result is the new video “The

perfect proposal”, with creative storytelling and a special touch of sense of humour. The video is competing on the CIFFT Circuit 2021 for the World’s Best Tourism Film Awards.

To see this video, Click to Activate and then TRUST THIS DOCUMENT ALL THE TIME

The importance of video marketing strategy in the restaurant industry is also undeniable. Through video, the audience can immerse in the gastronomic experience, either by the food preparation or by the sensorial imagery of aromas and flavours. Video also helps to keep the restaurants top of mind.

The restaurant Fifty Seconds by Martín Berasategui, used video to present its exclusive menu. The promotional film showcase the fantastic restaurant’s structure located at the top of the Myriad by Sama Hotel and what is behind a delicious Michelin-starred meal.

In the B2B market is no different.

The Frankfurt Airport created a visual fairytale world in the promotional video “Goethes Airport”, produced

by Friends And Fellows Media Gmbh.

The video presented the human side of one of the most important airports in Europe and competed in the Grand Prix CIFFT Circuit in 2019, being one of the nominees to the World’s Best Tourism Film.

Finally, recreational services are also using videos to boost their visibility and capture travelers attention.

With the perfect combination of an emotional message and beautiful images, the Portuguese Madeira Island bet on the video to promote its Tourism Pass Service.

In the video “Madeira Pass - Have

you ever been in the island?”, produced

by New Light Pictures, the audience can have a stunning view of all the experiences they can have using the Madeira Pass.

It’s not just about being trendy. The Tourism Services Industry has awareness of the consumers’ decisionmaking processes and are increasingly betting on video as a strategy for creating an invisible bond with potential clients, telling a good story about what they offer, and delivering the magical tale that the audience can one day experience. Video Marketing is here to stay!

5 Ways Technology Can Help with Mental Health

By Tilly Kenyon

1. E-THERAPY The Internet makes mental health treatment more accessible, and using the internet can help some

people overcome the stigma that has historically been attached to mental health issues.

E-therapy programmes use the

internet or mobile devices, and are a popular option due to convenience, not having to travel, and being able to choose a time that suits. These can help people who feel more comfortable talking about problems in their own home and not necessarily face to face with someone in person.

2. CHATBOTS AND VOICE ASSISTANTS: TALKING TO TECH IN CRISIS For many people, the thought of talking to another human about a problem is a barrier in itself and

this is where chatbots are becoming a frequently used option.

Our voice assistants may be becoming unexpected therapists, but there are areas in which AI therapy is being explored in its own right. If you tell Google Home or Alexa that you feel lonely and they will respond (Alexa gives hints and tips; talk to a friend, go for a walk, Google tells you it’s there for you).

As technology carries on developing, chatbots are also getting smarter and more capable of interacting with us, thanks to machine learning and natural language processing. Mental health chatbots can provide a friendly ear, a place to air concerns, worries, intrusive thoughts or engage in ‘therapeutic’ small talk. They can use this conversational input to detect the mood of the service user and respond with empathy.

3. APPS Mental health apps are convenient and accessible. They can be accessed anywhere and at anytime and they

can be a great source for people who may struggle to access other options.

Most apps also have certain measures in place that allow people to find information in a private and secure way.

There are a wide variety of apps that can help with mental health, such as apps that occupy your mind, relieve stress, or track your mood. For example, meditation apps can offer exercises to improve breathing and help the ability to relax and improve sleep.

4 WEBSITES THAT PROVIDE IMMEDIATE HELP People with internet access can use online tools and services to find information about mental health problems, their symptoms, and treatment options. Information websites such as Mind and NHS can provide useful information.

You can often find people who have had similar mental health experiences online. Reading other people’s accounts of mental health

can help validate your own experiences and make you feel less alone. Many different online communities exist, including mental health specific forums and communities, where people can speak to each other about what they’re going through.

5 VIRTUAL ACTIVITIES During the COVID-19 pandemic, the rise of virtual events has been rapid, especially during the first lockdown. There were virtual tours of zoos and galleries, to live music shows hosted from artist’s homes.

Pub quizzes have been an extremely popular option, often carried out between friends and families over video chats, allowing a chance for people to feel connected. Work videos are a great way to stay fit but also help with mental health, often helping reduce anxiety and depressions.

Source: Courtesy of Technology Magazine