Born’Activity, in Boujan-sur-Libron, near Béziers: an innovation serving local tourism

Baptiste Meou (à droite), ici avec une partie de son équipe, a déjà équipé 120 campings en Occitanie.

L’agence de communication boujanaise Vircom a créé Born’Activity, un système de bornes interactives et une application mobile qui centralisent l’information touristique locale. Avec déjà 120 campings équipés en Occitanie, Born’Activity vise désormais une expansion nationale.

In 2019, Baptiste Meou launched Vircom, his communications agency specializing in the creation of videos and flyers. Very quickly, to stand out in this competitive sector, he developed Born’Activity, a hybrid information terminal installed in campsites. "’The idea was to transform traditional information totems into an interactive and digital solution and thus contribute to the ecological transition", explains the founder.

However, he keeps in mind that the transition must be gradual: "We have kept receptacles for paper flyers, because not everyone is ready to go all-digital", he continues. The terminals combine a touch screen for videos and 24 paper flyer displays.

120 campsites in Occitanie equipped

In the first year, the company equipped 20 campsites in the region and then, despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, in 2020, it quickly took off. Today, it is present in 120 campsites, in an area extending from Argelès-sur-Mer to Grau-du-Roi.

By highlighting tourist and leisure activities located less than 30 km from the campsites, Born’Activity supports the local economy. Beyond promoting activities, the terminals provide practical data on the weather, local markets and hiking trails.

A concept in full expansion

“Campsites can also personalize their terminal to display their swimming pool hours or entertainment schedule,” says Baptiste. This improves the holidaymaker experience, while significantly reducing the use of printed brochures.” A key point, in line with the paperless approach adopted by more and more establishments.

The economic model is based on free admission for campsites, while tourism players pay to appear on the terminals and the application. “The big advantage for them is the data collection that allows them to measure the return on investment. The concept is popular: we have a waiting list for activities and requests for campsites from all over France,” says Baptiste Meou.

Project for a national extension

To meet this challenge, he is considering national – or even international – expansion via franchises or brand licensing. Baptiste and his team are also considering new developments to improve the terminals and the application. “We have ambitious plans and we will need the support of external investors,” he concludes.

Express Bio

The company was launched in 2019. It has 4 employees and was able to count on an initial investment of €20,000. Some 250 tourism and leisure activities are listed on the interactive terminals and 120 campsites in Occitanie are equipped. The company has a turnover of +35% per year.

Born’Activity by Vircom: 5 avenue de l’Occitanie in Boujan-sur-Libron – vircom.fr Born'Activity, by Vircom: 5 avenue de l'Occitanie, in Boujan-sur-Libron; vircom.fr I subscribe to read the rest