platou – the platform of architecture in the tourism industry 

The organizational structure of this platform is unique because it consists of experts from very different subjects who yield their knowledge into the network. They are in close contact with other experts from their branch, universities, NGO’s as well as regional and national decision makers.

The fields of competence of platou are to be found in the sectors of architecture, urban-, regional- and landscape-planning; tourism, business economics, branding, marketing, PR, cultural mediation and design.
Because of that versatility it’s possible to provide holistic concepts and proposed solutions. Whenever a touristic project is to be developed, the experts from platou analyze each relevant aspect.


The operating range of the centre of competence - platou:

Communication and exchange of experience between architects, entrepreneurs of the tourism industry and decision makers:
platou informs about the benefit, the profit, the meaningfulness and the necessity of contemporary architecture in the tourism industry. The intention is to establish awareness regarding a qualitative, contemporary, ecological and sustainable architecture and to facilitate the approach to the issue. platou promotes augmented quality offers in tourism by profiting from the benefits of high standard architecture.

Conveyance:
platou organizes seminars, symposia, lectures and excursions to explain how the tourism industry can use architecture to gain profit and which aspects have to be taken into account by building in the tourism industry. platou capitalizes on the value added by high standard architecture for sustainable regional development and for identity management in tourism.

Research – platou is publisher of studies in the field of tourism architecture. In May 2007 there was published the study „Architektur macht Gäste“ / “Architecture Attracts Visitors”. There was shown and analyzed the correlation between architecture and profitability in the tourism industry proved with specific examples.
More studies are planned in the near future.

Consulting for companies and decision makers:
A short time ago there was created a team of consultants within the platou network that is specialized on the development of touristic projects. Our new consulting team called – platouconsult, has taken over the activities of the association platou.