Applying the Business Model Canvas to Design the E-platform for Sailing Tourism

In recent years, intensive development of sailing tourism has been observed in various regions of the world. This is a beneficial phenomenon from the point of view of sustainable tourism development because sailing yachts are powered by the wind and therefore do not emit exhaust gas into the atmosphere. Tourists usually travel in small groups, which is not mass tourism that disrupts local communities. It is tourism practised in close contact and with respect for nature. The conducted research combine sailing tourism and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools which are insufficiently used by entities associated with the sailing tourism market. Sailing market research allowed to identify the need to design a comprehensive e-platform for sailing tourism. Its functionality would not only allow a wide presentation of the offer and reach a wide range of tourists but also enables transactions. The aim of the paper is to develop the original concept of a business model of e-platform for sailing tourism. The presented concept is grounded on modified Business Model Canvas (BMC) in terms of its structure and operationalization. The role of cooperation for the development of sailing tourism between private entities and representatives of regional institutions and organizations at national and international levels was emphasized. The cooperation manifested in the integration of activities will allow creating a product commonly used by tourists.