When preparing for this project, we identified a general objective, as well as a number of specific objectives. The general objective was to increase the digital skills of the actors in the field of sustainable tourism while promoting new learning pathways to contribute to the recovery of the sector. We then defined three specific objectives, the first one being to identify gaps in the skills of the local business actors and develop training solutions accordingly; the second one to develop re-scalable training solutions for business actors in the field of tourism related to new digital solutions to be applied locally; and the third one to improve cooperation between the local authority and the business actors by developing a learning ecosystem focused on sustainable tourism.
We applied for this project to address the challenges faced by the European tourism sector post-COVID-19. The pandemic disrupted traditional tourism models, emphasising the need for adaptation through digital experiences and sustainable practices. These factors became crucial for tourists when choosing destinations, making them essential for the competitiveness and recovery of the tourism industry. These factors became key in shaping tourists’ decisions about which destinations to visit. The project was designed to address these needs by focusing on the upskilling of local officials, tourism professionals, and organisations by equipping them with the necessary knowledge to harness digital innovation and sustainability. This was achieved through continuous education and training, allowing stakeholders to adopt new approaches that would drive the sector's recovery. We identified skill gaps among local business actors and provided targeted training solutions. Scalable programmes were developed to help tourism businesses integrate digital solutions, and cooperation between local authorities and business actors was strengthened through the creation of a learning ecosystem focused on sustainable tourism.