Awareness raising on skills needs for twin transition in tourism

Cooperate to fill the gap in the flow of information and support services aimed at helping tourism SMEs navigate the twin transition towards sustainability.

Écrit par Salerno Confartigianato le décembre 18, 2024.

While many SMEs are aware of the need for enhanced skills to implement sustainable practices, there is a mismatch in the ability of supporting organizations, such as Chambers of Commerce or Business Support Organizations (BSOs), to effectively address these needs. This challenge is compounded by the lack of a corporate culture within many SMEs that embraces sustainable practices in a genuine, vocational, and non-instrumental way, which often contradicts the company’s traditional mindset.

Direct conversations with representatives from experiential tourism SMEs revealed that addressing skills development is essential for initiating the twin transition process at the corporate level. It became clear that this process requires a focus not only on managerial skills but also on equipping staff members with the necessary knowledge and techniques to integrate sustainability into daily operations.

Key areas for improvement include ensuring that sustainability practices are incorporated into procedures and methodologies, fostering authentic commitment to sustainability among employees, and strengthening the overall sustainability culture within the company.

Collaboration with BSOs and Chambers of Commerce is crucial for guiding tourism companies towards the most suitable training and support models. This cooperation can help businesses focus on areas such as:

Developing and implementing internal sustainable strategies and policies.
Conducting environmental, social, and governance risk analyses to identify risks and opportunities for sustainable growth.
Promoting sustainability awareness and commitment among staff and stakeholders.
Staying updated on green and digital regulations at the national and EU levels, ensuring compliance.
Engaging with external organizations to share best practices and promote sustainable training initiatives.

Ultimately, the lesson learned is that raising awareness about the importance of skills development is a foundational step for tourism SMEs to successfully undertake the twin transition, with a focus on both internal staff training and external support networks.

Upskilling, reskilling and capacity building as lynchpins of the green transition

Écrit par Salerno Confartigianato le décembre 18, 2024.

To effectively foster the green transition of tourism companies and SMEs, training programs, workshops, and capacity-building models must be prioritized.

To this end, the work of BLAM – a collective of female architects focused on sustainability and community engagement – is particularly exemplary. BLAM operates through a private-public, multi-stakeholder model, bringing together cultural and food & beverage SMEs, a civil society organization, and the Municipality of Salerno. The organization’s efforts focus on urban regeneration, scaling green transition methodologies, and creating spaces that attract both locals and the thousands of tourists who visit the city each year.
BLAM has achieved remarkable results through its diverse, community-driven initiatives. These include Habitat Fest, an ecofestival that promotes sustainability, and iMorticelli, a community hub where a variety of workshops and initiatives are implemented to engage local residents and foster awareness. Furthermore, BLAM has played a pivotal role in the revitalization of Montevergine Park, transforming it into a space that not only promotes biodiversity but also serves as a cultural venue for the community. These projects demonstrate BLAM’s holistic approach to urban regeneration, where sustainability and community development are intricately woven together.

Similarly, Confartigianato Salerno has been an active player in initiatives aimed at facilitating the green and digital transitions for SMEs, particularly in rural areas. In the framework of the Erasmus+ project “ESG4SMEs,” Confartigianato Salerno has developed the “Profile of the ESG Manager for rural SMEs“, highlighting the key skills and responsabilities needed by the staff members involved in the implementation of an ESG strategy in rural SMEs. This initiative provides businesses with the tools they need to comply with national and EU ESG criteria, helping them transition to more sustainable and digitally advanced practices.
Furthermore, Confartigianato Salerno – as Enabler for the Twin Transition accredited by the Covenant of Companies for Climate and Energy – is actively supporting SMEs in their green and digital transitions by offering technical assistance, capacity-building programs, and collaboration with ESG experts, energy engineering companies, and ESCOs.

Drawing from experiences in similar initiatives, it becomes clear that networking strategies and capacity-building schemes are essential in raising awareness among both the tourism and civil society sectors. These efforts demonstrate that sustainability is not just an individual endeavor but a collective one. Cooperation and networking within and between sectors play a crucial role in scaling up sustainable practices, enabling communities and businesses to achieve higher levels of sustainability.
The lessons learned emphasize the importance of ensuring robust training and capacity-building models, particularly through Business Support Organizations (BSOs) in partnership with Vocational Education and Training (VET) institutions. Such collaborations are vital in providing tourism SMEs and their staff with the necessary skills—both through re-skilling and up-skilling initiatives—to meet sustainability standards. Moreover, offering guidance on financial support at regional, national, and EU levels is crucial for SMEs to successfully implement green transition processes. This holistic approach ensures that the path to sustainability is accessible and achievable for all SMEs, empowering them to contribute meaningfully to the green economy.

Ongoing training for employees and awareness campaigns for clients are vital for the successful implementation of sustainable and digital initiatives

Écrit par Adriana H. Jarandilla le décembre 10, 2024.

Providing SMEs with access to affordable digital tools and training accelerates their digital transition and competitiveness

Écrit par Adriana H. Jarandilla le décembre 10, 2024.

Écrit par Pircher Mascontour.Info le septembre 13, 2024.

For SMEs in the tourism industry, it can be a challenge to participate in training courses and invest time and money to train staff in sustainability and digitalisation. This has been mentioned for example by Aqua Turm Hotel, Fernwaerts Reisen, Dervish Catering or Bodensee-Schiffsbetriebe GmbH.

SMEs often work with limited financial resources and tight budgets. Allocating funds to training programmes may require diverting funds from other critical areas of business operations, which is a difficult decision for SME owners. The tourism industry is highly competitive and SMEs may feel compelled to prioritise immediate concerns such as marketing and customer service over long-term investments such as training programmes. This short-term focus can make it difficult for SMEs to justify the time and resources needed for training initiatives.

SMEs usually have smaller teams and fewer employees. This means that employees being away from their regular duties to attend training can disrupt day-to-day operations and potentially impact productivity, which SMEs cannot afford. In addition, SMEs may lack the necessary expertise or knowledge about sustainability and digitalisation. It is therefore difficult for them to find suitable training programmes or understand the potential benefits of investing in such initiatives.

SMEs may perceive sustainability and digitalisation as complex and abstract concepts, further discouraging them from investing in training programmes. Without a clear understanding of the tangible benefits and practical applications of these initiatives, SMEs may be reluctant to commit resources to training their employees.

Twin transition skills for the tourism sector in Greece

Écrit par Anastasia Sakkoula le août 28, 2024.

The lack of consumer education on the importance of green and digital transitions was identified as a major gap. This means that SMEs that undergo such a transition may not acquire as a large competitive advantage as in markets where consumers are aware of the added value of tourism driven by green and digital practices. The need for awareness programs on the skills needed for the twin transition was highlighted as a challenge. The lessons learned underscore the importance of consumer education and awareness programs, as well as appropriate initiatives for professionals.

Many Greek initiatives target to build capacities in digitalization for the Greek tourism industry. These projects highlight the importance of skills development, collaboration, and inclusivity in promoting sustainable and responsible tourism.

The EXCELTOUR project introduces the concept of Business Excellence in tourism SMEs using the internationally recognized Excellence Model of the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM). This project aims to ensure the sustainability of tourism by creating a group of skilled consultants and facilitators, preparing SMEs for certification, and promoting experience exchange and networking.
The DANEV -GARGOV project focuses on the evolving relationship between tourism and the creative industries. As the creative economy has evolved, creative knowledge and skills are deployed in the wider economy. This project responds to the new challenges in the creative and tourism sector by establishing sustainable business partnerships across borders in the collaborative development of high-quality artistic products and tourism services.
The Initiative for Improving the capacity and accessibility of Tourism Destinations in the cross-border area” project promoted tourism for people with disabilities (PWD) developed 3D promotional materials, better services, and accessibility of public facilities to vulnerable groups. It includes measures for making touristic attractions accessible for PWD, staff trainings, and the supply of direction and information touristic signs and bicycles for touristic purposes.

Lessons Learned:

Business Excellence in Tourism: The EXCELTOUR project introduces the concept of Business Excellence in tourism SMEs using the internationally recognized Excellence Model of the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM). This approach ensures the sustainability of tourism and can function as a role model for other SMEs, highlighting skills that may benefit the twin transition of tourism SMEs.
Creation of Skilled Consultants and Facilitators: Another interesting possibility comes by creating a group of skilled consultants and facilitators who can support SMEs in implementing the EFQM Model and achieving certification. This can enhance the quality of services offered by SMEs and improve their competitiveness.
Improvement of Capacity and Accessibility of Tourism Destinations: The “Destinations for all” project focuses on improving the capacity and accessibility of tourism destinations in the cross-border area. This includes infrastructure interventions, staff training, and the supply of direction and information touristic signs and bicycles for touristic purposes.

Pescatourism in Greece

Écrit par Anastasia Sakkoula le août 28, 2024.

“Pescatourism” documents local fishing traditions of islands and coastal regions across the seas of Greece, to the aim of promoting local trade and culinary cultures as an attractive added element for experiential tourism.

Aesthetically pleasing informative videos and articles have been created and shared through the online platform of “Pescatourism”. Users can search for different localities, their specific features, fish that are caught there and recipes to cook them.

The promotion of fishing tourism also calls for local fishers, boat owners and relevant stake holders to be informed and built their capacity relevant to this new type of tourism. A relevant network is created for exchange of experiences and joint training. It aims to promote and develop tourism in Rhodes through digital promotion, development of alternative forms of tourism, cooperation with local agencies.

“Pescatourism” started in June 2021 and concluded in December 2023, with the collaboration of organisations from 18 places around Greece. Activities included field research on knowledge and stances of fishers towards fishing tourism, soft skills training for 50 professionals, based in Kefalonia as a local case, experiential learning visit to Italy, promotional videos from participating localities, an online platform and a dissemination conference.

PROTOUR, founded in 1989, supports the promotion and development of tourism in Rhodes. As responsible for the project management of “Pescatourism”, PROTOUR furthers its mission, while having an expanded positive domestic impact on the tourism industry.

The adaptation of an activity from the 1^st to the 3^rd sector is a transition that needs the professionals to acquire soft skills and adapt their infrastructure and practices to accommodate tourist needs. This was addressed through the training of fishers participating.

Authenticity provides significant added value to a touristic product; its integrity, however, is threatened by the same conditions of its success. A fine balance should be kept between introducing visitors to fishing cultures, and a viable scale for local customs and practices to remain true to their local character.

The approach showcased and activities undertaken during “Pescatourism” can be directly replicated with the inclusion of new locations or products of choice (e.g. Honey oy fungi). With appropriate adaptation, the overall design can be followed as a model for transferring activities from the 1st to the 3rd sector.
By documenting its approach and best practices, Protour can serve as a valuable stakeholder for other destinations seeking to implement sustainable tourism models.

Free Training Programs for All

Écrit par Marios Demosthenous le août 26, 2024.

The Cyprus Human Resources Development Authority (HRDA) educational free programs on digital and green skills for adult learning. The two programs are composed from a plethora of courses that ensure the upskilling and reskilling of business owners and employees. The program offered on Green Skills is A list of 31 vocational training programs has been curated to cater to all segments of the workforce, encompassing both the public and private sectors. These subjects encompass Environmental and Energy Management courses, focusing on technical skills essential for implementing such systems within businesses. Additionally, they cover technical professions like technicians specializing in the installation, monitoring, and maintenance of photovoltaic systems, as well as air conditioning and refrigeration. As previously mentioned, the 28 courses objective is to address the workforce’s needs regarding the utilization of digital tools to enhance skill sets and improve the services offered by SMEs. Notably, Cyprus’s economy is predominantly service-based, accounting for 84% of its GDP, with 70% of the workforce engaged in this sector.

Awareness raising on skills needs for twin transition in tourism in France

Écrit par Sonia Merlo le août 6, 2024.

During the needs analysis phase with French tourism SMEs, several challenges relevant to Topic 19 of the Transition Pathway emerged prominently. A key issue was raising tourist awareness about environmental issues and encouraging sustainable behavior, highlighting the necessity for robust education and sensitization efforts within the industry.

The SusTour project, funded by the European Commission under the EU COSME programme, underscores the importance of integrating sustainability into tourism operations and provides tangible guidelines for excursion providers to adopt responsible practices. This aligns with the objectives of Topic 19 of the Transition Pathway, which focuses on raising awareness of skills needed for sustainable tourism transition. The project engaged multiple European travel associations, including ECEAT, ECTAA, Futouris, ANVR, UHPA, APAVT, SMAL, and over 20 other partners, to advance sustainability practices in the European travel sector. One notable outcome of this project is the development of Sustainability Codes of Good Practice for excursion providers. These codes aim to guide tourism companies in executing activities with minimal negative impacts on destinations while maximizing benefits for local communities and participants. Emphasizing responsible management of environmental, socio-cultural, and economic impacts, the codes were informed by industry criteria from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) reference document. Additionally, input was gathered from stakeholders across continents to ensure global relevance.

Another significant lesson from projects like SusTour is the importance of stakeholder engagement and collaboration. By involving multiple travel associations and stakeholders across continents, these projects ensure that sustainability guidelines are relevant and applicable globally. This collaborative approach fosters knowledge-sharing and capacity-building, essential components of the transition towards sustainable tourism practices.

Moreover, projects like SusTour highlight the role of policy support and funding from entities like the European Commission in driving sustainable tourism initiatives. The availability of resources and funding opportunities encourages tourism stakeholders to invest in sustainable practices and innovations, further advancing the twin transition agenda.

Overall, lessons from the projects underscore the need for holistic approaches to sustainable tourism development, encompassing environmental stewardship, socio-cultural considerations, and economic viability. These are crucial components of the transition pathway towards a more sustainable tourism industry.

Domaine Du Val De Roland

Écrit par Sonia Merlo le août 5, 2024.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Domaine Du Val De Roland launched a transformative sustainability project, achieving the “Green Key” label. The residence implemented eco-friendly practices, such as conserving water and electricity, minimizing waste, and offering organic breakfast options. Communication efforts are prioritized to engage both guests and employees in sustainability initiatives. Partnerships with local producers and suppliers reinforce a commitment to sustainable sourcing. The residence promotes slow tourism by providing activities that encourage deep immersion in local culture and environment. Collaboration with three organizations focused on slow tourism enhances connections with nature and local communities, with seasonal activities like guided nature walks, cultural festivals, and culinary experiences allowing visitors to explore the region at a leisurely pace.

Topic : Awareness raising on skills needs for twin transition in tourism