Stakeholder involvement from various sectors—academia, entrepreneurship, civil society, and public entities—creates a collaborative environment that fosters the sharing of sustainability-focused best practices and facilitates technology transfer. While small-scale examples of this model exist at the local level, the lack of coordination among training providers and tourism SMEs in larger economic environments remains a significant challenge.

One of the key insights is the absence of a dedicated network that brings together experiential tourism stakeholders to provide training and share knowledge. This gap inhibits the scaling up of best practices and peer learning, limiting SMEs’ potential to grow and adapt to new trends, such as sustainability and digitalization.

However, regional programs like the Campania Region Program and ERDF 2021-2027 offer a promising opportunity to bridge this gap. These programs are aligned with European and national strategies for ecological and digital transition, and they focus on enhancing tourism competitiveness, sustainability, and innovation. Notable initiatives include the Digital Tourism Hub and Integrated Funds, which support tourism SMEs in becoming more competitive in the digital space and promote sustainable tourism through lesser-known routes and the revitalization of neglected sites.

A crucial takeaway is that peer learning, networking, and best practice sharing should be standard practices, especially at the local level where cooperation among stakeholders is easier to achieve. Local authorities and tourism offices play a pivotal role in facilitating the creation of networks that support SMEs in their growth journey, enabling them to learn from each other and share experiences that contribute to a more sustainable, competitive, and innovative tourism sector.