The EU ECO-TANDEM Programme is honored to be presented during the  EU Industry week 2022- “Towards a full green and digital transformation: the role of EU SMEs and startups in the travel and tourism industry”, an satellite event organized by X23. The event had been celebrated with success on the 21st of February, here are some highlights of it!

The event opened the door of knowledge of a new era of tourism, where green and digital economy are key enablers for a more responsible, resilient and sustainable society. In this 2-hours event, the speakers took the participants through the latest tourism market trends; innovation and technology knowledge sharing; business growth in the tourism sector.

EU Industry week and EU ECO-TANDEM

Experts in the sustainability and tourism sector: Ioannis Pappas (GREEN EVOLUTION) presented a thorough analysis of the current Market Trend of the tourism industry; Elena Di Raco (ENIT) explained why Eco-Sustainable Tourism can be an opportunity for SMEs; Sonia Barani (ITKAM) described the current trends of the tourism industry concerning digitalisation and sustainability.

Then, Anastasiia Yakush, project manager of EU ECO-TANDEM presented the programme. Including information of the programme’s three pillars:

• EU ECO-TANDEM Academy, made by several education and training programmes with 463 applicants, 10 modules and a total of 60 hours of activities. At the end of the training 80% of the attendees estimated that it increased their knowledge.
• BIZ programme, a matchmaking event where tandems between innovators and interested SMEs are created in practice. At the end of the process plans are evaluated and prizes assigned to the best ones. 
• Network creation, one of the ultimate goals of the programme. Powerful connections would boost sustainable innovations in the value chain. 

The programme’s obtained results so far were also described:

• The programme had made improvements in skills and competences in the field of sustainable management, at company and individual level;
• the establishment of cross-sectoral and transnational cooperation; 
• the implementation of innovative solutions for sustainable tourism; 
• triggering the eco-transition towards sustainable approach and provision of service starting the path towards concrete certification; 
• expansion of the business thanks to transnational cooperation.

Speakers

Ioannis Pappas (GREEN EVOLUTION): The current Market Trend of the tourism industry; 

Elena Di Raco (ENIT): Green is the New Black: Why Eco-Sustainable Tourism is an Opportunity for SMEs; 

Sonia Barani (ITKAM): The current trends of the tourism industry - digitalisation and sustainability;

Anastasiia Yakush (X-23): ECO-Challenges: Presentation & Discussion // EU ECO-TANDEM programme: unlocking the micro-funding potentials; 

Urška Jež (Transformation LightHouse): How to hack innovation for the tourism sector

Maja Pokric (AR/VR Tech): AR/VR tech and and new technologies introductions Maja Brkljačić (Algebra Lab): Technology vs the future - The New Era of Tourism and Entertainment 

Anastasiia Yakush (X-23): The EU DigiTOUR - Project Introduction, Micro funding opportunities