Sustainable MAnageR in TOURism Sector Erasmus Project

Project Title

Sustainable MAnageR in TOURism Sector

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for vocational education and training

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2015

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Environment and climate change; Recognition, transparency, certification; Open and distance learning

Project Summary

The main objective of the project was to help develop the European tourism sector, by promoting, developing and improving the skills and knowledge of tourism professionals in the field of sustainability and quality principles, so that they are able to face the following issues:
– Properly manage their facilities, by taking into account environmental protection, use of resources as well as economic development;
– To understand and implement European Tourism Quality Principles, so that professionals effectively know them and learn how to make appropriate use of them during their daily decisions;
– The use of cultural and environmental heritage as a driver for sustainable development and competitiveness of valuable destinations, with high tourism potential.

The Tourism sector heavily impacts on the development of contemporary European society; furthermore, tourism professionals are not always best prepared to assess the impact they can make in terms of sustainable development due to low skill levels and high turnover in the sector. The sector also has a skills and seasonality issue to deal with.

Target groups were professionals in the tourism sector (mainly hoteliers and accommodation providers but some of the curriculum is also suitable for others in the tourism industry, e.g. attractions) or those considering working in the tourism sector.

The training model was developed through the following activities:
– Needs analysis and investigation on the state of the art, at the national level, leading to an overarching set of guidelines, based on a cross-national analysis of the cases;
– Development of training modules, based on the results of the needs analysis and consultation with the industry, specific to the tourism sector and especially to hotel hospitality;
– Development of a platform (SMARTOUR GENIE tool) which provides a personalised approach for learners in their daily decisions, so that they undertake sustainability as a competitive advantage for their companies and businesses;
– Development of a system of certification of acquired skills, complying with the ECVET system and ensuring European-wide recognition;
– Testing, refinement and final development of the training modules and SMARTOUR GENIE tool.

The project consortium represented well Europe (IT, UK, FI, GR). There was a very good range of partners in terms of the type of organizations involved (from SMEs and tourism associations to experts in professional training), which ensured a correct interpretation of the market and training needs due to complementary competences (technical knowledge, experience in marketing, experience on sustainability).

A facebook page is available entitled Sustainable Tourism in Europe at https://www.facebook.com/smartourproject/

The project website is at http://www.smartourproject.eu/

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 286611,53 Eur

Project Coordinator

STAFFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY & Country: UK

Project Partners

• Newcastle-under-Lyme College
• CRYSTALCLEARSOFT ANONYMOS ETAIREIA PAROCHIS YPIRESION LOGISMIKOU
• EUROCREA MERCHANT SRL
• ASSOCIAZIONE ITALIANA CONFINDUSTRIA ALBERGHI
• TAMPEREEN AMMATTIKORKEAKOULU OY
• Touch TD Ltd.