SmARTourism

The motivations for applying to this project are numerous. Firstly, the pandemic has had a significant impact on educational systems, particularly in terms of students' interest in online learning and the lack of resources in disadvantaged areas. Secondly, mobility restrictions have made online courses increasingly common, but some countries were not prepared for such education. Therefore, this project aims to provide mutual support to partner countries and assist countries lacking in information technology and computer resources. Additionally, the project should help to enhance the visibility and promotion of partner areas, which suffered a significant loss due to restrictions imposed during the pandemic, especially in the tourism industry. Finally, partner NGOs have been tasked with working directly with schools in their region to ensure the implementation of educational tasks, which will create links with local networks and authorities to achieve a greater impact and sustainability strategies for the project's results.

The goal of the Smartourism project was to mitigate the challenges posed by the pandemic for education in Europe, mainly concerning students' engagement in online learning and limited resources in less advantaged regions. The project aimed to facilitate the adaptation of partners to the new reality of online teaching by providing computer training for students and teachers. Additionally, the project aimed to promote the regions involved in the partnership, which were affected by the restrictions imposed due to the pandemic. The two NGO partners work directly with schools in their region to ensure the implementation of educational tasks, and students from partner schools as well as collaborating institutions work together for the development of their communities. The partners aim to establish links with their networks and local authorities to create sustainable strategies for project outcomes..

The Erasmus KA220 project 'SmARTourism' aimed to improve digital and online marketing skills among students and local partners in the tourism industry. The project consisted of nine steps, starting with the preparation of project activities at the local partner level, followed by a transnational project meeting to plan the first year's activities. Two online courses were conducted, focusing on digital skills and online marketing strategies, respectively run by Bulgarian and Italian teams. The project also included student exchanges, where students applied what they learned from the online courses to specific project topics. The second transnational project meeting was held to evaluate the first year and plan the second year's activities. Local activities included research, documentation, and the creation of promotional films and documentaries on the topics of the four exchanges. The project resulted in the creation of 24 promotional films and documentaries that will form the episodes of a series entitled '6 Digi-Tours of Europe'. The project ended with the organization of final dissemination events and the evaluation of project results and activities, including an impact evaluation.

The Erasmus KA220 SmARTourism project aims to train students in digital skills and filming techniques to create promotional videos for local tourist destinations. The project produced two online courses, four collections of documentaries and promotional videos, and used the same video format for fairness. The project trained 120 students online, with 60 receiving physical mobility training and 80 participating in exchanges. Dissemination spaces included newsletters, a website, and three social media spaces. Six multiplier events presented the project results to at least 600 people. The project improved digital skills, data collection, teamwork, critical analysis, cultural and intercultural skills, and communication skills. Participants also improved self-confidence and motivation, while teachers and NGO members developed professional and friendly relationships with European colleagues. Cooperation 'transnationally' was also learned to present common results.