BLUE TOURISM: Build a network of local advisors to put small tourism providers in watercourse regions on a more sustainable path

Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, the tourism industry experienced a severe blow as restrictions on international travel led to a decline in the tourism economy ranging from 45 to 70% (OECD). This was...

The objective was to empower a network of prospective local advisors with essential competencies to guide and assist small tourism providers in watercourse regions, enhancing their sustainability and competitiveness. This involved the development of knowledge, skills and attitudes in the following competence areas: 1. Sustainable Tourism and SDGs; 2. Ethics and Social Responsibility; 2. Natural and Cultural Heritage; 3. Competitiveness and Sustainable Local Business Development; 3. Innovation and Digital Transformation; Networking and Local Partnerships; 4. Branding and Digital Marketing; 5. Internationalisation Strategy; By addressing these strategic areas, the project aimed to put forward a set of educational resources fostering a sustainable and competitive landscape for small tourism providers in watercourse regions.

To accomplish its objectives, the BLUE TOURISM consortium undertook the following activities: 1. Development of a methodological framework development putting forward a new competence profile for the tourism sector: the sustainable local tourism advisor 2. Mapping 16 best practices and case studies of sustainable tourism initiatives in watercourse regions that could serve as benchmarks for future endeavours. 3. Design and production one training curriculum encompassing eight competence areas. This curriculum referenced a new competence model tailored for the profile of the sustainable tourism advisor/provider, with explicit learning outcomes aligned with EU frameworks (EQF, ECVET, and EQAVET). 4. Development of a customised package of e-learning training materials to equip and enhance the green skills of BLUE TOURISM advisors. These materials aimed to provide targeted knowledge and tools for sustainable tourism practices. 5. Implement training pilot targeting the training of 70 new sustainable tourism advisors and 35 small tourism providers in watercourse regions. This hands-on training aimed to impart practical skills and knowledge aligned with the project's sustainability objectives. 6. Design and development of digital portal formatted as Open Educational Resources (OER) granting free access to the complete suite of learning resources generated throughout the project, ensuring widespread availability and accessibility. 7. Produce 14 into-actions videos to showcase the experiences of the target groups involved in the project. These videos not only served as inspirational content but also raised awareness about the environmental sustainability initiatives in the local regions, promoting them as sustainable touristic destinations.

Throughout the project life cycle, partners successfully developed the following concrete results: Result 1 - BLUE TOURISM e-portfolio: a methodological framework was created to map sustainable tourism initiatives in watercourse regions, serving as case studies, strategies, and examples of best practices for the BLUE TOURISM training curriculum. This conceptual framework was presented as an interactive e-portfolio. Result 2 - BLUE TOURISM advisor profile and resources package: a blended learning training curriculum was designed, primarily for small tourism providers, focusing on sustainable tourism and local development. The curriculum aimed to promote the sustainable and efficient utilisation of natural, cultural, and economic resources in watercourse regions. Result 3 - BLUE TOURISM digital space and into-action videos: a multilingual digital space was established, serving as a unified platform for immediate access to BLUE TOURISM learning materials. Additionally, a series of inspirational into-action videos were produced, offering reflections, lessons learned, and insights from various project phases, including local activities, specific projects, and workshops.