May was a very fruitful month for ECOTOURS’ tourism SMEs, with numerous meetings and exchanges thanks to two study visits organised to promote sustainability and the enhancement of local resources in partner countries. Specifically, the study visits took place in Bastia, Corsica, from May 8th to 10th, 2024, and in Szeged, Hungary, from May 29th to 31st, 2024.
In Corsica, the focus was primarily on sustainable food practices and the benefits of revitalising local villages. During the visit, participants had the opportunity to explore restaurants that produce their Km0 food, meet local producers, and visit companies that use native aromatic herbs to make tea. Additionally, the SMEs visited ancient villages to understand how to promote their sustainability and revival in today’s tourism landscape. These meetings highlighted the importance of supporting the local economy and promoting tourism that values regional resources. Participants observed how consuming local products not only reduces environmental impact but also helps preserve the region’s culinary and cultural traditions. Keywords such as “community,” “sustainability in all its forms,” and “destination management” were central to discussions, emphasising the need for a holistic approach to sustainability in tourism.
The second study visit to Szeged, Hungary, offered insights into innovative business models in the tourism sector, focusing on the enhancement of local culture. Participants explored strategies for revitalising paprika, a product symbolic of Hungarian tradition, and discovered the importance of slow food consumption. The visits also included an in-depth look at local thermal baths and their benefits, providing ideas on how to create an authentic and sustainable tourist experience for all. Discussions in Szeged underscored the importance of reducing both the environmental and human impact of mass tourism, promoting a more experiential form of tourism.
The study visits in May served as a crucial platform for exchange between different realities, strengthening the understanding that sustainability in all its forms is essential for the future of tourism.
The success of these study visits ultimately highlights the importance of continuing to invest in initiatives that promote knowledge exchange and innovation in the tourism sector, with the goal of building a more sustainable future for both travellers and local communities.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. The European Union cannot be held responsible for them.