Project number: 2021-1-PL01-KA220-VET000025053
Implementation period: 01.01.2022 – 01.01.2024
Assistance program: Erasmus+
Project description
The project will train professionals in the tourism sector to promote circular economy solutions in their companies in order to make the tourism sector more sustainable and in line with the environmental objectives set by the EU. The transnational dimension of the project will facilitate the exchange of good practices and ideas in all participating countries. The lack of environmental skills among tourism professionals is a European phenomenon and should be addressed in a transnational way. Two of the four priorities for action established in EU tourism policy are the development of sustainable tourism and the presentation of EU destinations as sustainable tourism options. A large influx of tourists causes a high environmental burden on local communities, such as excessive use of single-use plastics, excess waste, excess food scraps and higher carbon dioxide emissions due to the extra energy used to meet additional needs. Therefore, the project aims to enhance the professional development of SMEs and young entrepreneurs and VET trainers by adopting or improving knowledge and skills on the implications of the low carbon concept to the contemporary reality of the tourism industry.
Target groups:
The target groups of the TOUCAN project will bridge the gap between the needs of tourism enterprises for circular economy practices and the existing capacities of employees and the VET sector. The project specifically targets employees, owners of hospitality businesses, NGOs who want to promote green attitudes in businesses, policy makers who want to improve their knowledge of the circular economy and local people who want to enjoy a better environment in areas where tourism places a heavy burden on the environment. The partners involved in TOUCAN have activities related to both tourism and environmental protection. All partners are situated between the education sector and the labour market.
Project results:
PR1: TOUCAN m-learning solution for the tourism sector to reduce carbon footprint.
PR2: Implementation and validation of this topic in open educational resources. The aim of this project is therefore to strengthen the professional development of SMEs and young entrepreneurs and VET trainers by adopting or improving knowledge and skills on the implications of low-carbon concepts to the reality of a modern tourism industry. The research areas will include: Green reception, i.e. the foundations of low carbon tourism activities. Low carbon planning of tourism activities and services. Energy saving in accommodation. The role of agro-entrepreneurs in the low-carbon process and the typical tasks of tour operators and guides in the development of low-carbon processes.
Partners:
Politechnika Rzeszowska – Rzeszow, Poland (Cordinator)
DANMAR Computers – Rzeszow, Poland
GRANTXPERT CONSULTING LIMITED – Nicosia, Cyprus
Mindshift Talent Advisory lda – Lisbon, Portugal
Association „Submeet – incontrarsi per crescere” – San Salvo, Italy
YASAR UNIVERSITY – Izmir, Turkey
ASSERTED KNOWLEDGE OMORRYTHMOS ETAIREIA – Ilioupoli, Greece
Project website: https://toucan.erasmus.site/
