Recent socio-economic developments have often overlooked the valuable contributions of rural communities within the EU, ignoring widespread structural problems such as limited access to services, poor connectivity, and lack of attractive employment opportunities.
Nevertheless, rural areas represent a significant opportunity to foster competitive and diversified economies, constituting nearly 30 percent of the EU’s population and covering 80 percent of its territory[1].
Recognizing the vital role of rural areas, President von der Leyen stressed,
“Rural areas are the fabric of our society and the pulse of our economy. They are a fundamental part of our identity and economic potential. We will guard and preserve our rural areas and invest in their future.”
European Commission, A long-term vision for EU rural areas: towards stronger, connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas by 2040, Brussels, 2021
In line with this vision, tourism emerges as a key solution to these problems, shaping itself as a cross-cutting activity with significant implications for various sectors of the economy. Moreover, with the advent of the pandemic, the need and opportunity has been seen to embrace a new form of tourism – one that respects the environment, preserves heritage and adapts to changing consumer preferences[2].
However, realizing the potential of tourism in rural areas requires a concerted effort to upgrade the skills of the local workforce.
Adequate empowerment of rural entrepreneurs is essential, involving local communities, enhancing heritage, embracing innovative technologies and adopting sustainable environmental practices.
To address these challenges, the EXTOR project aims to support the sustainable development and economic growth of rural areas through the promotion of experiential tourism, a type of tourism that is based on direct and in-depth knowledge of the area. In this sense, the project aims to promote the upgrading of vocational education and training (VET) offerings by facilitating access to training programs through hybrid learning approaches.
Specifically, EXTOR aims to design a common framework of competencies and a kit on how to use it, providing students, entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs with the opportunity to apply the newly acquired knowledge in their work, for a better visibility of their products and services and for a promotion and preservation of the cultural and environmental heritage of the territory in which they live.
So, if you are a teacher, trainer or provider of Vocational Education and Training in the tourism sector, join the Focus Group that will be held online on Tuesday, April 16 at 3 p.m. You will help us map out the needs and requirements of the tourism sector and have the opportunity to engage with professionals who – like you – are involved in delivering tourism and rural tourism training courses.
Creating new spaces and new channels of communication means bridging the gap between communities and economic opportunities; it means promoting a more inclusive and resilient economy in line with EU priorities for sustainable development.
To participate to the event register by clicking here.
Link to the online event: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87189419956?pwd=oWFc57IG5ouBr7beKrETDfc1igW6Lg.1
For more information go to the Project Sheet or contact Aurelia Schera, aurelia.schera@impresasocialeland.org.
EXTOR – Experiential tourism for sustainable rural development is cofunded by INAPP – National Agency for Erasmus+ born from the collaboration of several organisations:
- LAND Impresa Sociale (coordinator, Italy)
- INFODEF (Spain)
- DieBerater (Austria)
- Einurd (Iceland)
- CSI – Center for Social Innovation (Cyprus)
- OTC – Olypic Training & Consulting (Greece)
- CANDIDE (Belgium)
For further information about EXTOR, please contact Aurelia Schera, aurelia.schera@impresasocialeland.org.
[1] European Commission, A long-term vision for EU rural areas: towards stronger, connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas by 2040, Brussels, 2021. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/IT/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:52021DC0345&from=EN
[2] European Commission, EU strategy for sustainable tourism 8.12.2021 European Parliament resolution of March 25, 2021 on establishing an EU strategy for sustainable tourism (2020/2038 (INI)) https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/IT/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52021IP0109&from=NL