ReTour

Building Resilient SMEs in the Tourism Industry

Project Overview

Tourism is vital to the Mediterranean economy, yet small and medium-sized enterprises in this sector are highly vulnerable to crises such as pandemics, natural disasters, and political instability. ReTour supports the transformation of Mediterranean tourism by equipping local businesses with advanced technologies – such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and smart sensors – and sustainable practices. With partners from Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon and Türkiye, the ReTour project will help over 150 businesses improve efficiency, crisis preparedness, and sustainability. It aims to ensure the sector can thrive even in uncertain times, securing jobs and enhancing the tourism experience for all.

The ReTour project is co-funded by the European Union under the Interreg NEXT MED programme.

ReTour aims:

• To empower small tourism businesses with innovative strategies and advanced technologies that improve their efficiency, adaptability, and long-term resilience to crises.
• To increase digital and entrepreneurial skills among tourism workers and support businesses in adopting sustainable, future-proof practices to stay competitive.

ReTour is going to deliver:

• Innovation Hub: a platform for knowledge-sharing and collaboration across sectors, boosting MSMEs’ access to cutting-edge solutions & expertise.
• Customized Technology Implementation Plans to support businesses in adopting smart tools.
• Pilot case studies evaluating real-life applications of advanced technologies.
• Online Training and Learning Platform with certification for tourism staff and entrepreneurs.
• Regional policy recommendation reports to align strategies and promote sustainable tourism.
• Virtual innovation challenges and cross-border exchange to foster new ideas and partnerships.

Consortium

• National Technical University of Athens (Lead Partner)
• Stratigon Finance Private Company
• University of Nicosia Research Foundation
• Jordan University of Science and Technology
• Maharat Liqiyadat Al-Hasoub
• Tarsus Commodities Exchange
• Cyprus Sustainable Tourism Initiative
• Promimpresa Società Benefit S.R.L.
• Université La Sagesse