We currently have a dynamic team consisting of over 40 active Network members representing 25 countries. Our network experts offer valuable support in the following areas:

• Guidance on making your business more environmentally friendly, digitally advanced, and sustainable.

• Assistance in international growth, helping you identify the perfect business partners tailored to your needs.

• Ready availability to provide information on national and European funding opportunities for tourism organizations, offering guidance to ensure you stay informed and well-positioned for success.

Recent developments

In alignment with the recent Transition Pathway for Tourism, particularly with the experience from the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a compelling need to promote the green and digital transitions and enhance the resilience of EU industrial ecosystems. To actively contribute to this objective, the primary focus of the of our expert group is to assist ambitious, growth-oriented SMEs in their recovery from the crisis. Our emphasis is on guiding them through the twin transition, fostering both green and digital advancements, and ultimately restoring their resilience.

How we work

By promoting these following priority sub-topics, we aim to strengthen the tourism industry, enhance sustainability practices, embrace digital innovations, preserve cultural heritage, and promote growth within the sports sector. Encouraging new initiatives for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to acquire additional skills, abilities, and new opportunities for international partnerships is increasingly vital in this context.

• Sustainability: Ensuring the environmental friendliness of tourism is pivotal. We aim to actively promote and implement ongoing legislative initiatives related to environmental protection and climate neutrality. This focus will contribute to a sustainable and responsible tourism industry.

• Digitalisation: The ongoing digitalization of the economy and society presents significant opportunities for transforming tourism services. Businesses can leverage to provide more sustainable and innovative services that provide long-lasting and technologically enriched personalised experiences. Our emphasis is on guiding the sector towards a future where technology enhances long-lasting and eco-friendly services.

• Cultural Heritage: Cultural heritage stands as a strategic priority for the expert group in order to explore financing opportunities for our SMEs and partnering opportunities at international level.

• Sport: Recognizing the significance of sport in Member States and the broader European economies, we acknowledge its substantial employment and revenue contribution.

Initiatives and Events

In 2023 our network promoted a new pilot action called EEN Sport Itinerary:  a joint calendar of free business events (e.g. B2B, workshops, learning opportunities) focused on the sports ecosystem in the framework of important international sports events, among others.

The Network organised 6 international B2B events and several thematic workshops/training courses open to all European SMEs and free of charge.

Thanks to the successful results of the Enterprise Europe Network Pilot Sport Itinerary 2023, the Network group of experts in Tourism is already working on a new calendar of events for 2024 in order to continue with the activities focusing on the Sport Ecosystem and business opportunities.