Article #06: Identifying the Training Needs for Regenerative Tourism
Redesigning tourism for people, place & planet
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The SEEDS & SKILLS project was launched to help the European tourism sector transition from extractive practices to regenerative tourism—a model where travel actively heals ecosystems, empowers local communities, and distributes wealth fairly.
To determine which tools the workforce needs to make this leap, our consortium conducted a comprehensive training needs analysis. We surveyed learners, trainers, VET providers, and SME representatives across five partner countries: Austria, Greece, Italy, Poland, and Spain.
The analysis revealed two key insights:
While the industry understands environmental sustainability, it lacks the frameworks required to measure and manage the socio-economic impacts of tourism on host communities.
When evaluating the need for "Future Skills," data highlights a shift in the workforce. Stakeholders are ready to move beyond theory and are demanding practical, implementation-focused training.
While foundational concepts like Regenerative Tourism Development were valued, the highest priorities were actionable skills:
Regenerative experience design: The ability to design tourism products and services that include hands-on conservation and nature restoration.
Digital skills & technology integration: The capacity to use digital apps, and software to track and mange resource consumption.
Community-Centric co-creation: The skills to collaborate with local farmers, artisans, and residents to create joint tourism packages that share profits fairly.
As a next step, partners are translating these needs into a targeted curriculum that equips tourism workforce with the tools needed to ensure that travel no longer just extracts value from destinations, but actively heals them.
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 or the Foundation for the Development of the Education System (FRSE). Neither the European Union nor FRSE can be held responsible for the
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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 or the Foundation for the Development of the Education System (FRSE). Neither the European Union nor FRSE can be held responsible for them.
