The DETOUR project (“Developing Resilient Tourism Ecosystems along Mediterranean Routes”) is funded by the European Union through the COSME program. With a budget of 2 million euros and a duration of three years, DETOUR aim to support the sustainable and resilient development of tourism along rural and historical routes in the Mediterranean. The primary goal is to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the tourism sector enhance their ability to compete, innovate, and grow by taking advantage of funding opportunities and digital tools.
Key objectives of DETOUR
DETOUR involves 8 international partners:
The project focuses on some of Europe’s most scenic and historic routes:
Through these goals and routes, the DETOUR project aims to strengthen tourism in the Mediterranean’s rural and mountainous regions by creating more resilient tourism ecosystems that are environmentally and culturally sustainable and capable of adapting to modern challenges.
Through these goals and pathways, the DETOUR project aims to strengthen tourism in rural Mediterranean areas by creating more robust and resilient tourism ecosystems that are environmentally and culturally sustainable and able to adapt to modern challenges. Specifically, the project in Italy will focus on supporting SMEs along the Via Francigena in the Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna regions, along the route from Pavia to Berceto. This pilot area will benefit from targeted training sessions for stakeholders to enhance digital skills, promote alternative resources, and support business sustainability. SMEs operating along the Via Francigena in this area will receive mentoring and access to funding opportunities for projects focused on improving services such as renewable energy installations, digital technology, creation of tourism packages, and sustainability, bringing lasting economic and environmental benefits to the region. Various events, including conferences and capacity-building activities, will be held in the municipalities along the route.