The ECO-TANDEM project aims to make organisations and companies in the tourism sector to become more sustainable. Tourism in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups will be paired as TANDEMS which will work together to tackle tourism challenges and win up to 13,000 EUR!

On 17 December 2021 University Graz organised the EU ECO-TANDEM Infoday and Workshop titled "Nachhaltige Lösungen für den Tourismus der Zukunft" ("Sustainable Solutions for the tourism of the future"). The meeting took place online and gathered participants representing SMEs, startups and national tourism agencies.

Mario Diethart, MSc and Dr. Thomas Höflehner facilitated the meeting on behalf of the University of Graz and the Regional Centre of Expertise Graz-Styria. 

During the 90-minute event, Mario Diethart and Dr. Thomas Höflehner presented the EU ECO-TANDEM project and its green activities, highlighting the ECO-TANDEM ACADEMY and the upcoming event- the Biz Programme. Participants were engaging and asked many questions regarding the Biz Programme.

The second part of the event was designed as a workshop, where UNI GRAZ together with the participants identify and discuss the challenges in the tourism industry. The participants shared the challenges they face in their business. Based on this information, Thomas Höflehner facilitated a discussion on the three most pressing challenges, namely environmental protection, integration of local population, and digitalisation. The participants collected solutions to the challenges and discussed possible involvement of the SMEs and startups in the workshop. This activity gave a first impression of the potential benefits that tandems can bring!

Congratulations UNI GRAZ for the great event! Stay tuned for the upcoming Biz Programme, and we invite you to share with us the challenges you face, we might come up with an innovative solution!