SMEs TRAnsition for an European Circular tourism Ecosystem (TRACE)

Tourism has been one of the sectors acutely affected by the pandemic. This condition has had serious implications and spill-over effects on the overall economic outlook of the Union, representing tourism a sizeable proportion of EU’s GDP.
Taking into account the specific needs of the tourism industry facing the sustainability challenge, TRACE project aims to enhance and monitor the sustainability performance of SMEs in the tourism sector, boosting their awareness, development and capacity to develop and integrate sustainable innovations in their business practice, making sustainability, resilience and circularity as key factors of competitiveness in the rapidly changing global tourism market scenario.

Context

The TRACE project is aimed at 100 SMEs in 5 EU countries. They will be coached to become sustainability champions and inspire other businesses in their local context. They will develop a specific sustainability plan using a series of key sustainability and circular economy indicators that will improve the companies' internal sustainability management, including greenhouse gas emissions analysis, application of the EU Ecolabel and other certification processes. Staff skills and capabilities will be enhanced through training and direct support services, in addition to financial support.

Needs addressed

- Enhance the sustainability performance of SMEs in the tourism sector;
- Build SMEs capacities in developing and integrate sustainable innovations in their business practice;
- Embrace sustainability, resilience and circularity as key factors of competitiveness in the rapidly changing global tourism market scenario.

Expected results

At least 100 SMEs in 5 EU Countries will become champions of sustainability and develop a dedicated sustainability plan, using a set of key indicators on sustainability and circular economy. These 100 SMEs will inspire other micro and small-sized enterprises in their local contexts.

Financing

European Commission

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