The recent opinion of the European Committee of the Regions sends a clear message: tourism in Europe must be rethought to put sustainability, residents’ quality of life, and digital innovation at the center. According to the Committee of the Regions (CoR), local authorities, territorial clusters, and collaborative networks are essential to coordinate businesses, manage destinations, and promote responsible, resilient practices.
CLUSTERATLAS4MED is already turning these principles into action. The project supports rural SMEs across the Mediterranean with digital tools, targeted training, and international networking, fostering more inclusive and sustainable tourism. Its meta-cluster approach encourages collaboration between enterprises, integrates digitalisation with strategic territorial management, and strengthens local communities’ capacity to innovate without compromising natural and cultural assets.
This alignment between EU recommendations and CLUSTERATLAS4MED activities shows that sustainability, digital skills, and shared governance are not just theoretical priorities—they are practical levers to transform rural tourism into a responsible and inclusive growth driver.
The project demonstrates how economic development, innovation, and territorial stewardship can go hand in hand, providing rural SMEs with the tools to thrive in an increasingly digital and competitive market.
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