Building resilient tourism across Mediterranean routes
DETOUR is a EU-funded project under SMP COSME Programme, dedicated to developing sustainable and resilient tourism ecosystems along rural and historical routes in the Mediterranean. With a €2 million budget over three years (1 November 2024 – 31 October 2027), DETOUR brings together eight international partners to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the tourism sector in growing, innovating, and remaining competitive — by leveraging funding opportunities, digital tools, and a shared commitment to slow and responsible travel.
📍Call for SMEs Training from 8 September to 30 November 2025.
ℹ️Find all the information on the Training page.
Purpose and Impact of DETOUR
Capacity Building
Targeted training for tourism professionals through the “Train the Trainers” programme.
SMEs Training and Mentoring
Training and mentoring to help tourism SMEs innovate, grow sustainably, and adopt slow, responsible travel practices.
Acceleration Programme
The Acceleration Programme aims to fast-track innovation by providing resources and mentorship to support project growth and scalability.
Latest News and Events
DETOUR “Train the Trainers” Programme successfully concluded across all participating Countries
The DETOUR Train the Trainers programme has been completed across all partner countries, engaging over 50 tourism stakeholders and certifying 42 experts as official DETOUR trainers. Delivered through online learning, an international webinar and onsite workshops in Italy, Bulgaria, Greece and Türkiye, it strengthened capacities in sustainable tourism, trail management, digital tools, accessibility and tourism product development. National sessions combined expert contributions with practical exercises and field visits, showcasing good practices and local business models linked to long-distance routes. The programme enabled rich cross-country knowledge exchange and built partnerships among public, private and community actors. DETOUR now moves forward with a Europe-wide trainer network ready to mentor and support tourism SMEs and trail-based destination development.
European Recognition for DETOUR: Q4 2025 Highlights
DETOUR project gained strong European visibility and recognition through key international events and network moments. It was presented as a concrete example of how Cultural Routes can support tourism SMEs via training, mentoring and targeted opportunities.
DETOUR Training of Trainers Workshop in Greece
The DETOUR Training of Trainers workshop took place in Ano Poroia (Serres), Greece (21–23 November 2025), hosted by the Mediterranean Center of the Environment. Seven prospective trainers explored how long-distance hiking routes can support sustainable local development, extend the tourism season, and strengthen SMEs. Sessions combined expert inputs on trail management, digital tools, and regional planning with field visits and SME case studies in the Olympus–Kissavos–Mavrovouni area. The workshop aligned the trainer team and produced a practical toolkit for the next phase of training and mentoring.
Our Partners
