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.
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
Kick off meeting for innovative projects along the Via Francigena in Italy
On 9 September 2026, eight Italian projects selected for financial support via DETOUR Open Call met at the Tuscany Region headquarters in Florence for a kick off meeting. The event marked the beginning of a new phase for DETOUR, with the selected SMEs now starting the implementation of their innovative projects along the Via Francigena. The selected initiatives address a wide range of topics, including accessibility, digital innovation, food experiences and territorial revitalisation.
How can small enterprises address the effects of climate change?
Climate change is disrupting summer outdoor travel and impacting regional economies, leading the European Union to push for climate neutrality by 2050 through public engagement. European projects like Detour and KlimaAlps address these challenges by mapping climate-impacted trails and training youth guides to build environmental awareness. These initiatives help tourism businesses shift focus toward off-season travel using tailored services, flexible scheduling, and personalised travel tools.
Results of the DETOUR Call for Mini-Grants
The Call for Mini-Grants, open from 9 March to 1 June 2026, received 95 applications from four project countries – Italy, Bulgaria, Greece, and Türkiye – submitted by partnerships including SMEs, Destination Management Organisations (DMOs), and local stakeholders. The Detour Consortium is pleased to announce the results of the evaluation: a total of 33 initiatives will be funded across the four participating countries.
Our Partners
