As the DETOUR project marks its first anniversary in November 2025, it is a perfect moment to reflect on its achievements over the past twelve months. Since its launch in November 2024, the project has built a strong international network committed to fostering entrepreneurial opportunities in the Mediterranean regions connecting four walking routes. Thanks to the coordinated efforts of partners across Italy, Bulgaria, Türkiye, and Greece, DETOUR has already delivered significant results aimed at empowering tourism professionals, SMEs, and local stakeholders to innovate and embrace green and digital transition.

Over the first year, DETOUR carried out an extensive research and needs analysis across its four pilot areas - the Via Francigena in Italy, the mountenous trails around Olympus, Kissavos and Mavrovouni in Greece, the Lycian Way in Türkiye, and the Sultan’s Trail/Thrace region in Bulgaria - collecting 659 responses from tourism SMEs. This work also led to the development of clear indicators to measure the impact of project activities. Alongside the research, partners compiled a comprehensive Compendium of Best Practices, gathering successful sustainable and innovative practices from tourism SMEs across the partner countries to guide the development of greener, more digital, and slow tourism models.

Over the past year, the project developed targeted training programmes for tourism experts, who will in turn support local stakeholders and small and medium-sized enterprises in improving their competitiveness through sustainable and innovative approaches. Numerous online and in-person info days and events have been organised to present training pathways, funding opportunities, and the project’s wider objectives.

The “Train the Trainers” programme, launched in August 2025, combined online learning, an in-person workshop, and a webinar, involving 43 experts and providing them with updated skills in sustainability, innovation, and digitalisation. Significant steps were also taken in preparing the SME Training and Mentoring Programme, with criteria, procedures, and materials fully developed and the open call launched on 2 September. Meanwhile, communication and networking activities—carried out through the website, social media, and participation in major industry events—have increased the project’s visibility and strengthened collaboration across regions. Together, these achievements have expanded knowledge, built capacities, and laid the foundations for the next phase of SME support in the DETOUR project.