The DETOUR Train the Trainers program has been successfully completed in all partner countries, marking a significant milestone for the project thanks to the project consortium. In total, over 50 tourism stakeholders took part in the program workshops, while 42 experts have been officially certified as DETOUR trainers, having participated in online training, international webinar and onsite workshops in Italy, Bulgaria, Greece, and Türkiye.

In Italy, 12 experts gathered in Viterbo located along the Via Francigena in October 2025 for an in-person workshop, engaging in hands-on sessions focused on sustainable tourism, digital tools for trail management, accessibility and tourism product development. Participants exchanged knowledge, developed strategies for promoting local walking trails, and strengthened their skills to train future tourism professionals in Italy.
In Bulgaria, 12 enthusiastic trainers successfully completed the three-day interactive workshop held in Plovdiv in November. Speakers from six European countries presented best practices in sustainable tourism, content creation, tourism product development, global trends, and effective public–private partnerships. Particular interest was sparked by presentations on the scale and economic impact of long-distance walking trails and the potential to adapt similar models within the Thrace Tourist Region and the Sultans trail. The program included a cultural tour of Plovdiv’s key landmarks—the Bishop’s Basilica, the Ancient Theatre, and the Old Town—along with a field visit to Yustina Winery, showcasing how wine production, sustainability, and tourism experiences can be integrated.
In Greece, 12 local tourism professionals, public representatives, and outdoor activity providers participated in the DETOUR three-day Training of Trainers in Ano Poria, organized by the Mediterranean Center of Environment. Future DETOUR trainers explored green tourism strategies, digital mapping tools, and trail management, with examples from the Via Francigena and Andros Routes. Site visits to Lake Kerkini and traditional guesthouses highlighted local walking and birdwatching initiatives. The training concluded with discussions on the DETOUR project’s role and the awarding of certificates, preparing the Greek trainers for the next steps of the project.
In Türkiye, the workshop was conducted in collaboration with ATM and CRS and involved 11 trainers comprising academics and expert consultants from various Turkish universities. Over three days, participants engaged in sessions on sustainable tourism, digitalisation, and local tourism challenges. Contributions from officials of the Tourism Development Agency, Gendarmerie Search and Rescue, Forest Regional Directorate, as well as digital marketing expert Gamze Nurluoğlu, bioengineer Hüseyin Çağlar İnce, and tourism expert Magx Becker, enriched the program significantly. The DETOUR Train the Trainers programme has successfully prepared a network of skilled trainers across Europe, ready to support the development of sustainable tourism and walking trails in their regions. The workshops facilitated cross-country knowledge exchange, practical learning, and fostered partnerships to strengthen tourism SMEs and local communities.