Training & Mentoring
DETOUR targets tourism SMEs located along some of Europe’s most iconic cultural routes, providing multi-phase, targeted training and support to foster sustainability, digital innovation, and business resilience in the tourism sector.
📌 DETOUR is structured into three key phases:
1. Train the Trainers (August – November 2025)
2. SMEs Training & Mentoring (January – April 2026)
1️⃣ Phase 1 – Train the Trainers (August – November 2025)
The first phase is designed for tourism professionals, consultants, DMO staff, local authorities, and academics with experience supporting tourism-related businesses (e.g. in agri-food, handicrafts, cultural services).
This training included
The project targets tourism professionals, consultants, DMO staff, local authorities, and academics with experience in supporting tourism-related businesses, such as those in agri-food, handicrafts, or cultural services. It includes a minimum of 5 hours of free online training, available at any time between 1 August and 30 November 2025, along with 20 hours of in-person training and participate to the kick of meeting in January 2026.
The training focuses on key areas such as sustainability, digitalisation, product innovation, and resilience. Upon completion, participants will be certified as DETOUR Trainers, become part of a European network of tourism experts, and have the opportunity to mentor SMEs—guiding them in particular towards accessing micro-funding of up to €25,000 for green and digital innovation projects.
The DETOUR Train the Trainers programme has been completed successfully in all partner countries, engaging over 50 tourism stakeholders and certifying 42 trainers through online learning, an international webinar and onsite workshops. In Italy (Viterbo, October 2025), participants focused on sustainable tourism, digital tools for trail management, accessibility and product development along the Via Francigena. In Bulgaria (Plovdiv, November), the training showcased European best practice and explored how long-distance trail models could be adapted locally, alongside cultural and field visits. In Greece (Ano Poria), local professionals examined green tourism strategies, digital mapping and trail management, supported by visits to Lake Kerkini and traditional accommodation providers. In Türkiye, academics and consultants addressed sustainability, digitalisation and local challenges with contributions from public authorities and sector experts, strengthening a Europe-wide network ready to support walking trails and tourism SMEs.
✅ The first phase has been completed.
📍 The DETOUR certified Trainers can be found in Pool of Trainers
2️⃣ Phase 2 - SMEs Training & Mentorig (January - April 2026)
This programme invites small and medium-sized tourism enterprises (SMEs) located along the Italian section of the Via Francigena — from the Great St Bernard Pass to Santa Maria di Leuca — as well as along the Lycian Way in Türkiye, the Sultan’s Trail and Thrace Tourist Region in Bulgaria, and the mountain route network in Greece, to apply for a free training and mentoring projects focused on sustainable tourism, digital transition, and climate resilience.
Participating SMEs will benefit from tailored training opportunities, personalised mentoring with tourism and innovation experts, and dedicated support to apply for micro-funding of up to €25,000 to develop green and digital projects. The programme also offers valuable opportunities for international networking with professionals and businesses active along some of Europe’s most iconic cultural routes.
The training and mentoring activities, with DETOUR Pool of Trainers, will take place from 1 January to 30 April 2026, and participation is completely free of charge for selected SMEs.
📍Consult DETOUR certified experts in Pool of Trainers
