Meet the selected projects in Italy leading the digital and sustainable transition of tourism

Tourism innovation moves forward in Italy

It is a pleasure for us to present the 12 selected projects from Italy under fuTOURiSME Open Call. Each project will receive €30,000 and expert support to implement solutions that drive sustainability, digitalisation, accessibility, and innovation in the tourism sector.

👉 Discover the winners:

• Garda Hub by Coster

  The proposed project, Garda Hub, aims to create a comprehensive ecosystem that attracts digital nomads and remote workers to the Lake Garda region, focusing on sustainability, digitalization, and community integration. One of the primary goals of the project is to increase tourism flow during the low season, reducing the seasonal fluctuations that currently affect the destination.

  The project will involve close collaboration with local businesses to provide coworking spaces and sustainable accommodation options tailored to the needs of digital nomads.

  A user-friendly digital platform will be developed to streamline the booking and management of travel packages, enhancing convenience and accessibility for remote workers.

  Targeted marketing campaigns will be launched on social media platforms, digital nomad forums, and travel blogs to attract the desired audience and raise awareness of Garda Hub’s offerings. To enrich the visitor experience and foster community integration, the project will organize cultural, recreational, and networking events. Additionally, Garda Hub will facilitate peer-to-peer exchanges, encouraging knowledge sharing and networking between visiting digital nomads and local remote workers.

  The project will also focus on capacity building for local businesses, supporting them in adopting digital tools and sustainable practices to align with the preferences of this growing traveler segment. By integrating these activities, Garda Hub aims to position Lake Garda as a leading year-round destination for digital nomads, promoting economic stability, environmental sustainability, and community engagement.

• Connecting Communities by Agriturismo La Ginestra

  "The first activity involves the development and implementation of a multifunctional mobile application. This app will serve as an innovative tool connecting the agriturismo with both local social centers and visitors. A direct connection between the agriturismo and local social centers will enable real-time donations of surplus food. Following an initial analysis to identify the needs of the social centers and plan logistics, a user-friendly app will be designed and developed, accessible to both the agriturismo staff and partner organizations. Training sessions will be organized to ensure the app is used effectively, and continuous monitoring will address any issues that arise. The goal is to make the donation process faster and more efficient, reducing food waste and supporting local communities in a tangible and sustainable way.

  The second activity focuses on the organization of cultural workshops led by local residents, aiming to preserve and share the region's cultural heritage. These workshops will range from traditional crafts, such as wicker basket weaving, to the preparation of typical local dishes. Not only will these workshops provide tourists with authentic experiences, but they will also offer residents the opportunity to showcase their skills and pass down traditions. To ensure the initiative's success, local instructors will be recruited and trained, actively participating in the design and management of the workshops. The promotion of these workshops will take place through traditional and digital marketing campaigns, targeting both tourists and residents to foster meaningful cultural exchanges.

  These activities align perfectly with La Ginestra's mission, creating a tourism model that combines technological innovation, environmental sustainability, and cultural enhancement. The food donation app offers a practical solution to promote the circular economy, while the cultural workshops enrich the tourist experience, strengthening the bond between visitors and the local community. This well-structured project will not only improve the agriturismo's operations but also provide added value to the region, positioning La Ginestra as a pioneering example of sustainable tourism.

• Enhancing Guest Experiences through Innovation by Agriturismo NA MASSARI'

  One of the key initiatives is the use of IoT technology in the garden. By installing smart sensors to monitor soil moisture and optimize irrigation, the SME will reduce water usage while showcasing sustainable agricultural practices. Guests will be able to view real-time data through a mobile app, creating an educational and interactive experience during their visit.

  Another exciting development is the creation of an online cooking class station, where a fully equipped kitchen will be used to record and live-stream lessons on traditional Molise dishes. These classes will be shared through a dedicated digital platform and a YouTube channel, making the flavors and traditions of the region accessible to a global audience.

  Finally, the project will include 360° photos and virtual tours of the SME, allowing potential visitors to explore the olive groves, gardens, and the beautifully restored farmhouse online. This will not only boost visibility but also make the property more appealing to a broader audience.

• Embrace Experiences. Urban Adventures for All, by FollowMi Around

  "The ""Embrace Experiences"" project aims to create a tourism model where everyone, regardless of their physical or mental abilities, can fully enjoy Milan. To achieve this, the project will begin by conducting focus groups and interviews with people with disabilities, their families, and associations to gain a deeper understanding of their needs. These insights will shape the design of inclusive itineraries and activities.

  To ensure the quality and inclusivity of these experiences, the team will undergo training and collaboration with experts in accessibility and inclusive tourism. This preparation will help guides and staff develop the necessary skills to offer meaningful and engaging experiences.

  Central to the project is the development of a user-friendly digital platform, including a modern website and active social media channels. This platform will serve as a hub for bookings, information on accessibility, and customer engagement. To promote the project, an interactive launch event will be held, showcasing the inclusivity and creativity of ""Embrace Experiences"".

  Promotion will also include targeted marketing campaigns on social media, collaborations with influencers in the accessibility space, and participation in major tourism fairs and conferences. Looking to the future, the project will explore immersive experiences using advanced technologies, such as metaverse applications and tools for individuals with severe disabilities, to further enhance accessibility.

• RE.PLA.Y - REcovering PLAces with You by Cooperativa Alfieri

  The RE.PLA.Y project will implement a series of innovative activities aimed at promoting sustainable tourism and fostering social participation. These include:

  Co-Design Workshops: Professors from the Department of Architecture and Design, Cooperativa Alfieri staff, and citizens will collaborate to define guidelines for co-design processes involving tourists and residents. These guidelines will be disseminated at the European level to promote best practices.

  Tourist Experiences (“Down Under the Scaffold”): Over six months, twice-monthly activities will include walking guided tours designed with local associations, community lunches prepared with 0km food (to minimize waste), and workshops where participants imagine and design new concepts for urban spaces.

  Dissemination through “Tour for Change”: A social media-driven communication strategy will promote responsible and sustainable tourism experiences. This includes creating a corporate identity, launching an Instagram profile, and producing shareable digital content such as posts and a dedicated landing page.

• Milano City Art Guides by Sali e Tabacchi The Milano City Art Guides project is structured around a series of well-defined activities to bring its vision to life. The project begins with comprehensive market and curatorial research (March-May 2025) to analyze the current tourism offerings in Milan and identify the needs and interests of target audiences. This research will inform the selection of cultural points of interest, the creation of compelling storytelling, and the production of content for the guides.

  Following the research phase, the production of multimedia content will take place (May-June 2025). These contents, tailored to highlight Milan's hidden cultural gems and creative essence, will be designed by a team of writers, photographers, videographers, and graphic designers. Simultaneously, the technical development of a digital web platform for the guides will be coordinated (June-September 2025), ensuring a user-friendly interface where the routes can be accessed online. Quality tests and debugging will be carried out to ensure the platform’s reliability.

  To promote the guides, an ad hoc marketing campaign will be launched (August-September 2025). This campaign will leverage both digital and physical channels, combining social media promotion with partnerships involving cultural institutions, local stakeholders, and digital platforms like Particle. The project also includes a special press tour, where journalists and influencers will experience the routes firsthand, generating visibility and engagement. Ultimately, the long-term goal is to expand the project to other cities, creating a replicable and scalable model for cultural tourism.

• AUDIT - Advancing sUstainable Development In Tourism by Expirit The “AUDIT - Advancing sUstainable Development In Tourism” project focuses on developing and testing a digital destination audit tool that assesses tourism destinations across four key pillars: Governance (decision-making processes and regulations), Offer (unique tourism value propositions), Communication (strategies to promote destinations to target audiences), and Commercial Promotion (market strategies to attract and engage visitors). Implementation activities include refining the theoretical model, building the web platform with AI integration and API connections, gathering and analyzing data, and running a testing phase involving 30 selected model destinations. The project concludes with a comprehensive public launch, accompanied by targeted communication campaigns, workshops, and online demonstrations to showcase the tool’s capabilities to tourism operators, policymakers, and stakeholders.

• Green Tide Venezia1937 towards sustainable tourism by Venezia1937 The Green Tide project involves implementing ISO 14001 certification to embed sustainability in daily operations. This includes: developing an Environmental Management System (EMS), creating a digital tool for real-time environmental monitoring using IoT and big data, and delivering staff training to foster a sustainability-focused culture. The project also incorporates stakeholder engagement through events and campaigns to raise awareness and inspire broader adoption of green practices.

• Vibrations of Change: Inclusive Sounds & Mobility by REMOOVE The project aims to innovate tourism by improving accessibility for deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals and reducing the environmental impact of mobility in high-attendance events. It involves developing a digital platform for booking cultural events, providing e-bike rentals and wearable audio devices to make cultural experiences more accessible, and offering LIS interpreters during events. REMOOVE will train staff, collaborate with cultural organizations, and host pilot events to test the service.

• MAP (Marche Active Pooling) by Risorse Cooperativa

  The MAP - Marche Active Pooling project involves creating a digital carpooling system for tourists participating in active and sustainable tourism in the Marche region. The project includes market research, stakeholder engagement, development of the digital platform, privacy and liability considerations, software testing, customer training, and promotional campaigns. The goal is to reduce the environmental impact of travel to tourist destinations by encouraging shared car rides.

• ECONAUTI 2.0 by Natour

  The project aims to integrate two key technological innovations to Natour’s flagship platform: an AI-powered recommendation engine and a dedicated management platform for eco-tourism providers. The recommendation engine will offer personalized eco-tourism suggestions based on individual preferences and sustainability values, ensuring a tailored, meaningful experience for users. Meanwhile, the operator management page will allow eco-tourism providers to streamline operations, manage bookings, track event schedules, and monitor customer interactions in one place. These activities will involve conducting market research to understand user needs, gathering data for the AI system, developing the platform, and testing features. After implementation, Natour will launch marketing campaigns to raise awareness and drive user adoption, focusing on personalized travel options and easy-to-use tools for operators.

• Green Circle by Hotel I Dammusi di Borgo Cala Creta The Green Circle project focuses on integrating sustainability and digital transformation. The implementation activities include circularity performance assessments, waste monitoring through innovative solutions like QR codes, and obtaining sustainability certifications such as B-Corp and Green Key. Additionally, the hotel plans to integrate AI-powered technologies, such as a waste management totem and a digital platform for managing reservations, to optimize resource use and improve operational efficiency. The hotel’s website and digital platform will also be redesigned to provide a more user-friendly, sustainable-focused interface and an online reservation platform for the restaurant. The introduction of electric bike rentals will offer guests an eco-friendly transportation option to explore the island, reducing carbon emissions. Staff training will be organized to increase awareness of sustainability and circular economy practices among employees, and social media campaigns will be launched to engage guests and raise awareness about the hotel's sustainability initiatives. These activities are designed to build a circular, sustainable business model while improving digital engagement and operational efficiency.

Follow their progress via our website and social media channels.

Keep an eye on our updates and meet the SMEs behind the tourism of tomorrow.