Sustainability Systems for Tourism SMEs: A Practical Training Week by fuTOURiSME
- KOANConsulting
- Apr 13
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 24
In today’s rapidly evolving tourism landscape, sustainability is no longer a “nice to have” — it is a strategic priority. Yet for many small and medium-sized tourism enterprises (SMEs), translating sustainability into concrete, day-to-day practices remains a challenge.
To address this gap, the fuTOURiSME project is launching the Sustainability Systems Week, an online training initiative designed to make sustainability practical, accessible, and actionable for tourism SMEs across Europe.
A practical approach to sustainability
Taking place from 27 to 30 April, the Sustainability Systems Week brings together experts, practitioners, and SMEs to explore how sustainability systems can be effectively implemented in real business contexts.
Rather than focusing on theory alone, the programme is built around:
Practical tools and frameworks
Real-life case studies from tourism SMEs
Guidance on certifications and sustainability standards
Interactive sessions to support peer learning and exchange
The objective is clear: to help SMEs move from intention to implementation.
Why sustainability systems matter
Sustainability systems — including certifications, monitoring tools, and management frameworks — play a key role in structuring and validating sustainability efforts. They enable businesses to:
Measure and improve their environmental and social impact
Increase transparency and credibility
Respond to growing market demand for responsible tourism
Align with European and global sustainability goals
However, navigating these systems can often feel complex and resource-intensive, particularly for smaller businesses. This is where targeted support and capacity building become essential.
Supporting SMEs in their transition
The Sustainability Systems Week is part of the broader mission of fuTOURiSME: to support tourism SMEs in their green and digital transition.
By providing accessible training opportunities, the project aims to:
Demystify sustainability tools and certifications
Build internal capacity within SMEs
Foster a community of practice at European level
Encourage the adoption of more resilient and responsible business models
Join the Sustainability Systems Week
The sessions (in English) will take place online each day at 17:30 CET, making them accessible to participants from across Europe.
Participation is free of charge, and open to tourism professionals, SMEs, and stakeholders interested in advancing sustainability in tourism.
PROGRAMME
Monday, 27 April | Make Sustainability Work (Speaker: Michela Petruzzo)
Discover how to apply ESG principles in a practical way and implement concrete sustainability actions in your business.
Tuesday, 28 April | Communicate What You Do (Speakers : Michela Petruzzo & Fabrizio Contini)
Learn how to communicate your sustainability efforts clearly, credibly and without greenwashing.
Wednesday, 29 April | Take Action with the Self-Assessment Tool (Speaker: José María de Juan)
Evaluate your current position and identify your next steps using the fuTOURiSME self-assessment tool.
Thursday, 30 April | Understand the Landscape (Speaker: Adriana Hurtado)
Navigate sustainability systems, certifications and frameworks with confidence, based on the fuTOURiSME research and guidelines.
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