Future project transnational meeting in Malta focuses on sustainable tourism initiatives

On 10 January, project partners gathered at the Mediterranean Academy of Culture, Technology and Trade (MACTT) headquarters in Malta for the Transnational Meeting TM4 of the FUTURE – Fostering Sustainable Tourism for New Employees project. The meeting provided an opportunity to review progress, plan upcoming activities, and strengthen collaboration in advancing sustainability within the tourism sector.

With representatives from GuestItaly, MACTT, and Istituto Alberghiero “R. Virtuoso” – Salerno, discussions focused on key aspects of the project’s development, ensuring that training courses, student engagement, and dissemination strategies align with the project’s mission to integrate sustainability into vocational education and training.

Reviewing progress and planning next steps

The meeting started with a review of ongoing courses in Italy and Malta, evaluating the progress made in delivering sustainable tourism training. These courses aim to provide students and educators with green skills, preparing them for a tourism industry that values responsible practices.

Partners shared updates on:

• The effectiveness of course content in developing sustainable competencies.
• Student participation and feedback.
• Adaptations needed to improve learning outcomes.

Following the review, discussions turned to planning future activities, including the development of student learning modules and the creation of promotional materials to enhance engagement. These initiatives will help raise awareness of the project’s objectives and encourage more tourism professionals to integrate sustainability into their work.

Developing sustainable recipes

A significant part of the meeting focused on sustainable gastronomy, a key element of the FUTURE project. Partners exchanged ideas on how to incorporate eco-friendly recipes into the curriculum, emphasizing:

• The use of local, seasonal ingredients to reduce the carbon footprint.
• Techniques to minimize food waste in catering and hospitality.
• Creating nutritious and responsible meal options for tourism establishments.

The shared preliminary results reflect the project’s commitment to sustainable food practices, ensuring that students and professionals have access to innovative approaches that support environmental responsibility.

Dissemination strategies and final conference

A key objective of the meeting was to outline dissemination efforts leading up to the final conference in Naples, scheduled for April 2025. The conference will serve as a platform to:

• Present the project’s findings and outcomes.
• Engage with industry stakeholders, educators, and policymakers.
• Showcase the impact of sustainability training on tourism practices.

By defining communication strategies and outreach initiatives, the partners aim to extend the project’s impact beyond the participating institutions, encouraging wider adoption of sustainable tourism models.

Strengthening collaboration for sustainable tourism

The meeting reinforced the value of partnerships in driving sustainability in tourism education. The collaboration between institutions and industry professionals ensures that the project remains aligned with real-world needs, equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary for a responsible tourism sector.

As the project moves forward, partners remain committed to enhancing training materials, engaging students, and promoting sustainable tourism practices that will contribute to long-term change.

🌍 Follow the FUTURE project for updates on upcoming events, training programs, and sustainability initiatives in tourism!