In January 2021, EfVET's Tourism Thematic Team was launched, bringing together European VET organizations active in the tourism sector.

In a very difficult year for the tourism industry globally, the launch of a network of schools committed to tourism is a clear sign of the widespread desire to restart more united and cohesive.

The Thematic Team looks at the tourism industry as a whole and takes into account different clusters of the sector: HO.RE.CA. (Hotel, Restaurant, Catering); Tour guides and Tour leaders; Tour operators and Travel agencies; Events and leisure; Food & beverage; Cultural and historical heritage; Destination managers and operators; Travel and transport.

26 organisations from 7 countries and active in the sector have taken part so far and involved 50 people including international managers, teachers and tourism experts.

Apro Formazione (IT), Landstede Groep (NL) and Sedu (FI) coordinate the Thematic team sharing a participatory approach, which sets out a strong involvement of all the people active in the Team and the respect of the different knowledge and competences of each one.

In line with the participatory approach, the first action of the Team was the launch of a survey, addressed to its 26 members, in order to deepen the knowledge of the organizations as well as the expectations and objectives placed in the transnational cooperation. The survey revealed a varied panorama of activities and clusters in which the partners are active.

Starting from the survey results, the kick-off meeting of the Thematic Teams placed the focus on the identification of priority topics and objectives on which to work in the upcoming months. The topics preferred by the majority of the members are in line with the digital and green transition supported by the European Commission. Indeed, the 5 most voted topics were: 1. Digitalization in the touristic field, 2. Mobility, 3. Sustainable Tourism - Green transition, 4. Future of tourism, 5. Work-based learning.

With regard to the objectives to be achieved through the network, the members clearly pointed out the desire to collaborate and exchange best practices, through the establishment of a community of practice, the development of international projects and the improvement of mobility networks. To date, the coordinators are developing a proposed action plan for the development of activities in next months, to be shared with the other members in March.

The Tourism Thematic Team is an open working group and any organization that would like to work and commit on the future of vocational tourism education is more than welcome!