GREENTOUR addresses a variety of innovation actions within a framework of a transregional clustering model that include:
(1) methodologies and actions to foster circular economy in the tourism sector at a transregional scale;
(2) scientific and methodological innovation through an environmental labeling system with a life cycle perspective to assess the environmental impacts caused by tourism activity in a destination, beyond economic and social variables;
(3) providing inter-regional cooperation in the SUDOE area among institutions and policymakers, considering the existing tourism sector in the validation of the proposed tools and strategies.
The goal is to move towards a new environmental, economic, and social model, in which the consumer is simultaneously informed and engaged in commitment to the environment where tourism activity takes place. The project encompasses a pilot phase for the development of four environmental assessment tools, based on the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, for the subsector of hotels, restaurants, leisure, and transport, and an extrapolation to lodging in tourist destinations as a whole; subsequently, the application of the tools is extended to all destinations that are part of the consortium. GREENTOUR represents an opportunity to incorporate more competitive services that respect the natural and cultural heritage, adding socio-economic value to the SUDOE region, and strengthening the tourism sector in the face of future challenges.