SMARTIES for SMEs: Networking Event in Rome Focuses on Regenerative Tourism and the Mediterranean Diet

Rome, 12 June 2026 – Promoting a more sustainable, regenerative and competitive tourism model by strengthening the connection between local communities, territories and the Mediterranean agri-food system. This was the key objective of the SMARTIES for SMEs networking event, a transnational project co-funded by the European Union and dedicated to empowering tourism SMEs across the Mediterranean region, with a total budget of €3 million.

The initiative aims to support tourism businesses in their dual green and digital transition by encouraging innovative and resilient tourism models capable of generating economic, social and cultural benefits for local communities. A central pillar of the project is also the promotion of the Mediterranean Diet, recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and positioned as a strategic asset for developing authentic, integrated and sustainable tourism experiences.

SMARTIES for SMEs is structured around three main pillars: regenerative tourism, synergies between tourism and the agri-food sector, and the green and digital transition of SMEs. Within this framework, the project has developed a Mediterranean ecosystem through research activities, capacity building, communication initiatives, international networking and practical tools designed to support businesses.

Among the project’s main achievements are the engagement of stakeholders and SMEs across several Mediterranean countries and regions, as well as technical and financial support provided to 75 innovative projects selected through European calls in five countries – Cyprus, Portugal, Greece, Slovenia and Italy. The project also produced a Handbook on the Mediterranean Diet, conceived as a practical tool to guide businesses towards more sustainable and replicable tourism models.

During the morning session, the “Compendium on SMEs Needs and Best Practices in Regenerative Tourism” was presented by Ksenija Keča and Vlasta Klaric on behalf of Libertas International University in Zagreb. This was followed by the roundtable discussion “Wine & Gastronomy Tourism as Leverage for Sustainability”, moderated by Antonio Barone, Director of the Phoenicians’ Route – Cultural Route of the Council of Europe.

A dedicated focus was also given to the three Italian pilot projects, showcasing how the principles of SMARTIES for SMEs can be translated into concrete local experiences.

In Tuscany, The Local’s Table by Travel Italy Guru promotes a model that combines experiential tourism, local agri-food supply chains and slow mobility. Through cycling itineraries, farmers’ market visits and seasonal cooking workshops, the project aims to transform the Mediterranean Diet into a lived experience while increasing both visibility and income opportunities for small local farms.

In Campania, Irpinia Green Escape, promoted by Vitigni Irpini in Avellino, focuses on enhancing native grape varieties and rural landscapes through digital marketing tools and professional storytelling. The goal is to create a direct connection between tourists and producers by showcasing the relationship between land, vineyards and local communities, while encouraging visits to wineries and destinations across Irpinia.

In Bologna, EnterinBo, developed by Eta Beta Social Cooperative, combines urban regeneration, social agriculture and inclusive hospitality. The project revolves around the multicultural hub Salus Space and offers urban gardens, cooking and craft workshops, cultural walks, cycling tourism experiences and digital tools. Its objective is to create meaningful connections between residents, vulnerable groups and visitors, integrating social value into the tourism experience itself.

Through SMARTIES for SMEs, the Mediterranean Diet becomes not only a nutritional model, but also a cultural, territorial and entrepreneurial reference point for building new forms of responsible tourism capable of combining authenticity, sustainability, innovation and competitiveness.

SMARTIES for SMEs Website: the project’s official platform featuring objectives, full documentation, detailed information and communication activities