EVBB participated in the final conference of the Tour-X project, a Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) initiative co-funded by the European Union. Bringing together 23 partners from seven European countries, the project has worked to strengthen vocational education and training (VET) in the tourism sector by fostering cooperation between education providers, industry representatives and regional authorities, while promoting skills development and innovation across Europe.
The final conference brought together experts from the tourism, sport and construction sectors to discuss how Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) can create sustainable impact beyond project lifecycles. Throughout the event, participants reflected on the project’s achievements and explored how stronger collaboration between stakeholders can contribute to more resilient regional skills ecosystems and better respond to the evolving needs of the tourism sector.
A highlight of the event was the panel discussion “CoVEs in Action: From Piloting to Impact”, where representatives from several European CoVE initiatives exchanged experiences on designing, testing and scaling vocational excellence models. The discussion emphasized the importance of stakeholder cooperation, adaptability and long-term commitment in ensuring lasting results for learners, VET providers and industry.
The conference also showcased the Tour-X Toolbox, a collection of practical resources developed to support skills development and innovation in the tourism sector. Partners shared insights from piloting these tools across Europe and highlighted their contribution to strengthening regional skills ecosystems, reinforcing the project’s objective of helping VET providers better anticipate skills needs and adapt training provision accordingly.
As the Tour-X project concludes, its outcomes will continue to contribute to the growing European CoVE community, fostering collaboration and excellence in vocational education and training across sectors. The partnerships established, knowledge exchanged and practical resources developed throughout the project will continue to support innovation and excellence in tourism education well beyond the project’s lifetime.
