TourX proudly joined the first ETF Winter Camp on Vocational Excellence, hosted by the European Training Foundation (ETF) from 10–13 February 2025 in Nova Gorica. This landmark event brought together leading Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) from across Europe to explore innovative strategies in teaching and learning, partnership building, and sustainable development in vocational education and training (VET).

Organised under the banner “…and this is how VET saved the (human) world – Learners’ Journey in a CoVE”, the Winter Camp provided a vibrant platform for collaboration, learning, and strategic planning among EU-funded projects, including TourX, Talentjourney, GreenoVET, and PoVE Water.

TourX’s Contribution and Engagement

As a flagship initiative driving vocational excellence in the tourism sector, TourX showcased its innovative approaches to tackling skills shortages and aligning education with the evolving needs of the tourism industry. TourX representatives actively participated in:

🛠️ Workshops on agile skills development, personalization of learning, and inclusive education.
🤝 Strategic sessions on partnership building, leveraging the Business Model Canvas to enhance cooperation with industry and regional stakeholders.
💡 Governance and funding model discussions, sharing insights from the tourism sector on sustainable growth and cross-border cooperation.
📄 Development planning sessions, where TourX outlined its vision for scaling vocational excellence through internationalisation and digital transformation in tourism education.

Through engaging with peers and experts from other CoVEs and European networks such as EfVET, EVTA, and EVBB, TourX further cemented its role as a key contributor to the CoVE ecosystem.

Driving Innovation in Tourism VET

TourX’s presence at the Winter Camp reinforced the project’s mission to:

➡️ Bridge the gap between education and the tourism industry
➡️ Promote mobility and international learning experiences
➡️ Develop future-proof skills in sustainability, digitalisation, and customer service excellence
➡️ Build a European CoVE for Tourism with strong regional and sectoral anchors

By participating in the Winter Camp, TourX gained valuable insights and forged new connections that will support the ongoing implementation and future expansion of its work.

Looking Ahead

The Winter Camp was not just an event—it was a call to action. As the tourism sector evolves, so too must vocational education. TourX remains committed to leading this transformation through collaboration, excellence, and a learner-centred approach.