Philenews

ReTour: €1.83 Million for Resilient Tourism SMEs in the Mediterranean

Published January 15, 2026, 15:16
ReTour: €1.83 Million for Resilient Tourism SMEs in the Mediterranean

The European Union is funding the ReTour program with €1.83 million to strengthen the resilience of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the tourism sector in the Mediterranean. Coordinated by the National Technical University of Athens and implemented under the Interreg NEXT MED program, ReTour will last 30 months and cover six countries: Greece, Cyprus, Jordan, Italy, Turkey, and Lebanon. The program aims to help SMEs address challenges such as crises, seasonality, climate change, and geopolitical developments by promoting innovation and cross-border cooperation. It will provide access to cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, IoT, and blockchain, as well as sustainable development practices. The project involves nine partners and eight associated partners, creating a broad network that connects the program with the market and the tourism ecosystem of the region. This is expected to maximize the impact of ReTour and ensure the sustainability of its results. The main actions of the program include mapping the needs of SMEs, creating a digital platform for knowledge and networking, supporting the adoption of new technologies, developing personalized implementation plans, implementing pilot actions, and enhancing the skills of tourism personnel.