A major opportunity for tourism SMEs across Europe is on its way. As part of the PHOENIX 4.0 project preparations are underway for the launch of an exciting SME Innovation Competition that will soon invite small tourism businesses to join forces, work in dedicated teams, and co-create new solutions for a more sustainable, digital, and resilient future of tourism.
The initiative, introduced in the PHOENIX 4.0 proposal as the Phoenix 4.0 Alliance Competition, aims to inspire SMEs to collaborate in entirely new ways and to develop cutting-edge, sustainable business models that respond to Europe’s evolving tourism landscape.
The competition will bring SMEs together in groups, encouraging them to explore challenges that are shaping today’s tourism ecosystem, ranging from green and circular transition to digital transformation, climate resilience, data-driven decision-making, and accessible tourism. Rather than working alone, SMEs will be invited to pool their strengths and experiences, creating projects that reflect different angles of the tourism value chain. This collaborative approach mirrors PHOENIX 4.0’s core philosophy: that real transformation emerges when businesses think together, learn from one another, and build solutions that can serve entire destinations and communities.
In the weeks leading up to the competition’s opening, SMEs will be able to take part in preparatory activities organised through the PHOENIX 4.0 Academy and PHOENIX 4.0 Lab. Here, they will gain access to training, expert guidance, and tools designed to help them better understand sustainability requirements, resilience indicators, and opportunities offered by digital innovation. This reflects the project’s broader commitment to equipping tourism SMEs with the knowledge and confidence they need to move forward, an effort that aims to support at least 120 SMEs across Europe in their transformation journey.
The competition is expected to become one of the most dynamic and collaborative parts of the project. It will offer participating SMEs the chance to strengthen their competitiveness, build new partnerships, and co-design solutions that align with the objectives of the European Commission’s Transition Pathway for Tourism. It will also give businesses the opportunity to gain visibility, connect with innovators across borders, and position themselves as leaders of change within their local and European tourism ecosystems.
With the official launch just around the corner, SMEs are encouraged to start thinking about potential partners, areas where they would like to innovate, and challenges they want to address. The competition promises not only a platform for creative ideas, but also a space for meaningful cooperation and long-term impact.
More details, including participation guidelines, timelines, and the official call for SMEs will be announced soon. Tourism businesses across Europe are invited to stay tuned and prepare for a chance to join this unique collaborative journey. A new chapter for tourism innovation is about to begin, and PHOENIX 4.0 is ready to lead the way.
