University of Palermo hosted the MARE Training of Trainers Week on Sustainable Tourism
From 3 to 7 November 2025, the University of Palermo hosted the MARE Training of Trainers (ToT) Week on Sustainable Tourism, organised under the MARE Project’s Work Package 7. The event brought together 17 academic and administrative staff from Italy, Jordan, Morocco, and Tunisia. It created a dynamic space for sharing knowledge, fostering regional cooperation, and developing curricula on sustainable tourism.
The Training of Trainers (ToT) programme aimed to strengthen the capacity of higher education institutions in Jordan, Tunisia, and Morocco to design and deliver new sustainable tourism courses. Activities included identifying skills gaps in the tourism sector, creating course content, and training academic staff to apply innovative teaching methods.
The week opened with welcoming remarks from Professor Fabio Mazzola, University of Palermo’s Vice-Rector for Internationalisation and Teaching, followed by presentations on educational offer in tourism at the University of Palermo, University of Macerata, and University of Cagliari, and by a keynote from Florida International University on integrating Global Sustainable Tourism Council principles into academic programmes.
Universities from the South Mediterranean, including Al Balqa Applied University, University of Tunis El Manar, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Yarmouk University, Petra University, University of Gabès, University of Carthage, and Hassan II University of Casablanca, presented challenges and opportunities of sustainable tourism in Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia. They shared case studies, joint academic initiatives, and tools to support course alignment and co-teaching.
A session led by Istat, the Bank of Italy, and UNIPA explored how official tourism statistics can help manage sustainable destinations. The University of Palermo’s Centre for Sustainability and Ecological Transition and Copenhagen Business School showcased new approaches to sustainability education, reflecting the growing global demand for responsible tourism training.
Beyond formal sessions, the event encouraged open exchange of experiences and good practices in teaching, research, and innovation. Participants discussed ways to integrate sustainability into university courses and strengthen the role of higher education in promoting sustainable development. These discussions also inspired new ideas for interdisciplinary programmes and experiential learning that build students’ awareness of sustainability.
Sessions on digital transformation and innovation in tourism featured contributions from UNIMED- Mediterranean Universities Union, Fondazione per l’Attrazione Roma & Partners, CESIE, and University of Palermo. Participants examined smart tourism, artificial intelligence, and sustainability-driven entrepreneurship.
Networking activities and cultural visits across Palermo complemented the training, helping participants build long-term professional relationships.
The week ended with a shared commitment to continued collaboration through joint teaching, research partnerships, and faculty and student exchanges.
Overall, the ToT week under WP7 strengthened institutional capacity, advanced curriculum innovation, and expanded academic networks across the Mediterranean.