FU-TOURISM at VDS2024: A Model of Transnational Collaboration in the Tourism Sector
- The European project FU-TOURISM, funded with 4 million euros through the Single Market Programme, was present at the VDS on Wednesday, October 23, and Thursday, October 24.
- FU-TOURISM participated at the Valencia Innovation Capital stand and in two presentations at the Green Stage, highlighting funding and development opportunities for innovative tourism SMEs.
- The Ajuntament de València, Valencia Innovation Capital, and Finnova were present as partner representatives of the project, emphasizing the city’s commitment to sustainability and innovation in the tourism sector.
The European project FU-TOURISM participated in the seventh edition of the Valencia Digital Summit (VDS), one of the most important technology events in Southern Europe, held from October 23 to 24 at the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia. This edition brought together over 12,000 professionals from more than 100 countries, including leaders from startups and innovative companies worldwide.
Under the motto “Embracing Evolution: Invest in the Leaders of Tomorrow,” VDS 2024 analyzed how the current technological revolution is positively impacting society. The event also featured over 700 investors managing a portfolio of more than 10 trillion euros, offering networking opportunities among more than 2,500 startups.
FU-TOURISM took advantage of this innovative setting with two presentations: on the Green Stage, Manuela Granada Montoya from FUNDACIÓN FINNOVA, Ángel Navarro Moros from Valencia Innovation Capital, and Noelia Rigoberto Zaragozá from the Ajuntament de València discussed how the project empowers tourism SMEs and startups to tackle current challenges through innovative solutions, providing them with programs that combine funding and strategic business support services.
Additionally, Lucía Calabria Tasa, Deputy Director of Entrepreneurship at Valencia Innovation Capital, highlighted the strategic collaboration between FU-TOURISM and local and national entities, emphasizing the importance of the Open Calls for Startups and SMEs that the project will launch. She highlighted the FU-TOURISM Acceleration Programme, a key initiative to support the ecological and digital transition of European tourism SMEs. This program will offer up to 20,000 euros in direct funding per company, along with specialized training and international collaboration opportunities.
The FU-TOURISM Acceleration Programme will be the first of two acceleration programs. The second, planned for 2025, will provide 30,000 euros in funding to 42 SME associations. During the event, visitors to the FU-TOURISM stand could learn more about this program and how it can help them access funding, personalized advice, and growth opportunities in the tourism sector.
VALENCIA AS A LEADER IN THE TOURISM INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM
This event will strengthen synergies among stakeholders in the European and Spanish tourism ecosystem, highlighting collaboration with the Ajuntament de València and its innovation center, Valencia Innovation Capital, key partners in the FU-TOURISM project. Valencia’s presence as a pilot destination for the project underscores its leadership in tourism digitalization and sustainability, especially at a time when the city has been designated as the European Green Capital 2024.
In this context, the Spanish-Belgian Finnova Foundation has been at the genesis of this innovative project, promoting the participation of the Ajuntament de València and its innovation center, Valencia Innovation Capital. “Supporting entrepreneurship with European funds is essential for fostering innovation and competitiveness in the tourism sector, especially in a context like VDS and in a city that has demonstrated its efforts in the digitalization and sustainability of tourism like Valencia,” states Adrián Noheda, Project Manager of FU-TOURISM at Finnova.
With 4 million euros in funding from the European Commission through the Single Market Programme, FU-TOURISM aims to empower tourism SMEs to be more sustainable and competitive in the digital era. The project includes Valencia and Poreč-Parenzo as pilot destinations, involving partners from seven European countries, including Finnova (Belgium), Envolve (Greece), SYNYO (Austria), Vestbee (Poland), and Open Impact (Italy). Of the 35 proposals submitted to the SMP-COSME-2022-TOURSME program, FU-TOURISM was one of the six approved, standing out for having the largest budget.