The European project DIBEST – Digital Innovation for Blue Enterprise and Social Tourism, in which Málaga TechPark participates and co-financed by the Interreg Europe program, has officially launched its training and mentoring program to support the digital transformation of micro-tourism enterprises in coastal regions of Spain, Portugal, France, and Ireland.
This initiative is backed by a strong transnational consortium of 17 entities from across the Atlantic Area, including: the public agency Promálaga, Málaga TechPark, the University of Málaga, and the Galician association AGAN+ (Spain); the business school EM Normandie and the competitiveness cluster Pôle TES (France); the RDI Hub, Munster Technological University, and Western Development Commission (Ireland); as well as the business association NERA, Sines Tecnopolo, and the University of Algarve (Portugal).
DIBEST aims to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of microenterprises in the blue and social tourism sector by equipping them with digital skills, practical tools, and tailored support services.
A Two-Phase Journey Towards Digitalization
The training program is structured into two complementary phases:
Phase 1 – Basic digital skills training through pre-recorded content, live virtual sessions, and interactive activities. Key topics include digital strategy, online presence, accessibility, data analysis, and digital marketing.
Phase 2 – Advanced training on topics such as e-commerce, cybersecurity, circular economy, funding opportunities, and the application of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and virtual reality.
Personalized Mentoring for 71 Tourism Microenterprises
A core component of the project is its individualized mentoring program, aimed at 71 selected tourism microenterprises across the four participating countries. Each business will receive between 6 and 12 hours of expert mentoring to design and implement their own digitalization plan. The mentors have been selected for their expertise in tourism, digital innovation, and business development.
Workshops and Transnational Exchange
The program includes the organization of national workshops, which will allow participants to share best practices, foster peer learning, and promote regional collaboration. These events will be held within key tourism and innovation forums.
Additionally, a final transnational workshop will be held to present results and facilitate the transfer of the DIBEST methodology to other European regions.
Digital Tools and Networking Activities
Participants will have access to the DIBEST Digital Toolkit, a dynamic repository of practical resources, tools, and implementation guides. Networking activities have also been designed to promote cross-border collaboration, including informal virtual meetups, thematic sessions by business type, and an interactive map of participants to facilitate connections between businesses from different countries.
Contributing to Cohesion and Competitiveness in the Atlantic Area
DIBEST contributes to the strategic objectives of the Interreg Atlantic Area program by improving the digital readiness of microenterprises, fostering cross-border cooperation, and supporting the development of more resilient and inclusive coastal communities. The tools and knowledge generated by the project are intended to have a long-term impact, with the potential for replication by other stakeholders beyond the project’s lifetime.
Málaga TechPark Boosts the Digital Transformation of Coastal Tourism
The DIBEST European project is carrying out a training and mentoring program to digitalize tourism microenterprises in coastal regions of Spain, Portugal, France, and Ireland. Through this initiative, tourism businesses are being equipped with the essential digital skills needed to enhance their competitiveness and sustainability.
Málaga TechPark is part of the transnational consortium of 17 partners committed to the digitalization of blue and social tourism.