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The event brought together European partners and micro-enterprises to promote digital innovation and cooperation in the blue tourism sector
The European project DIBEST – Digital Innovation for Blue Enterprises and Social Tourism, co-funded by the Interreg Atlantic Area programme, aims to support the digital and sustainable transformation of micro-enterprises in the blue tourism sector across European coastal regions.
Within this framework, the project works with 68 micro-enterprises from Spain, Portugal, France and Ireland through a comprehensive programme that combines specialised training, individual mentoring and networking activities. These companies receive expert support to design and implement digitalisation plans tailored to their needs, incorporating technological tools, digital marketing strategies and sustainability-oriented solutions.
In addition, DIBEST promotes national workshops, training sessions and knowledge-sharing spaces among companies, facilitating the development of digital skills and access to best practices in the tourism sector.
The consortium is made up of eleven organisations from the four participating countries, including the Western Development Commission, RDI Hub, Munster Technological University, EM Normandie Business School, Málaga TechPark, Promálaga, the University of Málaga, Sines Tecnopolo, the University of Algarve, NERA – Business Association of the Algarve Region, and the Galician Association of Nautical Activities (AGAN+).
In this context, Málaga TechPark took part in the project’s transnational meeting, held from 20 to 24 April 2026 in Ireland. The event combined the sixth in-person consortium meeting with an international gathering aimed at micro-enterprises participating in the initiative.
Organised by the Irish partners in the Kerry region, the meeting brought together all project partners from the four participating countries, along with beneficiary micro-enterprises. In particular, five micro-enterprises per country had the opportunity to share their experiences, progress in digitalisation and challenges within the blue tourism sector.
The programme included activities focused on knowledge exchange and engagement with the local business ecosystem. Over two days, participants travelled across different locations on the Iveragh Peninsula, including Valentia Island, Sneem and Kenmare, where they explored real-life examples of digitalisation, sustainability and tourism marketing in small businesses.
In addition, joint working sessions and a focus group were conducted to assess the project’s impact on participating micro-enterprises and gather insights on their progress in digital innovation.
Alongside the activities with companies, consortium partners held internal meetings to review the implementation status of DIBEST and coordinate upcoming actions, including the completion of mentoring processes, the development of case studies and the finalisation of the Digital Toolkit.
This meeting marked a significant milestone for the project, helping to consolidate progress and strengthen cooperation among European regions in advancing innovation in the blue tourism sector.