Innovative services for the development of the tourism sector in the Mediterranean area
General objective and expected changes: The VIVIMED project aims to develop an inclusive model of cross-border governance to support innovative and sustainable tourism in the Mediterranean hinterland. Main outcomes:   • Creation of a participatory governance model for the cross-border promotion of sustainable tourism in the inland area of cooperation, replicable in the Mediterranean area. • Development of an integrated methodology for the development of innovative and sustainable tourism services that puts the potential of the hinterland areas into a network, starting with the enhancement of the natural ecosystem, anthropic settlements and local resources. • Implementation of scouting and coaching activities for SMEs dealing in the tourism sector, specifically targeting youth employment and equal opportunities, promoting interdisciplinary business networks and innovative business models of rural tourism on a local scale. Approach adopted by the project and specific cross-border approach: in order to develop innovative and competitive rural tourism solutions, the project provides for the start of participatory processes through Living Labs to be set up in 10 areas of the hinterland chosen by the partners, including public administrators, businesses, researchers and residents. The exchange between the 5 Regions involved allows the development of a shared cross-border operational approach as a basis for the dissemination and promotion of a competitive model of local tourism in the Mediterranean hinterland. Innovative aspects: Development of innovative solutions for sustainable, authentic tourism with substantial added value, drawing from a plurality of environmental, cultural, social and economic resources and making the theme of tourism an inter-sectoral lever for the development of the hinterland of the Cooperation area.