After months of study, analysis and selection of places and experiences, as well as the publication of the brand new Hidden Mediterranean platform, the CROSSDEV project enters the promotional marketing phase of its target areas, through the presentation of the itineraries developed by the partners over the last years.

A series of online B2Bs will open the sale of the 5 destinations – Via Selinuntina (Italy), Aqaba and Umm Qais (Jordan), Palestinian Heritage Trail (Palestine) and Adonis Valley in Jabal Moussa Biosphere Reserve (Lebanon) – with the support of a leading company in the tourism marketing sector, selected through a public tender procedure. Through the B2Bs - from the end October to December 2022 - the destinations’ stakeholders will meet commercial tour operators from target countries they themselves selected as the most suitable to attract tourists to their areas.

The B2Bs will allow small and medium enterprises that participated in the various phases of the CROSSDEV project, from trainings to sub-grants, to directly dialogue with buyers, to offer them products for the next tourist season and, last but not least, to optimise their products in order to satisfy market demand. Sustainable tourism needs have indeed changed a lot not only due to the pandemic, but also due to the current conflicts and the energy crisis. Tourists’ needs are in continuous evolution and all sustainable tourism business owners must be ready to adapt, change and improve accordingly.

The overall idea, through this B2B series, is of allowing EU tour operators and local Mediterranean business owners to work together to create the best possible offer, also considering that the five CROSSDEV areas are not in competition with each other, but complementary, and, when possible, they can be integrated into cross-border packages, longer in duration, and compatible with sustainability requirements.

After the B2Bs some of the participant tour operators will also have the opportunity to visit the target areas in person.

For more information on the CROSSDEV’s destinations, and to start planning your trip, please visit www.hiddenmediterranean.net.

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