This Needs Assessment Report summarizes the results of an in-depth review and analysis of the state of the hospitality sector in the Balkan-Mediterranean region.
The analysis was carried out on two levels (“desk research” and questionnaire-based survey) with the following predefined main objectives:
- Determining the conceptual understanding of sustainability and sustainable development and its importance for the hospitality sector;
- Evaluating the stakeholders’ attitudes towards sustainable development and their commitment to the production and promotion of sustainable (effective) products and services;
- Tracking the dependence between the transition towards sustainable development and the innovative capacity of SMEs (micro, small and medium-sized enterprises) operating in the sector;
- Defining the main challenges and opportunities of the sector related to the active participation in the process of transition towards sustainable development;
- Identifying gaps in competencies and knowledge of the sector employees hindering the implementation of technological and managerial innovation that ensure sustainable growth;
The analysis and the assessment of the needs for encouraging SMEs sustainability in the hospitality sector is carried out in the territory of each of the HELIX partner countries: Bulgaria, Greece, Albania, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. One report per country is developed, which is available both in English and in national language.
The results of the assessments on national level are summarized and presented in the current document in order to:
(a) reflect the key challenges facing the hospitality sector at the Balkan-Mediterranean level related to the transition to sustainable growth and a positive social and environmental impact;
(b) identify the main obstacles to “green” growth in the sector and
(c) compile a reliable assessment of the need to offer new and improve the existing education products.
The conclusions will be used for development of training courses and materials that in addition to those applicable in each of the partner countries involved, will provide efficiency in the context of different educational levels – higher education, VET, non-formal learning. The educational offers will thus incorporate courses and subjects stemming from the intensive development of the hospitality sector and the principles established in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
