The support must take the form of clear and friendly guidelines for the use of destination management organizations (DMOs29) and of SMEs and micro-enterprises, disseminated strategically over the target countries in order to maximise outreach. The guidelines must be published and be broadly disseminated, and accompanied by training opportunities.

The actions resulting from this call for proposals shall promote the following themes (the list is not exhaustive):

• To promote data-driven solutions in tourism by:
  • Supporting upskilling and training for DMOs and SMEs;
  • Ensuring synergies with existing measures (policy initiatives, tools and actions) at EU level;
• To encourage a better understanding and uptake of EU initiatives in place in the field of tourism digitalisation.

To meet the objectives of this call, the proposal has to address the following priorities:

• To provide clear guidance on how to access resources for managing and sharing of data.
• To increase the use and adoption of digital tools, platforms and smart technologies by transferring knowledge to DMOs and SME on how to better use and take advantage of the digital tools available.
• To increase reliance on data: its generation, collection, use and re-use.
• To advise DMOs and tourism SMEs, in their transition towards more digital and sustainable activities.
• To improve access to training, upskilling and reskilling opportunities for DMOs and tourism SMEs.
• To promote the innovation and resilience of the tourism sector.

The applicant consortia must carry out the following mandatory activities:

• Coordinate with existing measures. Applicants must set up a coordination mechanism to liaise with similar EU initiatives including the D3Hub and with the consortium winner of the DIGITAL-2023-CLOUD-DATA-AI-0530 call for proposals Cloud, Data and Artificial Intelligence. The consortium is invited to include also other relevant initiatives, both at EU and national level. If necessary, EISMEA and DG GROW will facilitate initial contacts with EU funded initiatives.
• Develop and publish the guidelines for the use of destination management organisations (DMOs) and of SMEs and micro-enterprises, to support them in understanding and accessing the knowledge hub D3Hub, and, as it develops over time, the common European data space for tourism.
• Propose and set up a communication and dissemination strategy, which takes into account the initiatives already ongoing at European level as regards data management and data sharing in tourism, as well as the upcoming T4T Stakeholders Support Platform, and which aims at reaching DMOs and SMEs in the tourism sector, and sectors adjacent, across the EU.
• Envisage capacity building measures aimed at DMOs and SMEs in the tourism sector across the EU. These include online and offline trainings, workshops, study visits, awareness raising activities; production of training and educational materials; webinars.

All activities must be implemented in compliance with the relevant legal requirements to protect personal data under the GDPR and applicable national legislation.
The ownership of the guidelines for the use of DMOs and of SMEs and microenterprises (mandatory deliverable 2, mentioned under par. 2.6 Description of the mandatory deliverables) developed by the selected consortium will be acquired/transferred to EISMEA as granting authority and to the Commission as of their finalisation and approval.