We are delighted to announce the launch of a new project in which ASCAME is actively participating: the Sustainable Model for Accommodation MSMEs (SMAC Project). This initiative responds to the need to use innovation to enhance sustainability in the tourism sector by supporting accommodation MSMEs, which often face limited technical capacities to implement sustainability.
The project officially kicked off on January 20 in the Greek city of Drama, during an event hosted by the lead partner, the Drama Chamber of Commerce and Industry. ASCAME had the chance to participate in the official meeting offered by Mr. Stefano Georgiadis, President of the Drama CCI and Lead Beneficiary of the SMAC Project, to all the partners of the project. The meeting was an occasion to discuss the project’s objectives and to further strengthen ties of friendship and cooperation across the Mediterranean, with partners from Tunisia, Egypt, Turkey, Spain, and Greece.
In addition to ASCAME’s participation as a partner, the SMAC Project benefits from the strong involvement of several ASCAME members, including the Chamber of Commerce of Alexandria, the Confederation of Egyptian European Business Associations – CEEBA, and the Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de Tunis, as well as associated partners such as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia. The meeting, therefore, reaffirmed our commitment to Mediterranean cooperation and our shared determination to work together to foster innovation for a more competitive and sustainable MED tourism sector.
The SMAC Project
This project addresses one of the most critical challenges facing the tourism sector today. Although sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria have become a fundamental market requirement, many accommodation providers are small-scale establishments that often lack the necessary knowledge, resources, and practical tools. To bridge this gap, the project will develop and pilot a Simplified Sustainability Model for Accommodation Enterprises (SSMA), supported by an Artificial Intelligence Recommendation Tool (AIRET). This tool will translate complex sustainability requirements into practical, feasible, and cost-effective solutions tailored to the real needs of accommodation MSMEs.
In this context, the project pursues three main objectives:
- Empowering accommodation MSMEs embark on their sustainability journey by providing them with a practical, easy-to-use framework and digital support.
- Enhancing the competitiveness, resilience, and environmental responsibility of MSMEs, contributing to a more balanced and inclusive tourism sector.
- Developing a pilot, implement and refine a Simplified Sustainability Model for Accommodation Businesses (SSMA), supported by an Artificial Intelligence Recommendation Tool (AIRET), ensuring the lasting effects and transferability of outputs and results.
As the Lead Partner of the SMAC Project, the Drama Chamber of Commerce and Industry will spearhead the initiative’s management and overall coordination, ensuring the successful development of a new sustainability model for Mediterranean accommodation businesses. Leveraging its extensive expertise in entrepreneurship support and EU project management, the Chamber will provide high-quality consultative and training services to MSMEs, guiding them through the adoption of sustainable practices to enhance their global competitiveness. A key component of the Chamber’s contribution involves utilizing its established “Lab 40” Business Accelerator and Incubator to provide a permanent supportive environment where businesses can receive professional mentoring and product upgrades.
With a total budget exceeding €2.3 million and a duration of 30 months, the SMAC Project is expected to deliver significant added value across the Mediterranean region by enhancing the competitiveness of accommodation MSMEs, improving their environmental and social performance, strengthening local economies, and upgrading the overall experience for both visitors and local communities.