Within the framework of the Erasmus+ project “QUEST – Promoting QUality intErnships in Sustainable Tourism and Cultural Heritage Management”, 18 students from the three partner universities involved in the project (Libertas University of Zagreb – Croatia, University of Malaga – Spain, and University of Nicosia – Cyprus) carried out internships at the management offices of the Phoenicians’ Route in Sicily and at the offices of other project partners and members of the Phoenicians’ Route (Solin Tourist Board in Croatia; Larnaca Tourism Board in Cyprus; Arte y Cia in Granada, Spain; and Montepisano DMC in Tuscany, Italy).
The QUEST project aims to enhance the employability of university students in the tourism sector, one of the fastest-growing fields in terms of innovation and one of the sectors most affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
The project is developing four innovative outputs:
A Flexible Learning Programme: an innovative, competence-based programme designed to prepare students to enter the tourism labour market;
An E-learning Platform and App: a digital platform supporting students, trainers, and organizational tutors throughout the learning programme and work experience;
The QUEST Cooperation Methodology: a cooperation framework between universities and tourism organizations in the Mediterranean area, supported by a Council of Europe Cultural Route;
A Handbook: a comprehensive publication summarizing the QUEST methodology.