Awareness and cooperation of relevant stakeholders in developing competences related to green tourism

The importance of the relation between tourism and environmental sustainability is a key significant goal for the economic development of countries. Tourism is a sensitive sector, constantly changing, where rejuvenation is essential. To keep this favorable position in the Tourism Sector, Europe has to develop and improve the quality of the tourism services and follow the new trends and needs. Tourism can have strong negative effects to the environment, such as: excessive water consumption, discharge of untreated water, the generation of waste, the damage to local terrestrial and marine biodiversity and the threats to the survival of local cultures, built heritage and traditions. GreenTour is a European project implemented within the framework of Erasmus+ Programme, funded by the European Commission. The project, with the development of training material, is a good motivational factor for training and education of people employed in the tourism sector, towards strengthening the number and quality of local jobs created or supported by tourism, since increased demand for tourist services is not always followed by increased number of qualified people. Although qualified professionals in tourism exist, there is a lack of tourism staff with competencies and skills to meet customer demand and labor market needs.