EXTOR

13/06/2026

The EXTOR final conference was held in Brussels on 10-11th of June. The conference brought together project partners, tourism practitioners, policymakers, and rural development stakeholders from across Europe to showcase the project's achievements and explore the future of sustainable rural tourism. The event highlighted key project results, including the EXTOR training program, interactive mapping tools, networking initiatives, and local action plans developed throughout the project. Participants also heard inspiring examples of tourism initiatives from several European countries and engaged in discussions on the opportunities and challenges of building sustainable, regenerative, community-centered tourism models. The conference provided a valuable platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and reflection on how experiential tourism can contribute to rural development, innovation, and resilience across Europe.

11/06/2026

11/06/2026

The Final Conference project has successfully concluded in Brussels, marking two inspiring days of dialogue, knowledge sharing, and collective reflection on the future of sustainable rural tourism in Europe.

Hosted at Ferme Du Parc Maximilien, the event brought together project partners, stakeholders, and tourism professionals to discuss the achievements of the project and explore future opportunities for strengthening local communities and institutions, entrepreneurs, and professionals in sustainable and rural tourism.

Yesterday, the partnership reviewed the main results achieved throughout the project: from the development of the e-learning platform and the collection of European best practices to the enhancement of interactive maps and the growth of the EXTOR Community (https://elearning.extor-project.eu/login/index.php). Together, these outputs provide practical tools to support the long-term development of rural tourism beyond the project's lifetime.

Today, open to the public through the International Local Fair, showcased inspiring experiences and testimonials from across Europe.

A particularly meaningful contribution came from Francesca Vannini of Addiopizzo Travel, Francois Chislain of Brussels By Foot, Francois Struzik of Hike Up, the tour guide Lyolya Filimonova from Kyiv and Cyprus, Stavros Robotis of Olympia International Film Festival for Children and Young People and Hugo Lajo, Representative of the Local Community of Casaseca de Campeán, Zamora, who demonstrated how tourism can become a driver of social change by promoting legality, active citizenship, and sustainable territorial development.

The experiences shared from partners Belgium, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, and Spain highlighted a common belief: sustainable tourism is built through collaboration among people, organisations, and local communities.

Brussels represented not only the conclusion of a successful project journey, but also the beginning of new opportunities for European cooperation aimed at empowering rural areas, strengthening professional skills, and creating more inclusive, resilient, and authentic destinations.

🙏 A sincere thank you to all partners, stakeholders, speakers, and participants who contributed to making this journey such a success.
LAND Impresa Sociale
Instituto para el fomento del desarrollo y la formación
Ολυμπιακή Εκπαιδευτική
Center for Social Innovation - CSI
Einurð
ReadLab Brussels
die Berater Unternehmensberatung

🌱 The EXTOR journey continues: together, we are working towards a more sustainable, participatory, and impactful tourism sector that creates lasting value for territories and local communities.

06/06/2026

AI development is happening in an incredible speed that is hard to follow up. It is crucial for small sized tourism businesses to not be left behind in this fast developing "wave". In Iceland Einurð tackled this massive challenge in digital skillsets by dedicating a whole multi-actor forum to the challenges and chances (and obstacles) small sized tourism businesses in rural areas feel in regards to making usage of Artificial Intelligence.

04/06/2026

🚨 Final call! EXTOR Project Closing Event is almost here 🚨

In just a few days, on June 11, 2026, we’ll be gathering at La Ferme du Parc Maximilien in Brussels for the final event of the EXTOR Project — and we’d love to see you there.
After years of collaboration on strengthening rural tourism across Europe, this is our moment to come together, reflect, and share what we’ve learned with practitioners, policymakers, and changemakers from across the field.

✨ What’s on the agenda?
🌿 Real-life stories from rural tourism initiatives across Europe
💡 Key findings and results from the EXTOR Project
🗣️ Open exchanges with experts and policymakers
🚜 Guided visit of La Ferme du Parc Maximilien
🪴 Closing remarks by Ignace Schops
🎤 We’re also pleased to welcome Kevin Grauwels, Head of Rural Development at the Flemish Land Agency, as keynote speaker.
📅 11 June 2026 | 9:30 – 16:00
📍 Quai du Batelage 2, 1000 Brussels
💻 In-person & online participation available

Register here: https://lnkd.in/dnWbCj4G

25/05/2026

🎉 You're invited!

The Final Event of the EXTOR Project, taking place on June 11, 2026 at La Ferme du Parc Maximilien, Brussels — from 9:30 to 16:00.
After years of work connecting rural tourism initiatives across Europe, we're bringing together practitioners, policymakers, and changemakers for a day of inspiring exchanges and concrete insights.
Here's what to expect:

🌿 Firsthand testimonies from local initiatives redefining rural tourism across Europe
💡 Presentation of EXTOR's results and key takeaways
🗣️ Open dialogue with speakers, practitioners, and policymakers
🚜 A guided visit of La Ferme du Parc Maximilien
🪴 Closing remarks by Ignace Schops (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ignace-schops-91b0191a/), Ashoka Fellow & Director of Regionaal Landschap Kempen en Maasland

We are also honoured to welcome Kevin Grauwels (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-grauwels-1270222/), Head of Rural Development at the Flemish Land Agency, as our keynote speaker.

📅 June 11, 2026 | 9:30 – 16:00
📍 Quai du Batelage 2, 1000 Brussels
💻 Online participation also available

👉 Spots are limited , register now:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdcID3-7FLxe8Ilpp7x4EA75h_yiRO-QxkWlISPuAnHPYZC5Q/viewform

Feel free to share this with your network. The more voices in the room, the richer the conversation!

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

22/05/2026

Today we have succesfully completed the 1st Multi-Actor Forum of the EXTOR Project in Athens, Greece 🇬🇷

The event, thanks to the valuable collaboration and support of EUROTRAINING, brought together a diverse group of participants including VET learners, VET trainers, and representatives from local communities related to sustainable tourism.

The forum created an excellent space for dialogue, exchange of experiences, and collaboration around innovation, skills development, and the future of Vocational Education and Training (VET). Participants actively engaged in discussions, shared perspectives, and contributed to shaping impactful outcomes for the EXTOR project, sustainable tourism and rural development.

18/05/2026

🌍 Where does rural tourism go from here?

Join us on June 11 in Brussels for the Final Event of the EXTOR Project: a day of inspiring stories, bold ideas, and real conversations with changemakers from across Europe.

✅ Local initiative testimonies
✅ EU project results & insights
✅ Open dialogue with speakers & peers
✅ Farm visit included

📍 La Ferme du Parc Maximilien | 9:30–16:00

🎟️ Spots are limited - secure yours here: https://forms.gle/edfwsfLyTfb4KogL9

Found this relevant? Share it with your network! The more voices in the room, the richer the conversation! 🌿

11/05/2026

🎉 The countdown to the Pinios Festival has officially begun!

Every year, thousands of visitors gather along the beautiful banks of the Pinios River in Larissa to experience one of Greece’s most vibrant cultural festivals. Music, innovation, art, gastronomy, creativity, local communities, and unforgettable summer energy all come together in a celebration that transforms the entire city into a living festival hub. 🌍✨

🌱 This year's special theme is Sustainability and Environmental Education

The festival has become a landmark event not only for Thessaly, but for all of Greece — attracting visitors, creators, organizations, and innovators from across the country and beyond.

We are excited to announce that the Greek local fair of the EXTOR project will be held in Larissa during the festival, from 18–20 June 2026! 🇬🇷🚀

Stay tuned for more updates, activities, and opportunities to connect, collaborate, and celebrate innovation together at the heart of one of Greece’s biggest cultural and educational events.

30/04/2026

We're excited to share the success of our recent EXTOR Event, organised by our partner Center for Social Innovation - CSI !
🌿 Bringing together over 50 participants and entrepreneurs in experiential tourism, the event combined inspiring discussions, a guided hike, and a relaxed brunch - creating a unique space to connect, exchange ideas, and explore rural innovation in action.