ENRICHER hubs project organized training weeks focused on strengthening and modernizing university-level expertise in sustainable tourism and service design in the project’s target countries, Georgia and Moldova.
Read Natalia Sciuchina‘s thoughts about the ToT3 training week.
The results of the TOT 3 training for me can be grouped into two main categories. Firstly, in terms of content, the training introduced new methods for studying material, which were effectively used by the trainers. From the very first day, participants had the opportunity to observe a tourist complex in practice and engage directly with representatives of the Gagauzia tourism sector. These real-life insights provided a valuable foundation for the rest of the training.
Throughout the following days, we revisited the information shared by stakeholders and used it to reflect on and evaluate the theoretical material. This was done through discussions and questions about the challenges facing the tourism industry. This connection between practice and theory helped us stay grounded in real-world issues and assess theoretical concepts through the lens of firsthand experience. As a result, it became easier for us to search for relevant theoretical materials, scientific articles, and statistics related to the tourism challenges we explored.
I also appreciated the group work. Discussing ideas and formulating realistic projects that could benefit the Gagauzia tourism sector was a strong motivator. While working on our group project, we critically evaluated each other’s suggestions and tested our ideas against the needs of a specific tour operator. One task I particularly enjoyed was describing a target person and designing a tourist route tailored to them.
Secondly, as a member of the team from Comrat University, I was involved in preparing the training and working closely with colleagues from KSU, as well as team members from Austria and Finland. The collaboration was well-coordinated and efficient. I hope that our team succeeded in organizing the training effectively and that participants received what they expected in terms of logistics and structure.
The expectations I outlined on the first day were almost completely fulfilled. The content of Training 3 once again highlighted the value of an interdisciplinary approach to studying the tourism sector. It also revealed numerous opportunities for the development of sustainable and green tourism in Gagauzia and Moldova.
Original text written by Natalia Sciuchina, Comrat State University, 27\01\2025
Watch the video from the training week below: