SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT AND DIGITAL VISIBILITY OF ECOTOURISM DESTINATIONS

Sustainable Management and Digital Visibility of Ecotourism Destinations — Erasmus+ BIP
Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme SuMDiVED — Sustainable Management and Digital Visibility of Ecotourism Destinations. Partner logos: Isparta University of Applied Sciences, Krakow University of Economics, Kazimiero Simonavičiaus universitetas, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, University of Vlora. Co-funded by the European Union.
BIP Code
2025-1-TR01-KA131-HED-000336411-1
ECTS Credits
6 ECTS
Host Institution
Isparta University of Applied Sciences
Location
Isparta, Türkiye
Virtual Component
21–25 September and 5–9 October 2026
Physical Mobility
12–16 October 2026
Language of Instruction
English

ABOUT THE PROGRAMME

“Sustainable Management and Digital Visibility of Ecotourism Destinations” is an Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme combining virtual learning with an intensive face-to-face mobility period in Türkiye. The programme brings together students and academics from different European countries to explore the sustainable management and effective digital promotion of ecotourism destinations. It combines theoretical knowledge with international teamwork, field studies, technical visits, and project-based learning. Participants will examine sustainable tourism practices, digital destination marketing, visitor experiences, smart tourism technologies, and innovative methods for promoting natural and cultural heritage.

CONTENT AND ACTIVITIES

The programme covers the following topics:

  • Sustainable tourism and ecotourism
  • Sustainable destination management
  • Protection and promotion of natural and cultural heritage
  • Destination branding and digital visibility
  • Digital marketing and social media strategies
  • Digital storytelling and tourism content development
  • Visitor experience and behaviour
  • Smart tourism technologies and virtual reality
  • International good practices in ecotourism
  • Sustainable destination project development

The virtual component will include online lectures, seminars, case discussions, teamwork, and preliminary project preparation. The face-to-face programme in Türkiye will include academic sessions, applied workshops, technical visits, field studies, cultural activities, and final project presentations. Planned activities include visits to the Isparta Neuroscience Application and Research Center, Yalvaç and Pisidia Antiokheia, Kovada National Park, Pamukkale-Hierapolis, and an eco-certified tourism establishment in Antalya.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of the programme, participants will be able to:

  • Explain the principles of sustainable tourism and ecotourism.
  • Evaluate destinations from environmental, economic, social, and cultural perspectives.
  • Assess the digital visibility and online image of a tourism destination.
  • Develop digital promotion and communication strategies.
  • Use digital storytelling approaches in destination marketing.
  • Compare sustainable tourism practices in different countries.
  • Work effectively in international and interdisciplinary teams.
  • Develop and present a project for a sustainable and digitally visible ecotourism destination.

Participants who successfully complete the virtual and face-to-face components, teamwork, and final project will receive 6 ECTS credits and a certificate of completion.

EXPECTED IMPACT AND DISSEMINATION

The programme will strengthen participants’ professional, digital, and intercultural competencies while supporting international cooperation among partner institutions. Student projects, programme activities, photographs, videos, participant experiences, and good-practice examples will be shared through university websites, Erasmus+ pages, social media, institutional news, and academic networks. The programme is also expected to create opportunities for future Erasmus+ mobility activities, joint projects, academic publications, and cooperation among universities, tourism organisations, local authorities, and destination stakeholders.

Programme hashtag: #SustainableEcotourismBIP

PROGRAMME AND SCHEDULE

The detailed schedule, including virtual and face-to-face sessions, course hours, lecturers, technical visits, and social activities, will be published on the programme website.

The preliminary programme is available at:

Week 1 — Online Sessions

21–25 September 2026
DateTime (GMT+3)Topic
21 September 202611:00 – 12:00Introduction of the BIP Activity
21 September 202613:00 – 15:20Climate Change and Its Effects on Natural Ecotourism Resources
22 September 202611:00 – 13:20Principles of Cittaslow and Sustainable Rural Development
23 September 202611:00 – 13:20Management of Authentic and Slow Tourism Destinations
23 September 202613:30 – 15:50Virtual Reality and Augmented Experiences in Ecotourism
24 September 202611:00 – 13:20Community-Based Tourism and Stakeholder Engagement
25 September 202611:00 – 13:20Case Studies: Sustainable Management and Digital Promotion of Ecotourism Sites

Week 2 — Online Sessions

5–9 October 2026
DateTime (GMT+3)Topic
5 October 202610:00 – 10:50Beyond Sustainability: Regenerative Tourism Design
5 October 202611:00 – 13:20Digital Marketing Strategies for Ecotourism Destinations
6 October 202611:00 – 13:20Sustainable Gastronomy: Traditional Methods as Tourism Assets
7 October 202611:00 – 13:20Ethical and Legal Aspects of Digital Ecotourism
8 October 202611:00 – 13:20Virtual Group Workshop: Pre-Mobility Project Design — Yalvaç Sustainable Ecotourism and Digital Field Strategy
9 October 202611:00 – 13:20Assignment Verification and Pre-Departure Briefing
9 October 202613:30 – 15:50Case Studies: Smart City Laboratory Infrastructure and Academic as well as Practical Experience in Smart City Applications

Week 3 — Physical Mobility Programme

12–16 October 2026 · Isparta, Türkiye
DateTime (GMT+3)Topic
12 October 202610:00 – 12:00Welcome & Opening Ceremony (Key Lecture)
12 October 202614:00 – 16:00Campus Tour & Technical Briefing for Digital Content Creation
12 October 202620:00 – 22:00Welcome Dinner
13 October 202611:00 – 12:30Technical Visit: Isparta Neuroscience Application and Research Center
13 October 202614:00 – 17:30Isparta City Tour & Exploration of Local Heritage Sites
14 October 202610:00 – 17:00Field Trip: Slow City Yalvaç & Pisidia Antiokheia Ancient City
14 October 2026Integrated within field tripFocus: Sustainable Heritage Management and Ecotourism Visibility
15 October 202609:00 – 19:00Full-day Trip: Pamukkale (Hierapolis) UNESCO Natural & Cultural Heritage Site
15 October 2026Integrated within field tripFocus: Observation of Mass Tourism vs. Ecotourism Conservation
16 October 202610:30 – 12:30Final Project Presentations & Closing Speech
(A visit to a holiday resort hotel in Antalya with Ecotourism/Sustainable Tourism certification.)
16 October 202614:00 – 16:00Certification Ceremony

CONTACT

Erasmus Institutional Office
erasmus@isparta.edu.tr
BIP Coordinator
Prof. Dr. Ömer Kürşad Tüfekci
Isparta University of Applied Sciences — Türkiye
omertufekci@isparta.edu.tr

BIP Team