SPRONG Hospitable Transitions program launched: sustainable innovation in the hospitality sector
The SPRONG program Hospitable Transitions has officially started. This ambitious project, which will last four years and has a total budget of 2 million euros, focuses on accelerating sustainable transitions in the leisure, tourism and hospitality sectors.
The European Tourism Futures Institute (ETFI) of NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, which played a key role in obtaining the subsidy, leads the program. Together with Breda University of Applied Sciences, Inholland University of Applied Sciences and HZ University of Applied Sciences, they operate under the flag of CELTH (Centre of Expertise Leisure, Tourism & Hospitality).
After a thorough assessment, the project was given the green light, an important step towards a resilient and future-proof region. By bringing together companies, knowledge institutions and social organisations, the program develops innovative solutions with sustainable impact.
Working together for sustainable change
Hospitable Transitions focuses on initiating, facilitating, and utilising targeted collaboration to resolve transition issues in the hospitality domain. Lecturers, researchers and practice partners will lead in stimulating systemic innovation and identifying and utilising sustainable solutions and practical applications. The research group has extensive expertise in the field of sustainability, sustainable mobility, (social) impact measurement, behavioural interventions, transition mechanisms and scenario planning about the hospitality domain, as well as extensive experience in cooperation and collaborative practical research with and for stakeholders at the local, regional and (international) national level. With frontrunners and 'shakers' from the hospitality domain, the SPRONG group will work in four regional transition arenas in an interactive, design and experimental manner on the transition themes of climate neutral, broad prosperity, healthy region and regenerative area development. These four themes create a direct link with the policy agendas and social tasks in these regions.
Sector in motion
The hospitality sector, which has an annual turnover of €91.2 billion and 800,000 jobs in the Netherlands, faces major challenges. The coronavirus pandemic has exposed the vulnerability of the sector, while social and environmental pressures continue to increase. The SPRONG project offers concrete tools to make the sector more sustainable and to play an active role in the transition to a more sustainable and inclusive Netherlands.
About SPRONG
SPRONG, a subsidy program of Regieorgaan SIA encourages collaboration between knowledge institutions, companies and social organisations to tackle social challenges with innovative solutions.