Modelling Best Practices in Sustainable Tourism Education: an Interactive Transfer Project

Awareness of climate change obliges tourism to conserve resources and promote biodiversity. A prerequisite for this is the integration of sustainable tourism into curricula to equip future leaders and professionals with the necessary knowledge. Graduates with sustainability skills can influence industry practices, drive change and create innovation. They also need to understand the international dimensions of sustainability and consider the interconnectedness and impact of tourism on a global scale.

This project demonstrates that the integration of Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) into higher education tourism curricula increases students' awareness and competences in relation to sustainable tourism. This will support the proactive implementation of sustainable change in the field of tourism.

To achieve this project goal, the following methods will be applied:

• Desk research to determine the extent to which sustainability is anchored in the existing curricula and strategic plans of the respective institution.
• Expert interviews with regional tourism developers to analyse the current situation.
• Case studies in intercultural student teams to analyse sustainable tourism around Lake Neusiedl in Burgenland and Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia. The results are presented and discussed in a joint online teaching unit.
• Evaluation to determine the extent to which the participants' skills and competences in the field of sustainable tourism have been deepened. Finally, each project partner presents the results of the case studies to a larger audience and takes part in a joint excursion to the regions analysed.

The results of the project will be published in the form of teaching guidelines, which will be made available on a joint project website. The students' case studies will also be published there. The project partners will publish a joint scientific article showing how COIL can serve as a tool to raise students' awareness of sustainable tourism.

Modelling Best Practices in Sustainable Tourism Education: an Interactive Transfer Project

The project focuses on integrating sustainable tourism into curricula through the use of COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning). The goal is to raise awareness and enhance the skills of business students in proactively implementing sustainable tourism practices. Methods include desk research, expert interviews and intercultural teamwork using case studies. The results will be shared on a joint website, in teaching guidelines and in an academic article. The project is funded under the "WTZ - Scientific and Technological Cooperation" programme on a bilateral basis: Austria: ÖAD - Austrian Agency for International Cooperation in Education and Research; North Macedonia: Ministry of Education and Science.

With the growing awareness of climate change, pollution and habitat destruction, it is crucial to ensure that tourism activities are conducted in ways that preserve natural resources, reduce carbon emissions, protect ecosystems and promote biodiversity. Integrating sustainable tourism into university curricula is therefore essential for equipping future leaders and professionals with the knowledge and skills required to implement sustainable practices and make informed decisions that balance economic growth with environmental and social responsibility. Graduates with expertise in sustainability can influence industry practices, advocate for change and drive innovation in the sector. However, in doing so, they must also understand the international dimensions of sustainability, recognising the interconnectedness and global impact of tourism.

This project aims to demonstrate how international collaborative learning approaches can effectively integrate sustainability into existing tourism curricula, thereby significantly enhancing students' awareness and competencies in sustainable tourism.

To achieve the project's goals, the following methods will be used:

1. Comparative Desk Research: Analysing the extent to which sustainability is currently incorporated into existing curricula, strategic plans and core goals of the participating institutions.
2. Expert Interviews: Each research team will conduct interviews with tourism developers to identify the skills and knowledge needed by professionals in the field.
3. Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL): Intercultural student teams will investigate sustainable tourism practices in the areas surrounding Lake Neusiedl in Burgenland, Austria, and Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia. Findings will be presented and discussed in a shared online learning session.
4. Student Evaluations: After completing the case studies, students will evaluate their learning experience to assess improvements in their sustainability skills and competencies.
5. Presentations and Field Trips: Each team will present their findings from the case studies to a broader audience at the partner institution. Students will also participate in a joint field trip to one or two companies analysed during the case studies, including guest lectures at these locations.

The outcomes of the project will include:

• Teaching Guidelines: Published on a shared project website, these will summarise the theoretical findings.
• Student Case Studies: These will also be made available on the project website.
• Academic Publication: The project partners will co-author a paper exploring how COIL can serve as a tool to raise students' awareness of and engagement with sustainable tourism.

This project not only aims to enhance students' sustainability competencies but also to showcase the potential of international collaboration in shaping transformative educational practices in tourism.