close
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author or authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Foundation for the Development of the Education System. Neither the European Union nor the entity providing the grant can be held responsible for them.

About NextGen Tourism

About

Succession planning plays a key role in helping a family business continue its legacy across generations.

PKF Francis Clark

What is the need for the NextGEN Tourism project?
Across Europe, tourism depends heavily on small and medium-sized enterprises, many of them family businesses. These companies are very important for jobs, local economies and cultural identity. However, many do not have a structured plan for what happens when the current owner retires or steps back. Research at European level shows that succession is often not prepared in time, and some family businesses close when ownership changes.

Succession planning is a known weak point. Many SME owners have never taken part in formal training on succession and do not have a written plan. They are busy with daily operations, seasonal peaks and short-term financial pressures, so long-term planning is delayed. This is especially risky in rural and tourism-dependent regions, where the closure of even one small business can affect local services and employment.

The VET sector could play a vital role in closing this gap. However, most existing programmes focus on tourism operations, hospitality and customer service. Ownership transfer, leadership change and business continuity are rarely addressed in a systematic way. There are also limited digital tools made specifically for tourism that help owners and successors understand how prepared they are for succession.

NextGEN Tourism responds directly to these issues. The project focuses on succession readiness as a key part of SME sustainability. It aims to strengthen VET education, provide practical learning resources and introduce user-friendly digital tools. These supports make succession planning more visible, more manageable and easier to start. In this way, the project contributes to business continuity, job retention and the long-term stability of tourism regions.

More about NextGEN Tourism

NextGEN Tourism is a European initiative that aims to build a stronger future for tourism by improving awareness and skills around business succession. It looks closely at the real situation of small and family-run enterprises, many of which want to pass their business to the next generation but are unsure how to begin. The project treats succession as a step-by-step process with support, not just a single event when ownership changes.

Co-operation is at the heart of the project. Partners from several European countries bring experience in tourism, vocational education and training (VET), business development and digital learning. Together, they design tools and resources that are practical and realistic. By working across different tourism regions, the project can address both common European trends and specific local needs.

NextGEN Tourism promotes accessible and flexible learning. Small business owners often cannot leave their business for long periods, so the project focuses on short learning units, self-assessment and guidance that people can use when it suits them. This helps owners, successors and staff develop skills gradually while they continue their day-to-day work.

The project does more than help existing businesses survive. It also supports renewal and innovation. By encouraging smoother handovers, better planning and strong communication between generations, NextGEN Tourism helps create confident new leaders. This supports lively destinations, stable jobs and the ongoing value that tourism brings to communities across Europe.

Who can benefit from NextGEN Tourism?

NextGEN Tourism supports the people and organisations who shape the future of tourism, helping them plan, prepare and continue to thrive.

Small and family-run tourism businesses are at the centre of the project. Owners, successors and key staff gain clearer and more structured ways to think about succession. The guidance helps them decide when to start planning, who should be involved and how to handle financial, legal and practical questions. This support makes it easier to talk about sensitive topics, reduce uncertainty and avoid last-minute decisions.
Teachers, trainers and VET centres working in tourism, hospitality, business and entrepreneurship benefit from ready-to-use materials. These include competence descriptions, modular course content and digital tools that can be added to existing programmes. By using these resources, VET providers can address a real gap in their offer and help learners understand succession as an important part of running and sustaining a business.
Chambers of commerce, enterprise offices, regional development agencies, consultants and business networks can use NextGEN Tourism outputs in their advisory work. The project offers tools, practical examples and an assessment instrument that help structure discussions with SMEs. Advisors can use these resources to identify needs earlier, point out possible risks and recommend suitable training or next steps in a clear and consistent way.
Communities and destinations benefit when viable tourism businesses continue instead of closing during a change of ownership. In many rural or remote areas, small tourism enterprises provide a large share of local services and jobs. By improving succession readiness, NextGEN Tourism helps protect employment, maintain the tourism offer and preserve local culture and identity. This supports regional resilience and contributes to sustainable development over the long term.
menu