SPRONG programme Hospitality Transitions launched: sustainable innovation in hospitality sector

The SPRONG programme Gastvrije Transities has officially been launched! With a duration of four years and a total budget of €2 million, this ambitious project works to accelerate sustainable transitions in the leisure, tourism and hospitality sector. Research group European Tourism Futures Institute (ETFI) from NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences played a key role in successfully securing this grant and is now leading the programme as the lead partner. They do this in cooperation with Breda University of Applied Sciences, Inholland University of Applied Sciences and HZ University of Applied Sciences. Together, the institutions operate under the banner 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 businesses, knowledge institutions and civil society organisations, the programme develops innovative solutions with sustainable impact in the region.

Lecturers, researchers and practice partners join forces to tackle themes such as climate neutrality, broad prosperity, healthy regions and regenerative area development. Through four regional transition arenas, participants are developing scalable, practical solutions that connect to regional and national challenges.

The hospitality sector, accounting for an annual turnover of €91.2 billion and 800,000 jobs in the Netherlands, faces major challenges. The corona pandemic made the vulnerability of the sector visible, while social and environmental pressures continue to increase. The SPRONG project offers concrete tools to make the sector more sustainable and play an active role in the transition to a more sustainable and inclusive Netherlands.