SOHO Project’s 4th Transnational Meeting strengthens global collaboration for sustainable tourism education

The fourth Transnational Project Meeting of the SOHO (Smart, Optimised, High-quality, and On-demand Tourism Innovative Education for Sustainable and Green Development) project was held from 19 to 20 May 2025 at POLITEHNICA University of Bucharest, Romania. The meeting marked another significant milestone in fostering international cooperation to enhance sustainable tourism education.

Bringing together partners from Europe and Asia, the meeting continued the momentum of previous engagements held in Milan, Italy; Danang, Vietnam; and Penang Island, Malaysia. It reaffirmed the collective commitment to developing future-ready, inclusive, and sustainable tourism curricula aligned with global standards.

The meeting was hosted by POLITEHNICA University and welcomed delegates for two days of focused discussions and collaboration. Among the participants were representatives from Malaysian partner institutions, namely UTAR and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). UTAR was represented by its Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong and academics from the Teh Hong Piow Faculty of Business and Finance (THP FBF), namely Prof Dr Lau Lin Sea and Dr Lam Siew Yong. USM was represented by Prof Dato’ Dr Aileen Tan and Mr Sim Yee Kwang from the Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS).

During the meeting, the Malaysian delegation actively contributed to the refinement of the project’s three key training modules: Smart Renewable Energy, Smart Sustainable Accommodation, and Smart Transportation. Their input was instrumental in ensuring the modules are practical, inclusive, and adaptable to different cultural and environmental contexts.

Partners from Romania, Italy, and France also shared relevant case studies and best practices, reinforcing the project’s alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles.

Key discussions during the sessions focused on content development, coordination, and dissemination strategies. Emphasis was placed on equipping future tourism professionals with knowledge and skills necessary to promote digital innovation and environmental responsibility in the tourism sector.

As the meeting concluded, project partners reaffirmed their shared objectives and outlined the next steps for the upcoming project phases. The meeting ended on a positive note, with strengthened ties and a renewed commitment to advancing the goals of the SOHO project.

Co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, the SOHO project involves nine universities from six economies, namely Romania, France, Italy, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Malaysia. It aims to bridge global best practices with regional needs to shape a sustainable and resilient future for the tourism industry.