On 23 August, in the framework of the programme “Reactivation of Regional Tourism with Circular Economy”, financed by the Regional Government of Coquimbo through the Innovation Fund for Competitiveness (FIC), the first workshop of ten of the Training Plan was held with the aim of disseminating reactivation strategies, sustainable tourism, circular economy applied to tourism and ways of incorporating circular economy in the value chain and adaptation to climate change by tourism companies in the region.

The main objective of this event was to provide practical information on how to incorporate the Circular Economy into tourism businesses. The talk was led by Linnet Solway, a French Circular Economy expert, and was attended by small and medium-sized enterprises as well as agencies from the tourism sector in Coquimbo.

To start this activity, Marilú Mansilla, Project Executive of the Sustainability and Circular Economy area, presented the Eurochile Business Foundation, explaining its main functions, as well as sharing details and progress of the project implemented in the region of Coquimbo, which has a duration of 18 months and is expected to benefit 200 MSMEs in the 3 provinces of the region.

Linnet Solway then began her presentation on the role of Tourism in the Circular Economy and addressed topics such as the benefits of the transition of tourism towards the circular economy, the definition and key concepts of the circular model, as well as giving examples of actions and progress made by both Chilean and European tour operators.

In addition, a group dynamic was carried out that allowed participants to propose circular solutions to reduce environmental impact and to determine which of the 9Rs (Rethink, Reuse, Repair, Restore, Remanufacture, Reduce, Repurpose, Recycle and Recover), which are fundamental to the Circular Economy, could be related to the solution of the problem addressed in the activity. This dynamic encouraged interaction between participants and the exchange of ideas related to their respective sectors.

As part of the activities scheduled in the project, next Wednesday 13 September, the Eurochile Business Foundation will hold the webinar “How to adopt a tourism product to the Circular Economy?” This event will be led by the specialist in tourism and circular economy, Eduardo Martinez, CEO of HIDRIA, Science, Environment and Development. During this session, you will have the opportunity to learn more about the implementation of the Circular Economy in the tourism sector.