MAICh: A Scientific Pillar for Tourism Decarbonisation
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The 7th and final Partner and Stakeholder Meeting of the European project DETOCS (DEcarbonising the TOurism Industry Post Covid 19 Support) was successfully completed in Middelburg, the Netherlands. DETOCS, an INTERREG EUROPE initiative, aims to accelerate the decarbonisation of the tourism industry, with a particular focus on hotel infrastructure. The project, which began on 1 March 2023 and spans four years, is one of Europe’s most significant efforts to enhance energy efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint of tourism. Greece is represented by the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania (MAICh) and the Region of Crete.
The meeting in Middelburg highlighted MAICh’s pivotal role as a scientific partner, contributing actively to technical documentation, the exchange of best practices, and the development of policies that support sustainable operations in tourism enterprises. Participants presented improvements in energy policies from all partner countries, while extensive reference was made to the thematic handbook of best practices for tourism businesses, which includes guidelines for energy savings and the adoption of low carbon technologies.
MAICh was represented by Dr. Georgios Aggelakis, Project Manager and Coordinator, and Electrical Engineer Michail Milidakis, who presented the outcomes of the Greek participation and the prospects for applying the project’s conclusions in practice. The Region of Crete was represented by Maria Apostolaki from the Department of Climate Change and Energy Planning of the Directorate of Environment and Spatial Planning.
At regional level, the Region of Crete presented the new call “Supporting Existing Enterprises in the Region of Crete for the Implementation of Environmentally Friendly Processes” (“Green Entrepreneurship in Crete”), an initiative under Priority 1 of the Operational Programme Crete 2021–2027. The call incorporates lessons learned from DETOCS, funding investment plans of existing SMEs that enhance resource efficiency and reduce environmental and carbon footprints.
DETOCS is coordinated by the Energy Agency of Podravje in Slovenia. The partnership includes MAICh and the Region of Crete from Greece; the University of Malta and the Ministry of Tourism of Malta; Thermopolis Ltd. and the Regional Council of South Ostrobothnia from Finland; the Municipality of Campobasso in the Molise Region of Italy; the Regional Energy Agency of Pazardzhik and the Municipality of Burgas from Bulgaria; the Central Danube Development Agency from Hungary; the Municipality of Middelburg from the Netherlands; and the European Institute of Innovation from Germany.
This multinational collaboration creates a strong framework for knowledge exchange and the development of joint strategies for the green transition of tourism. MAICh, with its scientific expertise and deep understanding of Mediterranean environmental challenges, stands as one of the key pillars of this effort, strengthening Crete’s position on the European map of green innovation.
The final meeting in Middelburg does not mark the end of the project, but rather the beginning of a new phase of applying its results. With MAICh’s scientific guidance and the strategic support of the Region of Crete, the island is now well positioned to leverage European tools and promote a more sustainable, energy efficient, and competitive tourism economy.
