TASTE, the acronym for “Transformative Approaches for Sustainable Food in Tourism,” is a European initiative under the “Single Market Programme” aimed at enhancing the sustainability and resilience of food practices in the tourism sector.
TASTE is a collaborative European project responding to the call “Transitioning to a more sustainable and resilient ecosystem – empowering tourism SMEs.” It brings together prestigious partners across Europe:
Extending until April 2027, this ambitious project aims to support more than 300 companies in their sustainable transformation.
The TASTE project has a primary objective: to enhance the sustainability and resilience of businesses in the European tourism sector by focusing on food practices. Through targeted training, sustainable solutions, and innovative food management strategies, we strive to achieve several positive impacts :
- Reducing the sector’s environmental footprint while diversifying the tourism offering.
- Contributing to an improved visitor experience and strengthening the social impact on local communities, ensuring a dynamic and resilient sector for the future.
Our vision of sustainability goes far beyond the environmental dimension alone: it encompasses societal, economic, cultural, and health aspects, ensuring a truly holistic approach to sustainable development in tourism.
Our application for this project is a natural and strategic step for hospitality.brussels. As the Brussels cluster dedicated to the hospitality sector, we firmly believe that promoting sustainability among industry stakeholders presents a triple opportunity:
- Stimulating economic growth,
- Encouraging more responsible consumption patterns, and
- Supporting innovation within the hospitality sector.
The TASTE project aligns perfectly with our mission to foster the sustainable development of tourism in Brussels and across Europe.
TASTE is built around three key strategic pillars that will guide our actions throughout the project :
- COLLECT
We gather exemplary and replicable practices in sustainable food and innovation across Europe. This work will result in the TASTE Book of Inspiring Recipes, a valuable resource for the sector. At the same time, we are mapping out all available support, funding, projects, and assistance in the tourism sector to facilitate business access to these resources.
- TRAIN THE TRAINER
Our approach involves identifying and mobilizing top trainers, deepening their expertise in sustainability, and deploying them to train SMEs in the sector. These training sessions will be enriched by a series of on-the-ground assessments to ensure their relevance and alignment with businesses’ operational realities.
- PROGRAMME D’ACCÉLÉRATION
We will implement personalized support and financing solutions to foster innovative and sustainable collaboration projects within the sector. This initiative aims to catalyze high-potential projects and accelerate their implementation.
With TASTE, we offer a unique opportunity for hospitality professionals to transition toward a greener, more digital, and resilient model. Want to learn more and join us in this transformation? Contact Victoria Matgen: vmatgen@hub.brussels
