Gastrotour Kick-Off Meeting Successfully Held in Telavi, Georgia
From 31 March to 2 April 2025, the Gastrotour consortium gathered in Telavi, Georgia, for the official Kick-Off Meeting (KOM) of the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education project “Skilling for Impact: University-Industry Partnerships for Local/Regional Gastronomic Tourism.” The meeting was hosted by the Iakob Gogebashvili Telavi State University (TeSaU).
Representatives from partner institutions in Georgia, South Africa, Spain, Portugal, and the Czech Republic came together to formally launch the project, align on the 2025 work plan, and strengthen collaboration between universities and industry stakeholders in the wine and gastronomy tourism sector.
Aligning the project roadmap
During three intensive days of discussions and collaborative sessions, the consortium reviewed the project’s objectives and implementation roadmap, ensuring that all partners shared a common understanding of the expected outcomes and timeline.
Participants also explored the project’s Educational Component, which includes the development of Learning Packages designed to strengthen skills and knowledge in gastronomic tourism. In parallel, discussions focused on the development of the Interactive Component, which will include the creation of a Self-Assessment Tool and a Code of Good Practice aimed at supporting stronger university–industry cooperation.
Strengthening project management and communication
The programme included a financial management training session to ensure effective implementation and compliance with Erasmus+ requirements. Partners also participated in a communication and visibility workshop, where strategies were discussed to maximise the project’s outreach and ensure broad dissemination of results. In addition, the consortium explored synergies with other EU-funded initiatives, identifying opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange that could enhance the project’s impact.
Connecting with the local gastro-tourism ecosystem
Beyond the working sessions, the meeting included field visits to local wineries in the Kakheti region, offering partners first-hand insights into Georgia’s rich wine and gastronomic heritage. These visits provided valuable perspectives on the local gastro-tourism ecosystem and reinforced the project’s focus on practical collaboration between universities and industry actors.
All in all, the Kick-Off Meeting marked a dynamic and collaborative beginning for Gastrotour, establishing a shared vision among partners and laying a solid foundation for the development of innovative digital tools, learning packages, and business support solutions for the gastro-tourism sector.
