🌍✨ University of Cuenca Strengthens International Partnerships for Sustainable Tourism and Hospitality Education🇧🇪 🇪🇨 🇺🇬 🇻🇳

During May 2026, representatives of the Universidad de Cuenca participated in activities held in Bruges as part of the international project ICP Connect: Beyond the Souvenir: A Multi-Regional Project for Authentic and Sustainable Hospitality Education, an initiative that promotes sustainability and innovation in tourism and hospitality education.

The project brings together universities from Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America, fostering the exchange of experiences and the development of new approaches for more responsible and inclusive tourism. Representing Ecuador, project coordinators Karina Farfán and Freddy Espinoza took part in academic meetings, workshops, and international collaboration activities.

Among the highlights of the program were practical case studies related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), sustainable tourism strategies promoted by UN Tourism, environmental certifications such as Green Key, and innovative circular economy practices applied to the hospitality sector.

The agenda also included technical visits to organizations such as GUIDEA and NorthSeaChefs, as well as networking and exchange sessions with scholarship recipients, academics, and tourism professionals.

As part of the program, participants visited the cities of Ghent and Ostend, where they explored initiatives that combine sustainability, local identity, and innovation within tourism experiences.

This participation reaffirms the University of Cuenca’s commitment to internationalization, academic cooperation, and the education of professionals who can contribute to the sustainable development of tourism worldwide. 🌱🌍🤝

Photo credits: ICP Connect Team