Higher VET students support local development after COVID

For trainers and learners of the EQF5 International Academy of Tourism and Hospitality (IATH, Cernobbio-Como, Italy), project works are the usual tool to combine theoretical and technical skills with soft and entrepreneurial skills for their personal and professional development. The focus of their works has often been dedicated to real case studies, namely local and regional development.

During these last months of Covid emergency, the economic and social impact, namely in the touristic sector, has been (and will be) dramatically negative; this notwithstanding, it may be an opportunity to rethink the sector itself. To this extent, two EQF5 classes of students enrolled in the “Digital Marketing and Hospitality Management” course, have realized, as their own project work, an integrated tourism marketing plan for the Lake Como area, collecting proposals for an innovative and collaborative action, involving beside their trainers, also the local Chamber of Commerce of Como-Lecco, the Municipality of Como and the Como-Tourism Consortium. The plan includes an original logo, brand new marketing channels, innovative ideas for exhibitions and events (in terms of both topics and methods); notwithstanding the lockdown, students were also able to edit a promotional video.

Last April 30th, the launch of the plan was broadcasted via Facebook on the IATH channel, presented by the students themselves, the Director Anita Longo and the faculty, with the online presence and the acknowledgements of the most relevant stakeholders in the local and regional ecosystem (here the link).

VET and HVET can make a difference, also during this pandemic!