University of Nicosia Participates in Transnational Meeting of the QUEST Program for Quality Practices in Sustainable Tourism

The third multiplier event (MeV) and the 6^th transnational meeting of the QUEST project of the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union took place in Cyprus on October 9 & 10, welcoming the project partners to the island as the project nears its completion in November.

The QUEST project (Promoting Quality internships in Sustainable Tourism & Heritage Management) is an innovative Erasmus+ project aimed at increasing Higher Education (HE) students employability in the tourism sector, one of the most fast paced sectors in terms of innovation and is carried out by a partnership of eight organisations – three HE universities, four organisations working in the fields of tourism and/or cultural heritage, one Cultural Route of the Council of Europe – and led by Libertas International University (Zagreb, Croatia).

Cyprus partners, Larnaka Tourism Board (LTB) and University of Nicosia, welcomed the partners to the island for a two-day event and meeting that was comprised of a transnational meeting in Larnaka and an MeV event held at University of Nicosia.

During the transational meeting the PR2 QUEST Internships Results for each partner were presented, followed by updates on the project deliverables PR3 by LTB and PR4 by Libertas International University.

The day also consisted of a familiarisation tour of the city and its heritage sites and on-site meetings at Phivos Stavrides Foundation – Larnaka Archives, and Pierides Museum – Bank of Cyprus Foundation where interns from Spain and Croatia had spent time during April – July as part of the project deliverables.

The second day – the MeV event at Nicosia Univeristy – featured addressess and guest speeches by eminent and expert speakers: Nicosia Mayor Mr. Charalambos Prountzos, Mr. Antonio Barone,

Director of the Phoenicians’ Route – Cultural Route of the Council of Europe, Mr. Vakis Loizides, Senior Tourism Officer, Deputy Ministry of Tourism, and Mr. Neophytos Timinis, General Secretary, Cyprus Hotels & Catering Establishment Employees, Trade Union P.E.O.

QUEST Project Coordinator, Libertas University, Croatia, Mrs. Ksenija Keča, gave a presentation of the project, which was followed by workshops.

Workshop A discussed the topic: ‘The Elements of Quality Internships’ and was moderated by Mr. George Panayiotou, Employment Placement Coordinator of Hospitality and Tourism programs, University of Nicosia.

Workshop B discussed the topic: ‘Bridging the Gap between Industry & Academia’ and was moderated by Mr. Constantinos Moniatis, Human Resources Manager, Four Seasons Hotel.

An engaging panel discussion followed with all participants and moderated by Mrs. Yianna Orphanidou, Coordinator of BBA Hospitality Program, University of Nicosia with the first day of the event culminating in a presentation by Ms. Jelena Stupalo, Director of Solin Tourism Board: ‘Split Dalmatia County including Solin’ and a Cypriot light lunch where Solin Tourist Board and the association ‘Healthy Day’ presented ‘Taste and Play Salona’, a traditional activity.

The partners continued onwards to visit Lefkara village – a ‘Best Tourism Village’ by the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) – where the conference continued at the Lefkara Conference Centre.

The partners of the project are: Libertas International University (Croatia) – lead beneficiary, The Phoenicians’ Routes with headquarters in Italy, Solin Tourist Board – Croatia, Timesis Srl – Italy, University of Malaga – Spain, Arte&Cia Gestión Cultural y Ocio – Spain, Larnaka Tourism Board – Cyprus and University of Nicosia –  Cyprus.

More information about the programme: https://questerasmus.eu/