After three years of implementation, the I-STARS project has successfully come to an end, delivering tangible results for island tourism economies across Europe and leaving behind a strong legacy of tools, knowledge and capacity for sustainable transition.
INSULEUR is proud to have been part of this impactful initiative, working alongside a strong consortium including key island stakeholders such as the Chamber of Commerce of Cyprus, the Chamber of Commerce of Mallorca, and OTIE, part of the INSULEUR family. The project has directly contributed to advancing INSULEUR’s mission of strengthening resilient, innovative and sustainable island economies through SME support and ecosystem development.
The results speak for themselves:
✅ 123 tourism SMEs across Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Spain and Ireland successfully awarded grants and completed their sustainability transition journey, supported by dedicated consultants.
✅ A significant number of businesses achieved official eco-certifications, improving their competitiveness while reducing environmental impact while hundred others initiated their journey through free training ressources.
✅ Participating SMEs reported reduced operational costs, increased customer trust, and stronger engagement with sustainable practices.
From small family-run hotels and guesthouses to diving centres, travel agencies and sailing operators, I-STARS demonstrated that sustainability can be both accessible and economically beneficial for island SMEs.
👉 Discover real transformation stories and testimonials:
👉 Discover the project’s tools that remain freely accessible to any tourism SME wishing to embark on a sustainability journey:
🔗 Training platform: https://istars.talentlms.com/plus/login
🔗 Virtual library: https://istars-virtual-library.pages.dev/
🔗 Self-assessment tool: https://eu.jotform.com/app/233484433886366
Beyond its direct results, I-STARS plays an important role within the broader INSULEUR vision, contributing to the development of interconnected, innovation-driven and sustainable island value chains. By equipping SMEs with practical tools and methodologies, the project has strengthened the foundations for future initiatives supporting green transition, digitalisation and resilience in island economies.
INSULEUR will continue to promote and support the uptake of these resources across its network, ensuring that the impact of I-STARS continues well beyond the project’s lifetime.
