This project consists of a number of stages:

Stage 1: Project Management work

This stage focuses on the preparation of the final working programme and on setting up the project management structure.

The operative structure of the project is thus of fundamental importance to its success and, bearing in mind that different kinds of organizations are involved (researchers, businesses, public authorities) from different European regions, coordination is going to be a basic feature throughout the project.

So there are two clearly distinguishable operational levels:

• The regional level, where the action defined in the project will be implemented by the project partners of each region with the aid and cooperation of other players in the R&D+I system working in the different activities carried out. At regional level there will always be a Coordinator, (as we shall see later in point 2 of the proposal). The Regional Steering Committees and regional Working Groups belong at this level.
• A supra-regional level, at which the research-driven cluster will operate and where the transfer of knowledge, technology and know how will make most sense. The transregional steering committee belong at this level. The Management Unit could also be involved at this level, as the action it takes affects all project partners directly.

Stage 2: Analysis of situation and implementation of action

This stage includes:

• Performance of all analyses, studies and reports planned in the framework of this proposal, with a view to providing:
  • an exhaustive analysis of the tourist-oriented services sector in some of the main work areas of the project,
  • identifying the Strengths, Weaknesses, Threats and Opportunities in the sector,
  • compiling the existing needs of the business world linked to the sector under study,
  • identify the technologies and innovative applications linked to existing services and tourism
  • Identify and select synergies and complementary features between the regions participating with a view to the joint development of action designed to improve the competitiveness of the tourist sector and services.
• Establishment of an itinerary for the generation and transfer of technology. Organize regional encounters and a pilot encounter for the international transfer of tourist technology.
• Identification of the key elements that would figure in the Joint Plan of Action.

Stage 3. Continuity of the project. Conclusions and recommendations

The project ends in this stage with the establishment of a series of conclusions and recommendations for presentation to the managers of public R&D+I policies.