Tampere University of Applied Sciences (Finland) hosted the international Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Program (BIP) titled “Experience Economy in Tourism Business” from September 21–25, 2026. Representatives from six partner universities participated in the program: Ionian University (Greece), Universitat Jaume I (Spain), Tampere University of Applied Sciences (Finland), Hochschule Ruhr West (Germany), the University of Salford (United Kingdom), and the State University of Trade and Economics (Ukraine).

An important component of international cooperation was the participation of SUTE faculty members Tetiana Tkachuk (Ph.D. in Economics, Associate Professor in the Department of Hotel and Restaurant Business Management) and Sergiу Kravtsov (Ph.D. in Public Administration, Associate Professor in the Department of Tourism and Creative Industries Management), who jointly prepared and delivered an interactive case study lecture for program participants on the topic “Ukrainian Cases in the Experience Economy as New Vectors for European Tourism.” The lecture presented Ukraine’s experience in the context of the development of the experience economy and outlined new opportunities for applying this experience to the development of European tourism.

Students of educational programs of the Faculty of Technologies and Business at SUTE also participated in the international project: “Tourism, Hotel, and Restaurant Business Management” - Vira Prydanikova; “International Tourism” - Daria Mykytenchuk, Anastasia Osoblyvets, Olena Pishchana, and Anastasia Kyrychok. The participation of SUTE representatives served not only as an opportunity for academic exchange but also as a showcase of Ukrainian expertise in the development of tourism and hospitality within the international educational community.

This year, the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) was aimed at deepening understanding of the experience economy as a contemporary trend in the development of the global economy and to apply, in practice, design principles focused on consumers of tourism products and services. The work of international student teams became an important component of the annual BIP program. The practical training was complemented by an exploration of the tourist destination of Tampere (Finland), work on real-world business cases, and visits to tourist attractions. The final stage of the program was the presentation of team projects, during which international student teams demonstrated the principles of implementing the experience economy in local tourism products and services and presented their own proposals for improving the customer experience. For the students, participating in the program provided an opportunity to learn in an international environment, work as part of interuniversity teams, and apply theoretical approaches to the analysis of real-world tourism destinations.

Upon successful completion of the program, the participants received certificates of participation.

SUTE’s annual participation in the Erasmus+ BIP has not only provided students with another opportunity to gain international experience in learning and teamwork but has also served as a significant step toward the continued development of academic partnerships. Following the latest stage of this annual collaboration, representatives from SUTE and partner universities continued their joint planning and established the themes and timelines for upcoming international educational and research projects.

International programs of this kind strengthen the practical component of training professionals in the field of tourism and hospitality, promote the development of intercultural communication and teamwork, and create new opportunities for SUTE’s integration into the European educational and scientific community.

Tetiana Tkachuk,
Deputy Dean for Scientific and Methodological Work
and International Relations of the Faculty of Technologies and Business,
PhD in Economics, Associate Professor of the Department of Hotel and Restaurant Business Management;

Sergiy Kravtsov,
Ph.D. in Public Administration, Associate Professor in the Department of Tourism and Creative Industries Management