TUI Care Foundation launches two new TUI Futureshapers projects in Portugal and North Africa - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

Though the tourism landscapes of Portugal and the MENA region (including Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco) differ greatly, they share a common challenge: despite their strong tourism sectors and rich cultural and natural heritage, local entrepreneurs often face significant obstacles when trying to establish or scale micro, small, and medium-sized businesses. These challenges include limited access to support networks, markets, and financing.

To address this, the TUI Care Foundation has launched two new initiatives within its global TUI Futureshapers programme. These programmes aim to foster a culture of socially driven entrepreneurship that creatively addresses social and environmental issues—positioning tourism as part of the solution to local development challenges.

Portugal: nurturing social entrepreneurship in tourism

Following a successful first phase in 2023–2024, the TUI Futureshapers Portugal programme will once again support tourism-focused social entrepreneurship. In partnership with IRIS (Regional Incubator for Social Innovation), the programme offers online sessions and in-person workshops in four Portuguese cities for up to 60 participants.

Up to ten promising project ideas will be selected to receive personalised one-to-one mentoring from TUI Group professionals, participate in a three-day intensive training programme, and join masterclasses on key business topics. The programme concludes with a pitch event in Porto, where participants present their business concepts to potential investors and partners. The top three projects will receive a cash prize and further incubation support over a six-month period.

North Africa: creating jobs and connecting communities

In North Africa, the TUI Futureshapers programme—run in partnership with the enpact Foundation—focuses on building entrepreneurship in rural areas and developing sustainable tourism experiences that connect indigenous communities with travellers.

The programme begins with “ideation marathons” involving 100 participants to raise awareness about entrepreneurship and provide networking opportunities. In the next phase, 50 individuals will receive training and mentoring and take part in pitch events. Eight teams will receive monthly financial support, free co-working space at enpact’s Startup Haus in Cairo, and additional mentoring to develop their business ideas.

In the final phase, ten startup founders from Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco will take part in a three-month accelerator programme, which includes expert training, roundtable discussions, and two intensive one-week startup camps in Egypt.

These two initiatives are part of the wider TUI Futureshapers programme, which empowers people in tourism destinations around the world to transform local social and environmental challenges into entrepreneurial opportunities.

Image Credit: © TUI Group