As digital transformation continues to reshape the Accommodation & Food sector, SMEs and workers are increasingly required to develop practical digital competences connected to everyday operations, from reservation systems and customer communication to cybersecurity and AI-assisted tools.

Within this context, our partner KUBI Gesellschaft für Kultur und Bildung recently organised a series of dissemination and awareness events as part of project USMED, engaging citizens, youth workers, policymakers, industry experts, and professionals from the hospitality and food service sector.

The events introduced participants to the project’s mission: supporting the digital upskilling of workers and SMEs with low digital intensity through practical, sector-specific learning approaches.

Across the different sessions, participants explored how digital technologies are already transforming the sector, including the use of POS systems, digital booking platforms, automation tools, customer communication systems, data analytics, and AI-supported solutions. 

Particular attention was also given to the USMED Digital Skills Assessment Tool (DSAT), our interactive platform that allows users to evaluate their digital competence based on their role in the food and hospitality sector.

The dissemination activities highlighted an important challenge: generic digital training is often not enough for the operational realities of hotels, restaurants, cafés, and catering businesses. Instead, workers and SMEs need accessible and tailored learning pathways connected directly to their daily tasks and sector-specific needs.

The events also introduced one of the project’s upcoming core outcomes: the Learning Experiences Catalogue, which will include more than 60 Open Educational Resources (OERs) covering topics such as digital communication, cybersecurity, AI tools, digital marketing, online reputation management, and data literacy for the A&F sector.

Through these dissemination events, KUBI contributed to strengthening awareness around digital transformation while creating spaces for dialogue between education, industry, and local communities — reinforcing the importance of inclusive and practical digital upskilling across Europe’s hospitality ecosystem.

If you are a professional in the accommodation and food sector and would like to assess your digital competences, contact us!

23 April 2026 - In-Person USMED Presentation for German Citizens and Local Food Sector Workers

24 April 2026 - Virtual USMED Meeting Connecting Youth Workers and Policymakers

25 April 2026 - In-Person Event on the Future of Digital Transformation with Sector Workers, Industry Experts, and Youth Workers

5 May 2026 - Discussion on Digitalisation and the Need to Strengthen Digital Skills in the Accommodation and Food Sector