Prepared for what lies ahead in tourism
Stay up-to-date with current, independent statistics and information on tourism in the Alpine region.
F.acT: Why was the Circular Hub Tirol founded?
Mariella Schimatzek: The Circular Hub Tirol was founded in 2023 by the Standortagentur Tirol and is a central measure of the Tyrolean Sustainability and Climate Strategy 2030. It contributes to the implementation of the Austrian Circular Economy Strategy and the EU Circular Economy Action Plan. The aim is to support companies on the path to a circular economy and to position Tyrol as a sustainable economic region.
The circular economy aims to optimize the use of resources, reduce waste and develop innovative business models. The Circular Hub Tirol provides a networking platform for companies, research institutions and organizations, supports the transformation and promotes sustainable innovations.
F.acT: What activities does the Circular Hub offer?
Mariella Schimatzek: The Circular Hub Tirol offers a variety of services in the areas of consulting, innovation, networking and knowledge that can also be relevant for tourism businesses:
Consulting
Circularity Check: Analysis tool to assess the circularity of a company.
Circular economy workshop series: Support for companies in identifying and implementing circular measures.
Rossau model cycles: Supporting companies in resource efficiency and creating industrial symbioses
innovation
Inno.Circle (Interreg project): Coaching program for SMEs to develop circular business models and products with digital tools.
ASTER (Interreg project): Development of outdoor textiles with circular approaches, including repair and take-back systems.
BioWollWert: Promotion of sustainable wool processing
Network
Circular Society Tirol: Platform for experts and companies for networking, exchange and know-how transfer.
CHEERS4EU: Interreg project to network circular hubs in Europe and develop policy recommendations.
Knowledge
Heatcycle: Study on the use of heat pumps in the circular economy
Circular Week: As part of Circular Week, 4 themed weeks have already been held in Tyrol on the topic of the circular economy with workshops, exhibitions and lectures.
F.acT: What events and campaigns are planned for 2025?
Mariella Schimatzek: The Circular Hub Tirol is continuously developing and will continue to implement measures in the above-mentioned projects in 2025 in order to establish the circular economy in Tirol.
For the target group of companies, we will focus on the Circularity Check as a service in 2025. In addition, the Circular Economy workshop series and the Inno.Circle coaching program, where we support companies in the development of circular products and business models, are currently running until the middle of the year. The subsequent evaluation and further development of these offers is also a focal point.
We are also planning regular meetings with our Circular Society Tirol expert network this year in order to establish the circular economy ecosystem even more strongly.
In addition, we are always open to projects and ideas relating to the circular economy.