SMARTMED will address key MED region challenges in the development of smart, inclusive and sustainable tourism, primarily due to high seasonality and lack of cooperation among key sector stakeholders. The lack of a long-term vision for the destination future and disconnection between tourism and wider territorial development, embracing local infrastructure development, labour market policies, business support environment, spatial planning and social cohesion policies decreases the attractiveness of the region for innovative business in tourism and has led to a heavily seasonal labour market, unable to attract talented individuals as well as putting great pressure on natural resources, local infrastructure and public services. Common territorial features, a homogenous destination image and similar socio-economic patterns require joint action and a single approach to the challenges posed by current tourism development in the region. SMARTMED will contribute to the development of an attractive, smart and inclusive MED destination, maintaining its leading position through coordinated policies and capable public and private sector stakeholders. This will be achieved by enhanced, more structured cooperation empowering multi-level stakeholders to develop and deliver integrated tourism policies and innovative solutions for smart MED destinations through an new business model, supported by a permanent collaborative stakeholders platform for cross-sectorial cooperation.