The redefinition and re-orientation process of the European Model of Development has been manifested in various summits and Declarations (Lisbon and Gothenburg Summits, 2000-2001), calling for sustainability as search for an imbalance at human and social development, the preservation of nature and the development of economic activities. The local level becomes the key area of intervention of the different sectors and agents to generate economic development and social welfare (DSL). In recent years, the restructuring of the economic, environmental and social European agenda to deal with the new situation of crisis has placed knowledge and innovation as drivers of change, oriented to create higher levels of employment, social cohesion and environmental sustainability and economic (Europe 2020 strategy).

All of these changes at the social, economic, cultural, political and technological level have acquired a special dimension in the tourism sector. There is no doubt that tourism is one of the economic activities of major impact at European level in terms of GDP, employment, dynamism, internationalization and innovation, as highlighted by the Agenda for a sustainable and competitive European tourism (EC, 2006) and the communication "Europe, first tourist destination of the world: A new political framework for European tourism" (2010).

Spain stands out as one of the top tourism-receiving markets at the international level (the second country in tourism revenues, as stated by UNWTO). This importance places the country as being a relevant scenario to apply innovation for social, economic and territorial development, and development of this sector.

The 2020 Strategy states that reinforcement of European tourism competitiveness is a priority action. At the EU level, tourism sector is experiencing a continuous adaptation to challenges such as: to) the need to incorporate the RST to manage and implement sustainable and responsible tourism activity; ensuring the conservation of resources, culture and territory of the destinations and tourist-minded territories; (b) the need for adaptation to customer demands (new tourist consumer profiles - more exigent, aware and responsible -; c) increasing importance of the development and management of tourism innovation, with the support of ICT, creativity empowerment, and the knowledge management as a key elements for competitiveness growth and increasing the of businesses and tourism destinations.

However, an effort is needed to improve the professional skills in this area, in particular to facilitate its adaptation to new technologies and the new market expectations and promote mobility as stated in the report New Skills for New Jobs (2010). The EC report "The Future of Learning: Preparing for Change" puts the promotion of talent and innovation among the challenges of vocational training and the LLL "to develop an intelligent economy, based on knowledge and innovation, and promote the realization of the European citizens, their capacity for reflection and decision.

DOCUMENTA, under the experience gained working on planning and design of tourism projects has detected an important need to match vocational training studies in Tourism in with the described framework sector development. In this sense, it is essential to deal with a continuous re-skilling in order to face fast and competitive changes in the tourist market. Both employees of large tourism companies, such as SMEs, entrepreneurs or professionals in the public sector and people working in areas such as planning, management, provision and tourism promotion now need to update their knowledge and upgrade their skills and competencies to develop innovation in the European tourist destinations.

This project addresses the need to improve the qualification and the updating of training in of a wide spectrum of tourism professionals to adapt to the new requirements of the sector within a knowledge-based economy; where ICT and open and flexible learning methods (e-learning, OER) are a key support of the LLL and the reduction of economic barriers, social and cultural between European countries ("The Future of Learning: Preparing for Change", EC Joint Research Centre, 2011).

The main aim of INMATOUR project is to contribute to the adaptation of the knowledge, skills and competences of tourism sector practitioners  to the current needs of market, reducing the gap between the needs labour demands-training through the design of a profile and a training curriculum of innovation management in tourist destinations. This profile is intended to achieve 3 goals: 1. Strengthen the links between education/training in tourism and the world of work, 2. Use management innovation as a tool for to improve competitiveness of companies and tourist destinations 3. Adapt training in knowledge and skills of the tourism professionals to the needs and current strategies of development of the tourist market.