Food and Tourism Development. European Mountain Series Forecasting (3)

This study analyses the evolution of mountain entrepreneurship in Europe, focusing on the food and tourism sectors, over the period 2021–2035. Using Eurostat data from 15 European countries, forecasting models (ARIMA and Holt) were applied to assess trends and project future developments. The results indicate an initial moderate growth (2.5% per year), driven by sustainable tourism policies and investments in mountain infrastructure, followed by an acceleration (4% per year) over the period 2026–2030, driven by digitalisation, diversification of activities and EU funds. By 2035, the sector will reach a stable maturity (3% per year growth), driven by automation, climate change adaptation and cross-border collaborations. Regional disparities persist, with Western Europe outperforming Eastern Europe due to better access to funds and reduced bureaucratic barriers. The study highlights the importance of sustainability and digital transformation for the sustainable development of mountain entrepreneurship in food and tourism sectors.