MED-Routes Project Gears Up: Fourth Transnational Meeting in Castellón Boosts Momentum
On May 20–21, 2025, the MED-Routes project brought together its eight partners and representatives from four prestigious cultural routes for its fourth transnational meeting, hosted in the vibrant city of Castellón de la Plana, Spain. This two-day event marked a major milestone in advancing sustainable cultural tourism throughout the Mediterranean region.
Introducing Eight Unique Eco-Itineraries That Celebrate Mediterranean Heritage
One of the most exciting highlights was the official unveiling of eight eco-itineraries — immersive travel routes crafted to offer travelers authentic and environmentally friendly experiences of the Mediterranean’s rich culture and history. Rooted in the themes of four Council of Europe cultural routes, these itineraries spotlight:
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The enduring legacy of olive trees and traditional agricultural landscapes (Routes of the Olive Tree)
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The exquisite craft of Mediterranean ceramics (European Route of Ceramics)
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The ancient maritime heritage of the Phoenicians (The Phoenician’s Route)
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The Napoleonic historical heritage across Europe (European Federation of Napoleonic Cities)
Developed collaboratively with local communities and supported by extensive research, these eco-itineraries are a cornerstone achievement of MED-Routes, perfectly balancing sustainability with cultural exploration.
Driving the Green Transformation in Mediterranean Tourism
The meeting also saw the validation of essential strategic tools to promote sustainable tourism practices:
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MED-Routes Green Label: A new certification guaranteeing that eco-itineraries meet high environmental and social responsibility standards.
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Catalogue of Promotional Strategies: A comprehensive toolkit for local and international promotion, leveraging storytelling, branding, and digital media.
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Comprehensive Training Package: A resource designed to empower tourism professionals and institutions to effectively manage and communicate these eco-itineraries.
Crafting a Unified Transnational Strategy for Sustainable Cultural Tourism
A key focus of the meeting was the discussion of the Transnational Strategy for Valorizing Sustainable Practices in Mediterranean Cultural Itineraries. This strategy reflects the shared commitment of all partners to embedding sustainability at the heart of cultural tourism and is poised for endorsement by the four participating Cultural Routes. Once adopted, it will unify efforts to promote green, responsible travel across the Mediterranean.
Over the coming months, the strategy will be translated and widely disseminated, paving the way for a lasting regional and European impact.
Shaping Policy and Building Synergies for the Future
Looking forward, partners explored opportunities for MED-Routes to influence cultural and tourism policies by:
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Facilitating policy transfer at local, national, and European levels
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Engaging with decision-makers through Council of Europe networks
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Creating synergies with other Interreg Euro-MED and sustainability-driven projects
These initiatives will help ensure that MED-Routes eco-itineraries are firmly embedded in policy frameworks, extending their impact beyond tourism experiences to broader cultural and environmental governance.
Strengthening Partnerships Through Cultural Exchange
Beyond the strategic agenda, the meeting fostered strong interpersonal connections among partners. Highlights included a guided walking tour along the Castellón Ceramic Route and informal networking opportunities, reinforcing the collaborative spirit driving MED-Routes toward a greener, more inclusive, and sustainable Mediterranean travel future.