A MedRoutes sustainable tourism information meeting was held in Varna on March 21.
In an era when overtourism threatens the very cultural heritage it once glorified, a new initiative is emerging that aims to change the course. The Med-Routes project, supported by the European Union through the INTERREG Euro-MED program, aims to build a model of sustainable tourism that preserves the cultural wealth of the Mediterranean while protecting its fragile nature.
What did the attendees learn at the meeting:
- Up-to-date information on the progress of the Med-Routes project
- Innovative practices for environmentally responsible tourism
- Opportunities to participate and contribute to the sustainable development of the region
The Med-Routes project?
The Mediterranean region – famous for its sunny beaches, historic cities and unique traditions – is today facing the challenge of uncontrolled tourism, which leads to the destruction of cultural sites, pollution and the alienation of local communities.
The Med-Routes project offers a solution – a model of “slow tourism” that focuses on authenticity, sustainability and the active participation of local people.
The project brings together 8 key partners from 7 Mediterranean countries – including Bulgaria, Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal, Croatia and Cyprus – as well as 4 cultural routes recognised by the Council of Europe.
Cultural routes – sustainable paths to the future
At the heart of the Med-Routes project is the idea that cultural tourism can be sustainable and beneficial for local communities. Building on the results of previous initiatives such as INCIRCLE and EMbleMatic, the project applies proven models and encourages transnational cooperation.
Key project results include:
- A “Green Label” for the certification of eco-itineraries in the Mediterranean
- A transnational strategy for sustainable tourism
- Local action plans that implement this strategy in cultural routes
Project partners
The Med-Routes consortium brings together municipalities, universities, tourist boards and innovation networks:
- Romagna Faentina Union (Italy) – project coordinator
- Municipality of Castello de la Plana (Spain)
- Paphos Regional Tourist Board (Cyprus)
- Libertas International University (Croatia)
- DUNEA – Dubrovnik-Neretva Regional Development Agency (Croatia)
- INSULEUR – Network of Island Chambers of Commerce (Greece)
- Municipality of Vila Franca de Xira (Portugal)
- BATTI – Bulgarian Association for Technology Transfer and Innovation (Bulgaria)
Four associated cultural routes are also participating, among which:
The European Ceramic Route, the Olive Routes, the Phoenician Route and the Federation of Napoleonic Cities.
Call to Action
“It is time to move beyond mass tourism and adopt a model that puts culture, communities and nature conservation first,” say the Med-Routes team. “The project is not just an initiative – it is a movement towards a better and more sustainable future for the Mediterranean.”
Be part of the change. Let’s build a sustainable Mediterranean together!