Two working groups will be launched within this Network in the event Enhancing the Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories: Insights and Strategies from the Thematic Projects of the Sustainable Tourism Mission in Brussels the next 14th May
80 participants among representatives of Dialogue4Tourism Project, Community4Tourism Project, former members of the Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (University of Maribor, Slovenia e.g.) representatives of the Thematic Projects of the Sustainable Tourism Mission (NaTour4CChange Project, Herit Adapt Project and AQUAMAN Project e.g.), representatives of the Associated Partners of this Mission (Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds of the Republic of Croatia e.g.), other Missions (Dialogue4LivingAreas Project e.g.) and students and researchers of the European University of Rome discussed last 28th March about how to strengthen governance in sustainable tourism through data.
The Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories brings together actors, policy makers and institutions in the MED Region sharing data on sustainable tourism and specific tools along with best practices encouraging the transfer and reuse of knowledge.
This working group is led by the Euro-MED Dialogue4Tourism Project with the support of the Community4Tourism Project and integrates in its core the Thematic Projects of the Sustainable Tourism Mission as a forum for exchange and debate. Led by Lazio Region (Italy, partner of D4T Project) with the support of the Universitá Europea di Roma (Associated Partner of D4T Project); El legado andalusí Andalusian Public Foundation (Regional Ministry of Culture and Sport of Andalusia, Spain. LP of D4T Project); ASCAME (Association of the Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Spain. Partner of D4T Project); GTI (Greening the Islands Foundation, Italy. Partner of D4T Project); IPTPO (Institute of Agriculture and Tourism, Poreč, Croatia. Partner of D4T Project) and CPRM (Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (Partner of C4T Project and Associated Partner of D4T Project).
The Network is willing to continue its contribution to the goals and activities of the UN Tourism (formerly UNWTO until 2023) INSTO (United Nations International Network of Sustainable Tourism). Aims to contribute to global and regional sustainability goals by aligining its work with key initiatives such as the EU Transition Pathway for tourism and the Glasgow Declaration for Climate Action in Tourism.
The NSTO was co-created in origin in the frame of the Best MED Project (Interreg MED Program) to solve the need of transfer and reuse tools in sustainable tourism as the Best MED Sustainable & Cultural Path, -a system of indicators to measure sustainability on European Cultural Routes-.
Currently, 40 institutions are members of the Observatory, representing a diverse network of stakeholders. These members are part of the partnerships and associated partnerships of the former Interreg MED fostering cooperation across the Mediterranean Region. In addition to this, the Observatory is starting its collaboration with various Thematic Projects of the Sustainable Tourism Mission of Interreg Euro-MED. Furthermore, it works with several institutions linked to sustainable tourism at a European level, but including the Western and Southern Med area as well. Some initiatives will be jointly developed with the MED Cluster of Innovation and Technology Capacities of the Interreg Euro-MED Community4Tourism Project.
This first webinar served as a launch platform to introduce the NSTO’s renewed objectives and challenges, providing insights into the strategic direction and key initiatives for this year. Additionally, Valentina Castello, Universitá Europea di Roma (associated partner of Interreg Euro-MED Dialogue4Tourism Project) informed about the creation of 2 working groups in the frame of the network for enhancing collaborative actions and delivering a best practice report on Sustainable Tourism Observatories highlighting the role of the ST Observatories as tool for governance planification. Therefore, these working groups will focus on: Data-driven Decision-Making for Sustainable Tourism and Recommendations for integrating sustainable tourism into policies.
These working groups will be launched in Brussels the next 14th May in the event Enhancing the Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories: Insights and Strategies from the Thematic Projects of the Sustainable Tourism Mission. More info, preliminary agenda & registration form for Brussels. here
The session last 28th March included the speeches Building a sustainable future: the role of the Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories by Ferdinando Rossi, Lazio Region (partner of Interreg Euro-MED Dialogue4Tourism Project); The strategic importance of a Network of Observatories in Sustainable Tourism, challenges and issues involved and possible solutions by Giuliano Tallone, Lazio Region (partner of Interreg Euro-MED Dialogue4Tourism Project); presentation of the 2025 calendar by Valentina Castello (Universitá Europea di Roma, Associated Partner of D4T Project); Enhancing a shared data-driven decision-making for sustainable tourism by Annarita Iacopino and Loredana Giani, Universitá Europea di Roma (associated partner of the Interreg Euro-MED Dialogue4Tourism Project); Presentation of the Greening the Islands’ Observatory by Gianni Chiannetta, Greening the Islands (partner of Interreg Euro-MED Dialogue4Tourism Project). Finally, Francisco Benítez (Regional Ministry of Tourism and Andalusia Exterior, Spain) explained the main objectives of the document in preparation by this Regional Ministry Andalusian Climate Action Commitment for Tourism which highlights the role of the indicators in governance in this field.
More info of the Interreg Euro-MED NSTO and previous events: here
More info about the profile to become a member: here
Become a member: here
