The Mediterranean is at a critical crossroad in the transformation of tourism models. Climate change, resource pressure, social tensions and shifting demand patterns are challenging destinations to rethink tourism beyond growth-driven paradigms. At the same time, the region concentrates a unique diversity of natural, cultural and social assets that can support a fair and resilient transition.
On June 18-19, 2026, the Centre of Contemporary Culture of Barcelona (CCCB) hosted the MED Sustainable Tourism Convention 2026, with 225 participants from 17 Mediterranean and European countries gathered under the theme “Tourism transition in the Mediterranean”.
The third edition of the Convention featured a two‑day programme combining plenary sessions, round tables and parallel sessions focused on climate change, water management, biodiversity, circular economy, destination digitalisation and the role of tourism within the Mediterranean blue economy.
The Convention included strong institutional participation and brought together leading experts from universities, research centres, European networks, development agencies, tourism destinations and the 22 projects – Thematic and Strategic – of the Sustainable Tourism Mission of the Interreg Euro‑MED Programme.
Resources
Event REPORT
Here you can download a REPORT of the event’s sessions
Sessions Recordings
At this link you can find a Youtube playlist listing all the sessions recordings
Speakers Presentations
18 June 2026
Opening Session
Policy Opening Session: The new EU Sustainable Tourism Strategy
Key-note speech: Tourism transition in the Mediterranean
The Glasgow Declaration: state-of-the-art
Presentation of the Thematic paper “Climate resilience in coastal tourism destinations: solutions from nature and cultural heritage”
Tourism and climate change; from theory to action
Call for projects (restricted call to MMM programmes)
- The Mediterranean Multi-Programme Mechanism (MMM) and Mediterranean Pear Learning Visits (MPLV) – Pascale Faveau, Project Officer Interreg MED Joint Secretariat
- Bee-Based Experiences for Sustainable Rural Tourism (MedBEESinessHubs and PLANBEE)
- Creating Dementia-Inclusive Travel Experiences (ADRINCLUSIVE)
- Digital Paths for Sustainable Archaeological Tourism (ARCHAEODIGIT)
Natour4CChange Interactive exhibition
19 June 2026
Presentation of the Thematic paper “Beyond projects: institutionalizing biodiversity and sustainable tourism practices in the Mediterranean”
Heritage and diversified tourism products
Presentation of the Thematic paper “Supporting Tourism Micro-enterprises and SMEs in their transition to circular economy practices”
Circular economy transition
- Alessandro Miraglia, LooP Zone project representative
- Guido Capanna Piscè and Gian Andrea Garancini, MAST project representatives
- Julia Bonello, RECIRCLE MED project representative
- Boris Golob, GreenSET project representative
Presentation of the Thematic paper “Smart and data-driven destination management for sustainable tourism in the Mediterranean”
Thematic Papers
- Smart and Data-Driven Destination Management for Sustainable Tourism in the Mediterranean presented by Tanja Armenski, External expert. Senior Data and Public-Sector Analyst, Evidence-Based Policymaking, Statistical Modelling & Data Governance
- Supporting Tourism Micro-enterprises and SMEs in their Transition to Circular Economy Practices presented by David Mora, Strategic consultant in the tourism sector, partner of Verne Tourism Experts
- Climate resilience in tourism coastal destinations: solutions from Nature and Cultural Heritage presented by Marianne Lang, Consultant & Project Manager-Environment, Sustainable Development & International Cooperation
- Beyond Projects: Institutionalizing Biodiversity and Sustainable Tourism Practices in the Mediterranean presented by Mark Mansoldo, Ecostack Innovations consultant
Photo gallery
Here you can find a photo gallery of the MED Sustainable Tourism Convention 2026
