Coastal and maritime tourism is one of the largest pillars of the EU Blue Economy. While the sector generates significant economic and social value, it now faces accelerating pressures: climate change, biodiversity degradation, rising environmental impacts, evolving traveler expectations, and the need to align with Europe’s green and digital transition.
At the same time, the EU’s green and digital agenda, along with the Mission Ocean and Marine Spatial Planning frameworks, place tourism at the center of a broader transition toward sustainable, resilient and competitive coastal territories.
Sustainable blue tourism is emerging as a strategic lever for rethinking tourism models, strengthening ecosystem protection, diversifying local economies and aligning the sector with Europe’s long-term climate and ocean ambitions.
Join this dynamic 2-hour capacity building to:
- Learn about the latest state of play of sustainable blue tourism
- Get to know regional and international initiatives driving transformation
- Explore cross-sector synergies with other blue economy industries
- Highlight quick-win solutions for rapid implementation
- Introduce digital tools and smart technologies enabling sustainable tourism practices
Through inspiring stories, cutting-edge tools, and actionable insights, participants will discover how technology can enhance productivity, protect marine ecosystems, and empower coastal communities. A must-attend session for anyone passionate about the blue economy and the digital transition of our seas.
See below the agenda and access registration. Speakers and more details are coming soon!
PROGRAMME:
PART 1 — State of play: challenges & opportunities
This opening session will provide an overview of current trends, pressures, and strategic needs in the tourism sector. It will explore environmental impacts, governance gaps, visitor pressure, resource consumption, and opportunities for diversification, while recalling the growing importance of tourism within EU maritime and ocean policies.
Speakers:
- Chloé Martin, Programme Officer Plan Bleu: Overview of key pressures and trends in coastal & maritime tourism; findings from MED projects; integration of tourism in EU ocean & maritime policies.
- Giulia Balestracci, Tourism Policy & Project Officer, Eco-union: Introduction to the Blue Tourism concept, assessment of sustainable Blue Tourism, key indicators and methodological elements, insights from your global and Mediterranean publications and the academic article on governance models.
PART 2 — Regional & International Initiatives Shaping Blue Tourism
This session highlights major initiatives advancing sustainable coastal and maritime tourism across regions. It focuses on shared governance approaches, policy recommendations, pilot actions, and knowledge exchange platforms.
Speakers:
- Francisco Martinez, Project Coordinator, Blue Dots: Presentation of the Bluedots in Lab Venice: How the Blue Dots initiative strengthens multi-actor collaboration and capacity building for sustainable blue tourism.
- Angelo Sciacca, Coordinator Blue Tourism Initiative (IDDRI – eco-union – IUCNMed) Presentation of the Blue Tourism Initiative: Policy pathways, governance recommendations and regional frameworks shaping sustainable blue tourism.
PART 3 — Cross-Sector Synergies in the Blue Economy
Tourism increasingly intersects with fisheries, aquaculture, renewable energy, conservation, and maritime culture. This session presents concrete dual models demonstrating how sustainable tourism can diversify income, strengthen local resilience, and build social acceptance around blue industries.
Speakers:
- Antonia Vassileou, President Panhellenic Association for Fishing Tourism of Professional Fishers: Pescatourism and fisheries-based tourism models in Greece; income diversification for small-scale fishers.
- Dr Anastasios (Tasos) Baltadakis, R&D Specialist, LAMAR S.A. & Blutopia Marine Park, Greece: Integrating aquaculture, eco-tourism and ocean literacy; lessons from eco-tourism activities linked to fish farming.
- Marilou Suc, Ocean Leader, Peace Boat / Founder Blue Connection – Oceanpositive tourism: how Peace Boat Cruises combine low-impact travel with ecological restoration (mangrove planting, coral monitoring, turtle conservation, community-based activities).
- Cristina Fernández González, Técnica y gestora de proyectos europeos – Atlantic Coastal Diversification Initiative – FISATUR Project: Diversification of fishing & aquaculture communities through tourism and maritime heritage valorisation.
- Christophe Cusseau, Manager, Fécamp Tourism Office: Industrial tourism around offshore wind farms; visitor experiences, territorial impact and best practices.
PART 4 — Quick-Win Actions for Destinations s Operators
A practical session showcasing ready-to-implement solutions for hotels, municipalities, DMOs, and tourism operators. These actions require limited investment but generate immediate environmental and social benefits.
Speakers:
- Aspasia-Antonia Koutsopoulou – Lead Partner RECIRCLE MED (University of Thessaly, Greece)- Circular economy approaches for coastal destinations; quick-win measures from pilot sites.
- Céline Renouard, Project Lead – Beyond Plastic Med (BeMed): Source reduction of plastic pollution in hotels and tourism businesses; operational tools and success stories.
Digitalisation and smart technologies are reshaping tourism through improved monitoring, eco-navigation, visitor management, and safety at sea. This session demonstrates how data-driven solutions can reduce environmental impacts and support more informed decision-making.
PART 5 — Smart Blue Tourism: Technology & Digital Tools
Digitalization and smart technologies are reshaping tourism through improved monitoring, econavigation, visitor management, and safety at sea. This session demonstrates how data-driven solutions can reduce environmental impacts and support more informed decision-making.
Speaker:
- Marilou Suc, Blue Connection: Overview of digital tool for sustainable blue tourism.
Q&A and Closing Discussion
A facilitated session where participants can exchange with speakers, share regional experiences and identify areas for collaboration.
Sustainable blue tourism stands at a pivotal moment. With increasing environmental pressures and growing policy ambition, the tourism sector must evolve toward models that support climate goals, biodiversity recovery, and inclusive local development.
By connecting governance, industry, technology, and community action, this workshop will contribute to a shared vision for a resilient, competitive, and sustainability-driven blue tourism sector.