The TO CARE MED project (Transferring Tourism Carrying Capacity Tool TO CARE about Sustainability of MED ecotourism strategies, plans, products and services) addresses a growing challenge for many Mediterranean destinations: the environmental and socio-cultural pressures caused by overtourism.
While tourism is a key economic driver for local communities, its unchecked growth can threaten biodiversity, degrade natural and cultural heritage, and negatively affect residents’ quality of life. TO CARE MED aims to promote a sustainable tourism model that balances visitor management with environmental protection and community well-being.
At the heart of the project is the Tourism Carrying Capacity Limit (TCCL) tool, initially developed under the ALTERECO project and now part of the Euro-Mediterranean Toolkit for Sustainable Tourism. TO CARE MED builds on this foundation by transferring and adapting the tool to various pilot areas across the MED region, helping to align local policies and tourism services with clear sustainability thresholds.
The project also includes the development of integrated strategies, action plans, and cascade training mechanisms to support knowledge sharing, institutional capacity building, and the creation of a shared vision for sustainable ecotourism.
Through this initiative, TO CARE MED sets a concrete path toward a future where tourism contributes not only to economic growth but also to the preservation and enhancement of the Mediterranean’s unique natural and cultural assets.
