On May 26–27, 2025, Venice hosted the TO CARE MED project kick-off meeting—“Transferring Tourism Carrying Capacity Tool TO CARE about Sustainability of MED Ecotourism Strategies, Plans, Products and Services.” The event, held at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, brought together Mediterranean partners to advance sustainable tourism practices across the region.
A Tool for Sustainable Tourism Management
The meeting opened with a presentation by Nicola Camatti from Ca’ Foscari University’s Department of Economics, who introduced the Tourism Carrying Capacity Limit (TCCL) tool. Originally developed in the ALTERECO project, the TCCL tool is designed to help policymakers and tourism operators assess and manage tourism’s physical, economic, and socio-cultural limits in their destinations. The goal is to prevent over-tourism and promote sustainability by balancing visitor numbers with environmental and community well-being. The tool’s transfer process involves sharing technical and scientific knowledge to ensure its correct application by stakeholders. This includes systematic guidance on using the tool effectively in day-to-day management, ensuring that tourism development does not compromise the destination’s integrity.
Partner Presentations and Ecotourism Strategies
Representatives from partner regions presented their ecotourism strategies and pilot areas, including the City of Pula, the Union of Bulgarian Black Sea Local Authorities (UBBSLA), Kapodistriaki Development S.A. in Corfu, the City of Murcia, the City of Setúbal, the Union of Municipalities “Tifernum,” and the Community Education Research Centre (CERC). These presentations highlighted the diverse approaches in implementing sustainable tourism practices tailored to each region’s unique context.
Building a Framework for Knowledge Transfer
The afternoon session of the kickoff meeting, led by Ca’ Foscari University, focused on establishing the project’s executive framework, outlining the roadmap for transferring the TCCL tool, and managing knowledge effectively. Participants were introduced to the Basecamp platform, which will facilitate collaboration and information sharing among partners.
UBBSLA led a session on managing and reporting carbon footprints, emphasising the importance of monitoring environmental impacts as part of sustainable tourism development. The day concluded with the first Steering Committee meeting, where members approved procedural rules, established management, and coordination structures to guide the project’s implementation
The TO CARE MED project represents a collaborative effort to promote sustainable ecotourism in the Mediterranean by equipping destinations with the tools and knowledge needed to manage tourism responsibly.
