The medieval town of Monemvasia, nestled in Greece’s Peloponnese region, is stepping into the spotlight as a model for sustainable ecotourism. Through its participation in the TO CARE MED project, Monemvasia is helping shape a new, data-driven approach to managing tourism in Mediterranean destinations, one that protects local ecosystems and heritage while ensuring the well-being of local communities.
Famed for its medieval castle town, Byzantine churches, and breath taking coastal landscapes, Monemvasia embodies the Mediterranean’s cultural and natural wealth. Visitors can hike along scenic trails, explore Natura 2000 sites, enjoy local wines and olive oils, or experience centuries-old religious and culinary traditions.
At the heart of this initiative lies the Tourism Carrying Capacity Limit (TCCL) tool, an innovative framework originally developed under the ALTERECO PLUS project. TO CARE MED builds on that foundation, adapting the methodology to different Mediterranean contexts through a collaborative, cross-border approach.
Unlike traditional tourism management tools, the TCCL model doesn’t focus solely on protected natural areas. Instead, it takes a holistic view, assessing how tourism affects the entire destination system: urban zones, cultural landmarks, transport infrastructure, coastal and marine environments, and local communities.
By quantifying tourism pressures and setting thresholds for sustainable growth, the TCCL helps destinations make informed decisions. Like many Mediterranean destinations, Monemvasia faces challenges such as seasonal tourism peaks, infrastructure constraints, and environmental pressures from increased visitor flows. Addressing these issues requires more than isolated measures, it demands a comprehensive strategy rooted in local knowledge and international expertise.
That’s where the Monemvasia Destination Working Group (DWG) comes in. Coordinated by KEAN (Cell of Alternative Youth Activities), the DWG brings together municipal representatives, tourism professionals, environmental experts, and community members to co-design sustainable solutions using the TCCL framework.
Held online on October 1, 2025, the first Monemvasia DWG meeting marked a major step forward. Participants from KEAN, the Municipality of Monemvasia, and external experts exchanged insights on the local tourism landscape, identifying both opportunities and challenges for the region.
Monemvasia is not currently facing overtourism at this time of year, but participants emphasized the need to extend the tourism season and distribute visitor flows more evenly throughout the year. This would strengthen the local economy while preserving the town’s cultural and environmental integrity.
KEAN representatives highlighted that the TCCL methodology – combined with local collaboration and knowledge exchange – provides the ideal framework for achieving these goals. They also discussed potential pilot initiatives, such as off-season outdoor and cultural events, to promote year-round sustainable tourism.
The meeting concluded with a clear roadmap for action:
- Finalize the stakeholder network, ensuring broad participation from all local sectors.
- Develop Monemvasia’s first Integrated Action Plan (IAP) using the TCCL methodology.
- Organize training workshops to help stakeholders interpret TCCL data and apply it effectively.
- Schedule follow-up meetings to monitor progress, ensure transparency, and refine strategies.
These steps aim to turn Monemvasia into a benchmark for sustainable tourism governance, not only for Greece but for the entire Mediterranean region.
TO CARE MED is more than a local project, it’s part of a growing transnational movement to make tourism in the Mediterranean more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient. Through its collaborative Destination Working Groups, the project connects Monemvasia with other pilot destinations in Spain, Croatia, Portugal, Bulgaria, and Italy to share experiences, learn from one another, and scale up innovation.
Through the continued efforts of KEAN and its partners, Monemvasia is laying the groundwork for a resilient model of destination management that integrates sustainability into every aspect of tourism planning. The outcomes of this work will not only benefit the local community but will also contribute valuable insights to the wider TO CARE MED network, strengthening the collective commitment to responsible tourism across the Mediterranean.
