As part of the TO CARE MED project – “Transferring Tourism Carrying Capacity Tool TO CARE about Sustainability of MED Ecotourism Strategies, Plans, Products and Services” – partners across the Mediterranean are taking an important step to advance the sustainability of ecotourism in their regions.
Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, leading the coordination of the project’s Destination Working Groups (DWGs), is facilitating the creation of these groups in each partner city.
The Destination Working Groups will serve as collaborative platforms for stakeholder engagement, sustainable planning, and collective action. Their primary goal is to support the transition toward more sustainable tourism models in ecotourism destinations by bringing together diverse local actors.
Partners have identified relevant local actors who can actively contribute to the sustainability transition. Stakeholders will be invited to join the DWGs, either as core operational members or as followers involved in broader joint initiatives.
Each destination area will host an initial DWG meeting, aimed at formally establishing the group, discussing destination-specific challenges and obstacles, and setting the foundation for future activities.
During the first DWG meeting, the partners will:
- Engage key local stakeholders, including public authorities, destination management organizations (DMOs), tourism operators, community representatives, and environmental NGOs;
- Map and align the interests, commitments, and potential contributions of all members;
- Foster dialogue on obstacles and challenges within the destination area;
- Facilitate peer learning and the exchange of best practices at local levels.
DWG meetings are already underway across the partner cities with the following calendar:
- Jubilee Route-Molise (Italy): 26 September 2025
- Varna (Bulgaria): 26 September 2025
- Monemvasia (Greece): 1 October 2025
- Murcia (Spain): 8 October 2025
- Setubal (Portugal): October (tbc)
The launch of the Destination Working Groups represents a pivotal milestone in the TO CARE MED project’s mission to advance sustainable ecotourism across the Mediterranean. By activating local engagement and fostering long-term collaboration between key stakeholders, these groups will serve as engines for innovation, policy alignment, and sustainable development in tourism.
As the DWGs begin their work across partner cities, they will help translate strategic goals into local action — shaping tourism models that are not only economically viable but also environmentally responsible and socially inclusive.
Further updates will be shared as each destination progresses.
The road to a more sustainable Mediterranean tourism landscape has officially begun!
