The Municipality of Monemvasia, Greece, hosted a Local Stakeholder Workshop as part of the Interreg Euro-MED TO CARE MED project, bringing together representatives from local authorities, tourism businesses, hospitality associations, and community organisations to explore sustainable tourism solutions for the destination.
The workshop opened with presentations highlighting the importance of collaboration among public authorities, tourism stakeholders, and local communities to ensure balanced tourism development that preserves Monemvasia’s unique cultural heritage and natural environment. Participants were introduced to the objectives of the TO CARE MED project and the Tourism Carrying Capacity Limit (TCCL) methodology, an innovative tool that supports destinations in managing visitor flows while safeguarding environmental, social, and cultural resources.
During the discussion session, stakeholders examined the main opportunities and challenges facing Monemvasia. Key topics included tourism seasonality, infrastructure capacity, accessibility, water resource management, destination branding, workforce availability, and the protection of cultural heritage. Participants also explored opportunities to diversify the local tourism offer by promoting cultural experiences, gastronomy, nature-based activities, and year-round tourism.
The interactive workshop encouraged participants to identify priorities for the destination’s future. Discussions focused on strengthening environmental sustainability, improving visitor experiences through smart tourism solutions, enhancing cooperation between public and private stakeholders, and ensuring that tourism development delivers long-term benefits for local communities while preserving Monemvasia’s identity.
The workshop concluded with a shared commitment to continue stakeholder collaboration through the Destination Working Group, further develop recommendations for sustainable tourism management, and exchange good practices with other Mediterranean destinations participating in the TO CARE MED project.
Through participatory planning and knowledge exchange, TO CARE MED continues to support Mediterranean destinations in building resilient, competitive, and sustainable tourism models that create value for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.
