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Sustainable tourism

Sustainable tourism promotes environmentally friendly practices, supports local communities, and aligns with EU policies on conservation and economic development.

In the spotlight

Discover what actions you can take to encourage sustainable tourism in your region, from supporting local businesses and preserving natural heritage. Our experts have hand-picked the most relevant content for you on the topic so you can dive right in and learn how to balance tourism growth with environmental conservation and community well-being.

Policy brief
A lot of tourists standing in front of the acropolis

Sustainable tourism: strategies to counteract overtourism

Overtourism has a devastating impact on the natural and cultural heritage of many popular holiday spots. This policy brief presents solutions to the current challenges of the tourism sector.
| By Platform
Webinar
Wooden houses in the mountains

The social dimension of agritourism: key learnings

The Policy Learning Platform held a webinar on the social dimension of agritourism, on 10 September 2024. Find out about the key points of discussion and key learnings.
| By Platform
Story
six people talking in a garden

Solidarity tourism – different ways to discover a territory

Let's say you are planning a first-time vacation to Paris. What would be on your itinerary? Discover the Migrant Tour, and get a sense of the cultural diversity of the districts.
· France
Workshop

E-workshop recording: sustainable and competitive tourism

On 21 September we organised an e-workshop on strategies for a competitive and sustainable tourism sector. Access the recordings, presentations, and key learnings here!
Story

Rural businesses in the tourism sector

Rural Gowth Interreg Europe project brings you a good practice on boosting SME competitiveness on the sector of rural tourism in Savonlinna, Finland.
Webinar

Webinar on eco-tourism in riverside territories

Take a look at this webinar on the topic of eco-tourism in riverside territories. Watch the replay and access the presentations.
Matchmaking

Tourism strategies and roadmaps for supporting SMEs in Moldova

The Policy Learning Platform conducted an online matchmaking for the National Tourism Office of Moldova, on 12 July 2024. The National Tourism Office of Moldova requested some advice on how to build a strategy on tourism while developing support schemes for tourism SMEs.
· Moldova

Stories on sustainable tourism and cultural heritage

Cultural heritage can be an advantage to encourage sustainable tourism. Explore how Interreg Europe projects integrate cultural and sustainable tourism in their region, promoting responsible tourism practices that benefit both local communities and the environment.

Story
the globe with buildings and clippers

Sustainability Communication in Tourism

While a growing number of citizens is driven by environmental concerns when selecting a trip destination, many stakeholders are tackling the challenge of sustainable tourism both through
| By Platform
Story

North Downs Way pilgrim trail

The concept of walking as a leisure activity dates back to 19th century Romantic artists seeking refuge and inspiration in nature. With rising pollution and booming population, more and more people

| By Platform
Story

Off the beaten track: Regional strategies boosting tourism through heritage

Learn about Granada Geopark's success story which saw an increase of visitors by changing its Provincial Strategy with a focus on sustainable tourism
| By Platform

Good practices for sustainable tourism

Explore good practices from Interreg Europe projects that aim to promote sustainable tourism. They range from the mobility perspective to local eco-entrepreneurship, and religious tourism. 

Good practice

Innovation in the air: teleferic/aerial cable cars as low-carbon sustainable tourism mobility

Aerial cable cars are being used as a low-carbon alternative to conventional transport modes, particulatly for sustainable mobility at tourist destinations
18 July 2020 · United Kingdom
Good practice

Eco tourism - a sustainable chain

We created a network of companies in order to support each other and together strengthen the sustainable chain that is eco tourism.
20 January 2022 · Sweden
Good practice

Pilgrimage - Sustainable development of tourism regions with UNESCO religious sites.

The existence of UNESCO religious assets and the implementation of a coherent tourism destination strategy contributed to the development of tourism in Bucovina
25 May 2018 · Romania
Colors for quotes section

A message from our expert

Are you looking for specific content on sustainable tourism or are you dealing with a particular challenge on this topic?

Get in contact through our policy helpdesk and we can support you.

Submit your question

Mart Veliste

The tourism sector has had a couple of turbulent years – from very fast growth leading to overtourism and adverse impacts on the environment and communities. To a nearly complete shut-down during the COVID pandemic with its lasting social and economic impacts. Therefore, identifying good practices fostering a resilient and environmentally sustainable sector is crucial for rebuilding the sector in Europe.

Thematic Expert for a more Social Europe

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