Mediterranean territories work together to improve sustainable coastal tourism

Two PAP/RAC representatives attended the kick-off meeting of the INTERREG MED CO-EVOLVE project (Promoting the co-evolution of human activities and natural systems for the development of sustainable coastal and maritime tourism) led by the Region of East Macedonia and Thrace which took place in Komotini (Greece) on 12-13 January.

CO-EVOLVE is an INTERREG MED modular project developed under the programme’s priority axis 3 (natural and cultural resources) and specific objective 3.1 (sustainable tourism). It aims to analyse and promote the co-evolution of human activities and natural systems in touristic coastal areas, allowing for the sustainable development of touristic activities, based on the principles of Integrated Coastal Zone Management/Maritime Spatial Planning.

The project recognises that a key challenge for sustainable coastal and maritime tourism development is the strengthening of cooperation among regions and the joint development and transferring of approaches, tools, guidelines and best practices. It brings together an analysis at MED scale of threats and enabling factors for sustainable tourism with local studies on seven representative Pilot Areas. The aim is to demonstrate through pilot actions the feasibility and effectiveness of an ICZM/MSP-based planning process.

CO-EVOLVE will be divided into two phases: studying, which consists in analysing and defining the state of the art at MED and pilot area scale and testing, during which instruments, policies, strategies and joint plans already identified in M1 through pilot activities will be tested in order to set up solutions applicable to a wider set of users and territories.