Blue Tourism Initiative Transforms Mediterranean Tourism by 2026
In 2022, the Blue Tourism Initiative was launched in the Mediterranean to tackle challenges posed by climate change and mass tourism. This ambitious project, led by IUCN Med, aims to transform tourism into a driver of sustainability for vulnerable coastal and marine ecosystems.
The initiative's roadmap, Sustainable Blue Tourism in the Mediterranean (2025), provides a clear path for this transformation. Prior to this, Mapping Blue Tourism (2024) assessed the vulnerability of these ecosystems under tourism pressure, setting the stage for targeted action.
In Morocco, at Al Hoceima National Park, IUCN Med is creating nature-based tourist experiences to divert visitors from mass tourism circuits. Meanwhile, in Tunisia's Djerba, the organization is equipping wetlands with nature trails and assisting hotels in reducing their environmental impact. These on-the-ground efforts are supported by partnerships, such as the one with leading international hotel group Iberostar, which is testing biodiversity standards in Djerba.
The Blue Tourism Initiative runs until 2026, with a budget of around 4.3 million euros. This funding is co-financed by FFEM and supported by various organizations. IUCN Med's role as the initiative's leader combines scientific research with concrete actions in vulnerable sites, promoting sustainable tourism across the Mediterranean region.
The Blue Tourism Initiative, led by IUCN Med, is transforming tourism in the Mediterranean. By 2026, this 4.3 million euro project, co-financed by FFEM, aims to create sustainable tourist experiences that preserve the region's coastal and marine ecosystems. This is crucial for the Mediterranean's identity and economy, which are deeply linked to its coasts.
