In collaboration with prominent European partners, BMC has taken part in this innovative EU-funded project that is transforming sustainable tourism across the Mediterranean basin.
The Balearic Marine Cluster has driven sustainable tourism in the Mediterranean through the EU WeMED Na_TOUR project, which wraps up its 2024 edition, thanks to its collaboration with prominent European partners.
The EU WeMED Na_TOUR project, a flagship initiative of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), has been key in developing responsible tourism practices, highlighting the impact of collaboration among young travelers, businesses, and tourism specialists in the Balearic Islands.
“Thanks to this project, we have witnessed young travelers becoming ambassadors for sustainable tourism, a transformation that positively influences their families and the community,” says Pedro Suasi, manager of the Balearic Marine Cluster. “We are proud that the Balearic Islands are a sustainability benchmark and to collaborate with strategic partners in this endeavor.”
Meanwhile, Marika Mazzi Boém, co-founder and Director of Innovation Strategy at X23 – The Innovation Bakery, the project’s coordinating organization, noted that “it has been incredible to see students aged 6 to 17 become conscious travelers while exploring coastal destinations.” “These young ambassadors of sustainable tourism are already influencing the way their families think about tourism.”
Notably, through the Balearic Marine Cluster, a total of 17 students from 3rd-year secondary school at Santo Tomás de Aquino School in Inca (Mallorca) had the opportunity to take a trip last May to Grado, Italy. Additionally, 20 students from the Maria Immacolata Institute (IMIBERG) in Bergamo, Italy, visited Mallorca through an eco-sustainable and environmentally responsible tourism package also organized by the Balearic Marine Cluster. The project also involved various local companies and institutions, whose participation made the journey a truly enriching experience for the students.
Youth-Led Innovation and Industry Expertise
Furthermore, the project applied a unique “learning by visiting” approach, engaging 64 students from Italy, Mauritania, Portugal, and Spain in the development of new eco-conscious tourism practices. While students explored local ecosystems and cultural heritage, over 130 tourism companies received intensive training in green, blue, and digital skills to meet the growing demand for sustainable tourism experiences.
Key Achievements:
– Engaged 130+ SMEs in developing cutting-edge sustainable tourism solutions
– Empowered 64 young travellers as sustainability ambassadors
– United six nations in Mediterranean tourism innovation
– Created specialised educational materials for eco-travel
– Established new industry standards for responsible coastal tourism
The project’s impact culminated at the WestMED Hackathon in Portugal, where 87 participants from 15 countries—including representatives from major EU funding bodies such as EMFAF, Erasmus+, and Interreg—gathered to explore the future of sustainable Mediterranean tourism.
Strategic Cross-Mediterranean Partnership
The EU WeMED Na_TOUR project exemplifies the European Union’s commitment to fostering sustainable development across the Mediterranean region. This flagship EMFAF initiative, managed by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), has brought together a strategic alliance of leading organisations:
Project Leadership
– X23 – The Innovation Bakery (Italy) – Project Coordinator
Leading innovation hub orchestrating the project’s implementation and stakeholder engagement
National Tourism Authorities
- ENIT (Italian National Tourist Board): Bringing expertise in destination management and sustainable tourism practices
- Portuguese Tourism Board – TDP: Contributing strategic insights on coastal tourism development
- Mauritanian Tourism Board – ONTM: Extending the project’s impact to the southern Mediterranean shores
Sustainable Tourism Specialists
- International Social Tourism Organisation – ISTO (Belgium): Providing expertise in social and sustainable tourism practices
- Travel Without Plastic – TWP (Spain): Leading initiatives in reducing tourism’s environmental impact
- Balearic Islands Nautical Cluster Association – BMC (Spain): Contributing maritime tourism expertise and regional network connections
This flagship EMFAF project demonstrates the EU’s commitment to sustainable tourism innovation. By bringing together diverse partners from both shores of the Mediterranean, EU WeMED Na_TOUR sets new standards for cross-border collaboration in sustainable tourism development.
A Model for Future EU Tourism Initiatives
The success of this flagship project underscores the effectiveness of the EU’s EMFAF programme in fostering sustainable development across the Mediterranean region. Through strategic funding and partnership building, the European Union continues to lead the way in promoting innovative approaches to tourism that benefit both local communities and the environment.
“What makes this project exceptional is its focus on the school trip market—a sector with immense potential to shape sustainable tourism habits for generations to come,” adds Jo Hendrix, CEO at Travel Without Plastic. “The EU’s support through EMFAF has been instrumental in bringing this vision to life.”
Looking Ahead: From EU Project to Mediterranean-Wide Movement
The conclusion of this flagship EMFAF project marks not an endpoint, but a launching pad for several ambitious initiatives set to transform educational tourism across the Mediterranean:
WeMED Tourism Packages Going Commercial
Following overwhelming interest from educational institutions, the sustainable tourism packages developed during the project will be commercially available starting in 2025. These tested and proven experiences will expand to include new destinations across the Mediterranean basin, allowing more schools to benefit from the innovative “learning by visiting” approach.
- Launch of the WeMED Alliance
A groundbreaking new network, the WeMED Alliance, has been established to unite EU schools across the Mediterranean region. This alliance will serve as a platform for:
- Knowledge exchange between educational institutions
- Collaborative development of sustainable tourism practices
- Shared resources and best practices
- Cross-cultural student exchanges
- Joint environmental protection initiatives
“The formation of the WeMED Alliance represents a natural evolution of our project’s success,” explains Marika Mazzi Boém, Innovation Strategy Director at X23. “We’re seeing tremendous enthusiasm from schools eager to join this movement toward sustainable educational travel.”
- WeMED Academy: Professional Development Hub
In response to industry demand, the project team is preparing to launch the WeMED Academy, a professional development platform that will:
- Offer certified courses in sustainable tourism management
- Provide specialised training for educational travel coordinators
- Share best practices for organising eco-conscious school trips
- Develop new modules based on project learnings
- Create a community of practice for sustainable tourism educators
The Academy’s courses, drawing from the project’s successful training programs, will be commercially available in 2025. They will offer tourism professionals and educators the tools to create meaningful, sustainable travel experiences.
“The commercialisation of our training programs through the WeMED Academy will ensure that the project’s impact continues to grow,” notes Marika Mazzi Boém, Innovation Strategy Director at X23. “We’re not just sharing knowledge; we’re building a community of practice dedicated to sustainable educational tourism.”
Sustainable Legacy
As a flagship EMFAF project, EU WeMED Na_TOUR has established more than just a blueprint for sustainable tourism initiatives—it has created a living legacy that will continue to evolve and grow. Through the commercial tourism packages, the WeMED Alliance, and the WeMED Academy, the project’s innovative approaches will reach an ever-wider audience, furthering the EU’s commitment to sustainable development in the Mediterranean region.
