Transnational Strategy for the valorisation of sustainable practices in Mediterranean Cultural Itineraries
The Transnational Strategy serves as a framework that documents how the MED Routes eco-itineraries were developed, marketed, and established for sustained use over time. It aims to bring together the methodologies borrowed from INCIRCLE and EMBLEMATIC, establish the shared criteria applied by the four Cultural Routes and guarantee transparency, consistency and comparability among all itineraries. Partners can rely on it as a unified guide for development, outreach and certification via the Green Label. At the same time, it works as a replicable framework that other Cultural Routes and destinations around the Mediterranean can use when designing and promoting their own sustainable, small-scale eco-itineraries.
click to view full size Implementation
In Pafos (Cyprus), local tourism operators took part in co-creation laboratories aimed at the development of two small-scale eco-itineraries closely linked to local heritage. The itineraries incorporate principles of sustainable mobility, environmental awareness, and low-impact travel. They were validated through the Green Label and promoted using tailored communication strategies, while training activities supported both local institutions and tourism operators. The Strategy targets destinations that are part of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, with particular emphasis on the Mediterranean region, and addresses local authorities, destination management organizations, tourism operators, and communities interested in adopting sustainable, culturally based, small-scale eco-itineraries.
Replicability conditions
Destinations need to adapt the knowledge built up through INCIRCLE and EMBLEMATIC and follow the shared criteria for designing eco-itineraries and put into practice the processes around stakeholder engagement, co-creation and embedding sustainability. They should be able to create small-scale itineraries that draw on local heritage, meet the Green Label standards and use the promotional methods outlined in the Catalogue. Aldo depends on having the capacity for training, monitoring, evaluation and working in line with circular-economy principles.